Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude

Authority

Pedraza-Peñalosa, Paola. 2010. (Ericaceae, Vaccinieae). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 108: 1-126. (Published by NYBG Press)

Family

Ericaceae

Scientific Name

Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude

Type

Type. Ecuador. Pichincha: Volcán Antisana, Pintag-Pinantura, May (fl), A. Humboldt & A. Bonpland s.n. (holotype, P-Bonpl.; isotype, B-W 7352-1). Photo NY neg. s.n. of P-Bonpl. The isotype at B-W is marked with the number 2279; it is identical to the holotype.

Etymology

that of Empetrum L. (Ericaceae: Empetreae).

Synonyms

Vaccinium empetrifolium Kunth, Metagonia empetrifolia (Kunth) Nutt., Vaccinium penaeoides f. empetrifolia (Kunth) Wedd., Vaccinium penaeoides Kunth, Metagonia penaeoides (Kunth) Nutt., Disterigma penaeoides Nied., Vaccinium epacridifolium Benth., Vaccinium penaeoides var. epacridifolium (Benth.) Wedd., Disterigma epacridifolium (Benth.) Nied., Disterigma weberbaueri Hoerold, Disterigma margaricoccum S.F.Blake, Disterigma leiopodandrum Blake

Description

Species Description - Terrestrial shrubs, prostrate and decumbent, sometimes forming dense cushions, or erect, to 0.5 m tall. Young branchlets ridged, ± smooth, puberulous, the hairs eglandular, light brown or white, the indumentum of the mature branches similar but glabrate. Leaves 4–11 per cm, spirally arranged, ascending or diffuse; petiole 0.5–1.5 mm long, glabrate, the hairs eglandular; lamina often succulent, lanceolate or narrowly elliptic, sometimes ovate or obovate, 0.4–1(–1.2) × 0.1–0.4(–0.6) cm, basally attenuate, marginally crenulate or occasionally entire, sometimes apically ciliolate with eglandular hairs, apically acute, blunt-acute, acuminate, or rarely subacute, adaxially glabrous or glabrate with eglandular hairs over the midvein of the young leaves, abaxially glabrate with glandular hairs, the venation adaxially and abaxially obscure, sometimes hyphodromous abaxially with the midvein raised. Axillary solitary flowers or very rarely 2-flowered cymes; bracts 3–7, chartaceous, ovate or elliptic, 0.5– 2.2 × 0.7–2.2 mm, occasionally marginally ciliolate with eglandular hairs, apically obtuse or acute, abaxially glabrous; pedicel 1–5.7(–11) mm long (usually elongating when fruiting), with at least a portion of it not completely obscured by overlapping bracts or sometimes reduced and hidden, glabrate with eglandular hairs or rarely also with glandular hairs; differentiated apical bracteoles 2, distinct, chartaceous, enveloping entire calyx tube or to lower half of calyx lobes, covering 32–65% of calyx, ovate or transverseelliptic, 2–3.5 × 1.5–4 mm, sometimes marginally ciliolate with eglandular hairs, apically obtuse, the surface smooth, abaxially and adaxially glabrous. Flowers 4-merous. Calyx aestivation valvate, campanulate, 3.4–5.5 mm long; tube terete or slightly angled, 1.2–2.6 mm long, abaxially glabrate with eglandular hairs; limb 1.9–3 mm long, abaxially glabrous or apically puberulous with eglandular and glandular hairs, adaxially glabrous; lobes triangular, 1.2–2.2 × 1.2–2 mm, sometimes marginally ciliolate with eglandular hairs, apically acute; sinuses acute (V-shaped). Corolla red or pink, thick-fleshy, bistratose, urceolate (occasionally some corollas split after pressing and then look campanulate in dry specimens), 6–10.7(–12) mm long, 5–5.5(–6.5) mm diam. (3.5–4.5 mm when dry), 2.5–3 mm wide at throat (1.7 mm when dry), abaxially glabrate with eglandular hairs, adaxially glabrous; lobes 0.7–1.5 × 0.8–1.8 mm, apically acute, adaxially rugose. Stamens 8, 5–7(–8.2) mm long, included; filaments distinct, mostly geniculate (from S-shaped to strongly folded), or less often straight, at times geniculate and straight filaments occurring in the same plant or even in the same flower, ± linear with parallel sides or broader at base, 3.2–5.2(–5.8) mm long, abaxially and adaxially glabrate or pubescent; anthers distinct, papillae on both thecae and tubules; thecae 1–1.6(–2) mm long, with or without basal appendage; tubules 2, distinct, 0.6–1.7(–2.1) mm long, dehiscing introrsely by longitudinal slits, 0.4–1 mm long; style 5.7–7.5 (–10.3) mm long, exserted. Berry white, ± spherical, 7–10 mm diam., the persistent calyx lobes erect or spreading, becoming succulent (at least at base), same color as mature berry; embryo white.

