Two new Aliciella species and a new subspecies in Ipomopsis (Polemoniaceae) from the western United States of America
Author
Porter, J. Mark
text
Phytotaxa
2011
2011-12-31
15
15
25
journal article
6281
10.11646/phytotaxa.15.1.3
9d402fa7-54cf-4147-b17a-44d15ac482a4
1179-3163
4906379
Ipomopsis congesta
(Hook.) V.E.Grant subsp.
matthewii
J.M.Porter
,
subsp. nov.
(
Fig. 4
)
Similis
Ipomopsis congesta (Hook.) V.E.Grant subsp. congesta
, sed folia integra vel
pinnatifida
differt; similis
subsp. crebrifolia (Nutt.)
A.G.Day, sed folia basibus
12–22 mm
differt; et similis
subsp. frutescens (Rydb.)
A.G.Day, sed caules
6–25 cm
differt.
Type
:—
J.M.
Porter
, K.D.Heil, & A.Clifford 12673
;
U.S.A.
New Mexico
.
San Juan County
,
Navajo Indian Reservation
, “The Hogback,” overlooking
Eagle Nest Arroyo
, rimrock (
Point Lookout Member of Mesa Verde Sandstone Formation
),
8 May 2001
. (
holotype
:
RSA
; isotypes: BRY,
GH
,
RM
,
SJNM
)
.
FIGURE 4.
A. Habit and architecture of
Ipomopsis congesta
subsp.
matthewii
, scale= 2.0 cm,
J.M.
Porter
, K.D.Heil, & A.Clifford 12673
, (Photo J.M.Porter). B. Capitate inflorescence and flowers, scale= 2.0 mm,
J.M.
Porter
, K.D.Heil, & A.Clifford 12673
, (Photo J.M.Porter).
Polycarpic perennials, bearing a branching, subterranean, woody caudex, sometimes taprooted when young, plants sometimes subshrubby at the base. Stems 1–20, decumbent, ascending or erect, simple or with up to 5 or more branches,
4–30 cm
tall, with both glandular and eglandular trichomes, usually densely floccose. Leaves mostly cauline on each stem at flowering,
8–30 mm
long, lower leaves linear and entire
0.8– 1.2 mm
wide, upper leaves pinnatifid, with (2–)3–7 narrow segments, the terminal lobe,
0.7–1 mm
wide, trichomes glandular and eglandular, more or less white villous or floccose, usually restricted to the adaxial veins. Inflorescence solitary or paniculately arranged heads, flowers in dense, capitate, cymose heads, 14– 25(–27) mm broad, flowers sessile or subsessile, inconspicuously bracteate, bracts 2.5–6(–10) mm long, simple, outermost trifid to 5-lobed, with 1–2 flowers subtended by a bract. Calyx usually
3.5–5.5 mm
long, free portion of the lobes 1.0–
2.5 mm
long, mucronate or shortly aristate, the margins hyaline, densely villous, the fused portion (tube) sparsely glandular puberulent, the green, herbaceous costae alternating with a narrow hyaline region. Corolla salverform, cream-white,
4.5–7.5 mm
long; the tube 3.5–5(–6) mm long, only slightly, if at all surpassing the calyx, external corolla glabrous, rarely with a few glandular trichomes, internal tube with glandular trichomes (or papillae) along the more proximal staminal vasculature; lobes spreading, (1.5–)
2–3 mm
long, elliptic-ovate to elliptic-oblong, rounded to acute at the apex. Filaments diverging from the corolla tube at the sinuses of the lobes, slightly curved, 0.8–2(–3) mm long, the anthers
0.5–1.5 mm
long, exserted beyond the orifice of the corolla, pollen cream-white. Style reaching the anthers and slightly exserted, proximal portion sparsely glandular, the trichomes sometimes to
1 mm
long. Ovary ovoid, bearing a few glandular trichomes at the apex, locules 3, 1 ovule per locule. Fruit a loculicidal capsule,
2.5–3.5 mm
long, dehiscing from the apex, valves usually remaining fused at the base, with 1 seed per locule, often with some locules empty. Seeds
2–2.5 mm
long,
0.6–1 mm
wide, ellipsoid-fusiform, wingless, light brown to pale chestnut, funicular scar linear, elongate, surface irregular, becoming mucilaginous when wetted, embryo green, slightly curved, often visible within the seed.
