Geophila gracilis (Ruiz & Pav.) DC.

  • Authority

    Maguire, Bassett. 1972. The botany of the Guayana Highland--part IX. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 23: 1-832.

  • Family

    Rubiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Geophila gracilis (Ruiz & Pav.) DC.

  • Description

    Distribution and Ecology - Distribution. Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia. BRAZIL. Amazonas: trail from Fortaleza, Rio Abuna, 20 km above mouth to Sao Sebastiao Mines, basin of Rio Madeira, 15 Nov 1968, Prance, Rodrigues, Ramos & Farias 8494. Mato Grosso: source of the Jatuaraha River, Machado River region, Dec 1931, Krukoff 1670, in large part. PERU. Pillao and Pueblo Nuevo, Pavon (photo of type in B; type collection at G). BOLIVIA. Pando: west bank of Rio Madeira, 6 km above Abuna, 11 July 1968, Prance, Forero, Coelho, Ramos & Farias 5865.

  • Discussion

    Psychotria gracilis R. & P., Fl. 2: 63. pl. 211, fig. c. 1799.

    Type. Pillao and Pueblo Nuevo, Huánuco, Peru, Ruiz & Pavon.

    In the de Candolle herbarium is a sheet with three labels pinned together, each bearing the name Psychotria gracilis R. & P. or Geophila gracilis. Presumably, part of the type collection is the one with “M. Pavon !” so indicated.

    This species differs from G. tenuis (Muell.-Arg.) Standi, in having the ovary completely glabrous instead of villous around the middle. From G. cordifolia Miq. it may be distinguished, in addition to the glabrous peduncles and hypanthium, by the glabrous midrib of the upper leaf surface and by the glabrous lower leaf surface. Although additional and more numerous collections may eventually indicate that G. gracilis represents merely a glabrous phase of G. tenuis, no such evidence of any inter gradation is at hand as yet to support this conclusion.

    Krukoff 1670 is a mixed collection with most of the specimen identifiable as G. gracilis with completely glabrous hypanthia. A small detached portion at the top of the NY sheet has the hypanthia with conspicuously villous-spreading pubescence, villous peduncles, ciliate calyx lobes, ciliate subtending involucral bracts, and hairs along the midrib of the upper leaf surface as well as some hairs on the lower leaf surface. This detached fragment is G. cordifolia.

    Geophila gracilis may be distinguished vegetatively from G. repens generally by the more pointed apex of the leaf blades which are usually somewhat more pubescent on the upper surface, and with stipules more acute to acuminate.

  • Distribution

    Distribution. Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia.

    Brazil South America| Peru South America| Bolivia South America|