Agarista uleana (Sleumer) Judd
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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)
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Family
Ericaceae
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Scientific Name
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Type
Type. Brazil. Guanabara: Rio de Janeiro, Pico da Tijuca, Nov 1897, Ule 4576 [holotype, B, destroyed; lectotype, HBG, designated by Judd (1984); isolectotype, R, n.v.].
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Synonyms
Leucothoe ambigua var. parvifolia Meisn., Leucothoe uleana Sleumer
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Description
Species Description - Shrub to small tree to 3 m tall; twigs very sparsely to moderately pubescent, with nonchambered to clearly chambered pith; buds to ca. 1.3 mm long, leaves re volute. Leaves coriaceous, ovate to elliptic (oblong), 2-6 × 0.6-2.1 cm, base cuneate to rounded, apex acuminate, to acute with small mucro, margin entire, very slightly revolute (± plane), adaxial surface glabrous, but sparsely pubescent on basal portion of midvein, abaxial surface glabrous, but sparsely pubescent along midvein, usually with few inconspicuous glandular dots along midvein; petiole 4-10 mm long. Inflorescences axillary racemes to 1-2.5(-4) cm long; rachis moderately to densely pubescent; pedicels 3-8 mm long, sparsely to densely pubescent; bracteoles 2, alternate to ± opposite, nearly basal, triangular to narrowly so, to ca. 1 mm long; floral bracts to ca. 1.5 mm long. Flowers with triangular calyx lobes, with acuminate apices, 1-2 × 0.6-1.2 mm, abaxial surface glabrous to moderately pubescent; corolla cylindrical, white, 6.5-10 × 2-4.5 mm, glabrous; filaments 4.5-5.2 mm long; anthers 1-1.6 mm long; ovary glabrous to sparsely pubescent, especially near apex and base. Capsules short-ovoid to subglobose, (3-)4-6 × (5-)5.5-8 mm, very thick-walled, placentae subapical; seeds 1.5-2.8 mm long.
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Discussion
Agarista uleana is most closely related to A. niederleinii (see above). Nonfruiting specimens may be confused with A. oleifolia, A. populifolia, or A. mexicana, but none of these species occurs in the Pico da Tijuca region; see key for distinguishing characters.
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Objects
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Distribution
SE Brazil, Guanabara, chiefly limited to Pico da Tijuca region. Low forest and scrub, sunny open areas; ca. 700-1020 m elev. Flowering September through November.
Brazil South America| Rio de Janeiro Brazil South America|