Persea sessilis Standl. & Steyerm.

  • 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.

  • Family

    Lauraceae

  • Scientific Name

    Persea sessilis Standl. & Steyerm.

  • Description

    Species Description - Shrub to 2 m.; branchlets solid at internodes, terete, glabrous, reddish brown, glaucous, coarse (in holotype), the bark not aromatic; leaf-blades sessile, 8.5-20 cm. long, 2.8-6 cm. wide, oblong-oblanceolate, subcoriaceous, the tips acute to acuminate, the bases auriculate, the upper surface glabrous, the lower surface glabrous, the costa slightly impressed above, prominent beneath, the 11—17 primary nerves divergent at 60-70°, slightly impressed above, prominent beneath, the reticulation obscure on both surfaces. Infructescence axillary, equal to its subtending leaf; peduncles 7-8 cm. long, slender, tawny-strigose, the rachis 2.5 cm. long, tawny-strigose; pedicels 3 mm. long, strigose; outer perianth-segments 2 mm. long, ovate, patent, glabrous within, strigose without; inner perianth-segments 3.5 mm. long, ovate, strigose within and without; fruit 1.1 mm., globose, slightly glaucescent, apiculate.

  • Discussion

    Type collection. J. A. Steyermark 42487, Dept. Zacapa, upper slopes, along Rio Repollal to summit of mountain, alt. 2100-2400 m. "Shrub 5 ft. tall; leaves firmly chartaceous-subcoriaceous, dull green above with yellow midrib, blue-silvery beneath; peduncle dull rose; fruit green, shining." Jan. 12-13, 1942. (holotype F [fragment at A], isotype US).

    Though known only from the type collection which is in the fruiting stage, P. sessilis is very distinct. There are no other species of the genus with which it can be easily confused. T h e broad, abbreviated petioles of most of the individuals of P. mutisii approach this state, but the leaf-shape (broader and shorter) and the inflorescence character (subterminal with broad peduncles), as well as the distribution prevent confusion.

    It is a bit difficult to ascertain the relationship of P. sessilis, but the evidence indicates that it lies with P. standleyi. The long, somewhat oblanceolate leaves with many primary nerves, the glaucescence, the acuminate leaf-tips, and the sameness of leaf-texture and venation, are the characters shared by the two species; but the auriculate leaf-bases and sessile condition of the leaves readily separate them.

  • Distribution

    Distribution. Known only from type collection.

    Guatemala Central America|