Stachyarrhena spicata Hook.f.

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Rubiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Stachyarrhena spicata Hook.f.

  • Type

    Type. Barra, Prov. Rio Negro, Brazil, Dec-Mar 1850-51, R. Spruce 993 (holotype K, isotype NY).

  • Discussion

    Schiradera spicata Spruce ex Hooker f. 1. c. as syn. Schiadera spicata var. multinervis K. Schum. in Mart. M. Bras. 6(6) : 370. 1889, type: ad flumina Casiquiare, Vasiva et Pacimoni, 1853-4, R. Spruce 3322. Stachiyarrhena longifolia Hook. f. in Hook. lc. PI. t. 1068. 1870, type: ad flumina Casiquiiare, Vasiva et Pacimoni, Territorio Federal Amazonas, Venezuela, E. Spruce 3346. Stachyarrhena longifolia does not appear sufficiently distinct from S. spicata to warrant specific recognition. Although stated in Martius's Flora Brasiliensis (p. 370) as from "Brasilia septentrionalis," the type collection (Spruce 3346) originated from Venezuela. I have seen only a photo of the type of S. longifolia. The only perceptible differences between it and S. spicata are in the length of the inflorescence (3-4.5 cm long in S. spicata, 6.5 cm long in S. longifoliei) and shape and apex of leaf-blades (obovate or oblong-lanceolate in S. spicata with broadly rounded or obtuse apex, narrowly oblong in S. longifolia with obtuse apex), which differences do not stand out sufficiently distinct.