Bertolonia venezuelensis Wurdack
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Family
Melastomataceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Latin Diagnosis - A congeneribus differt antheris basi postice non distincte calcaratis. Caulis repens (raro vix erectus) cum petiolis dense rufo-tomentosus pilis gracilibus flexuosis 1-2 mm longis (ad nodos ad 5 mm longis). Folia in caulibus repentibus alterna jugi uno suppresso (in caulibus raris erectis opposita); petiolus plerumque 4-8 cm; lamina 6-18 X 3-6 cm, ovata apice per 1-2 cm caudato-acuminata basi late acuta vel truncata margine integra vel paulo irregulariterque undulata (acumine plerumque distincte pinnatilobulato) breviter 7-plinervia (nervos marginales includens) nervis interioribus 2-10 et 5-17 mm supra basim insertis nervulis supra obscuris subtus leviter distincteque elevatis, supra modice strigulosa pilis gracillimis 5-8 mm2 ca. 1 mm longis pallidis, subtus in superficie glabra in nervis primariis densissime rufo-strigosa (pilis ut in caulibus) in secundariis modice strigulosa tertiariis glabris sed cum glandulis pallidis clavatis armatis. Pedunculus communis erectus (ad ramos 10-15 cm) primum modice rufo-strigulosus demum subglabratus, ca. medium cum nodo; rami plerumque umbellati ad anthesim 2-3 cm longi secundiflori ad nodos bibraeteolati, bracteola sessili submillimetrali basi cum glandulis duobus nigris globosis sessilibus subtenta. Pedicelli 2-4 mm cum hypanthio sparse strigulosi pilis gracilibus ca. 0.1-0.2 mm longis. Flores 5-meri. Hypanthium 1.7 (ad torum) X 2.5 mm; calyx 0.4 mm coalitus, lobis 0.8 X 2.2 mm, basim versus paulo imbricatis late ovatis apice truncatis extus tuberculato-dentatis dente ca. 1 mm longo non vel vix projecto. Petala 9.5-10 X 7.5-8.5 mm obovata vel subrotundata paulo asymmetrica apice rotundata glabra eciliata. Stamina isoirorphica; filamenta 3.2-3.7 mm longa; antherae 2.7-3.2 mm longae paulo subulatae, connectivo exappendiculato sub loculis imperspicue (0.1-0.15 mm.) producto. Stylus 5-5.5 X 0.2-0.3 mm.; stigma punctiforme; ovarium triloculare triquetrum glabrum apice in lobulos tres obtusos carnosos 0.6 mm altos extensum.
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Discussion
Figure 12, b-f.
Type: prostrate herb, petals very pale pink inside, darker without, stamens yellow, locally frequent on escarpment slopes east of Camp 3, elev. 1600 m, Cerro de la Xeblina, Terr. Amazonas, Venezuela, Jan 24, 1954, Bassett Maguire, John J. Wurdack, & George S. Bunting 37370 (NY). Paratypes (same locality) : Dec 27. 1953, Maguire, Wurdack, & Bunting 36951. 36947.
B. venezuelensis represents the first record for the genus outside of southeastern Brazil. In habit, the Neblina species agrees quite well with several Brazilian species, but the combination of densely rufous-pilose stems and pubescent acuminate leaves are sufficient vegetative distinctions. The connective being not at all prolonged into a dorsal calcar (albeit prolonged slightlv below the thecae to the filament insertion) seems unique.