Gleasonia duidana var. latifolia Steyerm.

  • Authority

    Rogers, George K. 1984. Gleasonia, Henriquezia, and Platycarpum (Rubiaceae). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 39: 1-135. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Rubiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Gleasonia duidana var. latifolia Steyerm.

  • Type

    Type. Venezuela. Amazonas: Cerro Yutaje, 1500 m, 21 Feb 1953 (fl, fr), B. & C. Maguire 35344 (holotype, NY; isotopes, GH, NY, U, VEN).

  • Description

    Variety Description - To 10(-15) m tall. Stipular lobes 1.5-3.3 cm long. Leaves 15-28 x to 15 cm; lamina usually broadly elliptic, rarely obovate, usually rounded or truncate at apex, sometimes cuspidate, abaxially the third and higher order veins prominent. Inflorescence (10-)13-18(-21) x (10-)14-24(-28) cm; fourth (and frequently fifth) order axes well-developed and often exceeding 5 mm long. Anthers 6.5-8.0 mm long; style hispid or bearing appressed hairs. Capsule 2.2-2.8 x 2.6-3.0 cm, 1.2-2.0 cm thick.

  • Discussion

    The largest and most branched inflorescences of the genus are found in this variety (Fig. 183).

    There are two specimens of the type collection labeled “holotype” at NY. One bears an altitudinal notation that matches the protologue (“ 1500 m,” not “ 1300 m”), so I consider it the true holotype.

    Steyermark (1967) distinguished var. latifolia from var. duidana using numerous characters. Each of these intergrades between the two varieties, and most collections bridge the gap between the varieties for at least one character. Nonetheless, there is a strong tendency for some collections to be inclined toward narrow, pointed leaves and compact inflorescences (var. duidana) as opposed to broad leaves with rounded apices and open inflorescences with well developed fourth and higher order branching (var. latifolia). Because several collections of var. duidana with small inflorescences are completely in fruit and no longer expanding, it is unlikely that the differences in development of the inflorescence are merely a reflection of the point in the flowering season when collection occurred.

  • Distribution

    Upper slopes and summits of mountains of western Venezuela between 4° and 6° N lat. Flowers January through March. Fruits have been collected only in February.

    Venezuela South America| Amazonas Venezuela South America|