Swartzia benthamiana var. yatuensis R.S.Cowan

  • Authority

    Cowan, Richard S. 1967. Swartzia (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae Swartzieae). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 1: 3-228. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Fabaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Swartzia benthamiana var. yatuensis R.S.Cowan

  • Type

    Type collection. B. Maguire, J. J. Wurdack & G. Bunting 36753 (holotype US 2253838; isotype NY), Rio Yatua, Amazonas, Venezuela, Dec. 12, 1953.

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Avar, benthamiana ramulis glabris, petiolis 6.5-13.5 cm longis, glabris, rhachi 15-24 cm longa, glabra, foliolis glabris, 2- vel 3-jugatis, petiolulis 8-12 mm longis, laminis 19.5-29 cm longis, 9-12.5 cm latis, paribus basalibus minoribus, venis venulisque conspicuis, crasso-reticulatis, inflorescentiis 15-40 cm longis, axe minute sericeo sed glabrescente, petalo sparse striguloso externe, staminibus maioribus 4, filamentis pilosulosis, stylo glabro, ovario albo-velutino fructus desunt differt.

  • Discussion

    S. benthamiana is unusually uniform, considering its wide geographic range; var. yatuensis is barely separable, primarily on the venation of the leaflets and the relative proportions of the blades. It is not possible to maintain S. rosea, even as a variety, since it differs in even less impressive ways from the norm. The specific epithet rosea refers to the petal color but I suspect that either this was a mistaken recollection on the part of the collector or that old flowers were observed; not rarely old petals dry a color that suggests that they were other than white to yellow in living condition.

    There are many morphological similarities between S. benthamiana and S. laevicarpa; the former differs in having obviously verruculose, rounded buds and lamellate-ridged fruits. From S. lamellata, another close relative, the present species may be distinguished by its ebracteolate flowers, the calyx of which is verruculose externally.

  • Distribution

    (Fig. 25). Known only from the type collection which was made in the flooded riverine forest at ca 140 m alt. in southwesternmost Venezuela.

    Venezuela South America| Amazonas Venezuela South America|