Swartzia sericea var. emarginata Ducke

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Fabaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Swartzia sericea var. emarginata Ducke

  • Type

    Type collection. Ducke 24238 (holotype RB; isotypes K, RB, S, U, US), São Paulo de Olivença, Amazonas, Brazil.

  • Description

    Description - Petioles 7-9 mm long; leaflets 7-9-jugate, the apex acuminate with the extremity minutely emarginate; inflorescences 6.5-14 cm long, the pedicels 3.5-4 mm long, the buds 4.5-5 mm diameter, sparingly strigulose; larger stamens about 4 mm long, the anthers ca 1 mm long; gynophore 1.5 mm long.

  • Discussion

    Although there is a superficial resemblance of var. emarginata to S. angustifolia Schery, there is little doubt that this variety is most closely related to typical S. sericea. It differs from the typical variety in having more pairs of smaller leaflets per leaf, shorter pedicels, and smaller flowers.

    Swartzia sericea and its only close relative S. angustifoliola are considered to be relatively basal in the apetalous line of relationship, largely on account of the densely pubescent ovaries and inner surfaces of the calyces. The combination of these characteristics with a wingless rachis separates them from S. guianensis, which apparently is an evolutionary node from which several lines of relationship have diverged.

  • Distribution

    (Fig. 23). Known only from the type locality, in the noninundated forest of the upper Amazon River in Brazil.

    Brazil South America| Amazonas Brazil South America|