Calceolaria commutata Molau
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Authority
Molau, Ulf. 1988. Scrophulariaceae Part I. Calceolarieae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 47: 1-325. (Published by NYBG Press)
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Family
Scrophulariaceae
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Scientific Name
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Type
Type. Ecuador. Cotopaxi: Just above Angamarca, ca. 2 km from the town along the rd. towards Latacunga, 3400 m, 11 Feb 1985, Molau et al. 1232 (holotype, GB; isotype, QCA).
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Description
Latin Diagnosis - Suffrutex, 0.5-2 m altus, caulibus glanduloso-pilosis vel glanduloso-hirsutis. Folia decussata, sessilia; lamina subcoriacea, lanceolata sive elliptica, 4.8-15 x 1-2.9 cm, acuta vel subacuta, ad basin cordata, marginibus revolutis, denticulatis, supra pilosa, glutinosa, infra pinnato-venosa, lanata. Inflorescentia terminalis, 2-3 paria cymarum 8-16 florum complectens; pedunculis primariis 1.7-6.7 cm longis; bracteae cymarum desunt. Sepala ovata, acuta vel leviter acuminata, 2.5-6.4 x 1.9-5.7 mm sub anthesi, extra glanduloso-papillosa. Corolla lutea vel vivide flava, immaculata, labio superiore 4-6 x 6-10 mm, labio inferiore 11-16 x 9-14 mm; elaeophorus adest. Antherae fuscae, papillosae, 2.4-3.0 mm, totae dehiscentes; thecae subglo-bosae, divaricatae. Stylus arcuatus, 2.0-4.3 mm. Capsula ovoides, 4-5 mm longa, glanduloso-hirsuta.
Species Description - Erect or ascending subshrub, 0.5-2 m tall; inflorescence and distal parts of stems hirsute or pilose with short, glandular, ascending, buffish-olivaceous hairs. Leaves sessile; blades lanceolate or narrowly elliptic, subcoriaceous, 4.8-15 x 1-2.9 cm, acute or subacute at apex, rounded and clasping at base, the margins denticulate, ± strongly revolute, often seemingly entire; upper surface bright to olive green, pilose, glutinous, somewhat rugose; lower surface pinnate-venose, lanate with coarse, whitish hairs. Inflorescence composed of two or three pairs of 8-16-flowered cymes; primary peduncles 1.7-6.7 cm; pedicels 0.5-3 cm; cyme bracts absent or rudimentary. Sepals ovate to triangular, olivaceous to light green, 2.5-6.4 x 1.9-5.7 mm at anthesis, acute or slightly acuminate, mucronulate, externally glandular-papillose. Corolla type V, bright or deep yellow, unspotted, the upper lip 4-6 x 6-10 mm, the lower lip 11-16 x 9-14 mm, saccate in 4555% of length; elaiophore present, but less dense and possibly non-functional. Stamens type 2 (thecae subglobose); anthers light brown to chestnut, 2.4-3 mm, papillose; filaments curved inwards, 1.6-2.8 mm. Style slightly arcuate, 2-4.3 mm. Capsule ovoid, 4-5 mm long, shortly glandular-hirsute. In = 36 (Molau & Öhman 1180, 1219, 1232).
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Discussion
This new species is a narrow endemic, which previously has been confused with C. spruceana. The two species show a close resemblance in most vegetative characters, but this is probably a secondary feature. In floral morphology (corolla shape, elaiophore, anthers) C. commutata is quite intermediate between C. adenanthera subsp, bracteata and C. odontophylla, both present further south in the Cordillera Occidental. Thus, C. commutata has most likely evolved as product of hybrid speciation with C. adenanthera and C. odontophylla as the parental species. Today, the three taxa are allopatric, and C. commutata is fairly constant throughout its range; no backcross types are present in the material. The chromosome number of C. commutata (2n = 36) agrees with that of the supposed parental species, suggesting the process of segregation and establishment of the hybrid in a new area without any change in the level of ploidy (homogamic complex).
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Distribution
Ecuador South America| Bolívar Ecuador South America| Cotopaxi Ecuador South America|