Aspidosperma
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Authority
Rusby, Henry H. 1927. Descriptions of New Genera and Species of Plants Collected on the Mulford Biological Exploration of the Amazon Valley 1921-1922. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 7: 205-387.
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Family
Apocynaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Mature carpels woody, stipitate, the stipe 3 or 4 cm. long, nearly 1 cm. thick, the valves to 1.4 dm. long, 1.1 dm. broad, the dorsal outline nearly semicircular, the ventral moderately curved, the style-scar below the summit, connected with the summit of the dorsal curve by a straight or slightly concave line 2.5 or 3 cm. long. Carpel strongly flattened, with the entire margin strongly and broadly thickened, the surface very densely and finely tomentellate and flabellately many-nerved, blackish or deep-chocolate-colored in the dried state. Seed, including the wing, to 8 cm. broad, nearly circular, the body 4 cm. broad, the wing lacinately cleft. Entire surface of seed and wing of palebrown color, the semicircular hilum blackish-brown, 1.5 cm. broad. The leaves are alternate, or the first two opposite, with obtuse base and very shortly produced obtuse summit. Secondaries 8 to 10 on each side, ascending and crooked.
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Discussion
These interesting specimens consist of mature fruits, with their contained seeds, picked up beneath the trees, and seedling plants, with cotyledons attached. Some young and very tender leaves are present. Since part of their leaves are attached to the seedlings, it is probable that all of them have so originated.
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Distribution
Tumapasa, 1,500 feet, Martin Cardenas, December 9, 1921 (no. 1985). "A large tree, with very hard wood, in forest. Local name 'Mete' (pronounced May-tay)." Species obviously related to A. Pohliana Muell. Arg. Probably undescribed, although it may be a named species of which the fruit is heretofore unknown.
Bolivia South America|