Elaeagia karstenii Standl.

  • Authority

    Maguire, Bassett. 1965. The Botany of the Guayana Highland. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 12 (3): 1-285.

  • Family

    Rubiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Elaeagia karstenii Standl.

  • Description

    Distribution and Ecology - Elaeagia karstenii inhabits densely wooded areas of the Coastal Cordillera and Andes of Venezuela west to the Cordillera Central of Colombia at elevations of 1400-2700 m.

  • Discussion

    The more pubescent-leaved f. hispidula Standi. & Steyerm. is of less frequent occurrence than f. karstenii, although occurring within the same general range. In addition to the denser pubescence of the lower leaf-surface, f. hispidula shows a tendency to have longer peduncles, more densely pubescent peduncles and branches of the inflorescence, more pubescent capsules, larger stipules, and a longer and looser inflorescence. It is possible that future collections may prove the f. hispielula to merit varietal or subspecific rank. Although closely related to E . utilis, the two taxa are, in addition to the characters stated in the key, further differentiated by their stipules and calyx-lobes. In E . karstenii the stipules are rather thinnish in texture more or less uniform throughout, not recurved nor reflexed-thickened at apex, larger (4-5 cm long by 1.5-3.4 cm broad), often elongate or enveloping the petiole, or elongate; in E. utilis they are thicker, more reflexed and more truncate at the apex, more resinous, shorter, and stand out appressed to the stem and erect above the petioles. With respect to the calyx-lobes, those of E . utilis are shallow-deltoid and shorter as compared with the more lobulate and deeper ones of E . karstenii. A photo of a specimen from B, deposited in F, N Y , and U S , labeled "Gerontostoma macrophyllum Kl. & Karst." is apparently an unpublished name. ''Karsten 67'' ia indicated on the label. The photo shows a widely branched inflorescence with a moderate amount of puberulence on the lateral and ultimate branches. This indication of pubescence would appear to place this specimen under E . karstenii.

  • Distribution

    Elaeagia karstenii inhabits densely wooded areas of the Coastal Cordillera and Andes of Venezuela west to the Cordillera Central of Colombia at elevations of 1400-2700 m.

    Venezuela South America| Colombia South America|