Gustavia flagellata var. costata S.A.Mori

  • Family

    Lecythidaceae (Magnoliophyta)

  • Scientific Name

    Gustavia flagellata var. costata S.A.Mori

  • Primary Citation

    Brittonia 28: 297. 1976

  • Type Specimens

    Specimen 1: Isotype -- M. H. Nee 4035

    Specimen 2: Isotype -- M. H. Nee 4035

  • Description

    Author: Scott A. Mori & Nathan P. Smith

    Type: Venezuela. Distrito Federal: Between Los Caracas and Oritopo on coastal Hwy 1, 7 km E of Los Caracas, 25 Apr 1971 (fl), Nee & Mori 4035 (holotype, WIS; isotypes, P, US, VEN).

    Description: Leaf blades narrowly obovate, oblong, or oblanceolate, 34-81 x 10-30 cm, with a length to width ratio of 1.8-3.6, the base acute, cuneate, or obtuse; secondary veins in 15-23 pairs. Pedicellary bracteoles usually ovate, persistent, 2.5-6 x 3-6.5 mm. Hypanthium costate.

    Common names: Venezuela: camburito (Rutkis 182).

    Distribution: This variety is known only from moist coastal forests below 200 m in the Distrito Federal and Miranda, Venezuela.

    Ecology: This variety is restricted to the moist forests of the Distrito Federal and the state of Miranda. Although much of this area, especially of the Distrito Federal, is covered by semi-deciduous forest there are finger-like projections of moist evergreen forest that reach the coast. Gustavia flagellata var. costata is found in those quebradas, stream sides, and river valleys with enough moisture to support evergreen forest. In these areas it is a common plant that is easily recognized by its large leaves tufted at the ends of the branches.

    Phenology: Flowers have been collected from Mar to Jun. Fruits have been collected from Jun to Sep. Flowering coincides with the dry season and fruits mature in the wet season.

    Pollination: No reports of pollination have been recorded.

    Dispersal: No reports of dispersal have been recorded.

    Predation: No observations recorded.

    Field characters: Gustavia flagellata var. costata is a plant of moist coastal forests (usually found at less than 200 m) and has pedicellary bracteoles that are usually ovate, often persistent, and 2.5-6 x 3-6.5 mm, and an ovary that is costate.

    Taxonomic notes: The principal differences between this and var. flagellata are summarized on the main page for this species.

    Conservation: IUCN Red List: Not on list (March 2014).

    Uses: None known.

    Etymology: The varietal epithet refers to the costate ovary.

    Source: This species page is based on Mori in Prance & Mori, 1979.

  • Floras and Monographs

    Gustavia flagellata var. costata S.A.Mori: [Article] Prance, Ghillean T. & Mori, S. A. 1979. Lecythidaceae - Part I. The actinomorphic-flowered New World Lecythidaceae (Asteranthos, Gustavia, Grias, Allantoma & Cariniana). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 21: 1-270.

  • Narratives

    Leaf morphology and anatomy of Gustavia flagellata var. costata.

    Flower morphology and anatomy of Gustavia flagellata var. costata.