Hirtella angustissima Sandwith
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Authority
Prance, Ghillean T. 1972. Chrysobalanaceae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 9: 1-410. (Published by NYBG Press)
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Family
Chrysobalanaceae
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Scientific Name
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Type
Types. Sandwith 1246, Guyana, fl (holotype, K; isotype, NY); Tutin 601, Guyana, fl (paratypes, BM, K, NY); Jenman 884, Guyana, fl (paratype, K); gyo fl (paratype, K).
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Description
Description - Tree to 6.0 m tall, the young branches sparsely tomentellous, soon becoming glabrous. Leaves narrowly lanceolate, coriaceous, 5.5-18.0 cm long, 0.5-2.2 cm broad, gradually tapering to a narrow acuminate or acute tip at apex, rounded at base, glabrous beneath, with frequent palisade glands; primary veins 10-12 pairs, slightly prominulous and inconspicuous on both surfaces; midrib prominulous above, prominent beneath; petioles 1.5-3.0 mm long, terete, eglandular, tomentellous when young, soon becoming glabrous. Stipules 2.0-3.0 mm long, linear, persistent, eglandular, pubescent. Inflorescences terminal and axillary racemes 10.0-15.0 cm long, the rachis sparsely tomentellous. Bracts 0.5-1.5 mm long, eglandular or with sessile glands, persistent, acute, puberulous. Flowers ca 5.0 mm long. Receptacle campanulate, sparsely puberulous to glabrescent on exterior, glabrous within; pedicels 7.0-11.0 mm long, sometimes with a solitary stipitate gland arising near base. Calyx lobes acute, glabrescent on exterior, sparsely puberulous within, Petals 5, blue, glabrous. Stamens 4, unilateral, the filaments far exceeding calyx lobes, glabrous. Style hirsute on lower portion only. Ovary inserted at mouth of receptacle, pilose. Fruit not seen.
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Discussion
This species is closely related to H. racemosa, but is easily distinguished from all other species of Hirtella by its narrowly lanceolate leaves.
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Distribution
River banks and islands in open places, confined to the Potaro River region of Guyana.
Guyana South America|