A New Species of Galactia (Fabaceae, Papilionoideae) from Central , U.S.A.

Walter C. Holmes Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76798-7388, U.S.A. [email protected]

Jason R. Singhurst Wildlife Diversity Program, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744, U.S.A. [email protected]

ABSTRACT . Galactia watsoniana W. C. Holmes & ered at the Love Creek Preserve of the Nature Singhurst (Fabaceae, Papilionoideae), endemic to the Conservancy of Texas. Subsequent field studies have southern part of the Balcones Escarpment of central resulted in discovery of this unknown species at Texas, is described as new. The new species is additional sites. It is described as follows. distinguished from G. volubilis (L.) Britton, its apparent nearest relative, by its solitary and larger (17–22 mm vs. 6–12 mm), strigillose tri- Galactia watsoniana W. C. Holmes & Singhurst, sp. chomes on surfaces, presence of a narrow white nov. TYPE: U.S.A. Texas: Bandera Co., Love border on the leaflet margins, and ovate leaflets with Creek Preserve of the Nature Conservancy of reticulated abaxial surfaces. Texas, sloping terrace of bank of Love Creek Key words: Fabaceae, Galactia, Papilionoideae, near cabin, 13 Aug. 2004, W. C. Holmes 13069 & Texas. J. R. Singhurst (holotype, BAYLU; isotypes, MO, TEX). Figure 1. The state of Texas has approximately 298 species of A Galactia volubili (L.) Britton corolla longiore (17– vascular that are considered endemic (W. R. 22 mm non 6–12 mm longa) et trichomatibus strigillosis non Carr, unpublished data), with about 35 of these patulo-pilosis differt. endemic to the Pleistocene terraces of the lower (southern) rim of the Balcones Escarpment. The area, Perennial herbaceous trailing to twining vines; most often known as part of the Edwards Plateau or taproots vertical, woody, linear to spindle-shaped, at Hill Country, is also of substantial botanical interest least 10 3 0.2–1 cm, brown; stems to ca. 1 m or because of the number of eastern species that are longer, 1–2 mm thick, branched, terete to angled, present as relicts. These include such species as retrorsely strigillose; internodes 8–10 cm or more, Aquilegia canadensis L., Arisaema dracontium (L.) shorter above, nodes densely strigillose. Schott, Aristolochia serpentaria L., Bignonia capreo- alternate, pinnately trifoliate; stipules linear to lata L., Hamamelis virginiana L., Lindera benzoin (L.) narrowly lanceolate, 1–2.1 mm, antrorsely strigillose, Blume, Menispermum canadense L., Mitreola petiolata densely so at bases, nerves 3(to 5), essentially (J. F. Gmelin) Torrey & A. Gray, and Viola palmata L. parallel, apices narrowed to a slightly rounded apex; As a whole, the plateau is highly disturbed, mainly as petioles 1–4.7 mm, antrorsely strigillose, grooved a result of overgrazing, with the natural vegetation above; stipels linear, 0.4–1.2 mm, glabrate to spar- largely being replaced by Ashe juniper (Juniperus ingly antrorsely strigillose; lateral petiolules (pulvi- ashei J. Buchholz). Notable exceptions to this are nus) 0.5–1.9 mm, densely spreading-strigillose, ter- portions of the canyonlands, the uplands that give rise minal petiolules 5–7 mm, antrorsely strigillose, the to such rivers as the Medina, Sabinal, and Guadalupe. pulvinus 1–2 mm, densely spreading-strigillose; - A number of drainages occur here that are in near lets ovate, 1.3–2 3 2.7–4.7 cm, pinnately nerved, pristine condition. bases rounded to obtuse to occasionally obscurely In 2004, while searching the above areas for new subcordate, margins entire, densely antrorsely strigil- occurrences of the recently named Texas endemic lose and appearing as a narrow white band, apices Prenanthes carrii Singhurst, O’Kennon & W. C. rounded to an acute apiculation 0.5–1 mm, adaxial Holmes (Asteraceae; see Singhurst et al., 2004), an surfaces glabrate to moderately antrorse strigillose, unknown species of Galactia P. Browne was discov- the secondary nerves exserted from the surfaces, doi: 10.3417/2006134 NOVON 18: 347–350. PUBLISHED ON 2SEPTEMBER 2008. 348 Novon

