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o<br />
2<br />
CM<br />
XI E><br />
RAR.Y<br />
OF THL<br />
UNIVERSITY<br />
OF ILLINOIS<br />
560.5<br />
FB<br />
v.28<br />
BIOLOGY
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FIELDIANA: BOTANY<br />
A Continuation of the<br />
BOTANICAL SERIES<br />
of<br />
FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY<br />
VOLUME 28<br />
NUMBERS 1 AND 2<br />
CHICAGO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM<br />
CHICAGO, U.S.A.<br />
1951-1952
^v<br />
>U>, !-*-<br />
CONTENTS<br />
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA I, II<br />
By Julian A. Steyermark and Collaborators.<br />
PAGES<br />
Number 1. From Musci through Sarraceniaceae 1-242<br />
Number 2. From Droseraceae through Umbelliferae 243-447<br />
111
NUMBER 1<br />
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS<br />
TEXT FIGURES<br />
1. Paspalum aureolatum 23<br />
2. Paspalum piligerum 25<br />
3. Arthrostylidium Sleyermarkti 32<br />
4. Myriocladus virgatus 35<br />
5. Achenes of Bulbostylis Svensoniana, Fimbristylis tamaensis, Rhynchospora<br />
denlinux, R. sanariapensis, R. tepuiana, R. Trichochaeta var.<br />
venezuelensis, R. Trichochaeta, R. bolivarana, R. karuaiana 38<br />
6. Rhynchospora ptaritepuiana, R. culmenicola, R. paramora, R. tamana,<br />
R. tomentosa, Hypolytrum lepuianum, Exochogyne Steyermarkii<br />
. ... 42<br />
7. Carex roraimensis, C. culmenicola, C. turumiquirensis, Uncinia meridensis<br />
62<br />
8. Vesicarex collumanthus, Carex larensis, C. tachirensis 64<br />
9. Baciris duidae 74<br />
10. Bactris ptariana 79<br />
11. Dahlgrenia ptariana 83<br />
12. Anthurium ptarianum 95<br />
13. Philodendron duidae 97<br />
14. Philonotion Williamsii 100<br />
15. Urospatha savannarum 103<br />
16. Xyris albescens, X. esmeraldae, X. lanulobractea, X. ptariana, X. steno- 106<br />
stachya 106<br />
17. Stegolepis ptaritepuiana, S. Gleasoniana, S. parvipetala 132<br />
18. Brocchinia melanacra 136<br />
19. Brocchinia Steyermarkii, B. vestita 137<br />
20. Connellia caricifolia, C. nutans 140<br />
21. Navia aurea, N. glauca, N. Steyermarkii, N. xyridiflora 142<br />
22. Guzmania confinis, Pitcairnia tuberculata, Tillandsia lacera 144<br />
23. Guzmania retusa, Pitcairnia cinerea, Tillandsia stenoglossa 146<br />
24. Burmannia sanariapoana 166<br />
25. Pogonia stricta 168<br />
26. Pogonia triflora 170<br />
27. Pogonia unifoliata 172<br />
28. Prescottia carnosa. . 175<br />
PAGE
PAGE<br />
29. Erylhrodes confusa 176<br />
30. Stelis dispar 179<br />
31. Lepanthes exilis 181<br />
32. Pleurothallis callifera 182<br />
33. Pleurothallis exilis, P. humilis 184<br />
34. Pleurothallis Steyermarkii 187<br />
35. Pleurothallis subtilis 189<br />
36. Octomeria rhizomatosa 191<br />
37. Acineta alticola 193<br />
38. Maxillaria condensata 195<br />
39. Maxillaria patula 198<br />
40. Oncidium diffusum 201<br />
41. Lockhartia latilabris 202<br />
42. Euplassa venezuelana 218<br />
43. Weinmannia roraimensis. . 248<br />
NUMBER 2<br />
44. Weinmannia Steyermarkii 250<br />
45. Swartzia parvifolia 264<br />
46. Taralea rigida 267<br />
47. Taralea Steyermarkii 269<br />
48. Burdachia Duckei 284<br />
49. Burdachia Williamsii 286<br />
50. Glandonia Williamsii 290<br />
51. Heteropterys quetepensis 291<br />
52. Polygala appressa var. kavanayen 297<br />
53. Polygala Blakeana 299<br />
54. Polygala sanariapoana 302<br />
55. Polygala santanderensis 303<br />
56. Chaetocarpus Williamsii 307<br />
57A. Croizatia neotropica 310<br />
57B-F. Croizatia neotropica, Actephila dispersa 311<br />
58. Phyllanthus majus 319<br />
59. Ilex ptariana 326<br />
60. Ilex ptariana 327<br />
61. Ilex subrotundifolia 329<br />
62. Ilex venezuelensis 331<br />
63. Ilex vesparum 333<br />
64. Maytenus apiculata 335<br />
65. Maytenus coriacea 336<br />
66. Maytenus Pittieriana. . 339
PAGE<br />
67. Emmotum ptarianum 342<br />
68. Cupania kukenanica 345<br />
69. Cupania roraimae 345<br />
70. Dipterodendron venezuelense 348<br />
71. Matayba ptariana 349<br />
72. Matayba reducta 351<br />
73. Matayba sororopaniana 352<br />
74. Quararibea Steyermarkti 364<br />
75. Poecilandra pumila 373<br />
76. Sauvagesia duidae 375<br />
77. Sauvagesia longipes 377<br />
78. Sauvagesia miniata 379<br />
79. Clusia imbricata 388<br />
80. Clusia pusilla 389<br />
81. Mahurea sororopantepuiana 396<br />
82. Tovomita angustata 401<br />
83. Elatine Fassettiana 402<br />
84. Cinnamodendron venezuelense 405<br />
85. Viola venezuelensis 408, 409<br />
86. Cajophora larensis 413<br />
87. Cajophora venezuelensis 415<br />
88. Begonia laxa 416<br />
89. Begonia otophylla 419<br />
90. Begonia sucrensis 421<br />
91. Farringtonia fasdculata 427<br />
92. Macrocentrum minus 433<br />
93. Miconia larensis 437<br />
94. Azorella Julianii . . 446<br />
vn
CONTRIBUTIONS TO<br />
THE FLORA OF VENEZUELA<br />
JULIAN A. STEYERMARK<br />
AND COLLABORATORS<br />
FIELDIANA: BOTANY<br />
VOLUME 28, NUMBER 1<br />
Published by<br />
CHICAGO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM<br />
MAY 18, 1951
CONTRIBUTIONS TO<br />
THE FLORA OF VENEZUELA<br />
JULIAN A. STEYERMARK<br />
Curator of the Herbarium<br />
AND COLLABORATORS<br />
FIELDIANA: BOTANY<br />
VOLUME 28, NUMBER 1<br />
Published by<br />
CHICAGO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM<br />
MAY 18, 1951<br />
lt UMAKY Of TKF
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA<br />
BY CHICAGO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM PRESS
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA -<br />
I<br />
From December, 1943, to September, 1944, the author explored<br />
portions of the Venezuelan Andes, Coastal Range (Cordillera de la<br />
Costa), Duida, and Roraima on behalf of the United States government<br />
as Senior Botanist under the auspices of the Foreign Economic<br />
Administration, in connection with the Cinchona survey of that<br />
country. From October to December, 1944, under the auspices of the<br />
Chicago Natural History Museum, he made a botanical exploration of<br />
Ptari-tepui', Sororopan-tepui, Carrao-tepuT, and mesa region of Santa<br />
Teresita de Kavanayen. From February to June, 1945, sponsored by<br />
the Ministerio de Agriculture y Cria and the Servicio Botanico at<br />
Caracas, he explored the eastern section of the Cordillera de la<br />
Costa in the states of Sucre, Anzoategui, and Monagas, including the<br />
high peaks of Cerro Turumiquire.<br />
The identification of these collections was started at the beginning<br />
of the year 1946, and has continued since. The total number of<br />
plants collected amounted to 8,550 numbers, divided as follows:<br />
Andes, 2,048; eastern part of the Cordillera de la Costa, in the<br />
states of Sucre, Anzoategui, and Monagas, 1,947; western and central<br />
part of the Cordillera de la Costa, 1,261; Ptari-tepui, Sororopantepui^<br />
and Carrao-tepui' 1,644; Roraima and adjacent Gran Sabana,<br />
841; Duida and adjacent Orinoco area, 809.<br />
Apart from the numerous encountered species previously unrecorded<br />
for Venezuela, a very large number of species new to science,<br />
as well as a number of new genera, have been found. The present<br />
publication, therefore, is the first installment, to be followed in<br />
systematic order by succeeding ones, consisting of descriptions of<br />
all the new entities and new combinations made necessary as a<br />
result of the taxonomic studies. The last installment, which will<br />
follow the publication of all new species, will contain a comprehensive<br />
summary of the species collected in the various regions, with<br />
critical taxonomic and phytogeographical notes wherever necessary.<br />
This final summary of the flora will be published together with a<br />
more detailed account of the geology, topography, floral zones, and<br />
ecological aspects of Ptari-tepuf and surrounding area, and the<br />
surrounding area, and the eastern part of the Cordillera de la Costa<br />
in the states of Sucre, Anzoategui, and Monagas, including Cerro<br />
Turumiquire, as well as some special notes on the ascent and vegetation<br />
of Duida and Roraima and adjacent areas explored.<br />
For this final treatment the flora will be separated into the following<br />
regions (with the exception of the Algae, Mosses, and Podocarpaceae):<br />
(1) additions to the flora of Duida, (2) additions to the
2 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
flora of Roraima, (3) flora of Ptari-tepui' and adjacent Sororopa'ntepui'and<br />
Carrao-tepui' which are extensions of Ptari-tepui^ (4) flora<br />
of Cerro Turumiquire and adjacent Oriente region, which includes<br />
the Cordillera de la Costa in the states of Sucre, Anzoategui, and<br />
Monagas, and (5) miscellaneous species of the Andes of Venezuela<br />
in the states of Lara, Trujillo, Merida, and Tachira. The families<br />
of cryptogams and phanerogams (with the exception of Algae, Lichens,<br />
mosses, and Podocarpaceae) have been arranged in this order.<br />
The style of treatment has been made to conform as much as possible<br />
with that found in the report by Gleason and collaborators on<br />
the "Botanical Results of the Tyler-Duida Expedition," published<br />
in The Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 58: 277-506 (193D, and<br />
in that by Maguire and collaborators on "Plant Explorations in<br />
Guiana in 1944, Chiefly to the Tafelberg and the Kaieteur Plateau, "<br />
in the same journal, 75: 56-115, 189-230, 286-323 (1948). In order<br />
to facilitate the assembling and correlation of data from Duida, the<br />
same subdivisions of "lowland species" and "species of Mount<br />
Duida" have been continued. In the present treatment "lowland<br />
species" refer to all collections made in the Territorio Federal<br />
Amazonas between Puerto Ayacucho and the base of Mount Duida by<br />
Steyermark, and those made along the Rio Negro and Rio Guainia by<br />
Mr. Llewelyn Williams, while "species of Mount Duida" include all<br />
those made on the slopes or summit of that cerro. As regards locality<br />
names, the same ones have been followed as were used by Tate<br />
for Mount Roraima, by Tate and Hitchcock for Mount Duida, and by<br />
the Phelps expedition for Ptari-tepui' This has been done mainly in<br />
order to conform to existing published locality names, in the interest<br />
of clarity. Mount Ptari-tepuf lies in the southeastern portion of<br />
Venezuela in the state of Bolivar, 130 kilometers northwest of Mount<br />
Roraima and 65 kilometers to the east of Mount Auyan-tepuf, and in<br />
5 45 T N. Lat., 6l45 T W. Long. Its extensions include Sororopantepuf"<br />
and Carrao-tepui' in the same latitude and longitude, all of<br />
them situated on that part of the mesa of the Gran Sabana in the<br />
vicinity of the Mission of Santa Teresita de Kavanaye'n. Ptari-tepu/<br />
and its extensions represent one of the "northernmost extensions of<br />
the Guiana highlands in the watersheds of the Carom' and Paragua<br />
rivers." 1<br />
The author is greatly indebted to the various collaborators for their<br />
contributions of the particular groups or families which they studied<br />
in connection with this report. To the curators of the New York<br />
Botanical Garden, Gray Herbarium, and United States National Herbarium<br />
the author is greatly indebted for the loan of critical material<br />
used in connection with the study of specimens.<br />
Finally, I wish to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation<br />
to the many persons in Venezuela who have helped to facilitate my<br />
Dimmer, J. T. and Phelps, W. H., Am. Mus. Nov., no. 1270: 9. 1944,<br />
and no. 1274: 1-9. 1945.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 3<br />
botanical exploration made in that country: Dr. Henry Pittier, Dr.<br />
Tobias Lasser, Dr. L.Schnee, Capitan Felix Cardona P., and Zoraida<br />
Luces of the Servicio Bota'nico of the Ministerio de Agricultura y<br />
Cria, Caracas; Dr. V. M. Lo'pez and associates of the Servicio Te'cnico<br />
de Miner/a y Geologia of the Ministerio de Forr.ento, Caracas;<br />
Mr. William H. Phelps, Mr. William Phelps, Jr.,<br />
and Mrs. Kathleen<br />
Phelps, of Caracas; Mr. Victor M. Badillo, of Caracas; Dr. Delbert<br />
Langham of the Ministerio de Agricultura y Cria, Maracay; Dr. James<br />
H. Kempton, American Embassy, Caracas; to the many officials of<br />
the Ministerio de Agricultura y Cria throughout Venezuela; Padre<br />
Victor de Carbajal and his staff at Santa Teresita de Kavanayn:<br />
members of the staff of Institute Biblico "Las Delicias", at Caripe;<br />
officials of the Mene Grande Oil Company; to the governors and their<br />
subordinates in the states of Ta'chira, Me"rida, Lara, Sucre, Anzoa'-<br />
tegui, Monagas, BoliVar, and Territorio Federal Amazonas; Mr.<br />
Eulogio Mago of Cocollar; and Mr. Fernando Pena of Santa Elena.<br />
To the members of the staff of the Foreign Economic Administration<br />
of the American Embassy at Caracas, and to my associate of the<br />
Cinchona Mission, Dr. H. Arthur Meyer of the Department of Forestry,<br />
Pennsylvania State College, Pa., I wish to express my sincere thanks<br />
for their co-operation in facilitating the botanical surveys.<br />
A complete set of specimens is deposited in the herbarium of the<br />
Chicago Natural History Museum. Unless otherwise indicated, the<br />
types of the new species are deposited in that institution. Also, unless<br />
otherwise stated, all numbers cited have been collected by the<br />
author.<br />
The abbreviations used in citing specimens are as follows:<br />
A<br />
F<br />
G<br />
- Arnold Arboretum<br />
-<br />
Chicago Natural History Museum (Field Museum)<br />
- Gray Herbarium<br />
-<br />
I <strong>University</strong> of Illinois<br />
MBG- Missouri Botanical Garden<br />
NY - New York Botanical Garden<br />
PH - Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia<br />
US - United States National Herbarium<br />
Ven - Servicio Botanico, Caracas<br />
YU Yale <strong>University</strong>
4 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
MUSCI 2<br />
Campy lopus (Eucampylopus) bolivarensis Bartr., sp. nov.<br />
Robustus, laxe caespitosus, caespites nigricantes, superne lutescentes,<br />
nitidi. Caulis submersus, 6-10 cm. longus, simplex vel parce<br />
ramosus. Folia rigida, erecto-patentis, sicca immutata, 7-8 mm.<br />
longa, anguste ovato-lanceolata, tubuloso-concava, sensim setaceoacuminata,<br />
saepe in pilum hyalinum parce denticulatum producta;<br />
costa excurrente; cellulae basilares angusce rectangulares, incrassacae,<br />
arete porosae, marginales angustiores, alares nuraerosae, fuscescentes,<br />
cellulae superiores lineares. Caetera ignota.<br />
Type in herb. Bartram, isotype in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected<br />
on summit of Mount Roraima, on southern half of the summit<br />
between Summit Camp, Great Central Rift, Central Swamp, and pond<br />
at southern end, state of Bolivar, alt. 2700-2740 m., September 28,<br />
1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58895; same locality, Steyermark 58915.<br />
The submerged habit is a very unusual one for Campylopus, and<br />
the species appears to be sharply distinct. The strongly porose<br />
basal areolation and the linear upper leaf cells are characters in<br />
common shared by no other species of the Eucampylopus group that<br />
I am familiar with.<br />
Didymodon angustifolius Bartr.,<br />
sp. nov.<br />
Caespites densi, inferne fusci, superne virides, ad 1 cm. alti.<br />
Folia humida late patentia, flexuosa, sicca arete circinato-contorta,<br />
3-4.5 cm. longa, e basi erecta, breviter oblonga, concava angustissime<br />
lineari-ligulata, subulato-acuminata; margines plani, integri;<br />
costa breviter excurrente; cellulae superiores rotundatae, incrassatae,<br />
diam. circa 8 m. papillosae, margines versus 2-3 stratosae,<br />
basilares rectangulares, tenerae, hyalinae. Caetera ignota.<br />
Type in herb. Bartram, isotype in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected<br />
on north-facing slopes above La Trinidad in cloud forest zone,<br />
southwest of Cocollar, Cerro Turumiquire, state of Sucre, alt. 2100-<br />
2200 m., May 5, 1945, Julian A. Steyermark 62544. MONAGAS:<br />
Guacharo Cave, 6 kms. northwest of Gua'charo, alt. 950 m., Steyermark<br />
62293a. ANZOA'TEGUI: cloud forest of fila Grande, ^headwaters<br />
of Quebrada La Tigra, Cerro San Jose', between Bergantm and<br />
Cerro Peonia (Cerro Los Pajaritos), alt. 1800-1850 m., Steyermark<br />
61550a.<br />
Without fruit the generic position of this species must remain uncertain.<br />
The long, exceedingly narrow, plane margined leaves with<br />
the upper cells in two or three layers toward the margins, together<br />
with the thin-walled rectangular cells of the leaf base is an unusual<br />
combination of characters comparable to no other species familiar to<br />
me. As the costa in cross section shows stereid bands on both<br />
2<br />
By E. B. Bartram
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 5<br />
sides of the median arc of guide cells, it seems logical to include<br />
the species in Didymodon rather than in Trichostomopsis.<br />
Meteoriopsis remotifolia (Hornsch.) Broth, var. robusta Bartr.,<br />
var. nov.<br />
Caulis ad 20 cm. longus, dense et regulariter pinnatim ramosus.<br />
Folia ad 3 mm. longa, 1.3 mm. lata.<br />
Type in herb. Bartram, isotype in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus.,<br />
collected in cloud forest on wooded summit of Cerro Peonia (Cerro<br />
Los Pajaritos), above Santa Cruz, headwaters of Rib Manantiales,<br />
east of Berganti'n, state of Anzoa'tegui, alt. 2350 m., March 21, 1945,<br />
Julian A. Steyermark 6l683a.<br />
Superficially these plants bear little resemblance to the customary<br />
forms of M. remotifolia with slender, irregularly branched stems, but<br />
structurally the plants are identical. The densely set branches form<br />
a compact frond. This unusual habit in connection with the larger<br />
leaves distinguishes the new variety from any form of typical plants<br />
that have come under my observation.<br />
Ilookeriopsis Steyermarkii Bartr., sp. nov.<br />
Caespites densi, sordide virides. Caulis ad 5-6 cm. longus, prostratus,<br />
irregulariter pinnatim ramosus. Folia erecto-patentia, 2 mm.<br />
longa, ovato-lanceolata, tenuiter acuminata, haud undulata, leviter<br />
concava; margines erecti, superne minute serrulati; nervis dorso<br />
laevibus, ultra medium evanidis; cellulae angustae lineares, laevissiraae,<br />
infimae laxiores. Caetera ignota.<br />
Type in herb. Bartram, isotype in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus.,<br />
collected along base of east-facing high sandstone bluffs, Ptaritepui',<br />
state of Bolivar, alt. 2410-2450 m., Nov. 7, 1944, Julian A.<br />
Steyermark 59942; same locality, Steyermark 59942a.<br />
These plants resemble H. diffusa (Wils.) Jaeg. in habit and appearance<br />
but differ widely in the slenderly acuminate leaves weakly<br />
toothed above, the linear lamina cells and the more slender costae,<br />
smooth on the back and ending well below the base of the leaf<br />
acumen.<br />
Ilookeriopsis ptari-tepuiensis Bartr., sp. nov.<br />
Caespites depressi, densi, sordide virides. Caulis circa 4 cm.<br />
longus, subpinnatim ramosus. Folia erecto-patentia, 1.5 ram. longa,<br />
oblongo-lanceolata, plicata, breviter acuminata, haud undulata;<br />
margines erecti, inferne integri, supeme serrati; nervis dorso laevibus,<br />
infra apicem evanidio, apice dorso prominulis; cellulae lineares,<br />
incrassatae, vermiculares, infimae laxiores. Caetera ignota.<br />
Type in herb. Bartram, isotype in herb. Chi. Nat. His. Mus..<br />
collected on steep forested slopes at base of first line of sandstone<br />
bluffs, on south-facing part, west of "Cave Rock", P tar i -tepui', state<br />
of Bolivar, alt. 2130 m., Nov. 4, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59846.
6 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Compared with H. Steyermarkii the leaves here are of a different<br />
shape, more bluntly pointed, and coarsely serrate above and plicate,<br />
the costae are stouter, longer, and end in a minute prickle on the<br />
back. These distinctions are not impressive but definite and well<br />
maintained, so I feel convinced that //.<br />
ptari-tepuiensis will prove<br />
to be a valid species.<br />
Lepidopilum Steyermarkii Bartr., sp. nov.<br />
Dioicum? Gracile, lutescenti-viride. Caulis secundarius ad 2 cm.<br />
longus, laxe foliosus. Folia sicca contorta, humida patentia, laterialia<br />
asymmetrica, late ovata, abrupte breviter acuminata, superne<br />
remote denticulata; nervis infra medium evanidis; cellulis ovatohexagonis,<br />
marginalibus 3-5 seriatis angustioribus, limbum distincturn<br />
efformantibus. Seta 3-3.5 mm. longa, superne grosse pappillosa,<br />
infeme parce scaberula vel laevis; iheca inclinata, oblongo-ovato;<br />
operculum longe et tenuiter rostratum; calyptra (immatura) ramentis<br />
paucis praedita.<br />
Type in herb. Bartrarn, isotype in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus.,<br />
collected between Hacienda Agua Blanca above La Azulita and Rib<br />
Capaz, state of Merida, alt. 975 m., April 26, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
56138.<br />
This species differs from L. tortifolium Mitt, in the broader more<br />
abruptly pointed leaves and shorter setae which are papillose above<br />
and nearly smooth below.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I<br />
Cyathea purpurea Morton, sp. nov.<br />
PTERIDOPHYTA 3<br />
CYATHEACEAE<br />
Caudex 1.5 m. altus, 7.5 cm. diam.; folia ca. 1 m. longa; stipites<br />
inerraes, ca. 55 cm. longi, medio ca. 7 mm. diam., atropurpurei, glabri,<br />
basi dense appresso-paleacei, paleis firmis, lanceolatis, longe<br />
attenuatis, brunneis, concoloribus, usque ad 20 mm. longis et 3 mm.<br />
lacis, minute erosis; laminae ovatae, bipinnato-pinnatifidae, rhachi<br />
atropurpurea, supra incurvo-pilosa, subtus glabra, inermi, epaleacea;<br />
pinnae patentes (infimae deflexae), lanceolatae, usque ad 27 cm.<br />
longae et 12 mm. latae, breviter petiolulatae, acuminatae, rhachi<br />
purpurea, supra incurvo-pilosa, subtus glabra, epaleacea, pinnulis<br />
ca. 15-jugis, brevissime petiolulatis (1 mm.), lanceolatis, breviter<br />
acuminatis, maximis 6 cm. longis et 1.6 cm. latis, basalibus paullo<br />
reductis, alte pinnatifidis, costa supra substrigosa, ala costali ca.<br />
0.5 mm. lata, segmentis 12-14-jugis, oblongis, 8-10 mm. longis,<br />
2.8-3.3 mm. latis, crenulatis, utrinque glabris, in costulis subtus<br />
paleis pallidis, minutis, cucullatis, sparse onustis; venae 5-7-jugae,<br />
omnes basin versus furcatae; sori 3-5-jugi, in venae furcationem siti;<br />
indusia primo completum, mox irregulariter fissum, brunneum, glabrum;<br />
receptaculum magnum; paraphyses breves, numerosae.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., nos. 1,204,683-4, collected<br />
between Aguita and summit of Cerro Duida, Territorio Federal Amazonas,<br />
alt. 1800 m., Sept. 5, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58395; isotype<br />
in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,915,061.<br />
The present species is characterized by its dark brown, rigid,<br />
concolorous rhizome and stipe scales, its unarmed stipe, glabrous<br />
segments, and especially by its dark purple, shining, scaleless<br />
rhachises and costae.<br />
Alsophila demissa Morton, sp. nov.<br />
Caudex erectus, verisimiliter parvus gracilisque, paleis brunneis,<br />
concoloribus, ovatis, 5-9 mm. longis, 2-2.5 mm. latis, erosis, basi<br />
cordata affixis, lobis basalibus excedentibus; folia 30-90 cm. longa;<br />
stipites inermes, 24-34 cm. longi, medio 2.5-3.5 mm. diam., basi<br />
atroviolacei, sursum brunnei, subglabri, basi paleacei; laminae<br />
coriaceae, nitentes, ovatae, usque ad 45 cm. longae et 40 cm. latae,<br />
bipinnatae, basi vix reductae, apice pinnatifidae, rhachi supra<br />
incurvo-hispida, subtus glabra, sparse paleacea, paleis ovatis vel<br />
subrotundis, cordatis; pinnae sub apice pinnatifido 8-12-jugae,<br />
patentes, petiolulatae, oblongo-lanceolatae, basi non articulatae,<br />
apice pinnatifidae, acuminatae, costa supra strigosa, subtus glabra,<br />
epaleacea; pinnulae variabiles, in plantis parvis (depauperatis ?)<br />
3<br />
By C. V. Morton
8 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
9-12 mm. longae et 4.5-5.5 mm. latae, jugae 3 vel 4 basales sessiles,<br />
alterae adnacae, subintegrae vel levissime lobatae, apice rotundae,<br />
pinnulae in plantis majoribus usque ad 14-jugae, infimae petiolulatae<br />
(2 mm.), usque ad 3.5 cm. longae et 1.2 cm. latae, obtusae, basi sub*<br />
cordatae, pinnatifidae, ala costal! ca. 1 mm. lata, segmentis. sub<br />
apice pinnatifido 6-8-jugis, late oblongis, 5-6 ram. longis, 3.5-4 mm.<br />
lads, rotundis, crenulatis, parenchymate et costulis glabris, epaleaceis;<br />
venae simplices vel in pinnulis majoribus infra medium furcatae;<br />
sori pauci, supramediales, saepe tantura in vena anteriore<br />
basali; indusium nullum; receptaculum mediocre; paraphyses breves.<br />
Type in the U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,498,535, collected on summit of<br />
Cerro Duida, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 1650-1800 m., Nov.<br />
26, 1928, G.H.H.Tate 402. Additional collections from the same<br />
locality are Tate 626 and Steyermark 58308, both representing small,<br />
possibly depauperate, forms.<br />
It is somewhat venturesome to describe new species in the vast<br />
genus Alsophila, for many of the species are imperfectly known, but<br />
a search of the literature does not reveal any that seem to be the<br />
same as this, or even closely allied. None of the three collections<br />
are quite alike, each differing in the degree of dissection of the<br />
pinnules, which vary from sessile and subentire to petiolulate and<br />
deeply pinnatifid.<br />
Hemitelia dissimilis Morton, sp. nov.<br />
Caudez 15 cm. altus, dense paleaceus, paleis firrais, brunneis,<br />
concoloribus, lineari-subulatis, 7-9 mm. longis, 1-1.5 mm. latis,<br />
longe attenuatis, basi subtruncata affixis; folia ca. 1.2 m. longa;<br />
stipites ca. 55 cm. longi, 5.5-6 mm. diam., brunnei, inermes, sparse<br />
verrucosi, glabri, fere epaleacei, bisulcati; laminae ovatae, usque<br />
ad 50 cm. latae, basi vix reductae, imparipinnata, rhachi glabra,<br />
epaleacea; pinnae coriaceae, basi articulatae, petiolulatae (1-1.8<br />
cm.), majores 25-27 cm. longae, 7 cm. latae, pinnatae, pinna terminalis<br />
conformis, pinnulis sessilibus, 14-17-jugis basi articulatis,<br />
rhachi angustissime alata, fere glabra, sterilibus oblongis, 3-3.5 cm.<br />
longis, 1-1.4 cm. latis, breviter acuminatis, basi truncatis, margine<br />
remote crenulatis, fertilibus similibus sed leviter sublobatis, omnibus<br />
fere glabris, pilis paucis articulatis et paleis linearibus perpaucis<br />
in costulis dissitis; venae liberae, 10- vel 11-jugae, bis<br />
furcatae, marginem attingentes; sori submarginales, sub apice<br />
venarum omnium; indusia magna, concava, fere 1 mm. lata, brunnea,<br />
firma, persistentia, glabra; receptaculum magnum, globosum; paraphyses<br />
numerosae, piliformes, septatae.<br />
Type in the U.S. Nat. Herb., nos. 1,915,240-2, collected on Ptaritepuf,<br />
south-facing densely forested slopes between Rfo Karuai and<br />
ridge below "Misia Kathy Camp", state of Boh'var, alt. 1250-1520<br />
m., Oct. 27, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59442; isotype in herb.<br />
Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 9<br />
Dr. Cope land (Gen. Fil. 94-99. 1947) reduces the large genera<br />
Hemitelia and ALsophila to Cyathea, and since the distinctions<br />
between the genera are artificial, there is much to be said for such<br />
a course, although I prefer to retain the traditional genera for the<br />
time being. There is less merit in his attempt to recognize a number<br />
of small genera, such as Cnemidaria, Trichopteris, and Schizocaena,<br />
split off from Cyathea (sens. J.at.). Cnemidaria is typically rather<br />
easily recognized by its merely pinnate-pinnatifid blades with subentire<br />
pinnules and often anastomosing veins. However, C. petiolata<br />
(Hook.) Copel. shows a transition to true Hemitelia by reason of its<br />
bipinnate blades and sometimes subpinnatifid pinnules, although it<br />
has the anastomosing veins of Cnemidaria. The present species is<br />
obviously allied to H. petiolata, but has all the veins free. It shows<br />
the generic character assigned to Schizocaena, confined to the Old<br />
World by Copeland, of articulate pinnae. Not only the pinnae but<br />
also the pinnules are strongly and functionally articulate in H. dissimilis<br />
(they are apparently articulate also in //. petiolata, although<br />
less obviously).<br />
The present species differs from H. petiolata as follows:<br />
Frond not reduced upwardly, ending in an articulate terminal pinna<br />
conform with the lateral; veins all free; rhizome scales concolorous;<br />
stipe unarmed; pinnules up to 3.5 cm. long and 1.4 cm. wide<br />
//. dissimilis.<br />
Frond reduced and pinnatifid at apex; veins often anastomosing;<br />
rhizome scales bicolorous, with a narrow white border; stipe<br />
prickly; pinnules up to 8.5 cm. long and 2.2 cm. wide.<br />
//. petiolata.<br />
Hemitelia minima Morton, sp. nov.<br />
Caudex ca. 10 cm. longus, erectus, ca. 3 cm. diam., paleis firmis,<br />
ovato-lanceolatis, ca. 10 mm. longis et 3 mm. latis, brunneis, concoloribus;<br />
folia ca. 60 cm. longa et 20 en-., lata; stipites ca. 30 cm.<br />
longi, 3-3.5 mm. diam., inermes, basi subpurpurei, sursum straminei,<br />
basi paleacei, paleis ovatis, brunneis, margine pallidioribus, supra<br />
incurvo-strigosi, subtus glabri; laminae steriles ovatae, bipinnatopinnatifidae,<br />
rhachi inermi, epaleacea, supra incurvo-strigosa, subtus<br />
glabra; pinnae breviter petiolulatae, paucijugae, patentes, usque<br />
ad 12 cm. longae et 6 cm. latae, costa utrinque inter pinnas angustissime<br />
alata, supra strigosa, subtus plus minusve paleacea, paleis<br />
subfiliformibus persistentibus; pinnulis oblongo-lanceolatis, 10-14-<br />
jugis, usque ad 3 cm. longis et 1 cm. lads, sessilibus, acutis,<br />
costula supra pilosula, segmentis 8-10-jugis, late oblongis, ca. 4<br />
mm. longis et 2.5 mm. latis, glabris, crenulatis, obtusis, ala costulari<br />
ca. 0.5 mm. lata; venae 3-vel-4-jugae, infra medium furcatae;<br />
laminae fertiles similes sed plus minusve contracta, segmentis<br />
incurvis et concavis; sori in lobis unijugi; indusium pallidum,<br />
magnum, semicirculare, extrorsum, glabrum; receptaculum magnum;<br />
paraphyses multae, elongatae, persistentes.
