Swartzia piarensis R.S.Cowan

  • Authority

    Cowan, Richard S. 1967. Swartzia (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae Swartzieae). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 1: 3-228. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Fabaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Swartzia piarensis R.S.Cowan

  • Type

    Type collection. L. Aristeguieta 2220 (holotype VEN; isotype NY), Cerro Bolivar, Ciudad Piar, Bolivar, Venezuela, Apr. 1954.

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Arbor 8 m alta, caule ad basim diviso, ramulis nigro-velutinis; stipulae cadu-cae, ca 3.5 mm longae, 1 mm latae, lanceolatae acutae extus strigulosae intus glabrae; petioli 10-20 mm longi, dense nigro-strigulosi teretes, rhachi 65-90 mm longa anguste alata, ala apice ad 3 mm lata supra glabra sed contra rhachem strigulosa; foliola (4-)6-jugata, petiolulis 0.7-1 mm longis strigulosis, laminis 3-9.5 cm longis, 1.5-2.5 cm latis ellipticis vel obovato-ellipticis base rotundatis, apice acutis, supra glabris (strigulosa costa excepta) infra strigulosis, venis venulisque subobscuris; inflorescentiae racemosae cauligerae, 6.5(-20) cm longae, axe brevivelutino, bracteis persistentibus late ovatis concavis, 2-2.5 mm longis, 2.5-2.8 mm latis extus minute strigulosis, intus glabris, bracteolis persistentibus, 2-2.5 mm longis, ovatis vel lanceolatis, extus minute strigulosis, intus glabris, ad apicem pedicellorum nascentibus; pedicelli 13-20 mm longi, clavati lateraliter compressi brevi-velutini; alabastra globosa longitudinaliter striata; calycis segmenta crassa rigida, extus minute strigulosa, intus glabra, persistentia; petalum luteum strigo-sum ad basem et in venis externe, intus glabrum, unguiculo 5 mm longo, lamina 20-30 mm longa, 27-35 mm lata oblato-ovata cordata; stamina maiora non visa; stamina minora glabra, filamentis ca 15 mm longis antheris ovalibus; gynoecium glabrum, stigma capitellato, stylo 5-6 mm longo, ovario lineare arcuato, 15-18 mm longo, 1.5 mm lato; fructus immaturus niger, glaucus, uniseminatus.

  • Discussion

    The distinctly striate buds of this species is a characteristic encountered in the nearly related S. grandifolia, which however has a pubescent gynoecium. From related species with a glabrous gynoecium, S. piarensis differs in having a larger number of pairs of smaller leaflets. The striate buds also serve to separate it from its nearest relatives, of which S. picta is surely one of the closest.

  • Common Names

    Uoki-yek

  • Distribution

    (Fig. 5). The type tree was noted by the collector as growing near the iron-producing area of Ciudad Piar on non-iron ore soils at about 500 m alt.

    Venezuela South America| Bolívar Venezuela South America|