Hirtella suffulta Prance

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Chrysobalanaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Hirtella suffulta Prance

  • Type

    Type. Pires 6943, Brazil, Pará. Pirelli Forest near Belém, fl fr (holotype, IAN; isotypes, NY, UB).

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Arbor media vel magna, ramulis juvenilibus sparse puberulis mox glabris. Folia alternata petiolata; petiolo 6.0-10.0 mm longo, tereti, eglanduloso, sparse appresso-pubescenti; laminae oblongae, subcoriaceae, 5.5-11.5 cm longae, 2.0-5.0 cm latae, apice in acuminem 2.0-6.0 mm longum abrupte contractae, basi subcuneatae, subtus fere glabrae et cum pilis longis paucis, eglandulosae; costa media supra leviter prominente, subtus prominente, cum pilis appressis munita; costis secundariis 8-9 jugis, supra planis, subtus prominentibus. Stipulae 2.0-3.0 mm longae, deltatae, persistentes, eglandulosae. Flores 5.0-6.0 mm longi, in paniculis terminalibus sub-terminalibusque dispositi, rachi 5.0-15.0 cm longi, ramis brevissimis denseflorentibus, rachi ramisque sparse puberulis. Bracteae bracteolaeque 3.0-6.0 mm longae, persistentes, alabastris includentes, membranaceae, sparse pubescentes, eglandulosae vel interdum cum apice glandulosae. Receptaculum campanulatum, extus puberulum intus basim versus glabrum; pedicelli circa 0.5 mm longi. Calycis-lobi acuti, extus sparse puberuli, intus tomentelli, marginibus eglandulosis. Petala 5, glabra. Stamina 5-6, unilateralia, filamenta glabra, longe exserta. Ovarium ad faucem receptaculi insertum, pilosum. Stylus e basi ovarii ortus, hirsutus. Drupa immatura ellipsoidea; epicarpio glabra, laeve; mesocarpio tenue, carnoso; endocarpio tenue, duro, osseo, intus hirsuto.

  • Discussion

    This species is distinct from any other by the large persistent bracteoles. It is closest to H. eriandra, but, in addition to the bracteoles, it differs in the more densely crowded inflorescence, the less pubescent leaves and inflorescence, and the fruit with a glabrous epicarp and bony endocarp.

    flowering July.

  • Distribution

    Collected in non-flooded forest in the States of Amazonas and Pará, Brazil

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