Topobea cutucuensis Wurdack

• Authority

  Wurdack, John J. 1967. Plants collected in Ecuador by W. H. Camp. Melastomataceae. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 16: 1-45.

• Family

  Melastomataceae

• Scientific Name

  Topobea cutucuensis Wurdack

• Description

  Latin Diagnosis - Ex descr. T. indutae Markgraf affinis, sed bracteis quam calyce brevioribus floribus maioribus differt. Ramuli teretes sicut petioli foliorum subtus venae primariae secundariaeque pedicelli bracteae exteriores extus modice vel densiuscule setosi pilis 1-2 mm longis erecto-incurvis basim versus modice vel dense barbellatis basi ipsa stel-luato-lepidota. Petioli (1-) 2-3 cm; lamina 12-18 x 6-9 cm coriacea elliptica apice subabrupte per 0.5-1 cm acuminato basi late obtusa vel truncata margine distanter serrulato dentibus patentibus 1 mm altis et 2-4 mm inter se distantibus, 5-nervata jugo interiore ad basim per ca. 5 mm costam paralleli nervis secundariis 3-5 mm inter se distantibus supra planis subtus creberrime elevatis, supra in nervis primariis basim versus sparse longo-setulosa alioqui glabra, subtus in nervis tertiariis superficieque modice longo-setulosa pilis in forma ut in nervis primariis secundariisque. Flores 6-meri in foliorum superiorum quaque axilla plerumque binis (in quoque nodo 4) ; pedicelli robusti 5-7 mm longi; bracteae liberae hypanthium aequantes intus glabrae; bracteae exteriores 14-16 X 13-14 mm ovato-oblongae apice late acuto vel obtuso; bracteae interiores 14 X 12-13 mm oblongae apice truncato vel vix apiculato extus densissime sericeo-strigosae pilis basim versus dense barbellatis. Hypanthium 10.5 X 11 mm glabrum; calycis tubus 2 mm longus, lobis 10 X 10 mm ellipticis ápice late obtuso-rotundato extus centraliter dense sericeo-strigosis margine basim versus glabro dense ciliolatis intus apicem versus densiuscule longo-strigulosis pilis extus et intus basim versus barbellatis et ad basim ipsam stellulatis; torus densissime setosus pilis crispulis gracilibus 2-4 mm longis. Petala (vix immatura) 12.5 X 9 mm elliptica minute ciliolata. Antherae (vix immaturae) 10 mm longae oblongo-subulatae, connectivo dorsaliter ad basim dente hebeti 0.5 mm alto armato. Stylus (vix immaturus) 15 mm longus glaber; stigma punctiforme; ovarium 6-loculare ápice conico glabro sulcato usque ad styli insertionem 3 mm alto in collum completum 3.5 mm altum circum stylum protracto et ad apicem dentibus 6 apice bifidis 2.2 mm longis obsito.

• Discussion

  Type Collection: W. H. Camp E-1129 (holotype US 2404679; isotype NY), collected by F. Prieto on ridge ascending into central Cordillera Cutucú, Prov. Santiago-Zamora, Ecuador, elev. 770 m, 17 Nov.-5 Dec. 1944. “Vine climbing to 6 m; pubescence rusty-brown. Petals bright pink; stamens yellow.” Markgraf’s description indicates caducous stellate pubescence on the upper leaf surfaces, ovate leaf blades, acuminate exterior bracts as long as the calyx, and considerably smaller flowers. The general aspect of T. cutucuensis suggests that of T. trianae Cogn., which however has long-barbellate short hairs (appearing stellate when viewed from above) on the lower leaf surface without a subtending stellulate base, as well as considerably larger flowers on pedicels 1.5-2.5 cm long.