Piptocarpha organensis Cabrera

  • Authority

    Smith, Gerald L. & Coile, Nancy C. 2007. (Compositae: Vernonieae). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 99: 1--94. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Asteraceae

  • Scientific Name

    Piptocarpha organensis Cabrera

  • Type

    Type. Brazil. Rio de Janeiro: Serra dos Orgãos, Campo das Antas, 2000 m, 13 Jul 1956, Cabrera 12262 (holotype, LP, n.v. [as photo at LP]; isotypes, GH, K, RB).

  • Synonyms

    Piptocarpha organensis Glaz.

  • Description

    Species Description - Small trees 3-5 m high, branchlets slender, terete, cinereous-stellate-tomentose, alternate but upper ones becoming subopposite to opposite with glomerules in leaf axils. Leaves alternate but upper ones becoming subopposite to opposite, decussate, somewhat crowded toward ends of branchlets; petioles slightly furrowed, cinereous-tomentose (7-)10-15(-18) mm long; blades 3.5-8 x 1.5-3.5 cm, coriaceous, elliptic to obovate, acute to subacute at apex, slightly oblique to cuneate at base, glabrous, lustrous above, cinereous-stellate-tomentose below, 6-8 pairs of lateral veins, margins remotely toothed. Inflorescences axillary clusters of 4-7 heads, the inflorescences of each opposite leaf pair often appearing as one dense cluster. Heads with 5-7 florets on short tomentose peduncles; involucres turbinate, 6.5-7.5 x 3.5-4.5 mm; phyllaries imbricate in 4-5 series, rusty brown, margin arachnoid, outer ones triangular-ovate, tomentulose and subacute at apex, inner ones ovate-lanceolate to oblong, tomentose and obtuse at apex. Corollas light purple to white, glabrate, tube ca. 4 mm long, lobes 1.5-3 mm long; anthers purple ca. 3.5 mm long; the basal auricles elongated, papillate at tip, ca. 0.5 mm long. Pappus white to light straw-colored, biseriate, inner bristles filiform, 56 mm long, outer ones linear or filiform, unequal 0.52 mm long. Achenes 3-3.5 mm long, somewhat 3-4angled, 10-costate, gland-dotted.

  • Discussion

    Piptocarpha organensis was first documented by Glaziou 16211. Its publication is as follows: “124. P. organensis Glaz. n. sp.? in herb. Paris, Bero., Kew., Genev., etc. - Serra dos Orgaos, au sommet, RIO-JAN., n° 16211. Arbrisseau, fl. blanches. Janvier-février. R.” Glaziou’s description, although very brief, is diagnostic for the species, and its characteristics are superbly documented in the specimens of Glaziou 16211.

    We consider Glaziou to have validly published the name Piptocarpha organensis, but recognize that our interpretation of Art. 32.1 of the Code may not be accepted by everyone. A number of Glaziou names have been declared invalid, so we will follow Precept 10 “established custom” and will consider Glaziou’s name P. organensis as a “nomen subnudum.” We have followed the recommendation for this treatment as suggested to us by John McNeill.

    This species is very similar to Piptocarpha densifolia and is distinguished by its chiefly obovate leaves that are remotely toothed and cinereous-stellate-tomentose below, and inflorescences of 4-7 heads, each having 5-7 florets, and uniformly rusty brown phyllaries.

  • Distribution

    Piptocarpha organensis is known only from the heights of the Serra dos Orgãos, Rio de Janeiro (Fig. 24). Elevation is ca. 1900-2200 m. Flowering and fruiting occur from May to Sep.

    Rio de Janeiro Brazil South America|