Pithecellobium arenarium Ducke

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Mimosaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Pithecellobium arenarium Ducke

  • Description

    Distribution and Ecology - VENEZUELA: Amazonas: Caño Prof undo, North Branch, elev. 1600 m, Cerro Sipapo, Maguire & Politi 28215; frequent shrub or small tree, rim head of South Basin, elev. 2100 m, Cerro Sipapo, Maguire & Politi 28653; West Rim Cumbre of Serrania Paru, elev. 2000 m, Cowan & Wurdaclc 31242, 31243, 31335; spreading tree 3 m, woodland between Savanna No. 3 and Gold Mine Camp, northwest base of Cerro Yapacana, 125 m elev., Marguire & Wurdack 34558.

  • Discussion

    There are few leguminous plants atop the sandstone tepuis of the Guayana Highland and this is by far the most wide-ranging of these. It was originally described from the vicinity of Manaos and if its occurrence in the Highland seems incongruous, it may be conjectured that seeds may have been distributed to the lowlands by some natural agent. Morphologically, there is little doubt of the identification of these collections, there is some variability in the amount of pubescence on the leaflets but it appears to be in a continuous pattern.

  • Distribution

    VENEZUELA: Amazonas: Caño Prof undo, North Branch, elev. 1600 m, Cerro Sipapo, Maguire & Politi 28215; frequent shrub or small tree, rim head of South Basin, elev. 2100 m, Cerro Sipapo, Maguire & Politi 28653; West Rim Cumbre of Serrania Paru, elev. 2000 m, Cowan & Wurdaclc 31242, 31243, 31335; spreading tree 3 m, woodland between Savanna No. 3 and Gold Mine Camp, northwest base of Cerro Yapacana, 125 m elev., Marguire & Wurdack 34558.

    Venezuela South America|