Marco Octávio de Oliveira Pellegrini

Novelties in Brazilian Tradescantia L. (Commelinaceae)

Abstract We present a new record to the Brazilian territory (i.e. Tradescantia boliviana), the rediscovery of a species exclusively known from the cultivated type collection (i.e. T. valida), the description of a new taxon (i.e. T. chrysophylla), synonyms for T. crassula and T. boliviana, correct the typification of T. crassula, and designation of a lectotype for T. ambigua and T. ambigua var. pilosula. Furthermore, we present illustrations, comments, distribution maps, and identification keys for the studied taxa.

(Con)Fused Bracts: The Identity and Application of Tradescantia cymbispatha (Commelinaceae) and a Neglected New Tradescantia Species from Bolivia

Abstract In order to understand the taxonomy of the enigmatic Tradescantia cymbispatha — the source of the confusion between T. sect. Austrotradescantia and T. sect. Cymbispatha — we reexamined the protologues of T. geniculata Vell., T. mundula var. scabrida, T. cymbispatha, T. cymbispatha var. villosissima, T. cerinthoides, T. koernickeana, and T. umbraculifera. Our analysis revealed a great deal of confusion caused by the misinterpretation of Vellozos plate for T. geniculata. We concluded that T. cymbispatha is the accepted name for Vellozos T. geniculata; Clarkes descriptions were based on a miscellaneous assemblage of three different species of Tradescantia from two different sections; and T. cymbispatha var. villosissima does not represent a distinct variety, but is a synonym of T. cerinthoides. Due to this confusion, a new Tradescantia species from Bolivia has remained undescribed until now. A table of morphological characters that distinguish the sections is also provided.

Morphological phylogeny of Tradescantia L. (Commelinaceae) sheds light on a new infrageneric classification for the genus and novelties on the systematics of subtribe Tradescantiinae

Abstract Throughout the years, three infrageneric classifications were proposed for Tradescantia along with several informal groups and species complexes. The current infrageneric classification accepts 12 sections – with T. sect. Tradescantia being further divided into four series – and assimilates many concepts adopted by previous authors. Recent molecular-based phylogenetic studies indicate that the currently accepted sections might not represent monophyletic groups within Tradescantia. Based on newly gathered morphological data on the group, complemented with available micromorphological, cytological and phytochemical data, I present the first morphology-based evolutionary hypothesis for Tradescantia. Furthermore, I reduce subtribe Thyrsantheminae to a synonym of subtribe Tradescantiinae, and propose a new infrageneric classification for Tradescantia, based on the total evidence of the present morphological phylogeny, in accordance to the previously published molecular data.

Recircumscription and taxonomic revision of Siderasis, with comments on the systematics of subtribe Dichorisandrinae (Commelinaceae)

Abstract A new circumscription and a total of six microendemic species, four of them new to science, are herein presented for Siderasis, based on field and herbaria studies, and cultivated material. We provide an identification key to the species and a distribution map, description, comments, conservation assessment, and illustration for each species. Also, we present an emended key to the genera of subtribe Dichorisandrinae, and comments on the morphology and systematics of the subtribe.

Taxonomic revision of Neotropical Murdannia Royle (Commelinaceae)

Abstract This study provides a taxonomic revision for the Neotropical species of the genus Murdannia. Six species are recognized as native, including a new species and a new combination, while two Asian species are recognized as invasive. We present an identification key, a table summarizing the morphologic differences among the species, a new synonym, six lectotypifications, a distribution map, and descriptions, comments and photographic plates for each species. We also provide comments on the morphology of the Neotropical species of Murdannia, comparing them with the Paleotropical species, and a discussion of inflorescence architecture in the genus as a whole.

Notes on the Pontederiaceae names described in Vellozo’s Flora fluminensis

Notes on the Pontederiaceae names described in Vellozos Flora fluminensisThe names of Pontederiaceae described by Vellozo in his Flora fluminensis are here revised, with an orthographical correction, two lectotypes and one epitype designated.

