Hymenaea cangaceira R.B.Pinto, Mansano & A.M.G.Azevedo

Barbosa Pinto R et al. 2017. On the “Cangaço” route: a new species of Hymenaea (Leguminosae) from the Brazilian Caatinga. Kew Bulletin 72:42. DOI 10.1007/S12225-017-9713-6

Conservation

Based on the IUCN Redlist criterion B1 (IUCN2016, Extent of Occurrence), the species’ relatively large geographical distribution (EOO=536,602 Km2) implies that it should be placed in the Least Concern category (LC).

Distribution

Hymenaea cangaceira occurs in the Caatinga region of Northeastern Brazil, usually on sandy or rocky soils.

Morphology General Habit

Trees to c. 10 m, rarely taller; bark striate, light to dark brown, with lenticels; exudate not observed; branch- lets terete in cross section, 5 - 9 mm thick, glabrescent

Morphology Leaves Petiole

Petioles terete, basally and apically enlarged, 8 - 15 mm long, glabrous, rarely sparsely pubescent; petiolules twisted, 2.7 - 5.9 mm long, glabrous, rarely sparsely pubescent; leaflet blades chartaceous, ovate to broadly-elliptic, c. 2x longer than wide, 5.1 - 6.8 x 2.9 - 4 cm, glabrous, the base rounded, asymmetric, the apex usually retuse to rounded, rarely slightly acuminate, the adaxial surface lustrous, the midrib and secondary veins salient abaxially and inconspicuous adaxially

Morphology Leaves Stipules

Stipules caducous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 10, glabrous, the filaments white, gland-dotted on the surface, 20 – 27.5 mm long, the anthers cream to yellow, oblong to elliptic, 6.6 - 6.8 x 1.3 - 1.5 mm, glabrous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx light brown to golden, densely tomentose abaxially and sericeous adaxially, the segments 4, subequal, elliptic to ovate, 14 - 15.6 x 8 - 12.4 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla pentamerous, the petals subequal, white, membranaceous, glabrous, caducuous, the blade slightly clawed, elliptic, 12.4 - 13.2 x 6.5 - 8 mm, the claw c. 1.8 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium

Gynoecium cream-yellowish, reddish when fertilised, glabrous; the stipe terete in cross section, 1.8 - 2.5 mm long, glabrous, the ovary oblong or slightly arcuate-elliptic, 6.9 - 7.2 x 3.3 - 3.5 mm, glabrous or rarely with very few hairs at the base, ovules c. 13, the style terete in cross section, 12 - 14.5 mm long, glabrous, the stigma punctiform

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel

Pedicels rectangular in cross section, 4.1 - 5.9 x 1.9 - 3.1 mm, velutinous; bracteoles paired, opposite, inserted at apex of pedicel, obovate, 5.7 - 7.6 x 4 - 5.8 mm, densely tomentose abaxially and glabrous adaxially caducous; hypanthium 4.1 - 5.8 x 5 - 7 mm; flower buds light brown to golden, ellipsoid, 8.3 - 9.7 x 7.5 - 9.1 mm, tomentose

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit camara type, brown, relatively smooth, glabrous, the body usually cylindrical or slightly laterally compressed, 7.5 - 10 x 3.8 - 4.5 cm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences cymose, terminal, with corymbiform aspect, with three orders of branching, the flowers c. 7 - 18 per axis, spirally arranged on the axis, the axis rectangular, 2.3 -3 mm wide, velutinous; bracts early caducous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds c. 3 - 6 per fruit, brown, irregularly circular, c. 2.5 x 1.5 cm

Note

In the context of the genus, the new species is similar to Hymenaea martiana and H. longifolia in having ovate to broadly-elliptic leaflets, brownish fruits, and a geographical distribution that overlaps those of both species; but it differs from H. martiana by having the leaflets and ovary entirely glabrous (vs the leaflets pubescent abaxially and the ovary with a dense tuft of golden hairs at the base), and from H. longifolia in having generally smaller leaflets (5.1 - 6.8 x 2.9 - 4 cm vs 10.5 - 13 x 5 - 6 cm) and smaller (7.5 - 10 x 3.8 - 4.5 cm vs 12 -15 x 5 - 6 cm) and cylindrical fruits (vs more strongly compressed and expanded toward apex). In addition, H. cangaceira is usually separable from H. martiana by its narrower shade diameter and more sparsely foliated canopy. Moreover, although they may occur sympatrically, H. cangaceira is found exclusively in the Caatinga, while H. martiana is more commonly found in the Cerrado. With respect to H. longifolia, H. cangaceira typically has a more strongly arborescent habit ( H. longifolia being predominantly shrubs or treelets) and less obviously cordate (or auriculate) leaflets. The species is named for the “Cangaceiros,” members of the “Cangaço” social and political movement, who in the early 20th century occupied the surroundings of several towns in the northeastern region of Brazil (Clemente2007). Some of these same towns are the seats ofthe municipalities in which the new species occurs. The Cangaçeiros were known for their ability seemingly to vanish from the pursuing authorities in the open and dry land­scape of the Caatinga, hiding themselves with camou­flage costumes in the thorny vegetation. Similarly, Hymenaea cangaceira has until now been “hiding” from taxonomists in the same geographical region, being confused with sympatric and morphologically similar species.

Phenology

Flowering from November to March, fruiting from March to April.

Type

Type: Brazil, Ceara, Brejo Santo, J. G. Carvalho-Sobrinho et al. 1930 (holotype HVASF!; isotype HUEFS!).

Vernacular

Jatoba (Portuguese).