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
Description:
Species Description - Shrub to 2.5 m tall (subrepent); mature stems terete, striate, short-ferruginous-tomentose becoming cinerous then glabrate; twigs flexuous, terete to subterete, densely short-ferruginous-tomentose. Leaves coriaceous, basically flat, elliptic to elliptic-ovate, (3-)4-7.5 × (1.5-)2-4 cm, base rounded or cuneate and short-decurrent, apex rounded to acute, margin entire, subrevolute, bearing 3-4 pairs of round, sessile to slightly raised, pustular glands near and onto the petiole, young blades ferruginous-tomentose but glabrate and then nitid above, densely and persistently dark brown tomentose beneath; pinnately nerved with midrib impressed above and raised beneath, lateral nerves (3-5 per side) plane to slightly raised above and raised beneath but usually obscure; petiole stout, subterete, (5-)7-13 mm long, tomentose as stems. Inflorescence rarely branched near base, 5-11-flowered; rachis flexuous, subterete, 2-7.5 cm long, densely and shortly ferruginous-tomentose so as to obscure actual surface; floral bract ovate to elliptic, keeled or flat, 3-10 mm long, obtuse, tomentose as rachis; pedicel subterete, 3-7(-10) mm long; bracteoles broadly ovate, 2-4 mm long, acute. Flowers with calyx tomentose as rachis, (5-)6-9 mm long, lobes oblong-ovate to ovate, (3.5-)5-6.5 mm long, acute, tomentose within in distal half; corolla 8-10 mm long, ferruginous-tomentose on exposed surfaces opposite the lobes and glabrous between, dull rose (to blood-red within) when fresh, lobes ovate to deltoid, 4-5 mm long, acute, ferruginous at tips within; stamens 4-7 mm long; filaments 2-5 mm long, densely tufted with reddish to tan hairs; anthers 2-3.5 mm long; thecae ca. 1-2 mm long, base rounded; tubules 1-1.2 mm long, dehiscing by slightly oblique, terminal pores; ovary densely short-ferruginous-tomentose; style glabrous, 2.5-4.5 mm long. Berry spherical, glabrate, ca. 1 cm diam., dark ferruginous-colored.
Species Description - Shrub to 2.5 m tall (subrepent); mature stems terete, striate, short-ferruginous-tomentose becoming cinerous then glabrate; twigs flexuous, terete to subterete, densely short-ferruginous-tomentose. Leaves coriaceous, basically flat, elliptic to elliptic-ovate, (3-)4-7.5 × (1.5-)2-4 cm, base rounded or cuneate and short-decurrent, apex rounded to acute, margin entire, subrevolute, bearing 3-4 pairs of round, sessile to slightly raised, pustular glands near and onto the petiole, young blades ferruginous-tomentose but glabrate and then nitid above, densely and persistently dark brown tomentose beneath; pinnately nerved with midrib impressed above and raised beneath, lateral nerves (3-5 per side) plane to slightly raised above and raised beneath but usually obscure; petiole stout, subterete, (5-)7-13 mm long, tomentose as stems. Inflorescence rarely branched near base, 5-11-flowered; rachis flexuous, subterete, 2-7.5 cm long, densely and shortly ferruginous-tomentose so as to obscure actual surface; floral bract ovate to elliptic, keeled or flat, 3-10 mm long, obtuse, tomentose as rachis; pedicel subterete, 3-7(-10) mm long; bracteoles broadly ovate, 2-4 mm long, acute. Flowers with calyx tomentose as rachis, (5-)6-9 mm long, lobes oblong-ovate to ovate, (3.5-)5-6.5 mm long, acute, tomentose within in distal half; corolla 8-10 mm long, ferruginous-tomentose on exposed surfaces opposite the lobes and glabrous between, dull rose (to blood-red within) when fresh, lobes ovate to deltoid, 4-5 mm long, acute, ferruginous at tips within; stamens 4-7 mm long; filaments 2-5 mm long, densely tufted with reddish to tan hairs; anthers 2-3.5 mm long; thecae ca. 1-2 mm long, base rounded; tubules 1-1.2 mm long, dehiscing by slightly oblique, terminal pores; ovary densely short-ferruginous-tomentose; style glabrous, 2.5-4.5 mm long. Berry spherical, glabrate, ca. 1 cm diam., dark ferruginous-colored.
Discussion:
Tepuia speciosa is characterized by large, flat leaves with long petioles, densely and persistently tomentose inflorescences, and often conspicuously flexuous young stems and inflorescences. The corolla seems to be lobed to the middle whereas other species are only lobed about one-quarter of the overall length. It is most closely related to T. cardonae, differing most noticeably by the lack of glandular-hispid trichomes of the stems and petioles, and the consistently tomentose (not usually glabrous) calyces. Much additional material is needed to determine its overall relationships.
Tepuia speciosa is characterized by large, flat leaves with long petioles, densely and persistently tomentose inflorescences, and often conspicuously flexuous young stems and inflorescences. The corolla seems to be lobed to the middle whereas other species are only lobed about one-quarter of the overall length. It is most closely related to T. cardonae, differing most noticeably by the lack of glandular-hispid trichomes of the stems and petioles, and the consistently tomentose (not usually glabrous) calyces. Much additional material is needed to determine its overall relationships.
Distribution:
Venezuela South America| Bolívar Venezuela South America|
Venezuela South America| Bolívar Venezuela South America|
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