Polygala paganuccii J.F.B.Pastore, 2021

Bar, Jose Floriano, Mota, Michelle, Amano, Erika & Martinez, Agustina, 2021, Disentangling Polygala obovata Complex (Polygalaceae), with a Description of Three New Species for Brazil, Systematic Botany (Basel, Switzerland) 46 (4), pp. 985-997 : 995-997

Polygala paganuccii J.F.B.Pastore , sp. nov. TYPE: BRAZIL. Bahia: Palmeiras, Subida para a cachoeira da Fumaça, 08 Aug 2006, J.F.B. Pastore & E. Suganuma 1534 (holotype: CEN [00065007]!; isotype: HUEFS[0176228]!).

Decumbent herbs, to 20 cm tall. Roots lignified. Stems slen- der, with a few to many arising from the base, cylindrical, green, without yellowish glands forming spots, densely puberulous, trichomes short-clavate. Leaves alternate, rarely sub-opposite, subsessile, petiole 1 mm long, chartaceous, lamina (0.3–)0.7–1.5 3 (0.2–) 0.3–0.4 cm, narrow-obovate to oblong-obovate, apex apiculate, margin slightly thicker, base acute, densely covered by small glandular trichomes. Racemes spiciform, 0.6–1.2 3 0.8–1.1 cm, reaching 1.5 cm after fruits fallen, flowers congested; peduncle short 0.2–1 cm, bracts 1–1.2 3 0.4–0.6 mm, lanceolate, apex acuminate, glabrous to sparsely ciliate, with a pair of small yellowish spots at the base; bracts caducous post-anthesis and during capsule development, equal in length to bracteoles to 1.5 times longer; bracteoles 0.8–1 3 0.3–0.4 mm, lanceolate, glabrous or more rarely sparsely ciliate; pedicel 0.8–1.5 mm, glabrous. Flowers white, 4.5–5.5 mm long (including the pedicel); outer sepals glabrous to sparsely ciliated; the lower outer sepal 1.5–2.1 3 0.9–1.1 mm, ovate, apex slightly acuminate, with two small yellow spots at the base; upper outer sepals 1.2–1.7 3 0.5–0.7 mm, lanceolate, apex acute to acuminate, free almost to the base, with 2–4 pairs of small yellow spots from the base to the middle of the sepal; inner sepals (wings) 3.4–4.1 3 1.1–1.6 mm, elliptic, apex acuminate, margins not ciliate, longer than the mature fruits; lateral petals 2.5–2.7 3 0.9–1 mm, oblong-elliptic, apex rounded; keel 2.8–3.5 mm long, cristate, with yellow spots along the dorsal central vein, persistent on mature fruits; crest 4–6-lobed; style erect, terminated by an oblique cymbiform pre-stigmatic cavity, posterior extremity with a conspicuously crested appendage with abundant trichomes and an anterior globose stigma. Capsules 3–3.6 3 1.6–2 mm, oblong-elliptic, stipitate, slightly asymmetric, with yellow spots along the central vein, style caducous in fruit; seeds 2.1–2.6 3 0.7–0.9 mm, oblong-elliptic, rarely slightly ovate, pubescent, appendages oblong, 1/3–2/3 of the length of the seed, 1.2–1.6 3 0.2 mm. Figure 10 .

Distribution — Polygala paganuccii occurs in rocky fields, often associated with elevations above 1000 m, of the Serra do Espinhaço mountain range, with an apparent disjunction between the municipality of Diamantina in Minas Gerais state and Chapada Diamantina in Bahia state. Nonetheless, one population was found at elevations close to sea level in the coastal zone of the municipalities of Marau and northern Itacare in Bahia state, where P. paganucci occurred sympatrically with P. jardimii ( Fig. 3 ).

Etymology —This species is named after Dr. Luciano Paganucci de Queiroz, a major figure among the Brazilian botanists of today.

Notes —We found little variation in the fertile structures of the specimens examined for this study ( Fig. 11 ). The species was often misidentified as Polygala multiceps in the visited herbariums. However, the two species differ in their distribution: P. paganuccii occurs in rocky fields of the campos rupestres of the Serra do Espinhaço mountain range from Bahia to Minas Gerais, whereas P. multiceps occurs on sandy soils near river streams and is endemic to southwestern areas of Minas Gerais state, including its Serra da Canastra.

