Raveniopsis trifoliolata R.S.Cowan

  • Authority

    Maguire, Bassett & Wurdack, John J. 1960. The botany of the Guayana highland--Part IV. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 10: 1-37.

  • Family

    Rutaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Raveniopsis trifoliolata R.S.Cowan

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Arbuseulae 1-2 m altae, ramulis rubidis et minute strigulosis. Folia digitatotrifoliolata (interdum unifoliolata) ; petioli 27-40 mm longi, graciles, minute strigulosi, foliolorum lateralium petiolulis 1.5-3 mm longis, minute strigulosis, folioli terminalis petiolulis 5-10 mm longis; foliolorum laminae chartaceae, ellipticae, 5-9 em longae, 3-4 cm latae, aeutae, foliolorum lateralium base inaequilaterali, latere inferiore obtuso sed superiore attenuato-aeuto, folioli terminalis base attenuato-cuneato, aequilaterali, supra glabrae, infra costa strigulosae sparse, costa salienti, venis primariis ca. 10-jugatis. Inflorescentiae axillares, solitariae vel binatae, unilaterale racemosae, 10-20 cm longae, pedunculo 4—6.5 em longo, sparse puberulo, gracili, axe striguloso et puberulo, pedieellis 1-1.5 mm longis, minuto-strigulosis sparse. Sepala plus minusve chartacea, acuta, minute strigulosa sparse, duobus lanceolatis, 5.5-7 mm longis, 1.5 mm latis, sepalis ceteris ca. triangularibus, 1-1.5 mm longis, 0.5-1 mm latis. Corollae tubus curvatus, glaber, 10.5-12 mm longus, infundibuliformis, lobo 10 mm longo, 3.5 mm lato, lobis ceteris ca. 5-8 mm longis, 1.5-3 mm latis. Stamina 5, dviobus fertilibus, filamentis ligulatis, 15 mm longis, antheris 2.5 mm longis, ad basem appendicibus flabellatis 1.3 mm longis ornatis; staminodia usque 20 mm longa, ciliolata. Discus 0.9 mm profundus, usque 1.5 mm diametro, margine crenulata; stylus 10-15.5 mm longus, glaber. ovarium sparse strigulosum. Fructorum cocci immaturum venosum, sparse strigulosum, mucronulatum.

  • Discussion

    Fig. 19.

    As the specific epithet emphasizes, this species is easily separable from most of the other species of the genus by the digitately trifoliolate leaves. The calyx is also very distinctive in shape and the glabrous corolla contrasts with the pubescent corolla of most of the other species in the genus. The simple hairs on many of the parts of R. trifoliolata separates it easily from its nearest relative, R. steUigera, which also has trifoliolate leaves but differs in having stellate pubescence, a cincinnoid-racemose inflorescence, and a different calyx.

    In the type collection are included a number of detached inflorescences whieh appear to be fasciated; instead of a simple raceme, which is characteristic of the species, the peduncle bears at its apex up to six racemose branches.