Heteropterys macradena (DC.) W.R.Anderson

Authority

Maguire, Bassett. 1978. The botany of the Guayana Highland--part XI. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 32: 1-391.

Family

Malpighiaceae

Scientific Name

Heteropterys macradena (DC.) W.R.Anderson

Description

Species Description - Woody vines, shrubs, or small trees; stems usually prominently lenticellate. Lamina ofthe largest leaves (7-)8-13(-17) cm long, (3-)4-6.5(-8) cm wide, ovate or elliptical, cuneate or rounded at the base, occasionally obtuse or rounded but mostly acuminate at the apex, sericeous on both sides, soon glabrate above, the hairs ± deciduous or sometimes persistent below, a submarginal row of glands usually present below, the reticulum usually prominent on both sides; petiole 4-10 mm long, sericeous to glabrate, eglandular; stipules minute, interpetiolar. Inflorescence axillary and terminal, usuually paniculate, sericeous, the flowers borne in elongated pseudoracemes, the bracts 2-3(-4) mm long, eglandular or with minute marginal glands, the peduncle 1-3(-4) mm long, the bracteoles 1.5-3 mm long, usually eglandular, rarely with minute marginal glands. Pedicel 5-6 mm long. Calyx eglandular or the lateral 4 sepals biglandular. Petals glabrous, erose or dentate, the claw 3-4 mm long, the limb 3.7-5(-6) mm long, 3.7-5 mm wide. Filaments 2.2-4.5 mm long, strongly unequal in same flower; anthers 0.8-1.2 mm long, glabrous, the connective globose, dark red. Styles 3-5 mm long, glabrous, straight or the posterior 2 somewhat lyrate, the apex truncate or, usually, extended dorsally into a hook up to 0.2 mm long. Samara 25-35(-40) mm long, borne ascending; dorsal wing (8-) 10-14 mm wide, obovate or falcate, the abaxial edge usually bent upward ± abruptly beyond the nut or gradually curved upward; nut 5-9 mm long, 3-5 mm high, round in cross-section.

Discussion

20. Heteropterys macradena (de Candolle) Anderson, comb nov Banisteria macradena de Candolle, Prodr. 1: 590. 1824. Banisteria eglandulosa de Candolle, Prodr. 1: 590. 1824. Type. Cayenne (G), non Heteropterys eglandulosa Adr. Jussieu in Saint-Hilaire, Fl. Bras. Merid. 3: 27. 1832 [1833]. Heteropterys candolleana Adr. Jussieu, Ann. Sci. Nat. 2° Ser. Bot. 13: 276. 1840, new name for Banisteria eglandulosa DC. Heteropterys lessertiana Adr. Jussieu, Ann. Sci. Nat. 2° Ser. Bot. 13: 276. 1840. Type. Poiteau, Cayenne (G, P). Type. Cayenne (G). As construed here, this is an exceedingly variable species, especially with respect to habit and size and shape of leaves. It is to be hoped that a future revision will result in its division into two or more natural, morphologically homogeneous taxa. Many of the plants placed here would have been called H. suberosa by Niedenzu and H. acutifolia by Cuatrecasas. I have placed both of those names in synonymy (under H. nervosa and H. orinocensis respectively), but even if I had not the epithet macradena is older than either of them. Niedenzu considered macradena a synonym for the older name laurifolia, but judging from the photograph of the type (Field Mus. neg. 33404) I can see little basis for that decision. In fact, almost no collections from South America seem to be conspecific with the many collections of H. laurifolia from Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies. Although a variable species, H. laurifolia regularly has the reticulum, including the ultimate veinlets, white or yellowish below and thereby in strong contrast to the green laminar tissue.

Distribution

Distribution. Northern South America. Collections from in and near Guayana: VENEZUELA. Bolívar: Isla del Río Hacha, 6°15'N, 62°47'W, Agostini 228 (NY, VEN), 334 (US), 335 (US, VEN); Ciudad Piar, Cerro Bolivar, elev 500 m, Aristeguieta 2198 (MY, VEN); La Laja, El Dorado-Sta. Elena de Uairen, Badillo & Holmquist 6068 (MY); San Felix, elev 30-40 m, Bernardi 7780 (VEN); Rio Caroni, boca de Tirika, elev 400 m, Cardona 1166 (US, VEN); Alto Paragua, 500 m, Cardona 2453 (VEN); El Arenal, Dto. Cedeii

Venezuela South America| Colombia South America| Brazil South America|