Comarostaphylis longifolia (Benth.) Klotzsch

  • Authority

    Luteyn, James L., et al. 1995. Ericaceae, Part II. The Superior-Ovaried Genera (Monotropoideae, Pyroloideae, Rhododendroideae, and Vaccinioideae P.P.). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 66: 560. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Ericaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Comarostaphylis longifolia (Benth.) Klotzsch

  • Type

    Type. Mexico. Michoacan: Angangueo, 1839[?], Hartweg 338 (holotype, K, photo Diggs neg. 20; isotypes, CGE-2, G, L, LE, NY, photo NY neg. 9760, P, W-3). Presumably the epithet was chosen on the basis of leaf size, which is the largest in the genus.

  • Synonyms

    Comarostaphylis attenuata Klotzsch, Arctostaphylos attenuata (Klotzsch) Hemsl., Arctostaphylos longifolia Benth., Arctostaphylos attenuata (Klotzsch) Hemsl.

  • Description

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    Species Description - Erect evergreen shrubs to small trees 1-8(-15) m tall, to 3 dm diam., often many stems from a common base; bark peeling or shredding, orange-brown on young branches to brown or grayish-brown on main stems; young twigs densely long hirsute, the trichomes stalked, swollen-headed, glandular, to nearly 4 mm long. Leaves coriaceous, lance-elliptic to elliptic to oblong-ovate, plane to slightly re volute, 4.5-19.9 × 1.1-7.5 cm, base cuneate, apex (obtuse-) acute (-acuminate), margins serrate-dentate, sometimes coarsely so, upper surface pubescent, often with glandular trichomes, becoming less so with age, lower surface tomentulose to densely tomentose, with scattered glandular trichomes, especially along the midrib; petioles 6-18 mm long, densely long glandular hirsute as on young twigs. Inflorescences paniculate, often much-branched, 5.1-20.9 cm long, densely flowered, viscid due to extremely dense glandular pubescence, branches subtended by often elongate leaf-like bracts; rachis, pedicels, bracts, bracteoles, and calyx glandular hirsute; floral bracts subulate to narrowly ovate, plane to slightly navicular or carinate, 0.5-2.4 × to 0.4 cm, acuminate, ciliate; pedicels 4-12 mm long; bracteoles basal to submedial, narrowly ovate, 3-7 mm long. Flowers with calyx lobes triangular to long-triangular, 2.8-3.3 × 1.8-2.5 mm, acute to acuminate, ciliate, green to pink or red; corollas greenish-white, white, light yellow, or cream, 6-9 × 4-6 mm, glabrous to pubescent, lobes 1.1-1.7 × 2.1-2.5 mm; stamens 3.2-4.2 mm long; filaments 2.8-3.9 mm long, densely villous; anthers 1.2-1.6 × 0.6-1 mm, spurs 0.6-1 mm long; ovary glabrous to villous; style 3.1-4.6 mm long, glabrous. Fruit red when immature, dark purple to black at maturity, 5-7 mm in diam.; seeds 2.2-2.7 × 1.1-1.4 mm, surface reticulate.

  • Discussion

    The holotype at B was destroyed and no other material is known. The overall description, but particularly the emphasis on glandular trichomes, indicates C. longifolia. However, the leaf size indicated in the description seems rather small for this species. Because the lack of type material makes identification uncertain, lectotypification has been deferred.

    Label data (Hinton 14896, GH, MICH, US) suggests that the ripe fruits are sweet and edible.

    Comarostaphylis longifolia is the most striking species in the genus, with its very large leaves (to 19.4 cm long), extremely dense glandular pubescence, and trichomes approaching 4 mm long. These features have sometimes led to confusion with A. xalapensis (particularly the glandular forms previously recognized as A. glandulosa), from which it differs most obviously in fruit size and structure as well as in numerous other characters. The inflorescences of some individuals (Diggs & Corcoran 2243) are so glandular that numerous small insects were observed caught in the sticky material, and further, upon collecting specimens, the inflorescences actually stuck to the hands and to each other, making pressing difficult.

    The species is most closely related to C. discolor, which morphologically it sometimes closely approaches. Comarostaphylis longifolia tends to have larger leaves and inflorescence bracts, more glandular inflorescences, and leaf blades usually pubescent on both surfaces. However, the only absolute character separating them is the densely glandular hirsute petioles and twigs of C. longifolia. At the subspecific level, several other characters can be used. The glabrous abaxial leaf surfaces of C. discolor subsp. discolor clearly distinguish it from C. longifolia, while the non-glandular inflorescences of C. discolor subsp, rupestris also unambiguously separate that taxon from the extremely glandular C. longifolia. Comarostaphylis longifolia is distinguished from C. discolor subsp, manantlanensis by the lack of (or only small and scattered) glandular trichomes on the twigs and petioles and the smaller inflorescence bracts of C. discolor subsp. manantlanensis.

    Hybridization between Comarostaphylis taxa in several areas has caused confusion in the past. A few individuals [Hinton 3716 (G), 5757 (F, US), 59/5 (A, US)] from Cajones, Mexico, appear to be hybrids between C. longifolia and C. glaucescens on the basis of intermediacy in leaf size, texture, and toothing, as well as on the type and distribution of pubescence. At several other localities (Cerro Teotepec, Guerrero; Sierra Torricillas, Michoacan), individuals intermediate between C. longifolia and the closely related C. discolor are known [Rzedowski & McVaugh 246 (DS, ENCB, MICH, MSC); Hinton 12351 (GH, US), 12382 (GH, LL, MICH, US)]. An interesting population occurs near Angangueo in the extreme eastern part of Michoacán. Here, in a population of typical C. longifolia (Diggs & Corcoran 2282), occurs one individual [Diggs & Corcoran 2286 (MEXU, NY, WIS)] that is completely glabrous. Except for its rather large inflorescence bracts, this individual closely resembles C. discolor subsp. discolor.

    Presumably the epithet was chosen on the basis of leaf size, which is the largest in the genus.

  • Common Names

    tepemesquite, madroñillo, madroño

  • Distribution

    Comarostaphylis longifolia occurs on the higher slopes of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt from W Mexico (state) through Guerrero, Michoacan, and Jalisco, W as far as Nevado de Colima. The species is found in Quercus-Pinus, Pinus, and Abies religiosa forests at (1700-)2200-2900 m elevation. Common associates include Alnus sp., Arbutus sp., Clethra sp. and Cupressus lindleyi. Flowering (Feb-)Mar-Nov (-Dec); fruiting Nov-Jun.

    Mexico North America| Guerrero Mexico North America| Jalisco Mexico North America| México Mexico North America| Michoacán Mexico North America|