Figure 1. Galactia watsoniana W. C. Holmes & Singhurst. Holotype specimen, Holmes 13069 & Singhurst (BAYLU). abaxial surfaces paler in color, antrorsely strigillose, 4, strigillose, upper 3 lanceolate-triangular, 0.7– nerves and veinlets exserted from the surface, 1.25 mm, lowest tooth linear to lanceolate, 1.3– conspicuously reticulate. Inflorescence axillary, 1- 1.5 mm; corollas purple to pinkish purple; standard flowered; pedicels 4–10.1 mm, antrorsely strigillose. broadly obovate to orbicular, ca. 23 3 15 mm, Flowers 17–22 mm; calyx tubes ca. 6 3 1.5 mm; teeth margins entire, apices deeply emarginate; wings ca. Volume 18, Number 3 Holmes & Singhurst 349 2008 Galactia watsoniana from Texas, U.S.A.

19 mm, keels 14–15 mm; stamens arranged 9 + 1, the surfaces of leaflets are reticulated and strigillose. tubes ca. 12 mm, filaments 1–1.5 mm, lone filament Other species of the genus in the southeastern U.S.A. ca. 13 mm, anthers ca. 0.5 mm; pistil linear, ca. can be distinguished by their smaller flowers, which 20 mm, glabrous, the tip turned upward; stigma are generally less than 14 mm long (see Correll & capitate. bracteate, 3.5–4 3 ca. 0.5 cm, Johnston, 1970; Isely, 1990), most often arranged in dehiscent, laterally compressed, outer surfaces brown, pseudoracemes of (1)2 to 3(6) flowers. antrorsely strigillose, inner surfaces white, cobwebby, In Correll and Johnston (1970), Galactia watsoni- apex clawed, the remnants of stigma and style ana would key to G. volubilis, a species characterized attached to claw; 4 to 6, flattened ellipsoid, by its flowers 6–12 mm long borne in clusters of 1 to glabrous, brown splotched with darker brown, ca. 3.5 3, herbage (stems, leaves, petioles, bracts, etc.) and 3 1.9–3 mm. covered with spreading hairs, leaves not conspicuously reticulated abaxially, and oval to Distribution. Galactia watsoniana is known only oblong leaflets lacking a narrow white border at the from canyonlands of the upper drainage of the Medina margins. and Sabinal rivers of Bandera County, Texas, U.S.A., At the present time, the Galactia watsoniana is and has been collected at elevations from 525–596 m. known from above 520 m elevation in the headwater IUCN Red List category. Galactia watsoniana,or areas of the upper Medina River (Love Creek) and ‘‘Watson’s milkpea,’’ is currently known from two Sabinal River (Can Creek), both tributaries of the locations and four occurrences in Bandera County, Nueces River. Most often the species occurs on Texas, all discovered in the past two years. The area of shaded, gently sloping terraces above the creeks. occupation is estimated to be ca. 10 km2, and the Vegetation is generally sparse with the major number of individuals is estimated to be less than dominant plants being Quercus muehlenbergii Engel- 100. All currently known occurrences are on mann and Acer grandidentatum Nuttall. Diospyros protected land (Lost State Natural Area, Love texana Scheele, Q. laceyi Small, Frangula caroliniana Creek Reserve of the Texas Nature Conservancy) and A. Gray, Fraxinus texensis (A. Gray) Sargent, are secure. The species, which is limited to low Juniperus ashei, and Tilia americana var. caroliniana terraces of upland rivers and large streams, is (Miller) Castiglione are of lesser occurrence. Shrubs expected to occur in suitable areas in this and nearby present are Sophora secundiflora (Ortega) Lagasca ex counties. Judging from present land use patterns, such DC., Mahonia trifoliolata (Moricand) Fedde, Opuntia occurrences would be expected to be in decline. The Miller, Smilax bona-nox L., and Vitis monticola species may be negatively affected by grazing and Buckley. The herbaceous flora is dominated by alien angiosperm species, and is therefore assessed as Nassella leucotricha (Trinius & Ruprecht) R. W. Pohl. Endangered (EN) according to IUCN Red List criteria Others include Packera obovata (Muhlenberg ex (IUCN, 2001). Willdenow) W. A. Weber & A´ .Lo¨ve, Verbesina virginica L., Viola sororia Willdenow, Dichanthelium Phenology. Flowering late April to August. acuminatum subsp. lindheimeri (Nash) Freckman & Etymology. The new species is named to honor Lelong, as well as the endemic taxa Tragia nigricans Geraldine Watson (1925–), botanist, conservationist, Bush, Passiflora affinis Engelmann, Clematis texensis author, musician, founder of the Pinelands Research Buckley, Spigelia texana (Torrey & A. Gray) A. DC., Institute, and one of the impelling forces behind the and Prenanthes carrii Singhurst, O’Kennon & W. C. creation of the Big Thicket National Preserve in Holmes. One specimen of Galactia watsoniana southeastern Texas. Geraldine is a beloved friend of (Holmes 13705 & Singhurst) was growing from a both authors. In anticipation of the new species being crevice in a nearly vertical limestone canyon wall. given a common name, we are assigning it the name of Paratypes. U.S.A. Texas: Bandera Co., Love Creek ‘‘Watson’s milkpea.’’ Preserve of the Nature Conservancy of Texas (LCPNCT), Discussion. Galactia watsoniana is characterized sloping terrace of bank of Love Creek near cabin, 14 May 2006, Holmes 13532 & J. R. Singhurst (BAYLU); LCPNCT, by its solitary flowers that are 17–22 mm long, which 285 m WSW of cabin, 13 Aug. 2004, Holmes 13051 & J. R. is considered large for the genus. The surfaces of the Singhurst (BAYLU); LCPNCT, upper reaches of Love Creek, leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits of the plant are 1900 m from type location, 18 July 2006, Holmes 13705 & J. lightly to moderately covered with strigillose tri- R. Singhurst (BAYLU); Lost Maples State Natural Area, Can Creek, 17 May 2006, Holmes 13557 & J. R. Singhurst chomes, while the pulvini, stipules, and stipels are (BAYLU). densely strigillose. Margins of the leaflets are densely shrouded with these appressed trichomes so as to Acknowledgments. We thank the Nature Conser- create an easily visible narrow white border. Under- vancy of Texas for access to the Love Creek Preserve, 350 Novon

