Rondeletia cumanensis Kunth

  • Authority

    Maguire, Bassett. 1967. The botany of the Guayana Highland--Part VII. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 17: 1-439.

  • Family

    Rubiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Rondeletia cumanensis Kunth

  • Description

    Distribution and Ecology - Known only from the eastern portion of the Coastal Cordillera,Venezuela. VENEZUELA. Monagas: Cumanacoa, Humboldt A Bonpland (photo of type from B); dry open thickets, between Instituto Biblico at Las Delicias and Caripe, alt 860-900 m, Steyermark 62132; Sucre: southern slopes of Cerro Im-posible, along Quebrada Imposible, between Codeno and Boca del Tataricual, alt 110-220 m, Stcycnnark 62S30.

  • Discussion

    Type. Cumanacoa, Venezuela, Humboldt & Bonpland.

    It is probable that R. eriorarpa Karst. (Linnaea 30: 117. 1859-60; FI. Columb. 2: 125, pi. 166a. 1N62-69) will prove to be synonymous with R. cumanen-sis. The type specimen comes from (’umana in the state of Sucre. Karstcn diferentiated his R. eriocarpa from R. cumanensis by the obovate-lanceolate instead of ovate-lanceolate leaves. However, this character does not hold, as the collections of R. cumanensis show variability from obovate-lanceolate to lance-elliptic or ovate-lanceolate leaves. Karsten, moreover, stated that his R. eriocarpa differs in the larger size and fine structure of the leaves, in the form of the stipules, and in the longer petiole, and uses these characters likewise to differentiate his species from R. americana L. These stated differences do not appear to hold for leaf-dimensions or for petiole length. Both R. eriocarpa and R. cumanensis have the midrib and nerves of the lower leaf surface strigose (Karsten gives “pilosulis") and the upper surface glabrous. The material of R. cumanensis shows the petioles varying from 1-8 mm long

  • Distribution

    Known only from the eastern portion of the Coastal Cordillera,Venezuela.

    Venezuela South America|