Couepia ovalifolia (Schott) Benth.

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Chrysobalanaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Couepia ovalifolia (Schott) Benth.

  • Type

    Type. Schott sn, Brazil, Guanabara, fl (holotype, W; isotypes, K, NY).

  • Synonyms

    Chrysobalanus ovalifolius Schott, Couepia hypoleuca Miq.

  • Description

    Description - Dwarf shrub to medium-sized tree. Leaves ovate, 4.0-10.5 cm long, 2.5-7.0 cm broad, rounded to cordate at base, short-acuminate at apex, with acumen 1.0-7.0 mm long, glabrous above, densely silver-gray-arachnoid beneath, sometimes becoming glabrous with age; midrib prominent beneath, pubescent above when young; primary veins 11-15 pairs, prominent beneath, impressed above; petioles 4.0-7.0 (-10.0) mm long, pubescent when young, shallowly canaliculate. Stipules to 2.0 mm long, caducous. Inflorescences terminal panicles, the rachis and branches with short light brown pubescence. Bracts and bracteoles oblong-ovate, 3.0-6.5 mm long, caducous. Receptacle subcampanulate, 4.0-5.0 mm long, densely light-brown-pubescent on exterior, glabrous within except for deflexed hairs at throat; pedicels 1.5-4.0 mm long. Calyx lobes rounded, 3.0-4.0 mm long. Petals 5, white, ciliate on margins. Stamens 16-19, inserted in an arc of 240°, with a sterile portion opposite them. Ovary densely pilose. Style pubescent half its length. Fruit elliptical; epicarp smooth, glabrous or softly pubescent when young; mesocarp thin, fleshy; endocarp thin and fragile, granular, glabrous within.

  • Discussion

    Later authors have cited this species as C. ovatifolia, but as ovalifolia was used in the original description (in Chrysobalanus), this name must be regarded as valid.

    Flowering August to November.

  • Distribution

    Restingas, littoral forest, sand plains, and sand bars on the coast of Brazil from Pernambuco to Rio de Janeiro.

    Brazil South America| Amazonas Brazil South America| Pernambuco Brazil South America| Bahia Brazil South America| Minas Gerais Brazil South America| Espirito Santo Brazil South America| Rio de Janeiro Brazil South America| Guanabara Brazil South America|