Lycianthes rantonnetii, (Carriere) Bitter, Abh. Naturwiss. Vereins

Costa-Silva, Rafael & Agra, Maria de Fatima, 2022, Taxonomic Revision of Lycianthes (Capsiceae, Solanaceae) in Brazil, Systematic Botany (Basel, Switzerland) 47 (3), pp. 642-666 : 664-665

6. LYCIANTHES RANTONNETII (Carriere) Bitter, Abh. Naturwiss. Vereins Bremen 24(2): 332. 1919. Based on: Solanum rantonnetii Carriere, Rev. Hort. (Paris) 32: 135–138, f. 32. 1859. TYPE: Cultivated at France, Dept. Var, Hyeres, by Rantonnet s.n., the seeds from Argentina, prob. Prov. Buenos Aires, Rıo de la Plata. (lectotype: Fig. 32, in Rev. Hort. (Paris) 32: 135, f. 32. 1859, designated by Dean at al. 2020).

Solanum corniculatum Hiern, Vidensk. Meddel. Dansk Naturhist. Foren. Kjøbenhavn 29: 45. 1871. (1877–78: 45). TYPE: BRAZIL. A. Glaziou 1078 (lectotype: C!, designated by Dean et al. 2020; isolectotypes: BR barcode BR0000005522347 [image!]), BR barcode BR0000005522675 [image!]). Synonymized by Bitter (1919).

Solanum urbanum Morong, Ann. New York Acad. Sci. 7(2): 177–178. 1893. TYPE: PARAGUAY. Asuncion, T. Morong 147 (lectotype: NY barcode NY00172225 [image!], designated by Barboza, 2013; isolectotypes: PH n.v., US US 0001324871 barcode US 00027839!, WIS n.v). Synonymized by Bitter (1919).

Solanum muticum N.E. Brown, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew. (85): 6–7. 1894. TYPE: Cultivated in Uruguay, Depto. Montevideo, Montevideo, originally from Paraguay, Gibert 56 (lectotype: K, barcode K000585755 [image!], designated by Barboza 2013). Synonymized by Bitter (1919).

Erect shrubs 1.0–2.0 m, branched, perennial; branches terete, glabrescent, trichomes simple, forked, or dendritically branched and eglandular and also simple glandular. Sympodial units plurifoliate. Leaves solitary; petiole 1.2–3.0 cm long, slightly grooved, pubescent, the trichomes similar to those of the branches; lamina chartaceous, ovate to narrowly-ovate, 3.0–9.0 3 1.3–4.6 cm, discolorous, adaxial surface sparsely pilose, trichomes simple, eglandular, branched, bifurcate, abaxial surface pilose, trichomes similiar to the adaxial surface, compact on the veins, apex acute, base cuneate, oblique or acute, margin entire to slightly sinuate. Inflorescences multiflowered; pedicels articulated, terete, 1.8–3.0 cm long, pubescent, trichomes similar to those of the branches. Calyx campanulate, 3.0–4.0 mm long, pubescent, trichomes branched, bifurcate, appendages 10, linear, emerging from the edge of the calyx tube, unequal, in two series, the largest ones 3.0–4.0 mm long, the shorter 2.0– 2.5 mm long, green. Corolla rotate, purple to deep blue, 2.0– 2.5 cm diam, lobes lanceolate, interpetalar tissue plicate; filaments unequal (2 1 3), the 2 largest 0.3–1.3 mm long, the 3 shorter ones 0.2–0.3 cm long; anthers yellow, oblong, 0.3–0.4 cm long; ovary ovoid, 1.8–2.0 mm; style terete, 1.4–1.6 mm; stigma capitate, slightly bilobed, 0.4–0.5 mm long. Fruit globose, 1.5–2.0 cm diam, cream to yellowish when ripe, fruiting pedicels enlarged, fruiting calyces accrescent, patelliform, glabrous. Seeds 1.8–2.0 3 ca. 1.5 mm, subreniform, brown. See Barboza and Hunziker (1992) for illustration.

