Authority:

Luteyn, James L. 1983. Ericaceae--part I. Cavendishia. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 35: 1-290. (Published by NYBG Press)

Family:

Ericaceae

Synonyms:

Cavendishia rosea A.C.Sm.

Description:

Species Description - Epiphytic or terrestrial shrub with stems to 5 m long, glabrous except filaments; mature branches subterete, bluntly angled to striate; bark gray; twigs similar but brown to reddish-brown. Leaves subamplexicaul, oblong, ovate-oblong, or ovate-elliptic, (3.6-)5—8.7(-10) X (1.9-)2.5-4(-6.4) cm, basally cordate and slightly auriculate, apically obtusely short-acuminate or obtuse; weakly 5-7(-1 l)-plinerved often appearing pinnate, midrib and lateral nerves impressed or plane above and raised beneath, reticulate veinlets slightly raised on both surfaces; petioles subterete, slightly rugose, 2-4(-6) mm long and 2.5-4 mm diam., obscured by cordate leaf base, about as long as leaf-base sinus is deep thereby causing leaves to appear nearly sessile or subamplexicaul. Inflorescence 15-25(-53)-flowered; rachis subterete, bluntly angled, muricate, 7-12.5(-17) cm long and 2-3 mm diam.; floral bracts ± involute in bud becoming conduplicate at anthesis, oblong or oblanceolate, 15-32 X 8-13 mm, apically obtuse or acute, but appearing long-acuminate, minutely but conspicuously glandular-punctate adaxially, rose-red when fresh; pedicels subterete, 9-12 mm long at anthesis lengthening to 15 mm long in fruit; bracteoles oblong or ovate-oblong, 3-5 X 2.5-3 mm, apically rounded and sometimes apiculate, glandular-punctate adaxially, marginally eglandular. Flowers: calyx 4.5-6 mm long; hypanthium cylindric or somewhat bluntly pentagonal, ca. 3 mm long and 4-5 mm diam., basally slightly apophysate (the apophysis less than 1 mm long); limb erect, 2-3 mm long; lobes triangular, ca. 0.5-1 X 2.5 mm, connivent after anthesis, eglandular; sinus broadly rounded; corolla cylindric 15-17.5 mm long and 4-5 mm diam., red when fresh, lobes deltoid, less than 1 mm long; stamens 13-14 mm long; filaments short-pilose ventrally, alternately 1.8-2.5 mm and 4-6 mm long; anthers alternately 11-12.5 mm and 10-11 mm; thecae 3-5.5 mm long; style equal to corolla. Berry 9-10 mm diam.

Discussion:

Cavendishia subamplexicaulis is distinguished by small, cordate-based, subamplexicaul leaves; elongate rachises bearing red bracts and corollas; glandular-punctate floral bracts and bracteoles; and marginally eglandular calyx lobes and bracteoles. Smith (1943) stated that C. rosea differed from C. subamplexicaulis in proportionately narrower leaf blades with fewer and more prominent secondary nerves and cuspidate rather than obtuse apices, in a more slender rachis, slightly larger bracts and corollas, and anther proportions. These are minor variations in my opinion, probably of a local nature. It might also be noted that leaves with very short petioles appear more “amplexicaul,” whereas those with longer petioles appear only subamplexicaul.

Cavendishia subamplexicaulis is without close relatives in sect. Foreroa, although it shows similarities to C. foreroi in the overall appearance and eglandular nature of the calyx. Additional collections of both species are necessary before the range of morphological variation and relationships are understood.

Distribution and Ecology: Somewhat sprawling shrub of shaded or exposed hillsides, river banks, or forest. Known with certainty only from the Cordillera Central of Antioquia, Colombia, between Yarumal and Valdivia at elevations of 21352200 m. I cannot place the exact type locality; however, it is most certainly in a portion of northern Antioquia (formerly Bolivar Prov.) and at 2800-3100 m. Flowering specimens have been collected in February and March, and fruiting in late March.

Distribution:

Colombia South America| Antioquia Colombia South America|