Typus: Brazil. Santa Catarina: Município de Florianópolis, Ilha de Santa Catarina, Alto Ribeirão, Testa do Macaco, ca 315 m, 6.III.2006, A. Reis. & al. 5040 (holo-: HBR!; iso-: G!, HUMC!, US!).

Sinningia lineatae similis forma atque magnitudine corollarum, sed tubere basali numquam quiescenti tumores secundarios procreante, caule florifero cum indumento araneoso, foliis saepe 4-verticillatis, laminis foliorum superne bullatis, inflorescentia epedunculata differt.

Herb, arising from basal, often multi-lobed tuber, not going dormant, producing after several growing seasons a string of secondary tubers, irregularly shaped and reaching 2–8 cm in diam., new leafy and flowering shoots sprouting from distal as well as from older tubers. Stems of flowering shoots 15–30 cm long, 0.8–1 cm in diam., usually unbranched, covered by a woolly-araneose indument. Leaves decussate, often 4-verticillate, equal in a pair, petiole 1–1.5 cm long, light green; blade elliptic to obovate, 7–15 cm × 4–10 cm, chartaceous, apex obtuse to rounded, base acute to cuneate, vivid green, bullate and glabrous above, specially at young stage, covered with a white, woolly-araneose indument beneath at young stage, becoming looser and light brownish on older leaves, margin irregularly crenate, 5–7 pairs of veins. Inflorescence a frondose florescence with cymes of 1–4 flowers, in each axil of upper and newly produced leaves, peduncle absent, bracts 5–10 × 4–7 mm, green, often caducous. Flowers borne on pedicels, 4–5.5 cm long, reddish, araneose. Calyx narrowly campanulate, fused at base for ca. 0.5 cm, lobes 1.5 cm long, narrowly lanceolate, apex acute, base triangular, margin entire, pale green, woolly-araneose. Corolla tubular, erect in the calyx, 3.5–4 cm long, ca. 5 mm in diam. at base, tube 2.5–3 cm long, 4–6 mm wide, vermilion, bud light red, pubescent, limb nearly regular, lobes 8–10 × 10–12 mm, spreading and forming a right angle with the tube, the 2 dorsal ones narrower, up to 7–8 mm wide, tube inside light red with darker lines, extending over the lateral and ventral lobes. Stamens 4, included, filaments ca. 2 cm, white, glabrous, anthers coherent, star-shaped, pollen cream; nectary formed by two completely separate glands, violet brown, 2–3 × 1 mm; ovary greenish, style ca. 2.5 cm, white, glabrous. Fruit a capsule, conical, 12–15 × 9–10 mm; seeds narrowly ellipsoid, ca 0.8–0.9 mm long.

Etymology. — The epithet refers to the bullate leaf blade, a unique character within the genus Sinningia.

Phenology. — Observed in flowers from December to March in the wild; in cultivation in greenhouse conditions, new crowns bearing flowers are successively produced at the apex of the stem at least 2–3 times a year. A picture of a blooming specimen is visible at:  http://mpeixoto.sites.uol.com.br/gesneriads/sinningia/floripa-leopold.html.

Distribution and ecology. — Sinningia bullata is known so far only from the type locality, growing on steep slopes and vertical granite outcrops at about 300–450 m alt., in semishady situations, in the south-western part of the island of Santa Catarina (Fig. 3). The plant is perennial and resprouts easily, sometimes forming strings of tubers, from which lateral shoots emerge, finally forming colonies of plants cascading down for up to three meters as observed at the base of a shady and humid rocky wall in the type locality (Fig. 2B). The growing pattern of this species was followed for some years in greenhouse conditions. New shoots were produced several times during the year, continuously elongating the portion of stem previously formed and no rest period was observed. This habit is contrasting with the new shoots produced once a year and emerging from the tuber, followed by flowering and then drying of the whole shoot that leads to a dormancy period with the plant reduced to its tuber, as it is found in most other species of Sinningia. Bullate leaves, which are usually considered as a means of increasing the light-absorbing surface, may indicate that the species is well adapted to low light intensity (Blanc, 2002).

Conservation status. — Critically Endangered (CR) B1ab, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) criteria (IUCN, 2001), based on the extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 100 km² and projected decline of extent and quality of habitat, because no protection measures of the natural resources exist so far in its area of occurrence. This species should also be added to the recently published list of rare plants in Brazil, based on area of occurrence covering less than 10'000 km² i.e. populations recorded in an area inferior to a 150 km extension (Chautems & Araujo, 2009).

Relationships. — Morphologically, S. bullata has corollas quite similar to S. lineata (Hjelmq.) Chautems in shape, size and color, but it is distinguished by the combination of growth habit apparently lacking dormancy period, perennial and branching stems with several tuberous swellings on old individuals instead of a unique tuberous base (in wild conditions), young stem portions and abaxial face of leaf lamina with cobwebby indument at flowering time, bullate leaf blades, and epedunculate inflorescence with long pedicels. The cobwebby indument is also present in S. araneosa Chautems, but in this species with the exception of the corolla, it covers the whole plant, including the abaxial and adaxial faces of leaf blade.

Prelimary phylogenetic analysis, based on molecular data, indicate that this species belongs to clade Dircaea together with other species also distributed in southern Brazil like S. macrostachya (Lindl.) Chautems, S. lineata, and S. macropoda (Sprague) H. E. Moore (M. Perret, pers. comm.).