Distribution and Ecology - Disterigma empetrifolium is a widespread species that is very abundant in the high elevations of the northern Andes. It is found in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and northern Bolivia (only one collection) (Fig. 25) at (2000?–) 2500–4500 m, in humid, dry, grassy, or shrubby páramos (called jalcas in northern Peru), subpáramos, and humid punas (Bolivia); occasionally, it can be found in the gaps or edges of the dwarf and high cloud forests. It grows in both primary and secondary vegetation, on dark soil, exposed on bare soil among rocks, or in Sphagnum bogs where it often forms compact cushions similar to those of Distichia Nees & Meyen (Juncaceae). Flowering and fruiting year-round.

Local Names and Uses - This species is known as "anisillo de monte," "uvilla de monte" (Chimborazo), "chirimote" (Tungurahua), "orcu mote" (Tungurahua), and "joyapa" (Loja) in Ecuador, and as "pushgay blanco" in Peru (Cajamarca). Its fruits have been reported to be edible throughout its range, and an infusion of the plant is used for treating nerves.

Discussion

Disterigma empetrifolium (Fig. 23C,D, 24) is characterized by its small leaves, usually less than 5 mm wide and marginally crenulate; often long and evident pedicels; smooth differentiated apical bracteoles; pink, urceolate, and adaxially glabrous corollas; long and usually geniculate staminal filaments; and white berries and embryos. Although the staminal filaments of D. empetrifolium are usually geniculate, plants with straight filaments have also been found, sometimes within the same population (Fig. 4). As mentioned before in the discussion of D. codonanthum, sterile specimens of D. empetrifolium could be mistaken for D. codonanthum, from Colombia and Ecuador through central Peru, and D. pernettyoides, from southern Peru through central Bolivia. Moreover, when the thick urceolate corollas of D. empetrifolium split after being pressed, the separation of this material from the campanulate D. codonanthum, although not impossible, requires careful observation. The differences between these species and other closely related taxa are presented in Table VIII. Disterigma weberbaueri is here added to the many synonyms of this species. As Smith (1933) pointed out, the vegetative variation of the synonymized species, varieties, and forms represent individual or population traits and not different species. Their flowers are indistinguishable and their differences are found in characters (leaves and growth form; Figs. 23C, 24) that are likely to be shaped by micro-environmental factors, especially under the extreme and changing conditions of the páramos.

Common Names

anisillo de monte, uvilla de monte, chirimote, orcu mote, joyapa, pushgay

Objects

Specimen - 01009181, R. Callejas Posada 7592, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Colombia, Antioquia, Urrao Mun.

Specimen - 02151713, H. Cuadros 5027, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Colombia, Antioquia, Ituango Mun.

Specimen - 02151867, F. W. Pennell 4267, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Colombia, Antioquia

Specimen - 02151722, J. L. Luteyn 7595, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Colombia, Boyacá

Specimen - 02151682, L. Uribe-Uribe 5096, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Colombia, Boyacá

Specimen - 02151710, J. Cuatrecasas 9284, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Colombia, Caldas

Specimen - 02151683, P. Pedraza-Peñalosa 1043, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Colombia, Caldas

Specimen - 02151728, F. W. Pennell 9861, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Colombia, Caldas

Specimen - 02151694, A. Duque 118, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Colombia, Cauca

Specimen - 02151685, C. Restrepo 237, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Colombia, Cauca, Puracé Mun.

Specimen - 02151686, J. L. Luteyn 7759, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Colombia, Cundinamarca

Specimen - 02151690, C. A. Pedraza 13, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Colombia, Cundinamarca

Specimen - 02151689, C. A. Pedraza 7, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Colombia, Cundinamarca

Specimen - 02151701, É. André 3230, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Colombia, Nariño

Specimen - 02151729, E. P. Killip 18636, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Colombia, Norte de Santander

Specimen - 02151714, L. J. Schlim 353, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Colombia, Norte de Santander

Specimen - 02151709, J. L. Luteyn 12944, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Colombia, Quindío, Pijao Mun.

Specimen - 02151687, E. P. Killip 17949, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Colombia, Santander

Specimen - 02151705, J. L. Luteyn 7659, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Colombia, Santander

Specimen - 02151696, J. C. Betancur B. 2434, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Colombia, Tolima, Murillo Mun.

Specimen - 02151695, P. A. Silverstone-Sopkin 6503, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Colombia, Valle del Cauca, El Cerrito Mun.

Specimen - 02151739, L. E. Ruiz-Terán 8830, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Venezuela, Apure, Páez Mun.

Specimen - 02151740, J. A. Steyermark 101102, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Venezuela, Apure

Specimen - 02151742, A. Berg 98-8-21, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Venezuela, Mérida

Specimen - 02151744, L. E. Ruiz-Terán 7021, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Venezuela, Mérida, Campo Elías Mun.

Specimen - 02151745, L. E. Ruiz-Terán 7673, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Venezuela, Mérida, Campo Elías Mun.

Specimen - 02151734, L. E. Ruiz-Terán 12272, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Venezuela, Mérida, Miranda Mun.

Specimen - 02151855, L. E. Ruiz-Terán 12276, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Venezuela, Mérida, Miranda Mun.

Specimen - 02151737, L. E. Ruiz-Terán 12310, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Venezuela, Mérida, Miranda Mun.

