Monographs Details:
Authority:
Smith, Albert C. 1952. Plants collected in Ecuador by W. H. camp. Vaceiniaceae. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 8 (1): 41-85.
Smith, Albert C. 1952. Plants collected in Ecuador by W. H. camp. Vaceiniaceae. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 8 (1): 41-85.
Family:
Ericaceae
Ericaceae
Description:
Latin Diagnosis - Frutex repens caespite fere saepe occultus praeter flores ubique glaber, ramulis gracilibus teretibus brunneis inferne radicantibus, internodiis interdum paucibracteatis, bracteis inconspicuis papyraceis lanceolatis circiter 2 mm longis; petiolis subteretibus valde rugulosis 2-5 mm longis crassis (1.5-2.5 mm diametro); laminis crasso-coriaceis in sicco fusco-olivaceis late ovatis, 3.5-7 cm longis, 2.5-4.6 cm latis, basi rotundatis vel late cuneatis, apice subacutis raro (minoribus) subrotundatis, margine incrassatis et paullo recurvatis, maturis inconspicue immerso-glandulosis vel sparsissime castaneo-glanduloso-strigillosis (juvenilibus pilis rubris glandulosis 0.2-0.3 mm longis utrinque strigillosis), costa utrinque leviter elevata, nervis primariis basalibus plerumque utrinsecus 2 curvatoadscendentibus haud elevatis, venulis immersis; floribus paucis in axillis solitariis vel infra folia orientibus ubique (i. e. pedicello, calyce, et corolla) pilis albidis circiter 0.3 mm longis patentibus indutis, bracteis minutis; pedicellis leviter curvatis sub anthesi 7-8 mm longis basim versus minute bibracteolatis superne paullo incrassatis et cum calyce continuis; calyce 4.5-5.5 mm longo apice 4-5 mm diametro, tubo cupuliformi circiter 3 mm longo, limbo suberecto 1.5-2.5 mm longo, lobis 5 deltoideis circiter 1.5 mm longis et 1.5-2 mm latis acutis, sinibus subacutis; disco annulari-pulvinato glabro; corolla siccitate fragili cylindrica sub anthesi 20-23 mm longa 4-5 mm diametro, lobis 5 oblongo-deltoideis 3.5-4 mm longis 2-2.5 mm latis obtusis; staminibus 10 corollam subaequantibus, filamentis ligulatis liberis glabris circiter 3 mm longis, thecis levibus 5-6 mm longis basi obtusis in tubulos gracillimos 15-18 mm longos poris subterminalibus apertos terminantibus; stylo filiformi corollam subaequante, stigmate minuto.
Latin Diagnosis - Frutex repens caespite fere saepe occultus praeter flores ubique glaber, ramulis gracilibus teretibus brunneis inferne radicantibus, internodiis interdum paucibracteatis, bracteis inconspicuis papyraceis lanceolatis circiter 2 mm longis; petiolis subteretibus valde rugulosis 2-5 mm longis crassis (1.5-2.5 mm diametro); laminis crasso-coriaceis in sicco fusco-olivaceis late ovatis, 3.5-7 cm longis, 2.5-4.6 cm latis, basi rotundatis vel late cuneatis, apice subacutis raro (minoribus) subrotundatis, margine incrassatis et paullo recurvatis, maturis inconspicue immerso-glandulosis vel sparsissime castaneo-glanduloso-strigillosis (juvenilibus pilis rubris glandulosis 0.2-0.3 mm longis utrinque strigillosis), costa utrinque leviter elevata, nervis primariis basalibus plerumque utrinsecus 2 curvatoadscendentibus haud elevatis, venulis immersis; floribus paucis in axillis solitariis vel infra folia orientibus ubique (i. e. pedicello, calyce, et corolla) pilis albidis circiter 0.3 mm longis patentibus indutis, bracteis minutis; pedicellis leviter curvatis sub anthesi 7-8 mm longis basim versus minute bibracteolatis superne paullo incrassatis et cum calyce continuis; calyce 4.5-5.5 mm longo apice 4-5 mm diametro, tubo cupuliformi circiter 3 mm longo, limbo suberecto 1.5-2.5 mm longo, lobis 5 deltoideis circiter 1.5 mm longis et 1.5-2 mm latis acutis, sinibus subacutis; disco annulari-pulvinato glabro; corolla siccitate fragili cylindrica sub anthesi 20-23 mm longa 4-5 mm diametro, lobis 5 oblongo-deltoideis 3.5-4 mm longis 2-2.5 mm latis obtusis; staminibus 10 corollam subaequantibus, filamentis ligulatis liberis glabris circiter 3 mm longis, thecis levibus 5-6 mm longis basi obtusis in tubulos gracillimos 15-18 mm longos poris subterminalibus apertos terminantibus; stylo filiformi corollam subaequante, stigmate minuto.
Discussion:
The remarkable habit described in Dr. Camp's field notes,, which indicate that the flowers are sometimes subterranean, has not otherwise been noted in this group. Perhaps, however, the related S. fragilis A. C. Smith [including Ceratostema longe-pedicellatum Sleumer; see Bull. Torrey Club 63: 312 (1936) for reduction], also from Ecuador, may have a similar habit. These two species form a very distinct group without close allies in Semiramisia. From S. fragilis the new species differs in matters of degree which seem worthy of specific recognition; the leaves are considerably larger and predominantly acute at apex, the pedicels are shorter (but perhaps elongating as implied in the field note), the calyx is slightly larger, and the thecae of the anthers longer. Comparable dimensions in S. fragilis are: petioles 1.5-2 mm. long; leaf-blades 1.5-3 by 1.1-2.2 cm., rounded or broadly obtuse at apex; pedicels 10-20 mm. long at anthesis, up to 40 mm. in fruit; calyx 3-3.5 mm. long; thecae 2-3 mm. long.
The remarkable habit described in Dr. Camp's field notes,, which indicate that the flowers are sometimes subterranean, has not otherwise been noted in this group. Perhaps, however, the related S. fragilis A. C. Smith [including Ceratostema longe-pedicellatum Sleumer; see Bull. Torrey Club 63: 312 (1936) for reduction], also from Ecuador, may have a similar habit. These two species form a very distinct group without close allies in Semiramisia. From S. fragilis the new species differs in matters of degree which seem worthy of specific recognition; the leaves are considerably larger and predominantly acute at apex, the pedicels are shorter (but perhaps elongating as implied in the field note), the calyx is slightly larger, and the thecae of the anthers longer. Comparable dimensions in S. fragilis are: petioles 1.5-2 mm. long; leaf-blades 1.5-3 by 1.1-2.2 cm., rounded or broadly obtuse at apex; pedicels 10-20 mm. long at anthesis, up to 40 mm. in fruit; calyx 3-3.5 mm. long; thecae 2-3 mm. long.
Distribution and Ecology: (in pass, the plants spreading by runners, almost hidden in the short grass; young leaves brilliant red, green with age, and dull on both surfaces; flowers noted on old wood or in the axils of last year's leaves, apparently solitary; corolla deep red, hidden in the grass or sometimes below the surface of the turf; when flowers are produced below the surface of the soil the pedicels elongate and bring them to the surface; anthers brilliant yellow; this plant would be easily missed were it not for the bright red of the young leaves).