Manihot quinquepartita Huber ex D.J.Rogers & Appan

  • Authority

    Rogers, David J. & Appan, S. G. 1973. Manibot, Manihotoides (Euphorbiaceae). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 13: 1-272. 1 chart. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Euphorbiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Manihot quinquepartita Huber ex D.J.Rogers & Appan

  • Type

    TYPE. Huber 915. Brasil, Pará: Rio Capim, 2 Jul 1897 (holotype, MG, photo of type, F).

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Frutex subscandens, super vegetationem scandens, ad 6.0 m alta. Caules pubescentes. Folia quinque-lobata, lobis-medianis 10.0-15.0 cm longis, venis pubescentibus, basibus lobarum valde constrictis. Inflorescentia paniculata monecia, 10.0-15.0 cm longa; bracteolis prominente foliaceis, pubescentibus, marginibus plerumque laciniatis. Capsulae grandes, circa 2.5 cm longae. Semina grandia, circa 2.0 cm longa.

    Description - Subscandent, woody shrub, vine-like, clambering over other vegetation, to ca 6.0 m tall. Roots non vidi. Young stems pubescent; mature stems sparsely pubescent. Leaves alternate; stipules setaceous, less than 1.0 cm long, pubescent, caducous; petioles 10.0-15.0 cm long, terete, sparsely pubescent, petiole attachment to lamina basal, nonpeltate; lamina membranaceous to almost coriaceous, abaxial surface wax pattern reticulate, often showing discrete irregular sided rings; venation camptodromous, veins pubescent; lamina palmately 5 lobed; median lobes elliptic-lanceolate, ca 11.0 cm long, ca 3.5 cm wide, never pandurate, lamina edges slightly undulate, apex acuminate, base of lobes extremely constricted so that the leaves appear compound, lamina at lobe base less than 0.2 cm wide, width between base of sinus and petiole-lamina junction less than 0.2 cm; lowest lobes slightly smaller than median lobes and slightly nonsymmetric. Inflorescence a moneocious, terminal panicle, 10.0-15.0 cm long; peduncles and pedicels pubescent; bracteoles prominently foliaceous, ca 1.5 cm long, ca 0.9 cm wide, pubescent, margins frequently laciniate, sometimes serrate or entire; bractlets foliaceous ca 1.0 cm long, ca 0.6 cm wide, margins laciniate, serrate, or entire. Pistillate flowers restricted to the base of the upper 2/3 of the inflorescence, pedicels ca 1.0 cm long, tepal 1.2 cm long, pubescent internally and externally, cleft to base into 5 lobes; ovary subglobose, sparsely pubescent or glabrous. Staminate buds ovoid-ellipsoid, flowers medium sized, tepal 1.2 cm long, pubescent internally and externally, cleft 1/3 way down into 3 lobes; stamens 10, in 2 whorls of 5 each, the superior whorl 0.9 cm long, the inferior 0.7 cm long, filaments pubescent. Capsules large, ca 2.5 cm long, surface smooth, apex rounded, dehiscence septicidal. Seeds large, 2.0 cm long, oblong, with well developed rib-like extensions along the lateral edges; caruncle very small and inconspicuous.

  • Discussion

    Huber had identified this species and provided the name on the type specimen, but did not publish the species.

    This is a well-defined species, whose nearest relative is Manihot brachyloba Muell.-Arg. The bracts and bracteoles of M, quinquepartita are foliaceous, while those of M. brachyloba are setaceous. The abaxial lamina surface wax pattern of this species is reticulate, that for M brachyloba is verrucate.

  • Distribution

    (Fig 91A). Brasil, Amapa Territory and the states Pará, Maranhão and Mato Grosso, on rocky slopes in clearings.

    Brazil South America| Amapá Brazil South America| Pará Brazil South America| Maranhão Brazil South America| Mato Grosso Brazil South America|