Gaultheria lanigera Hook.f. var. lanigera

  • Family

    Ericaceae (Magnoliophyta)

  • Scientific Name

    Gaultheria lanigera Hook.f. var. lanigera

  • Common Names

    jalo, sacha-chirimoya

  • Description

    Description: Leaves bullate, ovate, elliptic to subrotund, concave with margins strongly curved, (1-)1.5-2.5(-3.5) x (0.8-)1.2-2(-2.8) cm; petiole 3-9 mm long. Inflorescence long-racemose, 8-10(-18)--flowered; rachis 3-8 cm long; bracteoles located in basal 1/3 of pedicel, membranous, linear-ovate, 5-6 mm long; floral bracts 6-8(-10) mm long. Corolla 6-7.5(-9) mm long, cream-colored to pale greenish-yellow.

    Distribution: Endemic to the dry, southern Ecuadorean scrub vegetation and shrub páramo where it is only known from the provinces of Azuay and adjacent northern Loja at elevations of (2800-)3000-3700 m. Flowering and fruiting throughout the season. Locally common.

    Common names: Ecuador: jalo, sacha-chirimoya (Azuay)

    Uses: The nectar is reported to be sweet.

  • Floras and Monographs

    Gaultheria lanigera Hook.f. var. lanigera: [Article] Luteyn, James L., et al. 1995. Ericaceae, Part II. The Superior-Ovaried Genera (Monotropoideae, Pyroloideae, Rhododendroideae, and Vaccinioideae P.P.). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 66: 560.