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Additional Resources:

Family:

Lecythidaceae (Magnoliophyta)

Accepted Name:

This name is currently accepted.

Description:

Author: Scott A. Mori

Type: See description of the species

Description: Leaf blades oblong, elliptic, or infrequently oblanceolate, 9-25 x 4-9 cm, the adaxial surface, dull, reticulate, without longitudinally oriented striations; secondary veins in 10-19 pairs. Calyx-lobes 2-5.5 x 2-4 mm. X = 17.

Common names: Venezuela: guacharaco, guacharaco rosado, guacharaco rojo. Guyana: wini bisi, wena kakaralli. Surinam: hiaroe kakaralli (Arawak language), hoogland oemanbarklak, kakarallie (Arawak language), oemanbarklak, savanne-oemanbarklak, watramini, wena kakaralli, woli kwatele. Brazil: matamata, morrao.

Distribution: This subspecies is found from eastern Venezuela throughout the Guianas into eastern Amazonian Brazil.

Ecology: Lecythis corrugata subsp. corrugata is a relatively common tree inhabiting moist forests on poorly drained clay soils, forests on sandy soils, and secondary forests.

Phenology: This subspecies flowers most profusely from Nov through Feb.

Pollination: Observations on the pollination biology of L. corrugata subsp. corrugata have been reported by Mori et al. (1978) and Mori and Boeke (1987). This subspecies appears to offer both nectar and fodder pollen as pollinator rewards. In this species there are differentiated anthers which bear yellow pollen on the ligular side of the staminal ring. In addition, a small amount of liquid, possibly nectar, is exuded from the hood when it is squeezed. The principal pollinators of L. corrugata in the Guianas are the large-bodied bees, Xylocopa sp. and Bombus cayennensis. Both enter the flowers with their heads toward the hood and apparently remove either nectar from the juncture of the hood with the appendage-free ligule or pollen from the differentiated anthers. In Corythophora amapaensis, a species with the exact same arrangement of differentiated anthers, it is clear that bees remove pollen from the differentiated anthers (Mori & Boeke, 1987). A less frequent bee visitor, Megachile sp., enters the flowers with its head toward the staminal ring, apparently to remove pollen from it. Further study of this species is needed in order to determine if nectar is produced in sufficient quantity to attract bees. Careful study of this species may help us to understand how nectar-producing species evolved from species that only offer pollen as a reward.

Dispersal: No observations recorded. Although I have not seen the aril of this species it probably possesses a basal aril that may serve as reward for seed dispersers, most likely bats.

Predation: Norconk and Veres (2011) report that a species of Chriopotes and a species of Pithecia eat young seeds of this subspecies (incorrectly reported as Eschwelera corrugata).

Field characters: Lecythis corrugata subsp. corrugata is characterized by a straight bole without buttresses; red or pink flowers; a flat, dorsiventrally expanded androecial hood; corrugate hypanthia and fruits, especially when the latter are young. The leaves are not smooth and shiny with striations adaxially as they are in subsp. rosea.

Taxonomic notes: Although I did not find the type of L. salebrosa at M, it is most certainly a synonym of L. corrugata subsp. corrugata. Not only does the protologue match the characters of L. corrugata but, more importantly, Eyma (1932), after examining the type, placed it in synonymy with L. corrugata. Lecythis rubicunda was based on two collections, Martin s.n. and Hostman 1260. The former represents L. persistens and the latter L. corrugata subsp. corrugata. Miers' reference to the white flowers of L. rubicunda alludes to the flowers of L. persistens. I have chosen Hostman 1260 as the lectotype of this name and therefore the name falls into synonymy under L. corrugata subsp. corrugata. The protologue of Lecythis venusta is based on the vegetative and flowering material of L. corrugata and the fruits of L. zabucajo Aubl. I am grateful to Nancy Murray and David Johnson for pointing out that Cymbopetalum venosum (Annonaceae) is based on the leaves of Lecythis corrugata subsp. corrugata and the fruits of Cymbopetalum brasiliense found in the packet on the holotype sheet at NY. The fruits with the isototype at CM are of L. corrugata subsp. corrugata. Because the species is based on the leaves, we have decided to place this name in synonymy here rather than with C. brasiliense.

Etymology: See description of Lecythis corrugata.

Uses: The bark of L. corrugata subsp. corrugata can be peeled in long strips which are used for cordage. The laminated outer bark has been employed as cigarette paper. The wood, which is resistant to decay and to toredo attack, finds some use as pilings. However, because the lumber is hard to saw and plane, takes nails poorly, turns poorly, and is hard to polish, it is of limited use in carpentry (Forest Dept. British Guiana, unpubl.data).

Etymology: See description of the species.

Flora and Monograph Treatment(s):

Lecythis corrugata Poit. subsp. corrugata: [Article] 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.