Formation of natural hybrids with S. leopoldii (Planch.) Chautems was observed in the lower slopes of the Alto Ribeirão in the Santa Catarina island. The latter species occurs on rocks near the sea level and at low elevation along the coast of the island and in the northern part of the continental coast of the Santa Catarina state.

Additional material examined. — Brazil. Santa Catarina: Florianópolis; Testa do Macaco, Alto Ribeirão, 400 m, 13.XII.1972, A. Bresolin 661 (HBR); Florianópolis, Testa do Macaco, Alto Ribeirão, 450 m, 12.I.1973, A. Bresolin 678 (HBR).

Material in cultivation. — Distributed among Gesneriaceae growers under the name Sinningia sp. “Florianópolis” through cuttings and seed produced from material of same origin as the type collection Reis & al. 5040. In the Geneva Botanical Garden greenhouses, this material is grown under accession number AC-3101 (Fig. 1).

The ability to produce flowers several times a year adds to the ornamental qualities of this taxon. Propagation by seed (requiring manual pollination) or by cuttings is easy, as recently tested by some growers (WEH, Gesneriphiles discussion group, 29.8.2008).

Typus: Brazil. Minas Gerais: Município de São Roque de Minas, estrada São Roque-Sacramento, morro após o vale do Rio S. Francisco, 12.I.1996, R. Romero, J. N. Nakajima, A. Chautems & M. Peixoto 3258 (holo-: HUFU!; iso-: G!).

Haec species caule evoluto lanatoque, foliis subsessilibus, pedicellis 0,8–2 cm, corolla tubuloso-campanulata 2,8–3,2 cm longa, violacea vel roseo-rubra ab omnibus congeneribus differt.

Herb, 20–40(-70) cm tall, arising from perennial globose tuber, 3–10 cm in diam., saxicolous. Stems 3–6 mm in diam., unbranched, covered by a whitish or reddish woolly indument. Leaves 2–4 pairs, decussate, sometimes nearly verticillate, equal or slightly anisophyllous, subsessile, blade obovate to elliptic, 5–10 cm long × 3–6 cm wide, apex obtuse, base truncate to attenuate, green and pubescent above, much paler or reddish beneath with tomentose to woolly indument, margin crenate, 6–8 pairs of veins. Inflorescence a (frondo-)bracteose florescence with cymes of 1–4 flowers, arranged in opposite pairs along a 10–30 cm axis at the axils of leaves or bracts diminishing from 4 to 0,5 cm long from base to top. Flowers borne on pedicels, 0.8–2 cm, ascending. Calyx campanulate, fused at base for 2–3 mm, lobes 5–6 mm long, acute at apex, triangular at base, margin entire, green to reddish towards the margin, villous. Corolla tubular-campanulate, oblique in the calyx, 2.8–3.2 cm long, 0.5–0.6 cm at base in diam., tube 1.2–1.4 cm wide, dorsal side arcuate in the proximal part, ventral side gibbous in the distal part, violet or pinkish red to bright red, pubescent, lobes 8–11 × 6–9 mm the 2 dorsal ones slightly smaller, patent to slightly revolute, tube inside/throat cream to light violet with darker lines or cream with pink dots. Stamens 4, included, filaments 1.9–2.4 cm, white, glabrous, anthers coherent in a square, pollen cream, nectary formed of 5 glands, the 2 dorsal ones fused at base; ovary greenish, style included, 2–2.7 cm, white, puberulous. Fruit a capsule, 12–15 × 8–10 mm; seeds ellipsoid, 0.6–0.8 mm long.

Etymology. — The epithet is derived from the locality “Serra da Canastra” where the species was first encountered.

Distribution and ecology. — Restricted to the Serra da Canastra and Serra da Babilônia area in the western part of Minas Gerais state (Fig. 3), where it grows in soil cracks between rocks, among “campo rupestre” vegetation. The Serra da Canastra area, an important water divide of two drainage basins, the Rio São Francisco (whose spring lies in the Serra da Canastra National park) and the Rio Paraná, is well known for its high number of endemic taxa (Romero & Nakajima, 1999).

Two forms with variation in leaf arrangement, corolla and indument coloration were identified. One has dark violet corollas, 3 pairs of decussate leaves with white indument and seems restricted to the Serra da Canastra, the other possesses pinkred corollas, 2–3 pairs of leaves condensed in a pseudo-verticillate and covered with reddish indument. The pink-red flowered form was observed in a small population (Romero & al. 1744) within the Serra da Canastra and in the nearby Serra da Babilônia (Simão Bianchini & Bianchini 1202). This pink-red form was observed and photographed in 1996 in the Serra da Canastra, but has not been seen subsequently, after some fires burned the area (M. Peixoto, pers. comm.).

Observations of pollinators on the violet form of S. canastrensis registered pollination by large Euglossini (Eufriesea violascens) and Megachilini (Megachile sp.) bees (Sanmartingajardo & Sazima, 2004).

Phenology. — Flowering in December–January.

Conservation status. — Endangered (EN) B2ab, according to the IUCN criteria (IUCN, 2001), based on the area of occupancy estimated to be less than 500 km² and observed decline of one of the two color forms. It could be added to mendonça & Lins (2000) and to the recently published list of rare plants in Brazil, based on area of occurrence estimated to be less than 10 000 km² i.e. populations recorded in an area inferior to a 150 km extension (Chautems & Araujo, 2009).

