FirSt record oF oldenlandia corymboSa  
SPermacoceae-rubiaceae), a new alien SPecieS For  
Paraguay and argentina  
(
Primer regiStro de oldenlandia corymboSa (SPermacoceae-  
rubiaceae), una nueva eSPecie exótica Para Paraguay y argentina  
Mariela Nuñez Florentin  
Summary  
Background and aims: During the revision of the southern South American species of  
Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste,  
CONICET-UNNE. Sargento Cabral  
Oldenlandia, populations of O. corymbosa were found in Paraguay and Argentina.  
The aim of this contribution is to report the presence of this adventitious species to  
the Paraguayan and Argentinian flora for the first time.  
2
131, Corrientes, Argentina  
marielaflorentin22@gmail.com  
Citar este artículo  
M&M: Living plants and herbarium material, as well as the original description of  
Oldenlandia corymbosa were analysed. Taxonomic and morphological analyses  
were performed. Collected materials were deposited in FCQ and CTES.  
Results: A description of the morphology of the species and habitat based on  
herbarium specimens and field observations are provided, along with an illustration,  
photographs, and a map indicating the geographical position of the recorded  
populations in the Northeast and South Paraguay and Northeast Argentina in the  
Corrientes province. Complementary, an identification key of Oldenlandia species  
occurring in Argentina and Paraguay is provided.  
*
NUÑEZ FLORENTIN, M. 2022. First  
record of Oldenlandia corymbosa  
(
Spermacoceae-Rubiaceae), a new  
alien species for Paraguay and  
Argentina. Bol. Soc. Argent. Bot. 57:  
287-293.  
Conclusion: With the record of Oldenlandia corymbosa in Paraguay and Argentina,  
the range of distribution of this non-native species is extended up to the Southern  
Cone of South America. Its status of naturalized species in Paraguay raises the  
possibility that it was, until now, overlooked in other regions of the Northeast  
Argentina.  
DOI: https://doi.  
org/10.31055/1851.2372.v57.  
n2.36108  
Key wordS  
Adventitious species, new record, Oldenlandia, Rubiaceae, taxonomy, weed.  
reSumen  
Introducción y objetivos: Durante la revisión de las especies del género Oldenlandia  
para el sur de Sudamérica, poblaciones de O. corymbosa fueron halladas en  
Paraguay y Argentina. El objetivo de esta contribución es reportar por primera vez  
la presencia de esta especie adventicia para la flora de Paraguay y Argentina.  
M&M: Se estudiaron plantas vivas y material de herbario, tanto como la descripción  
original de Oldenlandia corymbosa. Se realizaron análisis taxonómicos  
y
morfológicos. El material coleccionado fue depositado en FCQ y CTES.  
Resultados: Se proporciona una descripción de la morfología y hábitat de la especie  
sobre la base de especímenes de herbario y observaciones de campo, junto con  
una ilustración, fotografías, y un mapa que indica la posición geográfica de las  
poblaciones registradas en el nordeste y sur de Paraguay y nordeste de Argentina  
en la provincia de Corrientes. Complementariamente, se proporciona una clave de  
identificación de las especies de Oldenlandia presentes en Argentina y Paraguay.  
Conclusiones: Con el registro de Oldenlandia corymbosa en Paraguay y Argentina,  
se amplía el rango de distribución de esta especie alóctona hasta el Cono Sur  
de América del Sur. Su estatus de especie naturalizada en Paraguay plantea la  
posibilidad de que fuera, hasta ahora, ignorada en otras regiones del Nordeste  
Argentino.  
PalabraS clave  
Especie adventicia, maleza, nuevo registro, Oldenlandia, Rubiaceae, taxonomía.  
Recibido: 15 Dic 2021  
Aceptado: 21 Mar 2022  
Publicado en línea: 13 Abr 2022  
Publicado impreso: 30 de Jun 2022  
Editor: Diego Gutierrez  
ISSN versión impresa 0373-580X  
ISSN versión on-line 1851-2372  
287  
Bol. Soc. Argent. Bot. 57 (2) 2022  
introduction  
photographic illustration to facilitate identification  
of this species is also provided, with a taxonomic  
Oldenlandia corymbosa L. is a member of key to distinguish it from O. salzmannii.  
the Rubiaceae family, which includes about 650  
genera and more than 13,765 species worldwide  
(
Robbrecht & Manen, 2006; Govaerts et al., 2022). material and methodS  
The genus Oldenlandia L. occurs throughout  
the tropical and warm subtropical regions of the  
During floristic surveys in South Paraguay  
world, with its largest diversity in Africa (Halford, and Northeast Argentina, standard taxonomic  
992). It is characterized by the loculicidal capsule methods have been followed for the collection,  
1
dehiscence and “oldenlandioid” seeds (trigonous drying, and processing of herbarium specimens.  
