Hirtella schultesii Prance

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Chrysobalanaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Hirtella schultesii Prance

  • Type

    Type. Schultes & Lopez 9344> Venezuela, Terr. Amazonas, Río Negro, San Carlos, fl (holotype, US).

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Frutex alta, ramulis juvenilibus sparse tomentellis mox glabris. Folia alternata petiolata; petiolo 2.5-4.0 mm longo, tereti, eglanduloso, juvenili tomentoso; laminae oblongo-lanceolatae, coriaceae, 9.0-16.0 cm longae, 2.2-4.3 cm latae, apice in acuminem 9.0-16.0 mm longum contractae, basi leviter subcordatae, supra basim leviter constrictae, subtus glabrae pauciglandulosae; costa supra leviter prominente, subtus prominente cum pilis appressis paucis munita; costis secundariis 11-13 jugis, utrinque glabris leviter prominentibus. Stipulae 5.0-9.0 mm longae, lineares, persistentes, pubescentes, eglandulosae. Flores 4.0-5.o mm longi in racemis terminalibus 10.0-15.0 cm longis dispositi, rachi puberuli. Bracteae bracteolaeque circa 1.5 mm longae, oblongae, persistentes, puberulae, apicibus saepius cum glandulis stipitatis terminalibus. Receptaculum campanulatum, extus puberulum, intus versus basim glabrum; pedicelli 3.0-5.0 mm longi, versus basim cum glandulo unico instructi. Calycis-lobi acuti, utrinque puberuli. Petala 5, glabra. Stamina 5, unilateralia; filamenta glabra, longe exserta. Ovarium tomentosum, ad faucem receptaculi insertum. Stylus e basi ovarii ortus, basim verus hirsutus. Fructus mihi ignoti.

  • Discussion

    This species is very close to Hirtella paraensis and H. sprucei but differs from both in the distinctive leaf base. It further differs from H. sprucei in the larger number of primary leaf veins, the absence of staminodes, and in the ovary inserted below the mouth of the receptacle. Other differences from H. paraensis include the longer and thicker pedicel glands, the extra stamen, and the puberulous branches and rachis.

    Flowering December to May.

  • Distribution

    Non-flooded forest in western Amazonia.

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