Monographs Details:
Authority:
Luteyn, James L., et al. 1995. Ericaceae, Part II. The Superior-Ovaried Genera (Monotropoideae, Pyroloideae, Rhododendroideae, and Vaccinioideae P.P.). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 66: 560. (Published by NYBG Press)
Luteyn, James L., et al. 1995. Ericaceae, Part II. The Superior-Ovaried Genera (Monotropoideae, Pyroloideae, Rhododendroideae, and Vaccinioideae P.P.). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 66: 560. (Published by NYBG Press)
Family:
Ericaceae
Ericaceae
Synonyms:
Arbutus spinulosa M.Martens & Galeotti, Arctostaphylos rupestris B.L.Rob. & Seaton, Comarostaphylis rupestris (B.L.Rob. & Seaton) Small, Arbutus spinulosa M.Martens & Galeotti, Arctostaphylos spinulosa M.Martens & Galeotti
Arbutus spinulosa M.Martens & Galeotti, Arctostaphylos rupestris B.L.Rob. & Seaton, Comarostaphylis rupestris (B.L.Rob. & Seaton) Small, Arbutus spinulosa M.Martens & Galeotti, Arctostaphylos spinulosa M.Martens & Galeotti
Description:
Subspecies Description - Plants 1-5 m tall; young twigs and petioles tomentulose or tomentose. Leaves plane; upper surface glabrous or with scattered eglandular trichomes, green and shining or somewhat dull, lower surface tomentulose to densely ferruginous-tomentose, becoming less so with age. Inflorescences tomentulose to tomentose, trichomes eglandular. Flowers with corollas glabrous or with eglandular hyaline trichomes.
Subspecies Description - Plants 1-5 m tall; young twigs and petioles tomentulose or tomentose. Leaves plane; upper surface glabrous or with scattered eglandular trichomes, green and shining or somewhat dull, lower surface tomentulose to densely ferruginous-tomentose, becoming less so with age. Inflorescences tomentulose to tomentose, trichomes eglandular. Flowers with corollas glabrous or with eglandular hyaline trichomes.
Discussion:
The epithet spinulosa (basionym: Arbutus spinulosa Martens & Galeotti) (McVaugh & Rosatti, 1978) is available at the subspecific rank and is the oldest specific epithet for the taxon. However, because of the potential for confusion with C. spinulosa subsp. spinulosa (basionym: Arctostaphylos spinulosa), and because priority applies only within a rank (Voss et al., 1983), the next available epithet, rupestris, was chosen (Diggs, 1986b).The entity here treated as subsp, rupestris has long been recognized as a separate species (Robinson & Seaton, 1893; Small, 1914; Standley, 1924). However, with the exception of the tomentulose to densely ferruginous-tomentose leaves and twigs (becoming less so with age) versus glabrous, and the tomentulose to tomentose but non-glandular inflorescences versus glabrous or with glandular trichomes, there is no consistent character by which to distinguish it from subsp. discolor. Numerous field observations of both taxa support the reduction to the subspecific level. Furthermore, numerical analyses using various continuous characters show a morphological gradient with extensive overlap between the two extremes (Diggs, 1987). While allopatric over most of their ranges, these two subspecies of C. discolor occur in apparently mixed populations near Aguililla, Michoacan [McVaugh 22840-22843 (ENCB, MICH)].
The epithet spinulosa (basionym: Arbutus spinulosa Martens & Galeotti) (McVaugh & Rosatti, 1978) is available at the subspecific rank and is the oldest specific epithet for the taxon. However, because of the potential for confusion with C. spinulosa subsp. spinulosa (basionym: Arctostaphylos spinulosa), and because priority applies only within a rank (Voss et al., 1983), the next available epithet, rupestris, was chosen (Diggs, 1986b).The entity here treated as subsp, rupestris has long been recognized as a separate species (Robinson & Seaton, 1893; Small, 1914; Standley, 1924). However, with the exception of the tomentulose to densely ferruginous-tomentose leaves and twigs (becoming less so with age) versus glabrous, and the tomentulose to tomentose but non-glandular inflorescences versus glabrous or with glandular trichomes, there is no consistent character by which to distinguish it from subsp. discolor. Numerous field observations of both taxa support the reduction to the subspecific level. Furthermore, numerical analyses using various continuous characters show a morphological gradient with extensive overlap between the two extremes (Diggs, 1987). While allopatric over most of their ranges, these two subspecies of C. discolor occur in apparently mixed populations near Aguililla, Michoacan [McVaugh 22840-22843 (ENCB, MICH)].
Distribution and Ecology: Comarostaphylis discolor occurs in the mountains of central Mexico from Jalisco east to Hidalgo and Veracruz, and south through the mountains of Oaxaca and the central highlands of Chiapas into E Guatemala. The species is known from elevations of approximately 1850-3300(-3900) m in open or disturbed areas or in the understory of mesic montane forests. Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.
Distribution:
Mexico North America| Michoacán Mexico North America|
Mexico North America| Michoacán Mexico North America|