Emmotum glabrum Miers

  • Authority

    Maguire, Bassett. 1978. The botany of the Guayana Highland--part X. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 29: 1-288.

  • Family

    Icacinaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Emmotum glabrum Miers

  • Description

    Distribution and Ecology - VENEZUELA. Amazonas: Cerro Duida, Maguire & Maguire, Jr. 29165 (NY); Tate 564 (holotype of E. argenteum, NY); Cerro Duida, Rio Cunucunuma, above Culebra, Maguire & Wurdack 29568 (A, NY); Cerro Neblina, Cumbre Camp, Maguire et al 42177 (A, NY), 42230 (A, NY); Maguire et al 37343 (A, NY); Rio Guainia, Maroa, Maguire & Wurdack 36447 (A, NY); Rio Guainia, Pimichin, Maguire & Wurdack 36328 (A, NY); Sierra Parima, Steyermark 107513 (A). Bolivar: Cerro Venamo, Steyermark et al 92366 (A), Steyermark & Nilsson 138 (A); Cerro Sarisariñama, Meseta del Jaua, Steyermark et al 108963 (A), 109046 (A); Chimanta Massif, Abacapa-tepui, Steyermark 75102 (NY); Chimanta Massif, Tirepon-tepui, Wurdack34043 (NY, A); Ptari-tepui, Steyermark59974 (type of E. ptarianum), 60294 (F, GH); Sarven-tepui, Wurdack 34100 (A, NY); Sierra Pacaraima, Cabeceras del Rio Paragua, Steyermark 107380 (A), 107381 (A). GUYANA. Kaieteur Plateau, Maguire & Fanshawe 23339 (A, FM); Pakaraima Mts., Membaru-Kurupung Trail, Maguire & Fanshawe 32441 (A, NY); Merume Mts., Partang River, Tillett et al 44832 (A, NY).

  • Discussion

    Emmotum glabrum Bentham ex Miers, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. III. 4: 366. 1859. Emmotum argenteum Gleason, Bull. Torrey Club 58: 385. 1931. Syn nov Emmotum ptarianum Steyermark, Fieldiana Bot. 28: 341-343. 1952. Syn nov The type of Emmotum glabrum was collected by Richard Spruce (3536) in 1854 at "Guainia and Rio Negro above the mouth of the Casiquiari" but without an altitude indicated. The collections cited range in altitude from 130 m at Maroa to 1800 m at Cumbre Camp on Cerro Neblina. Steyermark indicated that small differences in size of stamens and petals which distinguished E. ptarianum from E. glabrum and E. argenteum. The last has been characterized largely by the silvery pubescence of the young leaves. The wealth of material cited suggests to me only one species is involved, for all characteristics overlap. Specimens were collected in flower in January, April, May, July, October, November and December. Mature fruiting specimens were gathered in May and immature fruits in November. The plants were described as small trees of heights ranging from 2-20 m but mostly 6-8 m. The fruit has not been described for the species or either of the synonyms previously pubhshed. A crushed fruit is shown in a photograph of a specimen of the type collection of Emmotum glabrum (Spruce 3536) in the Delessert Herbarium (F, negative 23274). Fruits are included in a packet of Steyermark 60294 (F 1215318), a co-type of Emmotum ptarianum, but are not mentioned in the original description. The asymmetry of the three locules in species of Emmotum are reflected in an asymmetrical fruit which is difficult to describe in dried condition. The fruit appears to be rounded at the base and asymmetrically acute above the middle to the apex. The fruit is ovate in outhne, 9-10 mm long, and circular to asymmetrical in cross section, 6 mm in diameter. The fruit tapers to an acute apex in the specimens available for study. Collectors have described the fruit as red or black but no indication is made of the amount of succulence in the pericarp.

  • Distribution

    VENEZUELA. Amazonas: Cerro Duida, Maguire & Maguire, Jr. 29165 (NY); Tate 564 (holotype of E. argenteum, NY); Cerro Duida, Rio Cunucunuma, above Culebra, Maguire & Wurdack 29568 (A, NY); Cerro Neblina, Cumbre Camp, Maguire et al 42177 (A, NY), 42230 (A, NY); Maguire et al 37343 (A, NY); Rio Guainia, Maroa, Maguire & Wurdack 36447 (A, NY); Rio Guainia, Pimichin, Maguire & Wurdack 36328 (A, NY); Sierra Parima, Steyermark 107513 (A). Bolivar: Cerro Venamo, Steyermark et al 92366 (A), Steyermark & N

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