Eschweilera obversa (O.Berg) Miers
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Authority
Mori, S. A. & Prance, Ghillean T. 1990. Lecythidaceae - Part II: The zygomorphic-flowered New World genera (Couroupita, Corythophora, Bertholletia, Couratari, Eschweilera, & Lecythis). With a study of secondary xylem of Neotropical Lecythidaceae by Carl de Zeeuw. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 21: 1-376. (Published by NYBG Press)
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Family
Lecythidaceae
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Scientific Name
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Type
Type. Brazil. Pará: Vic. of Santarém, Mar 1850 (fl), Spruce 828 (lectotype, NY, here designated; isolectotypes, BM, G, M, P, photos of G at A, NY, RB, WIS).
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Synonyms
Lecythis obversa O.Berg, Eschweilera obidosensis R.Knuth
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Description
Description - Trees to 38 m tall. Leaf blades elliptic, 9-13 x 3.5-6 cm, glabrous, without punctae, chartaceous, with 9-12 pairs of lateral veins; apex acuminate; base acute to obtuse; margins entire; petiole 5-6 mm long, puberulous. Inflorescences terminal, sometimes in axils of uppermost leaves, infrequently from young branches, mostly unbranched, 1.5-6 cm long, puberulous, the pedicel 2-3 mm long, not well-defined from hypanthium, pubescent. Flowers ca. 2.5-3 cm diam.; calyx with six lobes, the lobes widely ovate to very widely ovate, 3-3.5 x 2.5-3.5 mm, ascending, slightly imbricate at base to imbricate for xh length, nearly flat to slightly convex abaxially but not carinate; petals six, widely obovate, 12-20 x 11-14 mm, white; hood of androecium yellow, with weak double coil, the innermost appendages highly modified, subulate, to 4 mm long; staminal ring asymmetric, with 100-160 stamens, the filaments ca. 1 mm long, tapered at apex, the anthers 0.5 mm long; hypanthium pubescent, tapered into short, poorly defined pedicel; ovary 2-locular. Fruits poorly known, cupshaped, ca. 2-3 x 2.5-3.5 cm, the exocarp smooth, 2-3 mm thick.
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Discussion
Eschweilera obversa is distinguished by its small flowers subtended by a poorly defined, short pedicel, and its small, cup-shaped fruits with a smooth exocarp. Its androecial hood is unique in its slightly developed double coil with long, subulate appendages at its apex. This species may flower as a shrub or small tree, especially when found in secondary vegetation or at the border of savannas.
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Distribution
Eschweilera obversa is a canopy tree of non-flooded forests of eastern Brazilian Amazonia. Flowering collections have been gathered in Feb, Mar, Jun, Jul, and Nov.
Brazil South America| Maranhão Brazil South America| Pará Brazil South America|