Comarostaphylis arbutoides subsp. costaricensis (Small) Diggs

  • Family

    Ericaceae (Magnoliophyta)

  • Scientific Name

    Comarostaphylis arbutoides subsp. costaricensis (Small) Diggs

  • Primary Citation

    Brittonia 38: 344. 1986

  • Basionym

    Comarostaphylis costaricensis Small

  • Common Names

    anonillo, arrayán, madroño

  • Description

    Type: Costa Rica. Cartago: Volcán Irazú, 25 Jun 1874 (bud, fl, im fr), Kuntze 2361 (holotype: NY, photo, Diggs neg. 5; isotype: US).

    Description: Shrubs or small trees to 5 m; young twigs and petioles glabrous, often glaucous. Leaves glabrous below. Inflorescences glabrous or with slight pubescence. Flowers: calyx lobes, corollas, and ovary glabrous.

    Distribution: Endemic to the Cordillera Central of Costa Rica, known only from the type locality, Volcán Irazú (Cartago Province), and two other sites (Palmira, Alajuela Province and Volcán Barba, Heredia Province), at ca. 2500-3430 m. It is an important component of the ericaceous scrub on the crater rim of Volcán Irazú and is abundant in the otherwise nearly barren areas of volcanic ash.

    Phenology: Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

  • Floras and Monographs

    Comarostaphylis arbutoides subsp. costaricensis (Small) Diggs: [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.