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)

Family:

Ericaceae

Synonyms:

Leucothoe chapadensis Kin.-Gouv.

Description:

Species Description - Shrub or small tree to ca. 3 m tall; twigs moderately to densely pubescent, with nonchambered pith; buds to ca. 1 mm long, leaves re volute. Leaves coriaceous, oblong or elliptic to slightly ovate, 2.4-6 × 0.7-2.2 cm, base cuneate to rounded, apex acute- to rounded-mucronate, margin entire, plane, adaxial surface sparsely pubescent on midvein, abaxial surface densely pubescent on lamina and midvein with hairs frequently ferruginous, at least when young (with few inconspicuous glandular dots along midvein, these obscured by dense pubescence); petiole 2-6 mm long. Inflorescences axillary racemes to 4-6 cm long; rachis densely pubescent; pedicels 3-7 mm long, sparsely to densely pubescent; bracteoles 2, alternate to subopposite, from nearly basal to near middle of pedicel, narrowly triangular, to ca. 1 mm long; floral bracts to ca. 1.3 mm long. Flowers with triangular calyx lobes, with acuminate apices, 1-2 × 0.7-1.5 mm, abaxial surface moderately to densely pubescent; corolla cylindrical, white, 6-8 × 3-4.5 mm, moderately to densely pubescent; filaments 4-6 mm long; anthers 1.1-1.4 mm long; ovary densely pubescent. Capsules subglobose to short-ovoid, 4.5-6 by 6-7 mm, the placentae subapical; seeds 1.4-3 mm long.

Discussion:

Agarista chapadensis is possibly allied to A. subrotunda (see above for distinguishing characters); both taxa, however, have been poorly collected and their relationship will remain obscure until additional material has been studied. The two taxa are distinctive due to their leaf blades, which are conspicuously pubescent abaxially. Among the South American species of Agarista, only A. paraguayensis and A. revoluta var. velutina have similarly pubescent leaves (see key for distinguishing characters).

Distribution:

Brazil South America| Bahia Brazil South America| Goiás Brazil South America|