Gustavia elliptica 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 elliptica S.A.Mori

  • Type

    Type. Froes 22468 (holotype, IAN 32256). Brazil. Amazonas: Rio Negro, Tauapecaçu, 23 Sep 1947 (fl).

  • Description

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    Latin Diagnosis - Arbores usque ad 22 m altae x 35 cm diametro, leptocaulinae; folia ad apicem ramorum laxe aggregata, cicatricibus petiolorum contiguis vel usque ad 20 mm inter se distantibus; rami infra folia 3-5 mm diametro, versus apicem arcuati. Cortex lenticellatus, leviter fissuratus. Laminae plerumque ellipticae interdum oblanceolatae, apice breviter acuminatae, basi acuto-attenuatae leviter decurrentes, 11-28 x 4-9.5 cm, marginibus integrae vel subtiliter serru-latae, glabrae, chartaceae, paribus venarum lateralium 13-19. Petioli 5-25 x 1.5-3 mm, in sectione transversali subteres. Inflorescentiae plerumque suprafoliares interdum caulinae, griseo-tomentosae, floribus 1-6, rhachidi 525 mm; pedicelli 25-60 mm, bractea lanceolata 5-10 x 2-4 mm plerumque per-sistenti et bracteolis 2 lanceolatis, 3-8 x 2-5 mm varie insertis suffulti. Flores 79 cm diametro; calyx ex labio undulato 1-2 mm profundo constans; petala (7-)8, oblonga, 25-35 x 20-25 mm, in alabastro dense griseo-pubescens, sub an-thesi albo-puberula; androecii basis connata 20 mm diametro, 7-9 mm alta; filamenta externa 11-15 mm; antherae 1.5-3 mm; ovarium ecostatum, 4(-6)-loculare, ad apicem albo-tomentosum; stylus 1-2 mm longus; stigma 4-lobatum. Fructus cylindricus infrequenter globosus, ecostatus, 17-30 x 17-30 mm. Semina carunculata, in sectione transversali rotundata, 12-15 x 5-7 mm, funiculo conspicuo flavo 7-13 x 3 mm instructa.

  • Discussion

    Ecology. In June of 1971 I found G. elliptica (Mori in terra firme forest of the Reserva Florestal Ducke some 26 kilometers east of Manaus on the road to Itacoatiara. Under the medium sized trees with very straight boles and much branched crowns were fruits in advanced stages of decay. Then in February of 1977 G. T. Prance and I found mature fruits of this species at Lajes near the mouth of the Rio Negro. These observations, along with label data, indicate that G. elliptica flowers from September to January, with a peak in November, and fruits from January to April.

    Gustavia elliptica can be distinguished from the closely related, sympatric G. augusta by its elliptic versus oblanceolate leaves, cylindric rather than globose fruits, and its smaller flowers and fruit size. It is also characterized by the usually persistent, lanceolate, relatively long bract at the base of the pedicel. The straight bole and terra firme habitat of the new species also helps separate it from G. augusta which is usually a plant of the varzea and has a more branched trunk.

    Gustavia elliptica may be separated from the little-known G. longepetiolata by its greater height, suprafoliar instead of cauline inflorescences, 8 versus 6 petals, and its entire versus 5-lobed calyx.

  • Common Names

    Castanha-rana, Mucurão, Ripeiro

  • Distribution

    This species is restricted to terra firme forests of central Amazonia and is especially common in the vicinity of Manaus.

    Brazil South America| Amazonas Brazil South America|