Maguire, Bassett & Wurdack, John J. 1964. The botany of the Guayana Highland--Part V. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 10: 1-278.
Melastomataceae
Latin Diagnosis - A var. capitellata differt spica contracta 1-1.5 cm longa. A var. dependenti (D. Don) Macbr. differt foliis supra et subtus sparse strigulosis.
Type. Arbolito 2 m, flores blancas, Sabana de Moyo on south bank of Rio Ventuari 15 k m above mouth, alt. 150 m, 5 May 1954, J. Silverio Level 28 (holotype US 2342385).
Following Macbride's interpretation in the Flora of Peru, typical C. capitellata has a spikelike inflorescence 3-8 cm long with interrupted verticels of flowers, while var. dependens (as to the Ruiz & Pavon type) has contracted spikes but upper leaf surfaces strigose with hairs 1-2 mm long. The upper leaf surfaces in var. levelii are sparsely strigulose, the hairs 0.5-0.7 mm long and l-2/mm2 The Venezuelan and Colombian lowland collections which, following Macbride, have been referred to var. dependens certainly have longer denser pubescence than the Peruvian type; from Hoehne 's description and plate, C. longisetosa Hoehne is part of this widespread population. Within all this variability however, var. levelii is quite distinct.