Agarista mexicana var. pinetorum (Standl. & L.O.Williams) 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 var. pinetorum (Standl. & L.O.Williams) Judd

  • Type

    Type. Honduras. El Paraíso: Manzaragua, 1400 m, 4 Apr 1948, L. O. Williams & Molina 14000 (holotype, US; photos of holotype, F, GH, NY, UC; isotypes, GH, MEXU, MO, US).

  • Synonyms

    Leucothoe pinetorum Standl. & L.O.Williams, Leucothoe mexicana var. pinetorum (Standl. & L.O.Williams) Sleumer

  • Description

    Description - Twigs moderately to densely pubescent. Leaf blades with abaxial surface densely (to moderately) pubescent, epidermis obscured or nearly so. Ovary moderately to densely pubescent.

  • Discussion

    Agarista mexicana probably is closely allied to A. sleumeri (of Mexico) and A. populifolia (of the southeastern United States); all three species are characterized by ovate leaves with acuminate apices and rounded to cuneate bases, and by short inflorescences of white flowers. Agarista mexicana can be differentiated from both taxa by its pubescent ovary, from A. populifolia by its corky, prominently furrowed bark, and from A. sleumeri by its pubescent calyx and pedicels and its smaller corollas and leaves.

    Agarista mexicana is a widely distributed taxon (Fig. 6). Populations of this species are here divided into two weakly differentiated geographic varieties on the basis of the density of unicellular hairs on the abaxial leaf surface. Some populations, however, are variable in leaf pubescence, and intermediate specimens are known, mostly in the state of México. Representative intermediate material is cited in Judd (1984).

  • Distribution

    Mountainous areas of Mexico (Nayarit, Jalisco, Guerrero, and Chiapas), Belize, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Rocky, brushy hillsides, Pinus and/or Quercus forests, Pinus savannas, Pinus, Quercus, and Liquidambar forests, and montane mixed forests; often in sandy soil; 500-2000 m elev. Flowering March through April (early May).

    Mexico North America| Chiapas Mexico North America| Guerrero Mexico North America| Jalisco Mexico North America| Nayarit Mexico North America| Belize Central America| Cayo Belize Central America| Honduras Central America| Comayagua Honduras Central America| El Paraíso Honduras Central America| Francisco Morazán Honduras Central America| Nicaragua Central America| Madriz Nicaragua Central America| Nueva Segovia Nicaragua Central America|