Gymnosiphon recurvatus Snelders & Maas

  • Authority

    Maas, Paulus J. M., et al. 1986. Burmanniaceae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 42: 1-189. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Burmanniaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Gymnosiphon recurvatus Snelders & Maas

  • Type

    Type. Guyana. Mazaruni River, 1-6 km N of Kamarang, 450-550 m, rain forest on lateritic gravel, P. J. M. Maas et al. 2530 (holotype, U + alc.; isotypes, BBS, COL, F, K, MO, NY, P, UG, US, VEN).

  • Description

    Species Description - Herbs, 4-25 cm high. Rhizome-scales narrowly ovate-triangular, 1.3-6 mm long, 0.4-0.8 mm wide, apex acute to acuminate. Stems white to purple, branched or not. Leaves broadly ovate, 1.2-2.3 mm long, 1-2 mm wide, apex obtuse. Inflorescence a bifurcate cincinnus, each cincinnus at an angle of 90° or more with the other, 0.6-4 cm long and 3-18-flowered. Bracts ovate to broadly ovate, 1.62 mm long, 1.3-1.6 mm wide, the basal ones to 3.6 mm long and 2 mm wide, apex obtuse, sometimes acute, often dark (in herbarium material). Pedicels 0.8-2.5 mm long. Internodes of infructescence (0.8-)l-4(-6) mm long. Flowers white, soon recurved, 7.5-8.4 mm long. Floral tube 4.4-5.4 mm long, slightly ribbed. Outer tepals 3-lobed, 2.1-3.4 mm long, 1-1.4 mm wide; central lobe depressed ovate-triangular, 0.3-0.5 mm long, 1-1.4 mm wide; lateral lobes depressed ovate, 0.3-0.4 mm long, 0.5-1 mm wide. Inner tepals ovate, swollen, 0.4-0.6 mm long, 0.3-0.4 mm wide. Connective without appendages. Style, including branches and stigmas, 3.5-3.7 mm long, branches with stigmas 0.5-1 mm long, stigmas horseshoe-shaped, sinus 0.2 mm deep, without appendages. Ovary transversely ellipsoid, 1-1.2 mm x 1.5-2 mm. Capsule ellipsoid to transversely ellipsoid, to 2.7 x 2.4 mm, with six slightly prominent longitudinal ribs, the persistent part of the floral tube including the capsule 3.3-4.8 mm long, the style exceeding the floral tube by 0.3-0.9 mm. Capsule longitudinally dehiscent, the three valves separating from base to apex, each valve split into two narrowly obovate parts cohering at the top; the three remaining ribs of the capsule and the three placentabearing ribs forming a lantern-like structure. Seeds 0.5-0.9 x 0.3-0.6 mm.

  • Discussion

    This species is closely related to G. guianensis; it is readily distinguished by its recurved flowers and by the absence of wings on the capsule. Maas et al. 2685 (U, alc., UG) shares some characters with G. recurvatus, but differs by its shorter style, a somewhat constricted floral tube, and much larger seeds.

  • Distribution

    Restricted to forests around Kamarang, Pakaraima Mts., Guyana. Locally very common, between 450 and 550 m; flowering in July, August, and November.

    Guyana South America|