Additional Specimens Examined — Brazil. — BAHIA: Abaıra, Chapada Diamantina, Mata do Criminoso , Estrada entre Catoles e Abaıra , 22 Feb 1992, B. Stannard et al. 51619 ( HUEFS, K, MBM) ; Abaıra, estrada Abaıra- Piata ~, km 12, 13 15 9 38 99 S, 41 43 9 46 99 W [-13.260, -41.729], 1000 m, 26 May 2004, G. Pereira-Silva et al. 9132 ( CEN) ; Andaraı , 06 Dec 2007, M.L. Guedes et al. 14185 ( ALCB) ; 5 km South of Andaraı on road to Mucuge ^, by bridge over the Rio Paraguaçu , 12 Feb 1977, R.M. Harley 18583 et al. ( IPA, NYBG, UEC, US) ; Andaraı, estrada entre Andaraı e Mucug^e , 17 Dec 2009, M.L. Guedes 16858 ( ALCB) ; Andaraı, margem do rio Paraguaçu , 4 May 2009, L.P. de Queiroz 14602 ( CTBS, HUEFS) ; Barra da Estiva, Torre da Telebahia , alt. 1130 m, 13 41 9 27 99 S, 41 19 9 00 99 W [-13.690, -41.316], 16 Feb 1997, B. Stannard et al. 5747 ( HUEFS) ; Igatu , 750 m, 19 Feb 2011, A.A.C. Miranda 19 ( HUEFS) ; Itaet^e, Paraguaçu, Assentamento Baix ~ ao, area de lote, 13 09’S, 41 07’W [-13.150, -41.116], 13 Apr 2011, L.J. Alves 70 ( ALCB) ; Jussiape, Serra da Jiboia , 08 Apr 1992, G. Hatschbach et al. 56835 ( CTBS, MBM) ; Lençois , 3 Apr 1980, L.R. Noblick 1772 ( HUEFS) ; Lençois, Area de garimpo as margens do Rio S ~ ao Jose , 12 36 9 26 99 S 41 22 9 36 99 W [-12.607, -41.376], 350 m, 10 Apr 2011, A.E. Silva 11 ( HUEFS) ; Marau, About 5 km North from turning to Marau , Campinho road, 38 58’W 14 04’S [-14.066, -38.966], 17 May 1980, R.M. Harley 22160 ( NY) ; Morro do Chapeu, estrada para a fazenda Mat ~ ao, 11 37 9 02 99 S, 41 00 9 25 99 W [-11.617, -41.006], 921 m, 20 Apr 2018, E. Melo & B.M. Silva 13739 ( HUEFS) ; Mucug^e, ca. 30 km na estrada de Andaraı para Mucug^e , 19 Mar 1990, A.M. De Carvalho, & J. Saunders 2928 ( HUEFS) ; Mucug^e, Chapada Diamantina , 12 56 9 42 99 S, 41 16 9 28 99 W [-12.945, -41.274], 862 m, M.L. Guedes et al. 16931 ( ALCB) ; Mucug^e, Fazenda Hayashi, Guine , 12 47’S 41 31’W [-12.783, -41.516], Apr 2006, C.F. de Azev^edo-Gonçalves s.n. ( HUEFS) ; Palmeiras, Caete Açu, Trilha para Aguas Claras , 16 Feb 2010, 12 32 9 57 99 S 41 29 9 13 99 W [-12.549, -41.486], 960 m, F.S. Gomes et al. 557 ( ALCB) ; Palmeiras, Cap ~ ao, caminho para o Rio Cap ~ ao, 12 38 9 48 99 S 41 29 9 34 99 W [-12.646, -41.492], 885 m, 02 May 2014, M.L. Guedes et al. 21644 ( ALCB) ; Palmeiras, leito seco do Rio S ~ ao Jo ~ ao, 12 26 9 10 99 S 41 29 9 34 99 W [-12.436, -41.492], 392 m, 02 Nov 2007, E. Melo et al. 5333 ( HUEFS) ; Palmeiras , subida para a cachoeira da Fumaça, 08 Aug 2006, J.F.B. Pastore & E. Suganuma 1534 ( CEN, HUEFS) ; Piat ~ a, Chapada Diamantina, corrego na saıda de Piat ~ a, 20 Apr 2015, J.E.Q. Faria & A.R.O. Ribeiro 4406 ( CTBS, HUEFS, UB, RB) ; Seabra, Queimada Nova , 19 Jan 1977, G. Hatschbach 39540 ( MBM) . — MINAS GERAIS: 65 km NE of Itabuna, at the mouth of the Rio de Contas on the N. Bank, opposite Itacare , 30 Jan 1977, R.M. Harley et al. 18389 ( NY) ; Diamantina , 8 Sep 1971, G. Hatschbach 27499 ( MBM, US, USP) ; Diamantina , 28 Jan 1976, L. Krieger 14067 ( HUEFS) ; Diamantina , 20 Jul 1980, N.L. Menezes 201 ( USP) ; Diamantina, Rodovia Bocaiuva-Diamantina , proximo a Senador Mour ~ ao, 18 Mar 1997, G. Hatschbach et al. 66431 ( CTBS, US) ; Diamantina , 15 km N da cidade, 29 Apr 2003, H.F. Leit ~ ao-Filho et al. 21827 ( UEC) ; Diamantina, Rodovia BR-367, 29 Apr 2013, J. Cordeiro et al. 5085 ( CTBS, IAN, MBM) ; Diamantina, Margem da estrada para formaç ~ ao, 04 Jun 2016, J.Q.E. Faria 5940 ( CTBS, HDJF, UB) ; Diamantina, Parque Estadual do Biribi, ca. 2 km da Vila , 18 09 9 25 99 S 43 36 9 57 99 W [-18.156, -43.615], 25 Mar 2009, J.F.B. Pastore et al. 2643 ( CESJ, HUEFS) ; Diamantina, Rodovia Diamantina–Mendanha , 10 Dec 1992, H.F. Leit ~ ao-Filho et al. 27648 ( UEC) ; Diamantina, Rodovia Diamantina–Mendanha , 10 Dec 1992, H.F. Leit ~ ao-Filho et al. 27858 ( UEC) ; Diamantina, Rodovia Diamantina–Mendanha , km 578, 1 parada, 06 Jun 1985, H.F. Leit ~ ao-Filho et al. 17521 ( UEC) ; Diamantina, Serra do Espinhaço, ca. 17 km NE of Diamantina, road to Mendanha , 29 Jan 1969, H.S. Irwin et al. 22876 ( MO, NY, USP) ; estrada saindo de Marau para Ubaitaba , 29 Dec 2005, P.D. Carvalho 273 ( RB) ; Itacare, Caminho para Piracanga , apos a travessia da balsa, 17 Mar 2006, J.G. de Carvalho- Sobrinho 767 ( HUEFS) ; Marau, km 14, da estrada Marau-Ubaituba , 18 May 1985, G. Martinelli 11052 ( RB) ; Serra do Espinhaço , 15 Apr 1973, Anderson , W.R. 9003 ( NY, SPF, UB) ; Serra do Espinhaço, 25 km by road NE of Diamantina , 2 km W of Rio Jequitı, 09 Apr 1973, W.R. Anderson 8359 ( MO, NY, UB) .

Figures

FIG. 10. Polygala paganuccii J.F.B.Pastore. A. Bract and bracteoles. B. Inferior outer sepal. B'. Two superior outer sepals. C. One of the two inner sepals (wings). D. Keel. D'. Keel crest, opened. E. Androecium and lateral petals. F. Gynoecium. G. Capsule. H. Seed. J. Leaf. Scale bar 5 1 mm. Photos by J. F. B. Pastore. (A–E, G–J. G. Hatschbach 56835 (CTBS); F. R.T. Queiroz 11602 (CTBS)).

FIG. 3. Distribution map for Polygala capitolensis J.F.B.Pastore, P. jardimii J.F.B.Pastore, P. paganuccii J.F.B.Pastore, P. obovata A.St.-Hil. & Moq., and P. multiceps Mart. ex A.W.Benn.

FIG. 11. Infraspecific morphological variation in Polygala paganuccii J.F.B.Pastore.