Rhynchanthera virgata Wurdack

  • Authority

    Maguire, Bassett & Wurdack, John J. 1958. The botany of the Guayana Highland--Part III. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 10: 1-156.

  • Family

    Melastomataceae

  • Scientific Name

    Rhynchanthera virgata Wurdack

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Sect. Isostemoncs. R. hookeri Naud., R. villosissimae Cogn., R. paludicolae (Donn. Sm.) Gl. affinis sed habitu dissimili et pubescentia hypanthi breviore. Simplicicaulis, caule longe (2—5 mm) robuste densiusculeque glandulososetoso. Petiolus 5-12 mm, pubescentia caulis eadem; lamina ad 5.5 X 3 cm (apicem versus gradatim minor), ovata apice acuta basi rotundata bis subcordata 7-nervia (nervis duobus exterioribus paulo debilibus) supra et subtus laxe modiceque glanduloso-strigosa (setis I/mm2, ad 2 mm longis, glandulis aliquantum caducis) marginibus setoso-ciliatis dentieulatis. Inflorescentia anguste thyrsoideopaniculata, ramis adscendentibus brevibus ad 3 (-5) cm longis. Hypanthium 2.5-3 X 2-2.5 mm, inconspicue glanduloso-puberulentum pilis debilibus 7-10/mm2, ad 0.15 mm longis; sepala vix (0.2 mm) coalita 2.7-2.9 X 0.8-1 mm faucibus glabris marginibus cum setis 2-4 glandulosis 1.5-2.5 mm longis armatis. Petala obovato-rhomboidea vel elliptica 13-13.5 X 7-7.5 mm apice acuta seta glandulosa ornata marginibus apicem versus glanduloso-ciliolatis. Stamina fertilia: rostrum 0.9 mm longum circum porum dilatatum; anthera propria 4.2 mm longa, connective ad basim per 2.6 mm producto ab articulatione antice non producto ; filainentum 4.3 mm longus. Staminodia 2.5 X 0.2 mm. Ovarium triloculare apice modiee glanduloso-puberulum; stylus 12 X 0.4 mm, basim versus sparsissime glanduloso-puberulus; stigma truncatum.

  • Discussion

    Type: unbranched annual 1.5-5 dm tall, occasional in woody grassy intervale, headquarters area, Rio Cabosobral, elev. 800 m, Sorra Tepequom, Terr, do Rio Branco, Brazil, Nov 19, 1954, Bassett Maguirc cf- Cclia K. Maguire 40000 (NY).

    The three postulated relatives of R. virguta are well-branched shrubs with moderately to densely setose hypanthia and bituberculate ventral stamen connective bases; all have glandular-puberulent or glandular-setose ovary apices.