Jacquemontia mairae J.R.I.Wood & R.Clegg

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

"Bolivia, Tarija: Gran Chaco, Villamontes to Palos Blancos, 20 – 25 km before Palos Blancos, 21°24'53""S 63°39'49""W, 725 m, 24 March 2013 fl., J. R. I. Wood, D. J. N. Hind & G. Gutiérrez 28030 (holotype USZ, isotypes LPB, OXF)."

Morphology General Habit

Slender twining perennial; stems and young growth thinly pubescent but eventually glabrescent

Morphology Leaves

Leaves petiolate; petioles 0.3 – 2.5 cm, pubescent; lamina 1.2 – 5.8 × 0.7 – 3.9 cm, ovate-deltoid, base truncate, apex acute to shortly acuminate, margin entire, both surfaces subglabrous with a few scattered hairs, these sometimes 2 – 3-branched, abaxially paler, the veins with scattered hairs

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence of relatively lax, solitary, axillary pedunculate cymes with (1 –) 3 (– 12) flowers; peduncles 4.3 – 9 cm, pubescent; bracteoles all similar, 1.5 mm long, linear-lanceolate, scale-like; pedicels 3 – 7 mm, subglabrous; sepals slightly unequal, the inner larger than the outer, 4.5 – 7 × 2.5 mm, ovate to elliptic, mucronate, somewhat accrescent with caducous mucro in fruit, somewhat scarious but greener upwards, glabrous; corolla campanulate, somewhat flared, white, c. 2 – 2.3 cm, glabrous on the exterior; filaments slightly unequal, c. 7 mm long, anthers 2 mm, style weakly exserted, 12 – 13 mm, stigmas 2, broadly oblong, 2 × 1.25 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule subglobose, 4 – 5 mm diam., glabrous, brown, 8-valved, 4-seeded; seeds ovoid, 2.5 × 2 mm, glabrous.

Distribution

Restricted to two areas of the dry Inter-Andean valley system of southern Bolivia in Tarija and Chuquisaca Departments between 700 and 1860 m. It is a plant of dry bushland.

Conservation

This species may be under-recorded but based on both an extent of occurrence of 3,208.621 km2 and an area of occupancy of 20,000 km2 it would be classified as Endangered (EN). However, its habitat is not in obvious danger and the main threat lies in the size of its scattered populations, which usually consist of a small number of individuals.

Etymology

This species is named for Maira Tatiana Martinez Ugarteche from the herbarium at Santa Cruz (USZ). Since 2017 Maira has been a constant companion during our fieldwork in Bolivia, has been responsible for important records of Convolvulaceae, often backed by excellent photographs and has developed a deep understanding of the family.