Mapania sylvatica Aubl.

  • Authority

    Maguire, Bassett. 1967. The botany of the Guayana Highland--Part VII. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 17: 1-439.

  • Family

    Cyperaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Mapania sylvatica Aubl.

  • Description

    Distribution and Ecology - Endemic in the eastern part of the Guayana crystalline shield area adjacent to the east end of the Roraima sediment area, i.e., the Atlantic coastal regions of Venezuela, the Guianas, and the State of Para, Brazil; in tropical rainforest at relatively low altitude. VENEZUELA. Bolivar: Sierra Imataca, Rio Toro (Rio Grande), N of El Palmar, alt 200-250m, Steyermark 88010. BRITISH GUIANA. N.W. Territory: Matthews Ridge, Barima River, alt 300 ft, Maguire & (Cowan 40540; Ridge Trail, alt 550 ft, Cowan 39303; Pakaraima Mts., upper Mazaruni River, summit of Eagle Mountain, alt 700 m, Maguire & Fanshawe 32105; Conawarook River, Bartlett 8244 (K); Bartica-Potaro Road, 90 Mls., Dicymbe-Eperum forest on white sand, F.D. 5513 (K, NY); Potaro River, Jenman 1287; Essequibo River, Kamuni Creek, Groete Creek, forest floor of mora and mixed forest, Maguire & Fanshawe 22831 (=F.D. 4529 in K; Sierra Acarai Region, swamp rainforest behind Kanasenay Mission, alt 300 ft. Guppy F.D. 7188 (K. NY). SURINAME. Brownsberg, Boschwezen 3190 (NY, U) ; Coppenam River, headwaters, Maguire 24167; Nassau Mts., Marouwijne River, occasional on Line A, Plateau A, alt 400-550 m, Maguire 40706; in forest at Km 10, 5, Lanjouw & Lindeman 2865 (NY, U) ; Wilhelmina Gebergte, along creek in sandy soil, forest 9 km N of Lucie River and 12 km W of Oost River, alt 275 m, Maguire et al 54222. BRAZIL. Para: 0-5 km N of Rio Muirapiranga, terra firme, Prance et al 1580.

  • Discussion

    Type. In Sylvis paludosis Orapuensibus (French Guiana) (Collector not cited). (P).

    Apparently newly documented for the floras of Venezuela and Brazil, this historical species, Mapania sylvatica, has hitherto been recorded only from the Guianas. The leafless feature exhibited by M. sylvatica is a rare occurrence in the mapanioid genera. It reflects a phylogeneticallv specialized status in the leaf differentiation in the Cyperaceae.

  • Distribution

    Endemic in the eastern part of the Guayana crystalline shield area adjacent to the east end of the Roraima sediment area, i.e., the Atlantic coastal regions of Venezuela, the Guianas, and the State of Para, Brazil; in tropical rainforest at relatively low altitude.

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