Agarista organensis (Gardner) Hook.f. ex Nied.

  • Authority

    Luteyn, James L., et al. 1995. Ericaceae, Part II. The Superior-Ovaried Genera (Monotropoideae, Pyroloideae, Rhododendroideae, and Vaccinioideae P.P.). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 66: 560. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Ericaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Agarista organensis (Gardner) Hook.f. ex Nied.

  • Type

    Type. Brazil. Rio de Janeiro: Serra dos Orgaos, ca. 1675 m, May 1837, Gardner 475 (lectotype, K; isolectotypes, F (frag.), G, n.v., GH, NY, P; photos of isolectotype atG;F, GH).

  • Synonyms

    Leucothoe organensis Gardner

  • Description

    Species Description - Erect shrub to ca. 2 m tall; twigs very sparsely to moderately pubescent with nonchambered to clearly chambered pith; buds to ca. 0.7 mm long, leaves revolute. Leaves coriaceous, ovate (to elliptic), 0.5-1.7 × 0.15-0.8 cm, base cordate to truncate, apex acute- to rounded-mucronate, margin entire, strongly re volute, adaxial surface glabrous to sparsely pubescent on midvein, especially basal portion, abaxial surface glabrous to sparsely pubescent on midvein, usually with few very inconspicuous glandular dots along midvein; petiole 1.5-4 mm long. Inflorescences axillary, fascicle-like, often only few flowered racemes to 0.3-1.5 cm long, or flowers solitary and axillary; rachis moderately to densely pubescent; pedicels 4-8 mm long, sparsely to densely pubescent; bracteoles 2 to several, alternate to subopposite, from near base to near midpoint of pedicel, narrowly triangular, to ca. 0.9 mm long; floral bracts to ca. 1 mm long. Flowers with triangular calyx lobes, with acuminate apices, 1.1-2 × 0.5-1.2 mm, abaxial surface sparsely to moderately pubescent; corolla cylindrical, white to red(?), 6-7.5 × 2-4 mm, glabrous; filaments 4-4.5 mm long; anthers 1-1.3 mm long; ovary sparsely to moderately pubescent. Capsules short-ovoid, 3-5 × 4.5-6 mm, placentae subapical; seeds 1-3 mm long.

  • Discussion

    This poorly collected species, Agarista organensis, probably is closely related to A. chlorantha; for further discussion see that species. Agarista organensis is geographically isolated; within the genus, only A. oleifolia also occurs in the Serra dos Orgaos.

  • Objects

    Specimen - 390848, A. F. M. Glaziou 17119, Agarista organensis (Gardner) Hook.f. ex Nied., Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro

    Specimen - 10153, G. Gardner 475, Leucothoe organensis Gardner, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta, isolectotype; South America, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro

  • Distribution

    SE Brazil, Rio de Janiero, Serra dos Órgãos. Shrub bogs with Sphagnum; ca. 1500-1830 m elev. Flowering November through January.

    Brazil South America| Rio de Janeiro Brazil South America|