Swartzia conferta var. vaupesiana 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 conferta var. vaupesiana R.S.Cowan

  • Type

    Type collection. R. E. Schultes & I. Cabrera 15338 (holotype US 2171566; isotype NY), Raudal Yayacapi (La Playa) and vicinity, Río Apaporis, Vaupés, Colombia, Feb. 15, 1952.

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Stipulae deciduae ad persistentes, 1-3 mm longae; foliolorum laminae coria-ceae, (5.5-)9-15 cm longae, (3-)4-7 cm latae, ovales ellipticae ad oblongo-ellipticae, devolutae ad marginem, venis prominentibus, costa supra plana vel faciebus superi-oribus salientibus, venulis primariis plerumque salientibus; bracteae (1-)2.5-3(-4) mm longae, bracteolis deciduis, 1-3 mm longis, linearibus ad lineari-lanceolatis; pedicelli valde compressi, (12-) 17-24 mm longi; alabastra globosa, ca 11 mm diametro, plerumque glabra, aliquando parce strigulosa; petali unguiculum 1.5-2 mm longum.

  • Discussion

    The Froes collection cited above is somewhat anomalous, although superficially there are no apparent difficulties with assigning it to this species. It should be cited here, even though the anthers do not show the mucronation so conspicuously as is characteristic of the species.

    Of the unifoliolate species in this section, there are only four with the obviously mucronate anthers of S. conferta. This species is certainly most closely related to S. pendula which has conspicuous, foliaceous stipules, bracts, and bracteoles, and larger leaflets. Swartzia buntingii is a less closely associated species with pilose leaflets and foliaceous stipules, bracts, and bracteoles.

    The two varieties making up S. conferta look rather different but there are very few characteristics which can be used to distinguish them; the texture and venation of the leaflets and the form of the buds appear to be the only very constant ones.

  • Distribution

    (Fig. 43). Southeastern Colombia and adjacent Brazil, principally at low elevations.

    Colombia South America| Vaupés Colombia South America| Brazil South America| Amazonas Brazil South America|