Carlowrightia myriantha (Standl.) Standl.

  • Authority

    Daniel, Thomas F. 1983. Carloivrightia (Acanthaceae). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 34: 1-116. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Acanthaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Carlowrightia myriantha (Standl.) Standl.

  • Type

    Type. Mexico. Yucatán: Kancabtsonot, Jan 1917, Gaumer 23557 (F!, holotype).

  • Synonyms

    Justicia myriantha Standl.

  • Description

    Species Description - Erect subshrubs to 4 dm high. Younger stems green, quadrate to terete, pubescent in 2 vertical lines on opposite sides of the internodes, the trichomes eglandular, strongly bent toward the shoot apex, 0.3-0.9 mm long. Leaves petiolate. pubescent with cauline type trichomes, the laminas ovate, 14-40 mm long, 8-23 mm wide, mostly 1.3-1.8 times longer than wide, rounded to acute at base, acute at apex. Inflorescence consisting of a terminal panicle of numerous spicate axes. Inflorescence axes pubescent with a mixture of eglandular and glandular trichomes, the eglandular trichomes erect, 0.05-0.10 mm long, the glands 0.1-0.2 mm long. Bracts subulate, 2.0-4.0 mm long, 0.5-1.0 mm wide, pubescent like the inflorescence axes. Bractlets subulate, 1.5-2.5 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, pubescent like the inflorescence axes. Calyx 3.0-4.5 mm long, pubescent like the inflorescence axes, the lobes subulate. Corolla (immature or cleistogamous?) 3 mm long. Thecae (immature?) parallel, 1.0 mm long, lacking basal appendages. Style 1.5-3.0 mm long. Capsule 7.0-7.5 mm long, glabrous below, sparsely pubescent at the apex. Seeds flat, cordate in outline, 2.0-3.0 mm long, 2.0-2.5 mm wide, testa subtuberculate, the margins entire.

  • Discussion

    Discussion. Standley described this species as Justicia myriantha, noting that its generic position was uncertain. Characters in the description (i.e. thecae short mucronate at base and capsules 4-5 mm long) suggest this species belongs in Justicia. Standley later transferred the species to Carlowrightia. Examination of the type and the three additional specimens cited by Standley does not help to clarify the generic position of this species, largely due to the absence of mature flowers. Examination of a flower bud (or a cleistogamous flower?) reveals two stamens with parallel thecae which lack basal appendages, features more suggestive of Carlowrightia than Justicia. The pollen, which is tricolporate with six pseu-docolpi, also resembles that of Carlowrightia. Although these specimens may be a species of Carlowrightia, they differ from other species in the genus by the combination of upturned, eglandular trichomes on the vegetative shoots and small capsules and seeds, the latter with entire margins. The upturned trichomes resemble those in some individuals of C. arizonica from southern Mexico (Form 8); however, the specimens from Yucatan have seeds with an entire margin and apically pubescent capsules unlike any specimens of C. arizonica.

  • Distribution

    Mexico North America| Yucatán Mexico North America|