Mouriri spathulata Griseb. var. spathulata

  • Authority

    Morley, Thomas. 1976. Melastomataceae tribe Memecyleae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 15: 1-295. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Melastomataceae

  • Scientific Name

    Mouriri spathulata Griseb. var. spathulata

  • Type

    Type. C. Wright 1234 (lectotype, GOET; isotypes, G-DC, GH, MO). Cuba: Oriente: La Perla, prope villam Monte Verde dictam. Flower, 28 May 1859. (Other Wright collections numbered 1234 exist, some from Monte Libano and others without data. The La Perla location is specified by Grisebach. For a review of Wright s localities in eastern Cuba, see Underwood, 1905 and Jervis, 1953).

  • Synonyms

    Mouriri spathulata Griseb., Mouriri lanceolata Griseb., Aulacocarpus wrightii Griseb., Mouriri maestralis Urb.

  • Description

    Description - Young twigs terete to narrowly 4-winged; stomatal crypts when regularly present averaging in a leaf 31-65 pin diameter, 16-27 µ high, 55-115 per sq mm; inflorescence 2.3-15.6 mm long to base of farthest pedicel; true pedicel 2.0-6.0(-9.6) mm long; calyx including inferior ovary 4.2-5.6 mm long (3.4-5.1 mm when dry); ratio of length of calyx to width of calyx-lobe 1.5-2.5; anthers 2.0-2.5 mm long; sporangia 1.8-2.1 mm long; width to height ratio of ovary (not dried) 1.35-1.7; locules (2-)3-5; ovules 9-18.

  • Discussion

    Locally used for lumber.

  • Common Names

    Cariñosa, maceta, mierda de gallina , mirto del pais

  • Distribution

    The southeastern half of the province of Oriente in eastern Cuba. Low woods, thickets, edges of woods, and openings on calcareous and on serpentine-derived laterite soils, from sea level to at least 800 m elevation. Common in and near the pinelands on the red iron-bearing soils of the Moa region.

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