Agarista subcordata (Dunal) Judd

  • Authority

    Luteyn, James L., et al. 1995. Ericaceae, Part II. The Superior-Ovaried Genera (Monotropoideae, Pyroloideae, Rhododendroideae, and Vaccinioideae P.P.). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 66: 560. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Ericaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Agarista subcordata (Dunal) Judd

  • Type

    Type. Peru. Amazonas: Chachapoyas, Mathews s.n. (holotype, G, n.v.; frag, and photo of holotype, F; isotypes, E, K, S).

  • Synonyms

    Gaylussacia subcordata Dunal, Leucothoe subcordata (Dunal) Sleumer

  • Description

    Species Description - Shrub; twigs sparsely to very sparsely pubescent, with ± nonchambered pith; buds to ca. 1.8 mm long, leaves re volute. Leaves coriaceous, ovate to elliptic, 1-3.1 × 0.6-1.3 cm, base rounded to slightly cordate, apex acute- to rounded-mucronate, margin entire (slightly sinuous), plane to slightly re volute, both surfaces glabrous to sparsely pubescent on midvein, abaxially often with few to several inconspicuous glandular dots along midvein; petiole 1-2.5 mm long. Inflorescences axillary racemes to 5-10 cm long; rachis sparsely to moderately pubescent; pedicels 3.5-7 mm long, sparsely to moderately pubescent; bracteoles 2, at or near base to within lower 1/3 of pedicel, narrowly triangular, to ca. 1.1 mm long; floral bracts to 1.5 mm long. Flowers with triangular calyx lobes, with acuminate apices, 1-1.5 × 0.9-1.5 mm, abaxial surface glabrous to very sparsely pubescent, especially near base; corolla cylindrical to urceolate-cylindrical, white, 6-7.5 × 3-3.5 mm, glabrous; filaments ca. 3.5 mm long; anthers ca. 1.3 mm long; ovary glabrous to very sparsely pubescent near apex. Capsules subglobose to short-ovoid, 4-5 × 5.5-6.5 mm, placentae subapical; seeds not seen.

  • Discussion

    The poorly known Agarista subcordata probably is related to both A. albiflora and A. bracamorensis. All three taxa are limited to the northern Andes, but A. albiflora is by far the most widely distributed. Agarista subcordata can be distinguished readily from A. albiflora by its often smaller leaves and its inflorescence axis with short, curled hairs, and from A. bracamorensis by its wider, less strongly revolute leaves and its longer pedicels.

  • Distribution

    Endemic to Chachapoyas region of N Peru, ca. 2700 m elev.

    Peru South America| Amazonas Brazil South America|