Swartzia leiocalycina Benth.

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Fabaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Swartzia leiocalycina Benth.

  • Type

    Type collection. C. F. Appun 34 (holotype K), Essequibo R. area, Guyana.

  • Description

    Species Description - Tree with the branchlets densely rusty-malpighio-strigulose; stipules triangular, ca 0.6 mm long and wide, minutely malpighio-strigulose; petioles 7-10 mm long, terete, minutely malpighio-strigulose, the rachis 3.5-4.5 cm long, slightly canaliculate on the upper surface, densely and minutely malpighio-strigulose; leaflets 2- or 3-jugate, the petiolules 3-5 mm long, minutely malpighio-strigulose, the blades 5-9 cm long, 2-3.5 cm wide, lanceolate or narrowly ovate (basal pair) to narrowly elliptic, the base acute to subobtuse, the apex acuminate, glabrous above, densely rusty-malpighio-strigulose beneath, the costa impressed and the primary veins plane and obscure on the upper surface, the costa and the primaries more or less salient beneath; inflorescence paniculate, axillary, the axes densely malpighio-strigulose, 4.5-5.5 cm long, the bracts ovate, ca 0.9 mm long and 0.6 mm wide, densely strigulose externally, glabrous within, the bracteoles arising from the pedicel-base, lanceolate, ca 0.9 mm long and 1.3 mm wide, pubescent as the bracts; pedicels (immature buds) 2-2.5 mm long, densely strigulose; buds globose, apiculate, black, glabrous, ca 3 mm long and 2 mm wide; mature flowers not seen, the calyx glabrous; petal glabrous, long-clawed, the blade rounded; larger stamens 2; gynoecium glabrous, the style very short.

  • Discussion

    There is sufficient similarity between this incompletely known species and S. microcarpa to indicate a genetic relationship. The glabrous gynoecium, small flowers, and the opposite leaflets distinguish S. leiocalycina from its relative which has a pubescent gynoecium, much larger flowers and alternate leaflets; both have the same sort of malpighian hairs and leaflets of about the same size and form.

  • Common Names

    Brown ebony, wamara

  • Distribution

    (Fig. 13). Known only by the type collection from the interior of Guyana.

    Guyana South America|