Hirtella obidensis Ducke

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Chrysobalanaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Hirtella obidensis Ducke

  • Type

    Type. Ducke RB 17113, Brazil, Para, fl (holotype, RB).

  • Synonyms

    Hirtella lanceolata Kleinhoonte, Hirtella coppenamensis Kleinhoonte

  • Description

    Description - Tree to 25.0 m tall, the young branches tomentose, becoming glabrous with age. Leaves oblong-lanceolate to elliptic, thick-coriaceous, 5.0-13.0 cm long, 2.5-5.0 cm broad, acuminate at apex, with acumen 2.0-9.0 mm long, rounded to subcuneate at base, hirsutulous on venation beneath; venation of upper surface impressed; primary veins 9-12 pairs, impressed above, prominent beneath; midrib plane or nearly so above, prominent beneath; tomentose on both surfaces; petioles 1.0-3.0 mm long, tomentose, terete, eglandular. Stipules ca 2.0 mm long, subulate, tomentose, eglandular, persistent. Inflorescences short, terminal and subterminal, little-branched panicles 4.0-11.0 cm long, the rachis and branches rufous-tomentose. Bracts and bracteoles 1.5-2.5 mm long, oblong to ovate, persistent, tomentose, with few sessile glands which are usually obscured by the pubescence. Receptacle campanulate, tomentose on exterior, glabrous within except at throat; pedicels o.5-2.0 mm long. Calyx lobes acute, rufous-tomentose on exterior, gray-pubescent within. Petals 5, glabrous. Stamens 5-7, unilateral with short filamentous staminodes opposite them, the filaments glabrous, far exceeding calyx lobes. Style hirsute up to half its length. Ovary inserted near mouth of receptacle, pilose. Fruit oblong-rotund; epicarp tomentellous when young becoming smooth and glabrous with age; mesocarp thin, fleshy; endocarp very thin, hard, bony, tomentellous, within.

  • Discussion

    This species is closest to H. hebeclada, but differs in the branched inflorescence.

  • Distribution

    Non-flooded forest in the Guianas and eastern Amazonian Brazil.

    Guyana South America| Suriname South America| Brazil South America| Pará Brazil South America|