Distribution
:—Scattered across the Four Corners region,
Ipomopsis congesta
subsp.
matthewii
occurs in arid habitats, primarily associated with pinyon-juniper woodland. However, it may be found in sagebrush flats (often with scattered pinyon-juniper) or in desert scrub vegetation, where it may be found in badlands. Rarely, it has also been found in ponderosa pine-Gamble oak woodlands. Most frequently it is found in sandy pockets of sandstone outcrops, ledges, and ridge tops. It can also occur on sandy soils or clay soils, particularly if covered by alluvial or pediment gravels. Occurrences range in elev. from
1675–2440 m
(
5500–8000 ft
).
Phenology
:—Flowering begins in late April and generally continues through late June or early July. Exceptionally, flowering may continue into September. Fruiting begins in mid-May and lasts through August or rarely into September.
Etymology
:—The specific epithet,
matthewii
, honors Matthew Heil, energetic field botanist of the Four Corners region, whose life was tragically cut short.
Additional specimens examined (
paratypes
)
:—U.S.A.,
ARIZONA
.
APACHE COUNTY
:
Navajo Nation
,
Alcove Canyon
, 1/
4 mi
W of confluence with White
Rock Wash, W
Slopes of Carrizo Mountains
,
27 April 1995
,
B.Hevron
2269
(
ASC
)
;
Navajo Reservation
,
Blackhorse Creek
on the south side of the
Carrizo Mountains
,
30 May 2004
,
G.Rink
3354
(
ASC
,
NAVA
)
;
Navajo Nation
, top of
Mexican Cry Mesa
,
14.1 mi
from
Cove
,
27 Sept. 2001
,
K.Heil
&
A.Clifford
18383
(
SJNM
,
RSA
)
;
Navajo Nation
,
Lukachukai Mts.
at
Cove
,
30 May 1998
,
S.L.O'Kane
,
Jr.
4370
(
NAVA
,
SJNM
)
;
Navajo Reservation, W
foothills
Lukachukai Mtns
, ca.
9.5 mi
E Round Rock Trading Post
, T36N, R28E, S10,
6500 ft
,
5 Jun 2001
,
A.Clifford
& D.
Atwood
01-610
(
SJNM
)
.
COLORADO
. ARCHULETA COUNTY
:
Arboles
,
3 June 1899
,
C.F.Baker
534
(
POM
)
;
Sambrito Wetlands Area
, hillside above
Sambrito Cr.
,
37° 0’ 23” N
,
107° 28’ 43” W
,
6125 ft
,
8 Jul 2003
,
K.Heil
, et al. 22120
(
SJNM
)
.
LA PLATA COUNTY
:
2 mi
E of Ignacio
,
6400 ft
,
21 Jun 1964
,
J.N.
Mann
s.n.
(
SJNM
)
;
Near La Boca Ranch
, ca.
0.75 mi
SE of railroad bridge,
650 ft
,
18 June 1999
,
K.Heil
13242
(
SJNM
)
.
MONTEZUMA COUNTY
:
Ute Mountain
Indian Reservation, mesa top, T32N, R15W, S19,
23 June 1985
,
J.M.
Porter 1301
(
SJNM
)
;
7 mi.
N. of
Cortez. Limestone
soil,
27 May 1982
,
R.Beal
s.n.
(
ASC
)
.
MONTROSE COUNTY
:
7 mi
NE Nucla
, T47N, R14W,
2 Sept. 1947
,
W.A.
Weber
3578
(
RSA
)
.
NEW MEXICO
. SAN JUAN COUNTY
:
Navajo Nation
,
The Hogback, T
30N, R16W, S11,
4 May 1985
,
J.M.
Porter 1044
(
SJNM
)
;
Navajo Nation
, ca.
12 miles
WSW of Sanostee
,
11 June 2001
,
K.Heil
16676
(
NAVA
,
SJNM
)
;
ca.
2-3 mi
N of Bloomfield
, T29N, R10W, S3, 5650 ft,
11 May 1992
,
K.Heil
& D.
Hyder
7074
(
RSA
,
SJNM
)
;
1 mi
S of La Boca
,
Colorado
, W side of
Los Pinos River
, T32N, R17W, S17,
16 May 1984
,
J.M.
Porter 80-175
(
SJNM
)
;
Ute Mountain
,
Ute Indian Reservation
,
Barker Dome, T
32N, R14W, S10 SE qtr.,
2000 m
,
28 Apr 1989
,
K.
Heil
&
J.M.
Porter 4981
(
SJNM
)
.
UTAH
. SAN JUAN COUNTY
:
La Sal Mountains
,
3 June 1914
,
M.E.Jones
s.n.
(
POM
)
;
U.S. Highway
666,
20.6 km
E of Monticello
, T34S, R26E, S7, 2070 m,
15 June 1993
,
N.H.Holmgren
& P.K.
