Couepia guianensis Aubl.

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Chrysobalanaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Couepia guianensis Aubl.

  • Type

    Type. Aublet sn, French Guiana, fr (BM).

  • Synonyms

    Acia amara Willd., Acioa amara Steud., Moquilea couepia Steud., Couepia versicolor Benoist, Couepia surinamensis Kleinhoonte

  • Description

    Description - Medium to large-sized tree. Leaves oblong to oblong-lanceolate, 5.0-13.0 cm long, 2.5-5.0 cm broad to 20.0 cm long on sterile branches, rounded at base, acuminate at apex, with acumen 8.0-18.0 mm long, glabrous above, densely gray lanate-arachnoid beneath, often with two inconspicuous glands at base of lamina; midrib glabrous above, prominent; primary veins 10-15 pairs, prominent beneath; petioles 4.0-6.0 mm long, canaliculate above, villous when young, becoming glabrous when mature. Stipules 1.0-3.0 mm long, linear, caducous. Inflorescences terminal and axillary panicles (few in upper leaf axils only), the rachis and branches sparsely gray-brown pubescent. Bracts and bracteoles minute, ovate, caducous. Receptacle cylindrical, ca 6.0 mm long, sparsely gray-brown puberulous on exterior, glabrous within except for deflexed hairs at throat; pedicels 2.0 mm long. Calyx lobes rounded, 2.0 mm long. Petals 5, white, ciliate on margins, the surfaces glabrous. Stamens 14-20, unilateral, with a toothed portion of ring opposite them. Ovary villous. Style pubescent for half its length. Fruit round to ovate, 3.0-4.0 cm long, 2.5-3.0 cm broad; epicarp smooth, glabrous; mesocarp thin, fragile, granular, glabrous within.

  • Discussion

    Flowering July to October.

  • Common Names

    Oenikiakia Djamaro, Kairiballi hohorodihoro, Apesia

  • Distribution

    Primary forest in the Guianas.

    Guyana South America| Suriname South America| French Guiana South America|