Swartzia macrosema Harms

  • Authority

    Cowan, Richard S. 1967. Swartzia (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae Swartzieae). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 1: 3-228. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Fabaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Swartzia macrosema Harms

  • Type

    Type collection. G. Tessmann 4217 (lectotype S; isolectotypes F, NY), Río Maranon at mouth of Río Santiago, Pongo de Manseriche, Peru, 1924. The holotype at the Berlin Herbarium was destroyed by fire.

  • Discussion

    The relatively recent elevation of the Andean chain in central Ecuador undoubtedly accounts for the disjunction, both spatial and morphologic, which now obtains between the western Ecuadorian S. haughtii and its relative S. macrosema in southern Colombia and eastern Peru. Swartzia robiniifolia from southern to north-central Colombia is also closely related. These three species may be separated by: (1) the posture of the pubescence, (2) the number of pairs of leaflets, (3) the size of the bracts and bracteoles, (4) the size and shape of the buds, and (5) the size of the petal.

  • Distribution

    (Fig. 6). Northern Peru (Amazonas) and southernmost Colombia (Putumayo), 270-310 m alt., along the rivers.

    Colombia South America| Putumayo Colombia South America| Peru South America|