10 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1,205,046, collected on<br />
forested south-facing slopes overlying sandstone, on "Cave Rock"<br />
above "Cave Camp", Ptari-tepui' state of Bolfvar, alt. 1810 m.,<br />
Oct. 29, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59481.<br />
In its small size and contracted fertile blades //. minima is unlike<br />
any species with which am I acquainted. The large and conspicuous<br />
indusium suggests that of Cyathea, but it is incomplete. Seemingly<br />
the inflexed concave margin of the segments functions somewhat as<br />
an indusium, protecting the sori while they are young. The type<br />
specimen is a unicate. It may represent a somewhat depauperate<br />
phase due to exposed conditions.<br />
ilemitelia amabilis Morton, sp. nov.<br />
Caudex 0.9 m. altus, 5-7.5 cm. diam.; folia erecta, ca. 1 m. longa;<br />
stipites inermes, breves, ca. 20 cm. longi, 5-8 mm. diam., canaliculati<br />
juventute puberuli, demum subglabri, perspicue paleacei, paleis<br />
lucidis, albidis, chartaceis, peltatis, anguste triangularibus, 6-10<br />
mm. longis, 3-4 mm. latis, erosis; laminae lanceolatae, subabrupte<br />
acuminatae, medio ca. 30 cm. latae, pinnato-pinnatifidae, rhachi<br />
incurvo-puberulae, subtus paleis albidis, ovatis, 4-7 mm. longis<br />
praedita; pinnae ca. 20-jugae, patentes, lanceolato-ligulatae, longe<br />
acuminatae, maximae 17 cm. longae et 3.2 cm. latae (inferiores<br />
minores et deflexae), pinnatifidae, ala costalis ca. 2 mm. lata, costis<br />
costulisque supra glabra (basi excepta), subtus strigillosis, paleis<br />
albidis, subbullatis sparse praeditis; segmenta 15-20-juga, late oblonga,<br />
subfalcata, 14-18 mm. longa, 5-6 mm. late, rotundata, integra,<br />
margine paullo revoluta, utrinque subglabra; venae liberae, 9- vel<br />
10-jugae, omnes sub medio furcatae; sori saepe 6-jugi, basi rami<br />
anterioris venae positi, rotundi; indusia ampla, tenera, semicupuliforrnia,<br />
brunnea, ca. 0.9 mm. lata, glabra, suberosa; receptaculum<br />
magnum, ca. 0.25 mm. latum, globosum; paraphyses nullae.<br />
Type in the U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,915,330, collected at El Paramo,<br />
northeast of Las Delicias, northeast of Caripe, state of Monagas,<br />
alt. 1200-1450 m., April 13, 1945, Julian A. Steyemark 62042; isotype<br />
in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus.<br />
The most nearly related species is evidently H. chiricana Maxon<br />
(sect. Cnemidaria) of Panama, which is closely similar in cutting and<br />
venation, but the scales of stipe and rhachis are quite different,<br />
those of //. chiricana being dark castaneous or blackish with paler<br />
borders, whereas those of the present species are white throughout.<br />
POLYPODIACEAE<br />
Thelypteris brachypoda (Baker) Morton, comb. nov.<br />
Nephrodium brachypodum Baker, Timehri 5: 213. 1886; Trans.<br />
Linn. Soc. London II. Dot. 2: 290. 1887.<br />
"Ene-bi-gi-yek tinmnga-teng (remedies chiquitos para bichos)".
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 11<br />
On rocks along stream tributary to Rio Kukenan, Gran Sabana, in<br />
woods at base of Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 1185-1280<br />
m., Steyermark 58588. This characteristic species has apparently<br />
been known from the original collection (Mt. Roraima, 1m Thurn 275,<br />
isotype US).<br />
It is with a good deal of regret that I have finally decided to recognize<br />
some of the segregates from Dryopteris. It seems to be generally<br />
conceded that the comprehensive genus as currently maintained<br />
is composed of several diverse elements, and Holttum in his recent<br />
paper "A Revised Classification of Leptosporangiate Ferns" (Journ.<br />
Linn. Soc. London 53: 123-158. 1947) goes so far as to put Thelypteris<br />
in a different family from Dryopteris. Such a drastic procedure<br />
does not seem necessary to me; in fact, I find it hard to believe<br />
that these two groups are not at least somewhat related. However,<br />
it does seem possible to define them adequately, and since the inclusive<br />
Dryopteris is uncomfortably large, there is a definite advantage<br />
in segregating it. Cope land, in his useful Genera Filicum<br />
(1947), recognizes several genera, such as Cyclodium, Stigmatopteris,<br />
Ctenitis, Lastrea, Currania, Meniscium, Goniopteris, and<br />
Cyclosorus. At the present time I<br />
prefer to recognize one small<br />
aberrent group as Gymnocarpium and three large genera: Dryopteris<br />
(including Cyclodium, Stigmatopteris, arid Polys tichopsis), Ctenitis<br />
(including P arapolystichum), and Thelypteris (including Goniopteris,<br />
Meniscium, Cyclosorus, Glaphyropteris, Steiropteris, and I.eptogramma).<br />
Cope land's adoption of the later name Lastrea instead of Thelypteris<br />
is unfortunate. He rejected Thelypteris because the publishing<br />
author, Schmidel, did not adopt the Linnean system of binary nomenclature,<br />
but that provision of the International Rules (Article 68,<br />
sect. 4) affects only specific epkhets and not at all generic names.<br />
Thelypteris Engelii (Hieron.) Morton, comb. nov.<br />
Dryopteris Engelii Hieron. Hedwigia 46: 339. pi. 6. fig.<br />
12. 1907.<br />
Terrestrial, fronds 3 or 4, ascending; southwest-facing forested<br />
slopes between Rondrfn Camp and base of sandstone bluffs, Mount<br />
Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 2040-2255 m., Steyermark 58992.<br />
The identification is not certain. The original collection, of which<br />
no material is available for consultation, was from Menda, Venezuela<br />
(Engel 90).<br />
Thelypteris pilossissima Morton, sp. nov.<br />
Rhizoma breviter repens, crassiusculum, paleaceum, paleis brunneis,<br />
lanceolatis, usque ad 6 mm. longis et 1.5 mm. latis, attenuates,<br />
concoloribus, integris, margine pilis paucis simplicibus gerentibus;<br />
folia pauca, 18-20 cm. longa, breviter stipitata, stipitibus curvatis,<br />
5-7 cm. longis, ca. 1 mm. diam., paleis minutis hinc inde praeditis,
12 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
valde pilosa, pills rectis, patentibus, simplicibus, unicellularibus,<br />
1-2 mm. longis; laminae herbaceae, lanceolatae, 15-23 cm. longae,<br />
4.5-6 cm. latae, basi gradatim reductae, apicem versus acuminatae,<br />
apice ipso obtuso, pinnato-pinnatifidae, rhachi valde pilosa, fere<br />
epaleacea; pinna 20-25-jugae, mediales oblongae, 2-3-2 cm. longae,<br />
9-13 mm. latae, basales (4-vel 5-jugae) gradatim minores, infimae<br />
subdeltoideae, ca. 12 mm. longae, 10 mm. latae, omnes sessiles,<br />
obtusae, altae pinnatifidae, ala costali ca. 1.5 mm. lata, segmentis<br />
5-8-jugis, 4-6.5 ram. longis, 3-5-4.5 mm. latis, obtusis, integris,<br />
epaleaceis, basalibus alteris aequalibus, utrinque in mesophyllo et<br />
venis longe pilosa, pilis hyalinis, simplicibus, unicellularibus,<br />
patentibus, 1-2 mm. longis; venae 3-jugae, simplices, marginem attingentes;<br />
sori dorsales, l-vel-2-jugae, inframediales, rotundi; indusium<br />
persistens, subreniforme, minutum, membranaceum, raargine<br />
longissime ciliatum; sporangia stipitata, non setosa, annulo 14-<br />
articulato; sporae brunneae, bilaterales, ca. 40 p longae et 25 u<br />
latae, tuberculatae.<br />
Type in the U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,915,091, collected on ascent of<br />
ledge along southwest-facing side, from beginning of sandstone<br />
bluffs to summit, Mt. Roraima, alt. 2255-2620 m., Sept. 27, 1944,<br />
Julian A. Steyermark 58772; isotype in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus.<br />
In Posthumus' Ferns of Surinam this species will key to T opposite,<br />
which it in no way resembles, differing in the few reduced<br />
lower pinnae, few veins, obtuse pinnae and segments, and longpilose<br />
indument on both surfaces of the frond. In the indument the<br />
present species suggests the little-known Dryopteris longipilosa<br />
(Sodiro) C. Chr.<br />
Thelypteris reptans (Gmel.) Morton, comb. nov.<br />
Poly podium reptans Gmel. Syst. Nat. 22: 1309. 1791.<br />
Monagas: in crevices within cave entrance, Guacharo Cave, 6 kms.<br />
northwest of Guacharo, alt. 950 m., Steyermark 62305.<br />
Ctenitis catocarpa (Kunze) Morton, comb. nov.<br />
Aspidium catocarpum Kunze, Linnaea 9: ,95. 1834.<br />
ANZOA'TEGU!: along Rib Zumbador and tributary, near base of<br />
Piedra Blanca, northeast of Bergantin, alt. 800-1000 m., 61279.<br />
Kunze described two species, Aspidium catocarpum and A . nemophilum,<br />
at the same time and place. Mettenius regarded these as<br />
synonyms, doubtless correctly, and adopted the name A. catocarpum.<br />
Christensen had a similar viewpoint, but adopted the name Dryopteris<br />
nemophila, because this species was a larger, better developed<br />
form and because it had page priority. These considerations, however,<br />
have nothing to do with the choice of name. Since Mettenius<br />
was the first to unite the two species, his choice of the epithet<br />
catocarpum must stand.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 13<br />
Ctenitis platyloba (Baker) Morton, comb. nov.<br />
Poly podium platylobum Baker in Hook. & Baker, Syn. Fil. 307. 1867.<br />
SUCRE: terrestrial, fronds membranaceous, Cerro Turumiquire,<br />
north-facing slopes between La Trinidad and Quebrada El Boquero'n,<br />
southwest of Cocollar, alt. 1700-1840 m., 62438. Identified from<br />
description. Possibly known previously only from the original description<br />
from Tarapoto, Peru.<br />
Polj botrya crassa Morton, sp. nov.<br />
Rhizoma crassum, elongatum, repens, 1-1.5 cm. diam., paleis exclusis,<br />
densissime paleaceum, paleis lineari-lanceolatis, 1-2 cm.<br />
longis, 1-2.5 mm. latis, brunneis, patentibus, longe attenuatis,<br />
glabris, integris; folia deformia, sterilia ca. 1.5 m. longa, stipitibus<br />
ca. 35 cm. longis, 7 mm. diam., plus minusve praecipue basin versus<br />
paleaceis, supra trisulcatis; lamina lanceolata, medio ca. 50 cm.<br />
lata, basi paullo angustata, apice acuminata, pinnata, apice pinnatifida,<br />
rhachi parce paleacea, inconspicue appresso-pilosa; pinnae ca.<br />
18-jugae, inferiores et mediales petiolulatae (usque ad 5 mm.),<br />
superiores adnatae, lineari-lanceolatae, maximae 26 cm. longae et<br />
5 cm. latae, basi truncatae, apice longe attenuatae, majores sub<br />
medio dentato-lobatae, sursum denticulatae, lobis infimis superioribus<br />
(et saepe etiam inferioribus) fere liberis, ovatis, basi angustatis,<br />
superiores basi superiori auriculatae, omnes subcoriaceae, fere epaleaceae,<br />
subtus parcissime appresso-pilosae, pilis brunneis, multicellularibus,<br />
flaccid is; venae primariae ca. 35-jugae (in pinnis<br />
majoribus), fere horizontaliter patentes, pinnato-ramosae, ramis 3-5-<br />
jugis, in vena excurrente inter venas primarias acute anastomosantibus;<br />
folia fertilia 80-90 cm. longa, stipitibus 27 cm. longis, dense<br />
paleaceis; lamina ca. 30 cm. lata, ovato-lanceolata, bipinnatopinnatifida,<br />
rhachi paleacea; pinnae patentes, ca. 15 cm. longae et<br />
3.5 cm. latae, petiolulatae, attenuatae, pinnulis multijugis, subremotis,<br />
linearibus, 1.5-1.8 cm. longis, 2-2.5 mm. latis, segmentis parvis,<br />
5-7-jugis, alternis, remotis, semicircularibus, ca. 1 mm. longis, 1.5<br />
mm. latis, utrinque sporangiferis; annulus ca. 14-cellularis; sporae<br />
bilaterales, laeves, 50-56 u longae, 40-50 u latae.<br />
Type in the U.S. Nat. Herb., nos. 1,915,221-2, collected on southfacing<br />
forested slopes above limestone bluffs, northeast of Guacharo,<br />
state of Monagas, alt. 1300-1400 ra., April 11, 1945, Julian A.<br />
Steyermark 6 1 991, "climbing, with elongate rhizome appressed tightly<br />
to small tree trunk; sterile fronds chartaceous, dull green above, pale<br />
green below"; isotype in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus. Differs from<br />
P. suberecta (Baker) C. Chr., P. polybotryoides (Baker) Christ, and<br />
related species in the lobate, basally auricled sterile pinnae and the<br />
more divided (bipinnate-pinnatifid) fertile fronds.<br />
Paesia acclivis (Kunze) Kuhn var. polystichoides Morton, var. nov.<br />
Rhizoma deest; folia scandentia, 1.6-2.6 m. longa (t. Steyerraark);<br />
lamina tripinnato-pinnatifida, rhachi 3-4 mm. diam., valde flexuosa,
U FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
tereti, brunnea, nitente, decidue pilosa, pills brunneis, septatis;<br />
demum aspera, internodiis 7-8 cm. longis; pinnae lanceolatae, nuraerosae,<br />
alternae, angulo acute adscendentes, maximae ca. 50 cm.<br />
longae et 22 cm. latae, petiolulatae (2-2.5 cm.), basi vix reductae,<br />
apice attenuatae, rhachi subrecta; plnnulae usque ad 30-jugae, horizonta<br />
liter patentes, alternae, inferiores petiolulatae, superiores sessiles,<br />
maximae 11 cm. longae et 2.3 cm. latae, rhachilla angustissime<br />
alata, pinnulis tertiariis usque ad 20-jugis alternis, anadromicis,<br />
oblongo-lanceolatis, 1-1.3 cm. longis, 6-8 mm. basi latis, sessilibus,<br />
basi truncatis, apice acutis, infra medium alte pinnatifidis, sursum<br />
crenatis, lobis vel crenaturis 5-8-jugis, obtusis, saepe crenulatis,<br />
subcoriaceae, supra ubique glabrae, subtus in costa et costulis<br />
parce septato-pilosae, epaleaceae; venae liberae, furcatae, marginem<br />
attingentes; sori marginales continui, indusiis extrorsis et introrsis<br />
magnis, ca. 6 mm. latis, brunneis, membranaceis, glabris, erosis;<br />
sporangia magna, breviter stipitata, annulo 1 5-articulato; paraphyses<br />
nullae; sporae bilaterales, laeves, 50-60 u longae, ca. 45 u latae.<br />
Type in the U.S. Nat. Herb., nos. 1,915,278-9, collected at base<br />
of and on main south-facing sandstone bluffs of Ptari-tepuf, state of<br />
Bolivar, alt. 2400-2410 m., October 30, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
59600, "fronds pale green beneath; stipes dark purple"; isotype in<br />
herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus.<br />
I have described this variety at length, because it may prove to be<br />
a distinct species. Mettenius* illustration (Abh. Senckenb. Naturf.<br />
Ges. Frankfurt 2: pL, 16, fig. 9-12. 1858) of plants of the original<br />
collection from Merida, Venezuela, Funck & Schlim 1222) shows the<br />
tertiary pinnules rounded, a character sufficient to give the plant an<br />
entirely different aspect from the present variety, in which the tertiary<br />
pinnules are acute and deeply parted, a single pinna rather suggesting<br />
a whole frond of a Polystichum, such as P. murieatum.<br />
GLEICHENIACEAE<br />
Sticherus penniger (Man.) Morton, comb. nov.<br />
Mertensia pennigera Mart. Icon. Crypt. Bras. 130. pi. 59, f.<br />
1834.<br />
1.<br />
"itif-yek". Southwest-facing slopes bordered by hilly savana,<br />
Mount Roraima, alt. 1030-1155 m., Steyermark 58605. I have not seen<br />
any authentic material (the type was collected by Martius in Minas<br />
Gerais, Brazil), but from the description and illustration there seems<br />
little doubt that Martius's species is identical with the widespread<br />
South American plant described as Mertensia lanuginosa Moric., of<br />
which an isotype (Blanchet 3706 from Bahia, Brazil) is in the New<br />
York Botanical Garden. The species has passed under a variety of<br />
names, including Gleichenia bifida, G, furcata, and C. pubescens.<br />
It was collected long ago on Roraima by Schomburgk (specimen in<br />
U.S. Nat. Herb.) and probably others. However, the plant reported by
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 15<br />
Baker (im Thurn 343, specimen in U.S. Nat. Herb.) as Gleichenia<br />
pubescens is not this species, but Sticherus velatus (Kunze) Morton,<br />
comb. nov. (Mertensia velata Kunze, Linnaea 9: 15. 1834), the type of<br />
which was collected at Pampayacu, Peru, by Poeppig. A fragment of<br />
it is in the U.S. Nat. Herb. Synonyms are Gleichenia Buchtienii<br />
Christ & Rosenst. and G. blepharolepis Sodiro. Although S. velatus<br />
has a wide range in South America, it is not common. It is a huge<br />
species with very broad pinnae, and may be distinguished readily<br />
from both S. bifidus and S. penniger by the segments being scalytomentose<br />
above when young and by the blackish scales of the axes<br />
and buds. It is likely that the Roraima specimens reported by Posthumus<br />
as G. longipinnata belong to S. velatus. I know the true Sticherus<br />
longipinnatus (Hook.) Ching only from Surinam (Hostmann 238, photograph<br />
and fragment of the type in U.S. Nat. Herb.).<br />
Sticherus rubiginosus (Mett.) Morton, comb. nov.<br />
Gleichenia rubiginosa Mett. Ann. Sci. Nat. Paris V. 2: 267. 1864.<br />
SUCRE: Cerro Turumiquire, north-facing slopes above La Trinidad<br />
in cloud forest zone, southwest of Cocollar, alt. 2100-2200 m.,<br />
Steyermark 62521. MONAGAS: Cerro Negro, above La Sabana de las<br />
Piedras, northwest of Caripe, alt. 1500-2180 m. 62103. These specimens,<br />
due probably to the method of drying, have lost the glaucous<br />
tinge characteristic of the lower surfaces. The species was collected<br />
in 1925 in Cerro Turumiquire (2900 m.) by Tate (no. 277).<br />
Fragments of the type collection (Lindig 71 from Puente Nacional,<br />
Colombia) have been examined in the U.S. National Herbarium and<br />
New York Botanical Garden. The range of the species includes<br />
Venezuela, Colombia, and Peru, and a single specimen was found<br />
some years ago in Puerto Rico.<br />
It is with some regret that I have decided to recognize the genus<br />
Sticherus as distinct from Dicranopteris, following Chris tensen,<br />
Ching, Cope land, and St. John, because of the habital similarity of<br />
the two groups. However, it is obvious that the peculiar nature of<br />
the branching in this family renders a habital similarity inevitable.<br />
The technical distinctions between the genera have been pointed out<br />
clearly by M. A. Chrysler (Amer. Journ. Bot. 31: 483-491. 1944) in<br />
his study of the vascular anatomy of the petiolar bundles. The<br />
fundamental distinction is that Dicranopteris (sens, strict.) has only<br />
hairs on the rhizomes and fronds, whereas Sticherus has ciliate<br />
scales on the rhizomes and usually on the fronds also. A simple<br />
method of distinguishing the genera is by the veins of the segments,<br />
those of Sticherus being all once-forked (or rarely the basal pair<br />
twice-forked) whereas those of Dicranopteris are all twice- or thriceforked.<br />
The character of numerous sporangia to a sorus, attributed<br />
to Dicranopteris, is not uniformly true in all species, nor is the<br />
development of accessory pinnae apparently of fundamental importance,<br />
for D. pectinata has none.
