Swartzia acutifolia var. parvipetala R.S.Cowan

  • Authority

    Cowan, Richard S. 1967. Swartzia (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae Swartzieae). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 1: 3-228. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Fabaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Swartzia acutifolia var. parvipetala R.S.Cowan

  • Type

    Type. B. Krukoff 2061 (holotype US 1661178; isotypes A, BM, G, LE, M, NY, S, U, UC), near Boa Vista, upper Rio Tocantins, Goyas, Brazil, April 1933.

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - A var. leiogyna alabastris globosis haud umbonatis, foliolis discoloratis, eis medio 2-2.5 cm latis, basi rotundatis, petiolulis 2-2.5 mm longis differt; a var. submarginata foliolorum jugis paucioribus, petalo rotundato ad basim cuneato, pedicellis brevioribus differt; a var. acutifolia gynoecio glabro differt. Stipulae persistentes triangulari-ovatae, 0.7 mm longae; petioli 10-18 mm longi, alati breviter bidentati ad apicem; rhaches 10.5-14.5 cm longae, alatae ad jugorum basim stipellatis, ala anguste oblanceolata ad 4 mm lata; foliola 7-9-jugata, petiolulis 2-2.5 mm longis, laminis superioribus 5.5-7 cm longis, 2-2.5 cm latis, oblongo-lanceolatis ad oblongo-ellipticis basi rotundatis apice hebeti-acutis, jugorum inferiorum laminis minoribus, 2.5-3 cm longis, 1-1.5 cm latis, obtusis basi apiceque, apice leviter retuso, laminis omnibus nitidis et supra glabris infra glaucis et minute strigulosis, costa et venis plus minusve salientibus ambobus faciebus; inflorescentiae 6.5-7.5 cm longae, bracteis persistentibus ovatis, ca 1 mm longis et latis, bracteolis lanceolatis, ca 0.8 mm longis, calycis ad basim nascentibus; pedicelli 5-5.5 mm longi; alabastra globosa, ca 5 mm diametro; petalo unguiculus ca 3 mm longus, lamina ca 4.5 mm longa et 6 mm lata, basi cuneata; staminorum maiorum filamenta ca 6 mm longa, leviter strigulosa, staminorum minorum filamenta ca 7 mm longa; gynoecium glabrum, ovario ovali, ca 3 mm lato; fructus non visus.

  • Discussion

    The varieties comprising this species are initially separable into two groups on the basis of the presence or absence of pubescence on the gynoecium. Of the two with pubescent gynoecia, var. acutifolia has much smaller buds and bracteoles than in its nearest relative, var. ynesiana; the latter also has the leaflets strigulose on both surfaces. The three varieties with glabrous gynoecia might perhaps be set off as a distinct species but there appear to be more similarities linking the five varieties of this species than there are differences worthy of specific rank. Var. submarginata has a larger number of pairs of leaflets, a differently shaped and larger petal, and the pedicels are longer, than in the other two varieties with the gynoecium glabrous. Var. leiogyna and var. parvipetala differ in the form of their buds, size and shape of the leaflets, and the length of the petiolules.

    The closest relationship of this species is with S. flaemingii and S. multijuga. The latter has, in general, oblong leaflets that are rounded apically, and S. flaemingii differs either in its densely pubescent gynoecium, number of pairs of leaflets, and/or the presence or absence of pubescence on the filaments of the larger stamens.

  • Distribution

    (Fig. 18). Valley of the Rio Tocantins in the states of Goyas and Maranhão, Brazil, in riverine forest.

    Brazil South America| Maranhão Brazil South America|