Thibaudia smithiana

  • Authority

    Maguire, Bassett. 1978. The botany of the Guayana Highland--part X. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 29: 1-288.

  • Family

    Ericaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Thibaudia smithiana

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Frutex, ramulis serpentibus vel rechnatis; fohis petiolatis, petiolis 3-4 mm longis, laminis ovalibus vel oblongis vel suborbicularibus apice rotundatis basi rotundatis vel obtusis utroque latere umbonatis 1.7-3.7 x 1-2.5 cm glabris, marginibus manifeste incrassatis, nervis lateralibus utroque latere 5-7 subtus paullo manifestis, costa media subtus paullo manifesta, paginis utrinque maculis rotundatis depressis obtectis; floribus axillaribus 3-4-fasciculatis; pedicellis cum calyce articulatis 5-11 mm longis glabris; bracteohs duobus distinctis apicem versus ovatis acutis 1-1.5 mm longis glabris; calyce hypanthioque 6 mm longo glabro, hypanthio 5-angulato 3-3.5 x 3 mm; calycis tubo 1.5 mm longo, lobis late triangularibus acutis 1 X 2 mm; corolla breviter cylindrica 9-9.5 x 4-4.5 mm glabra, lobis triangulari-ovatis subacutis 1.5 x 1.5 mm; staminibus 10 isomorphis distinctis, antheris 4 mm longis, thecis 2 mm longis granuloso-papillosis basi in prominentiam 4-lobatam rotundatam productis, tubulis flexilibus lineari-lanceolatis 2 mm longis thecis antherarum paullo angustioribus per rimas elongatas introrsas dehiscentibus, filamentis 4.5 mm longis supra medium pilosulis tertia parte inferiore glabris; stylo 9 mm longo glabro.

  • Discussion

    Type. VENEZUELA. Territorio de Amazonas: Cerro Sipapo (Paraque), East Terrace, 1815 m alt, 14 Jan 1949; trailing shrub, buds red, flowers white, flushed pink; Maguire & Politi 28349 (holotype NY). Paratypes. VENEZUELA. Amazonas: Cerro Sipapo, North Mountain, Peak IV, 1800 m alt, 3 Jan 1949, Maguire & Politi 28129; Cerro Sipapo, Savanna southeast slope of Peak I, 1500-1800 m alt, 12 Dec 1948, Maguire & Politi 27650. This species is characterized by the very pronounced umbonate enlargements at the base of each side of the leaf blade, the bibracteolate summit of the pedicels with distinct bracteoles, the thickened leaf margin, and the traUing to reclining habit.