Arachnothryx fosbergii Steyerm.

• Authority

  Maguire, Bassett. 1967. The botany of the Guayana Highland--Part VII. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 17: 1-439.

• Family

  Rubiaceae

• Scientific Name

  Arachnothryx fosbergii Steyerm.

• Description

  Latin Diagnosis - Frutex, ramis novellis dense arachnoideo-floccosis vetustioribus glabris; stipu-lis vaginatis 4-5 mm extus adpresso-pilosis in appendicem linearam 3-4 mm longam ciliolatam exeuntibus; foliis petiolatis, petiolis 7-10 mm longis dense adpresso-villosis, laminis oblongo-ellipticis vel ellipticis apice subacuminatis basi subacutis 6-9 cm longis 2.5-3.5 cm latis supra non rugosis costa media adpresso-villosula aliter parce pilosis subtus plus minusve cinereo-arachnoideo-flocculosis vel villosulis, nervis lateralibus utroque latere 7-8; inflorescentiis terminalibus trichotome ramosis, ramis lanuloso-hirsutulis; bracteis foliaceis conspicuis oblan-ceolatis acutis 8-10 mm longis 2 mm latis extus pilosulis; calycis lobis foliaceis oblongo-ellipticis inaequalibus subacutis 5-8 mm longis 1.5-3 mm latis extus pilosis intus glabris ciliatis; corolla 20-24 mm longa, tubo 16-19 mm longo extus dense lanuloso intus prope faucem glabro, lobis 4 suborbicularibus 4-5 mm longis 3.5-4 mm latis irregulariter crenulatis vel subundulatis intus supra medium gla-bratis infra medium papillatis extus infra medium dense lanulosis supra medium lobis tribus glabris sed lobo quarto tomentoso-strigilloso; staminibus 4 in parte supremam insertis, antheris 3.2-3.3 mm longis; capsula 7 mm longa extus irregulariter subarachnoideo-pubescenti.

• Discussion

  This species is related to Rondeletia chimboracensis Standley (= Arachnothrix) of Ecuador. It shows relationships with the genus Cuatrecasasiodendron in the irregularity of pubescence on the corolla-lobes.