16 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Dicranopteris Schomburgkiana (Sturm) Morton, comb. nov.<br />
\<br />
Mertensia Schomburgkiana Sturm in Mart. Fl. Bras. 1 : 233. 1859.<br />
Fronds with branches horizontally spreading, the segments gray<br />
on older fronds below, ferruginous on younger ones and on young<br />
stems; ascent of ledge along southwest-facing side, Mount Roraima,<br />
alt. 2100-2255 m., Steyermark 58778. The type came from Mt. Roraima<br />
(Schomburgk 1671, fragments in U.S. Nat. Herb, and N.Y. Bot. Gard.),<br />
and the species has probably not been found since, so the present<br />
collection is noteworthy. This species has been considered the<br />
same as Dicranopteris rufinervis (Mart.) Ching of Minas Gerais,<br />
Brazil, which Posthumus calls Gleichenia linearis var. rufinervis.<br />
Martius* description is too brief to be conclusive, but Gleichenia<br />
Klotzschii Hook., which is considered to be the same as rufinervis,<br />
is obviously distinct from D. Schomburgkiana. A comparison of<br />
fragments of the type of G. Klotzschii with the new specimens collected<br />
by Steyermark shows that the differences enumerated by Sturm<br />
hold true.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 17<br />
Thrasya setosa Swallen, sp. nov.<br />
SPERMATOPHYTA<br />
GRAMINEAE 4<br />
Perennis; culrai graciles erecti, raraosi, glabr-i,<br />
nodis inferioribus<br />
barbatis; vaginae internodia aequans, carinatae, pilosae vel papilloso-pilosae,<br />
suprema elongata, glabra, marginibus papilloso-ciliata;<br />
ligula raembranacea, erosa, 1.5 mm. longa; laminae planae, 10-30<br />
cm. longae, 2-3 mm. latae, attenuatae, pilosae, marginibus papillosohispidis;<br />
racemi terminales et axillares, solitarii, 8-12 cm. longi<br />
basi dense pilosi, rachi 1.8 mm. lata, papilloso-ciliata, pilis 2-5<br />
mm. longis; spiculae 3 mm. longae; gluma prima obsoleta, gluma<br />
secunda plana, 5-nervis, acuta, scabra, summo marginibus hispida;<br />
lemma sterile gluma secunda paulo brevior summo 2-carinatum, carinis<br />
hispido-ciliatis; fructus 2.4 mm. longus, 0.7 mm. latus, summo dense<br />
pilosus pilis 0.5 mm. longis.<br />
Perennial; culms slender, erect or somewhat geniculate, branching<br />
at the lower nodes, glabrous, smooth and shining, the nodes retrorsely<br />
bearded; sheaths about as long as the internodes, keeled,<br />
at least toward the summit, pilose or papillose-pilose with spreading<br />
hairs, the uppermost elongate, glabrous on the back, the margins<br />
papillose-ciliate; ligule membranaceous, erose, 1.5 mm. long; blades<br />
flat, 10-30 cm. long, 2-3 mm. wide, the uppermost greatly reduced,<br />
attenuate, pilose, the margins and underside of the mid-nerve papillose-hispid;<br />
inflorescences terminal and axillary, the axillary entirely<br />
enclosed in the sheath, of one arcuate raceme 8-12 cm. long, densely<br />
pilose at the base, the rachis 1.8 mm. wide, papillose-ciliate, the<br />
hairs 2-5 mm. long? spikelets 3 mm. long; first glume obsolete;<br />
second glume flat, 5-nerved, acute, scabrous, the margins hispid at<br />
the tip; sterile lemma a little shorter than the second glume enclosing<br />
a well-developed palea and staminate flower, early splitting down<br />
the middle, the margins incurved partly enclosing the fruit, 2-keeled<br />
toward the summit, the keels hispid-ciliate, each with a rather stout<br />
yellowish seta about 2 mm. long near the tip; fruit 2.4 mm. long,<br />
0.7 mm. wide, the margins of the lemma densely pilose at the tip,<br />
the hairs about 0.5 mm. long.<br />
Type in the U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,654, collected in<br />
vicinity of Sanariapo, near Rio Sanariapo, tributary of Orinoco<br />
river, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 100 m., September 8,<br />
1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58502; isotype in herb. Chi. Nat.<br />
Hist. Mus.<br />
Thrasya setosa is related to T. paspaloides which differs in<br />
having shorter racemes, mostly 4-5 cm. long, the axillary ones<br />
By Jason R. Swallen. Bambuseae, except Myriocladus, by<br />
McClure<br />
F. A.
18 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
long exserted, wider rachis (2.5 mm.) and the second glume<br />
densely papillose-hispid all over the back, the hairs long.<br />
Eragrostis fragilis Swallen, sp. nov.<br />
Perennis; culmi caespitosi, 20-30 cm. alti, glabri; vaginae<br />
internodiis longiores, dense pilosae, pilis adscendentibus vel<br />
patentibus; ligula ciliata 0.3 ram. longa; laminae 8-12 cm.<br />
longae, 1-3 mm. latae, planae, firmae, attenuatae, dense pilosae<br />
vel papilloso-pilosae; paniculae 12-18 cm. longae, 6-9 cm.<br />
latae, ramis fragilibus adscendentibus, simplicibus vel infra<br />
medium sparse ramosis, ramulis divergentibus, in axillis longe<br />
pilosis; spiculae 3.5-4.5 mm. longae, 1.5 mm. latae, 4-6-florae,<br />
pedicellibus 5-10 mm. longis; glumae subaequales, 1-1.3 nun.<br />
longae, 1-nerves, acutae; lemma infimum 1.5-1.8 mm. longum,<br />
acutum; rachilla sparse pilosae; caryopsis 0.5-0.6 mm. longa<br />
rectangularis, reticulata, sulcata.<br />
Perennial; culms in small tufts, 20-30 cm. high, erect, glabrous;<br />
sheaths all longer than the internodes, rather densely<br />
pilose with ascending or spreading hairs; ligule ciliate, 0.3<br />
mm. long; blades mostly 8-12 cm. long, 1-3 mm. wide, firm,<br />
flat, attenuate, densely pilose or papillose-pilose on both surfaces;<br />
panicles 12-18 cm. long, as much as 6-9 cm. wide, the<br />
branches fragile, ascending, simple or sometimes branching<br />
from below the middle, the branchlets divergent, long-pilose in<br />
all the axils; spikelets 3.5-4.5 mm. long, 1.5 mm. wide, 4-6-<br />
flowered, the pedicels mostly 5-10 mm. long; glumes subequal,<br />
1-1.3 mm. long, 1-nerved, acute; first lemma 1.5-1.8 mm. long,<br />
acute; rachilla sparsely pilose, at least below the floret;<br />
caryopsis 0.5-0.6 mm. long, rectangular, reticulate, rather deeply<br />
sulcate on one edge.<br />
Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,657, collected on Gran<br />
Sabana^<br />
between Kun and Uaduara-paru, in valley of Rio<br />
Kukenan, south of Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 1065-<br />
1220 m., October 1, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59062.<br />
Digitaria glabriculmis Swallen, sp. nov.<br />
Perennis; culmi erecti, 63 cm. aki, glabri, summo sparse<br />
pilosi; vaginae hirsutae, suprema 24 cm. longa, glabra; ligula<br />
membranacea 0.5-1 mm. longa; laminae planae, erectae, ad 25<br />
cm. longae, subtus glabrae, supra dense villosae; racemi 3<br />
9-11 cm. longi, rachi 0.5 mm. lata, marginibus scabris; spiculae<br />
1.5-1.7 mm. longae, dense pubescentes pilis capitatis;<br />
glunia prima obsoleta; gluma secunda angusta, 3-nervis, obtusa,<br />
fructo 1/3 brevier; lemma sterile fructura aequams subacutum<br />
8-nerve; fructus 1.7 mm. longus, ellipticus, acutus, fuscescens,<br />
perspicue striatus.<br />
Perennial; culms erect, 65 cm. high, glabrous, with a few
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 19<br />
scattered hairs toward the summit; basal sheaths crowded,<br />
sparsely to densely hirsute with ascending hairs, the uppermost<br />
24 cm. long, bladeless, glabrous; ligule membra nac ecus,<br />
0.5-1 mm. long; blades flat, sub-attenuate, erect, as much as<br />
25 cm. long, 4 mm. wide, glabrous below, very densely villous<br />
above; racemes 3, 9-11 cm. long, erect or narrowly ascending,<br />
the rachis 0.5 mm. wide, scabrous on the margins; spikelets<br />
in threes, crowded, 1.5-1.7 mm. long, densely pubescent with<br />
capitate hairs; first glume wanting; second glume narrow, 3-<br />
nerved, obtuse, 2/3 as long as the fruit; sterile lemma as<br />
long as or slightly longer than the fruit, subacute, 7-nerved,<br />
the lateral and intermediate nerves obscure, thus appearing 3-<br />
nerved; fruit 1.7 mm. long, elliptic, acute, very dark reddishbrown,<br />
rather prominently striate.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1.206,512, collected<br />
on Gran Sabana, between waterfall at Rue-meru (tributary<br />
of Rio Kukenan) and Divina Pastora on Rio Kukena'n<br />
north of Santa Elena, south of Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar,<br />
alt. 1065 m., October 3, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
59226.<br />
Digitaria glabriculmis is similar to D. villicubnis Henr.<br />
which differs in having culms conspicuously villous throughout,<br />
blades villous on both surfaces, usually not more than 12 cm.<br />
long, and larger spikelets 1.8-2 mm. long.<br />
Axonopua erectus Swallen, sp. nov.<br />
Perennis; culmi 145 cm. alti, erecti rigidi compressi, infra<br />
inflorescentiam scaberuli, nodo dense antrorse pilosae; vaginae<br />
latae, compressae, basi papilloso-hispidae, collo dense pubescentes,<br />
supreraa ad 45 cm. longa; ligula dense ciliata 0.5<br />
mm. longa; laminae lineares, 23-33 cm. longae, 12 mm. latae,<br />
planae, basi conduplicatae, marginibus scaberrimis; inflorescentiae<br />
terminales et axillares, 12-27 cm. longae, densae,<br />
erectae, racemis adscendentibus usque ad 13 cm. longis;<br />
spiculae 2.5-2.6 mm. longae; gluma secunda et lemma sterile<br />
aequalia, obtusa, 5-nervia, inter nervos dense pubescentia;<br />
fructus 2.3 mm. longus, subacutus, minute papillosus, summo<br />
sparse<br />
pubescens.<br />
Perennial; culms stiffly erect, 145 cm. high, hard, flattened,<br />
appearing triangular toward the base, 1-noded, the node densely<br />
antrorsely appressed-pilose, scaberulous below the inflorescence,<br />
otherwise glabrous; sheaths broad, conspicuously compressed,<br />
densely pubescent on the collar, papillose or papillose-hispid<br />
near the base, otherwise glabrous or nearly so,<br />
the lower ones relatively short, the uppermost as much as 45<br />
cm. long; ligule densely ciliate, 0.5 mm. long; blades linear,<br />
conduplicate toward the base, becoming flat, strongly nerved,
20 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
glabrous, the margins very scabrous, the tip obtuse, 23-33 cm.<br />
long, 12 mm. wide, the uppermost greatly reduced; panicles<br />
terminal and axillary, long-exserted, 12-27 cm. long, erect,<br />
dense, the compound branches narrowly ascending, as much as<br />
13 cm. long, densely pubescent or pilose in the axils, the<br />
rachis very scabrous; spikelets 2.4-2.6 mm. long, the second<br />
glume and sterile lemma equal, covering the fruit, 5-nerved,<br />
obtuse, rather densely pubescent between the nerves; fruit 2.3<br />
mm. long, oblong, acutish, minutely papillose-roughened, somewhat<br />
pubescent at the tip.<br />
Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,664, collected on Gran<br />
Sabana, between Mission of Santa Teresita de Kavanayen northwest<br />
of Rio Karuai, on large mesa, state of Bolivar, alt.<br />
1220 m., October 26, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59400. Also<br />
collected between Kun and Uaduara-paru, in valley of Rio<br />
Kukenan, south of Mount Roraima, 59050.<br />
This species is probably most closely related to Axonopus<br />
scoparius Flugge, but easily distinguished by the prominent<br />
conduplicate sheaths pubescent on the collar, the firmer and<br />
narrower obtuse blades, and the narrow, dense inflorescences.<br />
Axonopus Steyermarkii Swallen, sp. nov.<br />
Perennis; culmi ca. 45 cm. aki glabri uninodi; vaginae<br />
equitantes 10 cm. longae, compressae, glabrae, suprema elongata<br />
lamina reducta; ligula ciliata 0.5 mm. longa; laminae<br />
planae, 10-24 cm. longae, 2.5-6 mm. latae, glabrae, marginibus<br />
scabris; inflorescentiae terminales et axillares, racemis 3-4,<br />
adscendentibus approximates infirao remote; rachis 0.4 mm.<br />
lata; spiculae 2.8-3 mm. longae, pedicellis 1 mm. longis pilosis;<br />
gluma secunda et lemma sterile aequalia, angusta, obtusa,<br />
5-nervia, nervis lateralibus approximates, inter nervos<br />
sparse pilosa; fructus 2.5 longus, elliptic us, lemmate summo<br />
villoso.<br />
Perennial; culms about 45 cm. high, glabrous, with a single<br />
culm node; sheaths equitant, about 10 cm. long, compressed,<br />
gradually narrowed from the base to the summit, glabrous, the<br />
culm sheath elongate with a reduced blade; ligule ciliate, 0.5<br />
mm. long; blades flat, 10-24 cm. long, narrower at the base<br />
than the mouth of the sheath, glabrous, the margins scabrous<br />
at the tip; inflorescences terminal and axillary with 3-4 ascending<br />
racemes, the upper ones approximate, the lowest somewhat<br />
remote, pubescent or pilose at the base, the rachis<br />
triangular, about 0.4 mm. wide; spikelets 2.8-3 mm. long,<br />
blunt, rather distant, not reaching the one above on the same<br />
side, pedicellate, the pedicel round, about 1 mm. long, more<br />
or less pilose; second glume and sterile lemma equal, exceeding<br />
the fruit, thin, narrow, exposing the fruit on the sides,
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I<br />
21<br />
obtuse, 5-nerved, the lateral nerves approximate near the<br />
margins, irregularly pilose between the lateral nerves or sometimes<br />
nearly glabrous, with a tuft of hairs at the tip; fruit<br />
2.5 mm. long, elliptic with a dense tuft of hairs on the tip<br />
of the lemma.<br />
Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,649, collected jan<br />
Cerro<br />
Duida, southeastern-facing sandstone bluffs near Cano Negro<br />
(tributary of Cano Iguapo), ak. 1095-1520 m., August 26,<br />
1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58001.<br />
Axonopus Steyermarkii is closely related to A. Fockei (Mez)<br />
Swallen, comb. nov. (Paspalum Fockei Mez) which differs in having<br />
sessile spikelets, blades wider at the base than the mouth of the<br />
sheath, densely bearded nodes, and ciliate sheaths.<br />
Axonopus villosus Swallen, sp. nov.<br />
Perennis; culmi erecti, ca. 70 cm. alti, nodis antrorse barbatis;<br />
vaginae compressae, dense villosae, inferiores equitantes, basi<br />
glabrae; ligula ciliata ca. 0.3 mm. longa; laminae ca. 50 cm. longae,<br />
7 mm. latae, conduplicatae, subtus dense villosae supra basi glabrae;<br />
inflorescentiae terminales et axillares; racemi 3-7 , erecti,<br />
rachi scabra; spiculae 3.5-4 mm. longae; gluma secunda et lemma<br />
sterile aequalia fructo paulo longiora, summo sparse pilosa, 5-nervia,<br />
nervis lateralibus approximatis, inter nervos sparse pubescentia;<br />
fructus 3 mm. longus, subacutus, minute papillosus, lemmate summo<br />
villoso.<br />
Perennial; culms erect, about 70 cm. high, the nodes antrorsely<br />
appressed-bearded; sheaths conduplicate, very densely villous with<br />
tawny hairs, especially at the summit, the lower equitant, glabrous<br />
toward the base; ligule ciliate, about 0.3 mm. long; blades overtopping<br />
the inflorescence, the lower surface densely appressed<br />
villous, the upper less so, becoming glabrous at the base, tightly<br />
folded, becoming flat with age, about 50 cm. long, 7 mm. wide unfolded;<br />
inflorescences terminal and axillary, composed of 3-7 erect<br />
racemes, the axis 2-5 cm. long, the rachis scabrous; spikelets 3.5-4<br />
mm. long, rather distant; second glume and sterile lemma equal,<br />
extending a little beyond the fruit, sparsely pilose at the tip, 5-<br />
nerved, the lateral nerves of the glume approximate, usually sparsely<br />
pubescent between the nerves; fruit 3 mm. long, acutish, minutely<br />
papillose roughened, the lemma villous at the tip.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1,206,470, on summit of<br />
Cerro Duida, Savanna Hills, alt. 1025-1200 m., September 2, 1944,<br />
Julian A, Steyermark 58226.<br />
Axonopus villosus is similar to A. comatus (Mez) Swallen, comb,<br />
nov. (Paspalum comatum Mez) described from Brazil, the definite<br />
locality unknown, which differs in having the second glume 9-nerved,<br />
the nerves evenly spaced, and the culms densely villous below the<br />
nodes.
22 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Paspalum aureolatum Swallen, sp. nov.<br />
Perenne; culmi erecti, 75 cm. aki, glabri; vaginae elongatae,<br />
glabrae vel summo sparse papilloso-hispidae, superiores internodiis<br />
breviores; ligula 3.5-4 mm. longae; laminae 20-30 cm. longae, usque<br />
ad 7 mm. latae, scaberulae, marginibus basi sparse hispido-ciliatis;<br />
racemi 4, 7.5-8 cm. longi, patentes, basi barbati; rachis 5-5.5 ram.<br />
lata, supra spiculas producto; gluma secunda 5.3 mm. longa, ovata,<br />
truncata, hyalina, 3-5-nervis, scaberula, basi pilosa, summo hispidula;<br />
lemma sterile glumam secundam aequans, 3-nerve, dorso<br />
glabrum, marginibus papilloso-hispido-ciliatis; fructus 3.8-4.2 mm.<br />
longus, scipitatus, marginibus hispidis, summo hispidulus; palea<br />
g la bra.<br />
Perennial; culms erect, 75 cm. high, glabrous; sheaths elongate,<br />
glabrous or sparsely papillose-hispid near the summit, the lower<br />
much longer than the internodes, the upper shorter; ligule conspicuous,<br />
reddish brown, the lower ones 3.5-4 mm. long; blades 20-30 cm.<br />
long, as much as 7 mm. wide, scaberulous, the margins sparsely<br />
hispid-ciliate toward the base; racemes 4, crowded on a short axis,<br />
7.5-8 cm. long spreading, bearded at the base, the rachis 5-5.5 mm.<br />
wide, extending beyond the spikelets; second glume 5.3 mm. long,<br />
ovate, thin, 3-5-nerved, the nerves fine, more or less transversely<br />
nerved, scaberulous, hairy across the back at the base, shortly<br />
hispid near the truncate tip; sterile lemma as long as the second<br />
glume, 3-nerved, glabrous on the back, the margins papillose-hispid -<br />
ciliate, sparsely so above the middle; fruit 3.8-4.2 mm. long, stipitate,<br />
the margins hispid at the middle, the hairs rather long, the tip<br />
shortly hispid; palea glabrous (Fig. 1).<br />
Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,652, collected on summit of<br />
Cerro Duida, Savanna Hills, alt. 1025-1200 m., September 2, 1944,<br />
Julian A. Steyermark 58234.<br />
The hispid fertile lemma distinguishes P. aureolatum from the<br />
other species of the Dissecta group.<br />
It is similar to P. contractual<br />
which has bearded nodes, hispid foliage, a shorter ligule, about<br />
1.5 mm. long, and usually only two racemes. The fruit is not more<br />
than 3.4 mm. long, and lacks the long hairs on the margins of the<br />
le mma.<br />
Paspalum erectifolium Swallen, sp. nov.<br />
Perenne; culmi erecti, 55-70 cm. alti, glabri vel scaberuli; vaginae<br />
inferiores internodiis multo longiores, dense papilloso-hispidae,<br />
superiores internodiis longiores vel breviores, glabrae vel marginibus<br />
sparse pilosae; ligula membranacea, 1-1.5 mm. longa; laminae firmae,<br />
appressae vel adscendentes, acutae, pungentes, pubescentes et<br />
dense hispidae, marginibus papilloso-ciliatis, inferiores 5-7 cm.<br />
longae, 7-12 mm. latae; racemi 2, approximati, 5-6 cm. longi, basi<br />
dense pilosi, rachi 3-3.5 mm. lata, alata, glabra supra spiculas procurrente;<br />
spiculae compressae, appressae; gluma secunda 5.6 mm.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 23<br />
FIGURE 1<br />
Paspalum aureolatum Swallen, sp. nov. (Steyermark 58234)<br />
A, Spikelet, X 10; B, Fruit, X 10; C, Second Glume, X 10<br />
longa, 3 mm. lata, alata, cordata, obtusa, 5-nervis, nervis lateralibus<br />
approximatis, marginibus his pido-c ilia tis; lemma sterile 5 mm.<br />
longum, 2.5 mm. latum, 3-nerve, scabrum, marginibus his pido-c ilia tis,<br />
sumrao seta 2.5-3.5 mm. longa praeditum; lemma fertile 4.5 mm.<br />
longum, lanceolatum, stipitatum, summo hispidum, marginibus angustis<br />
sparse hirsutis; palea striata, sparse pubescens.<br />
Perennial; culms strictly erect, 55-70 cm. high, glabrous or more<br />
or less scabrous; lower sheaths much longer than the internodes,<br />
densely papillose-hispid, the upper three bladeless, elongate, longer<br />
or shorter than the internodes, glabrous or sparsely long-pilose near<br />
the margins; ligule a reddish-brown membrane 1-1.5 ram. long, irregularly<br />
dentate; blades thick, firm, usually appressed, or the lower<br />
ones somewhat spreading, the lowermost 5-7 cm. long, 7-12 mm. wide,<br />
the others gradually smaller upwards, acute, pungently pointed,<br />
pubescent and densely hispid, the margins strongly papillose-hispidciliate;<br />
racemes 2, approximate, somewhat spreading, 5-7 cm. long,<br />
densely hairy at the base, the rachis extending beyond the spikelets,<br />
glabrous, 3-3.5 mm. wide, winged, the center green and purple
24 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
striped, the wings brownish; spikelets very flat, closely appressed;<br />
second glume 5.6 mm. long, 3 mm. wide at the base, winged, prominently<br />
cordate, obtuse, 5-nerved, the lateral nerves approximate,<br />
transversely veined, the margins hispid-ciliate; sterile lemma 5 mm.<br />
long, 2.5 mm. wide, oval, somewhat cordate at the base, 3-nerved,<br />
scabrous, the margins hispid-ciliate, the hairs shorter than those of<br />
the second glume, with a prominent seta at the summit 2.5-3.5 mm.<br />
long; fertile lemma 4.5 mm. long, lanceolate, somewhat stipitate,<br />
with a tuft of hispid hairs at the summit, the margins narrow, sparsely<br />
hirsute; palea thin, seriate, sparsely pubescent above the middle.<br />
Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,668, collected on savanna and<br />
shrubby growth bordering forest of Rio Karuai, between Santa Teresita<br />
de Kavanayen and base of Ptari-tepui, state of Bolivar, alt.<br />
1220 m., November 18, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60302.<br />
Paspalum erectifolium is related to P. setiglume Chase, described<br />
from Auyan-tepui, which differs in being much taller, more than 1<br />
meter with six racemes 10-12 cm. long, and much longer, linear<br />
blades which are only sparsely hispid. Both are distinguished from<br />
all other known species of Paspalum by the long terminal seta of the<br />
sterile lemma.<br />
Paspalum piligerum Swallen, sp. nov.<br />
Perenne; culmi erecti, 70 cm. alti; vaginae internodiis longiores,<br />
inferiores breves dense papilloso-hispidae, superiores elongatae<br />
sparse papilloso-hispidae, 2 supremae efoliatae, scabrae; ligula<br />
membranacea 2 mm. longa; laminae firmae, acuminatae, pungentes,<br />
valde papilloso-hispidae, infima 17 cm. longa, 12 mm. lata; racemi 4,<br />
approximate, 11-14 cm. longi, in axillis dense pilosi; rachis 8 mm.<br />
lata, glabra; spiculae appressae basi barbatae; gluma secunda 7 mm.<br />
longa, ovato-lanceolata, 3-nervis, dorso basi dense pilosa, summo<br />
marginibus hispida; lemma sterile 5.7 mm. longum, lanceolatum,<br />
sparse papilloso-hispidum, marginibus in pane inferiore dense<br />
papilloso-ciliatis, in parte superiore scabris; fructus 4 mm. longus,<br />
stipitatus, lemma lanceolate minute scabro, summo hispido; palea<br />
glabra obtusa.<br />
Perennial; culms erect, 70 cm. high; leaves mostly crowded toward<br />
the base; sheaths all longer than the intern odes, the lower ones<br />
short, very densely papillose-hispid, the upper ones elongate, less<br />
densely papillose-hispid, the two uppermost bladeless, scabrous<br />
only; ligule membranaceous, about 3 mm. long; blades thick, firm,<br />
acuminate, pungently pointed, very densely papillose-hispid on both<br />
surfaces, the hairs on the upper surface interlacing on either side of<br />
the midnerve, the lower ones 17 cm. long, 12 ram. wide, becoming<br />
smaller upward; racemes 4, ascending, approximate on a short axis,<br />
11-14 cm. long, with dense tufts of white hairs in the axils, the<br />
rachis extended beyond the spikelets, broadly winged, 8 mm. wide,<br />
glabrous, the midrib green, the wings straw-colored; spikelets<br />
crowded, appressed, bearded at the base; second glume 7 mm. long,
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 25<br />
ovate-lanceolate, 3-nerved, rather densely hairy across the back at<br />
the base, hispid on the margins near and at the tip, otherwise glabrous;<br />
sterile lemma 5.7 mm. long, lanceolate, very sparsely papillose-hispid<br />
above, the margins very densely papillose-ciliate in the<br />
lower half, scabrous above; fruit 4 m.m. long, stipitate, the stipe<br />
about 0.4 mm. long, the lemma lanceolate, minutely scabrous, hispid<br />
at the tip, the palea glabrous, rounded at the tip (Fig. 2).<br />
FIGURE 2<br />
P aspalum piligerum Swallen, sp. nov. (Steyermark 59090)<br />
A, Spikelet, X 10; B, Fruit, X 10; C, Second glume, X 10<br />
Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,660, collected on Gran Sabana,<br />
between Kun and Uaduara-paru, in valley of Rio Kukenan, south of<br />
Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 1065-1220 m., October 1,<br />
1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59090.<br />
Paspalum piligerum is unusual in the extremely dense interlacing<br />
hairs on the upper jsuiiace of the blades. It is allied to P landflorum<br />
Trin. which has only 2, or rarely more, short conjugate<br />
racemes, and narrower, linear, sparsely hispid blades.<br />
Panicum densifolinm Swallen, sp. nov.<br />
Perenne; culmi gracillimi, dense caespitosi, 10-19 cm. alti, erecti,<br />
ramosissimi; vaginae internodiis longiores, glabrae; ligula membra-
26 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
nacea ca. 1 mm. longa; laminae 7-25 mm. longae, 0.8-1 mm. latae,<br />
planae, firmae, erectae vel arcuatae, sparse longe pilosae; paniculae<br />
1.5-3 cm. longae, ramis patentibus, gracilibus, paucifloris; spiculae<br />
1-1.2 mm. longae, glabrae, pedicellis longis filiformibus divergentibus;<br />
gluma prima 0.5-0.6 mm. longa, acuta, 1-nervis; gluma secunda<br />
ca. 0.7 mm. longa, 5-nervis, obtusa; lemma sterile fructum aequans,<br />
5-nerve, obcusum, flore masculo; fructus 0.9 mm. long us, ovatus,<br />
acutus, glaber.<br />
Very slender perennial; culms 10-19 cm. high, very densely tufted,<br />
erect, usually branching from all but the uppermost nodes, obscured<br />
by the many crowded blades; sheaths mostly longer than the internodes,<br />
glabrous; ligule membra naceous, about 1 mm. long; blades<br />
0.7-25 mm. long, 0.8-1 mm. wide, flat, firm, erect or becoming arcuate,<br />
sparsely long-pilose, with thick white cartilaginous margins;<br />
panicles 1.5-3 cm. long, nearly as wide, the slender few-flowered<br />
branches spreading; spikelets 1-1.2 mm. long, glabrous, on long<br />
filiform divergent pedicels; first glume 0.5-0.6 mm. long, acute,<br />
1-nerved; second glume about 0.7 mm. long, 5-nerved, obtuse; sterile<br />
lemma as long as the fruit, 5-nerved, obtuse, enclosing a well developed<br />
staminate flower; fruit 0.9 mm. long, ovate, strongly convex,<br />
acute, glabrous.<br />
Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,642, collected in dry rocky open<br />
places, Esmeralda Ridge, between Esmeralda and base of Cerro<br />
Duida, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 150 no., August 21, 1944,<br />
Julian A t<br />
Steyermark 57755.<br />
P anicum densifolium is similar to P> obovatum Doell, which has<br />
smaller, sub-spherical, pubescent spikelets 0.8 mm. long, and the<br />
second glume and sterile lemma are equal, covering the fruit.<br />
Panicum Mauryi Swallen, nom. nov.<br />
P anicum micro nth us var. hirtum Maury.<br />
Territorio Federal Amazonas: Sabana Grande, alt. 200 m., Steyermark<br />
57863; between Esmeralda Ridge and Sabana de Arboles, alt.<br />
200 m., 57780.<br />
Panicum pilatum Swallen, sp. nov.<br />
Perenne; culmi dense caespitose, 15-25 cm. alti, erecti, glabri vel<br />
intemodiis inferioribus dense pilosi; vaginae internodiis longiores,<br />
glabrae vel summo marginibus pilosae, ligula ciliata 1.5-2 mm. longa;<br />
laminae 3-4 cm. longae, 3-4 mm. latae, lanceolatae, acutae, glabrae<br />
vel marginibus basi sparse pilosae; paniculae 3-5 cm. longae, 1-2<br />
cm. latae, ramis adscendentibus, glabris; spiculae 1.6 mm. longae,<br />
acutae, nervosae, glabrae, purpurascentes; gluma prima 0.7 mm.<br />
longa, angusta, subacuta; gluma secunda et lemma sterile aequalia,<br />
fructam aequantia; culmi auturanales ex nodis inferioribus et intermediis<br />
sparse ramosi, ramis et laminis pauloreductis.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 27<br />
Culms densely tufted, 15-25 cm. high, erect, glabrous, or sparsely<br />
pilose on the lower internodes; sheaths mostly longer than the internodes,<br />
glabrous or sparsely pilose on the margins near the summit;<br />
ligule ciliate, 1.5-2 mm. long; blades 3-4 cm. long, 3-4 mm. wide,<br />
lanceolate, acute, glabrous on both surfaces, the margins sometimes<br />
sparsely pilose toward the base; panicles 3-5 cm. long, 1-2 cm. wide,<br />
the branches ascending, glabrous; spikelets 1.6 mm. long, acute,<br />
strongly nerved, glabrous, tinged with purple; first glume 0.7 mm.<br />
long, narrow, subacute; second glume and sterile lemma equal, covering<br />
the fruit. Autumnal phase sparingly branching from the lower and<br />
middle nodes, the blades and panicles not much reduced.<br />
Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,673, collected on rocky sandstone<br />
summit of eastern peak, Cerro Tururaiquire, state of Sucre,<br />
alt. 2500 m., May 6, 1945, Julian A. Steyermark 62606.<br />
Panicum pilatum belongs in the subgenus Dicanthelium and most<br />
closely resembles P. caerulescens which differs in having subglobose<br />
pubescent spikelets and a very short ligule.<br />
Panicum vinaceum Swallen, sp. nov.<br />
Perenne; culmi erecti, 45 cm. alti, infra nodos pilosi adscendentibus;<br />
vaginae dense pilosae pilis adscendentibus; ligula ciliata, ca.<br />
0.5 mm. longa; laminae 12-20 cm. longae, 4-7 mm. latae, lineares,<br />
acuminatae, adscendentes vel appressae, glabrae vel pilosae pilis<br />
divergentibus; panicula 12 cm. longa, 5 cm. lata, ramis solitariis<br />
adscendentibus, basi villosis; spiculae 6-6.5 mm. longae, purpurascentes;<br />
gluma prima 3 mm. longa, 3-nervis, abrupte acuta; gluma<br />
secunda et lemma sterile aequalia, 7-nervia, acuta vel subacuminata;<br />
fructus 3 mm. longus, 1.4 mm. latus, glaber, minute striatus.<br />
Perennial; culms stiffly erect, 45 cm. high, ascending-pilose below<br />
the nodes, otherwise glabrous; lower sheaths longer, the upper<br />
shorter than the internodes, densely ascending pilose, the hairs<br />
rather stiff; blades J2-20 cm. .long, 4-7 mm. wide, linear, acuminate,<br />
narrowly ascending or appressed, stiff, firm, nearly glabrous, or<br />
pilose on both surfaces with spreading hairs; panicle 12 cm. long,<br />
5 cm. wide, the few solitary branches narrowly ascending, villous<br />
at the base, with a rather large pulvinus in the axils; spikelets<br />
6-6.5 mm. long, purple, mostly in pairs at the ends of the branchlets,<br />
obliquely placed on the pedicels, the pedicels of the lateral spikelets<br />
short; first glume 3 mm. long, 3-nerved, rather distant, somewhat<br />
abruptly acute; second glume and sterile lemma equal, or the glume<br />
slightly longer, 7-nerved, acute or subacuminate, gaping; fruit 3 mm.<br />
long, 1.4 mm. wide, minutely striate, glabrous, raised on the thickened<br />
winged rachilla joint about 0.8 mm. long.<br />
Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,91 1661, collected on Gran Sabana,<br />
between Kun and waterfall at Rue-meru (tributary of Rio Kukenan),<br />
south of Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 1065 m., October 2,<br />
