Dussia foxii Rudd

• Authority

  Rudd, Velva E. 1963. The genus (Leguminosae). Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 32(4): 247-277.

• Family

  Fabaceae

• Scientific Name

  Dussia foxii Rudd

• Type

  Type in the Herbarium of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, collected at Liberia, Department of Loreto, Peru, January 17, 1911, by W. Fox (No. 85). Isotype at K.

• Description

  Latin Diagnosis - Arbor ad 18 m. alta, ramulis junioribus ferrugineo-tomentosis, glabratis; folio integro non vidi, fortasse 5-foliolato, foliolis cum petiolulis 4-5 mm. longis et 3 mm. diametro, laminis coriaceis, ovatis vel elliptico-ovatis, 9-12 cm. longis, 4-8 cm. latis, apice acutis, basi obtusis vel subcordatis, supra glabris, subnitidis, subtus densovelutinis, nervis secondariis utrinsccus 12-15; inflorescentiis ferrugineo-tomentosis, bracteis deltoideo-ovatis, unguiculatis, acuminatis 4-5 mm. X 2-3 mm., bractcolis lanceolatis, acutis 3 mm. X 1.5 mm.; floribus 18-20 mm. longis, calyce 9-10 mm. longo, tubo 6-7 mm., dentibus 2-3 mm. longis, petalis pallido-rosaceis, ovario ferrugineo-villoso, 4- vel 5-ovulato; legumen ignotum.

• Discussion

  The above cited collection of Dussia was found among undetermined specimens of Ormosia. The material on the two herbarium sheets consists of five leaflets and several pieces of inflorescence, with flowers. The leaf rachis is missing, so that one can merely surmise that the complete leaf was 5-foliolate, with four ovate lateral leaflets and one somewhat elliptical terminal leaflet. The pubescence of tightly crispate hairs on the lower surface of the leaflets and the relatively small bracts and bracteoles of D. foxii are characteristics also found in D. coriacea, D. sanguinea, and D. martinicensis. The angles at which the secondary veins join the midvein in D. foxii are among the broadest of the genus, about 60°-70°.