Lecythis corrugata subsp. rosea (Spruce ex O.Berg) S.A.Mori

  • Family

    Lecythidaceae (Magnoliophyta)

  • Scientific Name

    Lecythis corrugata subsp. rosea (Spruce ex O.Berg) S.A.Mori

  • Primary Citation

    Brittonia 33: 363. 1981

  • Basionym

    Lecythis rosea Spruce ex O.Berg

  • Description

    Author: Scott A. Mori

    Type: Type. Brazil. Amazonas: Rio Negro, Barcellos, Nov 1851 (fl), Spruce 1920 (holotype, M; isotypes, BM, E, G, photo G at A & NY, K, LD, NY, OXF, P).

    Description: Leaf blades narrowly to widely elliptic, oblong to widely oblong, or narrowly ovate to lanceolate, 8-18.5 x4-9.5 cm, the adaxial surface with conspicuous, longitudinally oriented striations; secondary veins in 17-23 pairs. Calyx-lobes 5.5-8 x 3.5-5 mm.

    Common names: Venezuela: cabullo, kumaiteka (Arekuna language), tabari (Arekuna language).

    Distribution: This subspecies is mainly found in Venezuela and Roraima Territory of Brazil. Numerous collections come from north of the Andes in the state of Zulia, Venezuela and one (Prance et ale 22934) comes from south of the Amazon River.

    Ecology: Subspecies rosea has been collected mostly from non-flooded forests but also occurs along rivers.

    Phenology: Subspecies rosea flowers most profusely from Nov to Jan but flowering collections have also been made from Feb to Apr and in Sep.

    Pollination: No observations but the pollination system of this subspecies is probably similar to that of subsp. corrugata.

    Dispersal: No observations recorded. Although I have not seen the aril of this subspecies it probably does possess a basal aril that may serve as reward for seed dispersers.

    Field characters: Lecythis corrugata subsp. rosea is characterized by a straight bole without buttresses; red or pink flowers; a flat, dorsiventrally expanded androecial hood; and corrugate hypanthia and fruits, especially when the later are young which are all similar in subsp. corrugata but, in contrast to that subspecies, the leaves are smooth, shiny, and with striations on the adaxial surface (see image below).

    Taxonomic notes: In all aspects, except the adaxial leaf blade surface, this subspecies is very similar to subsp. corrugata.

    Uses: Non recorded.

    Etymology: The name of the subspecies refers to the pink flowers.

  • Floras and Monographs

    Lecythis corrugata subsp. rosea (Spruce ex O.Berg) 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

    Inflorescence and flower morphology and anatomy of Lecythis corrugata subsp. rosea.

    Wood anatomy of Lecythis corrugata subsp. rosea.

    Leaf morphology and anatomy of Lecythis corrugata subsp. rosea.