Brunfelsia plowmaniana
| Brunfelsia plowmaniana | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Solanales |
| Family: | Solanaceae |
| Genus: | Brunfelsia |
| Species: | B. plowmaniana
|
| Binomial name | |
| Brunfelsia plowmaniana N.Filipowicz & M.Nee
| |
Brunfelsia plowmaniana
Etymology
The species was named in honor of the American botanist
Molecular diagnosis
The new species differs from all other species of Brunfelsia at several nucleotide positions in the plastid ndhF gene and in the nuclear internal transcribed spacer region.
Description
The shrubs or small trees mostly have a single stem of up to 14 cm in diameter at the base, and they branch only above the base, typically 1–4 m and sometimes up to 10 m high. The bark is peeling or flaking, light gray or yellow-brown. Branches with the new twigs are densely covered with up to 0.3 mm long hairs, whereas the older branches exhibit a smooth and glabrous bark. Internodes range from 4–12 mm.
The shiny and dark green leaves are scattered along the branchlets and often also covered with hairs, especially on younger twigs. They vary in size and shape, but are usually widest above the middle with a rather abruptly narrowed apex, similar to many
The flower is solitary, terminal and often nodding, fragrant during the day. Both
Distribution
Brunfelsia plowmaniana is known from humid forests in the Provinces of Salta and Jujuy in northwestern Argentina, and the Departments of Santa Cruz, Cochabamba and La Paz (Inquisivi Province) in Bolivia. It grows at altitudes of 1500–3200 m on the predominantly North–South ridges separated by dry to arid scrub in the intervening valleys, perhaps mostly at the lower altitudinal range in the southern part of the distribution and the upper altitudinal range to the north. It has never been collected in the neighbouring Provinces of Sud Yungas, Nor Yungas and Larecaja in the relatively well-explored central and northern parts of the Department of La Paz.
Habitat
Brunfelsia plowmaniana lives exclusively in Andean humid or cloud forests and shares its habitat with tree ferns like , reflecting the cloud forest habitat.
Conservation status
The species is often found in heavily grazed lower edges of the cloud forest where grazing, deforestation and fires are a threat to local populations. Even though the range is narrow, it is about 800 km long; and many populations are in undisturbed or protected areas.
References
- PMID 22461731. Please check the source for the exact licensing terms.
- ^ Plowman TC (1978) In: Hawkes JG (Ed). Systematic notes on the Solanaceae. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 76: 294-295.
- ^ Plowman TC (1979) The genus Brunfelsia: a conspectus of the taxonomy and biogeography. In: Hawkes JG, Lester RN, Skelding AD (Eds). The Biology and Taxonomy of the Solanaceae. Academic Press, London: 475-491.
- ^ a b Plowman, T.C. (ed. S. Knapp & J.R. Press). 1998. A revision of the South American species of Brunfelsia (Solanaceae). Fieldiana, Botany. n.s. 39, 1-135. (archived at the Internet Archive)
External links
