Monographs Details:
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)
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
Ericaceae
Synonyms:
Comarostaphylis mucronata var. angustata (Klotzsch) Klotzsch, Comarostaphylis mucronata var. brevifolia (Klotzsch) Klotzsch, Arctostaphylos mucronata (Klotzsch) Hemsl.
Comarostaphylis mucronata var. angustata (Klotzsch) Klotzsch, Comarostaphylis mucronata var. brevifolia (Klotzsch) Klotzsch, Arctostaphylos mucronata (Klotzsch) Hemsl.
Description:
Species Description - Erect, evergreen shrubs 1-3 m tall; bark peeling or exfoliating in irregular plates, outer bark brown to orange, newly exposed areas brown to greenish-brown or yellowish-green; young twigs canescent, the trichomes eglandular (glandular trichomes also present). Leaves coriaceous to slightly so, elliptic to oblong, plane, not revolute, 3.7-12 × 0.7-3.3 cm, base cuneate to rarely nearly round, apex acute to obtuse, usually mucronate, margins serrulate to entire, upper surface glabrous or with scattered eglandular or glandular hyaline trichomes, often nearly glabrate with age, lower surface usually much lighter in color than upper surface, puberulent to densely gray-tomentose; petioles 3-16 mm long, with indumentum as on young twigs. Inflorescences paniculate, usually much-branched, 3.8-8.9 cm long, canescent (also with glandular trichomes), usually appearing whitish-gray; floral bracts nearly plane to navicular or carinate, narrowly ovate to ovate, 1.4-4.5 mm long, often ciliate; pedicels 2-9 mm long; bracteoles rarely more than two, basal to subdistal, narrowly ovate to ovate, 0.8-2.2 mm long, often ciliate. Flowers with calyx lobes triangular to ovate-triangular, 1.4-2 × 0.9-1.4 mm, acute to acuminate, subglabrous to canescent, ciliate, sometimes reddish; corollas 4.8-8.2 × 3.7-5.4 mm, glabrous or slightly pubescent, light to deep pink, sometimes darker distally, lobes 1.2-2.2 × 1.5-1.9 mm; stamens 2.5-2.9 mm long; filaments 2.1-2.7 mm long, densely villous; anthers 1-1.5 × 0.6-0.8 mm; spurs nearly absent to 0.5 mm long; ovary glabrous or subglabous; style 4.8-5.8 mm long, glabrous. Fruit red when immature, dark purple to black at maturity, 4-6 mm in diam.; seeds 2-2.5 × 1-1.2 mm, surface reticulate.
Species Description - Erect, evergreen shrubs 1-3 m tall; bark peeling or exfoliating in irregular plates, outer bark brown to orange, newly exposed areas brown to greenish-brown or yellowish-green; young twigs canescent, the trichomes eglandular (glandular trichomes also present). Leaves coriaceous to slightly so, elliptic to oblong, plane, not revolute, 3.7-12 × 0.7-3.3 cm, base cuneate to rarely nearly round, apex acute to obtuse, usually mucronate, margins serrulate to entire, upper surface glabrous or with scattered eglandular or glandular hyaline trichomes, often nearly glabrate with age, lower surface usually much lighter in color than upper surface, puberulent to densely gray-tomentose; petioles 3-16 mm long, with indumentum as on young twigs. Inflorescences paniculate, usually much-branched, 3.8-8.9 cm long, canescent (also with glandular trichomes), usually appearing whitish-gray; floral bracts nearly plane to navicular or carinate, narrowly ovate to ovate, 1.4-4.5 mm long, often ciliate; pedicels 2-9 mm long; bracteoles rarely more than two, basal to subdistal, narrowly ovate to ovate, 0.8-2.2 mm long, often ciliate. Flowers with calyx lobes triangular to ovate-triangular, 1.4-2 × 0.9-1.4 mm, acute to acuminate, subglabrous to canescent, ciliate, sometimes reddish; corollas 4.8-8.2 × 3.7-5.4 mm, glabrous or slightly pubescent, light to deep pink, sometimes darker distally, lobes 1.2-2.2 × 1.5-1.9 mm; stamens 2.5-2.9 mm long; filaments 2.1-2.7 mm long, densely villous; anthers 1-1.5 × 0.6-0.8 mm; spurs nearly absent to 0.5 mm long; ovary glabrous or subglabous; style 4.8-5.8 mm long, glabrous. Fruit red when immature, dark purple to black at maturity, 4-6 mm in diam.; seeds 2-2.5 × 1-1.2 mm, surface reticulate.
Discussion:
Comarostaphylis mucronata is a variable species distinguished by the canescent inflorescences, usually mucronate leaf apices, finely serrulate to entire leaf margins, and typically rather large oblong leaves with elongate petioles. Populations in the extreme northern portion of the range (N of Minas Viejas, 20° 54' N, 99° 13' W) have puberulent abaxial leaf surfaces and generally narrower leaves. Populations further south have usually broader leaf blades that are densely gray-tomentose beneath. On the basis of field observations, the species appears to be most similar to C. discolor subsp. discolor, which differs in having glabrous leaves and glabrous or glandular pubescent, but not canescent inflorescences. It is also similar to C. polifolia, especially subsp. minor, which, however, has smaller entire leaves and less branched, nearly glabrous to pubescent or only slightly canescent inflorescences. An analysis of C. mucronata using quantitative techniques supported its recognition at the species level (Diggs, 1987). On the basis of the vegetative characters measured, C. mucronata appeared most similar to C. discolor subsp. discolor.The holotype was deposited at Berlin and was there destroyed. Presumably named for the usually mucronate leaves.
Comarostaphylis mucronata is a variable species distinguished by the canescent inflorescences, usually mucronate leaf apices, finely serrulate to entire leaf margins, and typically rather large oblong leaves with elongate petioles. Populations in the extreme northern portion of the range (N of Minas Viejas, 20° 54' N, 99° 13' W) have puberulent abaxial leaf surfaces and generally narrower leaves. Populations further south have usually broader leaf blades that are densely gray-tomentose beneath. On the basis of field observations, the species appears to be most similar to C. discolor subsp. discolor, which differs in having glabrous leaves and glabrous or glandular pubescent, but not canescent inflorescences. It is also similar to C. polifolia, especially subsp. minor, which, however, has smaller entire leaves and less branched, nearly glabrous to pubescent or only slightly canescent inflorescences. An analysis of C. mucronata using quantitative techniques supported its recognition at the species level (Diggs, 1987). On the basis of the vegetative characters measured, C. mucronata appeared most similar to C. discolor subsp. discolor.The holotype was deposited at Berlin and was there destroyed. Presumably named for the usually mucronate leaves.
Distribution and Ecology: Comarostaphylis mucronata is confined to the Sierra Madre Oriental of NW and W central Hidalgo (and one collection from NE Queretaro) at 1400-2100(-2500) m elevation. The species is typically an understory shrub in Juniperus, Pinus, or Quercus-Pinus forests with associates including Arbutus xalapensis, Croton sp., Juniperus flaccida, and Pinus cembroides. A number of collections are from limestone substrates. One additional specimen (Hodgdon 5689, GH) is labeled, perhaps incorrectly, as coming from a Pinus-Abies forest at 3050 m near Rio Frio in the state of Mexico, an area and habitat anomalous for the species. Visitation by bumblebees has been observed. Flowering and fruiting Apr-Sep and Jun-Nov, respectively
Distribution:
Mexico North America| Hidalgo Mexico North America| Querétaro Mexico North America|
Mexico North America| Hidalgo Mexico North America| Querétaro Mexico North America|