Swartzia oraria 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 oraria R.S.Cowan

  • Type

    Type collection. J. Cuatrecasas 19986 (holotype US 1900646; isotype F), Quebrada de Aguadulce, Baia de Buenaventura, El Valle, Colombia, Feb. 24, 1946.

  • Description

    Description - Arbor magna, ramulis sparse strigulosis minute, glabrescentibus; stipulae persistentes 3.5-5 mm longae anguste lanceolatae glabrae, rigidae acuminatae; petioli 2.5-4 cm longi sparse strigulosi minute apice minute stipellati; rhaches 4.5-7 cm longae minute strigulosae sparse stipellatae minute; foliola (1- vel) 2-jugata, petiolulis (3-)4-5 mm longis glabris laminis coriaceis ellipticis, 7.5-12 cm longis, 3-5 cm latis basi cuneato-decurrentibus apice acuminatis supra nitidis et glabris subtus leviter strigulosis et opacis, supra venulis reticulo prominente minute anastomosantibus supra costa impressa subtus saliente; inflorescentiae racemosae ramuligerae fasciculatae 7.5-16 cm longae, axe minute striguloso, bracteis persistentibus, 1-1.5 mm longis triangularibus, bracteolis saepe nullis sed aliquando inflorescentiarum versus basim evidentibus; pedicelli ca 3 mm longi minute strigulosi; alabastra subglobosa ca 4-4.5 mm diametro minute strigulosa leviter; calycis segmenta 3 vel 4, persistentia; petala nulla; stamina maiora 2 glabra, filamentis ca 5 mm longis eis staminorum minorum glabris 4.5 mm longis; gynoecium glabrum, stigmate punctiformi, stylo ca 1 mm longo, ovario ca 2.5 mm longo et 1.5 mm lato oblongo-ovali, gynophoro ca 2 mm longo; fructus aurantiacus ovalis, ca 2.5 cm longus et 2 cm diametro 1-seminatus; semen 22-24 mm longum ovale nitido-nigrum, arillo albo.

  • Discussion

    This species is so close morphologically to S. tessmannii that it might be considered, with nearly as much justification, a variety or subspecies of it. However, it appears that there are cumulatively sufficient distinctions to consider it a separate species, especially in light of the geographic disjunction of the two populations. The primary, most easily used, character for separating them is the presence or absence of pubescence on the gynoecium; S. oraria (pertaining to coastal regions) has larger stipules of different form, longer petioles and petiolules, larger bracts and buds, and a glabrous androecium and gynoecium.

  • Distribution

    (Fig. 30). Known only from the type collection from coastal Colombia at less than 10 m alt.

    Colombia South America| Valle Colombia South America|