Cavendishia spicata A.C.Sm.
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Authority
Luteyn, James L. 1983. Ericaceae--part I. Cavendishia. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 35: 1-290. (Published by NYBG Press)
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Family
Ericaceae
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Scientific Name
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Type
Type. Colombia. Valle: Peak SE of La Cumbre, 2200-2400 m, 14-19 May 1922 (fl, fr), Pennell & Killip 5801 (holotype, US, photo NY neg. 9152 and ACS neg. 8; isotypes, GH, K, NY, photo NY neg. 9711).
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Description
Species Description - "Low tree"-, mature branches terete, glabrous, smooth; twigs subterete, bluntly angled, coarsely puberulous. Leaves oblong, elliptic, or rarely ovate-elliptic, 3-6.5 X 1.5-3 cm, basally obtuse or rounded, apically bluntly short-acuminate, glabrous above, sparsely short-pilose along veins beneath, glandular-fimbriate beneath; 5(-7)-plinerved from near base, midrib thickened and raised through proximal 1 cm otherwise impressed above, inner two pairs of lateral nerves impressed while outer pair inconspicuous but raised above, reticulate veinlets raised above, all nerves raised beneath; petioles subterete, rugose, puberulent, to 4 mm long and 1.5 mm diam. Inflorescence 20-60-flowered; rachis subterete to sharply angled, coarsely puberulent, (3.5-)7.5-18 cm long and 1-1.4 mm in diam., glandular-fimbriate; floral bracts caducous, oblong, acute, ca. 4 X 2 mm, ciliate and marginally glandular-fimbriate; pedicels subterete, striate, puberulent, ca. 5 mm long, glandular-fimbriate especially at junction with calyx; bracteoles ovate, 0.3-0.4 mm long, ciliate, marginally glandular-fimbriate with fimbriae longer than bracteole itself. Flowers: calyx glabrous although lobes sometimes puberulent, ca. 3.3 mm long; hypanthium cylindric, 1.3 mm long, basally truncate with a short rim; limb erecto-patent, 2 mm long; lobes triangular, 0.5-0.8 mm long, suberect after anthesis, glabrous or sometimes puberulent, marginally with 2-4 short, stout, glandular fimbriae which may fuse laterally; sinus broadly rounded; corolla cylindric, glabrous, ca. 6.6 mm long and 2.5 mm in diam., lobes deltoid, 0.8 mm long, strongly reflexed at anthesis; stamens 5-5.3 mm long; filaments puberulent medially, alternately 1.4-1.5 mm and 2.2 mm long; anthers alternately ca. 4 mm and 3.5 mm long; thecae alternately ca. 1 mm and 1.3 mm long; style strongly exserted at anthesis, ca. 7.6 mm long. Berry ca. 7-8 mm diam.
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Discussion
Cavendishia spicata is characterized by small, bluntly short-acuminate leaves; many-flowered inflorescences; long, thin rachises; caducous floral bracts; short pedicels, calyces, and corollas; and intermediate elevation. Its relationships to C. isernii and C. palustris are discussed with C. isernii.
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Distribution
Known only from the type collection, the label of which states that the plant was growing in “forest.” The type was flowering and fruiting in May.
Valle Colombia South America| Colombia South America|