Hirtella rodriguesii Prance

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Chrysobalanaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Hirtella rodriguesii Prance

  • Type

    Type. W. Rodrigues & Osmarino 6755, Brazil, Amazonas, Manaus, Reserva Florestal Ducke, fl (holotype, NY; isotype, INPA 5185).

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Arbor, ramulis juvenilibus hispidis. Folia alternata, petiolata; petiolo 1.0-3.0 mm longo, tereti, eglanduloso, juvenili hirsuto; mox glabro; laminae oblongae, vel ovato-ellipticae membranaceae, 3.5-7.5 cm longae, 1.5-3.8 cm latae, apice in acuminem 3.0-9.0 mm longum contractae, basi rotundatae vel subcuneatae, subtus glandulosae, praeter costam glabrae; costa media supra leviter prominente, subtus prominente sparse hirsuta; costis secundariis 6-9 jugis, supra planis, subtus leviter prominentibus. Stipulae lineares, circa 2.0 mm longae, hispidae, persistentes. Flores 4.0-5.0 mm longi, in paniculis vel racemis axillaribus terminalibusque 2.5-7.0 cm longis dispositi, rachi ramisque sparse hispidis. Bracteae bracteolaeque 1.5-2.5 mm longae, lanceolatae, puberulae, eglandulosae, vel cum glandulis sessilibus paucis munitae, persistentes. Receptaculum campanulatum, extus hispidum, intus basim versus glabrum; pedicelli 1.5-3.0 mm longi. Calycis-lobi acuti, extus sparse hispidi, intus sparse puberuli. Petala 5, alba, glabra. Stamina 4-5, unilateralia, filamenta glabra, basim versus connata, longe exserta. Ovarium ad medium receptaculi insertum, pilosum. Stylus e basi ovarii ortus, hirsutus. Fructus mihi ignoti.

  • Discussion

    This well isolated species is most closely related to Hirtella glandistipula, but differs in the bracts which are either eglandular or have sessile glands only, the eglandular stipules, and the tendency toward a branched inflorescence. It differs from H. bicornis in the hispid inflorescence and young branches, and in the thinner leaves with acuminate (not cuspidate) apices. H. rodriguesii differs from H. triandra in the greater number of stamens, in the little branched inflorescence, in the hispid branches, and in the membraneous leaves.

    Flowering June to September.

  • Distribution

    Non-flooded forest in central Amazonian Brazil.

    Brazil South America| Amazonas Brazil South America|