Licania densiflora Kleinhoonte

  • Authority

    Prance, Ghillean T. 1972. Chrysobalanaceae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 9: 1-410. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Chrysobalanaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Licania densiflora Kleinhoonte

  • Type

    Types. B.W.5346, Suriname, fl (lectotype, U); B.W.2039 fl (paratype, U); Pulle 452 st (paratypes, NY, U).

  • Synonyms

    Licania kanukuensis Standl.

  • Description

    Description - Tree to 30.0 m tall, the young branches tomentose, soon becoming glabrous and lenticellate. Leaves oblong to elliptic, coriaceous, 5.0-15.0 cm long, 2.0-7.5 cm broad, acute to shortly acuminate at apex, with acumen 3.0-7.0 mm long, rounded to sub-cuneate at base; midrib slightly impressed or plane above, glabrous; primary veins 9-11 pairs, prominent beneath, plane above; petioles 3.0-10.0 mm long, terete, lanate-tomentose, eglandular. Stipules linear, 2.0-7.0 mm long, pubescent, subpersistent, adnate to extreme base of petiole. Inflorescences densely flowered terminal and subterminal panicles, the rachis and branches densely tomentose. Flowers 4.0 5.0 mm long, in small groups of cymules attached to rachis and primary branches by short thick peduncles. Bracts and bracteoles ca 2.0 mm long, persistent, enclosing buds in small groups, tomentose on exterior. Receptacle campanulate, subsessile, tomentose on exterior, tomentose within. Calyx lobes acute, tomentellous on both surfaces. Petals absent. Stamens 5-7, unilateral; filaments shorter than calyx lobes, glabrous. Ovary inserted at base of receptacle, villous. Style equalling filaments, lanate for most of length. Fruit pyriform, with short stipe ca 5.0 mm long; epicarp rufous-tomentose; pericarp thin, very hard, fibrous, densely hirsutulous within.

  • Discussion

    Licania densiflora is distinct from related species by its large bracteoles and the inflorescence with the cymules on short thick peduncles.

    Flowering March to November.

  • Common Names

    Guaray, Hierrito, Merecurillo, Buhurada, Marishiballi

  • Distribution

    Primary forest on high ground and slopes in the Guianas and adjacent Venezuela and Brazil.

    Venezuela South America| Delta Amacuro Venezuela South America| Bolívar Venezuela South America| Suriname South America| Brazil South America| Amapá Brazil South America|