Tateanthus duidae Gleason
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Authority
Maguire, Bassett, et al. 1953. The Botany of the Guayana Highland. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 8 (2): 87-160.
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Family
Melastomataceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Scandent shrub.
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Discussion
The Paru plants are considerably more tomentose on the lower leaf-surface than those of Duida but differ in no important respect. The relationship of this plant is just as mysterious as when it was first described about twenty years ago. It is the only member of the family, so far as known to me, which combines a totally inferior ovary with a dehiscent capsular fruit. Naturally the dehiscence must affect the hypanthial wall, and it has now been noted that dehiscence is by ten longitudinal clefts, two in each of the furrows between the wings of the hypanthium.
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Distribution
Occasional, north escarpment of Cerro Duida, Maguire 6 Maguire 29092; also recently collected on Cerro Paru by Mrs. Phelps and Hitchcock.
Venezuela South America|