Nissolia fruticosa var. fruticosa
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Authority
Rudd, Velva E. 1956. A revision of the genus Nissolia. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 32: 173-206.
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Family
Fabaceae
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Scientific Name
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Type
Type locality: Cartagena, Colombia. Type presumably collected by Jacquin; photo cited below.
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Description
Description - Typical variety characterized by small flowers, 5-8 mm. long, with calyx teeth about 0.5 mm. long or less; inflorescences commonly racemose, frequently paniculate, but rarely fasciculate.
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Discussion
The Ioments with stipe exceeding the calyx readily distinguish Nissolia fruticosa from other species of the genus. As mentioned above, the typical variety has smaller flowers than var. guatemalensis, the calyx teeth are obsolete or rather inconspicuous, and the inflorescences are commonly racemose, often paniculate. A few specimens from Central America and from Colombia show characters transitional to var. guatemalensis. Examination of photographs of the types of N. fruticosa and N. racemosa and of the type specimens of N. nelsoni, N. costaricensis, and Machaeriwn verapazense shows all five taxa to be essentially identical. Accordingly, they are placed in synonymy under the oldest name, Nissolia fruticosa Jacq. There are three Mexican collections that may belong to this species, possibly as another variety, but which I have not placed: Ortega 6362 and Stork & Horton 8603, from Sinaloa, and Hinton 14546, from Guerrero. All have small flowers, in fascicles, suggesting N. fruticosa or N. hirsuta. The glabrous nature of the calyx, pedicels, and the small leaflets suggests N. leiogyne. I have seen no mature fruit. A few immature fruits of the Hinton collection appear to have elongating stipes, characteristic of N. fruticosa. However, such evidence can be misleading, and it seems best to reserve judgment until mature fruits are available.
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Common Names
box-ak, riatilla, reatilla, hierba del tamagas, gallito