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
Description:
Description - Trees, to 30 m x 60 cm. Bark brown, smooth. Leaf blades oblanceolate or spathulate, 73-167 x 14-42 cm, glabrous, with inconspicuous reddish papillae abaxially, coriaceous, with 35-45 pairs of lateral veins; apices acuminate; bases cuneate, narrowly decurrent to leaf attachment; margins obscurely revolute, with inconspicuous reddish scars. Petioles lacking to 195 x 9-25 mm, semicircular in cross section. Inflorescences racemose, cauline, glabrous, with 1-2 flowers; pedicels 10-25 mm, with a single ovate, scale-like basal bract 1-4 x 1.5-4 mm, with the bracteoles not evident at anthesis. Flowers 6 cm in diameter; calyx completely enclosing the bud, then apiculate, splitting into 2-4 irregular lobes at anthesis; petals 4, elliptic or oblong, white or yellow, 25 x 10 mm; androecium with 120-180 stamens, the connate androecial base 1.5 mm high, the outermost filaments 7-12 mm, the anthers 0.6-0.8 mm; ovary glabrous or puberulous, (3-)4-locular, each locule with 1-4 ovules; style nearly lacking, less than 0.5 mm; stigma with 4 lobes. Fruits oblong or obovate, brown, 80-110 x 30-48 mm, with 8 longitudinal ribs, the mesocarp orange, 4 mm thick. Seeds 65 x 25 mm, the integument hard, with 7-8 salient vertical lines.
Description - Trees, to 30 m x 60 cm. Bark brown, smooth. Leaf blades oblanceolate or spathulate, 73-167 x 14-42 cm, glabrous, with inconspicuous reddish papillae abaxially, coriaceous, with 35-45 pairs of lateral veins; apices acuminate; bases cuneate, narrowly decurrent to leaf attachment; margins obscurely revolute, with inconspicuous reddish scars. Petioles lacking to 195 x 9-25 mm, semicircular in cross section. Inflorescences racemose, cauline, glabrous, with 1-2 flowers; pedicels 10-25 mm, with a single ovate, scale-like basal bract 1-4 x 1.5-4 mm, with the bracteoles not evident at anthesis. Flowers 6 cm in diameter; calyx completely enclosing the bud, then apiculate, splitting into 2-4 irregular lobes at anthesis; petals 4, elliptic or oblong, white or yellow, 25 x 10 mm; androecium with 120-180 stamens, the connate androecial base 1.5 mm high, the outermost filaments 7-12 mm, the anthers 0.6-0.8 mm; ovary glabrous or puberulous, (3-)4-locular, each locule with 1-4 ovules; style nearly lacking, less than 0.5 mm; stigma with 4 lobes. Fruits oblong or obovate, brown, 80-110 x 30-48 mm, with 8 longitudinal ribs, the mesocarp orange, 4 mm thick. Seeds 65 x 25 mm, the integument hard, with 7-8 salient vertical lines.
Discussion:
Ecology. Romero-Castañeda (1961) reports that G. haughtii prospers on periodically inundated alluvial soils at elevations less than 400 meters.According to Romero-Castañeda (1961) the pulp of the fruit ( = mesocarp) has an agreeable taste and is eaten raw or cooked in syrup. He suggests that its exploitation should be studied because the pulp appears to contain a high percentage of vitamins and the fruits present no difficulties in transportation.
Ecology. Romero-Castañeda (1961) reports that G. haughtii prospers on periodically inundated alluvial soils at elevations less than 400 meters.According to Romero-Castañeda (1961) the pulp of the fruit ( = mesocarp) has an agreeable taste and is eaten raw or cooked in syrup. He suggests that its exploitation should be studied because the pulp appears to contain a high percentage of vitamins and the fruits present no difficulties in transportation.
Distribution:
Colombia South America| Antioquia Colombia South America| Santander Colombia South America|
Colombia South America| Antioquia Colombia South America| Santander Colombia South America|
Common Names:
Membrillo
Membrillo