Persea borbonia var. humilis (Nash) L.E.Kopp
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Authority
Kopp, Lucille E. 1966. A tasonomic revision of the genus Persea in the Western Hemisphere (Perseae-Lauraceae). Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 14: 1-117.
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Family
Lauraceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Leaf-blades 3.5-8 cm. long, 1-3 cm. wide, densely cupreous-strigulose beneath, upper surface cupreous-strigulose when young.
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Discussion
Persea humilis Nash, Bull. Torrey Club 22: 157. 1895.
Tamala humilis (Nash) Small, FI. Southeastern U. S. 822. ed. 2. 1913.
Borbonia humilis (Nash) House, Am. Midi. Nat. 8: 63. 1922.
Type collection. Nash 574, Lake Co., Vicinity of Eustis. "Shrub 6-8 ft high Dry sand in scrub." May 1-15, 1894. (lectotype NY, isolectotypes B, F, GH, MO, NY, UC, US).
Though there is definitely an overlap in leaf-size and -shape between the two varieties of this species, the leaves of var. humilis do not attain the size of those of var. borbonia. The most readily discernible characteristic which distinguishes var. humilis is the cupreous-sericeous pubescence on the lower surface of the leaves. Nash recognized each variety as a distinct species and noted that P. humilis "flowers some 5 weeks later than P Borbonia," and in addition "occurs exclusively in the 'scrub' where it is very common."
This species, especially var. borbonia, is most closely related to P. palustris (which see), and they both exhibit a tendency toward longer lanceolate leaves in the northeastern part of the range, and shorter ovate leaves in Florida. This correlation can be drawn especially for the "typical" variety of P borbonia, and also for P. palustris both of which have an extensive range, but not for P. borbonia var. humilis which is found only in Florida.
Economically. P. borbonia is not important, but Sargent reported that it is a beautiful cabinet wood.
See also P. hypoleuca and P krugii.
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Distribution
Distribution. Florida.
United States of America North America|