with a reticulate or reticulate areolate testa) (Terrell, The specimens have been deposited in CTES and  
1
990). The number of species in the genus is FCQ herbaria (Thiers, 2021.) Relevant taxonomic  
hard to estimate (Neupane et al., 2015) due to literature (Terrell & Robinson, 2006; Delprete et  
inconsistencies in genera delimitation in the tribe al., 2005), and online databases such as the Reflora  
Spermacoceae, resulting in a taxonomic complex Virtual Herbarium (http://reflora.jbrj.gov.br/reflora/  
formed by Oldenlandia, Hedyotis L., and other herbarioVirtual), speciesLink (http://www.splink.  
smaller genera from the tropics of the Asia-Pacific cria.org.br) and TROPICOS (https://www.tropicos.  
region. Oldenlandia corymbosa is the type species org/home), were consulted for the identification of  
for the genus and it has been extensively studied specimens and reference. The specimens were also  
from a phytopharmacological point of view because compared with original descriptions (Linnaeus,  
its uses in traditional medicine in India and China 1753) of Oldenlandia corymbosa, and analyzed  
(Patel et al., 2014). This species is native to Africa under a (SM) Leica MZ6 stereo microscope.  
and South Asia, and is currently naturalized in Measurements were made using a digital caliper,  
tropical and subtropical regions of the world and ImageJ (Rasband, 2020).  
(
Terrell & Robinson, 2006; Delprete et al., 2005;  
Sánchez Rodríguez et al., 2007; Shahid & Rao,  
014).  
In the Americas, O. corymbosa was previously  
recorded as naturalized and well-established in  
2
reSultS and diScuSSion  
The characters of specimens found in Paraguay  
Brazil (Delprete et al., 2005; Flora do Brasil, 2021), and Argentina (Figs. 1-2) are in complete  
Jamaica (Adams, 1972), USA (Terrell & Robinson, concordance with the description offered by Terrell  
2
006), and Venezuela (Taylor & Steyermark, 2004). & Robinson (2006) and Delprete et al. (2005), and  
While doing fieldwork for a revisionary study of herbaria specimens. Description presented here is  
Oldenlandia in South America (Nuñez Florentin, based on Paraguayan and Argentinian specimens to  
in prep.), O. corymbosa was collected in Paraguay, facilitate later identifications.  
and more recently in Corrientes, Argentina.  
Herbaria material was analysed, but no previously Oldenlandia corymbosa L., Sp. Pl. 1: 119. 1753.  
existing specimens of this species from Argentina Hedyotis corymbosa (L.) Lam., Tabl. Encycl.  
were found. Currently, O. salzmannii (DC.) Benth. 1: 272. 1792. Gerontogea corymbosa Cham. &  
&
Hook. f. ex B.D. Jacks, which is native and Schltdl., Linnaea 4(2): 154. 1829. Hedyotis biflora  
widespread in South America and introduced in var. corymbosa (L.) Kurz., J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal  
North America (i.e. Florida; Fosberg &Terrell, 46(2): 133. 1877. TYPE. Plumier, Nov. Pl. Amer.  
1
985), is the only species in the genus recorded for 42, t. 36. 1703; lectotype designated by Verdcourt,  
Paraguay and Argentina (IBODA, 2021). in Polhill, Fl. Trop. E. Africa, Rubiaceae 1: 308.  
The aim of this work is to shed light on these 1976.  
new records of O. corymbosa in Paraguay and  
Argentina. A detailed description and a distribution  
Herbs, erect, postrate, or rarely decumbent,  
map of this species are provided, as well as, 6.5-15 cm tall. Stems tetragonal, 0.2-0.9 mm  
comments on its distribution and ecology. A diam, glabrous or hirsute. Stipular sheaths free  
288  
M. Nuñez Florentin - Oldenlandia corymbosa in Paraguay and Argentina  
Fig. 1. Oldenlandia corymbosa. A: Habit. B: Stipular sheath. C: Flower. D: Hypanthium, calyx, and style. E:  
Opened corolla. F-G: Dehiscence fruit. F: Lateral view. G: Subapical view. H: Seeds. A: Nuñez Florentin &  
Florentín 144 (CTES). B-H: Nuñez Florentin & Salas 165 (CTES). Drawn by Laura Simón, sketches of the  
reproductive characters by the author.  
