Licania

Identification key for Licania View in CoL from the state of Espírito Santo

1. Leaves without stomatal crypts on abaxial surface. 2. Leaves glabrous on both sides................................................................................... 7.7. Licania littoralis View in CoL 2’. Leaves glabrous adaxially, pubescent to tomentulose abaxially. 3. Leaves smaller ( 1.3–1.8 cm); stipules linear.........................................................7.12. Licania sp.1

3’. Leaves larger ( 2–7.8 cm); stipules lanceolate. 4. Leaves longer ( 6.6–15 cm); stamens inserted in a semi-circle. 5. Young branches pubescent; stipules longer (ca. 3–5 mm long), persistent; stamens

3 ...........................................................................7.8. Licania micrantha subsp. micrantha View in CoL 5’. Young branches glabrous; stipules shorter (ca. 2 mm long), caducous; stamens 5... ................................................................................................................7.3. Licania belemii View in CoL

4’. Leaves shorter ( 4.3–6.3 cm); stamens inserted unilaterally.

6. Leaves with apex acute; stamens 3................................................... 7.10. Licania nitida View in CoL 6’. Leaves with apex acuminate; stamens 4............. 7.5. Licania hypoleuca var. hypoleuca View in CoL

1’. Leaves with stomatal crypts on abaxial surface.

7. Stamens 4–5.

8. Petiole pubescent, usually shorter ( 4–6 mm)................................................7.6. Licania kunthiana View in CoL

8’. Petiole glabrous to glabrescent, usually longer ( 5–11 mm). 9. Inflorescence spikes paniculate, bracteoles shorter (ca. 0.5 mm long), flowers smaller (ca. 1.5 mm long) ................................................................................................ 7.1. Licania areolata View in CoL

9’. Inflorescence racemose panicle, bracteoles longer (ca. 1 mm long), flowers larger (ca. 2 mm long) ...................................................................................................... 7.11. Licania spicata View in CoL

7’. Stamens 6–8. 10. Primary veins in a lower number (6–7), stamens inserted in a complete circle .......................... .................................................................................................................................7.4. Licania hoehnei View in CoL

10’. Primary veins in a higher number (8–13), stamens inserted unilaterally. 11. Leaves larger ( 3.3–4.1 cm), primary veins usually in a higher number (9–13 pairs), stamens in a lower number (7) .................................................................................7.2. Licania arianeae View in CoL

11’. Leaves smaller ( 4.5–6.6 cm), primary veins usually in a lower number (8–9 pairs), stamens in a higher number (8).....................................................................7.9. Licania naviculistipula View in CoL 7.1. Licania areolata Prance, Kew View in CoL Bulletin 72(43): 4. 2017. Fig. 9

Tree, up to 25 m tall; young branches pubescent, becoming glabrous with age, lenticellate. Leaves elliptic, 6.2–7.2 × 2.2–2.7 cm, chartaceous, discolorous, base cuneate, apex acuminate, acumen up to 8 mm long, glabrous adaxially, tomentose abaxially, stomatal crypts inconspicuous, midrib impressed adaxially, prominent abaxially, pubescent abaxially, primary veins 7–8 pairs; petiole 6–8 mm long, glabrescent, slightly canaliculate, eglandular; stipules caducous (not seen). Inflorescence terminal to subterminal, spikes paniculate, pubescent; bracts 1, triangular, ca. 1 mm long, pubescent, caducous; bracteoles 3, triangular, ca. 0.5 mm long, pubescent. Flowers ca. 1.5 mm long, sessile, pubescent, receptacle campanulate, ca. 1 mm long, sericeous on the inside; sepals triangular, ca. 0.8 mm long, pubescent; stamens 5, inserted in a semi-circle, free, filaments ca. 0.5 mm long, glabrous; ovary ca. 0.8 mm long, sericeous; style ca. 1 mm long, sericeous. Drupe brown, slightly stipitate, 3.2–3.5 × 2.9–3 cm, epicarp smooth, pubescent.

Selected material examined: Domingos Martins , BR-262, próximo a Vitor Hugo , Rio Jucu , Braço Sul, 17.I.1995, fl., G. Hatschbach 61607 ( CEPEC, IPA, K, MBM, MBML, SPF). Santa Maria de Jetibá, fragmento florestal a 5 km do centro do municÍpio, propriedade do Senhor Paulo Sick, 15.IX.2004, fl. and fr., R.N.C. Teixeira 56 ( VIC) ; 2 km da cidade, propriedade de Helmar Gummes, 24.IX.2005, fr., R.N.C. Teixeira 189 (K, VIC) . Venda Nova do Imigrante , Alto Bananal, 15.I.1995, fl., G. & M. Hatschbach 61510 ( FUEL, HUCP, HUEFS, MBM, PEL, RB) .

Licania areolata View in CoL is very similar to L. spicata View in CoL , as they share the elliptic acuminate leaves, with cuneate base and inconspicuous stomatal crypts, similar petiole size, and sessile flowers with stamens inserted in a semi-circle. Licania areolata View in CoL can be distinguished by the bracteoles (ca. 0.5 mm in L. areolata View in CoL vs. 1 mm in L. spicata View in CoL ) and flower size (ca. 1.5 mm vs. 2 mm). Further studies are necessary for a more consistent delimitation of these species, as so many morphological characters overlap. Collected with flowers January and September, and with fruits in September and December.

Licania areolata View in CoL is here confirmed as endemic to EspÍrito Santo state, in accordance with Sothers & Prance (2023f), and it occurs in Ombrophilous forests, in Domingos Martins, Santa Maria de Jetibá and Venda Nova do Imigrante municipalities .

The most recent record of this species dates from 2005 and it does not seem to be present in any protected areas, which suggests it is under a high threat level for the state.