Succisella microcephala ( Willkomm 1851: 740 ) Beck (1893: 1145)

Fura, Inês, Covelo, Filipe, Sales, Fátima & Farminhão, João, 2025, Disentangling the taxonomy of Succisella (Caprifoliaceae, Dipsacoideae) in the Iberian Peninsula: an updated synopsis and conservation priorities, Phytotaxa 690 (2), pp. 189-211 : 194-199

Succisella microcephala ( Willkomm 1851: 740) Beck (1893: 1145) ( Figs. 2–4 )

Succisa microcephala Willk. ≡ Scabiosa microcephala (Willk.) Nyman (1855: 59)

Lectotype (designated by Amich et al. 2004):— SPAIN. Cáceres : inter pagum Toril et fluvium Tietar [Tiétar], 10 October 1850, Willkomm s.n. ( COI00065461 !; isolectotypes: BM001134457 [image!], E01222781 [image!], W0332007 [image!], WAG1785798 [image!]).

Phenology:— Flowers from (April) August to October (November).

Habitat:— Temporarily wet meadows and pastures dominated by Nardus stricta L., north from the Central System and in the Upper Alberche basin, or by Molinia caerulea (L.) Moench, south from the Central System, on mineral peaty soils; and banks of intermittent streams and temporary ponds with Mentha pulegium L. on siliceous soils. Co-occurring taxa include Cynosurus cristatus L., Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) P.Beauv. subsp. cespitosa , Galium verum L., Juncus effusus L. subsp. effusus , Pilosella sp. , and Trifolium pratense L.

Distribution:— West-central Spain and east-central Portugal ( Fig. 5 ): Meseta Central, in the north, on some watersheds between the Douro, the Coa and Sierras de Francia and Béjar, and in the Lower Adaja basin; in the south, on the Tiétar and Jerte basins, between Sierra de Gredos and the Tagus; also in the Central System, in the Upper Alberche basin. The elevation range is 250–895 (1100) m a.s.l. in the Meseta Central and Jerte Valley, and 1215–1495 m a.s.l. in the Central System. The chorology is SPAIN: Ávila (Av), Cáceres (Cc), Madrid (M), Salamanca (Sa), Toledo (To), Zamora (Za); PORTUGAL: Beira Alta (BA).

Preliminary conservation status:— Succisella microcephala is documented by 65 herbarium collections and multiple (at least 664) observations, the most recent one made in 2024. Taken together, these records represent 47 occurrences, including 2 probably extirpated (Olmedo and Toril-Tiétar). Only 2 of the occurrences were made in official protected areas (Sierra de Gredos Regional Park and Sotos del Río Guadyerbas y Arenales del Baldío de Velada Reserve). The 45 existing occurrences represent a total of 11 subpopulations (Águeda–Coa, Huebra, Riveras de Cañeda and Sobradillo, and Adaja, in the Northern Meseta ; Alto Alberche in the Central System; and Alto Tiétar-Alberche, Navamorcuende, Velada, Médio Tiétar, La Vera, Bajo Tiétar, and Jerte , in the southern foothills and adjoining plain of the Central System), and at least 30 locations with respect to the most serious plausible threat: cattle ranching intensification in Castilla y León (including within the Sierra de Gredos Regional Park), in Madrid, Extremadura and Portugal; agricultural intensification in Extremadura; and increase of drought frequency (Velada). The extent of occurrence (EOO) of S. microcephala is calculated as 26,868 km 2 (falling short of the limits for Vulnerable status under criterion B1), whereas its area of occupancy (AOO) is estimated at 168 km 2 (within the limits for Endangered status under criterion B2, but the number of locations is <10, and the distribution cannot be considered severely fragmented, for applying a threatened category). It is projected a continuing decline in EOO, AOO, habitat extent and quality, and mature individuals, throughout the whole range of the species, more critically in the Huebra, Alto Alberche and Jerte subpopulations. Succisella microcephala is thus assigned a preliminary risk of extinction status of Near Threatened.

