Eriosema congestum 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 congestum Benth.

  • Description

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    Species Description - Herb, usually less than 1 m tall, with numerous (10-60), branched, erect, or ascending stems from woody base, the stems canescent-villous, often without leaves during anthesis. Stipules usually free, ovate to lanceolate, externally glandular, caducous, 7.0-7.5 mm long, 1.5-2.0 mm wide. Petioles 1-4 mm long, densely villous. Leaflets 3, coriaceous, oblong to lanceolate, obtuse to acute, 4.0-6.5 (-7.0) cm long, 1.3-2.2 (-2.8) cm wide, softly canescent and glandular on both surfaces, usually aphyllous during flowering. Inflorescences usually subsessile on the stems, with flowers in loose, globose clusters, 2.5-4.5 cm long, peduncles 1-8 mm long, pericels 5-9 mm long. Bracts ovate, caducous, 4.0-4.5 mm long, 1.5-2.0 mm wide. Calyx externally glandular, 6-8 mm long, tube 2-3 mm long, lobes 2-5 mm long. Corolla 15-19 mm long. Standard obovate, streaked purple, externally glandular at apex, 17-19 mm long, 9-10 mm wide, auricles 1 mm long, claw 2.5-3.0 mm long. Wings broadly oblong, externally glandular at apex, 15.0-15.5 mm long, 3.5-4.0 mm wide, claw 2.5-3.0 mm long. Keel blades externally glandular at apex, 14.0-14.5 mm long, 5.5-6.0 mm wide at maximum, claw 2.5-3.0 mm long. Stamens 14-16 mm long. Fruit ovate, densely rufo-villous, 15-20 mm long, 8-10 mm wide. Seeds broadly oblong, black, 4.5-5.0 mm long, 2.5-3.0 mm wide.

  • Discussion

    Holotype examined (K): Brazil, "in campis et collibus siccis in districtu Paranagua prov. Piauhiensis." Gardner 2541- w/o date. Isotypes (BM, F, G, K, NY).

    The most distinguishing feature of Eriosema congestum is the inflorescence, which is short and sessile or subsessile on the stem and consists of numerous congested flowers. The stems are usually defoliated during flowering so that during the dry season usually only the flowers are encountered. In this respect the species resembles E. defoliatum, but it differs from that taxon by its shorter, congested, fewer-flowered racemes and, when foliate, by the smaller leaflets.

  • Distribution

    Distribution. Central to northeastern Brazil (Fig. 11). Occurring in camposcerrados, on slopes, rocky hills and near streams, often on sandy soil; at elevations of 300-1000 m. BRAZIL. Bahia: Igreja Velha, 1841, Blanchet 3339 (BM, F, G, NY). Distrito Federal: near Corrego Taquari, E of Lagoa Paranoa, 28 Apr 1966, H . S. Irwin, J. W. Grear, R. Souza, & R. Reis dos Santos 15393 (NY). Goias: Goias Velha, 17 Jul 1964, A. P. Duarte 8226 & A. Mattos 572 (HB, UB); Arrayas, M a r 1840, Gardner 3662 (K);

    Brazil South America|