Hirtella bicornis var. pubescens Ducke

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Chrysobalanaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Hirtella bicornis var. pubescens Ducke

  • Type

    Type. Ducke MG 15299, Brazil, Pará, fl (holotype, MG; isotype, BM, P).

  • Synonyms

    Hirtella caudata Kleinhoonte

  • Description

    Description - Leaves usually oblong, usually cuspidate at apex, with acumen 7.0-15.0 mm long, thin, usually subcuneate at base; inflorescences usually tomentellous; large forest tree.

  • Discussion

    The material brought together here under Hirtella bicornis undoubtedly belongs to the same species. It was analyzed carefully, leading me to concur with Ducke who designated the forest population a distinct variety. This variety cannot be considered a distinct species because of the obvious morphological overlap with var. bicornis. The majority of collections fall easily into one of the varieties, but the overlap of each character is complete. Weak separations were obtained on scatter diagrams. Figure 51 is a pictorialized scatter diagram of the characters used to separate the varieties of H. bicornis. Hirtella caudata and H. praealta are not distinct and must be reduced to synonymy. The wide and broken geographical distribution indicates that this is a widespread but apparently uncommon species.

    Hirtella bicornis is most closely related to H. scabra, but differs in the thinner leaves with a more pointed cuspidate acumen, and in the inconspicuous venation of the upper surface of the leaf.

    Flowering July to November in the Guianas, May to October in Amazonia.

  • Common Names

    Bokobokotokon, Goiabinha

  • Distribution

    Non-flooded forest in Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas and Amazonian Peru and Brazil.

    Colombia South America| Santander Colombia South America| Venezuela South America| Zulia Venezuela South America| Guyana South America| Suriname South America| French Guiana South America| Peru South America| Huánuco Peru South America| Amazonas Brazil South America| Pará Brazil South America| Amapá Brazil South America| Rondônia Brazil South America| Mato Grosso Brazil South America|