Additional specimens examined:— SPAIN. Zamora: Pereruela, arroio afluente da Rivera de Sobradillo de Palomares (c. 1 km a SE de Molino de Bárate), 711 m, 28 September 2024, Fura et al. 21 ( COI, SALA); Cubo del Vino [El Cubo de Tierra del Vino], 16 October 1981, Giráldez s.n. ( SALA); ibid. loc., 24 October 1983, Giráldez s.n. ( SALA); Mayalde, 3 September 1983, Giráldez s.n. ( SALA); ibid. loc., 18 October 2000, Amich & Bernardos s.n. ( SALA); ibid. loc., 12 September 2002, Amich & Bernardos s.n. (K); Mayalde, Barranco de los Jarales [de la Fraila], 890 m, 11 September 2011, Bariego 3717 ( LEB); Mayalde, Barranco de la Degolada, 900 m, 11 September 2011, Bariego 3720 ( LEB). Valladolid: Olmedo, cuesta del Alto, próximo al camino que conduce á Valviadero, August [before 1905], Gutiérrez s.n. ( MA). Salamanca: Palacios del Arzobispo, 13 August 1976, Sánchez Sánchez s.n. ( MA, SALA); ibid. loc., 6 September 1976, Sánchez Sánchez s.n. ( MA, MAF, SALA); ibid. loc., September 1976, Fernández Diez & Sánchez Sánchez s.n. ( MACB); Palacios del Arzobispo, Fuente de la Vega, 18 October 1983, Ladero et al. s.n. ( GDA, LEB, MACB, MAF, SEV); ibid. loc., 22 September 1999, Devesa & Ruiz s.n. ( UNEX); entre Zamayón y Palacios del Arzobispo, 21 October 1984, Valle, Ruiz & Fernández Arias s.n. ( SALA 73002); entre Vitigudino y Lumbrales, 19 September 1977, Amich s.n. ( MA, SALA); Fuenteliante, 21 September 1977, Amich s.n. ( SALA); El Cubo de Don Sancho, 6 September 1982, Amich s.n. ( MA, SALA); La Fuente de San Esteban, 16 October 1977, Rico s.n. ( SALA); Sancti Spíritus, 6 September 1977, Rico s.n. ( MA, SALA); ibid. loc., 8 September 1977, Casaseca & Rico s.n. ( MACB, VAL); Aldehuela de Yeltes, 785 m, 29 September 2001, Amich & Bernardos s.n. ( ABH, MA, SALA); ibid. loc., 7 September 2002, Amich & Bernardos s.n. ( SALA); ibid. loc., 29 August 2003, Amich & Bernardos s.n. (K); Fuentes de Oñoro , 8 September 1977, Rico s.n. ( MA, SALA); Martiago, entre o Regato del Moro e Martiago, 805 m, 28 September 2024, Fura et al. 20 ( COI, SALA). Ávila: Puerto de Menga, 29 August 1979, Amich & Sánchez Rodríguez s.n. ( MA, SALA); Cepeda la Mora, 3 September 1984, Amich s.n. ( SALA); ibid. loc., 15 September 2000, Amich & Bernardos s.n. ( ABH); ibid. loc., 12 September 2001, Amich & Bernardos s.n. ( SALA); Cepeda la Mora, Río de la Mora, 29 September 2024, Fura et al. 24 ( COI, seed collection); Hoyocasero, Venta del Obispo, 3 September 1984, Amich s.n. ( SALA); ibid. loc., 12 September 2001, Amich & Bernardos s.n. ( SALA); ibid. loc., 23 August 2003, Amich & Bernardos s.n. (K); Hoyocasero, Venta del Obispo, Río Alberche, 3 August 1985, Sánchez-Mata s.n. ( SALA); Arenas de San Pedro, 420 m, 6 September 2023, Robles s.n. ( UPOS); Poyales del Hoyo, 8 September 1968, Rivas Goday & Ladero s.n. ( GDA, LEB, MAF, MGC); Candeleda, Camino de San Bernardo [junto al Arroyo del Carretero], 17 August 2017, Rico & Urones s.n. ( MA, SALA); ibid. loc., 330 m, 29 September 2024, Fura et al. 25 ( COI); Candeleda, embalse del Rosarito, 315 m, Robles s.n. ( UPOS). Madrid: Rozas de Puerto Real, junto a Presa de los Morales, 800 m, 25 October 1998, López & Ojesto s.n. (K, MA); San Martín de Valdeiglesias, proximidades del Arroyo del Linar, hacia el límite con Cadalso de los Vidrios, 775 m., 15 October 2016, Araújo Díaz de Terán s.n. ( MAF); ibid. loc., 28 September 2018, López s.n. ( MAF). Toledo: Navamorcuende, 1100 m, 6 October 1980, Segura Zubizarreta 23331 ( MA); Velada, 450 m, 28 August 1985, Segura Zubizarreta 29346 ( MA, VAL); Velada, Baldío de Velada, 10 September 2000, Vaquero de la Cruz s.n. ( MA); Velada, El Baldío, junto a la Cañada Real Leonesa, Oriental ( Cañada de las Merinas), pr. Arroyo de Riolobos, 410 m, 25 September 2016, Arán 9183 ( LISI); ibid. loc., 6 October 2018, Arán & Tohá 9773 ( MAF, VAL); ibid. loc., 29 September 2024, Fura et al. 26 ( COI, seed collection). Cáceres: Valdastillas, 4 September 1983, Rico s.n. ( MA, MACB, SALA); ibid. loc., 10 September 2003, Ramos & Vázquez s.n. ( HSS, UNEX); ibid. loc., 3 October 2006, Blanco & Vázquez s.n. ( HSS); valle del Jerte, El Cabrero, 15 August 2018, Sánchez-Villegas et al. s.n. ( UPOS); ibid. loc., 1 April 2022, Quirós et al. s.n. ( UPOS); Cuacos de Yuste, Amor s.n. ( SALA); Cuacos de Yuste, proximidades, 3 April 2006, Blanco, Ramos & Vázquez s.n. ( HSS); ibid. loc., 3 October 2003, Blanco & Vázquez s.n. ( HSS); Cuacos de Yuste, Garganta la Olla, 23 August 2011, Vázquez s.n. ( HSS); Valverde de la Vera, La Jara , 440 m, 8 August 2008, Amor s.n. ( MA, SALA, SEV). PORTUGAL. Beira Alta: Villar Formoso [Vilar Formoso], Tapada do Monteiro, June 1884, Cunha s.n. ( LISU); Sabugal, Veiguinha, cerca de 2,35 km a SW do Convento de Sacaparte, 820 m, 30 September 2023, Covelo et al. 129 ( COI).

