Trigonia coppenamensis Stafleu

  • Authority

    Lleras, Eduardo. 1978. Trigoniaceae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 19: 1-73. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Trigoniaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Trigonia coppenamensis Stafleu

  • Type

    Type. Maguire 24857, Suriname, Coppename River Headwaters, Mt. Schmidt, buds (holotype U; isotypes F, NY).

  • Description

    Description - Scandent shrub, the branches striate, (almost angular), not conspicuously lenticellate, ferruginous-strigose. Stipules 4.0-7.0 mm long. 2.0-3.0 mm wide, triangular, strigose; petioles 10.0-22.0 mm long, ca 1.0 thick, striate to terete, strigose; lamina elliptic to obovate, sometime almost circular, 5.5-15.0 cm long, 2.5-12.0 mm wide, subcoriacous, the margins entire, the apex acute to acuminate, the base subrotund; venation eucamptodromous, densely golden strigose (including tertiary veins beneath), the midrib prominulous above, prominent beneath, secondary veins 6-9 pairs, plane above, prominulous beneath, the tertiary nervation impressed above, prominulous beneath. Inflorescences terminal and subterminal axillary thyrses, to 12 cm long. Flowers in dichasia of 4-6; peduncles 4.0-8.0 mm long, ca 0.5 mm thick, strigose; pedicels 2.5-5.5 mm long, ca 0.5 mm thick, strigose, the bracts and bracteoles of equal size, 3.0-6.0 mm long, 1.0-2.0 mm wide, linear-ovate (almost navicular), revolute at the margins, curved upwards towards the apex of the flower, strigose. Flower buds to 6.0 mm long; sepals ovate to oblong, ca 5.0 mm long, thickened at the nerves (appearing striate), strigose; standard with the pouch extending to Vi of the length, barbate at the throat, the wings spathulate, barbate at the base, the keel petals saccate; stamens 9-10, 6 fertile, staminodes 34, the anthers with a short knob-like projection at the apex; glands 2, 2-3-lobed; style glabrous; the stigma trilobate; ovary subglobose, densely villous, the ovules numerous. Fruit unknown.

  • Discussion

    This very distinct species can be recognized easily by its striate stems, petioles and sepals, as well as by its very large navicular bracts and bracteoles.

    There is insufficient data to indicate the relationships for this species. Stafleu has suggested an affinity with Trigonia subcymosa based on the inflorescence and bracts, but without knowledge of the structure of the fruits, which are still unknown for the two species, it is premature to assign relationships.

  • Distribution

    Known only from the type gathering.

    Suriname South America|