Gymnosiphon suaveolens (H.Karst.) Urb.

Authority

Maas, Paulus J. M., et al. 1986. Burmanniaceae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 42: 1-189. (Published by NYBG Press)

Family

Burmanniaceae

Scientific Name

Gymnosiphon suaveolens (H.Karst.) Urb.

Type

Type. Colombia. Guajira: Between Caracas and Sta. Marta, Karsten s.n. (holotype, GOET).

Synonyms

Benitzia suaveolens H.Karst., Ptychomeria suaveolens (H.Karst.) Schltr.

Description

Species Description - Herbs, 7-37 cm high. Rhizome-scales narrowly ovate to ovate, 0.6-4.4 mm long, 1.6-2.3 mm wide, apex acute to acuminate. Stems purple to purplish white, relatively thick, mostly unbranched. Leaves ovate, 1.5-4 mm long, 1.2-1.9(-2.3) mm wide, apex obtuse to acute. Inflorescence a bifurcate cincinnus, each cincinnus 2.5-8 cm long and 2-17-flowered. Internodes of infructescence 3-8 mm long. Bracts narrowly ovate, 1.4-4(-5.5) mm long, 0.6-1.5 mm wide, apex obtuse to acute. Pedicels 1.3-6.7 mm long, in fruit to 6.8(-10) mm long. Flowers white, erect or nodding, 7-15 mm long. Floral tube 5.5-9.8 mm long, with six dark lines. Outer tepals 3-lobed, 3.5-5.6 mm long and wide; central lobe depressed ovate-triangular, 1.3-2.3 mm long, 2-3.3 mm wide; lateral lobes narrowly ovate-triangular, 1.2-2.1 mm long, 0.5-1.4 mm wide. Inner tepals ovate, often swollen, 1-1.5 mm long, 0.5-1 mm wide. Connective with two deltate apical appendages ca. 0.2 mm long and wide. Style, including branches and stigmas, 4-6.2 mm long orange, branches 0.3-0.4 mm long, stigmas horseshoe-shaped, 0.4-1.1 mm diam., sinus ca. 0.3 mm deep, appendages to 5.5 mm long. Ovary obovoid, 1.9-4.2 x 1.1-2 mm. Capsule narrowly obovoid to obovoid, to 6.5 x 3.3 mm, the persistent part of the floral tube including the capsule (4.1-)6-9 mm long, style exceeding the floral tube by ca. 1 mm. Capsule longitudinally dehiscent, the three valves separating from base to apex, each valve split into two narrowly obovate parts cohering at the top; the three remaining ribs of the capsule and the three placentabearing ribs forming a lantern-like structure. Seeds 0.4-0.5 x 0.2-0.4 mm.

Discussion

This species is easily recognized by its relatively thick stems and very large flowers and capsules. It is one of the few Burmanniaceae found above 1000 m.

Distribution

Mexico, Central America, and Andean South America; in forests, at elevations from (500-) 1200-2300 m; flowering all year.

Mexico North America| Chiapas Mexico North America| Hidalgo Mexico North America| Oaxaca Mexico North America| San Luis Potosí Mexico North America| Veracruz Mexico North America| Guatemala Central America| Honduras Central America| Nicaragua Central America| Costa Rica South America| Panama Central America| Colombia South America| Cauca Colombia South America| Cundinamarca Colombia South America| Huila Colombia South America| Magdalena Colombia South America| Santander Colombia South America| Tolima Colombia South America| Valle Colombia South America| Venezuela South America| Aragua Venezuela South America| Bolívar Venezuela South America| Distrito Federal Venezuela South America| Lara Venezuela South America| Mérida Venezuela South America| Táchira Venezuela South America| Zulia Venezuela South America| Ecuador South America| Napo Ecuador South America| Pastaza Ecuador South America| Pichincha Ecuador South America| Peru South America| Amazonas Peru South America| Huánuco Peru South America|