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:
Leucothoe paraguayensis var. calva Sleumer, Leucothoe paraguayensis Sleumer
Leucothoe paraguayensis var. calva Sleumer, Leucothoe paraguayensis Sleumer
Description:
Species Description - Shrub to ca. 3 m tall; twigs with or without scattered gland-headed hairs, otherwise sparsely to densely pubescent, with nonchambered to hollow or very sparsely septate pith; buds to ca. 2.5 mm long, leaves revolute. Leaves coriaceous, ovate, 1.8-5.2 × 0.7-2.2 cm, base rounded to cordate, apex acute-to rounded-mucronate or slightly acuminate, margin entire (slightly sinuous), plane to very slightly revolute, especially near base, adaxial surface pubescent on midvein (also with few unicellular hairs on lamina), abaxial surface densely to irregularly and sparsely pubescent on midvein and lamina (glabrous or with pubescence limited to midvein), often with inconspicuous glandular dots along midvein; petiole 2.5-6 mm long. Inflorescences axillary racemes to 1.5-9 cm long; rachis with or without scattered gland-headed hairs, otherwise moderately to densely pubescent; pedicels 3-9 mm long, with or without gland-headed hairs, otherwise densely to moderately (sparsely) pubescent; bracteoles 2, opposite to alternate, from nearly basal to within lower 1/3 of pedicel, narrowly triangular, to ca. 1.5 mm long; floral bracts to 1.5 mm long. Flowers with triangular calyx lobes, with acuminate apices, 0.9-2.5 × 0.9-1.8 mm, abaxial surface sometimes with few glandheaded hairs, otherwise sparsely to densely pubescent; corolla cylindrical, red to white(?), 6.5-9 × 3-4 mm, slightly or very slightly pubescent to glabrous; filaments 4.5-5.5 mm long; anthers 1.1-2 mm long; ovary nearly glabrous to densely pubescent. Capsules subglobose, 3.5-4.5 × 5-6.5 mm, placentae ± central; seeds 0.9-1.8 mm long.
Species Description - Shrub to ca. 3 m tall; twigs with or without scattered gland-headed hairs, otherwise sparsely to densely pubescent, with nonchambered to hollow or very sparsely septate pith; buds to ca. 2.5 mm long, leaves revolute. Leaves coriaceous, ovate, 1.8-5.2 × 0.7-2.2 cm, base rounded to cordate, apex acute-to rounded-mucronate or slightly acuminate, margin entire (slightly sinuous), plane to very slightly revolute, especially near base, adaxial surface pubescent on midvein (also with few unicellular hairs on lamina), abaxial surface densely to irregularly and sparsely pubescent on midvein and lamina (glabrous or with pubescence limited to midvein), often with inconspicuous glandular dots along midvein; petiole 2.5-6 mm long. Inflorescences axillary racemes to 1.5-9 cm long; rachis with or without scattered gland-headed hairs, otherwise moderately to densely pubescent; pedicels 3-9 mm long, with or without gland-headed hairs, otherwise densely to moderately (sparsely) pubescent; bracteoles 2, opposite to alternate, from nearly basal to within lower 1/3 of pedicel, narrowly triangular, to ca. 1.5 mm long; floral bracts to 1.5 mm long. Flowers with triangular calyx lobes, with acuminate apices, 0.9-2.5 × 0.9-1.8 mm, abaxial surface sometimes with few glandheaded hairs, otherwise sparsely to densely pubescent; corolla cylindrical, red to white(?), 6.5-9 × 3-4 mm, slightly or very slightly pubescent to glabrous; filaments 4.5-5.5 mm long; anthers 1.1-2 mm long; ovary nearly glabrous to densely pubescent. Capsules subglobose, 3.5-4.5 × 5-6.5 mm, placentae ± central; seeds 0.9-1.8 mm long.
Discussion:
This poorly known species is the only taxon of Agarista known to occur in Paraguay. It is probably allied with A. oleifolia and A. pulchella, from which it can be distinguished by its distinctive combination of often abaxially pubescent leaves and corollas, and more or less hollow pith. Agarista paraguayensis is superficially similar to A. mexicana var. pinetorum, A. revoluta var. velutina, A. chapadensis, and A. subrotunda, all of which have abaxially pubescent leaves. However, it differs from them in placenta position, seed length, and pith structure.This taxon is variable in leaf indumentum. The leaves of many individuals have a more or less moderate to dense layer of unicellular hairs on the abaxial surface (e.g., Hielhen & Rojas 5452 and Schinini 5499), but those of some plants (e.g., Sparre & Vervoorst 501 and Rojas 6189), even from the same locality, are essentially glabrous beneath. The taxonomic significance of this variation will remain unknown until the taxon is better known and has been studied in the field.
This poorly known species is the only taxon of Agarista known to occur in Paraguay. It is probably allied with A. oleifolia and A. pulchella, from which it can be distinguished by its distinctive combination of often abaxially pubescent leaves and corollas, and more or less hollow pith. Agarista paraguayensis is superficially similar to A. mexicana var. pinetorum, A. revoluta var. velutina, A. chapadensis, and A. subrotunda, all of which have abaxially pubescent leaves. However, it differs from them in placenta position, seed length, and pith structure.This taxon is variable in leaf indumentum. The leaves of many individuals have a more or less moderate to dense layer of unicellular hairs on the abaxial surface (e.g., Hielhen & Rojas 5452 and Schinini 5499), but those of some plants (e.g., Sparre & Vervoorst 501 and Rojas 6189), even from the same locality, are essentially glabrous beneath. The taxonomic significance of this variation will remain unknown until the taxon is better known and has been studied in the field.
Phenology: Flowering August to December.
Distribution:
Paraguay South America| Cordillera Paraguay South America| Argentina South America| Misiones Argentina South America|
Paraguay South America| Cordillera Paraguay South America| Argentina South America| Misiones Argentina South America|