Relationships. — Based on the phylogenetic data from Perret & al. (2003, 2006, 2007, cited as Sinningia indet. 1 or Sinningia sp. nov. 1), S. canastrensis belongs to clade Corytholoma as a sister species of a clade including S. elatior (Kunth) Chautems, S. incarnata (Aubl.) D. L. Denham, and S. sceptrum (Mart.) Wiehler. Morphologically, S. canastrensis stands well apart from the latter species based on its large campanulate corollas.

Additional material examined. — Brazil. Minas Gerais: São Roque de Minas, Parque Nacional da Serra da Canastra, Estrada S. Roque de Minas-Sacramento, 3 km da sede administrativa, 10.XII. 1996, J. N. Nakajima & André 2481 (UEC); São Roque de Minas, Parque Nacional da Serra da Canastra, topo de morro após nascente do Rio São Francisco, 11.I.1995, R. Romero & al. 1709 (G); São Roque de Minas, após a entrada para a cachoeira da Casca d'Anta, estrada para Sacramento, Parna Serra da Canastra, 12.I.1995, R. Romero & al. 1744 (G); José do Barreiro, estrada para Babilônia, 3.I.1998, R. Simão Bianchini & S. Bianchini 1202 (SP).

Material in cultivation. — Seeds distributed among Gesneriaceae growers germinate, but none of them was able to keep the plant alive afterwards. Therefore, survival of this species depends only on “in situ” conservation, whereas most other Sinninga species can benefit from “ex situ” cultivation for their conservation.

Typus: Brazil. Paraná: Município de Cerro Azul, Barra Rio Bom Sucesso, 20.III.1974, G. Hatschbach 33846 (holo-: MBM!; iso-: Z!).

Juxta S. schiffneri, sed habito plerumque repenti caulis facile repullulantis copiose ramificantisque, foliis minoribus, corollis maioribus, capsula dorsaliter omnino secedenta differt.

Herb saxicolous with perennial somewhat fleshy stem, tuber absent. Stems creeping at base, erect on terminal branches, 30–80 cm tall, 3–8 mm in diam., freely branching or resprouting, puberulous when young, internodes 2–4 cm, sometimes reduced to 1–5 mm on side shoots. Leaves decussate, slightly anisophyllous, petiole 3–20(-45) mm long, pale green; blade ovate, 2–8(-11) cm long × 1.2–4.5(-5.5) cm wide, apex acute to acuminate, base obtuse, slightly asymmetric, above green, green to reddish beneath, margin broadly serrate, teeth 1.5–2.5 long × 1.5–3 mm wide, 4–7 pairs of veins, adaxial face pubescent, abaxial face puberulous. Inflorescences 1-flowered, in uppermost leaf axils, epedunculate, bractless. Flowers borne on pedicels, 5–12 mm long, greenish, calyx campanulate, fused at base for 5–6 mm and canescent, lobes subequal, 8–11 mm long, 3.5–4.5 mm wide at base, spreading, light green, pubescent, apex subulate, margin entire. Corolla tubular, obliquely inserted at an angle of nearly 90° in the calyx, 4–5 cm long, tube narrow at base for ca. 1.5 cm × 4 mm in diam., then briefly constricted and expanding to 9–10 mm in diam., evenly gibbous ventrally, with two grooves along a lengthwise bulge dorsally, cream and puberulous on the outside, throat glabrous, white with fine parallel violet lines, lobes subequal, 7–9 mm long × 9–11 mm wide, ventral lobe erect, lateral and dorsal ones spreading, glabrous, white with violet netlike veins on the inside. Stamens 4, included, filaments 2 cm long, white, glabrous or minutely puberulous at base, anthers coherent in a narrow rectangle, 3.5 × 1.5 mm, pollen cream; nectary composed of 5 equal glands, 1,5–2 mm long × 0.5 mm wide, white; ovary semi-inferior, whitish, style 2–2.5 cm long, white, puberulous. Fruit a globose capsule, 8–10 mm long × 8–9 mm in diam., dehiscing by two apical valves (2 slits) with one of the slits continuing to the base of hypanthium, while still somewhat green and fleshy with acrescent calyx; seeds irregularly subglobose, 0.5–0.6 mm.

Etymology. — This species is named in honour of Dr Gerdt Guenter Hatschbach who first collected material of it and guided some of us to the original locality without any hesitation some 25 years after the first collection. This is an example of his exceptional skills and deep knowledge of the Brazilian flora. The senior author is very grateful to him for his help during the several visits to the MBML herbarium in Curitiba and the many gifts of material sent to G.

Phenology. — Inferred from the only two known collections, flowers are produced around February-March. This late summer period is matched in cultivation in the Geneva greenhouses with flowers regularly observed around August.

Distribution and ecology. — To our present knowledge, the species is endemic to a limited area in Brazil in the upstream portion of Rio Ribeira basin, across Paraná and São Paulo states (Fig. 3). It grows in forest along river or nearby, creeping on the ground covered by leaf litter or on margin of humid rocky walls. This species is an addition to the “Flora Fanerogãmica do Estado de São Paulo” (Chautems & Matsuoka, 2003).