Holmgren
11876
(
RSA
,
NY
)
;
along U.S. 666, at mile marker 14, ca.
3 mi
E Eastland
turnoff,
37° 49’ 56” N
,
109° 05’ 47” W
,
6793 ft
,
30 May 2002
,
K.Heil
& W.
Mietty
19044
(
SJNM
)
;
10.4 mi
E of U.S. 191, on CR332 (
Hickman Flat Rd.
) ca.
3.5 mi
N Pinte Knoll
,
37° 56’ 57” N
,
109° 09’ 17” W
,
6775 ft
,
22 May 2003
,
K.Heil
&
J.M.
Porter 21813
(
SJNM
)
;
11.6 mi
E of U.S. 163, near
Monticello
,
East Canyon
,
37° 56’ 44” N
,
109° 09’ 26” W
,
6400 ft
,
2 Jul 2002
,
K.Heil
et al. 22018
(
SJNM
)
.
Discussion
:—
Ipomopsis congesta
is a widespread species, occurring from the Pacific Northwest south to
California
, and east to
South Dakota
,
Nebraska
,
Colorado
, and
New Mexico
. Across this range,
I
.
congesta
displays considerable variability (
Constance & Rollins 1936
,
Cronquist 1984
,
Day 1980
). Currently eight races are recognized (
Cronquist 1984
,
Day 1980
,
Welsh
et al.
2003
), either at the varietal or subspecific rank. These races differ in habit (from tall, wand-like and basally woody, to decumbent or cespitose herbs), leaf morphology (from linear or pinnatifid, to palmatifid leaves), vesture (glabrous to hairy or glandular), flower color (white to blue-purple), filament length (much shorter than the anther to twice the anther length), anther/ pollen color (white to blue, or yellow), ovule number, as well as ecological features. These races can be quite distinctive. As a result, some races are occasionally treated at the species rank, e.g.,
I
.
frutescens
(
Rydberg 1913: 471
) V.E.
Grant (1956: 361)
,
I
.
crebrifolia
(
Nuttall 1848: 11
) Dorn
in
Clark & Dorn (1979: 41)
.
In the Four Corners region of
Arizona
,
Colorado
,
New Mexico
, and
Utah
a distinctive form of
Ipomopsis congesta
has been collected since the 1800’s. Various authors have considered it to represent
I. c.
subsp.
congesta
(
Weber and Wittmann 1996
)
,
I. c.
subsp.
crebrifolia
(Nutt.)
A.G.
Day (1980:112)
(
Cronquist 1984
), or
I. c.
subsp.
frutescens
(Rydb.)
A.G.
Day (1980:112)
(
Weber and Wittmann 1996
). In fact, the
race found
in the Four Corners region differs qualitatively (see below) from all three of the subspecies to which it has been assigned. We consider this taxon distinct and recognize it at the subspecific rank.
Ipomopsis congesta
subsp.
matthewii
represents the southeastern
Colorado
Plateau race of the widespread
I
.
congesta
. As a whole, this species has received less attention in contrast to the
I
.
spicata
complex (
Wilken and Hartman 1991
) or the
I
.
aggregata
complex (e.g.,
Grant and Wilken 1986
;
1987
;
1988a
; 198b). The historic confusion of
I
.
c
. subsp.
matthewii
with other subspecies is understandable because it possesses traits reminiscent of
I
.
c
. subspp.
congesta
,
crebrifolia
, and
frutescens
; however, it remains amply distinct morphologically and ecologically. Most similar to
I
.
c
. subsp.
congesta
,
I
.
c
. subsp.
matthewii
differs in generally having a more suffrutescent base, cream-white flowers and pollen, and displaying heteroblastic leaf variation (early leaf production of simple, entire, linear leaves, later production of pinnatifid leaves with long, linear segments).
Ipomopsis congesta
subsp.
matthewii
has also been confused with
I
.
c
. subsp.
crebrifolia
, a subspecies restricted to western
Wyoming
and adjacent
Montana
that is a woody, tufted subshrub with exclusively linear, short leaves. As previously noted,
I
.
c
. subsp.
matthewii
is often somewhat woody at the base and possesses at least some entire, linear leaves like
I
.
c
. subsp.
frutescens
. Unlike
I
.
c
. subsp.
frutescens
with its tall, wand-like stems, nearly all entire leaves, and two ovules per locule,
I
.
c
. subsp.
matthewii
has decumbent to erect, branching stems, basally entire but distally pinnatifid leaves, and one ovule per locule.
