Monographs Details:
Authority:
Prance, Ghillean T. & Mori, S. A. 1979. Lecythidaceae - Part I. The actinomorphic-flowered New World Lecythidaceae (Asteranthos, Gustavia, Grias, Allantoma & Cariniana). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 21: 1-270. (Published by NYBG Press)
Prance, Ghillean T. & Mori, S. A. 1979. Lecythidaceae - Part I. The actinomorphic-flowered New World Lecythidaceae (Asteranthos, Gustavia, Grias, Allantoma & Cariniana). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 21: 1-270. (Published by NYBG Press)
Family:
Lecythidaceae
Lecythidaceae
Synonyms:
Pirigara superba Kunth, Gustavia superba var. salviniae Hemsl., Japarandiba superba (Kunth) Kuntze
Pirigara superba Kunth, Gustavia superba var. salviniae Hemsl., Japarandiba superba (Kunth) Kuntze
Description:
Description - Trees, to 20 m x 25 cm, sparsely branched, the leaf-bearing branches 5-20 mm in diameter, often arching upwards, the leaves tightly compacted at their ends. Bark brown, slightly fissured. Leaf blades oblanceolate, 25-128 x 6-25 cm, glabrous, chartaceous, with 16-36 pairs of lateral veins, long tapered to an acute or cuneate base; apices acuminate; margins serrate. Petioles 5-150 x 1-9 mm, semi-circular in cross section. Inflorescences cauline, racemose, puberulous, with 3-12 flowers, the rachis 10-64 mm; pedicels 29-85 mm, subtended by a single ovate to oblong basal bract 1.8-4 X 1.5-5 mm and bearing at or below the middle 2 ovate, cucullate bracteoles 1-6 x 1.5-5.5 mm wide, the latter often fused at their bases to form a cup-like structure which encircles the pedicel, the cup often with inconspicuous nectaries in the axils (only easily seen in pickled young flowers). Flowers 10-15 cm in diamter; calyx entire or very slightly 4-lobed; petals (7-)8(-9), obovate, oblanceolate, or oblong, 33-67 x 12-37 mm, glabrous or puberulous, white with pink at the apex and with pink speckles throughout; connate androecial base 8-15 mm high, the outermost filaments 10-23 mm, yellow at base pink at apex; anthers 2.5-4 mm, yellow; ovary smooth, puberulous, (5-)6-locular, with 18-30 ovules per locule, puberulous at the summit; style 1-2 mm; stigma with 6(-7) lobes. Fruits globose or depressed globose, 30-90 x 40-100 mm, the opercular region sunken below the fruit surface and less than 1/2 the diameter of the fruit diameter, the calyx forming a raised, entire, circular rim, yellow at maturity; mesocarp orange. Seeds usually angled in cross section, 12-35 × 11-22 mm, without distinctive funicle, x = 34.
Description - Trees, to 20 m x 25 cm, sparsely branched, the leaf-bearing branches 5-20 mm in diameter, often arching upwards, the leaves tightly compacted at their ends. Bark brown, slightly fissured. Leaf blades oblanceolate, 25-128 x 6-25 cm, glabrous, chartaceous, with 16-36 pairs of lateral veins, long tapered to an acute or cuneate base; apices acuminate; margins serrate. Petioles 5-150 x 1-9 mm, semi-circular in cross section. Inflorescences cauline, racemose, puberulous, with 3-12 flowers, the rachis 10-64 mm; pedicels 29-85 mm, subtended by a single ovate to oblong basal bract 1.8-4 X 1.5-5 mm and bearing at or below the middle 2 ovate, cucullate bracteoles 1-6 x 1.5-5.5 mm wide, the latter often fused at their bases to form a cup-like structure which encircles the pedicel, the cup often with inconspicuous nectaries in the axils (only easily seen in pickled young flowers). Flowers 10-15 cm in diamter; calyx entire or very slightly 4-lobed; petals (7-)8(-9), obovate, oblanceolate, or oblong, 33-67 x 12-37 mm, glabrous or puberulous, white with pink at the apex and with pink speckles throughout; connate androecial base 8-15 mm high, the outermost filaments 10-23 mm, yellow at base pink at apex; anthers 2.5-4 mm, yellow; ovary smooth, puberulous, (5-)6-locular, with 18-30 ovules per locule, puberulous at the summit; style 1-2 mm; stigma with 6(-7) lobes. Fruits globose or depressed globose, 30-90 x 40-100 mm, the opercular region sunken below the fruit surface and less than 1/2 the diameter of the fruit diameter, the calyx forming a raised, entire, circular rim, yellow at maturity; mesocarp orange. Seeds usually angled in cross section, 12-35 × 11-22 mm, without distinctive funicle, x = 34.
Discussion:
Ecology. This species, known throughout its range as “Membrillo,” is one of the most conspicuous elements of tropical moist and wet forests where it occurs. Its large leaves, tufted at the ends of stout branches make this understory tree easily recognizable. Because of its ability to sprout from cut stems it is common in secondary as well as undisturbed habitats.Flowering occurs from the middle of January through May (early dry season to early wet season) and fruits are produced from March through August (late dry season to middle wet season). Mori and Kallunki (1976) have studied the floral biology and phenology of G. superba in considerable detail.The pedicellary bracteoles of G. superba are usually fused at the bases and margins to form a small, shallow cup which surrounds the pedicel. Within the cup there are small structures which appear to function as nectaries. If they are nectaries their function may be to attract ants which in turn protect the flowers against insect attack. I have seen no evidence of similar nectaries in other species of Gustavia.
Ecology. This species, known throughout its range as “Membrillo,” is one of the most conspicuous elements of tropical moist and wet forests where it occurs. Its large leaves, tufted at the ends of stout branches make this understory tree easily recognizable. Because of its ability to sprout from cut stems it is common in secondary as well as undisturbed habitats.Flowering occurs from the middle of January through May (early dry season to early wet season) and fruits are produced from March through August (late dry season to middle wet season). Mori and Kallunki (1976) have studied the floral biology and phenology of G. superba in considerable detail.The pedicellary bracteoles of G. superba are usually fused at the bases and margins to form a small, shallow cup which surrounds the pedicel. Within the cup there are small structures which appear to function as nectaries. If they are nectaries their function may be to attract ants which in turn protect the flowers against insect attack. I have seen no evidence of similar nectaries in other species of Gustavia.
Distribution:
Panama Central America| Veraguas Panama Central America| Coclé Panamá Central America| Panamá Panama Central America| Canal Zone Panamá Central America| Darién Panamá Central America| Colombia South America| Chocó Colombia South America| Antioquia Colombia South America| Bolívar Colombia South America|
Panama Central America| Veraguas Panama Central America| Coclé Panamá Central America| Panamá Panama Central America| Canal Zone Panamá Central America| Darién Panamá Central America| Colombia South America| Chocó Colombia South America| Antioquia Colombia South America| Bolívar Colombia South America|
Common Names:
Membrillo, Membrillo Hembra, Vaga-local, Wild Mango, Membrillo, Paco
Membrillo, Membrillo Hembra, Vaga-local, Wild Mango, Membrillo, Paco