Banisteriopsis pulcherrima (Sandwith) B.Gates

Authority

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

Family

Malpighiaceae

Scientific Name

Banisteriopsis pulcherrima (Sandwith) B.Gates

Type

Type. N. Sandwith 1430, Guyana, Kaieteur Savannah, fl fr (holotype, K; isotype, U).

Synonyms

Banisteriopsis elegans var. pulcherrima Sandwith

Description

Species Description - Shrub or vine on ground, branches glabrous. Stipules minute. Leaves very coriaceous, with the petiole 2-6 mm long, glabrous, eglandular, with the lamina 5.2-14.5 cm long, 3.5-11.8 cm wide, those associated with the inflorescence smaller and often reduced to bracts, ovate to broadly ovate, strongly cordate at the base, acute to short-acuminate at the apex, with the margin more or less revolute and bearing apically glandular teeth or ciliate extensions, abaxially at the base of the leaf beside the midrib bearing a single pair of sessile glands, glabrous on both sides, with the lateral veins and the scalariform secondary veins interconnecting them prominent on both sides. Inflorescence axillary or terminal, cymose, of 4-flowered umbels, the branches up to 45 cm long, glabrous, the reduced or bract-like leaves of the inflorescence with ciliate projections up to 6 mm long around the margin, subtending 1-3 umbels or 3-4 pairs of flowers, the umbel-bearing branches 15-25 mm long; bracts and bracteoles 0.6-0.8 mm long, glabrous; pedicels sessile, 12-18 mm long, 0.4-0.5 mm in diameter, glabrous. Sepals glabrous on both sides, 2.0-2.5 mm long and wide, rounded at the apex, the 4 lateral sepals Eglandular, the glands 1.5-2.0 mm long and 1.2-1.5 mm wide. Petals yellow, lacerate, the 4 lateral petals reflexed between the sepals, with the claw 3.5-4.0 mm long, 0.6-0.7 mm wide, the limb 8.0-11.0 mm long and wide, orbicular, the antero-lateral petals larger and more concave than the posterolateral petals, the posterior petal with the claw erect, 3.5 mm long and up to 1.2 mm wide at the apex, the limb 8.5-9.5 mm long and wide, reflexed, broadly obovate, often veined with red, the basal teeth gland-tipped. Stamens with the filaments 2.6-4.0 mm long, those opposite the 3 anterior sepals longest, those opposite the postero-lateral petals almost as long as those opposite the anterolateral sepals, those of the 3 posterior stamens inflexed between the posterior styles; anthers with the locules glabrous, 0.7-1.0 mm long, the connectives of the stamens opposite the 3 anterior sepals 1.2-1.6 mm long, 1.4-1.8 mm wide, 1.0-1.4 mm deep, globose, enlarged and glandular, overtopping the locules, those of the stamens opposite the petals and the postero-lateral sepals 0.5-1.0 mm long, 0.4-0.8 mm wide, 0.4-0.6 mm deep, oblong, not overtopping the locules. Ovary 1.2-1.4 mm tall, densely hairy, anterior style straight and erect, 2.8-3.0 mm long, 0.2-0.3 mm in diameter, the posterior styles diverging at the base and directed posteriorly, 3.8-4.0 mm long and 0.10-0.15 mm wide, stigmas capitate. Fruit with filiform carpophore up to 3 mm long, with the nut 4-6 mm tall and 3-4 mm long, ridged, appressed-sericeous to glabrate, the hairs sessile, with the trabecula stiff and irritating, 1.0-1.5 mm long, the wing 24-35 mm long, 10-13 mm wide, appressed-sericeous to glabrate like the nut, arising from the upper one-third of the distal margin of the nut.

Discussion

Collected in flower in December to September, and in fruit in December, February, and May to October.

Distribution

In open places in the Guayana Highland at altitudes of 400-2130 m.

Venezuela South America| Bolívar Venezuela South America| Guyana South America|