Aldina insignis var. retusa (Benth.) Endl. & Cowan

  • Authority

    Maguire, Bassett, et al. 1953. The Botany of the Guayana Highland. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 8 (2): 87-160.

  • Family

    Fabaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Aldina insignis var. retusa (Benth.) Endl. & Cowan

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Arbor usque ad 13 m.; folia 5-foliolata, petiolis, rachibus, et petiolulis granulari-puberulis, petiolis 4-5 cm. longis, rachibus 3-5 cm. longis, petiolulis corrugatis, 7-10 mm. longis, foliolis oblongis, valde transverso-corrugatis, 10-13 cm. longis, 5.5-6 cm. latis, ad basim rotundatis, ad apicem rotundatis retusisque, supra glabris, subnitidis, infra glaucis, pubescentibus, pilis plus minusve erectis, flexuosis,brevibus, siccitate decumbentibus, venis primariis vix prominulis supra, infra salientibus; inflorescentiae terminales, raceroosae vel laxe ramosae, 15-20 cm. longae, dense aureo-velutinae, alabastra matura ca. 2.5 cm. longa, pedicellis 5-7 mm. longis; calyx ca. 2.5 cm. longus, dense aureo-velutinus extus, intus arachnoideo-villosus, lobis 5- plus minusve aequalibus, lanceolatis, vix reflexis, petala 5, obovato-cuneata, 3-5-4.5 cm. longa, ca. 2.3 cm. lata; stamina numerosa, glabra, filamentis ca. 3 cm. longis, filiformibus, antheris 7 mm. longis, 1 mm. latis; stigma simplex, stylus sparse griseo-sericeus, plus quam 5 mm. longus, ovariuro oblongum, 6 mm. longum, 3 mm. latum, dense griseo-puberulentum, stipite ca. 1 cm. longo, dense griseo-puberulis; fructus ignotus.

  • Discussion

    TYPE: Makreba Falls, Kurupung R., upper Mazaruni Region, February 25, 1939, Pinkus 266; New York Botanical Garden.

    The uniformly retuse-tipped leaflets and different type of pubescence on the leaflets serve to distinguish this variety from the typical variety. These hairs are apparently exceedingly thin-walled, so that they collapse on drying and are not readily discernible. Such hairs are also characteristic of A. occidentalis Ducke but are not found otherwise in the genus. On the leaflets of the typical variety the hairs, though minute, are perfectly distinct with magnification, strictly appressed, and directed toward the apex and margin of the leaflet.