Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude

  • Authority

    Smith, Albert C. 1952. Plants collected in Ecuador by W. H. camp. Vaceiniaceae. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 8 (1): 41-85.

  • Family

    Ericaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude

  • Description

    Distribution and Ecology - Canar: Northeast of Azogues, Camp E-1784, F. Prieto P-90. Azuay: Ridge between El Pan and Guachapala, Camp E-5256. North of Paute, Camp E-2594. The eastern Cordillera, north of Sevilla de Oro, Camp E-4271. "Oriente" Border, Paramo del Castillo and surrounding forested areas (crest of the eastern Cordillera on the trail between Sevilla de Oro and Mendez), Camp E-120. Loja: Loma de Oro, near Saraguro, Camp E-558 (NY only), E-692. Nudo de Guagrauma, slopes of the Loma de Oro, Camp E-274 (NY only). Cerro Villanaco, west of Loja, Camp E-249, E-250. "Oriente" Border, crest of the Cordillera de Zamora, east of Loja, Camp E-74 E-90. Napo-Pastaza: Valley of the Rio Pastaza and adjacent uplands, vicinity of El Topo, Camp E-1684, E-1685, E-1690 (NY only), E-2410 (NY only). Santiago-Zamora: Eastern slope of the cordillera, valley of the Rios Negro and Chupianza, TamboChontal to Tambo Consuelo, Camp E-1595 (NY only).

  • Discussion

    The species was often common where noted, at elevations of 8,000 to 11,200 ft., growing as a low shrub in grass, among rocks, on banks, or in bogs, often forming mats or dense clumps and propagating by runners; leaves dark green above, paler beneath, dull on both sides or shining above; corolla light rose or deep pink to crimson; filaments white, the anthers red-brown; mature fruit white, translucent, oblate-spherical, up to 1 cm. in diameter, insipid.

    This is the common small-leaved species of Disterigma, occurring along the Andes from Venezuela to Peru.

  • Distribution

    Canar: Northeast of Azogues, Camp E-1784, F. Prieto P-90. Azuay: Ridge between El Pan and Guachapala, Camp E-5256. North of Paute, Camp E-2594. The eastern Cordillera, north of Sevilla de Oro, Camp E-4271. "Oriente" Border, Paramo del Castillo and surrounding forested areas (crest of the eastern Cordillera on the trail between Sevilla de Oro and Mendez), Camp E-120. Loja: Loma de Oro, near Saraguro, Camp E-558 (NY only), E-692. Nudo de Guagrauma, slopes of the Loma de Oro, Camp E-274 (NY only).

    Ecuador South America|