Hirtella piresii Prance

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Chrysobalanaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Hirtella piresii Prance

  • Type

    Type. Black, Cordeiro & Francisco 52-14653, Brazil, Terr. Rondonia, Porto Velho, fl (holotype, NY; isotype, IAN).

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Arbor parva vel media, ramulis juvenilibus glabrescentibus. Folia alternata petiolata; petiolo 1.0-2.0 mm longo, tereti, eglanduloso, juvenili tomentello; laminae oblongae, coriaceae, 3.5-9.0 cm longae, 1.4-3.2 cm latae, subtus glabrae, pauci-glandulosae, apice in acuminem 2.0-10.0 mm longum contractae, basi cuneatae; costa media supra leviter prominente, subtus prominente, glabrescente; costis secundariis 8-11 jugis, utrinque leviter prominentibus. Stipulae circa 1.0 mm longae, lineares, eglandulosae, caducae. Flores 4.0-5.0 mm longi, in paniculis terminalibus axillaribusque 3.0-11.0 cm longis dispositi, rachi ramisque glabrescentibus. Bracteae bracteolaeque 2.0-5.5 mm longae, oblongae vel lanceolatae, puberulae vel glab-rescentes, persistentes. Receptaculum campanulatum, extus glabrum, intus basim versus glabrum; pedicelli 1.5-3.0 mm longi. Calycis-lobi acuti, extus glabri, intus glabrescentes, marginibus ciliatis, eglandulosi. Petala 5, glabra. Stamina 3, unilatera-lia, staminodiis dentiformibus opposita; filamenta glabra, longe exserta. Ovarium ad faucem receptaculi insertum, pilosum. Stylus e basi ovarii ortus, hirsutus. Drupa (immatura tantum visa) pyriformis; epicarpio laevi, glabro; mesocarpio tenue, carnoso; endocarpio duro, tenue, osseo, intus hirsuto.

  • Discussion

    This species is most closely related to H. tocantina, but differs in the smaller leaves and inflorescence, the single curved apical gland of the bracts and bracteoles, and the smaller stipules. It is also close to H. subglanduligera, but differs in the single apical gland of the bracts and bracteoles, the smaller coriaceous bracts, and the shorter glabrescent inflorescence.

    Flowering May to September.

  • Distribution

    Non-flooded forest in central Brazilian Amazonia, and southern Guyana.

    Brazil South America| Amazonas Brazil South America| Pará Brazil South America| Rondônia Brazil South America|