Psychotria anceps var. robustior Steyerm.

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Rubiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Psychotria anceps var. robustior Steyerm.

  • Description

    Distribution and Ecology - Distribution. Known only from the Coastal Cordillera of Venezuela. VENEZUELA. Miranda: Los Guayabitos (arriba de Baruta), alt 1350 m, Mar 1958, Aristeguieta 3013. Yaracuy: Cerro La Chapa, selva nublada al norte de Nirgua, alt 1200-1400 m, 9-10 Nov 1967, Steyermark, Bunting & Wessels-Boer 100270.

  • Discussion

    A var anceps inflorescentiis majoribus recedit, infructescentiis 8-12 cm longis 11-15 cm latis, pedunculis 5-6 cm longis, axibus infimis sub fructu 3-5.3 cm longis.

    Type. Laderas de selva siempre verde a lo largo de la Quebrada Nivardo, afluente de Río Caverna afluente de Rio Oscuro, arriba de Mundo Nuevo, oeste de Cerro de Humo, Peninsula de Paria, Estado Sucre, Venezuela, alt 700-750 m, 7 Aug 1966, tree 8 m, corolla white, inflorescence branches and hypanthium pale green, leaves dark green above, dull green below, Julian A. Steyermark & Marvin Rabe 96039 (holotype VEN).

    This variety differs from typical var anceps in having a much larger inflorescence, both vertically as well as horizontally, as well as longer peduncles, and longer lowest pairs of axes of the inflorescence, which in anthesis are 3 cm long and in fruit 3-5.5 cm long.

    A specimen from Cerro Naiguata, Distrito Federal, collected at 1000-1300 m (Steyermark 91946) is somewhat intermediate, but is better placed with var anceps because of the shorter, more compact infructescence.

  • Distribution

    Distribution. Known only from the Coastal Cordillera of Venezuela.

    Venezuela South America|