Hirtella liesneri Prance

  • Authority

    Prance, Ghillean T. 1989. Chrysobalanaceae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 9S: 1-267. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Chrysobalanaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Hirtella liesneri Prance

  • Type

    Type. Venezuela. Tachira: Río San Buena, 10 km W of La Fundación, 7° 47' N, 71° 46' W, 13-15 Mar 1980 (fl), R. Liesner et al. 9633 (holotype, NY; isotypes, MO, VEN).

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Species H. araguariensi affinis, inflorescentiis puberulis versus basim hispidis, bracteolis glanduligeris, foliisque chartaceis diversa.

    Description - Tree 1 m tall, the young branches sparsely hispid, becoming glabrous with age. Leaf lamina oblong, chartaceous, 10-15 × 3.5-5 cm, subcordate at base, acuminate at apex, the acumen 10-15 mm long, the lower surface with sparse appressed hairs, especially on venation; midrib prominulous above, prominent and appressed pubescent beneath; primary veins 12-16 pairs, prominulous on both surfaces; petioles ca. 2 mm long, terete, sparsely hispid when young. Stipules linear, persistent, ca. 3 mm long, eglandular. Inflorescences of terminal and axillary panicles, with a long central rachis and very short 3-5 flowered lateral branches, giving a racemose appearance, 20-22 cm long, the rachis puberulous, the lower part sparsely hispid. Bracteoles triangular, membranous, the apex terminating in a stalked gland. Flowers 6-7 mm long. Receptacle campanulate, sparsely hispid on exterior, glabrous within except for ring of deflexed hairs at throat; pedicels 2-4 mm long. Calyx lobes five, acute, eglandular, sparsely hirsute on exterior, puberulous within. Petals five, glabrous. Stamens six, unilateral, the filaments far exceeding calyx lobes. Style hirsute on lower third. Ovary inserted at mouth of receptacle, pilose. Young fruit ellipsoid; exocarp sparsely appressed pubescent, becoming glabrous with age.

  • Discussion

    This species is quite distinct in its inflorescence, and is one of the few hirtellas with a short-branched elongated paniculate inflorescence that resembles a raceme. It is probably closest to Hirtella araguariensis from which it differs in the sparsely hispid to puberulous (not tomentellous) inflorescence, the larger branches and pedicels, the fewer glands on the bracteoles, and the larger chartaceous leaves.