Monographs Details:
Authority:
Mori, S. A. & Prance, Ghillean T. 1990. Lecythidaceae - Part II: The zygomorphic-flowered New World genera (Couroupita, Corythophora, Bertholletia, Couratari, Eschweilera, & Lecythis). With a study of secondary xylem of Neotropical Lecythidaceae by Carl de Zeeuw. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 21: 1-376. (Published by NYBG Press)
Mori, S. A. & Prance, Ghillean T. 1990. Lecythidaceae - Part II: The zygomorphic-flowered New World genera (Couroupita, Corythophora, Bertholletia, Couratari, Eschweilera, & Lecythis). With a study of secondary xylem of Neotropical Lecythidaceae by Carl de Zeeuw. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 21: 1-376. (Published by NYBG Press)
Family:
Lecythidaceae
Lecythidaceae
Synonyms:
Barthollesia Silva Manso
Barthollesia Silva Manso
Description:
Description - Large trees. Inflorescences terminal or axillary, spikes or paniculate arrangements of spikes. Flowers zygomorphic; calyx lobes two large and oblong, navicular, the apex often obscurely 3-den-tate; petals six; androecium zygomorphic, the appendages of the hood swept inwards but not forming a coil, antherless; style usually long and geniculate, rarely shorter than stamens; ovary (3-)4(-6) locular. Fruit round or almost round, falling from tree with seeds intact at maturity, with an inconspicuous calycine ring at flattened apex forming circle 3.5-4.5 cm diam., the exocarp crustaceous, the mesocarp cracking when dry, ca. 5 mm thick, easily detaching from endocarp, the endocarp very hard and woody, to 5 mm thick, the exterior with much channeled and pitted surface, the operculum very small, less than 1.5 diam., falling into fruit at dehiscence. Seeds 10-25, triangular in cross section, the testa very hard and woody, without funicle, the embryo undifferentiated, the cotyledons present only as two inconspicuous scales. X = 17.
Description - Large trees. Inflorescences terminal or axillary, spikes or paniculate arrangements of spikes. Flowers zygomorphic; calyx lobes two large and oblong, navicular, the apex often obscurely 3-den-tate; petals six; androecium zygomorphic, the appendages of the hood swept inwards but not forming a coil, antherless; style usually long and geniculate, rarely shorter than stamens; ovary (3-)4(-6) locular. Fruit round or almost round, falling from tree with seeds intact at maturity, with an inconspicuous calycine ring at flattened apex forming circle 3.5-4.5 cm diam., the exocarp crustaceous, the mesocarp cracking when dry, ca. 5 mm thick, easily detaching from endocarp, the endocarp very hard and woody, to 5 mm thick, the exterior with much channeled and pitted surface, the operculum very small, less than 1.5 diam., falling into fruit at dehiscence. Seeds 10-25, triangular in cross section, the testa very hard and woody, without funicle, the embryo undifferentiated, the cotyledons present only as two inconspicuous scales. X = 17.
Discussion:
Bertholletia is easily separated from all other genera of Lecythidaceae by its round fruits which fall with the seeds intact at maturity. Because the diameter of the opercular opening is smaller than the size of the seeds, the seeds remain inside until they are removed by agoutis (Dasyprocta spp.). The combination of triangular seeds, hard, woody testa, and undifferentiated embryo is found only in this genus. In flower, the genus is readily recognized by its two, navicular calyx lobes, zygomorphic androecium with inwardly swept hood appendages, and relatively long, geniculate style. The papillate abaxial leaf surface, especially visible with the SEM, is found only in Bertholletia (fig. 4A-B in Prance & Mori, 1979) and a few species of Lecythis (Fig. 96).
Bertholletia is easily separated from all other genera of Lecythidaceae by its round fruits which fall with the seeds intact at maturity. Because the diameter of the opercular opening is smaller than the size of the seeds, the seeds remain inside until they are removed by agoutis (Dasyprocta spp.). The combination of triangular seeds, hard, woody testa, and undifferentiated embryo is found only in this genus. In flower, the genus is readily recognized by its two, navicular calyx lobes, zygomorphic androecium with inwardly swept hood appendages, and relatively long, geniculate style. The papillate abaxial leaf surface, especially visible with the SEM, is found only in Bertholletia (fig. 4A-B in Prance & Mori, 1979) and a few species of Lecythis (Fig. 96).
Distribution:
Brazil South America| Venezuela South America| Guyana South America| Suriname South America| French Guiana South America| Peru South America| Bolivia South America|
Brazil South America| Venezuela South America| Guyana South America| Suriname South America| French Guiana South America| Peru South America| Bolivia South America|