Duguetia stelechantha (Diels) R.E.Fr.

Authority

Maas, Paulus J. M., et al. 2003. (Annonaceae). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 88: 1-274 pp. (Published by NYBG Press)

Family

Annonaceae

Scientific Name

Duguetia stelechantha (Diels) R.E.Fr.

Type

Type: Brazil. Amazonas: rapids in Rio Marmelos ( Cachoeiras das Marmellos ), tributary of Rio Madeira, Mar 1902 (fl, fr), Ule 6073 (holotype, B; isotypes, F, G, K, MG, S).

Synonyms

Aberemoa stelechantha Diels

Description

Species Description - Tree or very rarely a shrub, (3-)5-20 m tall, 5-40 cm in diam. Young twigs and petioles totally covered with brown, entire (the larger ones) to stellate (the smaller ones) scales 0.2-0.6 mm in diam. Petioles 5-12 mm long, 2-3 mm in diam. Lamina narrowly elliptic to narrowly oblong-elliptic, 16-35 cm long, 4.5-10 cm wide, leaf index 3.2-4.2, chartaceous, dull green to dull greyish green above, brown to greyish brown below, glabrous above or sometimes with some, scattered stellate scales near the base, rather densely covered with entire (the large ones) to stellate (the small ones) scales 0.1-0.6 mm in diam. below, base obtuse to acute, sometimes slightly oblique, apex acute to acuminate (acumen 5-20 mm long), primary vein impressed above, secondary veins straight, 11-20 on either side of primary vein, distinctly impressed above like the loops, angles with primary vein 60-90°, loop-forming at obtuse to right angles, loops distinct, smallest distance between loops and margin 2-5 mm, tertiary veins flat above. Plant cauliflorous; inflorescences composed of 2-6 (sometimes many more) rhipidia, frequently furcately branching at higher level, rarely a single rhipidium. Rhipidia 1-5-flowered, to about 100-flowered in succession. Indument: pedicels and outer side of bracts, sepals, and petals totally to densely covered with brownish, stellate and entire scales 0.2-0.6 mm in diam., inner apical part of sepals and petals densely covered with stellate to simple hairs 0.2-0.4 mm in diam., basal 2/3 glabrous. Sympodial rachis to 50(-150) mm long. Pedicels 10-30 mm long, 1-2 mm in diam., fruiting pedicels to 5 mm in diam. Upper bract at 2/3 of base of pedicel, broadly ovate, 2-5 mm long, amplectent, caducous. Flower buds broadly to very broadly ovoid-ellipsoid. Flowers cream in vivo, inner base of inner petals reddish. Sepals connate for 10%, broadly ovate-triangular, 8-12 mm long, 8-10 mm wide, acute to obtuse, margins recurved. Petals subequal, narrowly elliptic, 18-40 mm long, 13-17 mm wide, acute to obtuse, inner base of inner petals not callóse. Stamens 0.8-1.3 mm long, pinkish red, apex of connective discoid, 0.2-0.3 x 0.6 mm, glabrous. Carpels 4-5 mm long, ovary densely covered with stellate scales, stigma glabrous. Fruit brownish in vivo and in sicco, globose, 4.5-5.5 cm in diam., basal collar composed of 10-15 connate, sterile carpels, 12-20 mm in diam., protruding below the fruit, fertile carpels 50-100, obtrulloid to oblong-obpyramidal, 20-25 mm long, 6-10 mm in diam., fused for 30%, areoles pyramidal, 6-10 mm high, acute to obtuse, apiculate (apicule to 0.5 mm long), sharp-pointed, prominently 4-6-ribbed and in between the ribs longitudinally wrinkled, totally covered with stellate scales 0.1-0.3 mm in diam. Seeds obovoid, 12-16 mm long, 5-7 mm in diam., rounded to obtuse, dark brown, shiny.

Discussion

Duguetia stelechantha, among the truly cauliflorous members of the genus, is remarkable for inflorescences capable of sustained growth. Older inflorescences usually become much-branched with many-flowered constituent rhipidia. Rhipidia were noted with a sympodial rachis up to 15 cm long, and showing scars of up to 75 successive flowers. In fruit D. stelechantha somewhat resembles D. cauliflora, differing from it by smaller flowers, and greatly different leaves (venation, base, etc.). See also remarks on D. stelechantha and D. cauliflora in chapter on Internal Relationships (cluster 4).

Common Names

Ata brava, Envira amarela, Envira jararaca, Envirataia, Envireira, Invira, Yarri yarri

Distribution

Central Amazonian Brazil and possibly Guyana. In non-inundated forest; mostly on clayey soil. At elevations from sea level up to 400 m. Flowering mostly in July to October, fruiting mostly from September to November. Two collections bear notes on flower fragrance (Miralha, Maas et al 228: flowers with scent of bananas, and J. G. Kuhlmann 271: flowers odoratissimis).

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