Couepia multiflora Benth.

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Chrysobalanaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Couepia multiflora Benth.

  • Type

    Type. Schomburgk 112, Guyana, fl (holotype, K; isotypes, BM, BR, CGE, F, GH, L, LE, NY, OXF, P).

  • Synonyms

    Moquilea multiflora (Benth.) Walp.

  • Description

    Description - Tree to 6.0 m tall. Leaves oblong to oblong-elliptic, 9.0-15.0 cm long, 4.0-9.0 cm broad, rounded to cordate at base, rounded to short-acuminate at apex, with acumen 1.0-5.0 mm long, glabrous above, densely gray-arachnoid beneath; midrib prominent beneath, pubescent above; primary veins 12-14 pairs, prominent beneath, slightly impressed above; petioles 4.0-7.0 mm long, pubescent, terete, eglandular. Stipules linear, to 9.0 mm long, caducous, membraneous. Inflorescences terminal panicles, the rachis and branches densely brown-tomentose. Bracts and bracteoles 2.0-5.0 mm long, oblong to lanceolate, caducous. Receptacle ca 7.0 mm long, cylindrical, curved anteriorly in bud, with short thick brown tomentum on exterior, glabrous within except for deflexed hairs at throat; pedicels 1.0 mm long. Calyx lobes rounded. Petals 5, white, the margins glabrous or with a few isolated hairs. Stamens ca 28, inserted in an arc of ca 240°, with a sterile portion of circle opposite them. Ovary pilose, Style pubescent for half its length. Fruit unknown.

  • Discussion

    This species resembles C. ovalifolia of southern Brazil, but differs in the larger leaves and in the cylindrical, slightly curved receptacle. It is distinct from C. schottii in the long, cylindrical receptacle. It should be noted that this species one of northerly distribution has its closest affinities with these two species of the coastal savannas of southern Brazil.

    Flowering October to April.

  • Distribution

    Savannas and savanna scrubland in Guyana and Terr. Roraima, Brazil.

    Guyana South America| Brazil South America| Roraima Brazil South America|