1944 Julian A. Steyermark 59173.
28 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Panicum vinaceum is related to P. cervicatum Chase, which has<br />
very large, diffuse panicles as much as 40 cm. long, the branches<br />
glabrous or nearly so at the base, and larger spikelets, 7-8 mm. long.<br />
Ichnanthus acuminatus Swallen, sp. nov.<br />
Perennis; culmi robusti, 170 cm. alti, basi decumbentes, infra<br />
nodos dense pubescentes; vaginae internodiis longiores summum<br />
versus carinata, hirsutae, collo dense pubescentes; ligula membranacea<br />
3 mm. longa; laminae 15-20 cm. longae, usque ad 2 cm.<br />
latae, lanceolato-acuminatae, pubescentes vel pilosae; paniculae<br />
ca. 30 cm. longae, 10-20 cm. latae, oblongae vel pyramidatae, ramis<br />
adscendentibus basi dense pubescentibus vel pilosis; spiculae 3.4-<br />
3.5 mm. longae; gluma prima 2-3 mm. longa, acuta vel subacuminata,<br />
3-nervis, carina scabra; gluma secunda et lemma sterile aequalia,<br />
5-nervia, scaberula; fructus 2.8 mm. longus, glaber, alls angustis,<br />
obtusis, 0.5-0.7 mm. longis.<br />
Perennial; culms rather coarse, erect from a decumbent base, as<br />
much as 170 cm. high, densely pubescent below the nodes; sheaths<br />
mostly longer than the internodes, somewhat keeled toward the summit,<br />
densely pubescent on the collar, hirsute to nearly glabrous on<br />
the back; ligule membranaceous, about 3 mm. long; blades 15-20<br />
cm. long, as much as 2 cm. wide, firm, lanceolate-acuminate, usually<br />
pubescent or pilose on both surfaces; panicle about 30 cm. long,<br />
10-20 cm. wide, oblong or pyramidal, the branches verticillate,<br />
ascending or the lower spreading, densely pubescent or pilose in the<br />
axils; spikelets 3.4-3.5 mm. long, the lateral ones short-pediceled,<br />
appressed; first glume 2-3 mm. long, broadly triangular, acute or<br />
sub-acuminate, 3-nerved, scabrous on the keel; second glume and<br />
sterile lemma equal, sub-acute, 5-nerved, scaberulous; fruit 2.8-3<br />
mm. long, slender, glabrous, the wings 0.5-0.7 mm. long, narrow,<br />
rounded above.<br />
Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,659, collected along stream in<br />
Gran Sabana, between Kun and L'aduara-paru', in valley of Rio<br />
Kukena'n, south of Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 1065-1220<br />
m., October 1, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59086. Also collected on<br />
Gran Sabana, between Santa Teresita de Kavanayen northwest of<br />
Rib Karuai, on large mesa, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., 59371;<br />
savanna bordering forest of Rib Karuai, between Santa Teresita de<br />
Kavanayen and base of Ptari-tepui', state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m.,<br />
60335.<br />
Ichnanthus acuminatus is related to/, verticillatus and /. ichnodes,<br />
both of which have smaller spikelets; the former has broad thin<br />
blades as much as 5 cm. wide, and the latter has narrower elongate<br />
blades. True /. ichnodes is known only from Trinidad.<br />
Ichnanthus duidensis Swallen, sp. nov.<br />
Annuus; culmi decumbentes, 110 cm. longi, glabri; vaginae carinatae,<br />
glabrae, internodiis breviores; ligula membranacea, ca. 0.5
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 29<br />
mm. longa; laminae oblongo-lanceolatae, subacurainacae, 20-35 cm.<br />
longae, 4-5.5 cm. latae, supra hispidae, superiores basi cordatae,<br />
inferiores basi attenuatae; paniculae ca. 25 cm. longae, 15 cm.<br />
latae, ramis adscendentibus vel patentibus, inferioribus usque ad<br />
15 cm. longis, spicularum pedicellis divergentibus; spiculae 4.5-5.2<br />
mm. longae, sparse pilosae, usque ad 2 mm. longae; gluma prima<br />
3-4 mm. longa, angusta, 3-nervis; gluma secunda et lemma sterile<br />
aequalia, acuta, 3-5-nervia; fructus 4-4.2 mm. longus, ellipticus,<br />
glaber, alis duplo brevier ibus, minute erosis.<br />
Annual; culms rather stout, semi-decumbent, 110 cm. long, glabrous;<br />
sheaths keeled, glabrous, usually shorter than the interncxies;<br />
ligule membranaceous, less than 0.5 mm. long; blades oblonglanceolate,<br />
20-35 cm. long, 4-5.5 cm. wide, usually asymmetrical,<br />
hispid on the upper surface near the base, otherwise glabrous, rather<br />
abruptly narrowed to the sub-acuminate tip, the upper ones narrowed<br />
to a rounded or cordate base, the lower narrowed to an elongate base<br />
about as wide as the sheath; panicle about 25 cm. long, 15 cm. wide,<br />
the branchlets ascending to spreading, the lower as much as 15 cm.<br />
long, the branchlets and pedicels divergent; spikelets 4.5-5.2 mm.<br />
long, sparsely pilose with hairs as much as 2 mm. long; first glume<br />
3-4 mm. long, narrow, 3-nerved; second glume and sterile glume and<br />
sterile lemma equal or nearly so, 3- or weakly 5-nerved, acute; fruit<br />
4-4.2 mm. long, elliptic, glabrous, the wings about half as long, thin,<br />
narrow, minutely erose.<br />
Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,648, collected on Cerro Duida,<br />
southeastern-facing slopes along Cano Negro (tributary of Cano<br />
Iguapo), Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 305-1095 m., August<br />
25-26, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57988.<br />
Ichnanthus longifolius Swallen, sp. nov.<br />
Perennis; culmi erecti ca. 75 cm. alti, glabri; vaginae internodiis<br />
longiores, glabrae, marginibus sparse papilloso-pilosae; ligula<br />
ciliata, 1 mm. longa, laminae ca. 65 cm. longae, 11-12 mm. latae,<br />
lineares, acuminatae, basi attenuatae, glabrae, marginibus scaberulis,<br />
suprema reducta; paniculae ca. 10 cm. longae, 2 cm. latae, ramis<br />
adscendentibus; spiculae 3.4-3*6 mm. longae; gluma prima 2.5-3 mm.<br />
longa, obtusa, 3-nervis, scabra; gluma secunda et lemma sterile<br />
aequalia, obtusa, scabra; fructus 3 mm. longus, acutus, glaber, alis<br />
1 mm. longis, angustis, obtusis.<br />
Perennial; culms about 75 cm. high, erect, glabrous; sheaths, except<br />
the upper one, longer than the internodes, glabrous on the back,<br />
the margins very sparsely papillose-pilose; ligule ciliate, 1 mm.<br />
long; blades mostly about 65 cm. long, 11-12 mm. wide, linear,<br />
acuminate, long-attenuate to a narrow base, except for the ligule,<br />
not differentiated from the sheath, glabrous, the margins scaberulous,<br />
the uppermost blade reduced, about 12 cm. long, not attenuate toward<br />
the base; panicle about 10 cm. long (immature), about 7 cm. wide,<br />
the branches ascending; spikelets 3.4-3.6 mm. long, blunt; first
30 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
glume 2.5-3.5 mm. long, usually obtuse, 3-nerved, scabrous; second<br />
glume and sterile lemma equal, obtuse, 5-nerved, scabrous; fruit 3<br />
mm. long, acute, glabrous, the wings 1 ram. long, narrow, the tip<br />
rounded.<br />
Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,9.11,650, collected on Cerro Duida,<br />
southeastern-facing sandstone bluffs near Cano Negro (tributary of<br />
Cano Iguapo), Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 1095-1520 m. t<br />
August 26, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58020.<br />
Related to the preceding, but readily distinguished by the elongate<br />
blades, long attenuate to the base.<br />
Ichnanthus serratus Swallen, sp. nov.<br />
Perennis; culmi erecti, 55 cm. alti, scabri; vaginae carinatae,<br />
pilosae; ligula ciliata, ca. 1 mm. longa; laminae 30 cm. longae, 4-5<br />
mm. latae, acuminatae, pungentes, basi attenuatae, supra basi sparse<br />
pilosae, marginibus scabris, hispidis; paniculae 13 cm. longae, 8 cm.<br />
latae, ramis fasciculatis scabris, adscendentibus vel patentibus;<br />
spiculae 3-3*2 mm. longae, pedicellis gracilibus appressis; gluma<br />
prima 2-2.5 mm. longa, 1-3-nervis, scabra; gluma secunda et lemma<br />
sterile aequalia, scabra, subobtusa; fructus 2.8 mm. longus, minute<br />
acutus, glaber, lucidus, alis 1.2 mm. longis, hyalinis, angustis,<br />
obtusis.<br />
Perennial; culms erect, 55 cm. high, scabrous; leaves mostly<br />
crowded toward the base, the culm leaves 2, the upper one much reduced;<br />
sheaths keeled, rather densely pilose on the margins, sparsely<br />
so on the back; ligule ciliate about 1 mm. long; blades about 30<br />
cm. long, 4-5 mm. wide, thick, firm, erect, long attenuate to a narrow<br />
base as wide as the mouth of the sheath, acuminate to a stiff rounded<br />
point, sparsely pilose on the upper surface toward the base, otherwise<br />
glabrous or nearly so on the surfaces, the margins thickened,<br />
scabrous with small irregular antrorsely hispid protuberances; panicle<br />
13 cm. long, about 8 cm. wide, the scabrous branches fascicled,<br />
ascending or spreading; spikelets 3-3.2 mm. long on rather long<br />
slender appressed pedicels; first glume 2-2.5 mm. long, 1-3-nerved,<br />
scabrous; second glume and sterile lemma equal or the glume a little<br />
longer, scabrous, subobtuse, tinged with purple; fruit 2.8 mm. long,<br />
minutely pointed, glabrous, shining, the wings about 1.2 ram. long,<br />
thin, narrow, obtuse.<br />
Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,653, collected on summit of<br />
Cerro Duida, Savanna Hills, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 1025-<br />
1200 ra., September 2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58298.<br />
This species can be distinguished from all others known by the<br />
stiff firm leaves and peculiar serrate margins of the blades.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 31<br />
Arthrostylidium effusum (Hack.) McClure, comb. nov.<br />
Arundinaria effusa Hack. Oesterr. Bot. Zeit. 53: 71. 1903. Brazil.<br />
Duplicate of Glaziou 16627, and fragment of Glaziou 17449 from herb.<br />
Hack., seen at US. Common on upper steep slopes between 1830 m.<br />
and summit, Cerro Duida, Steyermark 58396; sterile, no culm<br />
sheaths.<br />
Arthrostylidium Steyermarkii McClure, sp. nov.<br />
Kami (floriferi foliiferi tantum adsunt) solitarii, longitudinem usque<br />
ca. 1.5 m. attingentes, sublignosi, intemodiis glabris, fistulosis,<br />
ligno parietario parum crasso, nodis inflatis, glabris. Foliorum<br />
vaginae nervis eras sis valde striatae, dorso apicem versus pleruraque<br />
manifeste carinatae, dorso et margin ibus glabrae, auriculis obsoletis,<br />
setis oralibus crassis, glabris, plerumque paucis, interduro obsoletis,<br />
ligula externa (collario) brevi, margin e glabra vel subtiliter ciliolata,<br />
ligula interna perbrevi, fusca, dorso glabra, apice plerumque concava,<br />
margine integra vel erosa vel sublaciniata, petiolo crasso utrinque<br />
glabro. Foliorum laminae lanceolatae, alia usque ad 177 cm. longa<br />
alia usque ad 38 mm. lata (pleraeque in specimine apice fractae<br />
quamobrem incompletae), basi rotundatae vel cuneatae, supra sensim<br />
(interdum acuminatim) angustatae, utrinque glabrae vel subglabrae,<br />
supra nitidae, subtus pallidiores (subglaucae), marginibus<br />
cartilagineae et obsolete serrulatae vel subleves, costa basin<br />
laminae versus tantum utrinque straminea, alibi vix manifesta, venis<br />
primariis secundariis vix distinguendis, venulis trans vers is inconspicuis<br />
vel rarius conspicuis.<br />
Inflorescentiae paniculae effusae ramos vel ramulos foliiferos<br />
terminantes, usque (pedunculo incluso) ad 55 cm. longae, demptis<br />
spiculis oranino glabrae, pedunculo usque ad 28.5 cm. longo, rhachi<br />
valde angulata vel sulcata, radiis tenuis rigidulis, primariis usque<br />
ad 25 cm. longis, basi pulvinatis, pedicellis (radiis ordinis 2-4),<br />
6-60 ram. longis, spiculae fusco-straraineae, lanceolatae, subcorapressae,<br />
subpatentes, vulgo 1.5-2 cm. longae, 3-5-florae (dempta<br />
floscula suprema inchoata). Glumae (vacuae) 2, rarius 3, vulgo approximatae,<br />
inaequales, oblongo-ovatae, obtusae, submucronatae,<br />
dorso glabrae, marginibus glabrae vel obsolete ciliolatae, I: 1.5-3<br />
mm. longa, 1-3-nervis; II: 2.5-3.5 mm. longa, 3-5-nervis; lit 3-4.5<br />
mm. longa, 5-7-nervis. Lemmata glumae supremae similia sed<br />
longiora, basi latiora, et plerumque in zona secus margines scabra,<br />
I (interdum vacuum, saepius paleam inchoatam subtendens): 4-5.5<br />
mm.; II: 5-5.5 mm.; Ill: 5-5.5 mm.; IV: ca. 5 mm.; supremum (flosculam<br />
inchoatam subtendens): ca. 4 mm. longum. Palea lemmate<br />
suo plerumque longior (saepe in floscula infima et semper in suprema
32 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
parum evoluta), oblonga, apice obtusa et late rotundata, dorso 2-<br />
carinata et late sulcata, inter carinas dense pubescens, extra carinas<br />
praecipue apicem versus pilis subtilibus adpressis dense pubescens,<br />
nervis inter carinas solitariis, alibi (demptis carinis) obscuris.<br />
Rhachilla segmenta infra lemmata articulata, apice suboblique ubi<br />
margine subtiliter ciliolata, idem inter flosculas compressa, clavata,<br />
curvata, utrinque pilulis albidis antrorse strigosa vel latere uno<br />
glabra alio strigosa, I (infra lemma infimum; parum compressum vel<br />
parum sulcatum): 0.5-1 mm.; II: 1.5-2 mm.; Ill: ca. 2.5 m.; IV: ca.<br />
FIGURE 3<br />
Arthrostylidium Steyermarkii McClure, sp. nov. (Steyermark 59926)<br />
A, Summit of leaf sheath, X 2.5; B, Spikelet, X 5; C, Floret, X 10;<br />
D, Lemma, X 10; E-G, Glumes, I-HI, X 10.<br />
The author's pencil sketches were inVed by Mrs. Agnes Chase.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 33<br />
3 ram.; V: ca. 3 ram. longum; supremum 3 ram. vel ultra. Lodiculae<br />
3, vulgo badiae et vix translucidae, vix manifeste nervosae, utrinque<br />
glabrae, marglne ciliatae, anteriores duae usque ad 2 mm. longae,<br />
lanceolatae vel subsemiovatae, apice plerumque acutae, posterior<br />
1-1.5 mm. longa, anguste lanceolata, apice acuta. Antherae luteae.<br />
Ovariura subgibbose ovoideum vel subfusiforme, fusco-badium, glabrura.<br />
Stylus albidus, pubescens. Stigmata levia apice obtusa<br />
(forsan in speciminibus nostris imperfecta). Fructus maturus incognitus<br />
(Fig. 3).<br />
Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,667, isotype in herb. Chi. Nat.<br />
Hist. Mus., no. 1,189,856, collected in open places at base of eastfacing<br />
high sandstone bluffs on Ptari-tepui, state of Bolivar, November<br />
7, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59926, "forming dense thickets";<br />
all specimens in a flowering state, culm sheaths lacking. Steyermark<br />
59927 (same place and date), sterile only, culm sheaths lacking, "in<br />
dense thickets in more shaded places than 59926" is believed to be<br />
conspecific.<br />
The flowering specimens of this species resemble those of Arthrostylidium<br />
amplissimum (Nees) McClure 5 in general appearance, but,<br />
on closer comparison, the new species is seen to differ in the following<br />
respects: smaller leaf blades, longer spikelets and longer<br />
florets: glumes obtuse; lemmas broadly rounded at the apex, ciliate<br />
on the margins and somewhat pubescent or scabrous near the margins;<br />
paleas more prominently exserted and more prominently pubescent.<br />
5<br />
Arthrostjlidium amplissimum (Nees) McClure, comb. nov.<br />
Arundinaria amplissima Nees, Linnaea 9: 479. 1834. Brazil.<br />
Bellow 875. Type in Berlin; isotype, with the name inscribed in<br />
Nees' hand, seen at U.S. Nat. Herb.
34 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Myriocladus Swallen, gen. nov.<br />
Spiculae alternae, in racemis unilateralibus dispositae, 4-florae,<br />
flosculo infimo abortive, supremo reducto; rhachilla inter flosculum<br />
abortivum et flosculum primum hermaphroditum articulata; glumae et<br />
lemma sterile spicula breviora, 1-nervis, breve aristata; flosculorum<br />
hermaphroditum lemma coriaceum, obscure 5-7-nerve, exaristatum;<br />
palea sulcata, marginibus latis hyalinis; gramen perenne (?), laminis<br />
elongatis, latis, subcordatis ,<br />
basi vix articulatis, racemis numerosis<br />
paniculatis.<br />
Spikelets alternate on one side of an angled rachis, 4-flowered,<br />
the lowest lemma empty, the uppermost floret rudimentary, the rachilla<br />
readily disarticulating between the sterile and fertile florets,<br />
the two fertile florets and the rudiment falling entire; glumes and<br />
sterile lemma shorter than the spikelet, 1-nerved, awned; fertile<br />
lemmas coriaceous, weakly 5-7-nerved, awnless; palea deeply sulcate,<br />
the margins broad, thin, overlapping; perennial grass with long<br />
broad flat blades, gradually narrowed to a broad subcordate base,<br />
plainly differentiated from the sheath, probably tardily disarticulating,<br />
and elongate panicles of numerous racemes.<br />
Myriocladus resembles, and is probably closely related, to Neurolepis<br />
which differs in having two sterile lemmas, only one perfect<br />
floret, no rudiment, and the blades are long attenuate to the base and<br />
continuous with the sheath without any definite line of separation.<br />
Myriocladus virgatus Swallen, sp. nov.<br />
Culmi 1.5 m. alti, robusti, erecti, glabri, panicula folio multo<br />
superante; vaginae latae, intemodiis brevibus multo longiores, compressae,<br />
glabrae; ligula ca. 1 mm. longa, minute ciliata; laminae<br />
35-55 cm. longae, 1.5-4.0 cm. latae, lineari-lanceolatae, subcordatae,<br />
firmae, glabrae, marginibus valde scabris; panicula 85 cm. longa,<br />
racemis + 200, brevibus, adscendentibus vel patentibus, axe crasso<br />
pubescenti; spiculae 3 mm. longae; gluma prima 1.5 mm. longa, arista<br />
0.5 mm. longa; gluma secunda obovata, 1.5 mm. longa, arista glumam<br />
aequante; lemma sterile obtusum, 2 mm. longum, arista quam gluma<br />
duplo breviore; floris inferioris hermaphroditi lemma 3 mm. longum,<br />
5-7-nerve, glabrum; palea lemma aequans, sulcata, carinata, marginibus<br />
latis hyalinis.<br />
Culms 1.5 ra. high, robust, stiffly erect, somewhat compressed,<br />
glabrous, the elongate inflorescence much exceeding the leaves,<br />
these mostly crowded toward the base; sheaths broad, all much longer<br />
than the short internodes, somewhat compressed but not keeled,<br />
more or less inflated, glabrous, the juncture with the blade marked<br />
by a well defined line or ridge but the blades not readily deciduous;<br />
ligule about 0.1 mm. longi minutely ciliate; blade 35-55 cm. long,<br />
1.5-4.0 cm. wide, linear- lanceolate, somewhat cordate, the base about<br />
as wide as the mouth of the sheath, firm, flat, glabrous, the margins<br />
strongly scabrous; inflorescence about 85 cm. long with approximately<br />
200 short ascending to spreading racemes, these paniculate on the
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 35<br />
stout pubescent axis; racemes mostly 2-2.5 cm. long, subsessile,<br />
with a prominent pubescent pulvinus in the axils, the lower ones<br />
rather distant, often with poorly developed spikelets, the upper ones<br />
crowded; spikelets 3 mm. long; first glume 1.5 mm. long, narrow, the<br />
awn about 0.5 mm. long; second glume obovate, 1.5 mm. long with a<br />
stout awn as long as the body; sterile lemma obtuse, 2 mm. long,<br />
the awn 1/2 as long as the body; lower floret 3 mm. long, the lemma<br />
faintly 5-7-nerved, smooth, awnless; palea as long as or a little longer<br />
than the lemma, rather deeply sulcate, sharply keeled, the margins<br />
broad, thin, overlapping, enclosing the flower; rudiment 1.5 mm.<br />
long (Fig. 4).<br />
FIGURE 4<br />
Myriocladus virgatus Swallen, sp. nov. (Steyermark 58293)<br />
A, Inflorescence X 1: B, Lower fertile floret, X 10; C, Upper fertile<br />
floret with rudiment, X 10: D, Glumes and sterile lemma, X 10;<br />
E, Spikelet with glumes and sterile lemma removed, X 10; F, Ligule<br />
and upper part of sheath, X 1<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1,189,825, collected on<br />
summit of Cerro Duida, Savanna Hills, Territorio Federal Amazonas,<br />
alt. 1025-1200 m., September 2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58293.<br />
Myriocladus Cardonae Swallen, sp. nov.<br />
Perennis; culmi usque ad 3 m. alti, ramosi, ca. 1 cm. crassi;<br />
vaginae condensatae, distichae, crassae, glabrae, summo ligula
36 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
exteriore brevi membranacea; ligula ex pilis longis implicatis, in ore<br />
vaginarum inferiorum conspicuis, constituta; laminae articulatae,<br />
inferiores suque ad 34 cm. longae, 5.5 cm. latae, acuminatae, tessellatae,<br />
glabrae, marginibus scaberrimis, eae ramorum minores, 6-14<br />
cm. longae, 2-2.5 cm. latae; inflorescentiae 10-30 cm. longae, 1-1.5<br />
cm. latae, densae, attenuatae, racemis brevibus, condensatis, appressis,<br />
axe dense pubescente; glumae floribus fere longiores, secunda<br />
quam prima longior, acuminatae, in parte superiore marginibus involutis;<br />
lemma sterile 3 mm. longum, obtusum, apiculatum; lemmata<br />
fertilia 3.5 mm. longa, obtusa, glabra; palea quam lemmate 0.5-1.0<br />
mm. longior, inter carinas sulcata; flos supremus reductus obsoletus,<br />
rachilla manifesta.<br />
Perennial; culms woody, branching and rebranching, apparently<br />
from the lower nodes, the main culm as much as 3 m. tall, about 1<br />
cm. thick; sheaths very crowded, distichous, the back thickened, becoming<br />
spongy and fibrous with age, glabrous, extending beyond the<br />
articulation with the blade as a short membrane; ligule a dense line<br />
of long tangled hairs, the lateral hairs conspicuous at mouth of the<br />
sheath; lower blades as much as 34 cm. long, 5.5 cm. wide, acuminate,<br />
rather broadly rounded at the base, tessellate, glabrous on both<br />
surfaces, the margins strongly scabrous, disarticulating from the<br />
sheath with age, the blades of the branches much smaller, 6-14 cm.<br />
long, 2-2.5 cm. wide; inflorescences terminal on all the branches,<br />
10-30 cm. long, 1-1.5 cm. wide, dense, spikelike, attenuate toward<br />
the tip, the short crowded racemes closely appressed, the axis<br />
densely pubescent; spikelets 5-7 mm. long; glumes about equaling or<br />
exceeding the florets, the second longer than the first, broad at the<br />
base, acuminate, the margins inrolled from the middle upward, the<br />
tip thus appearing as a stout awn; sterile lemma 3 mm. long, obtuse,<br />
apiculate; fertile lemma 3.5 mm. long, obtuse, glabrous, the midnerve<br />
thickened toward the tip but not excurrent; palea 0.5-1.0 mm.<br />
longer than the lemma, deeply sulcate; upper rudimentary floret<br />
reduced to the rachilla joint.<br />
Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., nos. 1,914,812-4, collected on Cumbre<br />
del Cerro Acopan, Carom', Guayana, alt. 2150 m., October, 1947,<br />
Felix Cardona 2307.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 37<br />
Bulbostylis junciformis var.<br />
CYPERACEAE<br />
CYPEREAE<br />
Tribe<br />
ambigua (Nees) Steyermark, comb. nov.<br />
Isolepis ambigua Nees, in Herb. Lindl. et in Linn. IX: 291. 1834;<br />
Kunth, Enum. II: 219. 1837; Isolepis junciformis B Kunth, Enum. II.<br />
I.e.<br />
This variety is distinguished by its shorter leaves and culms, even<br />
shorter than in the following var. congesta, the culms "semipedali<br />
aut breviori", and in the simple terminal head of flowers. The<br />
leaves are noticeably more scabrid-ciliate on the margins than in any<br />
of the other varieties. Dry sandy upland, Gran Sabana, between<br />
waterfall at Rue-meru and Divina Pastora on Rio Kukenan north of-<br />
Santa Elena, south of Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 1065 m.,<br />
Steyermark 59207.<br />
Bulbostylis junciformis var. congesta (Schrad.) Steyermark, comb. nov.<br />
Scirpus congestus Reichenb. in Weigelt. Herb. Surinam; Isolepis<br />
congesta Schrad. in Schult. Mant. II: 70. 1822; Kunth, Enum. II:<br />
218. 1837; Oncostylis junciformis 6 congesta Nees, in Mart. Fl.<br />
Bras. 21: 86. 1842.<br />
This variety may be distinguished by the shorter culms, the shorter<br />
leaves which are about hah* the length of the culm, and by the more<br />
contracted umbels on fewer and shorter rays. Gran Sabana, between<br />
Kun and Uaduara-paru^ in valley of Rib Kukena'n, south of Mount<br />
Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 1065-1220 m., Steyermark 59080.<br />
Bulbostylis Svensoniana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Perennis; culmis caespitosis angulosis striatis glabris, 5-5.5 dm.<br />
altis, 1.25-1.5 mm. latis, basi foliatis; foliis filiformi-setaceis<br />
erectis vel curvatis, supra glabris vel glabratis, infra pilosis, 10-25<br />
cm. longis, 0.5 mm. latis, culmo brevioribus; vaginis ore dorsoque<br />
sericeo-lanatis; involucre 5-6-phyllo setaceo scabridulo, 2.5-5 cm.<br />
longo, 0.5 mm. lato quam urabella breviore vel aequali; capitulis<br />
elongatis polystachyis; spicis oblongo-lanceolatis acutis, 3.5 mm.<br />
longis; squamis ovatis acutis, 2.25-2.5 mm. longis; stylo 3-fido;<br />
achaenio trigono obovoideo, 0.6-0.8 mm. longo, subtilissime<br />
punctulato.<br />
Inflorescence many-rayed, 5-8 cm. long, 1-2.5 cm. wide, the rays<br />
erect-ascending; spikelets densely clustered or fascicled, terminating<br />
many branches, about 4-flowered; scales 7-8, lower empty,<br />
castaneous or ferruginous-brown, ovate, acute or shortly arista te<br />
with exserted midrib, glabrous or very minutely ciliolate on margins;<br />
achene buff or pale greenish-white, about 1 mm. wide around summit.<br />
(Fig. 5, a).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on dry flat savanna<br />
with Curatella, between Upata and Rio Caroni^ state of Bolivar, alt.
