Pagamea capitata Benth.

  • Authority

    Maguire, Bassett. 1965. The Botany of the Guayana Highland. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 12 (3): 1-285.

  • Family

    Rubiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Pagamea capitata Benth.

  • Type

    Type. Roraima, Venezuela, 1842-43, Robert Schomburgk 578 (holotype K, isotype NY). Lobi corollae intus pubescentes.

  • Description

    Distribution and Ecology - Distribution. Shrub of upland sandy savannas and scrub forest at alt. 560-1220 m, Suriname (Tafelberg), British Guiana, and southeastern Venezuela in Estado Bolivar. SURINAME. Tafelberg, Maguire 24252, 24740. BRITISH GUIANA. Kaieteur Savanna, Potaro River, Jenman 867 (K, paratype of Cephaelis thibaudiaefolia); Kaieteur Plateau, Maguire d Fanshawe 23185, 23281; Arabaru River (Kako tributary), upper Mazaruni drainage, Pinkus 189; Samwarakna-tipu (Holi-tipu), Maguire d Fanshawe 32534. VENEZUELA. Roraima, Rob. Schomburgk 578 (holotype of Peigeimea capitata); northeast of Luepa, vicinity of km 150 in valley of savanna of Rio Uarama, Steyermark & Aristeguieta 62; Santa Teresita de Kavanayen northwest to Rio Karuai, Steyermark 59339; southwestern base of Ptari-tepui, between Rio Karuai and Salto de Iraba-naima, Steyermark 60700; Uaudapai, Kavanayen, Lasser 1782; northeast of Luepa, vicinity of km 150 in valley of savanna of Rio Uarama, Steyermeirk ds Nilsson 630; teraza de Guayaraca, Auyan-tepui, Vareschi & Foldats 4637; Mount Auyantepui, Tate 1164.

  • Discussion

    Although Bentham described the corolla-lobes as ''intus fere glabri," an examination of an isotype specimen (Schomburgk 578) shows the interior of the corolla-lobes to be densely puberulent. In all other respects his description applies to the characters evident on the isotype. The lower surface of the leaves of the type collection have moderately to densely pilose midrib and lateral nerves, and the lower surface itself, while mostly glabrous, m a y have a scattering of pilosulity. The axils of the lateral nerves at their junction with the midrib on the lower surface are rather noticeably barbate in the type collection. This barbate condition varies, as it is not present in the 3Iaguire-Fanshawe 23185 collection, but is obvious in the Steyermark 59339 collection and other collections cited.

  • Distribution

    Distribution. Shrub of upland sandy savannas and scrub forest at alt. 560-1220 m, Suriname (Tafelberg), British Guiana, and southeastern Venezuela in Estado Bolivar. SURINAME. Tafelberg, Maguire 24252, 24740.

    Guyana South America| Venezuela South America| South Africa Africa| Bolivia South America|