Burmannia kalbreyeri Oliv.

  • Authority

    Maas, Paulus J. M., et al. 1986. Burmanniaceae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 42: 1-189. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Burmanniaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Burmannia kalbreyeri Oliv.

  • Type

    Type. Colombia. Antioquía: San José, Kalbreyer 1503 (holotype, K; isotype, B).

  • Synonyms

    Burmannia wercklei Schltr., Burmannia herthae G.M.Schulze, Burmannia carrenoi Steyerm.

  • Description

    Species Description - Erect or pendent herbs, mostly epiphytic, 25-75 cm high. Stems unbranched. Leaves yellow-green, narrowly ovate to linear, 2-50 cm long, 0.5-0.8 cm wide, apex acute. Inflorescence terminal, lax, sometimes umbelliform, consisting of 2-12 cincinni, each cincinnus 4.5-25 cm long, and many-flowered. Bracts narrowly ovate to ovate, imbricate, 10-25 mm long, 3-6 mm wide, apex acute to beaked. Pedicels 5-10 mm long. Flowers tubular, white to greenish-white, more or less tinged with blue, 9-12 mm long. Outer tepals ovate, 2-3 mm long, 1.5-2.2 mm wide, margins involute. Inner tepals narrowly oblong to narrowly ovate, 1-1.5 mm long, 0.3-0.5 mm wide, basally decurrent into a crescent-shaped pouch at the inner side of the floral tube. Floral tube 2.5-3.5 mm long. Wings when present reduced to ribs running from the top of the floral tube down to the base of the ovary, linear, 9-12 mm long, 0.2-0.4 mm wide. Connective bearing apically and sometimes basally two appendages. Style 1.5-2.5 mm long, branches 0.5-0.6 mm long, upper lip of stigma funnel-shaped, 0.4-1 mm in diam. Ovary obovoid to angular-ovoid, 4.5-6 mm long. Capsule pale green, ovoid to angular-ovoid, up to 6.5 x 3 mm, dehiscing by transverse slits. Seeds 0.3-0.4 x 0.1 mm.

  • Discussion

    Burmannia kalbreyeri is unique in its epiphytic habit. Moreover, it is characterized by long, pendent leaves, almost absent wings, and sometimes umbelliform inflorescence.

  • Distribution

    Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador; in forests, pendent from trees; from (250-)1000-2300 m; flowering all year.

    Costa Rica South America| Panama Central America| Colombia South America| Huila Colombia South America| Venezuela South America| Bolívar Venezuela South America| Ecuador South America| Pastaza Ecuador South America|