38 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
FIGURE 5<br />
A, Bulb Of ty lit Svensoniana. Achene (X 17); B, Fimbristylis tamaensis.<br />
Achene (X 18); C, Fimbristylis tamaensis. Achene with style<br />
still attached (X 8); D, Rhynchospora dentinux. Achene (X 13);<br />
E, Rhynchospora sanariapensis. Achene, lateral view (X 12);<br />
F, Rhynchospora sanariapensis. Achene, face view (X 12); G,<br />
Rhynchospora tepuiana. Achene (X 15); H, Rhynchospora Trichochaeta<br />
var. venezuelensis. Achene (X 10); I, Rhynchospora Trichochaeta.<br />
Achene (X 10); J, Rhynchospora bolivarana. Achene<br />
(X 8); K, Rhynchospora bolivarana. Surface of achene highly<br />
magnified; L, Rhynchospora karuaiana. Achene (X 5);
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 39<br />
400 ra., August 2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57629.<br />
In some respects this presents an intermediate position between<br />
B. junciformis with its many-flowered inflorescence and some of the<br />
monocephalous species having dense hairiness around the orifice of<br />
the leaves at the base of the culms. In a note received from Dr.<br />
Svenson, regarding his opinion of the species, he writes as follows:<br />
"This is close in appearance to B. papillosa Kiikenthal, but I think<br />
it is a distinct species, differing from B. papillosa in the fuzzy culm<br />
bases, pale spikelets, and especially in the nearly smooth, small<br />
pale achenes (0.6 mm. long), approximately half the size of those of<br />
B. papillosa.<br />
It is probably the same as Pittier 9009 (except in<br />
fuzzy base) from vicinity of Valencia, Carabobo, alt. 400-800 m.,<br />
which is noted by N. E. Brown as 'not matched at Kew'."<br />
Fimbristylis tamaensis Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Culmi compressi, marginibus scabridulis, 40-55 cm. alti, 2-3 mm.<br />
lati, basi foliati; foliis basalibus planis, marginibus scabris, 30<br />
cm. longis, 3-3.5 mm. latis, culmo brevioribus; involucre 1-2 umbella<br />
breviore, 3.5-5 cm. longo; umbella composita pluriradiata; spicis<br />
pluribus ovato-vel oblongo-lanceolatis, 4-4.5 mm. longis, 1.25-1.5<br />
mm. latis; squamis castaneis ovatis, 1.5-2.25 mm. longis, carina<br />
pallida breviter excurrente; stylo 3-fido; achaenio pallido vel stramineo,<br />
trigono obovoideo, transversim lineato-reticulato, tuberculis<br />
prominentibus, 0.75-1 mm. longo, 1.25-1.5 mm. lato.<br />
Culms thickened at margins, ancipital, slightly winged; leaves<br />
thickened on the margins, linear, subacute or obtusish; bracts of<br />
involucre 1.75-2 mm. wide; umbel with usually 3-4 longer rays with<br />
a few shorter ones at base, 7.5-8 cm. long, 3-3.5 cm. wide; spikelets<br />
numerous, 50-100 in an inflorescence; scales chestnut-brown with<br />
narrow pale hyaline margins, about 10-11 to a spikelet, all the<br />
flowers fertile (Fig. 5, b, c).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected between Las Delicias<br />
and Paraguita, along Rio Tachira, by Colombian-Venezuelan boundary,<br />
state of Ta'chira, alt. 1675-1980 m., July 17, 1944, Julian A.<br />
Steyermark 57422.<br />
This species is at once distinguished by its tuberculate achene,<br />
and is further well-marked by its relatively broad, flattened, ancipital<br />
culm and 3-fid style. It is apparently related to F. tenuis and F.<br />
autumnalis, which have only reticulate and not tuberculate achenes.<br />
Tribe<br />
Rhynchospora aristata Boeckeler<br />
RHYNCHOSPOREAE<br />
Rhynchospora immensa Kuk. Engl. Bot. Jahrb. 56: Beibl. 125:<br />
17-18. 1921.<br />
Forested southwest-facing quebrada near Rondo'n Camp, Mount<br />
Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 2040 m., Steyermark 58665. This
40 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
plant matches Kiikenthal's description of R. immense, based on<br />
Vie 8541 from the forests of Mount Roraima at an elevation of 1400<br />
meters. The present collection was taken at 2040 meters near the<br />
base of the high line of sandstone bluffs. Apparently R. immense is<br />
synonymous with R. aristata, since the two do not appear to be<br />
separable.<br />
Since the leaves of R. immensa were not adequately described in<br />
the original description, an emended description of them, based upon<br />
Steyermark 58665 is given: culmus 1 m. altus, foliatus; foliis<br />
anguste lineari-lanceolatis; vaginis 8-8.5 cm. longis, 8 mm. latis,<br />
glabris praeter pilos adpressos paucos prope ore concavo.<br />
Rhynchospora bolivarana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Perennis caespitosa; culmis 30-35 cm. altis; foliis marginibus<br />
scabris, 15-30 cm. longis, 1.7-2 cm. latis; corymbis 2-3 axillaribus<br />
terminalibusque, 1.5-2 cm. longis, 1.2-5 cm. latis; pedunculis tenuibus,<br />
2-5.5 cm. longis; spiculis 3-6, fusiformi-lanceolatis, 1 cm.<br />
longis, 2 mm. latis, 6-floris, 6-carpis; squamis ovatis vel lanceolatis<br />
breve aristatis pallido-stramineis; setis 6 antrorse hispidulis, fructu<br />
longioribus 7-8 mm. longis; achaenio obovoideo longe stipitato, 2.25-<br />
2.5 mm. longo,<br />
1 mm. lato, subtilissime puncticulato; tuberculo anguste<br />
conico, 1.5 mm. longo, glabro foveolato; stylo bifido, ramis<br />
brevibus.<br />
Leaves plane, crowded at base of culm; bracts foliaceous, the<br />
lowest up to 15 cm. long, the uppermost 2-10 cm. long, equaling or<br />
exceeding the inflorescence; spikelets with 10 scales; lowest scales<br />
ovate, the upper lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, 4-8 mm. long;<br />
stipitate part of achene 0.6-1 mm. long, stramineous or pale brown<br />
on body of achene, superficially marked with numerous, small, subquadrate<br />
puncticulations; beak long-conic, 2/3 width of achene,<br />
conspicuously foveolate with rather large, elongate foveolae; short<br />
branches of style shorter than or equaling the style proper<br />
(Fig. 5, j, k).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected by edge of waterfall,<br />
Salto de Iwaracaru-meru', at western end of Sororopan-tepiu, state of<br />
Bolivar, alt. 1615 m., November 15, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60206.<br />
Also collected along rocky stream bank, Ptari-tepuf, of forested<br />
slopes along fast-running stream of "Large Lunch River" below<br />
"Misia Kathy Camp", alt. 1500 m., October 27, 1944, Steyermark<br />
59448.<br />
This is a member of Series Diplostyleae, Div. E u-Rhynchospora,<br />
Sect. Fuscae (as defined by Clarke), and is probably most closely<br />
related to R. comata Schultes. It is characterized by the pale buff<br />
10- or more-scaled spikelets in 2-3 slender-peduncled inflorescences,<br />
long-stipitate achenes, the elongate bristles greatly surpassing the<br />
achene, and the slender, glabrous, tufted leaves.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 41<br />
Rhynchospora culmenicola Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Perennis caespitosa; culmis supra foliatis, 25-30 cm. altis, 0.75-<br />
1 mm. latis; foliis erecto-adscendentibus, supra aggregatis, infra<br />
fere glabris vel parce adpresso-pilosulis, supra magis pubescent! bus,<br />
pilis rainutis adpressis, marginibus incurvatis, costa manifesta carinata;<br />
vaginis puberulis vel glabrescentibus; paniculis 4-8, laxe<br />
racemosis, 0.5-1.5 cm. longis, axillaribus terminalibusque; pedunculis<br />
filiformibus flexuosis, 3-5-5 cm. longis, 1.5-4.5 cm. longis; spiculis<br />
1-3 fusiformi-ellipticis, 5.5-6 mm. longis, 1-1.2 mm. latis, 2-floris,<br />
2-carpis, subsessilibus, pedicellis glabris, 0.5-1.5 mm. longis;<br />
squamis ovatis vel ovato-lanceolatis breve aristatis castaneis; setis<br />
nullis vel 2-3 rudimentariis; achaenio subrhomboideo-oblongo,<br />
1 mm.<br />
longo, subtilissime areolato, transversim striolulato stramineo; tuberculo<br />
triangular i-lanceolato, fructu longiore 1.6 mm. longo; stylo<br />
ramis brevibus.<br />
Leaves more prominently pubescent with minute appressed hairs on<br />
upper surface, these lying on surface enclosed by incurved margins,<br />
midrib prominent and keeled on one side, 12-15 cm. long, 1-1.5 mm.<br />
wide; panicles loosely racemosely scattered in the upper half of the<br />
culm; uppermost bract exceeding inflorescence; spikelets with 5-6<br />
scales; scales 1-6 mm. long; bristles none, or 2-3 short processes<br />
at very base of achene with or without serrulations; achene biconvex,<br />
stramineous, abruptly narrowed below, rounded or subtruncate above,<br />
finely and shallowly areolate with transverse reticulations, the cells<br />
broader than high (Fig. 6, b).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected around summit of<br />
Cerro Negro, above La Sabana de las Piedras, northwest of Caripe,<br />
state of Monagas, alt. 2180 m., April 15 f 1945, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
62110. Also collected in shady, moist, bamboo thickets, Cerro<br />
Tururaiquire, between headwaters of Rio Colorado and summit of<br />
southern peak, state of Sucre, alt. 2200-2400 m., May 7, 1945,<br />
Steyermark 62635.<br />
This species belongs to Series Haplostyleae, Div. Calyptrostylis,<br />
Sect. Racemosae (following Clark's divisions). It is related to /?.<br />
cryptantha C. B. Clarke, R. Edwalliana Boeckl., R. racemosa C.,<br />
Wright, R. elongata Boeckl., R. Lechleri Steud., R. uniflora Boeckl.,<br />
and R. Gollmeri Boeckl. From all of these it differs in its combination<br />
of the following characters: ferruginous or castaneous spikelets,<br />
relatively smooth achenes, long beak, no setae or with 2-3 rudiments,<br />
foliose culms 30 cm. or less tall, several sparsely simple racemose<br />
inflorescences, glabrous pedicels, elongate flexuous peduncles,<br />
leaves 1-1.5 mm. wide, and appressed-pilosulous blades and sheaths.<br />
Rhynchospora dentinux C. B. Clarke<br />
Open savanna and igneous rock outcrops, Puerto Ayacucho, Territorio<br />
Federal Amazonas, alt. 200 m., Steyermark 58512, This is<br />
apparently the first recorded collection of the species since its
42 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
FIGURE 6<br />
A, Rhynchospora ptaritepuiana. Achene (X 5); B, Rhynchospora<br />
culmenicola. Achene (X 17); C, Rhynchospora paramora. Achene<br />
(X 9); D, Rhynchospora tamana, Achene (X 12); E, Rhynchospora<br />
tomentosa. Achene (X 13); F, Rhynchospora tomentosa. Lower<br />
scale (X 5); G, Rhynchospora tomentosa. Upper scale (X 5); H, Rhynchospora<br />
tomentosa. Lowest scale (X 2); I, Hypolytrum tepuianum.<br />
Achene (X 8); J, Hypolytrum tepuianum. Scale (X 3); K, Hypolytrum<br />
tepuianum. Floral glume (X 2); L, Hypolytrum tepuianum.<br />
Floral glumes (X 4); M, Exochogyne Steyermarkii. Achene (X 6);
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 43<br />
original publication by Clarke 6 who<br />
,<br />
based his description on Spruce<br />
3614 from "Maypures; in Upper Orinoco", a locality on the Colombian<br />
side just south of the present collection, which is the first record for<br />
Venezuela.<br />
Clarke's original description of the achene as "levi, papillosa,<br />
fusca" is both inadequate and misleading, especially as regards the<br />
use of the word "levi". The rows of tooth-like projections or<br />
papillae on one face certainly belie this part of Clark's description.<br />
As far as the achene is concerned, this species is one of the most<br />
distinct in the entire genus. There is no doubt, however, what<br />
Clarke had in mind about the peculiar markings, since, near the end<br />
of his description, he states that the achene is "praesertim in parte<br />
superiore a papillis erecta ornata. Ceteroquin fere ut R. Trichochaeta".<br />
Both R. Trichochaeta and the Mexican R. mexicana have<br />
markings on the achene similar to those found in R. den tin ux.<br />
The following is a description of the achene based on the present<br />
collection: body blackish, 3 mm. long, both surfaces minutely<br />
granulose-puncticulate, but marked on the inner surface with 2 rows<br />
of 10-12 ridges and depressions, the ridges curved, a longitudinal<br />
ridge running down the center between these ridges; beak prominent,<br />
tawny, bidentate, 2 mm. long, 0.5 mm. wide, antrorsely setulose;<br />
awns 5-6, buff-tawny, antrorsely scabrous, surrounded at base by 5<br />
buff-stramineous tufts of hispidulous hairs, 4.5-5 mm. long (Fig. 5, d).<br />
Rhynchospora duidae Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Perennis caespitosa; foliis 15-50 cm. longis, 6-7 mm. latis, planis<br />
laevibus, marginibus serratis; culmis erectis trigonis laevibus, 6-7<br />
dm. altis; corymbis pallido-stramineis axillaribus terminalibusque<br />
contractis, 2-2.5 cm. longis, 1-2.5 cm. latis; involucri bracteis 1-2,<br />
2-3 cm. longis, 1.5-2 mm. latis; spiculis lanceolatis (immaturis)<br />
6.5 mm. longis, 3-4-carpis; setis 6 antrorse hispidulis, 4.5-5 mm.<br />
longis (immaturis ?); stylo profunde diviso, ramis longis; tuberculo<br />
lanceolate.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on summit of Cerro<br />
Duida, Savanna Hills, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 1065-1220<br />
m., September 2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58254.<br />
Rhynchospora karuaiana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Perennis; culmis trigonis glabris, foliis excedentibus, 10.5 dm.<br />
altis vel altioribus; foliis paucis glabris, 60-70 cm. longis, 2.5-3.5<br />
ram. latis; fasciculis 4, subcapitatis, remotis longe-pedunculatis<br />
axillaribus terminalibusque, 1-2 cm. longis, 1.5-2 cm. latis; pedunculis<br />
usque ad 7.5 cm. longis; bracteis infimis erectis scabridulis,<br />
10 cm. longis, 1-2 mm. latis; spiculis 3-6 lanceolato-ellipticis,<br />
6<br />
Clarke, C. B. New Gen. & Sp. Cyp., Kew Bull. Add. Ser. VHI:<br />
33. 1908.
44 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
7.5-9 mm. longis, 1.5 mm. latis, 2-floris, 1-carpis; squamis ovatis<br />
vel oblongo-lanceolatis, breve mucronatis vel aristatis, pallide brunneis;<br />
setis 6, antrorse hispidulis, fruccu longioribus, 5.5-6 mm.<br />
longis; achaenio elliptico-ovato, 4 mm. longo, 2 mm. lato, manifeste<br />
transversim profunde sulcato; tuberculo tenui quam achaenio longiore,<br />
5.5-5.75 mm. longo, antrorse hispidulo; stylo parce vel non diviso.<br />
Leaves mostly at base, 2-3 on culm, canaliculate above, midrib<br />
prominent below, gradually passing into the glabrous, striatulate,<br />
pale hyaline-margined sheath; inflorescence elongated, 13-18 cm.<br />
long; peduncles erect, slender, the lowest more elongated; spikelets<br />
with 4 scales; scales 3-8 mm. long, pale or ashy brown; achene<br />
fulvous-brown, conspicuously transversely wrinkled with deep sulcations,<br />
these connected by vertical striations; beak slender elongated,<br />
with longer hairs at base and at apex of achene, dark brown<br />
(Fig. 5, 1).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected by fast water, bordering<br />
forest of Rio Karuai, between Santa Teresita de Kavanayen and<br />
base of Ptari-tepui^ state of Bohvar, alt. 1220 m. November<br />
f 18,<br />
1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60334.<br />
Related to R. amazonica Poepp. & Kunth, from which it<br />
may be<br />
distinguished by the transversely wrinkled achene, more elongated<br />
inflorescence, less foliose and less conspicuous bracts, taller, less<br />
leafy glabrous culms, and glabrous leaves. From R. corymbosa (L.)<br />
Hitchc. it differs in the color of the spikelets, different type of inflorescence,<br />
and less leafy development of bracts and leaves. From<br />
R. viridi-lutea C. B. Clarke of British Guiana it differs in the type of<br />
inflorescence, color of spikelets, markings of achene, and width of<br />
leaves. Finally, from R. trispicata Steud. it is distinguished by its<br />
less branched inflorescence, more fasciculate heads of spikelets, and<br />
different achene.<br />
Khynchospora paramora Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Perennis caespitosa; culmis foliatis glabris, 27-45 cm. altis, 1.5<br />
mm. latis; foliis planis glabris culmo brevioribus, 12-20 cm. longis,<br />
1.5-2.5 mm. latis; paniculis 3-4 subfasciculatis, 1-1.5 cm. longis,<br />
0.5-1 cm. latis, axillaribus terminalibusque; pedunculis tenuibus,<br />
2.5-4.5 cm. longis; bracteis 8-15 cm. longis, inferioribus foliaceis,<br />
inflorescentiam excedentibus; spiculis anguste fusiformibus, 7.5-8<br />
mm. longis, 1 mm. latis, 1-carpis; squamis ovatis vel lanceolatis,<br />
breve vel manifeste aristatis, castaneis vel brunneis; setis nullis;<br />
achaenio ovoideo, 2.1-2.5 mm. longo, 1.8 mm. lato, fere laevi subtilissime<br />
puncticulato, pallide stramineo; tuberculo conic o-triangu-<br />
1.1 mm. longo, superficie squamosa; stylo indiviso.<br />
lari,<br />
Cespitose perennial with thick, scaly, stoloniferous off-shoots;<br />
culms striatulate; panicles dense; spikelets mostly 3-4 in a cluster,<br />
with 5-6 scales; achenes buff to stramineous; tubercle about 1/2
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 45<br />
width of achene, the surface whitish crustaceous-squamose, these<br />
scales deciduous in age (Fig. 6, c).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on Paramo de los<br />
Colorados, between El Molino and San Isidro Alto, state of Meri'da,<br />
alt. 2745-2955 m., May 14, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 56550.<br />
From R. racemosa C. Wright, which it resembles, this species<br />
differs in the subfasciculate instead of racemose inflorescences,<br />
and paler, less rugulose achenes with smaller superficial cells.<br />
From R. cryptantha C. B. Clarke it<br />
may be distinguished by the less<br />
foliose culms, different type of inflorescence, which is not concealed<br />
among the leaves or bracts.<br />
Rhynchospora ptaritepuiana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Perennis; culmis infra foliatis, 6-7 dm. altis; foliis erectis, supra<br />
glabris, infra costa glabra vel breve pilosa, aliter glabris, 25-45 cm.<br />
longis, 3-3.5 mm. lads; paniculis 2-6, brevibus, 2-4 cm. longis,<br />
1.5-3.5 cm. latis, axillaribus terminalibusque; pedunculis tenuibus,<br />
3.5-8.5 cm. longis; bracteis infimis foliaceis, usque ad 17 cm.<br />
longis; spiculis fusiformi-ellipticis, 4.5-5 mm. longis, 1.5 mm. latis,<br />
5-floris, 5-carpis; squamis ovatis breviter aristatis vel mucronatis<br />
ferrugineis; setis 6, antrorse hispidulis, quam tuberculo aequantibus<br />
vel longioribus, 2-2.2 mm. longis; achaenio ovoideo, basi substipitato,<br />
superne rotundato, 1.5 mm. longo, 1 mm. lato, nitido, subtilissime<br />
puncticulato; tuberculo late conico, basi bilobato, 1.1-1.2<br />
mm. longo, glabro; stylo indiviso vel parce diviso.<br />
Culms glabrous, usually taller than the leaves; spikelets with<br />
7-9 scales, on short pedicels 1.5 mm. long; scales glabrous, the<br />
lower short-aristate, the upper aristate or merely acute and mucronate,<br />
ferruginous; achene abruptly narrowed to a substipitate base 0.3 mm.<br />
long, rounded above, rufous- or dark brown, shining and appearing<br />
smooth, but the surface superficially cellular with reticulations<br />
broader than high; tubercle about 3/4 width of achene, loosely cellular<br />
with depressed cells (Fig. 6, a).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on dripping sandstone<br />
bluffs, Ptari-tepui', at base of first line of bluffs, on southfacing<br />
part, east of "Cave Rock", state of Bolivar, alt. 2130 m.,<br />
November 4, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59830. Also collected on<br />
moist bluff, Ptari-tepui, at base of and on main south-facing high<br />
sandstone bluffs, alt. 2400-2410 m., October 30, 1944, Steyermark<br />
59599.<br />
A member of Series Haplostyleae, Div. Calyptrostylis, Sect.<br />
Paniculatae (following Clarke's subdivisions), this species is apparently<br />
related to R. polyphylla Vahl, from which it differs in the<br />
more elongated, erect, narrower leaves, which are more crowded<br />
towards the base of the culm and not so uniformly scattered along the<br />
length of the culm, in the shorter inflorescences of brown spikelets,
46 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
and the longer-beaked, larger, and more shining achenes which are<br />
less prominently reticulate with cells broader than high, while from<br />
R. Lechleri Steud. of Peru it differs in the broader leaves which are<br />
not scabrid-serrulate on margins, and in various floral characters.<br />
The distinguishing characteristics of R. ptaritepuiana are the<br />
elongate, narrow leaves, clustered more at the base of the culm, and<br />
not conspicuously scattered on the culm, the short brown panicles,<br />
the shining achene marked with transversely broader than high superficial<br />
cells, the elongate bilobed tubercle, and the 6 bristles which<br />
equal or are longer than the achene.<br />
Rhynchospora sanariapensis Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Annua caespitosa; foliis setaceis, glabris, 2.5-5 cm. longis; culmis<br />
filiformi-setaceis, glabris, 7-10 cm. altis; corymbis terminalibus,<br />
glomerulis, 8-12 mm. altis, 5-12 mm. latis; floribus 6 vel pluribus;<br />
spiculis lance olato-subulatis, 2-floris, 1-carpis, 3-3.5 mm. longis;<br />
squamis 4, ovatis vel lanceolatis, acutis; stylo diviso; setis nullis;<br />
achaenio oblongo-obovoideo, 0.9-1 mm. longo, 0.5 mm. lato, transversim<br />
profunde 4-5-sulcato et prominente gibbo elevato, inter gibbo<br />
subtilissime longitudinaliter stria to; tuberculo breve depresso,<br />
0.05-0.1 mm. alto.<br />
Corymbs with central cluster subsessile, the 2 lateral clusters<br />
with 6 or more spikelets; bract shorter or longer than corymbs, 1-1.6<br />
cm. long, scabridulous on margins; lower scales 0.5-1.5 mm. long, the<br />
upper 2.25-3.5 mm. long; style divided into 2 slender branches;<br />
achene somewhat narrowed below, rounded or subrruncate above,<br />
tawny-brown, each face deeply 4-5 transversely sulcate with prominent<br />
suba cutely angled ridges with fine striae running lengthwise<br />
between the ridges, narrowly ridged lengthwise on each side<br />
(Fig. 5, e, f).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in vicinity of Sanariapo,<br />
near Rio Sanariapo, tributary of Orinoco river, Territorio<br />
Federal Amazonas, alt. 100 m., September 8, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
58469. Also collected among rock outcrops below mouth of Rio<br />
Sanariapo, along Orinoco river, alt. 100 m., September 8, 1944,<br />
Steyermark 58436.<br />
Related to R. pluricarpa Gilg of the Matto Grosso-Parana' portion of<br />
Brazil, but differs in its larger, oblong achene of different color,<br />
prominent sulcations and ridges, and in the single fruit of the spikelets<br />
instead of 4-5. From R. tenuis it is distinguished by the oblong,<br />
instead of subglobose or turbinate, achene with more prominent sulcations,<br />
narrower and less prominent tubercle, shorter spikelets,<br />
and shorter culms, leaves, and bracts, while from R. lenella it is<br />
separated by the shape of the achene, absence of the long scabrous<br />
awn of the scales, and denser clusters of spikelets.<br />
Rhynchospora sororopana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Perennis caespitosa; culmis tenuibus foliatis, 15-50 cm. altis,
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 47<br />
0.2-0.5 mm. latis, plerumque quam foliis excedentibus; foliis 15-25<br />
cm. longis, 1.5 mm. latis; fasciculis 3-7, confertis racemoso-subcapitatis,<br />
6-8 mm. longis, 3-4 mm. latis, axillaribus terminalibusque;<br />
pedunculis tenuibus, 0.5-5 cm. longis; bracteis setaceis, 2-7.5 cm.<br />
longis, 0.5-1 mm. latis; spiculis ovato-lanceolatis, 3.5-4 mm. longis,<br />
1-carpis; squamis ovatis vel ovato-lanceolatis, aristatis vel acuminatis,<br />
pallidis; setis nullis; achaenio elliptico-ovoideo, basi angustato,<br />
superne nonnihil angustato, 2 mm. longo, 1.2 mm. lato, subtilissime<br />
puncticulato; tuberculo conico, 1 mm. longo; stylo breviter<br />
diviso, ramis brevibus.<br />
Culms glabrous; leaves glabrous, several; fascicles of the inflorescence<br />
scattered along the middle and upper portion of the culms;<br />
spikelets with 4 scales; scales pale buff or grayish-green to greenishstramineous;<br />
achene greenish or pale stramineous, minutely puncticulate<br />
with cells slightly higher than broad; beak about half the width<br />
of the achene.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected^ along Quebrada<br />
Sororopan, between Santa Teresita de Kavanaye'n and Rio Tek-<br />
Yunsen, state of Bolivar, alt. 1375 m., December 3, 1944, Julian<br />
A, Steyermark 60831.<br />
A member of Series Diplostyleae, Div. Psilocarya, Sect. Paucinucigerae<br />
(following Clarke's divisions), this is related to R. biflora,<br />
R. brevirostris, R longispicata, and R. nardiflora. It is distinguished<br />
by its pale greenish, gray-green, or greenish-white spikelets,<br />
small inflorescences, width of leaves, and details of achene andbeak.<br />
Rhynochospora tamana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Perennis caespitosa; culmis glabris, 7-55 cm. altis, 1.5-2 mm.<br />
latis; foliis plerumque basilaribus, linearibus, rigidis, supra paullo<br />
scabridulis, marginibus scabris, 7-30 cm. longis, 3-3.5 mm. latis;<br />
paniculis plus minusve 4, anguste ellipsoidalibus contractis, 3-3.5<br />
cm. longis, 0.7-1.2 cm. latis, axillaribus terminalibusque; rhachibus<br />
angulatis, angulis scabris; pedunculis tenuibus, glabris, angulatis,<br />
4-13 cm. longis; bracteis 8-13 cm. longis, 2-3 mm. latis; vaginis<br />
bractearura nitidis, fulvo-brunneis; spiculis confertis, fusiformibus,<br />
9-10 mm. longis, 1.5-2 mm. latis, subsessilibus vel breviter pedicellatis,<br />
2-carpis; squamis ovatis vel lanceolatis, breve aristatis,<br />
4-9.5 mm. longis, castaneis; setis 6, antrorse hispidulis, tuberculum<br />
excedentibus, 8-8.5 mm. longis; achaenio fusiformi-elliptico, basi<br />
manifeste stipitato, 3.5 mm. longo, 1 mm. lato, subtilissime puncticulato;<br />
tuberculo conico-subulato, quam achaenio paullo breviore,<br />
1.5-2 mm. longo, basi parce hispidulo; stylo bifido, ramis 3 mm.<br />
longis, stylo brevioribus.<br />
Culms leafy below, exceeding the leaves; lower leaf surface<br />
covered with gray-white stomata between the raised nerves; bracts<br />
somewhat foliaceous; spikelets with 5 scales; achene stramineous
48 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
minutely puncticulate with numerous narrow reticulations much<br />
higher than broad (Fig. 6, d).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on limestone outcrops<br />
of Pa'ramo de Tama', near Colombian-Venezuelan boundary, state of<br />
Tachira, alt. 3045-3475 m., July 15, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
57404. Also collected in same locality, Steyermark 57398.<br />
Related to ft. macrochaeta Steud., from which it differs in the more<br />
elongated achene which is stipitate-based, shorter narrower panicles,<br />
longer scales and spikelets, narrower, more rigid, and more scabrid<br />
leaves, and the generally smaller stature.<br />
Rhynchospora tepuiana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Perennis caespitosa; culrais setaceis foliatis, 10-25 cm. altis,<br />
0.5 mm. latis; foliis setaceis, glabris, 8-13 cm. longis, 0.2-0.3 mm.<br />
lads; vaginis membranaceis, glabris, quam laminis latioribus, ore<br />
subtruncato; inflores centia corymbosa vel subcorymbosa, 6-10 mm.<br />
alta, 5-8 mm. lata; bracteis 2.5 cm. longis, quam inflorescentia<br />
longioribus; spiculis 2-10, anguste ellipticis, 3-4 mm. longis, 5-floris,<br />
5-carpis vel paucioribus; squamis late ovatis, mucronatis, 1.6-2.7<br />
mm. longis, castaneis; setis 1-6 vel nullis, rudimentariis ,<br />
antrorse<br />
serrulatis, 0.5-0.9 mm. longis; achaenio elliptico-obovoideo, substipitato,<br />
lenticulari, 1.5 mm. longo, 0.6-0.7 mm. lato, breviter<br />
trans versim ruguloso, inter rugas leviter reticulato-puncticulato;<br />
tuberculo deltoideo; stylo profunde diviso, ramis longis.<br />
Orifice of sheath with 2 lateral processes; bracts setaceous;<br />
spikelets about 1 mm. wide, with 9 scales; scales mucronate or<br />
short-awned, the lowest 2 empty scales 1.6-1.8 mm. long, the others<br />
2.5-2.7 mm. long; bristles ferruginous-brown; achene abruptly narrowed<br />
and substipitate at base, gradually narrowed above, pale buff<br />
or stramineous, pilosulous at summit just below tubercle, shallowly<br />
cross-wrinkled with rows in between the wrinkles of faint puncticulations<br />
higher than broad, the cells in the lower fourth longer, broader,<br />
and nearly as broad as high; tubercle inconspicuous, deltoid or conic,<br />
about half the width of achene, pale brown; branches of style much<br />
longer than the style proper (Fig. 5,<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on forested southwest-facing<br />
quebrada near Rondo'n Camp, Mount Roraima, state of<br />
Bolivar, alt. 2040 m., September 25, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
58652. Also collected on rocky hematite exposures on open slopes<br />
on summit at west end of Sororopan-tepui', alt. 2225-2255 m., November<br />
13, 1944, Steyermark 60061.<br />
This species is related to /?. Sellowiana Steud., 1855, not R.<br />
Sellowiana Boeckl., 1873, to R. Gollmeri Boeckl., and to R. roraimae<br />
Kuk. From R. Sellowiana Steud, it differs in its castaneous, not<br />
stramineous spikelets with much shorter setae. From R. Gollmeri of<br />
the Caracas and Cordillera de la Costa area, it differs in the shorter<br />
spikelets, long-cleft style, shorter tubercle of achene, much shorter<br />
g).
