Stephanopodium estrellense var. organense Rizzini

  • Authority

    Prance, Ghillean T. 1972. Dichapetalaceae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 10: 1-84. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Dichapetalaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Stephanopodium estrellense var. organense Rizzini

  • Type

    TYPE. A. Barbosa 62, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Serra dos Orgãos, fl (holotype, RB; isotype, NY).

  • Synonyms

    Stephanopodium estrellense var. organense Rizzini

  • Description

    Description - Small tree, the young branches sparsely tomentellous, becoming glabrous with age. Leaves oblong to oblong-lanceolate, membraneous, 3.5-8.5 cm long, 1.5-3.7 cm broad, the apex tapered to a long thin acumen 5.0-15.0 mm long, cuneate and equal or slightly unequal at base, with a few stiff appressed hairs especially near the base and midrib beneath; midrib plane above; prominent and with an appressed pubescence beneath; primary veins 8-10 pairs, arcuate, anastomosing; petioles 5.0-7.0 mm long, shallowly canaliculate, appressed pubescent. Stipules lanceolate, subpersistent, to 4.0 mm long, tomentellous. Flowers hermaphrodite, borne in small sessile glomerules inserted on petiole; pedicels 1.0-2.0 mm long; bracteoles minute, ovate, tomentellous, persistent. Calyx 3.0-3.5 mm long, gray puberulous on exterior, the lobes slightly unequal. Corolla included, of 5 small equal, entire lobes inserted on a long tube, the tube glabrous on both surfaces except for a few hairs beneath anthers. Fertile stamens 5, alternating with corolla lobes, the anthers sessile, inserted at mouth of corolla tube, exceeding corolla lobes. Ovary bilocular with 2 ovules in each loculus, tomentose on exterior. Style single, the apex trifid, glabrous. Disc of 5 large glabrous glands, inserted at base of corolla tube. Fruit not seen.

  • Discussion

    This species is quite distinct from S. estrellense with which Rizzini associated it. It differs in the glabrous and smaller leaves, and in the flower structure. I have therefore elevated Rizzini’s variety to specific rank.

    Collected in flower in March.

  • Distribution

    Known only from the forests near to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

    Brazil South America| Minas Gerais Brazil South America| Rio de Janeiro Brazil South America|