Banisteriopsis lyrata B.Gates

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Malpighiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Banisteriopsis lyrata B.Gates

  • Type

    Type. G. T. Prance & J. F. Ramos 6960, Brazil, Rondônia, vicinity of Santa Barbara, 15 km E of km 117 on Pôrto Velho to Cuiabá highway, fl (holotype, INPA 23719; isotypes, MICH, NY).

  • Description

    Species Description - Liana, young branches appressed-sericeous, older branches glabrate. Stipules minute, triangular, appressed-sericeous to glabrate. Leaves with the petiole 6-10 (-20) mm long, golden-tomento-sericeous, with a pair of prominent glands apically, the lamina 6.0-12.8 cm long, 2.9-6.5 cm wide, narrowly elliptic to elliptic or ovate, cordate at the base, obtuse to acute at the apex, with the margin plane, adaxially glabrous, abaxially densely appressed-sericeous, more or less shining and golden, with the lateral veins prominent on both sides. Inflorescence axillary, paniculate, the lateral branches bearing 3-4 pairs of flowers, sparsely to densely tomento-sericeous, the hairs minute with the trabecula up to 0.4 mm long, bracts and bracteoles 1.0-1.5(-2.0) mm long, sparsely sericeous to glabrate, broadly triangular, acute at the apex, involucrate, persistent; pedicels sessile, 6-10 mm long, 0.4-0.6 mm in diameter, sparsely to densely sericeous. Sepals 2.2-3.0 mm long, 1.6-2.0 mm wide, rounded at the apex, sericeous throughout abaxially or glabrous distally, glabrous adaxially, the 4 lateral sepals Eglandular, projecting 0.8-1.7 mm beyond the glands, the glands 0.8-2.0 mm long, 0.6-1.4 mm wide. Petals yellow, long-fimbriate, glabrous, the 4 lateral petals reflexed between the sepals, the claw 1.0-2.0 mm long, the limb 6.0-10.0 mm long and 4.5-7.0 mm wide, broadly elliptic, plane, the antero-lateral petals somewhat larger than the postero-lateral petals, the posterior petal with the claw erect, 3.0 mm long and 0.6-1.0 mm wide, apically constricted, the limb 5.0-8.0 mm long and 3.5-5.0 mm wide, obovate, with 2-3 prominent gland-tipped teeth proximally. Stamens with the filaments opposite the 3 anterior sepals and the postero-lateral petals 3.4-4.4 mm long, those opposite the postero-lateral petals longest, those opposite the other petals and the postero-lateral sepals 1.8-2.6 mm long, those of the 3 posterior stamens inflexed between the posterior styles; anthers with the locules glabrous, 0.6-1.0 mm long, the connectives of the stamens opposite the 3 anterior sepals 0.9-1.3 mm long, 0.7-1.1 mm wide, 0.5-0.8 mm deep, broadly obovate, glandular and enlarged, overtopping the locules 0.2-0.7 mm, those opposite the petals and the postero-lateral sepals 0.4-0.8 mm long, 0.3-0.7 mm wide and 0.20.4 mm deep, oblong. Ovary 1.0-1.5 mm tall, sparsely sericeous apically, the anterior style straight and erect, 2.4-3.4 mm long, the posterior styles lyrate, much longer than the anterior style, 3.0-4.2 mm long, slender, stigmas capitate. Fruit unknown.

  • Discussion

    Collected in flower in February, March, June, August, November and December. Not known in fruit.

    This species is named for its lyrate posterior styles, which are unusual in this group where the styles are usually subequal or the posterior styles are shorter than the anterior style, or even lacking. The Black collection from Rondônia is unusual for its longer petioles and larger bracts and bracteoles.

  • Distribution

    In forest on terra firme on both sides of the Amazon basin, to the north in the foothills of the Guayana Highland in Bolívar, Venezuela and in northern Pará, Brazil, and to the south in Rondônia, Brazil.

    Venezuela South America| Bolívar Venezuela South America| Brazil South America| Pará Brazil South America| Rondônia Brazil South America|