The fruit dehiscence with one slit on one side of the capsule, including the hypanthium, is unique so far in tribe Sinningieae. It was first described by Wiehler (1983: Fig. 391) and later found in several members of tribe Gloxinieae Fritsch, i.e. some species of the genera Diastema Benth., Monopyle Benth., and Gloxinella (H. E. Moore) Roalson & Boggan (Weber, 2004). It is suggested that in perpetually wet forests, these fruits represent a special form of rain-wash or rain-splash capsules where the seeds are washed away by rain drops or water dripping from the tree cover. As observed by Kvist & Skog (1996) for some genera of Gloxinieae, the irregularly subglobose or broadlyelliptic type of seeds found in Sinningia gerdtiana is shared with other ground-dwelling and sciaphilous species (like S. barbata (Nees & Mart.) G. Nicholson, S. eumorpha H. E. Moore, S. speciosa (Lodd.) Hiern), in contrast with the ellipsoid seed present in most other Sinningia species that grow in more open and wind exposed habitat (Beaufort-Murphy, 1983).

Conservation status. — Endangered (EN) B2ab, according to the IUCN criteria, based on its area of occupancy in the high valley of Rio Ribeira is not exceeding 500 km² and projected decline of extent and quality of habitat, because no protection measures of the natural resources exist so far in its area of occurrence (IUCN, 2001). This species should be added to the recently published list of rare plants in Brazil, based on its area of occurrence covering less than 10 000 km² i.e. populations recorded in an area inferior to a 150 km extension (Chautems & Araujo, 2009). No protection measures of the natural resources exist so far in its area of occurrence. Hatschbach (pers. comm.) mentioned that the site of collection would be flooded by the construction of a dam. This project, named “Tijuco Alto” is still the object of controversial discussions (see  http://www.socioambiental.org/inst/camp/RibeiraEn/tijuco).

Relationships. — Based on phylogenetic data, S. gerdtiana is sister to S. schiffneri Fritsch (Perret & al., 2003, 2006, 2007, cited as Sinningia indet. 4 or Sinningia sp. nov. 4). Unless other Sinningia, these two species do not rely on a basal tuber for perennial growth, but possess a perennial, somewhat fleshy stem. Sinningia gerdtiana differs from S. schiffneri by several characters listed in Table 1.

Additional material examined. — Brazil. Paraná: Cerro Azul, Barra do Rio Ribeira, ca. 1 km rio abaixo, depois do Rio Bom Sucesso, 24°47′00″S 49°13′04″W, 300 m, 26.XI.98 (steril), G. Hatschbach & al. 71920 (MBM); Same material, flowered in cultivation in the greenhouses of the “Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de la Ville de Genève”, 22.VIII.2000, A. Chautems s.n. (G [AC-2328]). São Paulo: Município Barra do Turvo, Cachoeira Dito Salu, beira de paredão úmido, 27.II.1994 (fl.), E. Barbosa & al. 884 (G, MBM).

Material in cultivation. — Distributed among Gesneriaceae growers under the name Sinningia sp. “Gertiana” through seed produced from material of same origin as the collection Hatschbach 71920. In the Geneva Botanical Garden greenhouses, this material is grown under accession number AC-2328 (Fig. 6).

Typus: Brazil. São Paulo: Município de Caraguatatuba, Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, Núcleo Caraguatatuba, Estrada intermediária, ca. km 41, ca. 1220 m, 23°38′44″S 45°40′21″W, coletado por J. P. Souza em 2000, floreceu em cultivo na coleção de Mauro Peixoto no sítio Primavera, Biritiba Ussú, perto de Mogi das Cruzes, 18.I.2009, M. Peixoto 25 (holo-: HUMC!).

Floribus S. magnificae magnitudine similis, sed pedunculo diminuto (1–3 mm), calyce campanulato-globoso indumento lanato miniato-aurantiaco omnino obtecto, sepalis plerumque connatis, gemmis fructibusque globosis differt.

Herb, arising from perennial globose tuber, 4–9 cm in diam., brown to reddish, saxicolous. Stems 25–70 cm tall, 5–10 mm in diam., usually unbranched, densely covered by a white and lanate indument. Leaves decussate, equal or subequal in each pair, petiole 0.5–5 cm long, pale green and lanate-tomentose; blade ovate, 8–15 cm × 4.5–9 cm, apex acute, base attenuate to cordate, above green and pubescent, beneath white and lanate-tomentose, margin irregularly crenate to serrate, 5–7 pairs of veins. Inflorescence composed of 1–4 frondo-bracteose cymes in the stem apex, each bearing 2–8 flowers, peduncle reduced (1–3 mm). Flowers borne on pedicels, 1.5–2.5 cm, reddish, tomentose. Calyx campanulate-globose, lanate-tomentose, indument red orange, lobes fused at base for 4–5 mm, free for 2,5–3 mm, triangular, apex acute, margin entire,. Corolla tubular bilabiate, erect in the calyx, bright red, 4–4.5 cm long, 6–7 mm in diam. at base, tube 2.5 cm long, 9–10 mm wide below the throat, reddish pubescent, dorsal lobes 14–16 × 7–8 mm, fused for almost their entire length, lateral lobes 2–2.5 × 5–7 mm, spreading to reflexed, ventral lobe 2–3 × 5–6 mm, reflexed, with a wine red mark at base, inside of throat cream to rose. Stamens 4, included, filaments 3–3.5 cm, pale red, puberulous, anthers coherent, star-shaped, connective brown red, pollen yellow; nectary formed of 2 dorsal separate glands; ovary whitish pubescent, style reddish, puberulous, Fruit a globose capsule, mostly covered by accrescent calyx covered by an orange-red lanate-tomentose indument, capsule 8–10 × 8–10 mm; seeds narrowly ellipsoid, ca. 1 mm.

