Wednesday, January 31, 2024

[Botany • 2021] Prosopanche cocuccii (Hydnoraceae) • A New Species from Southern Brazil


Prosopanche cocuccii  Tav.de Carvalho, Záchia & Mariath, 

in Tavares De Carvalho, Markus, Merotto, Záchia, Schuch, Sulzbach et Mariath, 2021.

Abstract
Prosopanche cocuccii is described as a new species from Southern Brazil. It resembles P. bonacinae due to the trigonous rhizome and by the general size of the flower organs. Nevertheless, P. cocuccii is distinguished by the main floral morphological characteristics used to differentiate species. In addition, the new species presents some rare characters for the genus, such as a highly branched rhizome and flowers usually grouped in fascicles. We provide a description, illustrations, field photographs, morphological details under the stereomicroscope, and comments on habitat, ecology, distribution, and conservation of the new species, as well as an updated key for the genus Prosopanche. In addition, we identified that P. cocuccii produces a large number of rhizomes and fruits for each single host specimen of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), which resulted in a decrease in height and growth of its only known host plant.

Keywords: Atlantic Forest, Hydnora, Nicotiana tabacumProsopanche bonacinae, Piperales, root parasite, Magnoliids


 Photographs of Prosopanche cocuccii.
 A. Two flowers at anthesis in upper view. B. Fascicle of flowers of the same individual, after partial removal of the soil (arrows: flower buds or fruits. C–E. Emergent portion of flowers. C. Flower at early anthesis. D. Flower during anther dehiscence. E. Flower at post-anthesis. Bars: 1 cm.


Prosopanche cocuccii
 Tav.de Carvalho, Záchia & Mariath

 
 Underground structures of Prosopanche cocuccii.
A. Fascicle of flower buds at a portion of the rhizome, showing a fascicle on the left and solitary flowers on the right. B. Flower at anthesis next to a developing flower bud. C. Rhizome fragment and host root (arrow), showing some of its branches (detail: rhizome in cross-section).
Bars: A–C. 1 cm. Detail in C: 5 mm.


Jordano D. Tavares De Carvalho, Catarine Markus, Aldo Merotto Junior, Renato A. Záchia, Marilia Schuch, Estéfani Sulzbach and Jorge E. A. Mariath. 2021. Prosopanche cocuccii (Hydnoraceae): A New Species from Southern Brazil.  Phytotaxa. 521(3); 177-192. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.521.3.3
  Researchgate.net/publication/354951875_Prosopanche_cocuccii_a_new_species_from_Southern_Brazil
  facebook.com/100064629911496/posts/897060424252515