Swartzia phaneroptera Standl.
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Authority
Cowan, Richard S. 1967. Swartzia (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae Swartzieae). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 1: 3-228. (Published by NYBG Press)
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Family
Fabaceae
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Scientific Name
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Type
Type collection. C. & W. von Hagen 1394 (holotype F; isotype NY), Guarunta, Wispernini Camp, Colón, Honduras, Mar. 1938.
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Description
Description - Tree 10 m tall, the trunk 1 dm diameter, the branchlets minutely strigulose, glabrescent; stipules triangular to lanceolate, 1.5-2.5 mm long, ca 0.5 mm wide, minutely strigulose externally, glabrous within; petioles 5-11 cm long, terete in the basal part but distinctly alate apically, the wing chartaceous, strongly reticulate-venose, elongate-obcuneate, the petiole sparingly strigulose except on the upper surface of the wing; rachis 5-18 cm long, broadly alate, the wing elongate-obcuneate narrowly, 5-7 mm wide, reticulate-venose strongly, the rachis sparingly strigulose except on the upper surface of the wing; leaflets chartaceous, (2- or) 3-jugate, the petiolules 1.5-2.5 mm long, minutely strigulose, the blades of the basal pair 6.5-9.5 cm long and 3.5-4.5 cm wide, the others 10.5-18 cm long, 4-7.5 cm wide, the base rounded obtuse, the apex acuminate, the blade more or less strigulose except on the upper surface, the costa and primary veins salient, the venules finely reticulate; flowers unknown; infrutescence ramigerous or cauligerous, the axis 13-17 cm long, minutely strigulose; fruiting pedicels 15-18 mm long, minutely strigulose at the base, glabrous above; calyx segments persistent; fruits cylindric-moniliform, 9-22 cm long, 1-1.5 cm diameter, several-seeded, glabrous but minutely papillate, the stipe 15-20 mm long, glabrous.
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Discussion
Of the three collections of this species known, two are sterile and the other is only in fruit. There is little doubt, however, that the species should be assigned to the section with moniliform fruits and ramigerous or cauligerous inflorescences. Exactly where it should be placed is impossible to determine at present; it may be related to the apetalous S. nuda from the same geographical region, or it may be nearer such species as S. macrocarpa of northern South America. A single complete flower would establish its relationship at once, and additional collections are eagerly anticipated.
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Distribution
Rain forest of Honduras and Guatemala, 15-35 m alt.
Guatemala Central America| Petén Guatemala Central America| Honduras Central America| Colón Honduras Central America|