Persea bernardii 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 bernardii L.E.Kopp

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Arbor; ramuli angulares, dense fulvo-lanati, sine odore; petioli 1.2-1.5 cm. longi, crassi, fulvo-lanati; laminae 10-12 cm. longae, 5-7 cm. latae, coriaceae, ellipticae, apicibus ex obtusis ad rotundos, basibus ex acutis ad obtusas, superificie superiore glabrescenti, inferiore fulvo-lanata, costa supra plana, infra prominenti, venis primariis (7 jugis) ex angulo 45-60° divertentibus, reticulo supra obscuro, infra prominenti. Inflorescentia multiflora, axillaris, longitudine folium subtendens excedens; pedunculi 6-9.5 cm. longi, dense fulvilanati; rachis 5 cm. longa; flores subsessiles, 4-6 mm. longi; perianthii segmenta exteriora 4 mm. longa, 2 mm. lata, ovata, ad utrasque superficies pubescentia; interiora 5 mm. longa, 2.5 mm. lata, ad utrasque superficies pubescentia; stamina ca. 2.8 mm. longa, serierum I et II filamenta pubescentia, antheris oblongo-ovatis, quadrilocularibus; seriei III filamenta pubescentia, glandulis sessilibus stipitibus in quinta parte basilari filamenti adnatis, antheris oblongis, lateraliter dehiscentibus, quadrilocularibus; seriei IV staminodia late sagittata, setis terminalibus carentibus; gynoecium glabrum, ovario 2 mm. longo, subgloboso; stylus stigmate triangulari instructus. Infructescentia non visa.

    Distribution and Ecology - Distribution. Colombia. Known only from type collection.

  • Discussion

    Type collection. A. L. Bernardi 6450, Merida, Pueblos del Sur, "Hojas ovales, coriaceas, discoloradas, enves; glauco, tomentoses, por embos lados. Flores marron (en capullo), petalos internos amarillos, arbol tarcido en selve. 1600-2500 m. alt." Feb.-Mar. 1957 (holotype NY).

    Probably most closely related to P. subcordata, P. bernardii can easily be distinguished by its smaller elliptic leaves, and by its outer perianth-segments which are pubescent on the upper surface. T h e latter characteristic is also generally found in Persea americana and its relatives. However, it belongs in subg. Eriodaphne, sect. Eriodaphne because we consider not a single character but a combination of the same in placing a species.