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:

Bejaria tatei Gleason

Description:

Species Description - Shrub 0.2-3 m tall; bark fissured, glabrous, black or black and white striate; twigs subterete, hispid or glandular-hispid, rusty-red to maroon. Leaves coriaceous, flat or usually re volute, elliptic or obovate (ovate), 1.2-2.8 × 0.5-1.4 cm, base cuneate, apex acute to obtuse (acuminate), mucronate, margin ciliate, glandular-ciliate, or glandular-pustulate, both surfaces glabrous, abaxial midvein usually hispid or glandular-hispid (glabrous); petiole subterete or slightly flattened in cross-section, 1-3.5 mm long, hispid, glandular-hispid, or glabrous. Inflorescence a terminal raceme, 4-19-flowered; rachis 0.9-4.3 cm, 1.2-2.8 mm diam., hispid or glandular-hispid; pedicel 4-17 mm long, 0.6-1.3 mm diam., densely or sparsely hispid or glandular-hispid (also tomentose); bracteoles inserted on basal 1/2 of pedicel, involute, elliptic to oblong (narrowly ovate), 0.84.1 × 0.4-1 mm, base slightly narrowed, apex acute to acuminate (obtuse), usually mucronate, margin entire, ciliate, glandular-ciliate, or ciliolate, both surfaces glabrous; floral bracts flat, elliptic to narrowly obovate, 2.7-26 × 0.9-10 mm, base cuneate, apex acute (obtuse), mucronate, margin ciliate, glandular-ciliate, or entire, both surfaces glabrous. Flowers (6-)7(-8)-merous; calyx 3.7-5.4 mm long, tube 0.8-2.3 mm long, 3.3-4 mm diam., hispid, glandular-hispid, or glabrous, light green, tan, or maroon, lobes ovate to broadly ovate or elliptic, apex obtuse to acute, margin erose or erose-fimbriate (ciliolate, rarely dentate or entire), 2.3-4.1 × (1.2-)1.7-3.6(-4) mm, longest lobe 2.7-4.1 mm, abaxial surface usually glabrous (glandular-hispid); corolla campanulate, pink or rarely purple, petals narrowly obovate, 15-27 × 4-8 mm, apex obtuse, base cuneate, margin undulate and sometimes distally erose, glabrous; stamens subequal to corolla or included, 14-25 mm long, filaments tomentose, anthers 1.6-2.6 mm long, 0.9-1.4 mm diam., glabrous; ovary glabrous, style subequal to corolla to slightly exserted, 16-33 mm long, stigma 7-lobed. Capsules depressed ellipsoid, 3-5.9 mm long, 5.29.3 mm diam., brown, exocarp not separating from the valves; seeds 1.3-1.9 mm long, 0.5-0.7 mm diam.

Discussion:

Bejaria imthurnii is characterized by its narrowly obovate or elliptic, short-petioled leaves, short rachises, and long petals. Bejaria imthurnii is one of a group of species including B. steyermarkii and B. neblinensis which have campanulate or spreading corollas and small, short-petioled leaves. Bejaria imthurnii differs from the other two species in frequently having obovate leaves, longer petals, and shorter pedicels.

Distribution:

Venezuela South America| Bolívar Venezuela South America|