Diplusodon verruculosus T.B. Cavalc., 2015

4. Diplusodon verruculosus T.B. Cavalc. View in CoL , sp. nov.

Type:— BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: Santana do Pirapama, Serra do Cipó, Capelão de São José, subida da Senhorinha, 18º57’14”S, 43º45’31”W, 6 March 2012 (fl., fr.), Zappi et al. 2733 ( holotype CEN!, isotype SPF!). Figure 5 View FIGURE 5 .

Species characterized by small, narrow-triangular leaves, with strongly revolute margin and indumentum of short bulbous-based trichomes, flowers with long sepals and epicalyx segments that are distinctly ciliate with bulbous-based trichomes and the androecium has 6 stamens.

Subshrubs with a xylopodium, strongly branched from the base. Upper branches cylindrical, unwinged, strigose, internodes 0.8–2 cm long. Leaves decussate, slightly imbricate, erect, coriaceous, sessile, not discolorous, hyphodromous, blades 3–6 × 1–1.5 mm, narrowly lanceolate, base retuse to cordate, apex acute, margin revolute to the midvein, strigose, blades covered by sparse bulbous-based trichomes giving the leaf surface a verrucose aspect; veins 1, only the midvein visible, hispid; domatia absent. Synflorescence frondose, diplobotryum type, congested; accessory branches absent, principal florescence truncated, paraclades 4–9 mm long; bracts similar to the vegetative leaves in shape and size; flowers sessile, concentrated at the apex of the paraclades; prophylls 5–5.5 × 2.8–3 mm, surpassing the apex of the floral tube, elliptic, slightly keeled, margins subrevolute, base acute, with sparse, fine trichomes, almost glabrous; floral tube 3.5–3.8 mm long, funnel-shaped, with sparse, fine trichomes, almost glabrous; sepals 3.8–4 mm long, triangular, caudate, not deflexed, with sparse and fine trichomes, almost glabrous, strongly ciliate; epicalyx segments 3–3.2 mm long, narrowly triangular, erect, ciliate, the same size as or a little shorter than sepals; corolla ca. 2 cm in diam, deep rose, petals 9–10 × 4.5–5 mm; stamens 6, free portion of the filaments 6–6.5 mm long, included within the sepals; ovary 2.5–2.7 × 2–2.6 mm, obconic, glabrous, style 10–11 mm long, ovules 18–20. Fruits not seen.

Distribution and ecology:—Known only from the municipality of Santana do Pirapama, Minas Gerais. The species grows in campo rupestres at 1,264 –1,400 m. Flowers in February to March.

Etimology:—Specific epithet related to leaf surface covered with small wart-like outgrowths.

Paratype:— BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: Santana do Pirapama, Serra do Cipó, estrada São José da Cachoeira-Inhame, trilha da Senhorinha, 19º0’S, 43º45’47”W, 19 February 2007 (fl.), Zappi et al. 830 ( ESA!, K!).

Comments:— Diplusodon verruculosus is characterized by small, narrowly triangular leaves, with strongly revolute margin and indumentum of short bulbous-based trichomes. The flowers have long sepals and epicalyx segments that are distinctly ciliate with bulbous-based trichomes, and the androecium has 6 stamens. It is vegetatively similar to D. saxatilis Lourteig (1989: 218) , however, D. saxatilis is well defined by its hirsute branches, leaves and floral tube, and short ( 2.5–3 mm long) epicalyx segments that are distinctly shorter than the sepals and androecium with 12 stamens.