Coussapoa cinnamomifolia Mildbr.

  • Authority

    Berg, Cornelius C., et al. 1990. Cecropiaceae: Coussapoa and Pourouma, with an introduction to the family. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 51: 1-208. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Urticaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Coussapoa cinnamomifolia Mildbr.

  • Type

    Mildbraed, Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin 15: 783. 1942. Type. Ecuador. Pastaza: Nr. Mera, ca. 1000 m, 28 Oct 1938 (male), Schultze-Rhonhof 2943 (holotype, B).

  • Description

    Species Description - Tree, mostly terrestrial, up to 35 m tall. Leafy twigs 2-5 mm thick, densely brownish appressed-puberulous, glabrescent. Lamina coriaceous, oblong to subovate or subobovate, 3-13 × 1-5 cm, apex (sub)acute to obtuse, base obtuse to acute, margin entire; upper surface glabrous, lower surface glabrous or appressed-puberulous in the lower part; lateral veins 3-6 pairs, the basal pairs strong, unbranched, reaching the margin far below the middle of the lamina, the other lateral veins weak and inconspicuous; intercostal venation plane; petiole 1-2 (or -3) cm long, densely brownish appressed-puberulous; stipules 0.5-2.5 cm long, brownish subsericeous to subvelutinous. Staminate inflorescences poorly branched; heads 2-7, partly fused, globose, ca. 2-3 mm diam.; common peduncle 1.5-3 cm long, brownish puberulous, perianth ca. 1 mm high, sparsely minutely puberulous; stamens three, just exceeding the perianth. Pistillate inflorescences unbranched or poorly branched; heads 1-2, sometimes partly fused, globose, ca. 4-7 mm, in fruit up to 9 mm diam.; (common) peduncle 25 cm long, brownish puberulous; perianth ca. 1 mm high, glabrous; fruiting perianth yellow. Interfloral bracts spathulate to subpeltate or peltate.

  • Discussion

    In many characters, and especially in the sub-trinervate lamina, C. cinnamomifolia is similar to C. trinervia. The 3-staminate flowers, however, suggest relationships with other species, in particular with C. parviceps.

    The Colombian collection differs somewhat from the other collections in the longer petiole (up to 3 cm) and peltate and larger bracts.

  • Distribution

    Known in Colombia (Antioquia), Ecuador (Pastaza), and Bolivia (La Paz); in forest at altitudes between (400-?) 800 and 1200 m.

    Colombia South America| Antioquia Colombia South America| Ecuador South America| Pastaza Ecuador South America| Bolivia South America| La Paz Bolivia South America|