and in particular, Bill Carr of that organization, who Department in the form of a contract to Baylor suggested that the plants there may represent an University for study of the status of Prenanthes carrii unknown species. We also thank John Pruski (MO) (Asteraceae) supported, in part, the field studies. Both who wrote the Latin diagnosis and assisted with other of these are gratefully acknowledged. technical difficulties. Darrell Vodopich, of the Department of Biology, Baylor University, accompa- Literature Cited nied us on two extended field trips and provided his Correll, D. S. & M. C. Johnston. 1970. Manual of the photography and computer abilities, the results of Vascular Plants of Texas. Texas Research Foundation, which were used in preparation of the description and Renner. illustration. We are also grateful to the Plant Isely, D. 1990. Vascular Flora of Southeastern , Vol. 3, Pt. 2: Leguminosae (Fabaceae). University of North Resources Center at the University of Texas, Austin Carolina Press, Chapel Hill. (TEX, LL), for permitting comparison of their IUCN. 2001. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria Version specimens of Galactia with the new species. This 3.1. Prepared by the IUCN Species Survival Commission. research was made possible through the award of a IUCN, Gland, Switzerland, and Cambridge, United Kingdom. summer sabbatical (2006) to the senior author by the Singhurst, J. R., R. J. O’Kennon & W. C. Holmes. 2004. The College of Arts and Sciences of Baylor University. genus Prenanthes (Asteraceae: tribe Cichorieae) in Texas. Financial assistance by Texas Parks and Wildlife Sida 21: 181–191.