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 49<br />
bristles, and more conspicuously rugulose or reticulate instead of<br />
almost smooth achene. From P. roraimae it differs in the greater<br />
number of spikelets, longer, less rigid culms and leaves, shorter<br />
tubercle, presence of setae, and more rugulose-reticulate achene.<br />
Rhynchospora tomentosa Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Perennis; culmis foliatis, 7.5 dm. altis; foliis basilaribus et culmis<br />
subcoriaceis, rigidis, undique velutino-tomentosis, 25-30 cm.<br />
longis, 9-10.5 mm. latis; paniculis 5-6, oblongo-lanceolatis, densifloris,<br />
4-4.5 cm. longis, 1.3-1.5 cm. latis, axillaribus terminalibusque;<br />
rhachibus hispidulis; pedunculis 1.5-6 cm. longis, tomentosis;<br />
bracteis foliaceis, paniculas excedentibus, 6.5-12 cm. longis,<br />
3-6.5 mm. latis, adpresso-villosulis infra praesertim; vaginis bractearum<br />
foliorumque velutino-tomentosis vel tomentosis; spiculis<br />
confertis anguste lanceolatis vel fusiformi-ellipticis, 5-5.5 mm.<br />
longis, 1.5 mm. latis, breviter pedicellatis, 1-carpis; squamis ovatis<br />
vel ovato-oblongis manifeste aristatis, 2-4.5 mm. longis, fuscocastaneis,<br />
arista 1-10 mm. longa, hispid ula; setis 2-3, antrorse<br />
hispidulis, achaenio longioribus; achaenio oblongo-obovoideo,<br />
biconvexo, 1.8 mm. longo,<br />
1 mm. lato, subtilissime transversim<br />
lineolato; tuberculo conico, 1 mm. longo; stylo parce diviso.<br />
Lower side of leaves especially velutinous-tomentose, deeply<br />
sulcate or canaliculate above, midrib prominent below; panicles<br />
erect; lower spikelet scales 2-2.5 mm. long, with an awn 1-1.25 mm.<br />
long, the upper 3.5-4.5 mm. long with awns 9-10 mm. long; achene<br />
stramineous, finely transversely lineolate with many vertical rows,<br />
the lineolations broader than high; tubercle 3/4 width of achene<br />
(Fig. 6, e-h).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on limestone outcrops<br />
of Paramo de Tama, near Colombian-Venezuelan boundary,<br />
state of Tachira, alt. 3045-3475 m., July 15, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
57391.<br />
This unusual species. is well-marked by its velutinous-tomentose<br />
leaves, bracts, and sheaths, and conspicuously aristate scales. It<br />
is related to R. macrochaeta Steud.<br />
Rhynchospora Trichochaeta C. B. Clarke, var. venezuelensis<br />
Steyermark, var. nov.<br />
A typo differt bracteis quam capitulo longioribus, 6-15 mm. longis,<br />
marginibus breviter ciliato-pilosis; tuberculo longiore angustioreque<br />
acutiore, pilis scabris longioribus.<br />
Achene dark brown or blackish-brown (Fig. 5, h ).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on rocky savanna<br />
slopes between Ciudad Bolivar and Rio Carom, state of Bolivar,<br />
alt. 100 m., August 1, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57587.
50 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
In R. Trichochaeta of Brazil (Gardner 2385, type), (Fig. 5, i), the<br />
bracts are only 4 mm. long, densely and long-ciliate on the margins,<br />
and the tubercle is short, broad, and obtuse at apex. Clarke describes<br />
the achene as "fusee straminea", but examination of type<br />
material found in the herbaria of the New York Botanical Garden and<br />
in the United States National Herbarium shows the achenes to vary<br />
from fuscous-stramineous to dark brown.<br />
Cladium costatum Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Radix repens; culmo triquetro, 25 cm. longo, 3-3.5 mm. lato, glabro;<br />
foliis subxiphoideis, basilaribus numerosis, planis, 35-50 cm.<br />
longis, 7-8.5 mm. latis, multo-nervatis, costa prominenti, glabris;<br />
caulinis brevioribus erectis, supremis s pa thaef omnibus; spicularum<br />
fasciculis paniculatis numerosis, atro-vinaceis vel castaneo-rubris;<br />
spiculis 3-5-5 mm. longis, ovoideis, 2-3-nuciferis; squamis ovatis,<br />
apice obtusis vel rotundatis, 2.5-3 mm. longis, 1.5-2 mm. latis, glabris;<br />
staminibus 2; stylo longo, ramis 2, linearibus; setis hypogynis,<br />
nullis; achaenio fulvo, biconvexo, ovato-elliptico, 3.2-3.8 mm. longo,<br />
1.5-2 mm. lato, marginibus conspicue costatis angulatis, glabro,<br />
sensim in rostrum contracto.<br />
Plant growing in colonies, with creeping rootstock; inflorescence<br />
elongate-paniculate, 20-23 cm. long, the 12-15 spikes fascicled;<br />
rachis of inflorescence more or less compressed, ancipital, mostly<br />
scabridulous on angles; peduncular branches of spikes ancipital,<br />
2-angled, more densely scabridulous on margins; spikelets 3-4-<br />
flowered; bracts subtending spikelets 3, ovate, aristate, 2.5-3.5 mm.<br />
long; scales 3, the fruiting ones especially with prominent midrib;<br />
anthers 1.5 mm. long, linear- lanceolate, appendiculate, filaments<br />
elongating to 4 mm.; achene dull brown, subturgid, conspicuously<br />
ribbed and wing-angled on two lateral margins, gradually tapering<br />
into a slender beak blackish-brown at tip.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected along Quebrada<br />
Sororopan between Santa Teresita de Kavanaye'n and RioTek-Yunse'n,<br />
state of Bolivar, alt. 1375 m., December 3, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
60829. Collected also at Salto de Iwaracaru-meru, at western<br />
end of Sororopa'n-tepur, alt. 1615 m., November 15, 1944, Julian A.<br />
Steyermark 60220.<br />
This species is characterized by the creeping rootstocks, elongate<br />
inflorescence with fasciculate panicles, numerous subdistichous<br />
leaves with prominent midrib, 2 stamens, bifid style, and especially<br />
the biconvex achenes with prominently ribbed and angled margins.<br />
According to Dr. Svenson, who greatly assisted in a critical study of<br />
this plant, "it has a general appearance to C. restioides (Sw.)<br />
Benth. of the west Indies, but the possession of achenes without<br />
bristles resembles more such species as C. jamaicense than those of<br />
the Machaerina and Vincentia groups."
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 51<br />
Tribe<br />
HYPOLYTREAE<br />
Hypolytrum tepuianum Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Viridis; culmis rig id is, erectis, subacute trigonis, glabris, 1.3-1.6<br />
m. altis, 4.5-5.5 mm. latis; foliis rigidis, subcoriaceis, viridibus,<br />
anguste linear!- lanceolatis, undique pluristriatis, marginibus parte<br />
superiore et costa inferiore valide scabrido-serrulatis, raarginibus<br />
parte inferiore glabris, 90-100 cm. longis, 18-21 mm. latis; inflorescentia<br />
subumbellate decomposita vel subcorymbifere-umbellata<br />
10-16-ramosa; ramis simplicibus monostachyis, striatis, angulatis,<br />
minute hispidulis, 1-3-5 cm. longis, 2-2.5 mm. latis, foliaceobracteatis;<br />
bracteis 4-5, inaequalibus, rigidis, subcoriaceis, def<br />
lexis, linear i-lanceolatis, undique pluristriatis, marginibus manifeste<br />
serrulatis, costa infra manifeste serrulata prominenti, 6-24 cm.<br />
longis, 4-15 mm. latis; spicis densifloris, confertis, subglobosocapitatis,<br />
1-1.5 cm. longis, 1.2-1.4 cm. latis; spiculis ovoideis, 6<br />
mm. longis, 3.5 mm. latis; squamis suborbicularibus apice rotundatis<br />
ferrugineis, 3.5-4 mm. longis, 3.5-4 mm. latis; squamulis oblong is<br />
vel elliptico-oblongis, obtusis,liberis, glabris; staminibus 2; achaenio<br />
paullo compresso, subtereti-lenticulari, infra medium paullo<br />
constricto elliptic o-oblongo, nitido, glabro, fulvo-castaneo, superne<br />
vinaceo-maculato, 5-6 mm. longo, 1.2-1.3 mm. lato; rostro tenui,<br />
achaenio aequale, 1.5-3 mm. longo, glabro.<br />
Culms nodulose; leaves deep green above, dull green below;<br />
inflorescence with 10-16 stout, simple branches; spikelets subobtuse,<br />
rufescent; scales subtending spikelets suborbicular, rounded<br />
at apex, membranaceous, rufous-brown with numerous orange-brown<br />
splotches, the margins hyaline; floral glumes 4, free to base, 2 of<br />
them subtending stamens, glabrous, oblong to elliptic-oblong, obtuse<br />
and entire or with hyaline-suberose apex, 4.5 mm. long, 1.2-2 mm.<br />
wide, rufous-streaked below; achene fulvous to dark chestnut brown,<br />
the lower half usually darker brown than the upper half, the upper<br />
half dull purplish-red spotted; stigmatic branches 2 (Fig. 6,<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in savanna, vicinity<br />
of "Misia Kathy Camp", on mesa between Ptari-tepui and Sororopantepui,<br />
state of Bolivar, alt. 1615 m., November 15-17, 1944, Julian<br />
A. Steyermark 60238.<br />
Very well marked by the tall culms, broad, stiff, elongated leaves<br />
and bracts subtending the subumbellate inflorescence with simple<br />
thick branches, large smooth achenes with long beak, and glabrous<br />
floral scales.<br />
i-1).
52 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Tribe<br />
SCLERIAE<br />
Scleria tepuiensis Core, sp. nov. 7<br />
Rhizomate ligneo, squamis atro-rubris intecto; culmo 1-2 m. alto,<br />
triquetro; foliis 30 era. longis, 5-12 ram. latis, glabris, rigidis, costa<br />
subtus et margintbus scabris; vaginis glabris, triquetris; ligula<br />
abbreviata, rotundata; paniculis 5-15 cm. longis, purpurascentibus,<br />
densis; bracteis foliaceis; spiculis masculis longe pedicellatis,<br />
numerosis; spiculis foemineis paucis, in ramorum basi subsessilibus;<br />
squamis masculis anguste mucronatis; squamis foemineis lanceolatis;<br />
hypogynio sine lob is; achaenio albo, 2-3 mm. longo, hirtello,<br />
obtuse trigono. Scleriae cyperinae proxime affinis.<br />
Rhizome thick, hard, nodose; culms slender, shining, the angles<br />
smooth or somewhat roughened; leaves chartaceous, scabrous on the<br />
margins and main veins beneath; sheaths smooth or somewhat roughened<br />
on the angles, wingless or very narrowly winged; ligule rotundtriangular,<br />
with a thin, scarious margin (not appendaged); panicles<br />
terminal, single, or with additional smaller ones in the upper axils,<br />
ovate to ovate-rotund, dense, much-branched, brown-purple, rachis<br />
scabrous, the branches short, divergent; bracts about 3, exceeding<br />
the inflorescence; bractlets linear-setaceous; staminate spikelets<br />
numerous, linear, 5-6 mm. long, on slender peduncles 5-6 mm. long;<br />
pistillate spikelets solitary at the bases of the branches; staminate<br />
scales narrow, purplish; pistillate scales glabrous, purplish; hypogynium<br />
rigid, wrinkled, white, the lobes none or very obscure;<br />
achene white or sometimes purplish-tinged.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., isotype in herb. West Virginia<br />
<strong>University</strong>, collected on summit of Cerro Duida, Savanna Hills,<br />
Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 1025-1200 m., September 2, 1944,<br />
Julian A. Steyermarh 58232. Also collected in same locality, Tate<br />
738 (NY). BRITISH GUIANA: Paulo, near Mt. Roraima, alt. 4000<br />
Tate 152 (NY).<br />
ft.,<br />
This species is closely related to S. cyperina, to which the Tate<br />
specimens had been doubtfully referred. It differs in lacking the<br />
pronounced lobes of the hypogyniura characteristic of that species,<br />
and also in the nature of the ligule, which is chartaceous throughout<br />
in S. cyperina, but membranaceous-margined in S. tepuiensis. The<br />
leaves in the latter species also average somewhat narrower, at<br />
least in the specimens observed. Only two other known members of<br />
the section Hymenolytrum, in addition to S. tepuiensis, lack the<br />
large, conspicuous, scarious appendage to the ligule found in most<br />
members of that section. The third species, S. grandis, is a very<br />
robust plant with leaves 18-35 mm. wide.<br />
The specific epithet refers to its occurrence on sandstone mesas<br />
of Venezuela and British Guiana, which are known locally as tepuis.<br />
tj<br />
By Earl L. Core
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 53<br />
Tribe CRYPTANGIEAE (LA GENOCARPEAE) 8<br />
Exochogyne amazonica C.B.Clarke, var. esmeraldensis Gilly, var.nov.<br />
Perennis, rhizome brevissime repens; folia basalia 4-6, vaginae<br />
ad 6 cm. longae dense et minute pilosulae, lamina linear! ad 20 cm.<br />
longa et 1.5 mm. lata, glabra marginibus inferioribus sparse hirsutulociliolatis<br />
excepte; culmi floriferi glabri erecti graciles, cum inflorescentia<br />
ad 12 cm. alti; inflorescentia ad 3 cm. longa, bractea<br />
subfoliacea acuminata, inferioribus ad 4 cm. longis, medioribus ad<br />
1.2 cm. longis, glabra, marginibus inferioribus dense albo-ciliatis<br />
excepte; spicae bisexualae, cum spiculae masculae 2-4 et foemineae<br />
2 vel 3; spiculae masculae 7-9 mm. longae et 0.5-0.7 mm. latae,<br />
glumis vacuis 2 ovatis vel lanceolato-ovatis glabris, ad 2 mm.<br />
longis, glumis fertilibus 2 vel 3 lineari-lanceolatis glabris vel<br />
sparse pubescentibus ad apicem; stamina a gluma fertile subtenta 2,<br />
filamentis persistentibus; spiculae foemineae ad 2 mm. longae,<br />
glumis 3-5 ovatis glabris, 1-2 mm. longis; achaenium breviter stipitatum<br />
glabrum laeve bisulcatum oblongo-quadrangulatum sublenticulare,<br />
cum rostro laevi et inflato-clavato ad 2 mm. longum; rostro<br />
quam corpore achaenii dimidio breviore; squamellae hypogynae<br />
nullae; stylus bifidus, stigmatibus brunneis ad 3 mm. longis.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., isotype in herb. Iowa State<br />
College, collected on dry savanna between Esmeralda Savanna and<br />
southeastern base of Cerro Duida, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt.<br />
200 m., August 22, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57805.<br />
The typical phase of the species is a more robust plant with<br />
longer leaves, larger inflorescences, and with 6 or more staminate<br />
spikelets in each spike, originally collected from a tributary of the<br />
Rio Madeira in the southwestern part of the Amazon basin. The<br />
several previously described "species" of this genus which is thus<br />
far known only from 6 or 7 collections from isolated Amazonian<br />
savannas appear to represent minor variants of a single species.<br />
Exochogyne Steyermarkii Gilly, sp. nov.<br />
Perennis, subrhizomatis vel caespitosis; folia basalia 4-6, vaginae<br />
ad 10 cm. longae sparse et minute adpresso-pilosulae, laminis<br />
linearibus ad 40 cm. longis et 1 mm. latis, glabris vel subtus sparse<br />
strigillosis; inflorescentia ad 10 cm. longa, bractea inferiore foliacea<br />
ad 18 cm. longa et 1 mm. lata, bracteis medioribus ad 1.5 cm. longis<br />
et 1 mm. latis, glabra e vagina minute strigillosa excepta; spicae<br />
bisexualae, cum spiculae masculae 2 vel 3 et spiculae foemineae<br />
2 vel 3; spiculae masculae 4-5.5 mm. longae et 0.3-0.5 ram. latae,<br />
glumis vacuis 1 vel 2 lanceolatis vel ellipticis glabris, ad 2 mm.<br />
longis, glumis fertilibus 2 vel 3 linearibus vel lineari-lanceolatis<br />
glabris, ad 5.5 mm. longis; stamina a gluma fertile subtenta 2,<br />
8<br />
By Charles L. Gilly
54 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
filaraentis persistentibus; spiculae foemineae ex vagina protrudens<br />
ad 2 mm. longae, glumis 2-4 ovatis glabris, 1-2 ram. longis; achaenium<br />
glabruro laeve marginatura sublenticulare oblongo-quadrangulatum<br />
vel cum rostro laevi et inflate ellipsoideum, ad 2.5 mm. longum;<br />
squamellae hypogynae nullae; stylus bifidus, stigmatibus brunneis<br />
ad 2 mm. longis (Fig. 6, m).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., isotype in herb. Iowa State<br />
College, collected in swampy woods, between Esmeralda Savanna<br />
and southeastern base of Cerro Duida, Territorio Federal Amazonas,<br />
alt. 200 m., August 22, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57820.<br />
This species differs from all the other known species of the genus<br />
in the narrowness and small size of the inflorescence bracts. With<br />
regard to the small number of pistillate spikelets, this species is<br />
most nearly like E. megalorrhyncha Tutin, but in glabrity and cespitose<br />
habit it is more nearly like E. amazonica C. B. Clarke.<br />
Cephalocarpus Steyermarkii Gilly, sp. nov.<br />
Caulis gracilis ramosus, ad 10 cm. altus; folia linearia acuta<br />
bicarinata sparse pilosa, 8-20 cm. longa et 1.5-2 mm. lata; culmi<br />
floriferi solitarii in axillibus foliorum, 4-8 cm. alti; inflorescentia<br />
capitata multispiculata; bracteae inferiores inflorescentiam subtendentes<br />
ad 2 cm. longae, dense vel sparse pilosae; spiculae<br />
masculae 4-5 mm. longae, ad 1 mm. diam.; glumis vacuis 3-5, lanceolatis<br />
mucronatis glabris vel mucrone sparse pilosis, glumis sta minibus<br />
2-3, lanceolatis acutis hyalinis glabris; antherae 2.75-3 mm.<br />
longae; spiculae foemineae 4-5 mm. longae, glumis 5-8, lanceolatis<br />
acuminato-mucronatis glabris vel mucrone sparse pilosis; achaenium<br />
subteretium obovoideum glabrum stramineum, 1.75-2 mm. longum, ad<br />
1 mm. diam., rostro 1-1.5 mm. longo persistenti sparse pubescente;<br />
squamellae hypogynae ovato-orbiculares, ciliis subcopiosis quam<br />
corpore achaenii 4- vel 3-plo brevioribus.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., isotype in herb. Iowa State<br />
College, collected in shaded spots in scrubby forest on rocky open<br />
portion of plateau on south east- facing slopes, Ptari-tepui' state of<br />
Bolivar, alt. 1600 m., November 1, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
59640', south-facing slopes, Ptari-tepui', alt. 1800-1900 m., Steyermark<br />
59800.<br />
A member of the subgenus Neocephalocarpus, most closely related<br />
to C. longibracteatus Gilly, but approaching C. lineariifolius Gilly<br />
in length and narrowness of leaves. The several specimens examined<br />
vary considerably in the length to which the branched stem<br />
has developed.<br />
Everardia montata Ridley, var. pilosa Gilly, var.<br />
nov.<br />
A plantae typicae differt marginibus foliorum albo-pilosis copiosis;<br />
culmis floriferis dense albo-pilosis; bracteis paniculis secundariis<br />
subtendentibus cum vaginae dense et minute pubescentibus; achaenio
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 55<br />
cum corpore 3 mm. iongo et 1 mm. lato et cum rostro minute pubescent!<br />
2.5 mm. Iongo.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., isotype in herb. Iowa State<br />
College, collected on summit of Cerro Duida, on high moist ridge top,<br />
Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 1820-2075 m., September 4, 1944,<br />
Julian A. Steyermark 58318,<br />
The typical phase of the species<br />
the series of cerros.<br />
is known from the eastern end of<br />
I<br />
verardia ptariensis Gilly, sp. nov.<br />
Caulis brevis; folia ad 10.5 cm. longa, ad basim 8-10 mm. lata,<br />
glabra, margine et costa scabridulo-ciliolata excepta, margine<br />
revoluta; culmi floriferi laxe adscendentes, cum inflorescentia ad<br />
6 dm. alti; vagina vacua ad basim 1.5 mm. longa, vaginae floriferae<br />
atro-brunneae vel rubro-brunneae glabrae lamina subaequantae;<br />
spiculae masculae 4-5.2 mm. longae, glumis vacuis 3-5, ovatis<br />
mucronulatis ciliolatis ad apicem, glumis staminibus 2-4, oblongis<br />
vel oblongo-lanceolatis glabris acutis vel truncatis et erosis ad<br />
apicem; spiculae foemineae 3-4 mm. longae, glumis 4-6 ovatis ciliolatis<br />
mucronulatis vel mucronatis; achaenium glabrum stramineum<br />
vel pallid o-brunneum ellipsoideum, 0.8-1 mm. diam. cum rostro 3.5<br />
mm. longum; rostro conico glabro, quam corpore achaenii 3-plo brevioribus;<br />
squamellae hypogynae minute suborbiculares, ciliis copiosis<br />
quam corpore achaenii 3-vel 4-plo brevioribus; stigmata gracilia<br />
atrobrunnea.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., isotype in herb. Iowa State<br />
College, collected on forested south-facing slopes overlying sandstone<br />
on "Cave Rock" above "Cave Camp", Ptari-tepui, state of<br />
Bolivar, alt. 1810 m., October 29, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59496.<br />
Allied to E. montana Ridley in vegetative habit, but differing<br />
markedly in the very slender, much elongated flowering culms and in<br />
the structure of the achene.<br />
Everardia Steyertnarkii Gilly, sp. nov.<br />
Caulis robustus ramosus, ad 2.8 dm. altus, vaginis persistentibus<br />
fibrilosis tecta; folia ad 4.3 dm. longa et 3-3.5 mm. lata, plana vel<br />
bicarinata ad apicem linearia dense albo-pilosa vel albo-lanata et<br />
tarde glabrata; culmi floriferi erecti lanati, cum inflorescentia ad<br />
3.5 dm. alti, vagina vacua ad basim 2.5-3 cm. longa, vaginae floriferae<br />
atrobrunneae albo-pilosae lamina subaequantae; spiculae<br />
raasculae 5-6.5 mm. longae, glumis vacuis 4-7, ovatis vel lanceolatoovatis<br />
mucronatis glabris, glumis staminibus 2-4, lanceolatis vel<br />
oblongo-lanceolatis acutis glabris; antherae ad 3.5 mm. longae;<br />
spiculae foemineae, omnes ad apicem inflorescentiae dispositae,<br />
