Limnocharis flava (L.) Buchenau
-
Authority
Haynes, Robert R. & Holm-Nielsen, Lauritz B. 1992. The Limnocharitaceae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 56: 32. (Published by NYBG Press)
-
Family
Alismataceae
-
Scientific Name
-
Type
Type. Based on type of Alisma flava.
-
Synonyms
Alisma flava L., Limnocharis emarginata Humb. & Bonpl., Limnocharis plumieri Rich.
-
Description
Species Description - Herbs to 110 cm tall; rhizome ca. 3 cm long, ca. 3 cm diam. Leaves pale green; blades oval to ovate, 6.5-28 x 3-20.8 cm, with 11-15 veins, the apex round to mucronate, the base round to cordate; petioles 12-85 cm long, 0.4-1.5 cm diam., the base with a sheath to 20 cm long. Inflorescence proliferating, with 3-12 flowers, 4.5-19 cm diam.; peduncles mostly longer than petioles, 10-60 cm long, to 2 cm diam.; bracts lanceolate to ovate, 1.6-2.5 × 0.8-1.2 cm, the apex round to mucronate; pedicels winged, inflated, 4-8 cm long, 3-5 mm diam. Flowers ca. 5 cm wide, the sepals 1.6-1.7 × 1.2-1.4 cm, the petals 2-2.5 × ca. 1.5 cm, the stamens numerous, in two or more series, the anthers 1.2-1.9 × 0.20.6 mm, the filaments ca. 4.5 mm long, the staminodia numerous, the carpels 4.5-6 mm long. Fruits 11-16 × 5-8 mm; fruiting aggregate 1.11.6 × 1.4-2.4 cm. Seeds 1.1-1.3 mm long.
-
Discussion
Limnocharis flava is readily distinguished from L. laforestii by its peduncles that are nearly as long as to overtopping the leaves and by its pedicels that are obviously inflated. All collections of Limnocharis have historically been determined as L. flava, but we have observed a pattern of long erect peduncles and inflated pedicels as opposed to peduncles obviously shorter than the leaves and pedicels not inflated. We also have observed the two species growing in close proximity to each other in nature without any intermediates being present. We, therefore, have chosen to recognize two taxa at the specific level.
Alismaflava Linnaeus Sp. pl. 1: 343. 1753. Type. Plumier, PI. amer., t. 115. 1757. (fide, Howard 1979)
Limnocharis emarginata Humboldt & Bonpland, P1. aequinoct. 1: 116. 1808. Type. Colombia. Guaduas, alt. 580, Jul 1762, Humboldt & Bonpland s.n., (lectotype, P-HBK!, here designated; isolectotype, P!)
Limnocharis plumieri Richard, Mem. Mus. Nat. Hist. 1: 369. 1815. nom. superfl. (cited Alisma flava in synonomy)
Limnocharisflava is readily distinguished from L. laforestii by its peduncles that are nearly as long as to overtopping the leaves and by its pedicels that are obviously inflated. All collections of Limnocharis have historically been determined as L. flava, but we have observed a pattern of long erect peduncles and inflated pedicels as opposed to peduncles obviously shorter than the leaves and pedicels not inflated. We also have observed the two species growing in close proximity to each other in nature without any intermediates being present. We, therefore, have chosen to recognize two taxa at the specific level.
-
Objects
Specimens examined. MEXICO. CHIAPAS: Tonala, Purpus 6964 (UC). SINALOA: Culiacan, Brandegee s.n. (UC); NE of Culiacan, Ownbey & Ownbey 1888 (GH, MICH, UC, US). SONORA: S of Divisadero, Wiggins 7561 (US); Mun. Huatabampo, Breedlove & Thorne 18655 (MEXU). VERACRUZ: Mun. Catemaco, Gon- zales 4213 (MEXU); Rio Calzada, Coatzacoalcos, Lot 2463 (MEXU); Rio Paso de Dona Juana, C. Cardil, Novelo 520 (GH, MEXU); Mun. San Andres Tuxtla, Calzada 4213 (F); Mun. Veracruz, Laguna de San Ju- lian, Calzada 4366 (F), Lot 2408 (MEXU); NW of Vega de Alatorre, Nee et al. 19565 (F). NICARAGUA. BoACO: Teustepe, Atwood 2411 (MO, UC, UNA). CHONTALES: Puerto Diaz, Sandino & Mar- tinez 3721 (AAU, UNA); SSW of Juigalpa, Stevens & Montiel 17426 (UNA); Juigalpa, Standley 9335 (F); Rio Potrero, SW of Juigalpa, Haynes 8304 (AAU, MO UNA). GRANADA: C. Granada, Guzmdn & Castro 1896 (MO); C. F. Baker 209 (GH, MICH, MO, NY, UC), Levy 73 (C, G, P); Gran Lago, Santiago 98 (HNMN). MANAGUA: Nichols 101 (BM, F, GH, MO). Rio SAN JUAN: SW of Rio Oyate between Acoyapa and Morrito, Stevens 22669 (AAU, UNA). RIVAs: Isla de Ometepe, La Argentina, Moreno 22192 (UNA); Peiias Blancas, Nichols 1840 (MO, NY); Las Piedras, Haynes 8428
-
Distribution
Northwestern Mexico to Cuba and Hispaniola, south to northern Argentina and eastern Brazil. Collected from sea level 10 15oo m; flowering year round; in muddy soil or water to 0.5 m deep of streams, rivers, lakes and marshes.
Mexico North America| Cuba South America| Haiti South America| Dominican Republic South America| Central America| South America|