Monographs Details:
Authority:
Ewan, Joseph A. 1962. Synopsis of the South American species of Vismia (Guttiferae). Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 35: 293-377. pls. 1-5.
Ewan, Joseph A. 1962. Synopsis of the South American species of Vismia (Guttiferae). Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 35: 293-377. pls. 1-5.
Family:
Clusiaceae
Clusiaceae
Description:
Description - [No description provided in this project.]
Description - [No description provided in this project.]
Discussion:
Vismia sprucei is well marked by the shining amphiglabrous leaves with areolate veins. V. obtusa shares the same crowded habit of its foliage, especially below the inflorescence, but in that species the blades are rounded or barely acute not apiculate, the upper leaf surface is dull, the petioles are generally longer, and the texture thinner. The sepals even in bud are glabrous; in V. obtusa, they are tomentose, the tomentum thinning in age. V. sprucei varies in leaf shape from oval, the usual typical condition, to lanceolate. Like V. obtusa, it is constant in having the leaves punctate, with marginal vein-loops. On the trail to San Ramón, near Yurimaguas, Loreto, Peru, Mrs. Mexía noted this species (her no. 6078) as a "shrub 3 m. high, many branched; white flowers; juice orange-colored, staining. Abundant." She recorded the vernacular name as "pichirina." During my early studies of the genus I thought Vismia sprucei undescribed, overlooking Sprague's description and the isotype preserved in the New York Botanical Garden, and named the presumed new species for Ynes Mexía (1870-1938). Collections encountered that are so annotated should be referred to this species.
Vismia sprucei is well marked by the shining amphiglabrous leaves with areolate veins. V. obtusa shares the same crowded habit of its foliage, especially below the inflorescence, but in that species the blades are rounded or barely acute not apiculate, the upper leaf surface is dull, the petioles are generally longer, and the texture thinner. The sepals even in bud are glabrous; in V. obtusa, they are tomentose, the tomentum thinning in age. V. sprucei varies in leaf shape from oval, the usual typical condition, to lanceolate. Like V. obtusa, it is constant in having the leaves punctate, with marginal vein-loops. On the trail to San Ramón, near Yurimaguas, Loreto, Peru, Mrs. Mexía noted this species (her no. 6078) as a "shrub 3 m. high, many branched; white flowers; juice orange-colored, staining. Abundant." She recorded the vernacular name as "pichirina." During my early studies of the genus I thought Vismia sprucei undescribed, overlooking Sprague's description and the isotype preserved in the New York Botanical Garden, and named the presumed new species for Ynes Mexía (1870-1938). Collections encountered that are so annotated should be referred to this species.