In spite of the new taxonomic recognition of
Ipomopsis congesta
subsp.
matthewii
, this subspecies is neither rare nor in need of specific conservation effort. It occurs over a wide area, from Montrose and Archuleta Counties,
Colorado
, to
San Juan County
,
Utah
, south to
Navajo
and
Apache Counties
,
Arizona
, and
San Juan County
,
New Mexico
.
Even
so, this is not a particularly common race, occurring in small populations, scattered across the region
.
Infraspecific taxa of
Ipomopsis congesta
can be identified using the following key:
1 Leaves, or most of them, palmatifid to subpalmatifid, usually hairy (this complex of subspecies displays a near continuum of variation and could easily be considered a single subspecies; however, I maintain taxonomic recognition of these entities to emphasize the geographic restriction of
subsp.
nevadensis
, and ecological differences of subsps.
montana
and
palmifrons
) .............................................................................................................................................. 2
- Leaves entire, trifid, or pinnatifid, but not palmatifid .................................................................................................. 4
2 Filaments shorter than the anthers, anthers situated at the corolla tube orifice, flowers blue-lavender to white; apparently restricted to the Toiyabe Mountains,
Nevada
...........
I
.
congesta
subsp.
nevadensis
(Tidestr.) Kartesz & Gandhi
- Filaments longer than the anthers, anthers situated beyond the corolla tube orifice, flowers white to lavender ......... 3
3 Most leaves crowded on short, vegetative shoots, forming a conspicuous basal mat; dwarf alpine or subalpine plants, seldom as much as
10 cm
tall ......................................
I
.
congesta
subsp.
montana
(A.Nels. & P.B.Kenn.) V.E.Grant
- Leaves mostly scattered along the stems, sometimes clustered as in the proceeding, plants to 20 or
30 cm
tall, intermountain valleys to montane habitats ................................................
I
.
congesta
subsp.
palmifrons
(Brand)
A.G.Day
4 Leaves glabrous, rarely sparsely tomentose on abaxial surface, mostly crowded on short, vegetative shoots, forming a basal mat; stems usually simple above the branched base; middle and upper elevations of mountains.................... 5
- Leaves sparsely to densely hairy, rarely glabrous; sterile vegetative shoots rarely developed, stems often branched above; foothills, valleys, and plains.............................................................................................................................. 6
5 Leaves mostly entire; plants, up to about
12 cm
tall
...........................
I
.
congesta
subsp.
crebrifolia
(Nutt.)
A.G.Day
- Leaves mostly trifid, often some pinnatifid or entire, plants to
20 cm
tall .....................................................................
.............................................................................................................
I
.
congesta
subsp.
viridis
(Cronquist)
A.G.Day
6 Cauline leaves mostly entire; plants
5–40 cm
tall; herbaceous or woody above the caudex ....................................... 7
- Cauline leaves trifid to pinnatifid, entire only on proximal stems; plants rarely over 20(–30) cm tall, herbaceous above the caudex .......................................................................................................................................................... 8
7 Stems
10–40 cm
tall, from a woody caudex and base, wand-like;
Washington
and Kane Counties,
Utah
, Coconino Co.,
Arizona
........................................................................................
I
.
congesta
subsp.
frutescens
(Rydb.)
A.G.Day
- Stems usually less than
15 cm
, from a diffuse underground caudex, short and herbaceous; Green River Shale Formation of Duchesne and Uintah Counties,
Utah
...........................................................
I
.
congesta
var.
goodrichii
Welsh
8 Basal leaves entire,
3–6 cm
long, proximal leaves pinnatifid; W
South Dakota
, E
Wyoming
, E of the Continental Divide......................................................................
I
.
congesta
subsp.
pseudotypica
(Constance & Rollins)
A.G.Day
.
- Basal leaves pinnatifid or entire, less than
3 cm
long, widespread but W of the Continental Divide.......................... 9
9 Basal leaves pinnatifid; corolla white, anthers bright yellow; widespread but in northern portion of species range ...
...........................................................................................................................................
I
.
congesta
subsp.
congesta
- Basal leaves entire, upper trifid to pinnatifid; corolla cream, anthers cream to white ............................................... 10
10 Stems woody well above the woody caudex; southern
Colorado
Plateau, widespread on sandy soils and pockets of slickrock sandstone ...........................................................................................................
I
.
congesta
subsp.
matthewii
- Stems herbaceous above the woody caudex; a narrow endemic on hills of Arapien Shale Formation, Sevier County,
Utah
.........................................................................................................................
I
.
congesta
var.
ochroleuca
Welsh