Distribution and Habitat — Lycianthes rantonnetii is a South American species distributed in Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina. It is found in the southern and southeastern regions of Brazil and also in Mato Grosso do Sul State ( Fig. 11 ), at elevations from 100 to 500 m, and is also widely cultivated as ornamental around the world. The species can be found in disturbed areas, forest edges, roadsides, and calcareous or humid soils. Flowers and fruits were observed from January to October.

Notes — Lycianthes rantonnetii can be easily distinguished from other Brazilian species of Lycianthes by having a large rotate and plicate, purple to deep blue corolla up to 2.5 cm in diameter, which contrasts with the five unequal (3 1 2) yellow anthers, dendritically branched and bifurcate trichomes on the entire plant, and an oblong and pendent cream to yellow fruit. It is closely related to L. fasciculata , but that species is found in Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina (and does not occur in Brazil), and has a white corolla, shorter anthers, and a bilabiate stigma.

Representative Specimens Examined — Brazil. — MATO GROSSO DO SUL: Bonito , 15 Nov 2002, Hatschbach 10765 (BHCB) . — MINAS GERAIS: Brejo do Amparo , 10 Nov 1989, J. Ratter 6408 (RB) ; Januaria on road to Serra das Araras , 19 Apr 1973, Anderson 9186 (RB) ; sem local, 1 Jan 1816, Saint- Hilaire s.n. (P). — PARANÀ: Foz do Iguaçu, Rio Ocu , s.d., Hatschbach 23160 (RB, F) ; Londrina, 02 Oct 1986, Perri s.n. (RB), 08 Mar 2004, Lovato 494 (HUEF) ; Medianeira, Missal , 09 Feb 1969, Hatschbach 21102 (RB) ; Parque Nacional do Iguaçu , 12 May 1949, Duarte 1758 (RB) ; same locality, 14 May 1949, Duarte 1817 (RB) ; same locality, 20 Feb 1960, Pereira 5387 (F, RB) . — RIO DE JANEIRO: Rio de Janeiro, Arboreto do Jardim Bot^anico , 05 May 1997, Freitas 002 (RB) ; Gaya, Mafra , 26 Nov 1989, Carvalho s.n. (RB) .

Additional Specimens Examined — Argentina. — CANDELARIA: Missiones , 20 Jan 1993, Schinini 27592 (F). — CAPITAL: Corrientes, 6 Mar 1992, Krapovickas 44061 (F) . Bolivia. Sine loc., 01 May 1907, T. Herzog s. n. (NL) ; Chiquitos, Near Yacuses , s. d., T. Herzog 534 (MO) ; Santa Cruz, 6 Mar 1945, J. Peredo 360 (MO) ; same locality, Rıo Seco, Cordillera , lat -18.65. long -63.25, min. 550 m, 24 Mar 2002, M. Nee (NY) . Paraguay. — DISTRITO CAPITAL: Asuncion, T. Morong 708 (MO! NY00172226!). — GUAIRÁ: Villarica, Jogersen 3670 (F). — MISIONES: Yacyreta , 7 Dec 2002, Zardini 59429 (MO, RB) . Uruguay. Depto. De Montevideo, Montevideo, Gibert 641 (K) .

7. LYCIANTHES STENOLOBA (Van Heurck & Muell. Arg.) Bitter, Abh. Naturwiss. Vereins Bremen. 24: 358. 1919. Solanum stenolobum Van Heurck & Muell. Arg., Observ. Bot. 69. 1870. Bassovia stenoloba (Van Heurck & Muell. Arg.) Britton ex Rusby, Mem. Torrey Bot. Club. 4(3): 232. 1895. TYPE: PERU. Depto. San Martın, Prov. San Martın, Tarapoto, 1855–1856, R. Spruce 4210 (lectotype designated here: G-DC!; isolectotypes: BR barcode BR00552204 [image!], E barcode E00205022 [image!], K barcode K000201929 [image], K000201930 [image!], NY! barcode NY00172186).