jam deficientes; achaenium ignotum.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., isotype in herb. Iowa State<br />
College, in Brocchinia-Stegolepis-H eliamphora swamp on southwest-
56 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
facing shoulder, Ptari-tepui^ state of Bolivar, alt. 2200 m., November<br />
2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59781.<br />
So far as vegetative habit is concerned, this is the most distinctive<br />
species in the genus. It is most closely allied with E. angusta<br />
N. E. Brown and .<br />
gracilis Gilly, two species known only from<br />
Mount Roraima.<br />
Lagenocarpus bifidus Gilly, sp. nov.<br />
Caulis ignotus; folia lanceolato-linearia plana glabra glauca<br />
rigido-coriacea ad 9 dm. longa, ad basim 2 cm. lata et ad medium<br />
1-1.3 cm. lata, marginibus antrorse hispido-serratis; culmi floriferi<br />
triangulares glabri, cum inflorescentia ad 1.2 m. alti; inflores cent ia<br />
interrupta e paniculis secundariis pluribus composita; spiculae<br />
masculae ad 2.8 mm. longae in paniculis inferioribus laxe aggregatis,<br />
glumis vacuis 4-6, lanceolatis acutis vel mucronatis glabris, glumis<br />
staminibus 4-8, lanceolatis vel oblongo- lanceolatis subacutis vel<br />
erosis ad apicem; spiculae foemineae uniflorae ad 4.5 mm. longae<br />
paucae in paniculis superioribus rigidioribus congestae, glumis 6-8,<br />
ovatis vel orbiculato-ovatis bifidis et aristatis ad apicem, aristae<br />
ad 1.5 mm. longae hispidae; achaenium rubro-brunneum ovoideum<br />
glabrum lucidum et subrugosum tricostatum, cum rostro conico 3.5<br />
mm. longum; rostro quam corpore achaenii subaequantes; squamellae<br />
hypogynae deltoideae minute ciliolatae ad 0.2 mm. longae; stylo<br />
trifido.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., isotype in herb. Iowa State<br />
College, collected on Gran Sabana, between Divina Pastora on Rio<br />
Kukena'n and Santa Elena, south of Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar,<br />
ak. 915-1005 m., October 3, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59302.<br />
Resembles L. diffusus Gilly in the bifid and aristate pistillate<br />
glumes, but near L. tremulus Nees in characters of the achenes.<br />
Lagenocarpus diffusus Gilly, sp. nov.<br />
Caulis brevis lignosus ad 2 cm. diam., vaginis persistentibus<br />
laceratis tecta; folia grisea lanceolato-linearia plana glabra rigidocoriacea<br />
acuta, ad 9.5 dm. longa, ad basim 1.8 cm. lata et ad medium<br />
1 cm. lata, marginibus antrorse hispido-serratis; culmi floriferi<br />
robusti glabri, cum inflorescentia ad 1.4 dm. alti; inflorescentia<br />
interrupta e paniculis secundariis pluribus composita; spiculae<br />
masculae ad 3.5 mm. longae numerosae in paniculis inferioribus<br />
laxe diffusis aggregatis, glumis vacuis 3-5, lanceolatis vel oblongolanceolatis<br />
minute bifidis ad apicem mucronatis vel mucronulatis<br />
ciliolatis, glumis staminibus 4-8, lanceolatis acutis erosis et ciliolatis;<br />
antherae 1.7 mm. longae; spiculae foemineae uniflorae ad 3.5<br />
mm. longae, paucae in paniculis superioribus rigidioribus confertis,<br />
glumis 4-6 ciliolatis ovatis vel orbiculato-ovatis, ad apicem bifidis<br />
et aristatis, aristis ad 1.5 mm. longis; achaenium glabrum laeve<br />
conico-ellipsoideum trisulcatum ad basim, cum rostro laevi truncate
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 57<br />
ad 2.5 ram. longum et ad 1.5 mm. diam.; squamellae hypogynae triangulares,<br />
ad 0.5 mm. longae, marginibus laevibus nee ciliolatis;<br />
stylo crifido.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., isotype in herb. Iowa State<br />
College, collected on summit of Cerro Duida, Savanna Hills, Territorio<br />
Federal Amazonas, alt. 1025-1200 m., September 2, 1944,<br />
Julian A. Steyermark 58218.<br />
Allied to L. Spruce* H. Pfeiffer and L. guianensis Nees, but<br />
differing from them in the bifid and aristate glumes and in the characters<br />
of the achene.<br />
Lagenocarpus glomerulatus Gilly, sp. nov.<br />
Subcaespitosa,caulibus brevibus, vaginis persistentibus reticulatofibratis<br />
tecta; folia 6.5 dm. longa et ad 7 mm. lata linearia plana vel<br />
bicarinata ad apicem glabra vel hispidulosa; culmi floriferi triangulari<br />
glabri, cum inflorescentia ad 6 dm. alti; inflorescentia interrupta,<br />
bracteae paniculis secundarius subtendentes cum vaginae breves et<br />
laminae vaginorum 10- a 30-plo longioribus; spiculae masculae 2.5<br />
mm. longae glomerulatae, 7-15 aggregatae conjunctim in paniculis<br />
inferioribus laxe confertae, glumis vacuis 2-4, ovatis vel lanceolatoovatis<br />
mucronatis glabris, margine ciliolatis exceptis, glumis staminibus<br />
6-15, lanceolatis vel lineato-lanceolatis acutis vel erosis et<br />
ciliolatis ad apicem; antherae ad 1.2 mm. longae; spiculae foemineae<br />
uniflorae ad 3.5 mm. longae, solitariae vel geminae in paniculis<br />
superioribus paucifloris rigidis in struct is, glumis 5-8, ovatis oblongoovatis<br />
vel late ellipticis ciliolatis truncatis vel minute bifidis et<br />
mucronatis ad apicem; achaenium late ellipsoideum subteretium<br />
rubro-brunneum vadose trisulcatum subrugulosum et alveolarum, 2<br />
mm. diara. et cum rostro laevi stramineo 3.5 mm. longum; rostro<br />
minute pubescente ad apicem, quam corpore achaenii 3-plo brevioribus;<br />
squamellae hypogynae late orbiculares vel quadrangulares ad<br />
0.5 mm. longae ciliolatae et albo-pilosae; cilii quam squamellae<br />
subaequantes; stylo trifido, stigmata rosea vel rubro-brunnea.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., isotype in herb. Iowa State<br />
College, collected on rocks along Rio Karuai between Santa Teresita<br />
de Kavanayen and base of Ptari-tepuf, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m.,<br />
November 18, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60340.<br />
A very distinctive species apparently related, at least in the<br />
characters of the achene and the staminate spikelets, to L. rigidus<br />
Nees of eastern Brazil, but differing markedly from that species in<br />
foliage and type of inflorescence.<br />
Lagenocarpus sabanensis Gilly, sp. nov.<br />
Subcaespitosa, caulibus brevibus lignosis, vaginis persistentibus<br />
laceratis tecta; folia linearia plana ad 4 dm. longa et 5 mm. lata,<br />
dense minute pubescentia supra et infra, marginibus minute hispiduloscabratis;<br />
culmi floriferi canaliculati dense adpresso-villosuli, cum
58 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
inflorescentia ad 1.2 m. alti; inflorescentia interrupta, bracteis<br />
paniculis secundariis subtendentibus cum vaginae minute hispidopubescentiae<br />
et laminae adpresso-villosulae; spiculae masculae ad<br />
4.5 mm. longae in paniculis inferioribus laxe aggregatis, glumis<br />
vacuis 5-8 minute pubescentibus oblongo-ovatis vel ovatis ad apicem<br />
truncatis vel subtruncatis aristatis, glumis staminibus 4-6 glabris<br />
lanceolatis vel lineari-lanceolatis acutis; spiculae foemineae uniflorae<br />
ad 4 mm. longae, paucae in paniculis superioribus rigidioribus<br />
dispositis, glumis 6-9 minute pubescentibus ovatis vel quadrangulato-ovatis<br />
ad apicem truncatis vel sub-bifidis et aristatis;<br />
achaenium flavo-brunneura ovoideura glabrum laeve trisulcatum, cum<br />
rostro conico laevi ad 4 mm. longum; rostro quam corpore achaenii<br />
subaequantes; squamellae hypogynae lanceolatae vel lanceolatodeltoideae<br />
ad marginern minute erosae, 0.8-0.9 mm. longae; stylo<br />
trifido atrobrunneo vel rubro-brunneo.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., isotype in herb. Iowa State<br />
College, collected on Sabana Grande, at southeastern base of Cerro<br />
Duida, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 200 m., August 23, 1944,<br />
Julian A. Steyermark 57855. Apparently most closely related to<br />
L guianensis Lindl. & Nees, but differing in the more slender habit,<br />
narrower leaves, general distribution of pubescence, and details of<br />
the spikelets and achenes.<br />
Lagenocarpus Steyermarkii Gilly, sp. nov.<br />
Caulis brevis lignosus ad 1 cm. diam., vaginis persistentibus<br />
reticulato-fibratis tecta; folia argenteo-grisea scabro-hispidae supra<br />
linearia rigida ad 5.5 dm. longa et 1 cm. lata, marginibus antrorse<br />
hispido-serratis; culmi floriferi obtuse triangulares, cum inflorescentia<br />
interrupta ad 9 dm. alti; spiculae masculae 3.5 mm. longae<br />
numerosae in paniculis inferioribus dense congestis, glumis vacuis<br />
2-4, ovatis vel oblongo-ovatis hispid ulo-puberulentibus acutis et<br />
mucronatis vel mucronulatis, glumis staminibus 3-6, lanceolatis<br />
vel oblongo-lanceolatis pube rule nti bus acutis vel erosis ad apicem;<br />
antherae 1.5 mm. longae, filamentis persistentibus; spiculae foemineae<br />
uniflorae ad 3.5 mm. longae, paucae in paniculis parvis superioribus<br />
rigidioribus congestis, glumis 5-8, hispidulo-puberulentibus<br />
ovatis subacutis et subemarginatis et mucronulatis; achaenium<br />
ellipsoideum stramineum glabrum subrugulosum et trisulcatum ad<br />
basira, 1.8 mm. diam. cum rostro lacunoso laevi 3.5 mm. longum;<br />
rostro quam corpore achaenii subaequantes; squamellae hypogynae<br />
triangulares ad 0.3 ram. longae, ciliis paucis et minutissimis;<br />
stylo trifido.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., isotype in herb. Iowa State<br />
College, collected in sandy wet ground with Stegolepis and Brocchinia<br />
on large mesa, between Mission of Santa Teresita de Kavanaye'n<br />
and RYo Karuai, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., October 26,<br />
1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59363.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 59<br />
Allied to L. guianensis Nees in characters of the glumes and<br />
inflorescence bracts, and to L. tremulus Nees in characters of the<br />
achenes; amply differing from both of these species in the short and<br />
narrow leaves and the congested secondary panicles of the inflorescence.<br />
Pseudoeverardia Gilly, gen. nov.<br />
Herba perennis terrestris vel epiphytica dioica; folia tristichoimbricata<br />
persistentia; culmi solitarii in axillibus foliorum; inflorescentia<br />
mascula multispiculata, spiculis confertis; spiculae masculae<br />
aggregatae, glumis exterioribus vacuis 4-6, glumis interioribus<br />
staminibus 3-8; stamina a gluma fertile subtenta 1-3, filamentis<br />
persistentibus, antheris apiculato-mucronatis; inflorescentia foerainea<br />
elongata verticillata; spiculae foemineae solitariae vel geminae,<br />
glumis 6-8; achaenium subteretium tricostatum, rostro brevi; periantho<br />
trifido, lobis membranaceis ad marginem laceratis; stylo<br />
trifido.<br />
Type species: Pseudoeverardia flexifolia (Gilly) Gilly.<br />
Most closely related to the genera Everardia Ridley and Cephalocarpus<br />
Nees, but differing from both in being dioecious and in the<br />
type of achene, achene beak, and perianth scales; also differing<br />
from Everardia (but not from Cephalocarpus) in having only 1-3<br />
stamens in each starainate flower.<br />
Pseudoeverardia flexifolia (Gilly) Gilly, comb. nov. et descr. ampl.<br />
Didymiandrum flexifolium Gilly,<br />
1941.<br />
Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 68: 331.<br />
Planta mascula: caulibus ad 3 mm. latis et 3 dm. altis, vaginis<br />
persistentibus tarde fibrillosis tecta; folia 1.5-6.5 dm. longa, 1.5-2.2<br />
mm. lata, linearia acute plana ad basim et bicarinata supra medium,<br />
dense villoso-pubescentia vel tarde glabrata; culmi floriferi rigidi<br />
erecti minute pubescentes, cum inflorescentia ad 3 dm. alti; spiculae<br />
masculae 5 mm. longae, glabrae aggregatae, glumis vacuis 4-6,<br />
ovatis acutis vel sub-bifidis mucronatis, mucrone ad 1 mm. longo,<br />
glumis staminibus 6-8, lanceolatis; antherae 2-2.5 mm. longae.<br />
Planta foeminea: caulibus et foliis planta mascula simulans; culmi<br />
floriferi rigidi erecti, cum inflorescentia ad 1.5 dm. alti; spiculae<br />
foemineae solitarii vel geminae ad apicem pedicellorum, verticillatae,<br />
3.5-5 mm. longae et ad 1 mm. diam., glumis 6-8, glabris exterioribus<br />
ovatis vel triangulo-ovatis mucronatis, interioribus lanceolatis<br />
vel lanceolato-ovatis acutis vel mucronulatis; achaenium brunneum<br />
tricostatum obovoideum minute pubescentium supra medium, ad 1 mm.<br />
diam., cum rostro 2.8 mm. longum; rostro obtuso-conico stramineo<br />
dense et minute pubescenti, 0.5 mm. longo; squamellae hypogynae<br />
3, membranaceae hyalinae ad apicem lacerato-erosae, ad 0.7 mm.<br />
longae; stylo trifido, stigmatibus gracilibus brunneis vel rubrobrunneis.
60 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, isotype in U.S. National<br />
Herbarium, collected on summit of Cerro Duida, epiphyte on bark of<br />
tree, flat near stream at Central Camp, alt. 4800 ft., December 20-28,<br />
1928, Tate 542, staminate plants; common as ground cover on dry<br />
slopes throughout Brocchinia Hills, alt. 1700-1980 m., September 1,<br />
1944, Steyermark 58194b. (F), staminate plants; growing with the<br />
preceding, Steyermark 581 94a. (F), pistillate plants.<br />
At the time when I described the genus Didymiandrum y<br />
based on<br />
D. stellatum (Boeckl.) Gilly, I reluctantly placed this species (then<br />
known only from staminate plants) in that genus for lack of any other<br />
suitable place.<br />
It is peculiarly satisfying to be able to dispose of<br />
this species in a satisfactory manner at the present time, now that<br />
both staminate and pistillate plants are available.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 61<br />
Tribe<br />
CARICEAE<br />
Uncinia meridensis Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Stolonifera; culmis 1-7 cm. altis, 1-1.5 mm. lads, obscure trigonis<br />
glabris; foliis patentibus quam culmis multo brevioribus, rigidis<br />
subcoriaceis, 3-5.5 cm. longis, 1.5-3-5 mm. lads, marginibus et<br />
costa infedore superioreque scabrido-serrulatis; spicis lanceolatoellipdcis<br />
vel clavato-ellipdcis androgynis densifloris, 12-20 mm.<br />
longis, 2-2.5 mm. lads, parte mascula brevissima; squamis foemineis<br />
ovatis subacuds vel subobtusis, plerumque glabris, marginibus<br />
brunneis aliter pallido-viridibus, 5.5-7 mm. longis, 3.5-4 mm. latis;<br />
squamis inferioribus adstatis, adsta 6.5 mm. longa, scabrido-ciliata ;<br />
utriculis ellipdcis, basi et apice angustads, infra glabris, superne<br />
scabrido-hispidulis stramineis vel pallidis, 5-5.5 mm. longis, 1.5<br />
mm. latis, tenuiter et obscure pauce nervatis; stylo basi paullo incrassato;<br />
achaenio quam utriculo multo breviore, 2.5 mm. longo;<br />
rhachilla secundada utriculo subduplo superante uncinata glabra<br />
recta.<br />
Leaves grass green, conspicuously scabdd-serrulate on margins<br />
and midrib of lower surface, minutely and inconspicuously scabridulous<br />
on midnerve of upper surface, complicate at base, otherwise<br />
plane; spikes 10-flowered, glabrous except for minutely eroseciliolate<br />
margins about apex, subcoriaceous, closely appressed,<br />
imbricate, persistent, 3-nerved, mostly exceeding the perigynia;<br />
rachilla 7.5-8 mm. long, the exserted portion 4-4.5 mm. long; stigmas<br />
3, exserted, reddish-brown (Fig. 7, k-m).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on margin of alpine<br />
lake at El Aguila above Pa'ramo de Mucuchies, state of Me'rida,<br />
alt. 4025 m., July 6, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57039. Also collected<br />
along rocky lake shore, near upper limit of paramo, between<br />
Chachopo and Los Apartaderos, state of Merida, alt. 3930 m.,<br />
Steyermark 55875.<br />
Easily distinguished by the dwarf habit, very short culms, leaves,<br />
and spikes. Most closely related to /. brevicaulis var. macloviana<br />
f. montana (Phil.) Kuk. ((/. macloviana var. montana) of Chile and<br />
Patagonia, from which it is distinguished by the practically nonciliate<br />
scales, shorter culms and leaves, scales longer than or<br />
equaling the perigynia, and margins of the perigynia not hispidulous<br />
in the lower 2/3.<br />
This is a most remarkable plant, there being no locality previously<br />
recorded between Venezuela and Chile for a species of the I,<br />
brevicaulis affinity. This is a similar case to that of the composite<br />
Lagenophora, originally known in South America from Chile and<br />
Argentina, and later discovered on the paramos of Venezuela (Steyermark<br />
57507), described by Badillo as L. andina. It also simulates<br />
the distribution of another cyperaceous genus, Oreobolus, in which<br />
a new species has been found recently in Venezuela (Steyermark
62 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
57198), which is related to one originally described from Chile and<br />
Argentina, and more recently collected in Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia.<br />
Remaining species of Lagenophora, Oreobolus, and some species<br />
of i ncinia are encountered in Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania,<br />
the Sandwich Islands, Borneo, New Guinea, and (or) the<br />
Hawaiian Islands. Such distributions reveal ancient geological<br />
connections, and indicate that these isolated paramo-inhabiting<br />
FIGURE 7<br />
A, Carex roraimensis. Achene (X 6); B, Carex roraimensis. Perigynium,<br />
ventral view (X 7); C, Carex roraimensis. Perigynium, dorsal<br />
view (X 7); D, Carex culmenicola. Achene (X 9); E, Carex culmenicola.<br />
Perigynium (X 7); F, Carex culmenicola. Pistillate scale (X 5);<br />
G, Carex culmenicola. Pistillate scale (X 5); H, Carex turumiquirensis.<br />
Achene (X 7); I, Carex turumiquirensis. Perigynium, ventral<br />
view (X 7); J, Carex turumiquirensis. Perigynium, dorsal view (X 7);<br />
K, Uncinia meridensis. Perigynium (X 7); L, i ncinia meridensis.<br />
Achene with perigynium removed (X 7); M, i ncinia meridensis.<br />
Pistillate scale (X 4).
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 63<br />
species may go back a long time in geological history<br />
original segregation and ancestral home.<br />
for their<br />
Vesicarex Steyermark, gen. nov.<br />
Folia evaginantia, ligulo marginibus cartilagineis. Flores dioicae.<br />
Stigmata 2. Stylus rectus. Squamae cucullatae incurvatae, infra<br />
apicem coalescentes, hyalinae. Flores foemineae cacumene appendiculata<br />
carnosa. Perigynia 2-parietina.<br />
Leaves sheathless, ligules grass-like with cartilaginous margins.<br />
Flowers dioecious. Stigmas 2. Style straight, persistent at base.<br />
Scales cucullate-incurved, margins joined below apex, hyaline.<br />
Pistillate flowers subsessile, the summit of perigynium crowned by a<br />
whitish fleshy somewhat lobed appendage. Perigynia with the pericarp<br />
apparently 2-layered, separating at maturity into a whitish<br />
somewhat thickened inner membrane, surrounding the achene, and a<br />
firmer outer layer.<br />
The generic name, from vesiculus or vesica, refers to the extra<br />
sac-like membrane or inner layer of the pericarp which encloses the<br />
achene.<br />
Vesicarex collumanthus Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Planta caespitosa acaulescens vel subacaulescens; foliis glaucis<br />
caeruleo-viridibus patentibus, supra sulcatis, subtus prominente<br />
costatis, 1.3 cm. longis, 1-2.5 mm. latis, glabris vel marginibus et<br />
costa inferiore scabridis; ligulo ore brunneo obtuso; floribus foemineis<br />
subsessilibus; spiculis capitulis ovoideis 4-floris, 4 mm. longis,<br />
2 mm. latis; squamis flores subtendentibus hyalinis, 3.75-5.5 mm.<br />
longis, 3 ram. latis, ovatis cuspidatis; appendice 0.5 mm. longo; perigyniis<br />
subcapitatis congestis terminalibus, 4.5-5.5 mm. longis, 1.5-<br />
2.25 mm. latis, plano-convex is, biconvexis, vel obscure trigonis,<br />
2-angulatis, elliptico-oblongis, glabris basi rotundatis, sensira in<br />
rostrum attenuatis, ore bidentato; achaenio lenticulari-subtereti vel<br />
trigono, ovato- vel late oblongo-elliptico, 2-3 mm. longo, 1.2-1.5 mm.<br />
lato, superne et infeme angustato, minute puncticulato.<br />
Plant in dense rosettes; leaves subcoriaceous, complicate, the<br />
lower crowded portions of the sheathless leaves subimbricate,<br />
membranaceous, whitish, 10-nerved; orifice conspicuously protruded<br />
upward; pistillate flowers subsessile or shortly pedicellate, the<br />
pedicels about 0.5 mm. long; spikelets terminal; pistillate scales<br />
with central midrib prominent, the other 2 lateral nerves scarcely<br />
prominent, shorter than the perigynia, but as broad as and clasping<br />
the perigynia at the base; perigynia firmly membranaceous, congested,<br />
fulvous- or olivaceous-brown, somewhat shining, faintly<br />
3-4-nerved on one side, rather obscurely or not nerved elsewhere;<br />
achene about half filling the perigynium, lenticular-subterete when<br />
immature, trigonous when mature, dark brown (Fig. 8, a-f).