Etymology. — The specific epithet refers to the fuzzy ball observed at bud or fruiting stages, where calyx lobes completely hide the corolla “primordium” or maturing capsule.

Phenology. — Flowering from January to April, based on material in cultivation in Brazil.

Distribution and ecology. — Only known so far from the type locality in the Serra do Mar in São Paulo (Fig. 3), where it appears restricted to open vegetation on top of mountain or “campo de topo de morro” as described by Garcia & Pirani (2003). This species is an addition to Chautems & Matsuoka (2003).

Conservation status. — Critically Endangered (CR) B1ab, according to the IUCN criteria, based on the extent of occurrence not exceeding 100 km² with plants known in a single location and projected decline of extent and quality of habitat (IUCN, 2001). This species should be added to the recently published list of rare plants in Brazil, based on its area of occurrence covering less than 10 000 km² i.e. populations recorded in an area inferior to a 150 km extension (Chautems & Araujo, 2009).

Relationships. — Based on preliminary phylogenetic data, S. globulosa belongs to clade Dircaea (M. Perret, pers. comm.). This species is morphologically related to S. cooperi (Paxton) Wiehler, S. hatschbachii Chautems, and S. magnifica (Otto & A. Dietr.) Wiehler. Table 2 shows the main distinguishing features between the four species.

Additional material examined. — Brazil. São Paulo: Mogi das Cruzes, distrito de Biritiba Ussú, cultivated by Mauro Peixoto in sítio Primavera, 23°43′S 46°08′W, from horticultural source of unknown wild origin, 15.I.1994, Chautems 421 (G); Caraguatatuba, Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, Núcleo Caraguatatuba, Estrada intermediária, ca. km 41. Campo de altitude com dominância de Eremanthus, ca. 1220 m, 23°38′44″S 45°40′21″W, erva com rizoma desenvolvido, sobre encosta rochosa; frutos castanhos passados, 25.IV.2000, J. P. Souza & al. 3518 (ESA 79060).

Material in cultivation. — Distributed through “the Gesneriad Society” for several years by means of a seed-list published in its journal “Gesneriads” under the name Sinningia sp. “Globulosa”, same origin as Souza & al. 3518. A previous introduction grown in Brazil in Mauro Peixoto's collection in the 1980's and 1990's was used as the source of the line drawing (Fig. 8) and voucher Chautems 421.

Typus : Brazil. Espírito Santo: Município de Santa Teresa, base da Pedra da Onça, próx. de Várzea Alegre e da Penha, propriedade de Waldir Erler, ca. 800 m, mata de encosta com muitos matações de rocha, na base de uma escarpa, 4.VI.1998, H. Boudet Fernandes, L. Kollmann, E. Bausen, A. Chiarelo & W. Pizziolo 3237 (holo-: MBML 7906!).

Species valde peculiaris cum foliis aut floribus deinceps evolutis, caule e tubero emisso, petioliformi, plerumque unifoliato, petiolo carenti, lamina 10–15-nervata, corola tubulosa ad tubi basam apicemque constricta.

Herb, arising from perennial tuber, often ellipsoid-flattened, 4–12 cm in diam., saxicolous, leaves and inflorescences produced separately and successively,1–2 stems obliquely arising from the tuber upper surface (rarely 3–6 stems on several years old tubers), petiole-like, 4–8(-12) cm long, 2–3 mm in diam., brown red, pubescent, blade attachment swollen abaxially (looking like a pulvinus). Leaves forming an angle of nearly 90° with the petiole-like stem, usually reduced to one blade (a second and small one (1–5 mm long) is sometimes produced in opposite position), ovate (3-)9–24(-36) cm long × (1-)4–11(-18) cm wide, apex acute-acuminate, base shortly attenuate to truncate, green above, green or reddish beneath, finely puberulous-velutinous, margin slightly crenate, 10–15 pairs of veins. Inflorescences organized in well developed pair-flowered cymes, 4–10 flowers borne on peduncle, 5–8 cm, 1–2 mm in diam., reddish, emerging from 1-several points of the tuber upper surface, bracts linear, 1–2 mm long. Flowers nodding, borne on pedicels, 2–2.5 cm long, greenish, puberulous. Calyx campanulate, sepals fused at base for 2 mm, narrowly triangular, 3–4 × 1–1.5 mm wide at base, greenish to violet brown, margin entire, puberulous. Corolla slightly oblique in the calyx, tubular, 2.5–3 cm long, constricted above nectary chamber and below limb, 2 mm wide at base, tube enlarged then towards the middle reaching 5–6 mm in diam., greenish in bud, brilliant red at anthesis, puberulous, lobes 4.7–5.3 mm × 5–6.3 mm wide, ventral lobes slightly larger than dorsal lobes, spreading, throat cream inside. Stamens 4, included, filaments ca. 15 mm, white, glabrous, anthers coherent by their apex and side, forming a rectangle, pollen white, staminode reduced to a ca. 1 mm point, nectary formed by 2 fused dorsal glands and 3 smaller ones in ventral and lateral position; ovary 3–4 mm, greenish, style, 16–20 mm, white. Fruit a capsule, borne on erect pedicel, ca. 7–9 mm long × 4–5 mm wide, terminated by a curved beak at the apex; seeds ellipsoid, 0.5–0.6 mm, striate.

