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:

Gaultheria revoluta A.C.Sm.

Description:

Variety Description - Leaves with upper surface usually pustular, margins tightly revolute, conspicuously incurved or longitudinally curled, (l.l-)l.5-2.4 × 0.4-l(-1.3) cm, base rounded to obtuse or acute, irregularly but compactly crenate, indumentum of lower surface concentrated along major veins. Inflorescence 1-2 (-4)-flowered. Calyx densely strigose to sometimes lanate; staminal filaments pilose. Fruiting calyx white.

Discussion:

Gaultheria strigosa is characterized by its leaves which are bullate, conspicuously veined, elliptic to ovate, basally acute to cuneate, and with margin flat to revolute; rigid strigose twigs and leaves; short and few-flowered inflorescences; floral bract and bracteoles apparently continuous with the rachis and pedicel, respectively; and usually densely strigose calyces and corollas. In the fresh condition it is very distinctive because of the dark green, very rigid, and usually strongly bullate leaves, dark red corollas, and golden to ferruginous indumentum. The smaller and revolute-leaved populations have been reduced to the varietal level because of intergradation with the typical variety.

Gaultheria arachnoidea, characterized by its "unique pale arachnoid indumentum of young branchlets and lower leaf surfaces" (Smith, 1933), must be included with G. strigosa var. strigosa, as the "unique" arachnoid indumentum is, in reality, only fungal mycelia from an inoperculate discomycete (Hyaloscyphaceae, cf. Lachnum sp.; Gary Samuels and Peter Johnston, pers, observ.). It, along with G. tolimensis, are included in var. strigosa as local populations of higher elevations characterized by glabrous (or glabrate) calyces. Often their leaves also tend to be curled and thus show an intermediate stage toward var. revoluta. The actual differences between the vars, strigosa and revoluta are not great. They often occur at the same collecting site, although I do not know if they are actually sympatric. I myself have not collected them together, and until I have a chance to study populations growing in close proximity, I will continue to maintain them at the varietal level.

Gaultheria strigosa is most closely related to G. insipida. Both are characterized by rigid, strigose indumentum, bullate leaves, relatively short and few flowered inflorescences, and continuous (not articulate) floral bracts and bracteoles. The anther pores of the two are also unique, being very broad and inversely tear-shaped. Gaultheria insipida is easily separated from G. strigosa by the features mentioned in the key. Furthermore, in addition to strigose indumentum, G. insipida has white puberulence on the petioles, midrib on the upper side of the blade, pedicels, bracts, and calyx lobe margins this is lacking in G. strigosa.

Distribution:

Colombia South America| Risaralda Colombia South America| Tolima Colombia South America| Ecuador South America| Azuay Ecuador South America| Morona-Santiago Ecuador South America| Napo Ecuador South America| Sucumbíos Ecuador South America|