Campsiandra macrocarpa R.S.Cowan

  • Authority

    Maguire, Bassett & Wurdack, John J. 1961. The botany of the Guayana Highland--part IV (2). Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 10: 1-87.

  • Family

    Caesalpiniaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Campsiandra macrocarpa R.S.Cowan

  • Description

    Distribution and Ecology - VENEZUELA: Amazonas: infrequent along Rio Yatua for 30 km above Piedra Arauicaua, alt. 100-140 m; tree 15 m; petals white; stamens red; 20 Oct 1957, Maguire, Wurdack & Maguire 41932.

  • Discussion

    When I described this species (Mem. N. Y. Bot. Gard. 10:147. 1958) only leaves and immature fruits were available for study, but it seemed so distinct that this appeared to be a prudent course. The above-cited collection now furnishes additional characteristics that strongly support that action. These distinguishing features are presented in the following supplementary description: Inflorescence a terminal panicle of racemes 15 cm long, the axes densely puberulous; bracts and bracteoles very minute, the pedicels ascending at anthesis but soon recurved, 14-17 mm long, densely puberulous, the hypanthium obconic, 7 mm long, ca. 5 mm in diameter, strigulose. Sepals 3.5-4 mm long, 3.5-4.5 mm wide, very broadly ovate, rounded-obtuse, strigulose externally, glabrous within; petals 15.5 mm long, 8 mm wdde, obovate, rounded-obtuse, glabrous except densely ciliolate marginally. Filaments 50-65 mm long, glabrous, the anthers oval, 2 mm long, 1 mm wide, villose. Gynoecium glabrous, the style ca. 35 mm long, the ovary narrowly oblong, ca. 5 mm long.

    In my key (Mem. N. Y. Bot. Gard. 8:111. 1953) this species will key out near G. comosa var. laurifolia, but it is distinct from all other taxa in the genus by the size of the flower parts, in addition to the leaf and fruit characters; most of these, especially the perianth, are considerably larger than in any of the other taxa.

  • Distribution

    VENEZUELA: Amazonas: infrequent along Rio Yatua for 30 km above Piedra Arauicaua, alt. 100-140 m; tree 15 m; petals white; stamens red; 20 Oct 1957, Maguire, Wurdack & Maguire 41932.

    Venezuela South America|