Eriosema brevipes Grear

  • Authority

    Grear, John W. 1970. A revision of the American species of Eriosema (Leguminosae-Lotoldeae). Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 20: 1-98.

  • Family

    Fabaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Eriosema brevipes Grear

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Herba plerumque minus quam 1 m alta; caules e basi lignosa adscendentes vel saepe decumbentes, pauci-ramosi, ferrugineo- vel luteo-sericei. Stipulae lanceolatae, connatae, persistentes, extus pilosae, 5-12 mm longae, 2-3 mm latae. Petioli 2-4 mm longi, appresse pilosi. Foliola 3, tenuiter coriacea, oblonga usque lanceolata, 3-8 cm longa, 0.6-2.2 cm lata, ad apicem acuminatam acuta, basi acuta vel leviter rotunda, facie supra et subtus scabra, carina (vel nervo mediano) subtus prominente. Inflorescentiae 2-4 cm longae, pauci (2-10)-florae, quasi-fasciculatae, subsessiles, pedunculo 2-5 mm longo, pericellis 4-5 mm longis. Bracteae lanceolatae, caducae, extus pilosae, 5-6 mm longae, 1.0-1.5 mm latae. Calyx extus pilosus, 6.0-8.5 mm longus, tubo 2.0-2.5 mm longo, lobis apice purpurascentibus 5.0-6.5 mm longis. Corolla 12-14 mm longa. Vexillum late obovatum, apice purpurascens, 13-14 mm longum, 9.0-9.5 mm latum, auriculo 1 mm longo, ungui 2.0-2.5 mm longo. Alae late oblongae, 12.0-12.5 mm longae, 3.5-4.0 mm latae, unguibus 2.5-4.0 mm longis. Carina 12.0-12.5 mm longa, ad maximum 3.5-4.0 mm lata, unguibus 2.0-2.5 mm longis. Stamina 12.5-13.0 mm longa. Fructus ovati, 1-2 cm longi, 5-11 mm lati. Semina non visa.

    Species Description - Herb with few-branched, erect, ascending or decumbent stems usually less than 1 m in length, from woody base, their pubescence ferrous or luteo-sericeous. Stipules lanceolate, persistent, connate, 5-12 mm long, 2-3 mm wide. Petioles 2-4 mm long, appressed-pilose. Leaflets 3, thin-coriaceous, oblong to lanceolate, acute-acuminate, base acute or slightly rounded, 3-8 cm long, 0.6-2.2 cm wide, scabrous on both surfaces, prominent midvein beneath. Inflorescences 2-4 cm long, few-flowered (2-10), quasi-fasciculate and subsessile, peduncle 2-5 mm long, pedicel 4-5 mm long. Bracts lanceolate, caducous, 5-6 mm long, 1.0-1.5 mm wide. Calyx 6.0-8.5 mm long, tube 2.0-2.5 mm long, lobes flushed purple at tips, 5.0-6.5 mm long. Corolla 12-14 mm long. Standard broadly obovate, flushed purple at apex, 13-14 mm long, 9.0-9.5 mm wide, auricles 1 mm long, claw 2.0-2.5 mm long. Wings broadly oblong, 12.0-12.5 mm long, 3.5-4.0 mm wide, claw 2.5-4.0 mm long. Keel blades 12.0-12.5 mm long, 3.5-4.0 mm wide at maximum, claw 2.0-2.5 mm long. Stamens 12.5-13.0 mm long. Fruits ovate, 1-2 cm long, 5-11 mm wide.

  • Discussion

    Holotype (NY): Brazil, Goias, among boulders, slopes, Chapada dos Veadeiros, ca. 15 k m W of Veadeiros, elev 1000 m. H. S. Irwin, J. W . Grear, Jr., R. Souza & R. Reis dos Santos 12461. 10 Feb 1966. Isotypes (F, G, GH, IAN, K, LE, MO, S, U, UB, US).

    The affinities of Eriosema brevipes are uncertain. It resembles E. congestum in the arrangement of flowers in the raceme, which is subsessile on the stem. It differs from that species, however, by possessing smaller leaflets, which remain on the stem during anthesis. Also, the stems of E. brevipes are often decumbent.

    It is apparently endemic to the region of Chapada dos Veadeiros in Goias, Brazil. This area was little known botanically, but collections by Dawson in 1956 and more recently by Irwin et al. have yielded a number of new taxa.

  • Distribution

    Distribution. Known only from the type locality, Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goias, Brazil (Fig. 7). Occurring on rocky slopes in cerrados at elevations of 900-1000 m. BRAZIL. Goias: Chapada dos Veadeiros, ca. 15 k m W of Veadeiros, 10 Feb 1966, H . S. Irwin, J. W . Grear, R. Souza & R. Reis dos Santos 12461 (NY).

    Brazil South America|