Thibaudia albiflora A.C.Sm.
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Authority
1937. Phytologia. 1: 209.
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Family
Ericaceae
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Scientific Name
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Type
Type: Ecuador. Cotopaxi: [León]: Cantón Pajili, Hacienda Solento, near Santa Rosa, 1000 m, 17-20 Nov 1934 (fl), Mexia 6682 (holotype, NY, photo NY neg. 9715; isotypes, GH, K, S, UC, US).
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Description
Species Description - Epiphytic shrub with lianoid branches to 4 m; stem terete, striate-reticulate, glabrous, gray to stramineous; twigs subterete to complanate and bluntly angled, striate weakly puberulent. Leaves subcoriaceous, ovate-elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, 17-30 x 5-10 cm, basally rounded or obtuse, apically short- to long-acuminate, essentially glabrous or weakly puberulent along nerves above; 5-7-plinerved, the inner pair of lateral nerves arising from near the base to 4.5 cm above, midrib thickened proximally, plane to weakly impressed above and raised beneath, lateral nerves plane to ± impressed above and raised beneath, reticulate veinlets slightly raised but obscure on both surfaces; petiole terete, rugose, stout, 6-11 mm long, glabrous. Inflorescence in axils of fallen leaves along older wood, paniculate, 25-75-flowered, up to four per axil; rachises (primary 11 cm and lateral 3-6 cm) angled, 3-11 cm long, puberulent; floral bract membranous, ovate, long-acuminate, 1-2 mm long, puberulent, ciliate, marginally glandular-fimbriate; pedicel subterete, angled, striate, 10-12 mm long, puberulent; bracteoles basal, similar to floral bract, but ca. 1 mm long. Flowers with calyx articulate, rugose, ca. 4 mm long, weakly puberulent and glandular-fimbriate; hypanthium campanulate, ca. 2 mm long; limb spreading, ca. 2 mm long; lobes broadly triangular, acute, ca. 1 mm long; sinuses rounded; corolla cylindric, 10-12 mm long and 4 mm diam., pink to white, glabrous, the lobes triangular, obtuse, ca. 1 mm long; stamen alternately slightly unequal, 9 and 9.5 mm long; filaments connate, 3.5 mm long, glabrous; anthers alternately 7.5 mm and 6.5 mm long; thecae alternately 4.5 mm and 4 mm long; tubules 3 and 2.5 mm long; style about as long as corolla, glabrous. Berry not seen.
Distribution and Ecology - Endemic to Ecuador; tropical moist, wet and rainforest, to premontane wet and rainforest, at 450-1330 m altitude.
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Discussion
Taxonomic notes: I think Thibaudia paniculata and T. archeri (from southern Colombia) are conspecific with T. albiflora, but would like more material from Colombia before I combine the species. Thibaudia paniculata and T. archeri were both published by Smith (1932) in the same revision. Thibaudia albiflora was published later (Smith, 1937). In my opinion, the holotype specimen of Thibaudia paniculata (US) appears to be a mixed collection, with the leaves not matching the infloresence (they are separate pieces on the sheet). If this proves to be true, then the oldest valid name for this complex is Thibaudia archeri. The Colombian specimens need to be studied in more detail before I can make this final decision. Uses: Ecuador: medicinally as a bath with leaves and flowers for aching body when the pains cannot be located.
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Common Names
vishitoro wich