Randia aculeata var. dasyphylla Steyerm.
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Authority
Maguire, Bassett. 1972. The botany of the Guayana Highland--part IX. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 23: 1-832.
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Family
Rubiaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Latin Diagnosis - A var aculeata atque var dasyclada foliorum paginis subtus manifeste pilosulis necnon costa media nervis lateralibusque pilis patentibus abundanter munitis recedit; hypanthio atque calycis tubo plerumque copiose pubescenti.
Distribution and Ecology - Distribution. Venezuela, Colombia, and Trinidad.
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Discussion
Type. Savanna-chaparral, between Hato Corumo and Las Chicharras, NE of Tumeremo, Bolívar, Venezuela, 1 Jun 1960, Julian A. Steyermark 86241 (holotype VEN).
This variety is distinguished by the conspicuously pilosulous lower surface of the leaf blades as well as by the abundant spreading pubescence on the midrib and lateral nerves of the lower side. Moreover, the hypanthium and calyx tube are generally more abundantly pubescent, as is also usually the fruit, although it may lose hairs in age, becoming glabrate as in Britton & Broadway 2459. In a mature state the pubescence is well shown in Trujillo & Fernandez 501. The leaves have the general shape of those of R. aculeata var aculeata, ranging from obovate to narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate, and from rounded to subacute at apex. They may be broadest at the middle or in the upper third, and are usually attenuate or contracted to the base into a decurrent subpetiolate portion 1-11 mm long. They vary from 10-50 X 6-22 mm.