Etymology. — This species is dedicated to our friend and colleague Helio de Queiroz Boudet Fernandes, director of the Mello Leitão Museum in Santa Teresa (MBML) who collected this very interesting plant, suspecting it could be an undiscovered species. He kindly sent to Geneva pictures and observations, based on material kept in cultivation at the Museu Mello Leitão, allowing us to recognize the unique features characterizing this new taxon.

Distribution and ecology. — The species is so far endemic from the Santa Teresa Municipality, known in only two localities (Fig. 3). In the wild, tubers were observed growing in shady and humid situations on steep, or vertical surfaces with leaf apex oriented downwards, leaf blade being therefore more or less parallel to the rock surface.

At first sight, this species looks like a stem-less plant with one or a few leaves with a well developed petiole emerging directly from the tuber. Seedlings were observed and followed for several growing seasons. After germination, the first pairs of tiny leaves are opposite-decussate as in any other Sinningia species. Following formation of a small tuber, a pair of strongly anisophyllous leaves appears and eventually a single leaf of large size develops. A very small foliar bud in opposite position often remains, that occasionally grows and forms a leaf reaching a few centimeters. These observations allowed us to understand that what appears like a petiole is in reality a stem, bearing a leaf blade without petiole and forming a right angle with the stem axis. This species has a growth cycle similar to S. defoliata (Malme) Chautems, alternating phases of production of leaves and flowers that emerge directly from the tuber and not from a well formed stem, like in most other species in the genus. Another species, S. tuberosa (Mart.) H. E. Moore does not produce stem or has a very reduced one and leaves and flowers are borne separately on the tuber. Table 3 includes the main characters that allow discrimination between the three acaulescent species.

Phenology. — Flowering between May and August with inflorescences usually emerging from bare tuber or sometimes with wilting leaves.

Conservation status. — Critically Endangered (CR) B1ab, according to the IUCN criteria, based on the extent of occurrence not exceeding 100 km² as well as projected decline of extent and quality of habitat, because no protection measures of the natural resources exist so far in its area of occurrence (IUCN, 2001). This species should be added to the recently published list of rare plants in Brazil, based on its area of occurrence covering less than 10 000 km² i.e. populations recorded in an area inferior to a 150 km extension (Chautems & Araujo, 2009). No protection measures of the natural resources exist so far in its area of occurrence.

Relationships. — Phylogenetic data show that the three acaulescent species are not closely related. Sinningia helioana is placed close to S. aghensis Chautems within a clade that also includes three micro-miniature species, i.e. S. pusilla (Mart.) Baill., S. muscicola, and S. concinna (Hook. f.) G. Nicholson (M. Perret, pers. comm.). Sinningia tuberosa belongs to clade Sinningia and S. defoliata fits into clade Corytholoma, but in a different subclade than Sinningia helioana (Perret & al., 2003).

Additional material examined. — Espírito Santo: Santa Teresa, São João Petrópolis, cachoeira do Struts, subida da cachoeira, lado direito do riacho, 3.VIII.2000 (fl), V. Demuner & al. 1334 (MBML); Santa Teresa, Varzea Alegre, Cachoeira do Strutz, 24.VII.2009 (fl), J. Rossini & L. C. Rossini 697 (VIC [32.259]).

Material in cultivation. — This species has been made available to the Gesneriaceae growers under the name Sinningia sp. “Santa Teresa”. In Brazil, it is grown in the “Casa das epífitas” at the Museu Mello Leitão in Santa Teresa-Espírito Santo since its introduction by Dr. Helio Boudet Fernandes in 1998 from material of same origin as the type collection Boudet Fernandes & al. 3237 (Fig. 10). At the “Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de la Ville de Genève”, this material is registered under accession number AC-2601 in the collection greenhouse, the source material being Demuner & al. 1334.

Typus: Brazil. Rio de Janeiro: Município de Mangaratiba, Reserva Rio das Pedras, (RPPN-IBAMA), proximidades da Toca da Aranha, ca. 400 m, 24.XI.1998, J. M. Braga & M. G. Bovini 5095 (holo-: RUSU!).

Sinningia pusillae proxima, sed laminis foliorum maioribus et profunde crenatis, superficie adaxiale circa costam nervosque atro-puprurea, pedicelis longioribus, corolla sine calcari differt.

Herb, small, 5–6 cm in height, 4–8 cm in diam., arising from perennial globose tuber, 0.7–1 cm in diam., saxicolous, sciaphilous. Stems 1–13 mm tall, 1–2 mm in diam., unbranched, puberulous. Leaves rosulate, petiole 0.1–2.1 cm, green; blade ovate, 0.7–4.4 × 0.3–1.9 cm, apex acute, base obtuse, above green with broad violet-black streaks extending beyond midrib and veins, pubescent, reddish beneath, margin deeply crenate, 5–7 pairs of veins. Inflorescence reduced to solitary flower, axillary, lacking peduncle. Flowers borne on pedicels, 3.7–6 cm, green, pubescent with glandular trichomes. Calyx minute, fused at base for 0.25 mm, lobes, spreading towards the apex, 3 mm, linear, subulate at the apex, narrowly lanceolate at base, margin entire, green, pubescent with glandular trichomes. Corolla tubular- funnel-shape, obliquely inserted in the calyx, 1.3–1.5 cm long, ca. 2 mm in diam. at base, with a swelling on the dorsal side, tube 2.4–2.6 mm wide, yellowish to light purple in bud, pale purple at anthesis, pubescent with glandular trichomes, lobes spreading, unequal, upper two 3–3.5 × 3–3.5 mm; 2 lateral 4.5–5 × 3.5–3.8 mm, lower one 5–5.5 × 4.2–4.5 mm, tube inside white with some pale lavender lines. Stamens 4, included, filaments 6–7 mm, white, glabrous, anthers coherent, forming a rectangle, pollen white; nectary 2 dorsal separate glands; ovary pubescent, style 5–6 mm, white, stigma bilobed. Fruit a capsule, 7–8 × 5–6 mm; seeds ellipsoid, 0.4–0.5 mm.

