Ceratostema alatum (Hoerold) Sleumer

  • 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

    Ceratostema alatum (Hoerold) Sleumer

  • Description

    Species Description - Field notes indicate the plant as a low shrub, up to 3 m. high in sheltered places; leaves dark green and shining above, pale and dull beneath; pedicels and hypanthium deep crimson or red; corolla deep crimson at base, shading to purple or black at tips of lobes; filaments pink; anthers brown; ripe fruit oblate-spheroid, up to 1.5 cm. long and 2 cm. in diameter, dull reddish, nitid, slightly sweet.

  • Discussion

    The excellent series of specimens cited above nearly doubles- the number of collections known for this species, but the variation does not notably extend the limits of my earlier description (as Englerodoxa alata Hoer. in Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 28: 350. 1932). The leaves are sometimes up to 3 cm. broad and the corolla may be as short as 35 mm. at anthesis, although more often it exceeds 40 mm. in length. Since my 1932 treatment the following collections have been noted: Province of Pichincha, Acosta-Solis .8304 (Ch,,US); Tungurahua, Penland & Summers 310 (NY); Santiago-Zamora, Steyermark 54333 (Ch).

  • Distribution

    Azuay: Paramo and sub-paramo area north and northwest of the Paramo del Castillo (ca. 6-8 km. n.-ne. of Sevilla de Oro), 10,000-11,200 ft. elev., Camp E-5153. "Oriente" Border, Eastern Cordillera, between Ona and the RioYacuambi, on crest, 10,000-11,200 ft. elev., F. Prieto P-295. "Oriente" Border, Paramo del Castillo and surrounding forested areas (crest of the eastern cordillera on the trail between Sevilla de Oro and Mendez), 9,000-11,000 ft. elev., Camp E-700, E-746; same locality, 11,000-11

    Ecuador South America|