Cyrtandra ventricosa G.W.Gillett

  • Authority

    Gillett, George W. 1967. The genus Cyrtandra in Fiji. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 37: 107-159.

  • Family

    Gesneriaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Cyrtandra ventricosa G.W.Gillett

  • Type

    Type in the herbarium of the Bernice P. Bishop Museum, collected on the southern slope of the Valanga Range, Province of Thakaundrove, Vanua Levu, Fiji, alt, 100 m., Nov. 11, 1933, by A. C. Smith (368). Duplicates at A, NY, UC, US. Additional specimens examined:

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Herba suffruticosa 1-2 m. alta, pilis septatis 120µ diametro et ad 6 mm. longis induta; folia opposita, petiolis 1-7 cm. longis, laminis ovatis vel lanceolato-ovatis ad 22 cm. longis et 12 cm. latis, basi subaequilateraliter cuneatis, apico acutis vel acuminatis, margine hydathodis serratis, supra glabratis, subtus dense pubescentibus, venis primariis utrinsecus 6-10 curvatis; inflorescentiae pilosae pauciflorae, pedunculis axillaribus erect is 1-2 mm. longis, bracteis terminalibus lanceolatis caducis foliosis ca. 5 mm. longis, pedicellis bracteatis 10-12 mm. longis, bracteis interioribus caducis deltoideis basi connatis; calyx persistente cylindricus fauce constrictus 1.5 cm. longus in lobis 4 vel 5 valvatis lanceolatis 0.25 fissus utrinque pilosus; corolla chart acea viridi-alba vel eburnea 18 mm. longa, utrinque glabra, reticulato-venosa, in lobis 5 inaequalibus fissa, lobis 2 posterioribus 7 mm. longis et 6 mm. latis, lobis 3 anterioribus 10 mm. longis et 9 mm. latis; stamina 2 mm. infra sinus corollae lobi inferioris enata, anlheris apice adhaerentibus in corollae faucium ore; staminodia 3 infra filamenta 2 mm. et sinibus superioribus opposita disposita, staminodio medio ca. 1 mm. longo et 1 mm. supra staminodia lateralia 2 mm. longa; discus annulari-cupuliformis prominens 1.5 mm. altus, sub fructu interruptus; gynoecium 1.5 cm. longum glabrum, styli parte superiore caduca, stigmate bilobato, lobis applanatis obliquis; fructus ovoidei 12 mm. longi, 7 mm. lati.

  • Discussion

    The affinities of this species are with Cyrtandra multiseptata and C. dolichocarpa. It is distinguished from the others by its indument, fruits, and habit, as shown in the following tabular summary: C. ventricosa C. multiseptata C. dolichocarpa Dimensions of leaf 120µ X 6-7 mm. 60µ X 3 mm. 100µ X 6 mm. trichomes: Fruit shape: ovoid fusiform cylindrical Habit: subligneous shrub or slender tree shrub or tree herb 1-2 m. high 2-4 m. high 1-4 m. high

  • Common Names

    merikula