Two peculiar new species of Heteranthera Ruiz & Pavón (Pontederiaceae) from Brazil, with notes on inflorescence architecture in the family

Abstract Two new and peculiar species of Heteranthera are herein described. Heteranthera catharinensis is unique in the genus due to its glomerulate, many-flowered inflorescences, in which the flowers are restricted to the base and apex of the cincinni. It also possesses the biggest flowers in the H. reniformis Ruiz & Pavón species complex, with glabrous perianth lobes, medial filament, and style. On the other hand, Heteranthera pumila is described as the smallest known species of Pontederiaceae, with its dwarf stature, petiolate leaves with especially diminute blades, inflorescences 1–2–(3)-flowered, peduncle densely covered with glandular hairs, basal bract with glandular hairs at base, and smooth seeds, rarely possessing 7–9 inconspicuous longitudinal wings. We present detailed descriptions, illustrations, comments, a distribution map, conservation assessments for the new species, and an identification key to the Brazilian species of Heteranthera s.l. Finally, we discuss inflorescence morphology and terminology in Pontederiaceae, characterizing it as thyrsoid.

Synopsis of Commelina L. (Commelinaceae) in the state of Rio de Janeiro, reveals a new white-flowered species endemic to Brazil

Abstract A synopsis for the genus Commelina in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is presented here, including a new species, ten new synonyms, five designated lectotypes, two designated epitypes and an excluded name. Commelina huntii, a new species, is remarkable due to the combination of rusty to rusty-brown hairs at the margin of its leaf-sheaths, connate spathes, white flowers with auriculate medial petal, ovaries with sparse black papillae and dehiscent fruits. Additionally, we provide an identification key, illustrations, and conservation status for the species of Commelina recorded in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Winteraceae do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Resumo Winteraceae apresenta cinco generos, dos quais apenas Drimys ocorre na regiao neotropical. A taxonomia das especies ocorrentes no Brasil ainda e controversa e dependendo do autor, sao aceitas de uma a tres especies. O presente trabalho apresenta o estudo taxonomico de Winteraceae no Rio Grande do Sul, e visa esclarecer acerca das especies da familia no estado. Foram feitas revisoes de herbarios nacionais e internacionais, alem de coletas em diversos pontos do estado para o levantamento de dados para o tratamento taxonomico e a analise morfometrica (ANOVA). Com base nas analises morfometricas, dados fenologicos e morfologicos, aceitamos a ocorrencia de duas especies no Rio Grande do Sul: Drimys angustifolia e D. brasiliensis. E fornecida uma chave de identificacao, descricoes, comentarios, fenologia e ilustracoes de ambos os taxons. Palavras-chave: Canellales, Drimys, elemento austro-antartico, Magnoliidae, morfometria. Abstract Winteraceae presents five genera, of which only Drimys occurring in the Neotropics. The taxonomy of the Brazilian species is still controversial, and depending on the author, one to three species is accepted. This paper presents the taxonomic study of Winteraceae in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, and aims to elucidate the Winteraceae species for the region. Revision of national and international herbaria, and collections in several places of the state were made in order to gather data for the taxonomic treatment and the morphometrics analysis (ANOVA). Based on the morphometric analyses, phenological and morphological data, two species are accepted for Rio Grande do Sul: Drimys angustifolia and D. brasiliensis. We provide an identification key, descriptions, commentaries, phenology and illustrations for both taxa. Key words: Canellales, Drimys, Austro-Antarctic element, Magnoliidae, morphometric analysis.

Wandering throughout South America: Taxonomic revision of Tradescantia subg. Austrotradescantia (D.R.Hunt) M.Pell. (Commelinaceae)

Abstract I present the first taxonomic revision for T. subg. Austrotradescantia, based on extensive field, cultivation and herbaria studies. I accept 13 species, three of them (i.e. T. atlantica, T. hertweckii and T. tucumanensis) being described as new in the present study. I provide an identification key to the species, distribution maps, descriptions, comments, conservation assessments and illustrations for all species. The troublesome weed T. fluminensis has its specific limits clarified and its native range is presented so it can serve as a basis to better understanding its ecological requirements and to help control it throughout its invasive range. Furthermore, I highlight that T. mundula, a commonly neglected species closely related to T. fluminensis, might also represent a troublesome weed. Tradescantia mundula has been widely introduced in cultivation under the name T. albiflora and seems to have also escaped from cultivation. However, due to the hitherto poorly understood specific limits of T. fluminensis, T. mundula has been treated as a mere cultivar of T. fluminensis s.s.