Picramnia pentandra Sw.
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Authority
Thomas, Wm. Wayt. 1988. A Conspectus of Mexican and Central American Picramnia (Simaroubaceae). Brittonia. 40 (1): 89-105.
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Family
Picramniaceae
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Scientific Name
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Discussion
Picramnia pentandra Sw., Fl. Ind. Occ. 1: 220. 1797. TYPE: WEST INDIES. MONSERRAT: I.... loco Palmeto point," Ryan s.n. (HOLOTYPE: S). P. micrantha Tul., Ann. Sci. Nat. Ser. III, 7: 262. 1847. TYPE: JAMAICA. "Herb. Mus. reg. Par. - specimen ex herb. cl. Hooker deprumpto," (not found) [Tulasne's description clearly refers to P. pentandra which is not known from Jamaica, so the locality is possibly incorrect]. P. cubensis Turcz., Bull. Soc. Nat. Mosc. 31(1): 445. 1858. TYPE: CUBA. "In prov. Sant-Jago ... prope Nimanima," Linden 2098 (HOLOTYPE: KW n.v.; ISOTYPES: BM, G, K-3 sheets, LE, P). P. oblongifolia Turcz., Bull. Soc. Nat. Mosc. 31(1): 445. 1858. TYPE: CUBA. "In prov. St.-Jago .. ". Linden 1965 (HOLOTYPE: KW n.v.; ISOTYPE: P). P. antidesmoides Griseb., Fl. Brit. West Indies 140. 1861. TYPE: TRINIDAD. Crueger s.n. (HOLOTYPE: K).
Picramnia pentandra is the most common species in the West Indies and is found sporadically along the South American coast. To date, it has not been found in Central America or Mexico. It is quite likely, however, that further collecting will prove that it is a native Mesoamerican species. It is characterized by its pentamerous flowers, glabrous leaves with prominent reticulate venation, and smooth, shiny, obovoid fruits.