Eleutherostemon gracilipes A.C.Sm.

  • Authority

    Smith, Albert C. 1952. Plants collected in Ecuador by W. H. camp. Vaceiniaceae. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 8 (1): 41-85.

  • Family

    Ericaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Eleutherostemon gracilipes A.C.Sm.

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Frutex praeter flores ubique glaber, ramulis gracilibus obtuse angulatis; stipulis obscuris coriaceis pulvinatis haud 1 mm longis; petiolis subteretibus rugulosis 1-2 mm longis; laminis papyraceis in sicco fuscis lanceolatis vel ovato-lanceolatis, 7-11 cm longis, 1.5-5 cm latis, basi late obtusis vel rotundatis, in acuminem gracilem obtusum ad 2 cm longum gradatim angustatis, margine paullo recurvatis, subtus minute et dispersim glanduloso-strigillosis, basim versus 5-jierviis, costa et nervis secundariis (intimis cum costa ad 2 cm. concurrentibus) adscendentibus supra leviter impressis subtus elevatis, rete venularum supra plerumque immerso subtus prominulo; floribus axillaribus ut videtur solitariis, bracteis basalibus paucis obscuris; pedicellis gracillimis sub anthesi 20-30 mm longis minute albidopuberulis basim versus minute bibracteolatis superne obscure glandulosis; calyce sub anthesi 4.5—5 mm. longo et apice diametro albido-puberulo, tubo cupuliformi 2.5-3 mm. longo basim versus obscure rubro-glanduloso, limbo erecto-patente submembranaceo circiter 2 mm. longo minute 5-dentato (dentibus apiculatis circiter 0.5 mm. longis), sinibus complanatis; disco annulari-pulvinato carnoso glabro; corolla tenuiter carnosa glabra anguste cylindrico-campanulata sub anthesi 20-22 mm. longa, basim versus circiter 4 -mm. superne 7-8 mm. diametro, lobis 5 reflexis obtusis circiter 4 x 3 mm.; staminibus 10 longitudine corollam fere aequantibus, filamentis liberis membranaceis ligulatis circiter 13 mm. longis utrinque villosopuberulis (pilis circiter 0.3 mm. longis), antheris 7-7.5 mm. longis, thecis levibus circiter 2.5 mm. longis basi rotundatis, tubulis 5-5.5 mm. longis per rimas ovales 1-1.5 mm. longas dehiscentibus; stylo filiformi corollam subaequante, stigmate minuto.

    Species Description - (shrub 3 m.; leaves deep green above, bright green and subnitid beneath).

  • Discussion

    Eleidherostemon gracilipes is immediately distinguished from its congeners by its comparatively long pedicels and corollas and its greatly elongated filaments. In its solitary flowers and puberulent calyx it suggests the preceding new species (E. oliganthum), but in floral dimensions the two are very distinct.