Trichilia schomburgkii subsp. javariensis T.D.Penn.

  • Authority

    Pennington, Terence D. 1981. Meliaceae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 28: 1-359, 418-449, 459-470. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Meliaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Trichilia schomburgkii subsp. javariensis T.D.Penn.

  • Type

    Type. Pennington, Prance, Hill & Ramos 10073, Brazil, Amazonas, Javarí River fl (holotype, INPA; isotypes, FHO, M, NY).

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - A subsp, schomburgkii foliolis (8-)9-12, foliolis basalibus deminutis (3-)4-jugatis, nervis secundariis 15-18[17] utroque costae latere, petalis ad 1/2-3/4 longitudinis coalitis, semper erectis differt.

    Species Description - Small tree with smooth, pale brown or greyish-brown bark with conspicuous lenticels. Inflorescence pendulous. Flowers produced in October, sweet scented, greenish-cream, visited by numerous thrips. Nectar is not accessible to larger insects due to the position of the corolla which remains erect and the closely touching anthers which effectively block the throat of the staminal tube. Fruit maturing December to January, greyish-green. Small tree with smooth, pale brown or greyish-brown bark with conspicuous lenticels. Inflorescence pendulous. Flowers produced in October, sweet scented, greenish-cream, visited by numerous thrips. Nectar is not accessible to larger insects due to the position of the corolla which remains erect and the closely touching anthers which effectively block the throat of the staminal tube. Fruit maturing December to January, greyish-green.

  • Discussion

    Relationships

    On the basis of existing collections the two subspecies are geographically distinct, the only point of overlap being in the Madeira River region of southwestern Brazilian Amazonia. Some doubt must attach to the collection of subspecies javariensis from this locality because it is sterile.

    Although the morphological differences are slight, emphasis has been placed on the obvious differences in floral strategy. Subspecies schomburgkii has strongly reflexed petals with an open staminal tube which contrasts with the erect corolla lobes and closed staminal tube of subspecies javariensis.

    Trichilia schomburgkii is superficially similar to T. pleeana with which it shares the reduced basal leaflets ("pseudostipules") and a similar floral structure. However, it lacks the dibrachiate hairs which occur on the young parts of T. pleeana and its fruit and arillode structure is quite distinct. The smooth often rostrate, puberulous or sericeous capsule, containing an apical arillode and exposed seed, contrasts strongly with the verrucose, ± glabrous capsule of T. pleeana which contains a seed completely surrounded by a thin fleshy arillode.

    It is much more closely related to T. poeppigii (q.v.).

    Obs. 1. Idrobo & Jaramillo 2135, Colombia, Meta, Sierra da la Macarena. This plant is allied to T. schomburgkii but differs from it in the uniform coarse pubescence of the lower leaflet surface. No flowering material has been seen.

  • Distribution

    Extreme western Amazonian Brazil and eastern Colombia (Sierra de la Macarena), with one collection from southwestern Amazonia (Manaus-Pôrto Velho road km 510, Pennington et al. 9988). A plant of wet non-flooded forest, reaching 1300 m altitude in Colombia.

    Colombia South America| Meta Colombia South America| Brazil South America| Amazonas Brazil South America|