Comarostaphylis polifolia (Kunth) Zucc. ex Klotzsch subsp. polifolia

  • Family

    Ericaceae (Magnoliophyta)

  • Scientific Name

    Comarostaphylis polifolia (Kunth) Zucc. ex Klotzsch subsp. polifolia

  • Common Names

    anu-aquè, pingüico prieto, madroñito, mansanilla

  • Description

    Description: Erect to spreading shrubs or small trees, 0.6-4(-6) m tall; young twigs and petioles glandular hirsute, often densely so, to tomentose. Leaves revolute, often strongly so, less frequently hearly plane, 2-7.6 x 0.3-1.9 cm, lower surface tomentulose to tomentose, often densely so, pubescence sometimes ferruginous, rarely subglabrous, glandular trichomes also sometimes present, especially along the midribs. Inflorescences: rachis, pedicels, bracts, bracteoles, and calyx usually glandular hirsute, rarely with eglandular trichomes or subglabrous. Flowers: ovary with eglandular trichomes, sometimes densely villous. Fruit 5-9 mm in diam.

    Distribution: Endemic to Mexico, from Oaxaca, north and west as far as Chihuahua, in the relatively xeric matorral xerofilo (Rzedowski, 1978), at elevations of 1750-2800(-2950) m. Flowering and fruiting throughout the year but most commonly Apr-Sep and Jul-Nov, respectively.

    Illustration: Diggs (1995), fig. 16.

  • Floras and Monographs

    Comarostaphylis polifolia (Kunth) Zucc. ex Klotzsch subsp. polifolia: [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.