Piptocarpha lechleri (Sch.Bip.) Baker

  • Authority

    Smith, Gerald L. & Coile, Nancy C. 2007. (Compositae: Vernonieae). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 99: 1--94. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Asteraceae

  • Scientific Name

    Piptocarpha lechleri (Sch.Bip.) Baker

  • Type

    Type. Peru. Pono: prope St. Gavan, Aug 1854, Lechler 2479 (holotype, B not extant, [as photos at F, GH, NY]; lectotype here designated from isotypes, K; isolectotype, G).

  • Synonyms

    Carphobolus lechleri Sch.Bip., Piptocarpha vismiifolia Gleason, Piptocarpha longifolia Gleason

  • Description

    Species Description - Robust scandent shrubs, branches widely spreading, pendulous, lateral branchlets shorter, numerous, cinereous-tomentulose-lepidote. Leaves not crowded along the branches; petioles stout, 10-20 mm long; blades large, 10-15(-22) x (3-)5-7(-10) cm, coriaceous, lanceolate, acuminate at the apex, oblique at the base, margin slightly revolute and remotely toothed, glabrous above, cinereous to yellowish brown-stellate-tomentose, gland-dotted below, 6-10 pairs of lateral veins. Inflorescences dense, axillary, globose, umbellate clusters of 9-20 heads. Heads with (10-) 15-20 florets, stoutly pedicellate, solitary or in groups of 2-3 on stout peduncles of a uniform length giving an umbellate appearance of inflorescences; involucres broadly campanulate at maturity, 8-9(-10) x 4.5-5.5 mm; phyllaries imbricate in 5-6 series, glabrate, slightly darkened and subobtuse at tip, margin minutely ciliate, outer ones ovate or elliptic, inner ones lanceolate to linear. Corollas glabrate, tube 4-5 mm long, lobes 1.5-2.5 mm long; anthers 3.5-4 mm long, basal auricles sharply caudate, ca. 1 mm long. Pappus white to light straw-colored, indistinctly biseriate, inner bristles 5-6 mm long, outer bristles inconspicuous, less than 1 mm long, totally absent on some achenes. Achenes 3-3.5 mm long, glabrate, 10-costate.

  • Discussion

    Piptocarpha lechleri is similar to P. prancei and to P. opaca, with which it may hybridize in areas of sympatric distribution in northern Peru. It is distinguished from these species by its larger lanceolate leaves and umbellate inflorescences with stout peduncles.

  • Distribution

    Piptocarpha lechleri is found in the Peruvian Andes to western Bolivia. The plants grow in dense montane rainforests but in areas exposed to sunlight. Elevation is 360-1600 m. Flowering and fruiting occur from Jun to Nov.

    Cusco Peru South America| Junín Peru South America| La Paz Bolivia South America|