Picramnia dictyoneura Urb.

  • Authority

    Zanoni, Thomas A. & García, Ricardo G. 1994. Casabitoa perfae (Euphorbiaceae)-A New Synonym of Picramnia Dictyoneura. Brittonia. 46 (1): 81-82.

  • Family

    Picramniaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Picramnia dictyoneura Urb.

  • Description

    Species Description - Shrubs to 3 m (not sarmentose as mentioned by Liogier, 1980). Leaves imparipinnate, the petiole 3-7 cm, the rachis to 16 cm; leaflets 3-9, 3.2-15.5 x 2.0-8.0 cm, the terminal leaflet the largest, the apices acuminate (rarely elliptical-oblanceolate), the base rounded. Fruit large, to 7.2 x 4.5 cm, ovoid-pyriform to pyriform, green with a red blush, only one developing per inflorescence. Seeds to 3, imbedded in a firm flesh, to 3.5 x 2.5 cm (one side curved and two sides flattened when 3 seeds per fruit), tan, marked with several medium-brown crisscrossing lines.

  • Discussion

    Trichilia dictyoneura Urb., Symb. Antill. 7: 511. 1913. Picramnia dictyoneura (Urb.) Urb., Ark. Bot. 23A(5): 15. 1930. P. dictyoneura (Urb.) Urb. & Ekman, Ark. Bot. 24A(4): 15. 1931. TYPE: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Prov. Barahona: in Firme Noche Buena, 1800 m. Fuertes 1457. (HOLOTYPE: B, destroyed in 1943; ISOTYPE: not located).

    Picramnia domingensis Urb., Ark. Bot. 20A(15): 38. 1926. TYPE: HAITI. Dept. d'Artibonite: between Ennery and St. Michel, in Savanne Carree, Ekman H-2497 (HOLOTYPE: B, destroyed in 1943; ISOTYPE: S!).

    Casabitoa perfae Alain, Phytologia 47: 175. 1980. TYPE: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Prov. La Vega: in cloud forest, Alto de Casabito, [W ofl Bonao, 1300 m. A. & P. Liogier 25574 (HOLOTYPE: UPR- n.v.; ISOTYPES: JBSD!, NY!, US-n.v.).

    The description by Liogier (1985) was based on the data previously published by Urban (1913, 1930, 1931) for Picramnia dictyoneura and P. domingensis, even though he did not explicitly state that. The description can be modified, based on the more recent specimens collected in the Dominican Republic (cited below):

    The smaller leaf measurements are derived from the plants of western Haiti. The earlier descriptions of fruits by Urban (1913, 1930, 1931) clearly apply to very immature fruits or those at the lower end of the range of measurements. The fruits observed on Loma Valvacoa were all larger than previously reported and were either still attached but ready for dispersal or already fallen from the shrubs and clearly of mature size. The fruits usually were found directly below the fruiting plant or slightly down the steep slopes. The vector of dispersal is not known. The pulp of one fruit has been partially eat- en prior to our collection, but we did not see the animal involved.

    Specimens examined (in addition to those previously reported from Hispaniola by Urban, 1913,1930,1931; and Liogier, 1985): DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (all from the Cordillera Central). Prov. Peravia: Loma del Rancho, SE of San Jos6 de Ocoa, 1350 m, 19 Aug 1987, Pimentel & Garcia 833 (JBSD); 27 Nov 1987, Pimentel &Jimenez871 (JBSD); 4 May 1988, Pimentel& Cabral 1022 (JBSD); Loma Valvacoa, 25 km (by air) WNW of San Crist6bal, 24 Feb 1993, Jimenez & Zanoni 767 (JBSD, NY). Prov. La Vega: Reserva Cientifica Ebano Verde, near radio antenna on summit of Loma Alto de Casabito, 1300 m, 23 Jun 1992, Zanoni et al. 46588 (CM, DAV, FLAS, FTG, GH, HAJB, JBSD, MAPR, MO, NY, S, TEX, U, UPRRP, US).