Smith, Albert C. 1952. Plants collected in Ecuador by W. H. camp. Vaceiniaceae. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 8 (1): 41-85.
Ericaceae
Latin Diagnosis - Frutex epiphyticus, ramulis gracilibus teretibus cinereis ad nodos incrassatis juventute - albido-puberulis mox glabratis; foliis congestis, petiolis subteretibus 1-2 mm. longis ut ramulis mox glabratis; laminis in sicco coriaceis fusco-olivaceis ellipticis, 15-22 mm. longis, 10-15 mm. latis, basi et apice rotundatis, raargine incrassatis paullo recurvatis, subtus minutissime et subpersistenter albidopuberulis ac etiam dispersim glanduloso-strigillosis (pilis castaneis circiter 0.2 mm. longis caducis), e basi obscure 3- vel 5-nerviis, costa supra leviter impressa subtus elevata, nervis lateralibus obscuris; floribus axillaribus solitariis basi bracteis pluribus minutis imbricatis suffultis, rhachi subnulla; pedicellis gracilibus 2.5-3.5 mm. longis pilis 0.3-0.6 mm. longis albido-hispidulis basi minute bibracteolatis cum calyce continuis; calyce sub anthesi 3.5-4 mm. longo et apice diametro ut pedicellis hispidulo, tubo cupuliformi circiter 2 mm. longo, limbo erecto-patente profunde 5-lobato, lobis elongato-deltoideis circiter 1.5 mm. longis acutis intus glabris, sinibus obtusis vel rotundatis; disco annulari-pulvinato glabro; corolla subcarnosa extus parce hispidula campanulata, sub anthesi circiter 5.5 mm. longa et apice 4 mm. diametro, lobis 5 late deltoideis circiter 0.5 mm. longis subacutis; staminibus 10 alternatim leviter inaequalibus quam corolla brevioribus, filamentis gracilibus ligulatis glabris circiter 1.5 mm. longis, antheris 2.7-3 mm. longis, thecis 1-1.2 mm. longis, tubulis longioribus per poros subterminales circiter 0.2 mm. longos dehiscentibus; stylo filiformi corollam subaequante, stigmate minuto.
Species Description - (epiphyte; leaves succulent; corolla yellowish, tinged with pink if exposed to sun).
Sphyrospermum flaviflorum belongs to a small group of Ecuadorian species not discussed in my revision of 1933, but treated in Sleumer's more recent key (Bot. Jahrb. 71: 394, 395. 1941). The two species thus far comprising the group are characterized by having stamens twice as many as corolla-lobes, very short pedicels, small flowers, and anthers with slender tubules dehiscing by subterminal pores. The new species differs from S. spruceanum Sleumer in its larger and obscurely pilose leaves and its obviously pedicellate flowers, which are larger in all parts. From the related S. microphyllum Sleumer, it is distinguished by its much larger leaves and flowers, its comparatively conspicuous calyx-lobes, and its campanulate (rather than apically contracted) corollas.
Ecuador South America|