Monographs Details:
Authority:
1863. Fl. Bras. (Martius). 7: 128.
1863. Fl. Bras. (Martius). 7: 128.
Family:
Ericaceae
Ericaceae
Description:
Species Description - Terrestrial shrub to small tree, to 4 m tall, found in savannas, at 100-2600 m; widespread in Venezuela (Bolívar and Amazonas), Guyana, and Guayanan Brazil.
Species Description - Terrestrial shrub to small tree, to 4 m tall, found in savannas, at 100-2600 m; widespread in Venezuela (Bolívar and Amazonas), Guyana, and Guayanan Brazil.
Discussion:
Taxonomic notes: Vaccinium puberulum was been divided into seven varieties by Maguire et al. (1978). Over the years many new collections have been studied from throughout the extensive range of the species. I am now of the opinion that most of the varieties are doubtfully distinct. There are many examples of character overlap within the same collection. A thorough revision of the species is badly needed. In the meantime, I do herewith include a key to the varieties. The fruits of some populations may be poisonous. Key to the Varieties of Vaccinium puberulum: <
1. Calyx, ovary, and corolla glabrous. <
<
2. Rachis puberulous ................................... <var. hitchcockii< <
2. Rachis glabrous. <
<
3. Principal leaf blades 3-11 cm long, obovate, oblong-elliptic, or narrowly to broadly oblong, the base usually acutely narrowed, the lateral nerves and tertiary venation elevated and prominent beneath ......................... <var. subcrenulatum< <
3. Principal leaf blades 1.5-3.5 cm long, oval to elliptic-oblong, the base usually obtuse, the lateral nerves and tertiary venation not prominent beneath ............ <var. jauaense< <
<
1. Calyx, ovary, or corolla pubescent. <
<
4. Petioles, calyx, and corolla glabrous; leaves narrowly spathulate ......................... <var. spathulatum< <
4. Petioles, calyx, and corolla pubescent (or calyx glabrous); leaves variously shaped. <
5. Leaves usually entire ............................ <var. tepuiense< <
5. Leaves usually crenulate-serrulate. <
<
6. Calyx lobes 0.5-0.8 mm long, from a broadly ovate-triangular base; floral bracts oval to ovate-oblong, 1.5--5 mm long; leaves oblong, oval, or ovate, 1.5-3 times longer than broad; pilosity of stems and calyx short and slightly developed ........................ <var. puberulum< <
6. Calyx lobes narrowly elongated to 1 mm long from a triangular-lanceolate base; floral bracts foliose, linear-lanceolate, 5-10 mm long; leaves lanceolate-elliptic, 3.3-4 times longer than broad; pilosity of stem and calyx prominent ............................. <var. cardonae<
Taxonomic notes: Vaccinium puberulum was been divided into seven varieties by Maguire et al. (1978). Over the years many new collections have been studied from throughout the extensive range of the species. I am now of the opinion that most of the varieties are doubtfully distinct. There are many examples of character overlap within the same collection. A thorough revision of the species is badly needed. In the meantime, I do herewith include a key to the varieties. The fruits of some populations may be poisonous. Key to the Varieties of Vaccinium puberulum: <
1. Calyx, ovary, and corolla glabrous. <
<
2. Rachis puberulous ................................... <var. hitchcockii< <
2. Rachis glabrous. <
<
3. Principal leaf blades 3-11 cm long, obovate, oblong-elliptic, or narrowly to broadly oblong, the base usually acutely narrowed, the lateral nerves and tertiary venation elevated and prominent beneath ......................... <var. subcrenulatum< <
3. Principal leaf blades 1.5-3.5 cm long, oval to elliptic-oblong, the base usually obtuse, the lateral nerves and tertiary venation not prominent beneath ............ <var. jauaense< <
<
1. Calyx, ovary, or corolla pubescent. <
<
4. Petioles, calyx, and corolla glabrous; leaves narrowly spathulate ......................... <var. spathulatum< <
4. Petioles, calyx, and corolla pubescent (or calyx glabrous); leaves variously shaped. <
5. Leaves usually entire ............................ <var. tepuiense< <
5. Leaves usually crenulate-serrulate. <
<
6. Calyx lobes 0.5-0.8 mm long, from a broadly ovate-triangular base; floral bracts oval to ovate-oblong, 1.5--5 mm long; leaves oblong, oval, or ovate, 1.5-3 times longer than broad; pilosity of stems and calyx short and slightly developed ........................ <var. puberulum< <
6. Calyx lobes narrowly elongated to 1 mm long from a triangular-lanceolate base; floral bracts foliose, linear-lanceolate, 5-10 mm long; leaves lanceolate-elliptic, 3.3-4 times longer than broad; pilosity of stem and calyx prominent ............................. <var. cardonae<
Common Names:
huasaco
huasaco
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