Bejaria nana A.C.Sm. & Ewan

  • 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)

  • Family

    Ericaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Bejaria nana A.C.Sm. & Ewan

  • Type

    Type. Colombia. Magdalena: Sierra Perija, Tres Tetas (SW peak), 3000 m, 28 Apr-4 May 1942 (fl), Carriker 16 (holotype, US; isotype, COL).

  • Description

    Species Description - Shrub or small tree 0.4-2 m tall; bark fissured, glabrous, gray to black, often with persistent and projecting leaf bases; twigs subterete, covered with persistent and projecting leaf bases, dark brown to black, glandular-hispid. Leaves coriaceous, longitudinally curled, linear, 0.85-1.8 × 0.15-0.25 cm, base attenuate or cuneate, apex acute to acuminate, (glandular-mucronate), margin glandular-ciliate, both surfaces glandular-hispid (adaxially glabrous); petiole slightly flattened adaxially, 0.5-2.5 mm long, glandular-hispid. Inflorescence terminal, spikelike racemes, 8-20-flowered; rachis 1.5-4.4 cm long, 1-1.5 mm diam., orange, brown, or gray, densely glandular-hispid; pedicels ascending or usually divergent, 1-4.5 mm long, 0.6-0.9 mm diam., densely glandular-hispid; bracteoles inserted on the apical 1/2 of the pedicel or often immediately below the calyx, elliptic or oblong, flat, 2-4 × 0.4-1 mm, base cuneate, apex acute to acuminate (obtuse), margin glandular-ciliate, both surfaces glandular-hispid; floral bracts elliptic to linear, rarely ovate, flat or longitudinally curled, 3.1-14.5 × 0.9-1.8 mm, base cuneate, apex acute to acuminate, margin glandular-ciliate, abaxial surface glandular-hispid. Flowers 7-merous; calyx 2.7-4.4 mm long, tube 1-2.7 mm long, 3.2-4 mm diam., orange, brown, or purple, glandular-hispid, lobes ovate to deltate or sometimes elliptic, apex caudate or acute, (1.5-)2-2.8 × (l.1-) 1.4-2.9 mm, longest lobes 2.3-2.9 mm long, margin entire, dentate, or sometimes glandular-ciliate, abaxial surface glandular-hispid (tomentose); corolla globose-campanulate, red to scarlet, petals undulate, narrowly obovate, 5-11 × 2.7-4.3 mm, margin entire, sometimes distally slightly ciliolate, glabrous; stamens included, 8-11 mm long, filaments tomentose, anthers 1.2-1.8 mm long, 0.8-1.1 mm diam., glabrous; ovary glabrous, style subequal to corolla, 8.5-11 mm long, stigma 7-lobed. Capsules depressed obovoid, 3.4-4.5 mm long, 4.9-6.4 mm diam., brown to black, exocarp separating from the valves; seeds 0.8-1.1 mm, 0.30.4 mm diam.

  • Discussion

    Bejaria nana is easily characterized by its globose-campanulate corolla, spike-like terminal raceme, and small longitudinally curled leaves.

  • Distribution

    César Colombia South America| Magdalena Colombia South America| Venezuela South America| Zulia Venezuela South America|