Agarista mexicana (Hemsl.) 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 mexicana (Hemsl.) Judd

  • Description

    Species Description - Shrub or tree to 8(-l 1) m tall, with thick, corky, deeply furrowed bark; twigs very sparsely to densely pubescent, with nonchambered to clearly chambered pith; buds to ca. 1.5 mm long, leaves revolute. Leaves rarely subopposite or nearly 3-whorled at some nodes; coriaceous, ovate, 2-7.5(-9) × 0.8-2.5(-3.2) cm, base narrowly cuneate to rounded, apex acuminate, margin entire (slightly sinuous), plane to very slightly revolute near base, adaxial surface glabrous to densely pubescent on midvein (with few unicellular hairs on basal portion of lamina), abaxial surface essentially glabrous to densely pubescent on midvein, otherwise glabrous to densely pubescent, with few to several inconspicuous glandular dots along midvein; petiole 2-12.5 mm long. Inflorescences (fascicle-like) axillary racemes to 0.5-2.5(-4) cm long; rachis sparsely to densely pubescent; pedicels 2-8 mm long, very sparsely to densely pubescent; bracteoles 2, alternate to opposite, from nearly basal to within lower 1/3 (to midpoint) of pedicel, triangular to narrowly so, to ca. 0.9 mm long; floral bracts to 1 mm long. Flowers with triangular calyx lobes, with acuminate apices, 0.9-1.8 × 0.5-2 mm, abaxial surface very sparsely to densely pubescent; corolla cylindrical, white, 6-9.5 × 2.5-5 mm, glabrous to sparsely pubescent, especially near apex; filaments 4.5-6 mm long; anthers 1-1.8 mm long; ovary very sparsely to densely pubescent. Capsules subglobose to short-ovoid, 3-4.5(-5) × 5-7 mm, placentae subapical; seeds 1.5-2.7 mm long.

  • Common Names

    cachimbo, quemanote, pellejo de lagarto

  • Distribution

    Mountainous areas of Mexico and Central America, from Veracruz and Jalisco south to Honduras and El Salvador.

    Mexico North America| Guatemala Central America| Belize Central America| El Salvador Central America| Honduras Central America|