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:

Leucothoe eucalyptoides var. glaberrima Sleumer

Description:

Species Description - Shrub or small tree to 4 m tall; twigs glabrous, with nonchambered to clearly chambered pith; buds to ca. 1 mm long, leaves conduplicate(?). Leaves coriaceous, ovate to narrowly ovate, 2.3-8.5 × 0.6-2.5(-3) cm, base cuneate to rounded and often slightly asymmetric, apex acuminate, margin entire (slightly undulate), plane, and entire lamina flat to strongly adaxially folded, adaxial surface glabrous (very sparsely pubescent on basal portion of midvein), abaxial surface glabrous, with few to many inconspicuous to conspicuous glandular dots along midvein; petiole 10-45 mm long, slender, frequently flexuous. Inflorescences axillary racemes, or terminal racemes or panicles, to 1-9.5 cm long; rachis glabrous; pedicels 2.5-8 mm long, glabrous; bracteoles 2, opposite to alternate, from nearly basal to near midpoint of pedicel, narrowly triangular, to ca. 0.9 mm long; floral bracts to ca. 1.4 mm long. Flowers with triangular calyx lobes, with acuminate (to nearly acute) apices, 0.8-1.7 × 0.5-1.3 mm, the abaxial surface glabrous; corolla ± cylindrical, white or greenish white, 6-10 × 2.7-4.5 mm, glabrous; filaments 3.5-4.5 mm long; anthers 1.11.3 mm long; ovary glabrous or nearly so. Capsules subglobose to short-ovoid, 4-8 × 6-8 mm, placentae subapical to nearly central; seeds 2-2.5 mm long.

Discussion:

Agarista glaberrima is related most closely to the sympatric A. angustissima, another Minas Gerais endemic from which it can easily be distinguished by its ovate and wider leaves with usually longer petioles and less strongly adaxially folded blades.

Distribution:

Brazil South America| Minas Gerais Brazil South America|