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

Description:

Species Description - Shrub 0.3-1.0 m tall; bark fissured, glabrous, gray, with persistent and projecting leaf bases; twigs bluntly angled, maroon, hispid or sometimes glandular-hispid. Leaves coriaceous, slightly re volute or slightly longitudinally curled, narrowly ovate to ovate, 0.8-2.3 × 0.25-0.7 cm, base cuneate, apex acute, bluntly mucronate, margin entire, both surfaces glabrous; petiole slightly flattened in crosssection, 0.7-2.2(-3) mm long, glabrous. Inflorescence terminal, racemose, 2-14-flowered; rachis 0.9-2.1 cm long, 0.5-0.7 mm diam., reddish-purple, hispid (glandular-hispid); pedicels ascending or divergent, 6.5-14 mm long, 0.5-0.7 mm diam., hispid (glandular-hispid); bracteoles inserted near the middle of the pedicel, linear to narrowly ovate, flat or often involute, 1.8-3 × 0.3-0.5 mm, base cuneate, apex acuminate, margin entire, both surfaces glabrous or slightly tomentose; floral bracts narrowly ovate to ovate, revolute, 4.2-15 × 0.5-3.8 mm, base cuneate, apex acuminate, mucronate, margin entire, both surfaces glabrous. Flowers 7-merous; calyx 3-4.3 mm long, tube 0.7-2 mm long, 2.2-3.5 mm diam., orange, brown, red or maroon, glabrous, lobes ovate to widely ovate, apex acute to acuminate, 2.5-3.3 × 2-3 mm, longest lobe 2.8-3.3 mm, margin ciliolate, abaxial surface glabrous; corolla globose-campanulate, pink or red, petals obovate to widely obovate, 11-12 × 5.1-8.2 mm, margin distally ciliolate, lamina glabrous; stamens included, alternately 5.4-6.8 and 7.1-9.2 mm long, filaments tomentose, anthers 1.5-1.9 mm long, 1-1.4 mm diam., glabrous; ovary glabrous, style included, 9.5-10 mm long, stigma 7-lobed. Capsules depressed ellipsoid, 3.5-5 mm long, 6.3-11 mm diam., orange-brown, exocarp not separating from the valves; seeds 0.9-1.4 mm long, 0.3-0.5 mm diam.

Discussion:

Bejaria tachirensis is easily characterized by its small globose-campanulate corollas and small flat leaves. Together with B. nana, B. tachirensis is one of the most distinctive Bejaria species.

Distribution:

Colombia South America| Arauca Colombia South America| Boyacá Colombia South America| Norte de Santander Colombia South America| Venezuela South America| Apure Venezuela South America| Táchira Venezuela South America|