Piptocarpha poeppigiana (DC.) 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 poeppigiana (DC.) Baker

  • Type

    Type. Peru. Loreto: subandina, in sylvis ad Pampayaco, s.d., Poeppig 1425 (holotype, G-DC [IDC microfiche]; [also as photo at NY]; isotypes, B [also as photos at GH, NY], BM, G, P).

  • Synonyms

    Vernonia poeppigiana DC., Cacalia poeppigiana (DC.) Kuntze, Vernonia tereticaulis DC., Carphobolus tereticaulis (DC.) Sch.Bip., Piptocarpha chontalensis, Piptocarpha costaricensis Klatt, Piptocarpha laxa Rusby, Piptocarpha paraensis Cabrera

  • Description

    Species Description - Robust scandent shrubs, branches widely spreading, pendulous, cinereous to yellowish brown-tomentulose-lepidote. Leaves not crowded along the branchlets; petioles 10-25 mm long; blades large, 7-20 x 4-10 cm, coriaceous, shape variable, elliptic to oblong to broadly ovate, acute to acuminate at the apex, oblique at the base, margin slightly and remotely toothed, glabrous above, cinereous to yellowish brown-stellate-tomentose, occasionally gland-dotted below, 6-8 pairs of lateral veins. Inflorescences axillary, dense corymbose clusters of 20-60 heads. Heads with six florets, solitary or in groups of 2-3 on tomentose peduncles; involucres ovoid to narrowly campanulate, 5-6 x 3-4 mm; phyllaries imbricate in four series, glabrate to tomentulose, acute at apex, margin ciliate to arachnoid, outer ones triangular ovate, inner ones oblong to linear-elliptic, curved or bow-shaped. Corollas cream-colored, glabrate, tube 4-5 mm long, lobes 1.5-3 mm long; anthers 3-3.5 mm long, basal auricles sharply caudate, 0.7-1 mm long. Pappus white, weakly biseriate, inner bristles filiform, 5- 6(-6.5) mm long, outer bristles irregular and inconspicuous, less than 1 mm long. Achenes 2.5-3 mm long, 10-costate, gland-dotted (Fig. 14).

  • Discussion

    Piptocarpha poeppigiana is easily recognized by its habit, large coriaceous leaves, and dense axillary, corymbose clusters of heads.

  • Common Names

    Brassi negro

  • Distribution

    Piptocarpha poeppigiana is found from southern Mexico to central Bolivia. The robust climbing shrubs grow in forests along river systems and in coastal northern South America along river systems. Elevation is 100 to 1000 m. Flowering and fruiting occur chiefly from Mar to Jun in Central America and from Jul to Nov in South America.

    Pichincha Ecuador South America| Veracruz Mexico North America| Alta Verapaz Guatemala Central America| Belize Central America| Cortés Honduras Central America| San José Costa Rica Central America| Panamá Panama Central America| Meta Colombia South America| Delta Amacuro Venezuela South America| Guyana South America| Amazonas Peru South America| Huánuco Peru South America| Junín Peru South America| Loreto Peru South America| San Martín Peru South America| La Paz Bolivia South America| Cusco Peru South America|