Eriosema venulosum Benth.

  • Authority

    Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro. 1993. Systematics of Serjania (Sapindaceae) Part I: A Revision of Serjania Sect. Platycoccus. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 67: 1-91.

  • Family

    Fabaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Eriosema venulosum Benth.

  • Description

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    Species Description - Subshrub to 1 m high, with several, thick, much-branched, erect stems from woody base, the stems glandular and glabrous to sparsely rufo- or albo-pubescent, the hairs appressed. Stipules lanceolate, persistent, connate, 4.0-4.5 mm long, 2.0-2.5 mm wide. Petiolules 2-5 mm long, sericeous. Leaflet 1, broadly oblong to cordate-ovate, coriaceous, abruptly mucronate, apex acute to obtuse, base subcordate, 3.0-5.5 (-6.0) cm long, 13-32 mm wide, puberulent and glandular on both surfaces, the reticulate venation of lower surface in prominent relief. Inflorescences sessile or subsessile, 1.6-2.0 cm long, few flowered (1-4), peduncles 0.5-1.0 mm long, pedicels 1-4 mm long. Bracts broadly ovate, persistent, 3.0-3.5 mm long, 1.5-2.0 mm wide. Calyx 10.0-10.5 mm long, tube 2.5-4.0 mm long, lobes 5.0-6.5 mm long. Corolla yellow, 20-21 mm long. Standard broadly obovate, externally glandular at apex, 19.5-21.0 mm long, 14.0-14.5 mm wide, auricles 1 mm long, claw 1.0-1.5 mm long. Wings broadly oblong, 10.5-11.0 mm long, 5.0-5.5 wide claw 1.5-2.0 mm long. Keel blades externally glandular at apex, 11.0-11.5 mm long, 5.0-5.5 mm wide at maximum, claw 1.5-2.0 mm long. Stamens 15-16 mm long. Fruit broadly ovate, sericeous, 3.0-3.2 cm long, 1.2-1.3 cm wide. Seeds not seen.

    Distribution - Distribution. Central to northeastern Brazil (Fig. 7). Occurring in cerrados and disturbed areas at elevations usually less than 1000 m.

  • Discussion

    Eriosema reticulatum Benth., Linnaea 22: 521. 1849. Holotype examined (K) : Brazil, "In prov. Goyaz." Gardner 3105. 1841. Paratypes (BM, F, G, GH, K, NY, S), non E. reticulatum E. Meyer, 1836.

    Eriosema venulosum is one of the more shrubby members of the genus and the only one known to occur primarily in northeastern Brazil. It appears to have no close relatives and is recognizable by its rather large flowers and fruits, the latter being the largest of the entire genus. The leaflets are also distinctive, being abruptly mucronate and having a prominent reticulate venation on their undersurfaces.