Clidemia costaricensis Cogn. & Gleason

  • Family

    Melastomataceae (Magnoliophyta)

  • Scientific Name

    Clidemia costaricensis Cogn. & Gleason

  • Primary Citation

    Brittonia 3: 125. 1939

  • Type Specimens

    Specimen 1: Holotype -- A. F. Skutch 3301, verif. F. Almeda, 1987

  • Description

    Description Author and Date: Frank Almeda, based on Almeda, F. (2009). Melastomataceae. In: G. Davidse, M. Sousa-Sânchez, S. Knapp, & F. Chiang (eds.), Flora Mesoamericana: Cucurbitaceae a Polemoniaceae. 4(1): 164-338.

    Type: Holotype: Costa Rica, Skutch 3301 (NY!).

    Description: Terrestrial (rarely epiphytic) shrub 1-2.5 m tall or small tree to 4 m, the te rete uppermost internodes, petioles and inflorescence axis moderately to copiously covered with spreading, somewhat to markedly reflexed, smooth (rarely gland-tipped) hairs 1-2(-4) mm long. Leaves of a pair equal or somewhat unequal in size, the blades 4.3-16 x 2.4-8.1 cm, elliptic to elliptic-ovate, 5-7-plinerved, apex long-acuminate, base obtuse to rounded, the margin essentially entire to obscurely crenulate, moderately to copiously hirsute adaxially with smooth ± spreading hairs 1-2(-4) mm long, the abaxial surface also beset with smooth spreading hairs 1-2 mm long on the primary and higher order veins. Inflorescence a pseudolateral paniculiform dichasium 2-6 cm long that is typically branched from the base; flowers 5-merous on glandular-puberulent pedicels 0.5 mm long., bracteoles narrowly triangular to elliptic-ovate, persistent, 0.5-2 mm long. Hypanthium moderately covered with spreading smooth (gland-tipped in part on some individuals) hairs 1-1.5 mm and an inconspicuous ground layer mixture of minute glands and stellate hairs. Calyx lobes 1 x 1.5 mm, broadly triangular to triangular-ovate; exterior calyx teeth subulate, 1.5-2.5 mm long with an indument like the hypanthia. Petals glabrous, translucent white, linear-oblong, 3-5.5 x 1-1.5 mm. Filaments 1.5 x 0.1 mm, conspicuously constricted just below the thecae; anthers 1 x 0.25 mm, pale yellow with a dorsally inclined pore at the truncate apex; connective slightly thickened but neither prolonged nor appendaged below the anther thecae. Ovary 5-locular, completely inferior, apex low and domelike but ± flattened on mature fruits, sparingly beset with minute glands. Berry red when ripe, 3-5 x 3-6 mm when dry. Seeds 0.4 mm long, the testa smooth.

    Habitat and Distribution: Local and uncommon in cloud forests, disturbed sites, and pastures. 800-1800 m. COSTA RICA (Almeda et al. 2905, CAS); PANAMA (Almeda et al. 6247, CAS). (Endemic)

    Taxonomy and Systematics: This species is highly variable in foliar size, petiole length, degree of inflorescence branching, and pubescence density. Judging from the constancy of characters such as indument characters, and floral and fruit details, it is clear that C. costaricensis cannot be subdivided into meaningful taxonomic entities.

    Notes: [Description based only on Mesoamerican specimens.]

  • Sorry, no descriptions available for this record.