Persea chrysophylla 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
Latin Diagnosis - Persea chrysophylla Kopp, sp. nov. Fig. 3(4). Arbor 3-10 m. alta; ramuli graciles. castanei, fulvo-tomentellosi; petioli 0.5-1.8 cm. longi, canaliculati, fulvo-tomentellosi; laminae 6.5-15 cm. longae, 2.2-4.5 (-7) cm. latae, subcoriaceae vel coriaceae, ellipticae, apice acuto vel rotundo, basi cuneata vel rotunda, superficie superiore glabrescenti, inferiore dense auratopubescenti trichomatibus subadpressis in cursibus pluribus extendentibus; costa supra impressa, infra prominens, venis primariis (9-13 jugis) ex angulo (40-) 60-70° divertentibus, supra leviter impressis, infra prominentibus, venulis utrinque obscuris. Inflorescentia axillaris, multiflora. paniculata, 24 ad longitudinem totam foliorum subtendentium; pedunculi 3-8 cm. longi, graciles, paulo complanati, sparse ferrugineo-strigulosi; pedicelli 1.5-2 mm. longi, ferrugineo-strigulosi; flores 5 mm. longi; perianthii segmenta exteriora 1.5-2.3 mm. longa, 2-2.8 mm. lata, late ovata. externe ferrugineo-strigosa. intus glabra; perianthii segmenta interiora 3-4.5 mm. longa, elliptica vel ovata, externe ferrugineo-strigosa, interne apice ferrugineo-piloso; stamina 3.5 mm. longa, filamentis 2 mm. longis, antheris 1.5 mm. longis, filamentis serierum I et II dorso strigulosis. antheris ovatis, apiculatis. quadrilocularibus; filamentis serierum III sparse strigulosis. glandulis subsessilibus in quarta parte basilari filamentorum adnatis, antheris. oblongis. quadrilocularibus. loculis duobus superioribus vestigialibus; serieri IV staminodia sagittata setis terminalibus instructa gynoecium glabrum, ovario subgloboso; stylus 1.2-1.9 mm. longus, angustus; stigma triangulari-peltatum. Infructescentiae pedicelli 5 mm. longi, incrassati: perianthii segmenta patentia, omnino persistentia; fructi 8 mm. longi, globosi.
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Discussion
Vernacular name. Aguacatillo (Bro. Tomas).
Type collection. A. G. Peila J., R. Gonzales M., and L. Gonzalez, L. 18, Antioquia, "Bosque de la Sierra," 2800 m., 18 Sept. 1947 (holotype F. isotype UC).
The sheets of P. chtysophylla collected in Cauca indicate that plants in the southern part of the range are less pubescent than the northern representatives of the species. Though the anthers of series I and II are -t-celled. this species is most dosely allied to P. bilocularis. T h e upper locules of the third series of anthers are most often vestigial or at times absent (Lehmann 4032) denoting an evolution toward the two-celled condition. The golden pubescence, and the wide angle of divergence of the primary nerves from the costa distinguish P. chrysophylla from P. bilocularis. P. cuneata differs from P. chrysophylla by its glaucous branchlets and leaves, and smaller ovoid fruits.
This species was first collected by Triana and later by others, among them Lehmann. Mez recognized Lehmann 7936 and 4032 as a new species and penned the name P. chrysophylla on the Berlin sheet. It was never published, but O. C. Schmidt and others identifying subsequently collected material, probably by comparison in the herbarium and without checking the literature, referred these to Mez unpublished name. I have retained Mez' epithet for this species because of its descriptive nature; however, in conformance with Recommendation 23B (i) of the International Rules of Botanical Nomenclature, I am not attributing the name to Mez, but accepting responsibility for it myself.