Clidemia ciliata var. elata (Pittier) L.Uribe

  • Family

    Melastomataceae (Magnoliophyta)

  • Scientific Name

    Clidemia ciliata var. elata (Pittier) L.Uribe

  • Basionym

    Clidemia elata Pittier

  • Description

    Description Author and Date: Frank Almeda, based on Almeda, F. (2009). Melastomataceae. In: G. Davidse, M. Sousa-Sânchez, S. Knapp, & F. Chiang (eds.), Flora Mesoamericana: Cucurbitaceae a Polemoniaceae. 4(1): 164-338.

    Type: Holotype: Venezuela, Pittier 12744 (US!).

    Description: Shrubs 1-3 m tall, the branchlets and inflorescences covered with spreading smooth (occasionally glandular) hairs 2-3 mm long and a moderate caducous ground layer of scurfy, stellulate or dendritic hairs. Leaves somewhat unequal in size in each pair, 7-9-nerved, broadly ovate, 9.5-15.2 cm long, 3.9-10 cm wide, above moderately hirsute with smooth hairs and an inconspicuous understory of glandular hairs mostly on younger distal leaves, below copiously hirsute with smooth hairs on the primary and higher order veins, apex gradually acuminate to abruptly short-acuminate, base cordate, the margin ciliate-serrulate; formicaria 0.5-1 cm long, irregularly developed at the petiole base of the larger leaf in each pair. Inflorescence an axillary, pyramidal cyme 4-8.5 cm long; flowers 4-merous, pedicels 1-2 mm long, the persistent, subulate bracteoles 1.5-2.5 X 0.5 mm. Hypanthia sparsely to moderately covered with spreading smooth (often glandular) hairs and an understory of scurfy stellulate hairs that are mixed with or replaced by a caducous resinous-granular pubescence; calyx lobes depressed-ovate, 0.5-1 X 1 mm mostly concealed by the triangular exterior teeth 0.5-1 mm long. Petals white, glabrous, oblong, 2-2.5 X 2 mm. Filaments 2 mm long; anther sacs pink, 2.5-3 mm long with a somewhat dorsally inclined pore; connective simple. Ovary 4-locular, completely inferior, glabrous apically; berry 5-7 mm diam, violet to purple when ripe. Seeds granulate and brown, 0.75-1 mm long; 2n=48-52.

    Habitat and Distribution: Local and uncommon, disturbed sites in cloud forest. 1250-1500 m. Also in Colombia, Venezuela, and Peru. HONDURAS (Mejía 146, CAS): NICARAGUA (Araquistain & Moreno 1746, CAS); COSTA RICA (Almeda & Daniel 6981, CAS); PANAMA (Almeda et al. 6431, CAS).

    Notes: [Description based only on Mesoamerican specimens.]

  • Sorry, no descriptions available for this record.