Aldina polyphylla Ducke

• 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 polyphylla Ducke

• Description

  Species Description - Large tree, all vegetative parts glabrous except the lower leaflet surface; leaves (5-7-)9-(ll)-foliolate, 40 cm. long, the petioles 5 cm. long or longer, the rachis 8 cm. long or longer, the petiolules about 1 cm. long, the leaflets lanceolateoblong, 8-16 cm. long, 3-4 cm. wide, the base obtuse, acute or rarely rotund, the apex long-acuminate, the upper surface glabrous, nitid, the lower surface minutely and sparsely appressed-puberulent, the venation subobscure above, prominulous below; inflorescence loosely paniculate, about 30 cm. long, densely subappressed puberulent, the pedicels 4-7 mm. long, the mature buds about 1.5 cm. long; calyx split into three strongly recurved parts, densely subappressed-puberulent outside and glabrous except for arachnoid-villose tips on the inner surface; petals 4, white, oblong, 2-2.3 cm. long, 0.8 cm. wide; stamens glabrous, filaments 1.5-2 cm. long, the anthers 6 mm. long, 0.8 mm. wide; ovary oblong-oval, 5-ovulate, appressed- aureo-puberulent, 5 mm. long, 3 mm. wide; style glabrous, except at base, about 6 mm. long, uncinate at tip; stigma simple, stipe about 1 cm. long, densely appressed-puberulent.

• Discussion

  The plurifoliolate leaves of this species place it near A. kunhardtiana and A. insignis var. insignis, but it may be distinguished from the former by the minute, appressed pubescence of the lower leaflet surface and the lanceolate-oblong leaflet blades. From the latter it may be separated on its much smaller flowers and narrower leaflets.