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Type: Article
Published: 2016-12-16
Page range: 258–264
Abstract views: 19
PDF downloaded: 1

A new species of Solanum subg. Leptostemonum (Solanaceae) from the southern Espinhaço Range, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Laboratório de Taxonomia e Farmacobotânica, Departamento de Biotecnologia, Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58051-970 João Pessoa, PB, Brasil
Laboratório de Sistemática Vegetal, Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
Eudicots Montane forest Serra do Cipó Serra do Caraça Mello Barreto Seed dispersal

Abstract

Solanum mellobarretoi, a new species of Solanum subg. Leptostemonum (Solanaceae), is described and illustrated. It is endemic to Brazil and restricted to the southern Espinhaço Range in the State of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Solanum mellobarretoi is morphologically related to S. leptostachys Dunal, from which it differs by its irregularly lobed lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate leaves, irregularly lobed, ovate to lanceolate calyx lobes, larger flowers, and pentagonal rotate corolla with cuspidate lobes. Although known in other groups of Solanum, the explosive seed dispersal mechanism found in this species is described here for the first time for the spiny solanums. The affinities with S. leptostachys, geographic distribution, ecology and conservation status of S. mellobarretoi are discussed.