Banisteriopsis alternifolia (Steyerm.) Cuatrec.

Authority

Gates, Bronwen. 1982. Banisteriopsis, Diplopterys (Malpighiaceae). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 30: 1-238. (Published by NYBG Press)

Family

Malpighiaceae

Scientific Name

Banisteriopsis alternifolia (Steyerm.) Cuatrec.

Type

Type. J. A. Steyermark 61914, Venezuela, Monagas, Cerro de la Cueva de Doha Anita, fl (holotype, F).

Synonyms

Banisteria alternifolia Steyerm.

Description

Species Description - Liana, the branches sparsely appressed-sericeous at first, eventually glabrate, stipules minute, triangular. Leaves alternate, coriaceous, with the petiole 8-15 mm long, sparsely appressed-sericeous to glabrate, bearing a pair of sessile glands apically, with the lamina 4.6-10.6 cm long, 2.3-6.4 cm wide, ovate, obtuse to truncate at the base, obtuse to acuminate at the apex, with the margin bearing minute glands apically, adaxially glabrous, abaxially at first sparsely appressed-sericeous, the hairs sessile, with the trabecula 0.2-0.5 mm long, soon glabrate, with the reticulation prominent on both sides. Inflorescence axillary, the branches up to 30 cm long, silvery appressed-sericeous, the hairs with the trabecula 0.150.25 mm long, bearing bract-like leaves up to 5 mm long subtending racemes of 910 flowers borne alternately; bracts and bracteoles subtending the pedicels 0.6-1.2 mm long, acute at the apex, glabrous, involucrate, persistent; pedicels sessile, 5-10 mm long, 0.4-0.6 mm wide. Sepals glabrous on both sides, 2.6-3.0 mm long, 2.0-2.2 mm wide, rounded at the apex, the 4 lateral sepals Eglandular, the glands 1.2-1.3 mm long, 0.7-0.9 mm wide. Petals yellow, laciniate, the 4 lateral petals reflexed between the sepals, with the claw 1.5-2.0 mm long and up to 0.4 mm wide, the limb 5.0-6.0 mm long and 4.5-6.0 mm wide, orbicular, the antero-lateral petals somewhat larger and more concave than the postero-lateral petals, the posterior petal with the claw erect, 3.0 mm long and up to 0.6 mm wide, canaliculate at the apex, the limb up to 4.5 mm long and 4.0 mm wide, broadly obovate, with the basal laciniae gland-tipped. Stamens with the filaments 2.2-3.6 mm long, those opposite the 3 anterior sepals and the postero-lateral petals longest, those opposite the postero-lateral petals almost the same length as those opposite the antero-lateral sepals, those of the 3 posterior stamens inflexed between the posterior styles, the anthers with the locules glabrous, 0.8-1.0 mm long, the connectives of the stamens opposite the 3 anterior sepals 1.0-1.2 mm long, 0.6-0.8 mm wide and 0.6-0.8 mm deep, broadly obovate, overtopping the locules 0.2-0.4 mm, those of the stamens opposite the petals and the posterolateral sepals 0.6-0.9 mm long, 0.4-0.6 mm wide, 0.2-0.6 mm deep, oblong, not overtopping the locules. Ovary 1.0 mm tall, sparsely pubescent, anterior style straight and erect, 2.6-2.8 mm long, the posterior styles diverging, 2.8-3.0 mm long, stigmas capitate. Fruit unknown.

Discussion

Collected in flower in March and April.

Distribution

Known only from two collections, one in Trinidad and one in Monagas, Venezuela.

Venezuela South America| Monagas Venezuela South America| Trinidad and Tobago South America|