Couepia platycalyx Cuatrec.

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Chrysobalanaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Couepia platycalyx Cuatrec.

  • Type

    Type. Cuatrecasas & Pérez-Arbelaez 15336, Colombia, Cundinamarca, fl (holotype, F; isotypes, COL, US).

  • Description

    Description - Tree. Leaves obovate to oboavate-orbicular, 8.5-12.0 cm long, 7.0-9.0 cm broad, rounded at base and apex, glabrous above, with very sparse short appressed pubescence beneath; primary veins 10-12 pairs, prominent beneath; petioles 7.0-8.0 mm long, glabrous, terete. Stipules cadcuous. Inflorescences terminal little-branched panicles, the rachis and branches with a few minute appressed hairs only. Bracts and bracteoles to 1.5 mm long, caducous. Receptacle broadly turbinate, flattened, almost solid, oblique, 3.0 mm long, with appressed pubescence on exterior, with dense deflexed hairs at throat within filling the very small cavity; pedicels 1.5 mm long. Calyx lobes rounded. Petals glabrous, white. Stamens ca 54, inserted in a complete circle. Ovary villous. Style pubescent at base only. Fruit unknown.

  • Discussion

    As a species of Couepia, C. platycalyx is unique by its flattened, almost solid receptacle. However, in all other features it is a Couepia. and I have followed Cuatrecasas’ placement of it in this genus.

  • Common Names

    Mapurito montañero

  • Distribution

    Known only from two gatherings on the eastern range of the Andes in Colombia and Venezuela.

    Venezuela South America| Lara Venezuela South America|