Aeschynomene mollicula var. benthamii Rudd
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Authority
Rudd, Velva E. 1955. The American species of Aeschynomene. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 32: 1-172.
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Family
Fabaceae
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Scientific Name
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Type
Type locality: Near the Jequitinhonha River, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Type collected by Riedel (No. 591), cited below.
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Description
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Description - Stems and floral axes subglabrous to moderately pubescent, sometimes also glandular-hispid; leaves 20-40-foliolate, the leaflets obtuse to subacute, sparsely pubescent to subglabrous; bracts and bracteoles ovate, acute, 1-2.5 mm. long, 0.5-1 mm. wide; flowers about 8-10 mm. long, the calyx 3-4 mm. long; fruit commonly 3-articulate, subglabrous at maturity.
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Discussion
Bentham's Ae. platycarpa was a later homonym of Ae. platycarpa Michx. and, hence, illegitimate when published. There has been confusion as to the limitations of this taxon, since, in addition to the Brazilian collections, which include the type, Bentham stated in the original description: "Habitat in Columbiae et Peruviae pluribus locis." The Andean and the Brazilian specimens almost certainly represent two elements, the former probably Ae. tumbezensis, or possibly Ae. mollicula var. mollicula, and the Brazilian collections represent what is here designated as Ae. mollicula var. benthamii. The Brazilian material is distinguished most readily from Ae. tumbezensis by its smaller, more numerous leaflets, smaller flowers, and fruits with shorter stipes and smaller, pubescent articles. It is separated from typical Ae. mollicula by its smaller flowers and ovate bracts and bracteoles, as is also var. breviflora. From the latter it is distinguished by the rather sparse pubescence of its stems, exclusive of glandular hairs, and the almost glabrous mature fruits. There is some difference in amount of glandular development among the specimens cited above—the Riedel collections show very little, the Glaziou sheet and others, considerable—but I believe that all represent the same taxon.