Luehea candicans var. gracilis (K.Schum.)

Gerace, Samuele, Peruzzi, Lorenzo, Baumgratz, José Fernando A. & Bovini, Massimo G., 2025, Flora of Rio de Janeiro: the genus Luehea (Malvaceae: Grewioideae), Rodriguesia (e 00512024) 76, pp. 1-13 : 6

1a. Luehea candicans var. gracilis (K.Schum.) M.C.S. Cunha, Bradea 3(11): 83. 1980.

≡ Luehea uniflora var. gracilis K.Schum. , in Martius, Fl. bras. 12(3): 153. 1886.

Leaves 1.8–5 × 1.2–2.5 cm. Epicalyx with bracteoles ca. 1.6 × 0.3 cm. Sepals and petals ca. 1.6 cm long. Capsule ca. 2.5 × 1.5 cm.

Selected examined material: Petrópolis. estrada Petrópolis-Teresópolis, 28.IV.1977, fr., G. Martinelli et al. 1787 ( RB) .

Luehea candicans var. gracilis is endemic to the Southeast region of Brazil, occurring in the states of Minas Gerais, Bahia, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro ( Cunha 1980). In the state of Rio de Janeiro , it is only reported in the municipality of Petrópolis occurring at elevations from 300 to 600 m, along roadsides and in riparian or gallery forests ( Fig. 1 ). Flowering was recorded from January to March, and fruiting from February to May.

In general, Luehea candicans var. gracilis is quite rare in Rio de Janeiro state, having only been encountered in four locations. It is distinguished from L. candicans var. candicans for the small size of its vegetative and reproductive structures, significantly below the species range. Another feature that distinguishes this variety is the size of some flower structures. In L. candicans var. candicans , the petals are much longer than sepals and epicalyx bracteoles, whereas these structures are equal in size in L. candicans var. gracilis .

Figures

Figure 1 – Geographical distributions of Luehea candicans var. candicans, L. candicans var. gracilis, L. conwentzii and L. divaricata in the state of Rio de Janeiro.