Themistoclesia dependens (Benth.) A.C.Sm.
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Authority
1932. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 28(2): 442.
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Family
Ericaceae
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Scientific Name
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Type
Type: Colombia. Cauca: Near Pitayo, 3353 m, Hartweg 1209 (holotype, K-Herb. Benth., photo NY neg. 13011; isotypes, BREM, K-Herb. Hook., OXF).
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Description
Species Description - Terrestrial or epiphytic shrub with branches usually pendent to 4 m long; stem hispid with pale brown, spreading hairs ca. 1.5 mm long, glabrate; twigs subterete, sometimes strongly and sharply angled, densely long-hispid with ferruginous hairs to 2 mm long, also sparsely glandular-fimbriate. Leaves coriaceous, flat, ovate, 3-8 x (1.5-)2-3.5 cm, base subcordate or rounded, apex long-acuminate, essentially glabrous but sparsely hispid along the midrib beneath and near margin above; obscurely 5-plinerved, midrib impressed above and raised beneath, lateral nerves obscure; petiole 1-1.5 mm long, hispid with hairs ca. 0.7 mm long. Inflorescence short-racemose, 5-8-flowered; rachis slender, up to 1 cm long, glabrous, surrounded at base by numerous, ovate, acute, ciliate bracts to 2 mm long; floral bract deciduous, lanceolate-oblong, ca. 2 mm long, ciliate; pedicel subterete, angled, striate, rugose, 10-20 mm long, glabrous or sparsely hispid; bracteoles medial to basal, linear, ca. 1-1.5 mm long, sparsely hispid. Flowers with calyx 3-6 mm long, glabrous or hirsute; hypanthium obconic, rugose, 2-4 mm long; limb campanulate, spreading, 1.5-2 mm long; lobes apiculate, less than 1 mm long, sometimes obscure at anthesis; sinuses flat; corolla cylindric, 10-11 mm long, glabrous or sparsely pilose at apex when young, bright red with pale pink lobes, the lobes strongly reflexed, deltate, acute, 1-1.5 mm long; stamen ca. 9 mm long, slightly dimorphic; filaments ca. 1.5-2 mm long, glabrous; anthers ca. 7 mm long; thecae smooth, ca. 2.5 mm long; tubules 5.5-6 mm long, dehiscing by elongate pores ca. 2 mm long; style exserted, glabrous; nectariferous disc densely hirsute with short, white hairs. Berry not seen.
Distribution and Ecology - Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador; premontane to montane cloud forest, at 1890-2800(-3300) m altitude.