Agarista eucalyptoides (Cham. & Schltdl.) G.Don,

Garcia, Lívia & Jr, José Nascimento, 2024, Ericaceae from Serra de São José and Serra do Lenheiro, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Rodriguesia (e 00832024) 76, pp. 1-12 : 6

1.2. Agarista eucalyptoides (Cham. & Schltdl.) G.Don, Gen. Hist. 3: 837. Fig. 3 a-d

Tree about 3 m tall; branches glabrous to pubescent; non-glandular trichomes ferruginous covering new branches, leaves, and calyx; glandular trichomes absent. Leaves with reticulodromous venation, petiolate, petiole slender and flexible, 7.3–27 × 0.1–0.7 mm; leaf blades chartaceous, lanceolate, 3.1–7 × 1.1–1.4 cm, apex cuspidate, base rounded to obtuse, margin flat, entire to repand, adaxial surface glabrous to pubescent on the midvein, abaxial surface glabrous to sparsely pubescent on the midvein, conspicuous foveolate glands associated with the secondary vein. Inflorescence axillary raceme, peduncle 1.1–2.5 cm, rachis 2.6–5.3 cm long, pubescent to tomentose; bracts deltoid and bracteoles setiform. Pedicel 2.8– 4.2 mm long; 4–6 calyx lobes 1–1.1 × 1.1–1.4 mm, sparsely pubescent on the edges; corolla 0.6–0.7 × 0.2–0.3 cm, white to cream, urceolate, glabrous; style ca. 6.3 mm long, glabrous or occasionally with the presence of glands; 6–10 stamens with filaments 3.7–3.8 mm long, sparsely pubescent, flattened, geniculate below the anther, anthers ca. 0.7 mm long. Submature capsules 2.3–3.6 mm diam., globose, glabrous, brown to black in sicco.

Examined material: Tiradentes, Serra de São José , 25.IX.2014, fr., NG Silva ( R 228045 ); Vale do João Malta, 29.X.2004, fr., RJV Alves 7295 ( R); trilha Tiradentes-Prados, 29.IX.2023, fl., JE Nascimento-Jr 1828 ( HUFSJ); fr., JE Nascimento-Jr 1829 ( HUFSJ); fl., JE Nascimento-Jr 1830 ( HUFSJ); Prados, 29.VIII.2023, fl., IM Bellagamba 86 ( HUFSJ) .

Agarista eucalyptoides has a broad distribution from Uruguay to Northeast Brazil, typically associated with mountain environments such as high-altitude fields, rocky fields, or rocky outcrops. In the region under study, the species flowers and bears fruit at least from August to October.

In the studied region, this species bears resemblance to Agarista oleifolia , as both are trees that may exhibit light-colored flowers and elongated leaf blades. However, A. eucalyptoides can be distinguished by its slender, long, and flexible petiole, whereas A. oleifolia more commonly possesses a short, robust, and non-flexible petiole.

Figures

Figure 3 – a-i. Species of Agarista with white to cream flower – a-d. Agarista eucalyptoides – a. habit; b. leaves with slender and elongated petiole; c. flower after anthesis; d. immature fruits; e-i. Agarista oleifolia – e. general appearance of the branch; f. detail of the robust and short petioles; g. axillary racemose inflorescences with flowers in bud; h. inflorescence detail; i. immature fruits. All photographs are by the authors.