Scandent shrubs, 2.0–4.0 m tall. Stem and branches terete, green, glabrous to puberulent, trichomes simple, eglandular, uniseriate. Sympodial units difoliate geminate, anisophyllous, unifoliate on the proximal branches. Leaves geminate and solitary; petiole 0.4–1.0 cm long, slightly grooved, puberulent, trichomes similar to the branches; lamina chartaceous, obovate, 10–16 veins, the largest ones 7.5–14.0 3 3.4–5.5 cm, the smaller 3.0–7.5 3 2.5–3.5 cm, discolorous, adaxial and abaxial surfaces sparse pilose, trichomes simple, multicelled, setose, on the main vein; apex cuspidate or acuminate, base cuneate, margin entire. Inflorescences sessile, 1–6 flowers. Pedicel erect, terete, 1.5–3.0 cm long, glabrous. Calyx campanulate, 0.5–0.8 cm long, glabrous, appendages 10, unequal, in two series, the largest ones 0.4–0.5 cm long, the shorter 0.2–0.35 cm long. Corolla stellate, white, 1.0–1.5 3 1.0– 2.5 cm, lobes narrowly elliptic, 0.5–0.8 3 0.5–1.0; filaments equal, 1.5–2.0 cm long; anthers 0.4–0.6 cm long; ovary ovoid to conical, 1.8–2.0 3 1.4–1.6 mm; style 1.0– 1.2 cm long; stigma capitate, about 1.0 mm diam, slightly bilobed. Fruit ovoid, orange to red at maturity, fruiting calyx cupulate, appendages purple, unequal, the smaller 0.8–1.0 cm long, the largest 0.9–2.0 cm long, with broadened base, attenuate toward the apex, somewhat linear; pedicel 2.3–2.7 cm long, glabrous. Seeds not seen. Figure 5 .

Distribution, Habitat, and Phenology — Lycianthes stenoloba is a South American species recorded for Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, and Venezuela. It is found in Brazil in wetlands of riverbeds in the Brazilian Amazon, in states of Acre and Amapa ( Fig. 11 ), at elevation from 10 to 250 m. Flowers and fruits were observed from October to February.

Notes — Lycianthes stenoloba can be easily recognized by its stellate corolla with parted lobes and calyx with linear appendages that extend during its development, reaching up to 2 cm and acquiring a purple color, as well as by its ovoid and red fruits. Benıtez de Rojas and D’ Arcy (1997) listed the names Lycianthes acutangula Bitter , L. acutangula subsp. compressibaccata , and L. longidentata as synonyms of L. stenoloba , although they have pilose branches, corollas somewhat campanulate with well-developed interpetalar membranes (giving a rotate appearance to the corolla), and globose fruits with green and linear calyx appendages, and are therefore distinct taxa, and are not synonyms of L. stenoloba .

When von Heurck (1870) proposed Solanum stenolobum as a new species, he mentioned two specimens of the Spruce 4210 collection, one deposited in his own herbarium (now at BR), and the other in the G-DC Herbarium. He did not, however, specify the holotype, which clearly evidences the need to designate a lectotype. Thus, after analyzing the materials deposited at both BR and G-DC, we selected the specimen at G-DC, as it was cited in the protologue and is in excellent condition (with flower buds, flowers, and fruits), while the BR specimen has only a few flowers.

Representative Specimens Examined — Brazil. — ACRE: Bujari, Bacia do Rio Purus , 27 Dec 2015, D. S. Costa et al. 704 (RB) ; Jord ~ ao, 05 Feb 2009, Michelangeli et al. 1286 (RB) ; Porvir , 15 Nov 1923, Kuhlmann 822 (RB) ; Rio Branco , 10 Oct 1980, Lowrie et al. 465 (RB) ; Santa Rosa, Rio Chambuiacu , 13 Mar 2002, Daly 11313 (NY) . — AMAPÁ: Mazag ~ ao, Morro do Felipe , 01 Oct 1986, Pires 1398 (INPA) .

Additional Specimens Examined — Peru. — DEPTO LORETO: Tarapoto , Dec 1902, E. Ule 6873 (G) ; id, loc. cit., E. Ule 6751 (G) .

Figures

FIG. 11. Map of the geographic distribution of Lycianthes leptocaulis, L. pauciflora, L. rantonnetii, and L. stenoloba, based on herbarium specimen data.

FIG. 5. Lycianthes stenoloba (van Heurck & Arg. M€ ull.) Bitter (Michelangeli 1286). A. Flowering branch. B. Abaxial surface with simple trichomes. C. Simple eglandular trichome. D. Isolated flower. E. Detail of an isolated fruit.