Hirtella dorvalii Prance

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Chrysobalanaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Hirtella dorvalii Prance

  • Type

    Type. Ducke 1330, Brazil, Terr. Roraima, Caracarai, Rio Branco, fl (holotype, NY; isotypes, A, IAN, MG, R, RB, US).

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Frutex, ramulis juvenilibus hirsutis. Folia alternata, petiolata; petiolo 2.0-4.0 mm longo, eglanduloso, piloso, tereti; laminae ovatae vel oblongo-ovatae, coriaceae, leviter bullatae, 8.5-14.0 cm longae, 5.5-7.0 cm latae, apice in acuminem 1.0-3.0 mm longum contractae, basi subcordatae, cum duobus vesiculis formicariis munitae; costa media utrinque prominente, subtus hirsuta; costis secundariis 9-12 jugis, subtus prominentibus, hirsutis. Stipulae filamentosae, circa 6.0 mm longae, hirsutae, caducae, eglandulosae. Flores 4.5-6.0 mm longi, in paniculis elongatis 14.0-25.0 cm longis dispositi, rachi ramisque hispido-pilosis. Bracteae bracteolaeque oblonga e, 2.0-7.0 mm longae, persistentes, glandulis stipitatis munitae. Receptaculum campanulatum, extus hispidum, intus basim versus glabrum; pedicelli 2.0-3.0 mm longi. Calycis-lobi acuti, extus pilosi, intus puberuli. Petala 5, glabra, purpurea, calycis-lobos excedentia. Stamina 6-7, unilateralia, filamenta glabra, longe exserta. Ovarium ad faucem receptaculi insertum, pilosum. Stylus e basi ovarii ortus, basim versus hirsutus. Fructus mihi ignoti.

  • Discussion

    This species is the most distinct within the section because of the branched inflorescence and the bracts bearing stipitate glands. In H. dorvalii the inflorescence has many short branches attached to a central rachis, but in H. vesiculosa which also has a branched inflorescence, the branches are few and occur at the base only.

    This species is named in honor of Dr. Dorval Magalhães, Agronomist of Boa Vista, Terr. Roraima, who has given me much help with field work in the territory, and who also collected with Drs. Black and Ducke. His knowledge of the region and of the flora has been a great help to several collectors who have worked in this area.