Persea conferta L.E.Kopp

  • 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 conferta L.E.Kopp

  • Description

    Species Description - Arbor fruticosa 3 m. alta; ramuli angulares, crassi, castanei, glabri, cortice sine odore; petioli 8-12 mm. longi, dilatati, glabri; laminae 6.5-11 cm. longae, 2.5-7 cm. late, coriaceae, ovatae usque ad ellipticas, apice basique acutis usque ad obtusa, superficie superiore glabra, subnitida, inferiore glabra, costa supra impressa, infra prominenti, venis primariis (5-7 jugis) ex angulo 50—60° divertentibus, supra leviter impressa, infra prominula, venulis supra obscuris, infra prominulis. Inflorescentia panicula axillaris, nonnihil compacta, longior quam parviora folia subtendentia, eae uni ramuli magnam corymiformem paniculam simulantes; ramuli secondarii et tertiarii dense fusco-strigulosi; pedunculi graciles, leviter compressi, pedicellis 3-4 mm. longis, gracilibus, dense strigulosis; flores 5 mm. longi; perianthii segmenta exteriora 3.5 mm. longa et lata, late ovata, externe dense strigulosa, intus glabra; perianthii segmenta interiora 5 mm. longa, spatulata, externe dense strigulosa, intus ad apicem sparse pilosa; stamina ca. 3.5 mm. longa, antheris ca. 1.5 mm. longis, filamentis ca. 2 mm. longis, serierum I et II filamentis dorso sparse strigulosis, antheris oblongo-ovatis, glabris, quadrilocularibus; seriei III filamentis sparse strigulosis, glandulis subsessilibus et in tertia parte basilari filamentorum adnatis, antheris oblongo-ovatis, lateraliter dehiscentibus; seriei IV staminodia carentia; gynoecium glabrum, ovario subellipsoideo; stylus 1.6 mm. longus, stigmate subdiscoideo-peltato. Fructus ignotus.

  • Discussion

    Type collection. W. H. Camp E-2119, Azuay, Nudo de Portete, pass between headwaters of the Rios Tarqui and Giron. 10 Mar. 1945 (holotype NY).

    This species is most closely related to P. mutisii which it often resembles in leaf-shape and venation. In aspect P. conferta is more delicate than P. mutisii, because of the more slender peduncles pedicels, and petioles of the former, though they might be confused on superficial examination. T h e greater difference between the length of the inner and the outer perianth, the more slender peduncles, the longer inflorescences (relative to the length of their subtending leaves), and the absence of the staminodial fourth whorl of the androecium, characterize P. conferta.

    The spatulate inner perianth-segments, and subellipsoid ovary recall P. lingue.

  • Distribution

    Distribution. Cordillera of south-central Ecuador at 2888 m. alt.

    Ecuador South America|