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:
Gaultheria grata A.C.Sm.
Gaultheria grata A.C.Sm.
Description:
Variety Description - Stems, petioles, leaves beneath, rachis, pedicels, calyx, and corolla strigose with stiff, straight, appressed, basally swollen, eglandular, stramineous hairs 1-2 mm long; stems also white puberulent. Bracteoles obovate, ca. 2 × 2 mm. Corolla 7-8 mm long, strigose along angles without; stamens ca. 4.5 mm long; filaments ca. 3 mm long; style ca. 5 mm long. Fruiting calyx weakly strigose.
Variety Description - Stems, petioles, leaves beneath, rachis, pedicels, calyx, and corolla strigose with stiff, straight, appressed, basally swollen, eglandular, stramineous hairs 1-2 mm long; stems also white puberulent. Bracteoles obovate, ca. 2 × 2 mm. Corolla 7-8 mm long, strigose along angles without; stamens ca. 4.5 mm long; filaments ca. 3 mm long; style ca. 5 mm long. Fruiting calyx weakly strigose.
Discussion:
Gaultheria alnifolia is characterized by obovate leaves with attenuate, decurrent bases and prominent tertiary venation; short-setose hairs on stems, lower leaf surfaces, rachis, and pedicels; early deciduous floral bracts; and usually glabrous corolla. Distinctive field characters also include bright red twigs and the very strong odor of wintergreen from cut surfaces of stems or leaves or when the fruits are crushed. In 1950, A. C, Smith distinguished G. grata from G. alnifolia only by the latter’s strigose indument, which, as he correctly stated, resembles that of G. strigosa Benth. However, 1 feel that it is better to recognize only a single species, G. alnifolia, with its var. grata linking it to G. strigosa.Two collections of var. alnifolia from Paramo Arbol Redondo (Trujillo), viz. Luteyn & Pipoly 9319 (NY, VEN) and Steyermark & Manara 125265 (NY), seem to be hybrids with G. erecta, with which it often grows. These collections have the general leaf shape of G. alnifolia but they are much smaller in size, and the plants (especially in the inflorescence) have more numerous glandular setae. The pollen of Steyermark & Manara 125265 was slightly misshapen, and none stained when treated with cotton-blue plus lactophenol.Middleton (1991b) placed G. alnifolia in his ser. Reticulatae along with G. reticulata, G. megalodonta, and G. sclerophylla- with which I concur. However, I also believe that it is related to G. strigosa (ser. Insipidae) through var. grata as discussed above.
Gaultheria alnifolia is characterized by obovate leaves with attenuate, decurrent bases and prominent tertiary venation; short-setose hairs on stems, lower leaf surfaces, rachis, and pedicels; early deciduous floral bracts; and usually glabrous corolla. Distinctive field characters also include bright red twigs and the very strong odor of wintergreen from cut surfaces of stems or leaves or when the fruits are crushed. In 1950, A. C, Smith distinguished G. grata from G. alnifolia only by the latter’s strigose indument, which, as he correctly stated, resembles that of G. strigosa Benth. However, 1 feel that it is better to recognize only a single species, G. alnifolia, with its var. grata linking it to G. strigosa.Two collections of var. alnifolia from Paramo Arbol Redondo (Trujillo), viz. Luteyn & Pipoly 9319 (NY, VEN) and Steyermark & Manara 125265 (NY), seem to be hybrids with G. erecta, with which it often grows. These collections have the general leaf shape of G. alnifolia but they are much smaller in size, and the plants (especially in the inflorescence) have more numerous glandular setae. The pollen of Steyermark & Manara 125265 was slightly misshapen, and none stained when treated with cotton-blue plus lactophenol.Middleton (1991b) placed G. alnifolia in his ser. Reticulatae along with G. reticulata, G. megalodonta, and G. sclerophylla- with which I concur. However, I also believe that it is related to G. strigosa (ser. Insipidae) through var. grata as discussed above.
Distribution:
Norte de Santander Colombia South America| Colombia South America|
Norte de Santander Colombia South America| Colombia South America|
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