Excluded specimens (redetermined as Succisa cf. pratensis ):— SPAIN. Ciudad Real: Piedrabuena, río Bullaquejo, Valle de la Viuda, El Gargantón, 5 September 1965, Rivas Goday & Ladero s.n. ( GDA, MAF, VAL).

Figures

FIGURE 2. Overview of habit and leaf morphology of Succisella microcephala (populations ascribable to S. microcephala in Flora iberica). (A) Flowering stem (El Cabrero, Jerte valley, Cáceres). (B) Flowering stem, stunted due to grazing (Candeleda, southern foothills of Gredos, Ávila). (C) Basal leaves (Velada, Southern Meseta, Toledo). (D) Basal leaves (Cepeda la Mora, Upper Alberche, Ávila). (E) Cauline leaves, pinnatisect at the base (Cepeda la Mora, Upper Alberche, Ávila). (F) Cauline leaves, pinnatisect at the base (Candeleda, southern foothills of Gredos, Ávila). Photographers: (A) Modesto Luceño; (B, D) Inês Fura; (C, F) Filipe Covelo; (E) João Farminhão.

FIGURE 3. Overview of habit and leaf morphology of Succisella microcephala (populations ascribable to S. carvalhoana in Flora iberica). (A) Flowering stem, apical half (Martiago, Northern Meseta, Salamanca, Fura et al. 20). (B) Flowering stem, basal half, showing pinnatisect cauline leaves, connected to one semi-rosette through a prostrate stolon (Martiago, Northern Meseta, Salamanca, Fura et al. 20). (C) Basal leaves (Fuentes de Oñoro, Northern Meseta, Salamanca). (D) Cauline leaves, repand (Martiago, Northern Meseta, Salamanca). Photographers: (A, B, D) Filipe Covelo; (C) Inês Fura.

FIGURE 4. Overview of floral and fruit morphology of Succisella microcephala [populations ascribable to S. microcephala (A–C, E, F, H, I) and S. carvalhoana (D, G) in Flora iberica]. (A) Inflorescence (Velada, Southern Meseta, Toledo). (B) Capitulum, male phase, basal view, showing involucral bracts (Candeleda, southern foothills of Gredos, Ávila). (C) Capitulum, male phase, basal view, showing involucral bracts (Cepeda la Mora, UpperAlberche, Ávila). (D) Capitulum, female phase, basal view, showing involucral bracts (Pereruela, Northern Meseta, Zamora). (E) Capitulum, female phase, side view (Candeleda, southern foothills of Gredos, Ávila). (F) Flower buds and capitulum, male phase, top view (Candeleda, southern foothills of Gredos, Ávila). (G) Fruiting capitulum, side view (Sabugal, Beira Alta). (H) Fruiting capitulum, side view (Velada, Southern Meseta, Toledo). (I) Diaspore [Velada, Southern Meseta, Toledo (Vaquero de la Cruz s.n.)]. Photographers: (A, F) João Farminhão; (B–D, G, H) Filipe Covelo; (E, I) Inês Fura.

FIGURE 5. Geographic range of Succisella in the Iberian Peninsula.