Aeschynomene fascicularis Schltdl. & Cham.
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Authority
Rudd, Velva E. 1955. The American species of Aeschynomene. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 32: 1-172.
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Family
Fabaceae
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Scientific Name
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Type
Type locality: "Inter la Laguna Verde et Actopan" [Vera Cruz?], México. Type collected by Martens.
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Description
Description - Shrub 1-2 m. tall; stem appressed-pubescent, rarely patent-pubescent, glabrate with age; stipules about 5-8 mm. long, 1 mm. wide at base, linear, acuminate, strigillose or subglabrous; leaves about 40-50-foliolate ; leaflets 10-20 mm. long, 2-5 mm. wide, oblong, entire, obtuse to subacute, the base rounded, the upper surface glabrous or nearly so, the lower surface pubescent with appressed hairs, especially along costa and margin, the costa excentric but not marginal ; inflorescences axillary, racemose-fasciculate, shorter than the subtanding leaves; peduncles and pedicels strigillose and also hispidulous; bracts ovate-acute to lanceolate-acuminate, 2-4 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide at base, appressed-pubescent; flowers 8-15 mm. long, calyx 4-5 mm. long, strigillose; petals drying to chocolate brown; standard 8-15 mm. long, commonly 10-12 mm. long, the claw 2 mm. long, the blade 8-10 mm. long, 6-7 mm. wide, elliptic, entire; wings and keel about as long as the standard, the wing blades about 3 mm. wide, the keel blades about 1 mm. wide; stamens 8-9 mm. long; fruit 3-5-articulate, the stipe 3-4 mm. long, the articles about 6-8 mm. long, 4-5 mm. wide, reticulate, lightly appressed-pubescent or, rarely, the pubescence somewhat crispate; seeds 3-5 mm. long, 1.5-2 mm. wide, light brown.
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Discussion
The numerous, oblong, excentric leaflets of this species are sufficiently distinctive to prevent confusion with others of the genus. I have not seen the type of Ae.Jascicularis, but the original description, and the many specimens so identified previously, leave little doubt that the species is being correctly interpreted. Sessé and Mociño published only one new species of Aeschynomene, Ae. fruticosa. By comparison of their specimens against the description, it is believed that their species is synonymous with Ae. fascicularis. The two isotypes of Ae. oligantha that I have scon appear to be somewhat delicate specimens of Ae. fascicularis. Pittier's No. 10734, although representing for the flora of Venezuela a new species which he named Ae. sciaphila, is identical with Ae. fascicularis. The two isotypes of Ae. oligantha that I have scon appear to be somewhat delicate specimens of Ae. fascicularis. Pittier's No. 10734, although representing for the flora of Venezuela a new species which he named Ae. sciaphila, is identical with Ae. fascicularis.
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Common Names
popotillo