Eriosema defoliatum Benth.

  • Authority

    Grear, John W. 1970. A revision of the American species of Eriosema (Leguminosae-Lotoldeae). Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 20: 1-98.

  • Family

    Fabaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Eriosema defoliatum Benth.

  • Description

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    Species Description - Herb to 60 cm tall, with usually several few-branched, erect or ascending stems from woody base, the stems loosely cinereous-villous and usually defoliate during anthesis. Stipules broadly ovate, free or connate, externally sericeous and glandular, 8-10 mm long, 5-6 mm wide. Petioles 4-8 mm long, densely villous. Leaflets 3, coriaceous, oblong or obovate, obtuse to acute, apiculate, base usually acute, oblique, 6-9 (-10) cm long, 2.0-3.5 cm wide, whitish-velutinous on both surfaces, usually absent during flowering. Inflorescences 13-22 cm long, multiflorate, densely whitish-velutinous, peduncles 1.0-3.5 cm long, pedicels 5-8 mm long. Bracts broadly ovate, caducous, 6-8 mm long, 5-6 mm wide, imbricate in unexpanded racemes. Calyx 10-11 mm long, externally pilose and glandular, tube 2.0-2.5 mm long, lobes 4-8 mm long, often tinged purple at tips. Corolla 15-20 mm long. Standard obovate, streaked purple, externally sericeous and glandular, 19-20 mm long, 11-12 mm wide with bifurcate thickening internally, near base, auricles 1 mm long, claw 1.5-2.0 mm long. Wings narrowly oblong, obliquely hastate at base, 12.0-12.5 mm long, 2.5-3.0 mm wide, claw 3.0-3.5 mm long. Keel blades 15-16 mm long, 5.5-6.0 mm wide at maximum, apex usually tinted purple, claw 5.5-6.0 mm long. Stamens 16-18 mm long. Fruit ovate, loosely pilose, 15-16 mm long, 7-8 mm wide. Seeds oblong, brown or black, 5.0-5.5 mm long, 2.0-2.5 mm wide.

  • Discussion

    Lectotype examined and selected (K): Brazil, Minas Gerais, "in prov. Minarum ad Rio Claro (locality data supplied by Martius, 1859, p. 216)." Gardner 4507. Jun 1840(?). Isotype (BM). Paratypes (K, NY): "Inter Manuel Souza et San Ingrazia." Pohl s n. w/o date.

    Eriosema defoliatum is another of the numerous rather local endemics found in central and southeastern Brazil. It is also one of the few species that flowers while the stems are bare of foliage during the dry season. Leaves and flowers are very rarely collected together. This seasonal production of reproductive and vegetative parts helps to distinguish the species.

    The many-flowered racemes are among the longest in the genus. The calyx lobes, as well as the standard, are often tinged purple. This character is frequently exhibited by other species and is probably due to anthocyanin production in response to amount of sunlight and edaphic conditions.

  • Distribution

    Distribution. Brazil (Goias and Minas Gerais) (Fig. 11). Occurring in campos-cerrados, often near streams, on limestone slopes, and pastures; at elevations of 700-1200 m. BRAZIL. Distrito Federal: campus of Univ. de Brasilia, 28 Aug 1963, L. Q. Cobra & J. Oliveira sn (UB); rd to Sobradinho, Brasilia, 10 Jul 1961, E . P. Heringer 8465/659 (UB) ; Brasilia, Planaltina, 21 Jul 1966, D. R. Hunt & J. F. Ramos 6702 (NY) ; Chapada da Contagem, ca. 20 km E of Brasilia, 13 Aug 1964, H . S. Irwin & T. R. S

    Brazil South America|