Etymology. — The epithet is based on “muscus”, Latin for moss and “cola”, Latin for dweller in reference to the way populations of this tiny species grow among mosses covering vertical faces of rocks.

Distribution and ecology. — The species is so far only known from the Rio das Pedras Preservation area (near Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro) where it was found at two locations along a path between 250 and 450 m (Fig. 3). The plants were observed growing in colonies among mosses and lichens on nearly vertical faces of big boulders within dense and humid forest. In these conditions, leaves in the rosettes are strongly unequal with 1–3 leaves hanging towards the ground much larger that the remaining leaves pointing to the sky. In cultivation, plants when grown on flat surfaces tend to produce larger leaves of equal size all around the rosette. The variegated leaves with violetblack streaks along the veins are typical for low-growing prostrate herbs thriving in shady forest understory. This kind of leaf coloration may be an adaptation for plants that grow in variable levels of light intensity, in an environment where there is reduced competition (Blanc, 2002).

Phenology. — Collected in bloom in October–November, also observed some flowers in January. In cultivation, fruit capsules are produced through self-pollination and seed germinate and can produce flowers in less than 6 months. Blanc (2002) commented that it is frequent for low-growing herbs growing on slopes or rocks to produce flowers and fruits at any season, because of their reduced investment in producing reproductive structures.

Conservation status. — Critically Endangered (CR) B1ab, according to the IUCN criteria, based on the extent of occurrence not exceeding 100 km², known to exist at a single location and projected decline of extent and quality of habitat (IUCN, 2001). This species should be added to the recently published list of rare plants in Brazil, based on its area of occurrence covering less than 10 000 km² i.e. populations recorded in an area inferior to a 150 km extension (Chautems & Araujo, 2009).

Relationships. — This species is related to but quite distinct from S. pusilla (Biggs, 2004). Preliminary phylogenetic data place this species in clade Corytholoma, along with two other micro-miniature species, S. pusilla and S. concinna (M. Perret, pers. comm.). Table 4 summarizes the characters that allow to distinguish these three species.

Additional material examined. — Brazil. Rio de Janeiro: Mangaratiba; Reserva Rio das Pedras, Trilha para a Toca da Aranha, 26.X.2001, T. C. C. Lopes & al. 18 (RUSU); ibidem, Trilha para a Toca da Aranha, 26.X.2001, T. C. C. Lopes & al. 21 (RUSU); ibidem, 15.X.2003, T. C. C. Lopes & al. 58 (RUSU); ibidem, 15.X.2003, T. C. C. Lopes & al. 59 (RUSU); ibidem, 15.X.2003, T. C. C. Lopes & al. 60 (RUSU); ibidem, 13.XI.2004, T. C. C. Lopes & A. Giupponi 93 (RUSU); ibidem, 13.XI.2004, T. C. C. Lopes & A. Giupponi 95 (RUSU).

Material in cultivation. — This species was introduced among Gesneriaceae growers in 2002 under the name Sinningia sp. nov. “Rio das Pedras” (Peixoto, 2003). Quite some variation was observed in the more or less dark leaves and light to plain purple corollas. This species appears to hybridize fairly readily with a number of other species, like S. concinna and S. conspicua (Seem.) G. Nicholson. The micro-miniatures Sinningia species are quite popular among Gesneriaceae growers, due to their very small size and ability to grow in terrarium conditions. Hybrids with other species are already registered, see for example Sinningia ‘Brazilian Dollbaby', a cross of S. eumorpha H. E. Moore cv. “Saltão” with S. muscicola (as Sinningia “Rio das Pedras”:  http://www.dollyyeh.idv.tw/Sinn_Brazilian_Dollbaby_2006aggs.jpg) or Sinningia ‘Li'l Georgie’, a cross of S. muscicola with S. concinna ( http://www.burwur.net/sinns/4x_georg.htm).

Gesneria polyantha DC., Prodr. 7: 528. 1839.

Typus: Brazil. Santa Catarina: “Ste Catherine”, 1832, Gaudichaud 182 (holo-: G-DC!; iso-: G!, P!).

