Gustavia longepetiolata Huber

  • Authority

    Prance, Ghillean T. & Mori, S. A. 1979. Lecythidaceae - Part I. The actinomorphic-flowered New World Lecythidaceae (Asteranthos, Gustavia, Grias, Allantoma & Cariniana). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 21: 1-270. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Lecythidaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Gustavia longepetiolata Huber

  • Type

    Type. Ducke MG 7965 (holotype, R). Brazil. Pará: Rio Cuminá-mirim, ad locum  Padras, 14 Dec 1906 (fl).

  • Description

    Description - Tree, very small; leaf-bearing branches 4 mm in diameter, the leaves scattered at their ends; petiole scars widely separated. Leaf blades oblanceolate, 16-18 x 5-7 cm wide, glabrous, chartaceous, with 12-13 pairs of lateral veins; apices acuminate; bases attenuate, decurrent; margins minutely serrulate. Petioles 20-30 x 2.5 mm thick, semi-circular in cross section. Inflorescences cauline, arising low on trunk, racemose, puberulous, with 4 flowers, the rachis 14 mm; pedicels 15 mm, subtended by a single triangular basal bract 3 x 3 mm and bearing near the base of the ovary 2 triangular, acute bracteoles 4 mm long. Flowers 10 cm in diameter; calyx of 5 broadly triangular lobes, 2.5 x 5 mm; petals (5-)6, narrowly obovate or spathulate, 40 x 15-20 mm, puberulous at anthesis, white; outermost filaments 12 mm; anthers 2-2.5 mm; ovary gray-tomentose outside, tomentose at summit. Fruits unknown.

  • Discussion

    Gustavia longepetiolata is distinguished by its small stature and cauline inflorescences which arise a short distance from the ground. The pubescent androecial base and filaments also help to separate this from other small leaved Amazonian species, i e G. acuta, G. elliptica, G. hexapetala, and G. serrata.

  • Distribution

    A poorly known species represented only by the type.

    Pará Brazil South America| Brazil South America|