Gustavia erythrocarpa S.A.Mori

  • Authority

    Prance, Ghillean T. & Mori, S. A. 1979. Lecythidaceae - Part I. The actinomorphic-flowered New World Lecythidaceae (Asteranthos, Gustavia, Grias, Allantoma & Cariniana). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 21: 1-270. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Lecythidaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Gustavia erythrocarpa S.A.Mori

  • Type

    Type. Prance et al 25419 (holotype, MG; isotypes, INPA, NY, others to be distributed). Brazil. Para: BR 163, Km 1131, vicinity of Igarape Natal, 15 Nov 1977 (fr).

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Arbores 8-10 m altaex8-10 cm diametro; rami infra folia 8-9 mm diametro; folia ad apicem ramorum laxe aggregata, 8-16 mm inter se distantes. Laminae oblanceolatae, apice acuminatae vel mucronatae, basi cuneatae, 5169 x 17-22.5 cm, pagina abaxiali pilis inconspicuis conspersae, marginibus integrae vel inconspicue serratae, paribus venarum lateralium 17-25. Petioli 3060 mm, in sectione transversali semicirculares. Inforescentiae caulinae? Flores ignoti. Fructus globosi, rubri, 4.5-5;0 x 5.5 cm, lobis calycis 4 inconspicuis ad summum instructi. Semina 13 per fructum, in sectione transversali angularia, brunnea, 20-25 x 15-20 mm, funiculo 15 x 5 mm instructa.

  • Discussion

    Ecology. Gustavia erythrocarpa is an understory tree of forest on terra firme, and is extremely common in the type locality.

    Gustavia erythrocarpa is known only from leaves and separated fruits. However, since there are no inflorescences above or among the leaves I assume that the inflorescences are cauline. The only other species of Gustavia with large leaves and cauline inflorescences in the Guianas and Amazonia are: G. augusta, G. pulchra, G. coriacea, G. inakuama, G. acuminata, G. longifolia, and G. gigantophylla. However, the red fruits and sparsely pubescent abaxial leaf surface of G. erythrocarpa serve to distinguish it from the preceding species. Although G. augusta, especially from the southernmost part of its range, sometimes has reddish fruits it differs from G. erythrocarpa by having smaller leaves, shorter petioles, seeds round instead of angular in cross section, and a more developed funicle.

  • Distribution

    This species is known only from the type and one other collection from the vicinity of the type locality.

    Brazil South America| Pará Brazil South America|