Herb, arising from perennial tuber, globose 3–10 cm in diam. Stems 30–80 cm tall, 3–8 mm in diam., unbranched, reddish, villous. Leaves arranged in 3–4 nodes, decussate or 3-whorled, equal in a whorl, petiole 0,2–3 cm long, green; blade ovate, 5–14 × 3–8 cm, apex acute, base obtuse to truncate or slightly cordiform, above green, sericeous, beneath pale green to canescent, tomentose, margin irregularly serrate to serrulate, 5–6 pairs of veins, opposite or alternate. Inflorescence 10–30 or more flowers, pseudo-umbellate, in one or two whorls in the upper stem, peduncle 1–5 mm, bracts 5–15 × 3–5 mm. Flowers borne on pedicels, 1.5–3 cm long, densely pubescent. Calyx campanulate, fused at base for 2–3 mm, lobes linear-lanceolate, 3–4 mm long, apex acute, margin entire, green to reddish, pubescent. Corolla tubular, erect in the calyx, 3.1–3.4 cm long, 3–4 mm in diam. at base, nectary chamber formed of 5 gibbosities, 5.5–6 mm wide, tube 2.8–3 cm long, 5–7 mm wide, yellowish-pink in bud, bright pink with wine red streaks in the upper half at anthesis, pubescent, ventral and lateral lobes 3–4 × 4–5 mm, the two dorsal ones 3–4 × 3–4 mm, overlapping at the apex, erect to slightly spreading, throat pink with wine red streaks extending on the inner lobes. Stamens 4, included, filaments white, anthers coherent forming a rectangle, pollen white; nectary consisting of two dorsal glands, ca 3 mm long, separate, only touching in their basal portion; ovary reddish, style ca. 2.5 cm, pink. Fruit held on erect pedicel, capsules ovoid, apex acute, 12–15 × 4–6 mm; seeds narrowly ellipsoid, ca 1 mm long.

Etymology. — The epithet is based on the Greek roots “poly”, numerous and “anthos”, flowers.

Phenology. — Flowers were registered between October and December, whereas seed capsules were observed between November and January.

Distribution and ecology. — This species is usually found in “restinga” areas in southern Santa Catarina and northern Rio Grande do Sul (Fig. 3), growing in sand or occasionally on rocks or trees in the transition zone between beach vegetation and coastal forest. The whole formation of coastal vegetation growing on sandy substrate is commonly called “restinga” along the Atlantic coast in Brazil. This species is the only one in the genus growing in sandy substrate (see Fig. 15), with tubers which can be totally buried in sand.

Conservation status. — Endangered (EN) B1ab, according to the IUCN criteria, based on the extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 5000 km² with only 4–5 localities or “municipios” known so far and threatened habitat, due to urban development along the attractive sandy beaches of this part of southern Brazil (IUCN, 2001).

Relationships. — Based on phylogenetic data, S. polyantha belongs to clade Dircaea, in sister position to S. nivalis Chautems and within a subclade including other whorled-leaved Sinningia (Perret & al., 2003, 2006, 2007, cited as Sinningia indet. 7 or Sinningia sp. nov. 7). Morphologically, S. polyantha is related to S. douglasii (Lindl.) Chautems and S. nivalis, which both occur in southern Brazil. The main discriminating morphological characters are listed in Table 5. Candolle in its description, in an infrageneric arrangement of the species belonging to Gesneria L. (now all included in Sinningia), had properly put his Gesneria polyantha in a group of species with opposite leaves while G. douglasii Lindl. was placed in a group comprising species with whorled leaves.

Chautems (1990) placed Sinningia polyantha in synonymy with S. douglasii, but this position must be corrected, now that live material and several collections other than the original Gaudichaud material were found and proved morphologically distinct.

Material examined. — Brazil. Santa Catarina: Município de Garopaba, Praia da Ferrugem, margem da restinga, 28°04′49″S 48°37′52″W, XI.1998, A. Cervi & al. AC-484 (G [fl.]); G [fr.]);Município de Laguna, restinga, X.1971, G. Hatschbach & al. 27241 (MBM, BH, NY, UC); Município de Imbituba, Praia Boa Esperança, 3–5 m; terrícola, dunas fixas, flor vermelho-carmim, 13.XII.2000, G. Hatschbach & al. 71883 (MBM); Garopaba, 10 m alt., rupestre, 21.X.1970, R. M. Klein & A. Bresolin 8820 (HBR); Garopaba, Praia da Ferrugem, 3.X.1989, L. H. Paukowskii 115 (HAS). Rio Grande do Sul: Município de Arroio do Sal, Parque Tupancy, mata de restinga, interior e beira de mata, algumas vezes crescendo em areia; epífita ou erva terrestre, flores roséoavermelhadas, 28-16.X.2004, L. F. P. Lima s.n. (ICN 135518); Município de Torres, Rondinha Velha, num capão distante cerca de 400 m do mar, na beira da mata, 29-27.X.1987, C. Mondin & V. Manfroi s.n. (HAS); Arroio do Sal, Baln. Rondinha Velha, 11.XI.1990, M. G. Rossoni 570 (ICN); ibid., 11.XI.1990, M. G. Rossoni 571 (ICN); ibid., mata de restinga em solo arenoso, crescendo no interior da mata e nas clareiras, 11.XI.1990, M. G. Rossoni 573 (CEPEC); Torres, Arroio do Sal, 13.IX. 1985, N. Silveira & al. 3531 (HAS); Arroio do Sal, Praia de Rondinha, sobre a duna ao sol, epifítico, 21.III.1991, N. Silveira 8824 (G, HAS); Torres, Praia Itapeva, epífito, em capão de dunas também, XI.1979, J. Waechter 1455 (ICN); Torres, Praia Itapeva, epífito, em mata de dunas, XII.1987, J. Waechter 2282 (ICN).

Material in cultivation. — Distributed through the Gesneriad Society for several years by means of a seed-list published in its journal “Gesneriads” under the name Sinningia sp. “Waechter” or Sinningia sp. “arenicola”. In G, it is registered under accession number AC-2330 (for some time labelled as Sinningia “dunensis”), same origin as collection Cervi & al. AC-484 (Fig. 14).