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| Polygala veadeiroensis J. F. B. Pastore
in Pastore, 2018.
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Summary
A new species, Polygala veadeiroensis (Polygalaceae) subgenus Polygala section Timutua DC. series Timoutoideae, is described from Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás State, Brazil. The infrageneric placement and its conservation status are assessed and its habitat and phenology are included. The new species is compared with its morphologically allied species, P. carphoides and P. cuspidata. Illustrations, photos of floral parts under magnification, and a distribution map are also provided.
Key Words: endemic species, subgenus Polygala, taxonomy
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| Fig. 1. Polygala veadeiroensis. A habit; B raceme; C bract; D bracteole; E two upper outer sepals; F lower outer sepal; G androecium and lateral petals; H gynoecium; J fruit with persistent calyx; K, L seed.
From Pastore & Suganuma 417 (the type).
Drawn by Carla Texeira de Lima.
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Polygala veadeiroensis J. F. B. Pastore sp. nov.
Type: Brazil, Goiás, Chapada dos Veadeiros, Cavalcante, estrada [Rodovia GO-118], entre Cavalcante e Santa Teresina de Goiás, 14°03'27"S 47º30'16"W, 6 March 2003, Pastore & Suganuma 417 (holotype CTBS!; isotype CEN!).
recognition: The crested keel places Polygala veadeiroensis within Polygala subgenus Polygala, in addition the spiciform raceme, yellowish spots on floral parts, sepals with acuminate apex, winged stems, and verticillate leaves at proximal nodes are all associated with species belonging to Polygala section Timutua series Timoutoideae Chodat. Polygala veadeiroensis is morphologically most similar to P. carphoides Chodat, from which it is readily separable by its leaves 2.5 – 4 × 1.1 – 1.9 cm, racemes 2 – 3 × 0.8 cm, and linear bracts 2.3 – 2.5 mm long (vs leaves 0.4 – 0.9 × 0.1 – 0.3 cm, racemes 0.5 – 1.5 × 0.35 – 0.5 cm, and lanceolate bracts 0.7 – 1.5 mm long in P. carphoides). On the other hand P. veadeiroensis can be easily recognised by the short bracts when compared with P. cuspidata (2.3 – 2.5 cm vs 4.8 – 9 cm in P. cuspidata).
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| Fig. 2. Polygala veadeiroensis. A bract; B bracteoles; C flower; D two upper outer sepals; E lower outer sepal; F one of the two inner sepals (wings); G keel; H androecium and lateral petals; J gynoecium; K style; L fruit with persistent calyx; M capsule; N seed; P appendage.
All from Pastore & Suganuma 417. photos: J. Floriano B. Pastore.
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| Fig. 3 Polygala veadeiroensis and its habitat. A and D habit; B raceme; C flower in a young raceme; E habitat.
All from Pastore & Mota 5308 (CTBS). photos: J. Floriano B. Pastore.
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Distribution: Most of the analysed specimens of Polygala veadeiroensis (except Pastore & Suganuma 648 and Cardoso et al. 2531) are likely to be derived from the same stretch of c. 20 km along the GO-118 road between Alto Paraíso de Goiás and Teresina de Goiás, on the borders of the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park (CVNP). However, other populations are likely to occur inside the CVNP (Map 1).
Habitat: Polygala veadeiroensis occurs in rocky field areas, called campo limpo rupestre, in sandy soil; altitudes between c. 1,200 – 1,500 m. Fig. 3E.
Conservation status: Although Polygala veadeiroensis is likely to have a wider occurrence inside the area of CVNP (beyond the area estimated here), using the available data to determine the conservation status suggests the criterion VU (2B: a, b3) of IUCN (2012). The known area of occupancy is estimated to be less than 2,000 km2 (c. 228 km2) and because the only known habitat is quite near the interstate roads GO-118 and GO-239, a continued decline of habitat quality and quantity is anticipated.
Etymology: Polygala veadeiroensis refers to the Chapada Veadeiros region in the northeast of the Goiás State in Brazil.
J. F. B. Pastore. 2018. Polygala veadeiroensis (Polygalaceae), A New Species of Polygala endemic to Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás, Brazil. Kew Bulletin. 73:37. DOI: 10.1007/s12225-018-9759-0
