Agarista duartei (Sleumer) Judd
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Authority
Luteyn, James L., et al. 1995. Ericaceae, Part II. The Superior-Ovaried Genera (Monotropoideae, Pyroloideae, Rhododendroideae, and Vaccinioideae P.P.). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 66: 560. (Published by NYBG Press)
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Family
Ericaceae
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Scientific Name
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Type
Type. Brazil. Minas Gerais: Serra do Cipo, km 137 da Estrada de Conceição, 6 Dec 1949, Duarte 2103 (holotype, RB, n.v.; isotypes, L, LIL, n.v.).
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Synonyms
Leucothoe duartei Sleumer
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Description
Species Description - Subshrub to ca. 0.5 m tall, with bark not well developed; twigs ± glabrous to densely pubescent, with nonchambered to irregularly chambered pith; buds to ca. 1 mm long, leaves conduplicate. Leaves coriaceous, linear and ± curved, 1.2-3.5(-4) × 0.2-0.5 cm but appearing narrower because lamina strongly adaxially folded, thus obscuring adaxial surface, base narrowly cuneate, apex narrowly acute to short-acuminate, margin entire, to serrulate in juvenile leaves due to presence of gland-headed hairs, plane, adaxial surface sparsely pubescent, abaxial surface with or without gland-headed hairs, otherwise glabrous to very sparsely pubescent on basal portion of midvein, lacking or with few inconspicuous glandular dots along midvein; petiole 2- 6.5 mm long, not flexuous, inflorescences axillary racemes to 0.3-1.5 cm long; rachis very slightly to densely pubescent; pedicels 2-7.5 mm long, glabrous to densely pubescent; bracteoles 2, subopposite to alternate, from nearly basal to near midpoint of pedicel, narrowly triangular, to ca. 1 mm long; floral bracts to ca. 1 mm long. Flowers with triangular calyx lobes, with acuminate apices, 1-1.5 × 0.61 mm, abaxial surface essentially glabrous; corolla cylindrical, white, 7-9.5 × 2.5-4.5 mm, glabrous; filaments 4.5-5.5 mm long; anthers 1.1-1.3 mm long; ovary glabrous to moderately pubescent, placentae ± subapical(?). Capsules not seen.
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Discussion
This rare and little-collected species is probably related most closely to Agarista angustissima and A. glaberrima. It is easily distinguished from both of these species by its often pubescent stems and inflorescence rachis, its shorter petioles, and its shorter and exclusively axillary racemes. Its leaves, like those of A. angustissima, are linear and very strongly adaxially folded. Agarista duartei has been collected only in the Serra do Cipo, a region where the genus shows a large amount of diversity. Fruiting material has not been seen.
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Distribution
SE Brazil, Minas Gerais. Open sandy or rocky areas; 1300-1400 m elev. Flowering October to December.
Brazil South America| Minas Gerais Brazil South America|