Caraipa savannarum Kubitzki

  • Authority

    Maguire, Bassett. 1978. The botany of the Guayana Highland--part X. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 29: 1-288.

  • Family

    Clusiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Caraipa savannarum Kubitzki

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Arbor mediocris; folia subcoriacea vel chartacea, elliptica, (ob)ovata vel suborbicularia, utrimque glabra, 3.5-7.5 cm longa, 2.2-4.5 cm lata, basi subcordata vel rotundata vel obtusa, apice rotundata vel obtusa, nonnumquam breviter acuminata, nervis lateralibus utrimque 6-11; petioli glabrescentes, 0.2-1(-1.5) cm longi. Inflorescentiae paniculatae, terminales et axillares, laxe pubescentes; ovarium pubescens. Capsula gracilis, pyramidalis, trigona, rugosa et sparse pilis minimis stellatis obducta, valvibus concavis, 1-1.2 cm longa.

    Species Description - Tree or shrub to 10 m in height; yellow exudate from bark; young branchlets laxly stellate-pubescent, glabrescent. Leaves spiral, subcoriaceous or chartaceous, elliptic, (ob)ovate, or suborbicular, glabrous on both faces, (1.2-) 1.4-1.7 (-2.2) times longer than wide, 3.5-7.5 cm long, 2.2-4.5 cm wide, the base subcordate, rounded, or obtuse and shortly attenuate, the top rounded or obtuse, sometimes shortly (up to 0.5 cm) acuminate, the midrib slightly elevated beneath, the nerves faint, 6-11 pairs, tertiary veins reticulate, the margin even or slightly revolute, translucent dots mostly lacking; petiole laxly stellate-pubescent, glabrescent, 0.2-l(-1.5) cm long. Inflorescences many-flowered terminal panicles up to 10 cm long, or shorter few-flowered panicles in upper leaf axils, the branches, bracts, and pedicels laxly stellate-pubescent, bracts and bracteoles oblong, caducous, the former 2 mm, the latter 1 mm long, the bracteoles inserted in the middle of the pedicels, pedicels 5-10 mm long. Flower buds ellipsoid, before anthesis 5-6 mm long, sepals and petals sparsely stellate-pubescent outside, membranaceous and ciliate at the margin, sepals obtuse, free lobes 1 mm wide and 1-1.3 mm long, petals oblong, 6-8 mm long, ovary pubescent. Capsule obliquely pyramid-haped, trigonous, rugose and sparsely covered with minute stellate hairs, with concave valves, at the top contracted in a beak 1-2 mm long, with 2 fertile cells, 1-1.2 cm long and 0.7-1 cm wide at the base, exocarp separable from endocarp, seeds flattened, cordate, winged in the upper half, about 9 mm long.

  • Discussion

    4. Caraipa savannarum Kubitzki, sp nov Fig 61i. Type. Amazonas, Brazil, A. Ducke RB 35414 (holotype M, isotypes NY, RB). Note. This new species which is similar to C. parvielliptica is characterized by its rather large, ellipsoid flower buds and small, nearly glabrous fruits.

  • Distribution

    Distribution. Fig 64. VENEZUELA. Amazonas. Cerro Paru: Cowan & Wurdack 31498 (M, NY). Casiquiare, Sabana Hechimoni: B. Maguire et al 37660 (M, NY). Bolivar. Sierra Auraima, 6°32'N, 63°33'W: Steyermark 90831 (NY, US, VEN). Sierra Ichiin, 4°46'N, 63°18'W: Steyermark 90311 (NY, P, US, VEN). Rio Cucurital, Upper Rio Caroni: F. Cardona 2838 (VEN). Gran Sabana, near Canaima: Agostini 287 (VEN); Hertel et al 15268 (M, VEN); Steyermark 106369 (M, VEN); Rio Uriman, above Salto Acarima: Steyermark & W

    Venezuela South America| Guyana South America| Brazil South America|