Cavendishia subamplexicaulis A.C.Sm.

  • Family

    Ericaceae (Magnoliophyta)

  • Scientific Name

    Cavendishia subamplexicaulis A.C.Sm.

  • Primary Citation

    Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 28: 478. 1932

  • Type Specimens

    Specimen 1: Holotype -- F. W. Pennell 4299

  • Description

    Description: Epiphytic or terrestrial shrub with stems to 5 m long, glabrous except filaments; mature branches subterete, bluntly angled to striate; bark gray; twigs similar but brown to reddish-brown. Leaves subamplexicaul, oblong, ovate-oblong, or ovate-elliptic, (3.6-)5-8.7(-10) x (1.9-)2.5-4(-6.4) cm, basally cordate and slightly auriculate, apically obtusely short-acuminate or obtuse; weakly 5-7(-11)-plinerved often appearing pinnate, midrib and lateral nerves impressed or plane above and raised beneath, reticulate veinlets slightly raised on both surfaces; petioles subterete, slightly rugose, 2-4(-6) mm long and 2.5-4 mm diam., obscured by cordate leaf base, about as long as leaf-base sinus is deep thereby causing leaves to appear nearly sessile or subamplexicaul. Inflorescence 15-25(-53)-flowered; rachis subterete, bluntly angled, muricate, 7-12.5(-17) cm long and 2-3 mm diam.; floral bracts more or less involute in bud becoming conduplicate at anthesis, oblong or oblanceolate, 15-32 x 8-13 mm, apically obtuse or acute, but appearing long-acuminate, minutely but conspicuously glandular-punctate adaxially, rose-red when fresh; pedicels subterete, 9-12 mm long at anthesis lengthening to 15 mm long in fruit; bracteoles oblong or ovate-oblong, 3-5 x 2.5-3 mm, apically rounded and sometimes apiculate, glandular-punctate adaxially, marginally eglandular. Flowers: calyx 4.5-6 mm long; hypanthium cylindric or somewhat bluntly pentagonal, ca. 3 mm long and 4-5 mm diam., basally slightly apophysate (the apophysis less than 1 mm long); limb erect, 2-3 mm long; lobes triangular, ca. 0.5-1 x 2.5 mm, connivent after anthesis, eglandular; sinuses broadly rounded; corolla cylindric 15-17.5 mm long and 4-5 mm diam., red when fresh, lobes deltoid, less than 1 mm long; stamens 13-14 mm long; filaments short-pilose ventrally, alternately 1.8-2.5 mm and 4-6 mm long; anthers alternately 11-12.5 mm and 10-11 mm; thecae 3-5.5 mm long; style equal to corolla. Berry 9-10 mm in diam.

    Distribution: EEndemic to Colombia and known only from three localities in N Antioquia Dept., on exposed hillsides, river banks, or along forest, at elevations of 2135-2200 m (see Luteyn & Sylva S., 1999). Flowering specimens have been collected in February and March, and fruiting in late March. Rare.

    Type: Colombia. Antioquia (formerly Bolívar): Cordillera Occidental, below Páramo de Chaquiro, 2800-3100 m, 24 Feb 1918 (fl), Pennell 4299 (holotype: NY, photo NY neg. 9712).

  • Floras and Monographs

    Cavendishia subamplexicaulis A.C.Sm.: [Article] Luteyn, James L. 1983. Ericaceae--part I. Cavendishia. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 35: 1-290.