Vaccinium puberulum Klotzsch ex Meisn.

Description

Terrestrial shrub to small tree, to 4 m tall, found in savannas, at 100-2600 m; widespread in Venezuela (Bolívar and Amazonas), Guyana, and Guayanan Brazil.

Venezuela. Bolívar: Cerro Roraima, 488 m, Oct 1842 (fl), R. Schomburgk 868 (lectotype: B?; isolectotype: NY frag; syntypes: R. Schomburgk 559, BM, W n.v.).

Vaccinium puberulum was been divided into seven varieties by Maguire et al. (1978). Over the years many new collections have been studied from throughout the extensive range of the species. I am now of the opinion that most of the varieties are doubtfully distinct. There are many examples of character overlap within the same collection. A thorough revision of the species is badly needed. In the meantime, I do herewith include a key to the varieties. The fruits of some populations may be poisonous.

1. Calyx, ovary, and corolla glabrous.    2. Rachis puberulous ................................... var. hitchcockii    2. Rachis glabrous.       3. Principal leaf blades 3-11 cm long, obovate, oblong-elliptic, or narrowly to broadly oblong, the base usually acutely narrowed, the lateral nerves and tertiary venation elevated and prominent beneath ......................... var. subcrenulatum       3. Principal leaf blades 1.5-3.5 cm long, oval to elliptic-oblong, the base usually obtuse, the lateral nerves and tertiary venation not prominent beneath ............ var. jauaense 1. Calyx, ovary, or corolla pubescent.    4. Petioles, calyx, and corolla glabrous; leaves narrowly spathulate ......................... var. spathulatum    4. Petioles, calyx, and corolla pubescent (or calyx glabrous); leaves variously shaped.

      5. Leaves usually entire ............................ var. tepuiense       5. Leaves usually crenulate-serrulate.          6. Calyx lobes 0.5-0.8 mm long, from a broadly ovate-triangular base; floral bracts oval to ovate-oblong, 1.5--5 mm long; leaves oblong, oval, or ovate, 1.5-3 times longer than broad; pilosity of stems and calyx short and slightly developed ........................ var. puberulum          6. Calyx lobes narrowly elongated to 1 mm long from a triangular-lanceolate base; floral bracts foliose, linear-lanceolate, 5-10 mm long; leaves lanceolate-elliptic, 3.3-4 times longer than broad; pilosity of stem and calyx prominent ............................. var. cardonae