Moronobea coccinea Aubl.

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Clusiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Moronobea coccinea Aubl.

  • Description

    Distribution and Ecology - Distribution. Venezuela, eastern Colombia, Guiana and the Amazon Basin of Brazil.

  • Discussion

    Fig. a-j

    M. grandiflora Choisy in DC. Prodr. 1: 563. 1824.

    M. montana Schlecht, Linnaea 8: 189. 1833.

    M. Candida Ducke, Arch. Jard. Bot. Rio de Janeiro 5: 173. 1930, type: In silvis non inundatis prope Juruty Velho ad civitatis Para fines occidentales, 27-5-1927 fructifer, H. J. B. E. n. 21.277 ("bacury bravo" appellata), et ad flumen Curuca prope Manaos civitate Amazonas, 4-6-1927 florifera H. J. B. R. n. 21.276 (RIO, NY).

    M. coccinea Aublet, var. attenuata Eyma, Med. Bot. Mus. Herb. 4: 24. 1932, type: Tapanaloni R, near Doemansingi [Suriname], B.W. n. 4178 (U, NY).

    Symphonia grandiflora L. C. Rich. " m m s . in Herb. Franquev. not Choisy in Herb. Paris."

    M . coccinea is probably the most widespread of all moronobeas. It is characterized chiefly by relatively small and thin abruptly but sharply acuminate leaves, "pink" or ''white" or "yellow with pinkish margins" petals, and stamen bundles with 3-4 (5) stamens.

    M . Candida is described as large trees on non-inundable areas growing in forests of the middle Amazon Valley between Santarem and Manaus. The flowers also are said to be white but somewhat smaller than those of the preceding, thus coming within the normal size range of M. coccinea. It is not improbable that such trees are best assigned to M. coccinea, but Ducke (I.e.) seems to associate his collections most closely with M . pidchra.

    The var. attenuata is said to differ in paler undersurface of leaves, more gradually tapering flower buds, and larger yellow-white petals to 4.5 cm long with rosy margins.

  • Distribution

    Distribution. Venezuela, eastern Colombia, Guiana and the Amazon Basin of Brazil.

    Venezuela South America| Colombia South America| Guyana South America| Brazil South America|