Barneby, Rupert C. & Krukoff, Boris A. 1971. Supplementary notes on American Menispermaceae. VIII. A generic survey of the American Tricilisisae and Anomospermeae. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 22: 1-89.
Menispermaceae
Latin Diagnosis - A subsp. chlorantho foliorum lamina intricatius reticulata, areolis majoribus ± 0.1 mm diam, necnon endocarpii testa intus undulato-venosa dentibus ingressis haud armata sed ala latiuscula dorsali praedita absimilis.
Species Description - Fruiting peduncle slender, 1.6-2.2 cm long, ±1.5 mm diam; drupe 2.7-3.3 cm long, 1.8-2.6 cm diam, the exocarp 0.6-1.2 mm thick, the mesocarp almost 0; endocarp 2.4-3 cm long, the ligneous testa 0.7-1.2 mm thick, externally smooth between the incised veinlets, within undulately veiny but unarmed, the thin vertical wing intruded from the long dorsal curve ± 2 mm wide (Krukoff 9118; Idrobo 2631).
Distribution and Ecology - Distribution (5 collections): Amazon Basin, mostly on terra firme, from the mouth of Rio Tapajos west to the foothills of the Andes on Rios Marañon and Putumayo, where reaching 390 m.
The subsp. confusum has passed for genuine A. chloranthum but differs in the fine reticulation of the leaf-blades combined with a characteristic endocarp. This is smooth externaUy, without dimples or any well-defined keel around the long dorsal curve and is unarmed within except for the exceptionally wide wing intruded into the endosperm.
Possibly referable to subsp. confusum are two sterile collections (Froes 12168/79, 12180/91, NY, US) from Rio Tonantins in Amazonas, Brazil. These resemble subsp. confusum in general aspect but the fine reticulation of the upper leaf-surface is sunk beneath the smooth epidermis, the blade therefore smooth and lustrous. The specimens have been cited in the past as A. froesii (= A. solimoesanum), but differ from that species as now understood in having the reticulation of the lower leaf-surface slightly raised, not incised. Matching specimens with flowers and fruits are required to settle the status of these plants.