289  
Bol. Soc. Argent. Bot. 57 (2) 2022  
Fig. 2. Oldenlandia corymbosa. A: Habit. B: A flowered branch. C: Flower. D: Portion of branch with  
immature fruits. Scales= A: 1 cm; B, D: 5 mm; C: 1 mm. Paraguay, Dpto. Central, Lambaré.  
portion subtriangular, 0.7-1.7 mm long., glabrous the corolla tube; anthers oblong, 0.2-0.5 mm long.  
or hirsute, with 3-5 fimbriae, unequal, 0.5-1.5 mm Styles included, filiform, shortly bifid, 0.1-0.3  
long, glabrous, colleter-tipped. Leaves sessile or mm long. Nectariferous disks elliptic, bipartite.  
pseudopetiolate, blades elliptic or narrowly elliptic, Capsules subglobose, loculicidal, 1.5-1.9 × 1.9-2.3  
linear or oblong, 6.4-15.9 × 1.2-3.3 mm, acute at mm, glabrous. Seeds trigonous, 0.3-0.4 mm long,  
apex, cuneate at base, glabrous. Inflorescences numerous, with hilum apical, punctiform, with  
cymose, 2-5-flowered, pedunculate, axillar, with exotesta reticulate-foveate, castaneous to brown  
small bracts ca. 1 mm long. Flowers homostylous, (Fig. 1-2).  
pedicellate, with floral pedicels 1-4 mm long.  
Hypanthia obconic or globose, 0.8-1.7 mm long,  
glabrous. Calyces 4-lobed, 0.3-1 mm long, calyx  
lobes ovate-triangular, erect, with serrate margins,  
Phenology. It is flowered and fruited all year.  
Distribution and habitat. Oldenladia corymbosa  
glabrous. Corollas infundibuliform, 1.2-2.5 mm is native in the African Continent (e.g. Nigeria,  
long, white, pale pink or light lilac; corolla lobes Uganda, and Kenya) and India (Lewis, 1964;  
triangular-lanceolate, externally glabrous, internally Halford, 1992), but currently presenting a  
with a ring of trichomes at the height of the flower pantropical distribution, being naturalized in The  
throat. Stamens included, inserted at the base of Americas and in other parts of the world. For  
290  
M. Nuñez Florentin - Oldenlandia corymbosa in Paraguay and Argentina  
example, in the past decade it has been cited as of O. corymbosa could be found in similar areas to  
an alien species for the European flora in Spain the northeast of Argentina (probably Formosa and  
(Sánchez Rodríguez et al., 2007); and in the United Chaco provinces). This species could be considered  
Arab Emirates flora, specifically in three different as “casual alien plant” according to Pyšek et al.  
areas of Dubai (Shahid & Rao, 2014), in which (2004), based on its subspontaneous growing and  
the species is reported as an weed but with minor single record. However, in Paraguay, because all  
impact, probably not representing a big threat to the individuals analysed are from the last two decades,  
environment.  
I can consider O. corymbosa as naturalized in  
Oldenlandia corymbosa grows in open areas on Paraguay (Pyšek et al., 2004).  
sandy soils, open banks along streams, savannas,  
waste ground and disturbed areas, or usually on  
Specimens examined: ARGENTINA. Prov.  
man-made environments, on rocky outcrops or Corrientes: Dpto Capital, 10-X-2021, Nuñez  
between cracks on the sidewalks. Its presence in the Florentin & Salas 165 (CTES). PARAGUAY. Dpto  
Southern Cone of SouthAmerica is reported here for Amambay: Bella Vista, 22° 6’ 50’’ S, 56° 31’ 4’’ W,  
the first time, growing in Paraguay and Argentina 11-III-2018, De Madrignac Bonzi & Florentín 776  
(Fig. 3). In the latter, it was only recorded in the (CTES). Dpto. Central: Areguá, Lago Ypacaraí, 25°  
Corrientes province, where it was observed and 19’32’’S, 57° 23’55’’W, 4-III-2018, De Madrignac  
collected in urban and anthropized areas, growing Bonzi & Florentín 624 (CTES); Asunción, 25° 17’  
spontaneously. It is likely that other populations 32’’ S, 57° 37’ 44’’ W, X-2014, Mereles 10122  
Fig. 3. Oldenlandia corymbosa. Geographic record of collected specimens in Paraguay and Argentina (red  
circles). Abbreviations= Arg: Argentina; Bol: Bolivia; Bra: Brazil; Par: Paraguay; Uru: Uruguay.  
291  
Bol. Soc. Argent. Bot. 57 (2) 2022  
(
FCQ); idem, X-2014, Mereles 10120 (FCQ); I am grateful to the staffs of FCQ and FCYN  
Lambaré, Cerro Lambaré, 5-VIII-2015, Nuñez herbaria, especially Maria Vera and Christian  
Florentin & Florentín 144 (CTES); San Lorenzo, Vogt. Also, Roberto M. Salas, Mariana Martinez,  
2
5-XI-2016, Martinez et al. 193 (CTES, FCQ).  
Javier E. Florentín, Laila M. Miguel and Marina  
D. Judkevich for their assistance in the field trip to  
Paraguay, and Laura Simón for the line drawings.  
Key to species of Oldenlandia in Argentina and  
Paraguay  
bibliograPhy  
1
. Herbs erect or postrate. Inflorescences cymose,  
-5-flowered, axillary. Flowers homostylous with  
2
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CONICET) for the grants awarded that supported NEUPANE, S., S. DESSEIN, N. WIKSTROM, P. O.  
(
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