Hirtella couepiflora Prance

  • Authority

    Prance, Ghillean T. 1972. Chrysobalanaceae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 9: 1-410. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Chrysobalanaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Hirtella couepiflora Prance

  • Type

    Type. Irwin, Egler & Westra 47367, Brazil, Terr. Amapa, Rio Oiapoque, near Clevelandia, fl (holotype, NY; isotypes, IAN, MG).

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Arbor parva, ramulis juvenilibus tomentellis mox glabris lenticellatis. Folia alternata, petiolata; petiolo 2.5-4.0 mm longo, tereti, eglanduloso, tomentello; laminae oblongo-ellipticae, coriaceae, 10.0-14.5 cm longae, 4.0-6.5 cm latae, apice in acuminem 5.0-10.0 mm longum contractae, basi subcuneatae vel cuneatae, subtus venis cum pilis appressis sparse munitae; costa media supra leviter prominula, subtus prominente; costis secundariis 13-15 jugis supra planis, subtus prominentibus. Stipulae circa 3.5 mm longae, lanceolatae, puberulae, subpersistentes, eglandulosae. Flores 17.0-20.0 cm longi, in racemis terminalibus subterminalibusque 2.5-11.0 cm longis dispositi, rachi tomentelli. Bracteae bracteolaeque 2.0-6.5 mm longae, oblon-gae vel lanceolatae, tomentellae, persistentes, eglandulosae vel cum paucis glandibus stipitatis instructae. Receptaculum elongato-cylindricum, sessile, extus tomentellum, intus glabrum. Calycis-lobi acuti, extus tomentelli, intus puberuli, eglandulosi vel cum glandibus stipitatis muniti. Petala 5, alba, glabra. Stamina 8-9, unilateralia; filamenta tomentosa, longe exserta. Ovarium ad faucem receptaculi insertum, tomentosum. Stylus e basi ovarii ortus, versus basim hirsutus. Fructus mihi ignoti.

  • Discussion

    In this species, not easily confused with any others, the flowers have a long tubular receptacle, unique except in H. tubiflora, which differs in many other characters. Superficially the general appearance of the present species suggests Couepia, but the fewer stamens, the calyx glands, and the hirsute pubescence of the leaf venation all place it in Hirtella.

    Collected in flower July and August.

  • Distribution

    Known only from primary forest in the Rio Oiapoque region.

    Brazil South America| Amapá Brazil South America|