Nectandra grandis (Mez) Kosterm.

  • Authority

    Maguire, Bassett & Wurdack, John J. 1964. The botany of the Guayana Highland--Part V. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 10: 1-278.

  • Family

    Lauraceae

  • Scientific Name

    Nectandra grandis (Mez) Kosterm.

  • Description

    Distribution and Ecology - Distribution. A tree with polygamo-dioecious(?) flowers known from the Guianas and the region of Roraima and neighboring mountains of Bolivar, Venezuela. VENEZUELA. Bolivar: lower portion of wooded slopes of Quebrada O-paru-ma, between Santa Teresita de Kavanayen and Rio Pacairao (tributary of Rio Mouak), Steyermark 60403 (fl. F), Mount Roraima, southwest-facing forested slopes between Rondon Camp and base of sandstone bluffs, 59001 (fl. F).

  • Discussion

    Endlicheria ? grandis Mez, Jahrb. Bot. Gart. Berlin 5: 124. 1889.

    Nectandra praeclara Sandwith, Kew Bull. 1932: 224. 1932. Sandwith 387, (holotype, [male] fl. K; isotype, NY).

    Type. Ad fl. Maroni, French Guiana, Melinon s.n. (holotype, fr.)

    Vernacular Names. Shirua (Sandwith) ; Canau-yek, Canau-haure (Steyermark).

    Seemingly a very unstable species, the flowers of which bear stamens with anthers usually typical of Nectandra in structure, occasionally varying from the norm sufficiently to raise the question of its inclusion in the genus. Mez had no flowers to guide him in his disposition of Melinon's collection. The type of Sandwith's species bears variable flowers. The two I examined differed from each other; one was a staminate flower with typical Nectandra stamens and aborted ovary, agreeing with the original description; the other, a pistillate flower in the post-anthesis stage with narrower, sterile anthers apparently with only two locules. It has been noted elsewhere that flowers in the post-anthesis stage often show changes particularly in the staminal cycles, thought to be due to desiccation and pressure exerted by the developing fruit. The Venezuelan numbers, though variable in leaf-size and shape, appear to belong with this taxon. At best, the species is one of the few apparently on the border line between Nectandra and Ocotea, having structures and habits typical of both.

  • Distribution

    Distribution. A tree with polygamo-dioecious(?) flowers known from the Guianas and the region of Roraima and neighboring mountains of Bolivar, Venezuela.

    Venezuela South America|