Persea alpigena var. harrisii (Mez) L.E.Kopp
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Authority
Kopp, Lucille E. 1966. A tasonomic revision of the genus Persea in the Western Hemisphere (Perseae-Lauraceae). Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 14: 1-117.
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Family
Lauraceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Leaf-blades 4-9 cm. long, the under surface tawny-strigulose, glaucous.
Distribution and Ecology - Distribution. Mountains of Jamaica.
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Discussion
Persea harrisii Mez, Berl. Notizbl. des Konl. Bot. Gart. 50: 325. 1897.
Type collection. W . Harris 5734, Clydesdale, 1334 m. (lectotype NY, isolectotypes B, F, US).
Some intermediates classified as the above variety: Middlesex: Harris 5520 (GH), Clydesdale. Surrey: Harris 5255 (B), Blue Mountains; Harris 5844 (F, NY, US), 5886 (A, F, NY, US), Silver Hill Gap. Department not located: Harris 5864 (F, NY, US), Orchard; Harris 9485 (F, NY, US), Road to Troy.
Two varieties comprise this species, a smaller-lea\'ed entity with sparser shorter pubescence, and a larger-leaved one with denser, longer hairs. A number of larger-leaved specimens bearing strigulose hairs have been considered as variety harrisii; the type of this variety is itself in intermediate in respect to pubescence and leaf-size. Because the shape of the leaves is more apt to be environmentally controlled than the kind of pubescence, intermediates have been recognized on the basis of the latter character.
The relationship with P. caerulea is indicated by the large difference in the length of the outer and inner perianth-segments and the deciduous tips of the inner series. The number of primary nerves and their angle of divergence, as well as leaf-size and -shape, are characters which are easily observed and effectively separate the W^est Indian species from its mainland relative.
Proctor has collected this species and found it native to shale valleys.