Aniba affinis (Meisn.) Mez

  • Authority

    Maguire, Bassett & Wurdack, John J. 1964. The botany of the Guayana Highland--Part V. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 10: 1-278.

  • Family

    Lauraceae

  • Scientific Name

    Aniba affinis (Meisn.) Mez

  • Description

    Distribution and Ecology - Distribution. Small tree occurring in the sandstone areas of Brazil and Venezuela, along the Rio Negro and its tributaries and the Rio Orinoco, and reported farther south in Brazil in the upper Rio Madeira region. VENEZUELA. Amazonas: Rio Orinoco between Tamatama and Caño Manaviche, Level 2 (fl. NY). BRAZIL. Amazonas: Rio Negro, Serra de Cabary, Froes 21478 (fl. NY), Tapera, Padauiry, 22714 (fl. NY).

  • Discussion

    Aydendron affine Meissner in DC. Prodr. 15: 92. 1864.

    Type. Secus Rio Negro, inter Barcellos et San Gabriel, Brasiliae septentrionalis, Dec 1854, Spruce 3769 (isotype, fl. NY).

    The species is one of a number of the Lauraceae that are vaguely reminiscent of several species but not particularly outstanding in any one characteristic. It is a combination of characteristics, however, that, despite its superficial lack of distinction, in the dried state at least, makes it more or less readily recognized. Level's number is less sparsely pubescent than the type, the ovary being rather papillose than pubescent. Froes' collection bears leaves that are generally smaller than those of the type and more often broadly elliptic.

    The species was originally described by Meissner from Spruce 3769 and Riedel s.n., from around Barra (Manaos). Kostermans has separated the syntypes, placing the latter in A. trinitatis (Meissner) Mez on the grounds that the ovary of the latter specimen is glabrous. It is not pubescent as that of the Spruce number, but papillose as noted in Level's collection. In other respects, the two agree very well.

  • Distribution

    Distribution. Small tree occurring in the sandstone areas of Brazil and Venezuela, along the Rio Negro and its tributaries and the Rio Orinoco, and reported farther south in Brazil in the upper Rio Madeira region.

    Venezuela South America| Brazil South America|