Aniba ferrea Kubitzki

  • Authority

    Kubitzki, K. & Renner, Susanne S. 1982. Lauraceae I (Aniba and Aiouea). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 31: 1-125. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Lauraceae

  • Scientific Name

    Aniba ferrea Kubitzki

  • Type

    Type. Brazil. Amazonas: INPA 14906, fl, young fr (holotype, INPA; isotypes, M, NY).

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Arbor ligno denso, ramulis novellis tomentellis glabrescentibus; foliis spiraliter dispositis chartaceis vel subcoriaceis ovato-lanceolatis supra glaberrimis subtus ad costam nervosque laxe et appresse pilosis; paniculis divaricatis; floribus minute pilosis, tepalis subaequalibus intus glabris, staminibus seriei I et II antheris obtusis apice papillosis, seriei III antheris truncatis, staminodiis nullis, pistillo glabro vel subglabra.

    Species Description - Tree to 20 m x 30 cm; wood heavy; branchlets tomentellous, 2-3 mm in diam., glabrescent, terminal bud slender, 7 mm long, tomentellous. Leaves evenly distributed along branchlets, chartaceous or subcoriaceous, ovate-lanceolate, 2.6-3.3 times longer than wide, 10-22 x 3-8 cm, base obtuse, acute or angustate, apex acute and shortly acuminate, glabrous above, along midrib and nerves only slightly appressed-pilose, midrib and nerves prominent beneath, nerves 5-7 pairs, 3-8 mm from margin, arcuately fused, veins reticulate; margin flat; petioles slender, tomentellous, canaliculate, 0.7-1.8 cm long. Panicles subterminal in axils of persistent leaves or deciduous bracts, many-flowered, divaricate, to 8 cm long; peduncles tomentellous. Flowers campanulate, minutely pilose, 2.2-2.5 x 1.5-1.8 mm; floral tube inside at base glabrous; pedicels 2 mm long; tepals erect, thin, inside subglabrous and provided with translucent dots, the outer narrower than the inner ones, 1.2-1.5 mm long; stamens 1-1.2 mm long, of ser. I and II with obtuse, papillose anthers, large cells and hirsute filaments narrower than anthers (especially in ser. II), of ser. III with truncate, glabrous anthers, large cells and slightly hirsute, biglandulose filaments; staminodes absent; pistil glabrous or slightly pilose, 1.8-2.2 mm long; style as long as ovary; stigma minute, oblique. Mature berry unknown; cupule subhemispherical, margin undulate, outside granulate, 1 x 1.3 cm; pedicel thick, woody.

  • Discussion

    The specific epithet of this species is derived from the vernacular name “louro ferro” which alludes to the iron-like hardness of the wood.

    This new species seems to be limited to the surroundings of Manaus, a region which is known to harbor many endemics. It is most closely related to A. canelilla with which it corresponds in the shape of the leaves, the divaricate inflorescences, the shape of the stamens, and the structure of the wood. It differs from that species by: the smaller size difference between the outer and inner tepals; the thin, pellucid-punctate tepals; the glabrous pistil; and the more prominent venation of the lower leaf surface and the absence of smell of cinnamon.

  • Distribution

    In high, non-inundated forest. Flowers Jun, Jul; fruits Nov-Jan.

    Brazil South America| Amazonas Brazil South America|