Calceolaria stricta Kunth

  • Authority

    Molau, Ulf. 1988. Scrophulariaceae Part I. Calceolarieae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 47: 1-325. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Scrophulariaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Calceolaria stricta Kunth

  • Type

    Type. Ecuador. Loja: Between Río Vinayacu and Loja, ca. 2000 m, Jul-Aug 1802, Bonpland s.n. (lectotype, P; isotypes, B-WILLD, P).

  • Synonyms

    Fagelia stricta (Kunth) Kuntze

  • Description

    Species Description - Erect or ascending shrub, 0.5-3 m tall, the whole plant glabrous and strongly glutinous. Leaves with blades ovate or elliptic, 7.5-15 x 2.7-5.8 cm, acuminate, attenuate or cuneate at base, the margins serrulate; upper surface bright green, smooth or slightly flexuose; lower surface pale green, closely reticulate-venose; petioles 9-27 mm. Inflorescence composed of 1 or 2 pairs of 16-36-flowered cymes, the primary peduncles 3-10 cm long, the pedicels 0.7-2.8 cm; cyme bracts absent. Sepals green, triangular, 2.5-3.4 x 1.5-2 mm at anthesis, acute or slightly acuminate, entirely glabrous. Corolla type V, bright yellow, the upper lip 5-8 x 6-9 mm, the lower lip 15-20 x 10-15 mm, saccate in 50-60% of length; elaiophore present. Stamens type 1; anthers huffish to yellow-brown, 2.3-2.8 mm, glabrous, the thecae equal; filaments 0.8-1 mm. Style 1.3-2.2 mm, slightly curved. Capsule conical or ovoid, acute, brownish, 4-6 mm long, glutinous. 2n = 36 (Lojtnant & Molau 15019).

  • Discussion

    Phylogenetically, C. stricta seems to be rather isolated within sect. Salicifoliae. The small, glabrous, triangular sepals imply a relationship with C. deflexa, and the two species also have vegetative characters in common. The corolla shape of C. stricta is unique within the section, but similar Centris-flowers are present in C. atahualpae of sect. Polyclada and several species of sect. Thamnobia, probably as a result of parallel evolution in adaptation to the same pollinator.

  • Distribution

    Restricted to mountains of the province of Loja, southernmost Ecuador. Within this range it is locally abundant, and grows in dry scrub and montane forest between 2000 and 2700 m.

    Ecuador South America| Loja Ecuador South America|