Eriosema stipulare Benth.

  • Authority

    Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro. 1993. Systematics of Serjania (Sapindaceae) Part I: A Revision of Serjania Sect. Platycoccus. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 67: 1-91.

  • Family

    Fabaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Eriosema stipulare Benth.

  • Description

    Species Description - Herb to 1 m tall, with simple or few-branched, erect or ascending stems from woody base, the stems glabrate to densely albo-pilose, the hairs spreading. Stipules lanceolate, persistent, connate, externally pilose, 10-20 mm long, 2-4 mm wide. Petioles 1-4 mm long, pilose. Leaflets 3, thin-coriaceous, linear to oblonglanceolate, acute, base acute to slightly rounded, 2.5-10.5 cm long, 2-13 mm wide, albo-pilose on both surfaces, leaflets usually loosely erect-appressed. Inflorescences 1.3-2.0 cm long, quasi-fasciculate, few-flowered (2-4), peduncle 1-5 mm long, pedicel 2.0-4.5 mm long. Bracts lanceolate, persistent, 3.0-5.5 mm long, 1-2 mm wide. Calyx externally glandular, 5-7 mm long, tube 1.5-2.0 mm long, lobes 2-5 mm long. Corolla pale yellow, 11-12 mm long. Standard obovate, 11-12 mm long, 7.0-7.5 mm wide, auricles 1 mm long, claw 2.0-2.5 mm long. Wings oblong, 10.5-11.0 mm long, 2.5-3.0 mm wide, claw 2.5-3.0 mm long. Keel blades 10.5-11.0 mm long, 3.0-3.5 mm wide at maximum, claw 3-4 mm long. Stamens 13.0-13.5 mm long. Fruit oval, albo-pilose, 1.0-1.3 cm long, 6-8 mm wide. Seeds oval, brown or black, 4.0-5.5 mm long, 3-4 mm wide.

    Distribution and Ecology - Distribution. Costa Rica to northern South America, south to Central Brazil (Fig. 11). Occurring in savannas, campos-cerrados, pastures, rocky slopes, usually on sandy soils; at elevations of 200-800 m.

  • Discussion

    Eriosema crinitum var pulchellum Benth., Mart. Fl. Bras. 15(1): 208. 1859. Lectotype examined (BM): Brazil, "in siccis apertis prov. Goyazensis." Gardner 3108. W/o date. Isotype (G).

    Holotype examined (K): Brazil, Goias, "Ad San Izidro." Pohl s n. W/o date. Isotype (LE).

    Eriosema stipulare is most often confused with E. crinitum var fusiformis but is distinguished from that taxon by its larger pods, flowers, and stipules and especially by having longer leaflets with the apex acute. Also, the leaflets are usually more appressed to the stem.