Monographs Details:
Authority:
Luteyn, James L., et al. 1995. Ericaceae, Part II. The Superior-Ovaried Genera (Monotropoideae, Pyroloideae, Rhododendroideae, and Vaccinioideae P.P.). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 66: 560. (Published by NYBG Press)
Luteyn, James L., et al. 1995. Ericaceae, Part II. The Superior-Ovaried Genera (Monotropoideae, Pyroloideae, Rhododendroideae, and Vaccinioideae P.P.). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 66: 560. (Published by NYBG Press)
Family:
Ericaceae
Ericaceae
Description:
Species Description - Rhizomatous subshrub to 0.5 m tall, erect and unbranched to poorly branched, bark thin, not well developed; twigs moderately to densely pubescent, with regularly chambered pith; buds to 2 mm long, leaves revolute. Leaves alternate, subopposite, or nearly 3-whorled; coriaceous, (1.5-)3-4.3 × (0.6-) 1.5-2.7 cm, ovate, base rounded to cordate, apex broadly acute to acuminate, margin entire, slightly revolute, adaxial surface lacking glandheaded hairs, otherwise sparsely pubescence along midvein, abaxial surface lacking gland-headed hairs, otherwise glabrous to sparsely pubescent along midvein, with a few inconspicuous glandular dots along midvein; petiole 2-8 mm long, inflorescences axillary (or terminal) racemes to 2-2.5(-4) cm long; rachis densely pubescent; pedicels 4-8 mm long, densely pubescent; bracteoles 2, alternate or opposite, ± basal, linear, to 2.5(-4.5) mm long; floral bracts to 2(-2.7) mm long. Flowers with triangular calyx lobes, with acuminate apices, (1.7-)2-2.5 × (1.5-) 1.8-2(-2.5) mm, abaxial surface densely pubescent; corolla cylindrical, red, 7-10 x (2-)3-4 (-4.5) mm, very sparsely pubescent; filaments (4.5-) 5.7-6.5(-7) mm long; anthers 1.5-2 mm long; ovary pubescent. Capsules shortly ovoid to subglobose, 4-6.5 × 3-5 mm, placentae subapical; seeds (1.5-) 1.7-2.3 mm long.
Species Description - Rhizomatous subshrub to 0.5 m tall, erect and unbranched to poorly branched, bark thin, not well developed; twigs moderately to densely pubescent, with regularly chambered pith; buds to 2 mm long, leaves revolute. Leaves alternate, subopposite, or nearly 3-whorled; coriaceous, (1.5-)3-4.3 × (0.6-) 1.5-2.7 cm, ovate, base rounded to cordate, apex broadly acute to acuminate, margin entire, slightly revolute, adaxial surface lacking glandheaded hairs, otherwise sparsely pubescence along midvein, abaxial surface lacking gland-headed hairs, otherwise glabrous to sparsely pubescent along midvein, with a few inconspicuous glandular dots along midvein; petiole 2-8 mm long, inflorescences axillary (or terminal) racemes to 2-2.5(-4) cm long; rachis densely pubescent; pedicels 4-8 mm long, densely pubescent; bracteoles 2, alternate or opposite, ± basal, linear, to 2.5(-4.5) mm long; floral bracts to 2(-2.7) mm long. Flowers with triangular calyx lobes, with acuminate apices, (1.7-)2-2.5 × (1.5-) 1.8-2(-2.5) mm, abaxial surface densely pubescent; corolla cylindrical, red, 7-10 x (2-)3-4 (-4.5) mm, very sparsely pubescent; filaments (4.5-) 5.7-6.5(-7) mm long; anthers 1.5-2 mm long; ovary pubescent. Capsules shortly ovoid to subglobose, 4-6.5 × 3-5 mm, placentae subapical; seeds (1.5-) 1.7-2.3 mm long.
Discussion:
The relationships of this recently described species are unclear. Gonzalez (1989) suggested affinities with either A. pulchella, a species of southeastern Brazil, because of similarities in leaf shape (especially the cordate base) or A. mexicana, a widespread Mexican and Central American species, because of the presence of regularly septate pith, acute to acuminate leaves, fairly short racemes, and capsules with subapical placentae. I prefer the second possibility.
The relationships of this recently described species are unclear. Gonzalez (1989) suggested affinities with either A. pulchella, a species of southeastern Brazil, because of similarities in leaf shape (especially the cordate base) or A. mexicana, a widespread Mexican and Central American species, because of the presence of regularly septate pith, acute to acuminate leaves, fairly short racemes, and capsules with subapical placentae. I prefer the second possibility.
Distribution:
Jalisco Mexico North America| Mexico North America|
Jalisco Mexico North America| Mexico North America|