Eschweilera rodriguesiana S.A.Mori

  • 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)

  • Family

    Lecythidaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Eschweilera rodriguesiana S.A.Mori

  • Type

    Type. Brazil. Amazonas: 1-2 km behind Cachoeira Tarumãzinho, Manaus, 22 Nov 1975 (fl), Prance 23695 (holotype, INPA; isotype, NY).

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Ab E. subglandulosa lobis calycis 5.5-8 (nec 3-6) mm latis, filamentis 1.5 (nec 0.8-1) mm longis; fructibus 1.5 (operculo excluso) x 2.5-3 (nec 2-3.5 x 3-5.5) cm, et pericarpiis laevibus in sicco atris (nec asperis in sicco brunneis), et ab E. eperuetorum paribus venarum lateralium 10-15 (nec 16-27), floribus 4 (nec 7) cm diam., et petalis luteis (nec albis) differt.

    Description - Trees, to 18 m tall. Leaf blades elliptic, 13.5-20.5 x 5-8.5 cm, glabrous, coriaceous; apex acuminate to long acuminate; base obtuse; margins entire; with 10-15 pairs of lateral veins; petiole 13-17 mm long. Inflorescences terminal, weakly once-branched paniculate arrangement of racemes; rachises glabrous, the principal one 5-10 cm long, often angled; pedicels 8-10 mm long. Flowers ca. 4 cm diam.; calyx with six lobes, the lobes very widely ovate to ovate, 7-12 x 5.5-8 mm, imbricate ½-¾ length, convex abaxially, gibbous at base, concave adaxially; petals six, very widely to widely obovate, yellow, 20-30 x 13-19 mm; hood of androecium yellow, ca. 15-16 x 13-17 mm, doubly coiled; staminal ring with 236-271 stamens, the filaments filiform, 1.5 mm long, the anthers 0.6-0.7 mm long; ovary 2-locular, each locule with 5-7 basally attached ovules, the style broadly obconical, usually erect, infrequently oblique, 1.2-1.5 mm long. Fruits globose, 1.5 (excluding operculum) x 2.5-3 cm, the Calyx-lobes persistent but unthickened, the pericarp 2-3 mm thick; operculum dome-shaped, not umbonate, ca. 1.5 cm high. Seeds circular in cross section, 20 x 15 mm, with lateral funicle-aril.

  • Discussion

    Eschweilera rodriguesiana is morphologically similar to E. subglandulosa and it is difficult to separate these species without fruit. The fruits of E. rodriguesiana are smaller and have a smooth external surface that dries nearly black. In contrast, the larger fruits of E. subglandulosa have a rougher external surface that dries light brown. The Calyx-lobes of E. rodriguesiana are wider (5.5-8 versus 3-6 mm) and its filaments are longer (1.5 versus 0.8-1 mm) than those of E. subglandulosa. Eschweilera rodriguesiana prefers non-flooded forest whereas E. subglandulosa is most often found along rivers. The fruits of E. rodriguesiana are morphologically similar to those of E. eperuetorum but these two species differ in the fewer lateral veins of the leaves, the smaller flowers, and the yellow instead of white petals of the former.

    This species is named in honor of William A. Rodrigues whose collections and writings on Amazonian plants have added much to our knowledge of this vast flora. His collections and studies of Lecythidaceae have contributed to our monograph of the family.

  • Distribution

    An understory tree of non-flooded forest known only from central Amazonian Brazil. It flowers in Nov and Dec and drops seed in Jan.

    Brazil South America| Amazonas Brazil South America|