Pending, A. Charpin 13200, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Venezuela, Táchira

Specimen - 02151735, J. L. Luteyn 5311, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Venezuela, Táchira

Specimen - 02151736, J. L. Luteyn 5915, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Venezuela, Táchira

Specimen - 02151793, W. H. Camp E2021, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Azuay

Specimen - 02151763, J. L. Luteyn 13403, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Azuay

Specimen - 02151780, J. L. Luteyn 11155, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Azuay

Specimen - 02151792, W. H. Camp E1777, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Cañar

Specimen - 02151842, R. Valencia 133, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Cañar

Pending, H. G. Barclay 9317, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Carchi

Specimen - 02151814, J. L. Luteyn 5757A, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Carchi

Specimen - 02151847, J. L. Jaramillo 9448, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Chimborazo

Specimen - 02151769, A. M. Juncosa 870, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Chimborazo

Specimen - 02151764, B. Øllgaard 38024, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Chimborazo

Pending, C. E. Cerón Martínez 8002, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Cotopaxi

Pending, B. B. Larsen 45653, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Imbabura

Pending, M. Macias 143, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Imbabura

Pending, P. Keating 117, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Loja

Specimen - 02151774, G. W. Harling 13108, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Morona Santiago

Specimen - 02151812, L. Dávalos 25, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Napo

Specimen - 02151788, E. Narvaez 170, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Napo

Specimen - 02151782, P. Pedraza-Peñalosa 971, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Napo

Specimen - 02151856, E. Asplund 17533, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Pichincha

Specimen - 02151848, J. L. Luteyn 5688, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Pichincha

Specimen - 02151768, J. L. Luteyn 11057, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Pichincha

Specimen - 02151761, J. E. Ramos Pérez 7494, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Pichincha

Specimen - 02151770, J. D. Boeke 2700, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Napo

Specimen - 02151759, P. R. Bell 786, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Tungurahua

Specimen - 02151813, C. E. Cerón Martínez 19243, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Tungurahua

Specimen - 02151809, C. E. Cerón Martínez 1132, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Tungurahua

Specimen - 02151779, H. Vargas 2780, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Ecuador, Tungurahua

Specimen - 02151899, P. J. Barbour 3458, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Peru, Amazonas, Bagua Prov.

Specimen - 02151912, B. Becker 1730, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Peru, Cajamarca, Cajamarca Prov.

Specimen - 01481994, A. Sagástegui A. 8910, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Peru, Cajamarca, San Miguel Prov.

Specimen - 02151906, I. M. Sánchez Vega 10917, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Peru, Cajamarca, Celendín Prov.

Specimen - 02151907, B. Peyton 737, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Peru, Cusco

Specimen - 02151900, S. Diaz P. 2226, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Peru, Junín, Tarma Prov.

Specimen - 02151883, P. Pedraza-Peñalosa 1603, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Peru, Pasco, Oxapampa Prov.

Specimen - 02151881, P. Pedraza-Peñalosa 1605, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Peru, Pasco

Specimen - 02151887, Fr. León 1590, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Peru, San Martín, Mariscal Cáceres Prov.

Specimen - 02152220, K. R. Young 1968, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Peru, San Martín, Mariscal Cáceres Prov.

Specimen - 02152221, K. R. Young 1776, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Peru, San Martín, Mariscal Cáceres Prov.

Specimen - 02151889, K. R. Young 3480, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Peru, San Martín, Mariscal Cáceres Prov.

Specimen - 02151915, C. Maldonado 3248, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America, Bolivia, La Paz

Pending, K. T. Hartweg 1201, Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America

Specimen - 02151730, W. J. Hooker s.n., Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America

Pending, W. J. Hooker s.n., Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, Ericaceae (261.0), Magnoliophyta; South America

Distribution

Colombia South America| Antioquia Colombia South America| Arauca Colombia South America| Boyacá Colombia South America| Caldas Colombia South America| Casanare Colombia South America| Cauca Colombia South America| Cundinamarca Colombia South America| Guajira Colombia South America| Huila Colombia South America| Meta Colombia South America| Nariño Colombia South America| Norte de Santander Colombia South America| Quindío Colombia South America| Risaralda Colombia South America| Santander Colombia South America| Tolima Colombia South America| Valle del Cauca Colombia South America| Venezuela South America| Apure Venezuela South America| Mérida Venezuela South America| Táchira Venezuela South America| Ecuador South America| Azuay Ecuador South America| Cañar Ecuador South America| Carchi Ecuador South America| Chimborazo Ecuador South America| Cotopaxi Ecuador South America| Imbabura Ecuador South America| Imbabura Ecuador South America| Morona-Santiago Ecuador South America| Napo Ecuador South America| Pichincha Ecuador South America| Sucumbíos Ecuador South America| Tungurahua Ecuador South America| Peru South America| Amazonas Peru South America| Ayacucho Peru South America| Cajamarca Peru South America| Cusco Peru South America| Huánuco Peru South America| Junín Peru South America| La Libertad Peru South America| Pasco Peru South America| Piura Peru South America| Puno Peru South America| San Martín Peru South America| Bolivia South America| La Paz Bolivia South America| South America|