Jacquemontia estrellensis Krapov.

Wood, J.R.I., Clegg, R. Jacquemontia (Convolvulaceae) in Bolivia and Peru. Kew Bull 76, 375–420 (2021). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-021-09936-5

Type

Argentina, Salta, Oran, 13 km E of Estrella, A. Krapovickas & J. G. Seijo 47679 (holotype CTES-0013269, isotypes NY-01843045, SP-001620).

Morphology General Habit

Woody liana of dry bushland, the ultimate branchlets clearly woody, glabrous, younger stems tomentellous; leaves ovate or elliptic, mucronate, tomentellous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence shortly pedunculate, axillary; peduncles 0 – 7 mm; pedicels 1 – 3 mm, flowers enclosed by a pair of enlarged, ovate, cordate, tomentellous bracteoles, these 1 – 2.2 cm long and completely enclosing the calyx; sepals narrowly ovate, acute, tomentose, 5 mm long; corolla 11 – 13 mm, shortly exserted from bracteoles, glabrous.

Distribution

An uncommon plant of xerophytic scrub and dry woodland at low altitudes. It is known from the Chaco fringes of Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay and the caatinga region of NE Brazil. In Bolivia, it is characteristic of the dry inter-Andean valleys between 900 and 1700 m in the valley of the Río Grande and Río Mizque and with a single record from Izazog in the Chaco at 400 m.

Conservation

This species is conspicuous but nowhere common. Based on an area of occupancy of 36,000 km2, it should be classified as Endangered (EN) but a categorisation of Vulnerable (VU) based on the extent of occurrence of 6,505.910 km2 is more likely correct. Most, perhaps all locations where this species grows are unlikely to be affected by deforestation or agriculture. The main danger might come from goats eating young plants but seedlings are likely to be protected by cactus and other spiny shrubs, which are common in places where it grows.

Recognition

Unique among South American species because of the large bracteoles which envelope the calyx and most of the corolla.