64 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on margin of alpine<br />
lake at El Aguila, above Paramo de Mucuchies, state of Merida, alt.<br />
4025 m., July 6, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57040. Also collected<br />
near upper limit of paramo, around small lake, between Chachopo<br />
and Los Apartaderos, near El Aguila, state of Merida, alt. 3930 m.,<br />
April 16, 1944, Steyermark 55875a. Also collected on limestone<br />
outcrops of Paramo de Tama, near Colombian-Venezuelan boundary,<br />
FIGURE 8<br />
A, Vesicarex collumanthus. Pistillate scale (X 6); B, Vesicarex<br />
collumanthus. Perigynium (X 5); C, Vesicarex collumanthus.<br />
Achene (X 9); D, Vesicarex collumanthus. Pistillate flower (X 13);<br />
E, Vesicarex collumanthus. Appendage at summit of perigynium<br />
(X 30); F, Vesicarex collumanthus. Leaf with ligule and sheath<br />
(X 1.5); G, Carex larensis. Perigynium (X 9); H, Carex larensis.<br />
Achene (X 9); I, Carex tachirensis. Tip of leaf (highly magnified).<br />
J, Carex tachirensis. Margin of leaf (highly magnified; K, Carex<br />
tachirensis. Pistillate scale (X 8); L, Carex tachirensis; Perigynium<br />
(X 8), M, Carex tachirensis. Achene (X 8);
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 65<br />
state of Ta'chira, alt. 3045-3475 m., July 15, 1944, Steyermark 57370,<br />
fruiting specimen.<br />
The specific name refers to the collar-like apical appendage of<br />
the perigynium.<br />
This genus may be separated from Carex and related segregates,<br />
such as Cymophyllus (if that is considered generic), by the combination<br />
of sheathless leaves, the peculiar grass-like ligule with cartilaginous<br />
margin, cucullate-incurved scales with the margins joined<br />
below apex, apparently dioecious flowers, the peculiar whitish fleshy<br />
lobed appendage at the summit of the young perigynium, and the<br />
double-layered pericarp, which separates into an inner whitish membranous<br />
layer surrounding the achene, and the outer firm part of the<br />
pericarp proper. This inner layer becomes separated and stands<br />
between the achene and the perigynium proper at maturity, but in the<br />
younger flowers appears to be part of the inner part of the pericarp.<br />
The peculiar appendage crowning the perigynium appears to be<br />
separated from the perigynium proper, and not a direct continuation<br />
of it, such as the beak in Core*. In Carex I have not found this<br />
2-layered type of perigynium or the peculiar collar-like appendage<br />
which appears to be separate from the perigynium.<br />
Carex culmenicola Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Planta subcaespitosa; culmis 30-45 cm. altis, foliaceis, trigonis,<br />
glabris; foliis 15-30 cm. longis, 3-5 mm. latis, marginibus scabriduloserrulatis;<br />
spicis pluribus, superioribus masculinis, inferioribus<br />
foemineis, 4-8 cm. longis; bracteis foliaceis, erectis, 9-15 cm. longis,<br />
4 mm. latis, longe vaginatis, vagina 8-20 mm. longa; glumis masculis<br />
ovatis vel late oblongis, abrupte aristatis, 2.5-3.5 mm. longis, 1-1.5<br />
mm. latis; glumis foemineis late ovatis vel suborbiculari-ovatis,<br />
aristatis, 2.7-3 mm. longis, 1.5-1.8 ram. latis; stigmatibus 3; perigyniis<br />
trigonis, elliptic is, sensim in rostrum brevem scabridulum<br />
attenuatis, 3.25-3.5 mm. longis, 1 mm. latis, marginibus scabris, ore<br />
bidentato; achaenio trigono, elliptic o-oblongo, stipitato, 2 mm.<br />
longo, 0.75 mm. lato.<br />
Leaves erect, prominently sulcate on upper side along center;<br />
pistillate spikes on stout, erect peduncles, 4-8 cm. long, the rachis<br />
scabrid-serrulate; lowest bracts shorter or nearly equaling the upper<br />
spikes; sheaths tight, the truncate ligule up to 5 mm. long; staminate<br />
scales pale to stramineous-brown, with elongate streaks, the aristae<br />
serrulate-scabrid; pistillate scales 10-12-striate with pale striations,<br />
rufous-brown with whitish hyaline margins and pale midrib, speckled<br />
and streaked with reddish-brown; perigynia firm, closely enveloping<br />
the achene, not inflated, conspicuously thickened along margins, one<br />
side concave, the other two more or less plane, olivaceous-brown,<br />
longer than the subtending scales, 3-nerved ventrally, two of the<br />
margins scabrid from below the middle to apex of beak; beak about<br />
1 mm. long, nearly as long as or more than half as long as body;
66 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
style jointed to achene; achene long-stipitate, castaneous-brown, the<br />
sides concave (Fig. 7, d-g).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on rocky sandstone<br />
summit of eastern peak, Cerro Turumiquire, state of Sucre, alt. 2500<br />
m., May 6, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 62605.<br />
Apparently a member of the section E latae, and the second species<br />
of this section known from the western hemisphere, the other being<br />
C. Bermudiana Hemsl. From the latter this new species differs in<br />
the rootstocks not elongated, narrower and more branched pistillate<br />
spikes, shorter and fewer-ribbed perigynia scabrid on two of the<br />
margins from below the middle to the apex of the beak, smaller<br />
pistillate and staminate scales, and shorter achenes. Another related<br />
species is C. Dianas Steud. of the Island of St. Helena.<br />
Mackenzie 9 states that the group is "represented by numerous<br />
species in Africa and the islands adjacent. One Australian, one<br />
Asiatic, and two species in the temperate and warmer parts of<br />
Europe are also referred here. Represented in the western hemisphere<br />
by one very local species in Bermuda." The occurrence of<br />
this new species on a remote peak in eastern Venezuela adds another<br />
endemic, allied most closely to the two species, C. Bermudiana of<br />
Bermuda, and C. Dianae of St. Helena. It<br />
may possibly represent a<br />
survivor pointing to a former geological relationship between Europe,<br />
Africa, and South America.<br />
Carex larensis Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Planta caespitosa; culmis 3-3.5 mm. altis, 1.5 mm. latis, glabris;<br />
foliis 4-15 cm. longis, 3 mm. latis, marginibus scabrido-serrulatis;<br />
spicis 4-5, terminalibus masculis, ceteris foemineis; bracteis foliaceis,<br />
4-11 cm. longis, 2.5 mm. latis, longe vaginatis, vagina ventrali<br />
saepe paullo transverso-rugulosa et albo-hyalina; spiculis masculis<br />
solitariis anguste oblongis, 1 cm. longis; spiculis foemineis approximatis<br />
vel inferioribus remotis, late oblongis, 6-12 mm. longis, 5-6<br />
mm. latis, erectis; glumis foemineis late ovatis, obtusis vel acutis,<br />
2 mm. longis; stigmatibus 3; perigyniis obscure trigonis, ovatis vel<br />
elliptic o-ovoideis, 2-angulatis, paullo abrupte in rostrum sparse<br />
scabridulum contractis, 3 mm. longis, 1.5 mm. latis, glabris, patentoadscendentibus,<br />
ore bidentato; achaenio trigono obovato, substipitato,<br />
1.25-1.5 mm. longo,<br />
1<br />
mm. lato.<br />
Culms stiff, much exceeding the leaves; leaves more or less<br />
bunched at base, the well-developed blades many to a culm, not<br />
septate-nodulose, rather stiff; inflorescence 1.5-5.5 cm. long, of<br />
4-5 spikes, sessile, except for the lowest which is pedunculate;<br />
bracts exceeding the culms, the lowest the longest; sheaths smooth,<br />
concave at orifice with short ligule; pistillate spikes closely 30-45-<br />
flowered; pistillate scales shorter than the perigynium but about as<br />
'Mackenzie, K. K. N. Am. Fl. 18, part 5: 309. 1935.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 67<br />
wide, pale or ferruginous-brown, margins narrowly hyaline, the<br />
central portion broad, 3-nerved; perigynia firmly membra naceous,<br />
pale brown, olivaceous, or pale brownish-green below, prominently<br />
several-nerved, narrowed below to an obtuse or rounded base; beak<br />
1 mm. long and 1/2-3/8 length of perigynium, 1/2 or slightly over<br />
1/2 length of body; achene rounded and broadest above the middle,<br />
convex above, concave below, gray- or purplish-brown (Fig. 8, g-h).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in swampy meadow,<br />
between Buenos Aires and Paramo de las Rosas, state of Lara, alt.<br />
2285-3290 m., February 11, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 55470; also<br />
same locality, 55467. Vernacular name: "pajilla de montana".<br />
A member of Kukenthal's section Spirostachyae Drejer and treated<br />
by Mackenzie under section Extensae Fries, this species is related<br />
to C. extensa Good, and C. fuscula D'urv. From C. extensa it differs<br />
in the smaller achenes which are more conspicuously broadened<br />
above the middle, while from C. fuscula and varieties of southern<br />
South America it differs in the obtuse non-ciliate pistillate scales,<br />
and the smaller, obovate, upwardly broadened achenes. The achenes<br />
of C. extensa are described as being yellow-brown, and of C. fuscula<br />
as yellow-green, but ones with purple-brown color may also be found<br />
in those species.<br />
Steyermark 55467 is apparently a dwarfed plant of this species,<br />
but with shorter culms and leaves, shorter inflorescence, and smaller<br />
pistillate spikes.<br />
Carex roraimensis Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Planta caespitosa; culmis 70-80 cm. altis, trigonis, infra capitulum<br />
scabridulis, folia excedentibus; foliis 12-25 cm. longis, 2.5-3 mm.<br />
lads, marginibus minute serrulatis, vaginis ore productis; spicis<br />
gynaecandris subglobosis vel breve oblongis, 7-8 mm. longis, 4-5<br />
mm. latis; bractea erecta, 2.5-4 cm. longa, 0.5-1 mm. lata; glumis<br />
ovatis acutis, 2.8-3 mm. longis, pallide viridibus, perigyniis brevioribus;<br />
stigmatibus 2; perigyniis oblongo-lanceolatis, basi substipitatis,<br />
sensim in rostrum scabridulum attenuatis, marginibus paullo<br />
alatis, 3.5 mm. longis, 1.25-1.5 mm. latis, undique moderatim vel<br />
valde nervatis, pallide viridibus, ore bidentato; achaenio lenticular!,<br />
obovoideo-oblongi, substipitato, 2 mm. longo, 1 mm. la to.<br />
Sterile culms absent or poorly developed; fertile culms triquetrous;<br />
leaves erect-ascending, becoming foliose about 25 cm. above base,<br />
well-developed blades 5-6 to fertile culm; sheaths pale brown around<br />
orifice, rather tight and white-hyaline ventrally; inflorescence erect<br />
or slightly flexuous, 2-2.5 cm. long, 0.8-0.9 cm. wide; spikes 5-6,<br />
approximate, subclavate at base, rounded above, the basal staminate<br />
flowers few and inconspicuous; perigynia 12-20 in a spikelet, ascending;<br />
bract stiff, prolonged, equaling or longer than the inflorescence;<br />
scales pale greenish-white with a pale green center, narrowed above,<br />
exposing the upper part of the perigynia; perigynia concavo-convex,
68 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
the body widest just below the middle, membranaceous, pale to<br />
silvery green, tapering into a beak about equaling the length of the<br />
body, the beak flat, scabrid from middle to apex; style straight,<br />
slender, jointed with achene, at length deciduous; achene somewhat<br />
narrowed above, yellow-brown (Fig. 7, a-c).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in spongy soil with<br />
dense mats of vegetation in depression of morro, summit of Mount<br />
Roraima, on southern half of the summit between Summit Camp,<br />
Great Central Rift, Central Swamp, and pond at southern end, state<br />
of Bolivar, alt. 2700-2740 m., September 28, 1944, Julian A. Steycrmark<br />
58870.<br />
This species is characterized by the greenish-white perigynia and<br />
scales, perigynia broadest in lower half and relatively narrow<br />
achenes 2 mm. long, culms scabridulous below the heads, poorly<br />
developed sterile culms, and elongated bract of inflorescence. It is<br />
placed here in section Ovales, because of the wing-margined perigynium,<br />
which is not spongy-thickened at base.<br />
This is the second member of the group O vales to be recorded<br />
from South America, C. Longii Mack. (C. albolutescens) being the<br />
other. It is the first of the group belonging to the sections Festucaceae<br />
or Fetae, as treated by Mackenzie in the North American Flora,<br />
to be recorded from South America, since Mackenzie placed C. Longii<br />
in section Alatae.<br />
Although I have not seen the specimen, this is apparently the<br />
plant from the summit of Roraima (lie 8536) reported by Kukenthal,<br />
in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. 56. Beibl. 125: 25 (1921), as C. Bonplandii<br />
Kunth. However, careful study of our material shows that it is not<br />
C. Bonplandii, not even in the section to which that species belongs.<br />
From C. Longii this new species may be distinguished by the narrower<br />
perigynium, not broadest above the middle, the longer beak<br />
and achene. Its elongate bract, together with other characters of the<br />
perigynium, distinguishes it from C. tenera, C normalis, C, moles ta,<br />
and C. feta, all of which it resembles. From the members of the<br />
Athrostachyae and Cyperoideae, in which the bracts are either leaflike<br />
or conspicuously exceed the head, this species differs in the<br />
heads not congested, and either paler-colored scales, or different<br />
shape and size of perigynium. From C. foenea, which has an elongated<br />
bract of the inflorescence, this species differs in having the<br />
sterile culms poorly developed, narrower perigynia, larger achenes,<br />
and beak larger in proportion to the rest of the perigynium.<br />
Carex tachirensis Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Plarita caespitosa; culmis in anthesi 3*5-8 cm. altis, in fructu<br />
15 cm. altis, angulis scabridulis 2-bracteatis; foliis erectis, coriaceis,<br />
basi aggregates, linearibus, obtusis, 3-5 cm. longis, 1-1.5 mm. latis,<br />
marginibus et superne per margines partis canaliculatae subtilissime<br />
denseque setulosis evaginantibus; spica simplici androgyna, apice
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 69<br />
mascula anguste linear!, 11-17 mm. longa,<br />
1 mm. lata; bracteis 2,<br />
longe aristatis, bractea superiore 18 mm. longa, breve vaginata,<br />
bractea inferiore 17-25 mm. longa, vagina 6.5 mm. longa; glumis<br />
masculis ovatis, acumlnatis, 3 mm. longis, 1.2-2 mm. latis; glumis<br />
foemineis late ovatis vel lanceolatis, breve acuminatis vel longe<br />
aristatis, 3.5-7 mm. longis, 1.5 mm. latis, apice et marginibus superioribus<br />
parce setulosis, a liter glabris; stigmatibus 3; perigyniis<br />
obscure trigonis, lanceolato-ellipticis, breve stipitatis, 2-angulatis,<br />
14-nervatis, longe rostratis, 3.75 mm. longis, 1 mm. latis, glabris,<br />
ore bidentato; achaenio (immature) ellipcico-oblongo, longe stipitato.<br />
Leaves finely many-nerved, bases of the blades many-nerved and<br />
becoming fibrillose in age; spike pseudolateral, the staminate portion<br />
small, densely flowered, 5 mm. long, pistillate portion rather laxly<br />
flowered, 8-11 mm. long; staminate scales purplish-castaneous on<br />
outer margins, yellowish-green along midrib and central part, the<br />
margins incurved; lowest pistillate scales long-ari state, the awn<br />
3-3.5 mm. long and setulose on margins, all the scales 3-nerved, castaneous<br />
on outer margins, pale green along midrib and central part;<br />
stigmas short, about 1.5 mm. long; perigynia firmly membranaceous,<br />
with nerves raised on surface; achene (immature) about filling the<br />
perigynium, laterally compressed (Fig. 8, i-m).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on limestone outcrops<br />
of Paramo de Tama', near Colombian-Venezuelan boundary,<br />
state of Ta'chira, alt. 3045-3475 m., July 15, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
57367.<br />
A member of the subgenus Primocarex, as defined by Kukenthal,<br />
on account of the single terminal spike.<br />
It is a member of either<br />
section Circinatae or section Unciniae formes, but it is difficult to<br />
state whether the pistillate scales are quickly caducous or not.<br />
From C. anthoxanthea Presl and C. circinata C. A. Mey., of northern<br />
North America, this is distinguished by the cespitose rhizomes,<br />
acuminate pistillate and staminate scales, and short rigid leaves,<br />
while among the members of the section Unciniae formes its relationship<br />
would be closest to the bracteate-spiked subsection Aciculares,<br />
as defined by Kukenthal, and especially close to C. vallis pulchrae<br />
Phil, of Chile and Argentina because of the 3 stigmas. From this<br />
last species it differs in its narrowly linear, longer spike, and<br />
straight, not curved, culms.<br />
The outstanding characters of this new species are the combination<br />
of the narrowly linear, single, terminal, androgynous spike, 2-<br />
bracteate erect culms, short, erect, rigid, canaliculate, setulosemargined<br />
and channelled leaves, relatively long, bidentate beaks,<br />
glabrous, prominently nerved perigynia, short acuminate scales<br />
which are minutely setulose on upper margins and tips, and densely<br />
cespitose habit.
70 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Carex tamana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Stolonifera; culmis 10-50 cm. altis, foliaceis, glabris; foliis erectis,<br />
anguste linearibus, 10-40 cm. longis, 2-4.5 mm. latis, supra<br />
saepe scabridulis; spicis 4-5, terminalibus masculis, ceteris foemineis<br />
approximatis, erectis, sessilibus vel subsessilibus, confertis,<br />
1-3 cm. longis, 2-5 mm. latis; bracteis foliaceis, erectis, inflorescentiam<br />
excedentibus, 5-15 cm. longis, 2-3.5 mm. latis, evaginantibus;<br />
glumis masculis lanceolatis, acuminatis, carinatis, 5.5 mm.<br />
longis, 1 mm. latis; glumis foemineis ovatis vel lanceolatis, acutis<br />
vel acuminatis, carinatis, 4-4.5 mm. longis, 2-2.5 mm. latis, glabris;<br />
stigmatibus 3; perigyniis paullo biconvexis, erectis, anguste<br />
elliptico-fusiformibus, 2 nervis marginalibus abrupte anguste rostratis,<br />
6 mm. longis, 1.5 mm. latis, rostro 1.5 mm. longo, ore bidentato;<br />
achaenio trigono, elliptic o-oblongo, 2.25 mm. longo<br />
1 mm. lato.<br />
Leaves rigid, equaling or longer than the culms, glabrous, or the<br />
upper surface often scabridulous; staminate scales with narrowly<br />
hyaline margins; pistillate scales membranaceous, the prominent<br />
raidnerve bordered on each side by a cellular portion; perigynia exceeding<br />
the scales, membranaceous, dull brown-olivaceous, tapering<br />
gradually below to a narrow base, shining; achene not filling the<br />
perigynium, with concave sides; style bent at base, continuous with<br />
achene.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on limestone outcrops<br />
of Paramo de Tama, near Colombian-Venezuelan boundary,<br />
state of Tachira, alt. 3045-3475 m., July 15, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
57401; also same locality, Steyermark 57369.<br />
A member of the subgenus E ucarex, section Hymenochlaenae, as<br />
treated by Kukenthal, this species is characterized by its glabrous<br />
leaves, culms, and perigynia, the single terminal, staminate spike,<br />
subsessile, lateral pistillate spikes, sheathless, foliaceous bracts,<br />
and bidentate, erect, nerveless, 2-raargined perigynia.<br />
Carex turumiquirensis Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Planta caespitosa; culmis 15-30 cm. altis, triquetris, angulis<br />
scabridulis; foliis 10-20 cm. longis, 1-2 mm. latis, plerumque culmis<br />
brevioribus, marginibus scabrido-serrulatis; spicis 2-5, gynaecandris ,<br />
subglobosis vel breve oblongis, 4-8 mm. longis, 3-5 mm. latis; glumis<br />
foemineis ovatis, acutis vel breve aristatis, 1.75-2 mm. longis, ca.<br />
1.25 mm. latis; perigyniis planis, ovato-oblongis, dorso prominente<br />
nervatis, antice paullo prope basem, abrupte in rostrum angustatis,<br />
2.75 mm. longis, 1 mm. latis, rostro 1-1.25 mm. longo, ore bidentato,<br />
marginibus ventralibus incurvatis; achaenio lenticular!, ovatosuborbiculari,<br />
paullo longiore quam latiore, 1.3-1*4 mm. longo,<br />
1 mm. lato.<br />
Inflorescence 1.5-2.5 cm. long; spikes interrupted; pistillate<br />
scales yellow to dull brown with white-hyaline margins and a pale
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 71<br />
green or darker brown midrib, often short-excurrent; stigmas 2; perigynia<br />
squarrose at maturity, brownish or yellow-brown or brownishrufous,<br />
prominently nerved dorsally and somewhat ventrally near<br />
base; beak 1/2-3/4 length of perigynium body (Fig. 7, h- j).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in swampy meadow,<br />
on ridge dividing headwaters of Rio Manzanares and Rio de Amana,<br />
Cerro Turumiquire, state of Sucre, alt. 1900-2000 m., May 10, 1945,<br />
Julian A. Steyermark 62705.<br />
This is the first South American record of a species that might<br />
be referred to C. angustior Mack, or the related C. interior L. H.<br />
Bailey. Carex Bonplandii, previously known from South America, is,<br />
of course, related to both of these species. The nearest locality to<br />
which the related C. angustior has been collected is in Santo Domingo,<br />
cited by Mackenzie in North American Flora, and in Chihuahua,<br />
Mexico, for C. interior. However, in C. angustior the beak<br />
is "more than half to about length of body", measuring longer than<br />
in our collection, and the achenes in that species are longer, being<br />
1.75 mm. long and "ovate or oblong-ovate" (Mackenzie, N. Am.<br />
Fl. p. 113).<br />
In C. interior, which Mackenzie cites as occurring as far south as<br />
the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, the beak is "about one third or one<br />
fourth the length of the body" and the achene is "broadly ovateorbicular,<br />
1.5 mm. wide." Our species is, therefore, somewhat intermediate<br />
between C. interior and C. angustior, if these can be considered<br />
as distinct species, and agrees more closely with the relative<br />
length of the beak in its relation to the body of the perigynium and<br />
to the shape and size of the achene of C. angustior than wkh C.<br />
interior.<br />
To summarize, C turumiquirensis<br />
differs from C. interior in its<br />
longer beak which is more conspicuously bidentate, acute to shortaristate<br />
scales, and narrower perigynium body with more incurved<br />
margins, while from C. angustior it differs in the shorter, somewhat<br />
more ovate-suborbicular achenes, and more prominently ventrally<br />
and dorsally nerved perigynia.<br />
PALMAE<br />
Bactris bergantina Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Palma 5 m. alta, caespites formans, caudice 7.5 cm. crasso,<br />
aculeis nigris armata; petiolo 52-55 cm. longo, 1.3 cm. crasso, infra<br />
convexo rotundatoque, bicanaliculato carina acri, parte infima dense<br />
stramineo-furfuracea, partibus medianis et superioribus stramineo- vel<br />
fusco-furfuraceis squamis parvis et pilis fuscis, plerumque utrinque<br />
aculeis nigris; aculeis applanatis, nigris 7-30 mm. longis fasciculis<br />
flabellatis; rhachi aculeis minoribus et paucioribus; fronde 2.37 m.<br />
longa; pinnis utroque latere circ.40 circ. 4-5 per greges nonnihil confertis,<br />
lanceolatis subfalcatis apice bidenticulatis supra glabris infra
72 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
per cos tarn mediam et 1-2 nervos laterales linea squaraorura fuscarum<br />
vestitis aliter glabris, inferioribus 55-65 cm. longis, 2.5-4 cm. latis,<br />
supremis 30-35 cm. longis, 2-3 cm. latis, ad marginem setoso-ciliata<br />
nigra; spatha 40 cm. longa cylindrica angusta extus fusco-tomentulosa,<br />
aculeis pluribus acicularibus subteretibus nigris 12-37 mm.<br />
longis dense confertis; spadice multiramoso tomentuloso; rhachi 21<br />
cm. longa; pedunculo 13 cm. longo, 2 cm. crasso, robusto declinato<br />
aculeato, setis brevibus tenuibus; ramis numerosis 4-12 cm. longis, 2<br />
mm. crassis; calyce fructifero annuliforme adpresso, margine subintegio,<br />
4-4.5 mm. alto, 1 cm. diametro; drupa oblato-globulari vel<br />
turbinata, 18-19 mm. alta, 18-20 mm. lata, apice subtruncata ad<br />
basim subito angustata glabra.<br />
Petiole 52-55 cm. long from base to lowermost pinnae, 1.3 cm.<br />
thick, convex and rounded below, bicanaliculate above with sharp<br />
keel, densely buff-furfuraceous in lowermost part, middle and upper<br />
parts less closely but conspicuously buff- or brown furfuraceous with<br />
minute scales mixed with brown hairs, densely black-spiny over most<br />
of length; spines on lower convex surface more prominent, arranged<br />
in fan-like clusters, black, those near base of rachis white-pubescent<br />
in lower part, those in upper and middle portions less noticeably<br />
pubescent below or glabrescent; spines on lower side in upper part<br />
of rachis smaller, 7-10 mm. long, less numerous, absent from uppermost<br />
portion of rachis; pinnae membranaceous, dull green both sides,<br />
in groups of 4-5, rather closely crowded, the uppermost alternate,<br />
narrowed above into a bidenticulate apex, with one side longer than<br />
the other, glabrous above except for black slender sparse setae 3-6<br />
mm. long on midrib of uppermost ones, below midrib and 1-2 main<br />
lateral nerves covered with a line of brownish scales especially<br />
prominent at base of pinna, otherwise glabrous, lower pinnae 55-65<br />
cm. long, 2.5-4 cm. wide, middle pinnae 65 cm. long, 4 cm. wide,<br />
uppermost pinnae 30-45 cm. long, 2-3 cm. wide; spathe longcylindric,<br />
shortly exceeding the spadix, the brown-tomentulose<br />
surface thickly covered by numerous slender black spines; axis of<br />
rachis continued through most of length of spadix; fruiting clusters<br />
pendent, arising on old wood at base of leaf clusters; drupe at first<br />
dark green, turning purple, the edible white interior with coconUtlike<br />
flavor.<br />
xxType in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in woods along Ru><br />
Leon by Quebrada Danta, tributary to RK> Neverf, northeast of<br />
Bergantin, state of Anzoategui, alt. 500 m., February 20, 1945,<br />
Julian A. Steyermark 61039.<br />
Local name: "Maquenilla". The woody part of the trunk serves<br />
for frames used in connection with hand-made Venezuelan sandals<br />
(alpargata). The alpargatas are woven with various colors of cotton<br />
thread, and started on a wooden support, which is derived in this<br />
section of Venezuela from the woody trunk of this species of Bactris.<br />
In its combination of concolorous setulose-margined pinnae, which<br />
have 1 or 2 lines or nerves minutely buff-brown furfuraceous on the
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 73<br />
lower surface, the rachis of the frond buff-to me ntulose in the lower<br />
part to minutely brown-scurfy in the upper half, the upper surface of<br />
the uppermost pinnae with black setae on the midrib, the flattened<br />
spines, the bifurcation of the leaf tips into an equally bifid apex,<br />
and the many-branched spadix with its slender elongated densely<br />
spiny spathe, this species differs from fl. Sworderiana Becc., 5.<br />
Cues a Crueger, B. Lindmaniana Drude, B. littoralis Barb., B. setulosa<br />
Karst., and B. setosa Mart. The flattened or nearly flattened<br />
spines on the rachis of the petiole,<br />
if this character is to be relied<br />
upon, separates B. bergantina from the closely related B. Cuesa of<br />
Trinidad and B. Sworderiana of Tobago. The pinnae in B. Cuesa are<br />
described as "glabrescent", and in B. Sworderiana as "utrinque<br />
glabris", but in B. bergantina there are 1 or more lines of furfuraceous<br />
or buff-brown or brown scales on the lower surface of the<br />
pinnae.<br />
Bactris duidae Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caudex 3 m. altus, 1.5-2.5 cm. crassus, solitarius; fronde 0.7-0.8<br />
m. longa; petiolo 33 cm. longo usque ad 5 mm. crasso prope basim<br />
fusco-furfuraceo vel tomentoso, inferne aculeis nigro-fuscis applanatis<br />
3-18 mm. longis armato; lamina ultra medium (ad 2/3) simplice<br />
bifida, oblanceolato-obovata utrinque nervis primariis 10-12 percursa,<br />
72-83 cm. longa, usque ad 17 cm. lata, infra glabra, ad margines<br />
setis tenuibus nigris 2-5 mm. longis dense ciliata; costa media<br />
glabra; laminae lob is late triangulari-lanceolatis, apice falcatocurvatis,<br />
39-41 cm. longis, usque ad 11 cm. latis; spatha interiore<br />
elliptico-lanceolata acuta 13-15 cm. longa, 4.5 cm. lata, extus pallide<br />
fusco-tomentosa aculeis 6-9 mm. longis pallido-fuscis tenuibus<br />
subapplanatis dense vestita; spathae pedunculo 6-7 cm. longo supra<br />
dense fusco-tomentoso parce setuloso, infra saepe inermi; spadice<br />
multiramoso, 9 cm. longo, 7.5 cm. lato, ramis 9-11 tenuibus 5-7 cm.<br />
longis, circ. 1 mm. crassis, dense scrobiculatis minute parceque<br />
fusco-tomentosis, rhachi breviter producta 2.5 cm. longa; spadicis<br />
pedunculo 5 cm. longo, 4 mm. lato, dense tomentosonpilis castaneis<br />
et moderatim vel parce aculeatis aculeis applanatis nigris 4-4.5 mm.<br />
longis; floribus foemineis: calyce tubulosa quam corolla longiore<br />
circ. 5 mm. longa, 2 mm. lata pluristriata glabra 3-denticulata, lobis<br />
late subtriangularibus; corolla 3.5-4 mm. longa apice truncata ad<br />
margines ciliata, intus pubescenti extus parce adpresso-setulosa<br />
setis pallido-brunneis; gynaeceo pyriformi, 8-9 mm. longo apice basi<br />
attenuate.<br />
Petiole glabrous and unarmed in upper 2/3; lamina dull green both<br />
sides, broader above the middle and narrowed below, conspicuously<br />
nerved, the 6-7 secondary nerves occurring between the 10-12 primary<br />
nerves on each side; inner spathe often pubescent in lower part; axis<br />
of spadix produced only a short distance, not continued throughout<br />
inflorescence; peduncle of spadix moderately to sparsely aculeate<br />
with flattened spines black at base and brown above; branches of<br />
spadix densely scrobiculate where the flowers occur; staminate
74 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
flowers fallen, but occupying most of the sunken depressions of the<br />
rachis; pistillate flowers scattered on the branches: calyx longer<br />
and enveloping the corolla, tubular, the short broadly subtriangular<br />
lobes minutely apiculate; corolla scaly-pubescent within, sparsely<br />
short-appressed setulose without, many-striate; bract suborbicularovate,<br />
acuminate, 0.5 mm. long, 0.8-0.9 mm. wide, glabrous; young<br />
fruit or ovary pyriform, 8-9 mm. long, attenuate at apex and base<br />
(Fig. 9).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in forest near Base<br />
FIGURE 9<br />
Bactris duidae Steyermark<br />
A. Frond (X1/10);B, Inflorescence with spathe (Xl/10); C, Pistillate<br />
flower (X 3); D, Pistillate perianth opened (X 3);
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 75<br />
River (Cano Negro), at southeastern base of Cerro Duida, Territorio<br />
Federal Amazonas, alt. 215 m., August 23, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
57908.<br />
r_<br />
This species is<br />
characterized by the bifid elongate leaves, which<br />
are glabrous on the lower surface, the petiole aculeate near base,<br />
the densely brown-spiny spathe, and the many-branched spadix.<br />
It is apparently related to B. chaetospatha Man. of Amazonas,<br />
Brazil, from which it differs in the glabrous rachis and lower leaf<br />
surface, the aculeate base of the petiole, and the densely spiny<br />
spathe. From B. armata Barb, it differs in the much shorter spines<br />
of the petiole, which are confined near its base instead of scattered<br />
along the length. From other species of similar type, such as B.<br />
longipes Poepp., B. fissifrons Mart., B. Luetzelburgii Burret, and<br />
several others, it differs in the combination of characters mentioned<br />
above.<br />
Bactris duidae is somewhat intermediate between Bactris proper<br />
and the group of species sometimes referred to Pyrenoglyphis (which<br />
is now considered by Bailey, Dahlgren, and others as a section of<br />
Bactris), forming a transition between B. chaetospatha and B. bifida<br />
Mart. The latter has a simple spadix, while the former has a manybranched<br />
inflorescence. Because of the lack of a staminodial ring<br />
in the pistillate flowers and the calyx not duplicate on the interior,<br />
this species should be placed with the section of Bactris relegated<br />
to<br />
Pyrenoglyphis.<br />
Bactris Kamarupa Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caudex 3-3.75 m. altus, 5 cm. crassus, solitarius, aculeis canis<br />
applanatis 20-30 mm. longis 2-3 mm. latis armatus; frondibus 1.75 m.<br />
longis membranaceis; petiolo 70 cm. longo, 6 mm. crasso, supra<br />
canaliculate, fusco-furfuraceo, parte inferiore aculeis inaequalibus<br />
applanatis pallido-brunneis praeter apicem nigrum 0.9-3.5 cm. longis,<br />
0.5-2.5 mm. latis armata; rhachi 1 m. longa, 2-6 mm. crassa, utrinque<br />
dense brunneo-furfuracea inermi; pinnis undique 10 vel 12 per greges<br />
2-4 inaequaliter dispositis, falcato- vel sigmoideo-lanceolatis, ad<br />
apicem longi-acuminatis, terminalibus 27 cm. longis, 6-6.5 cm. latis,<br />
prope apicem dense setulosis, ceteris 30-48 cm. longis, 2.5-6 cm.<br />
latis, costa media prope apices asymmetrica, nervis primariis 6,<br />
supra glabris subtus basi costae mediae et ad nervos primaries et<br />
basi pinnae pallido-furfuraceis; spatha 11-12 cm. longa dense pubescenti<br />
setisnigro-fuscisetpilis atrofuscis et aculeis basi fuscis applanatis<br />
lanceolatis velovato-lanceolatis 7-13 mm. longis intermixtis;<br />
spadicis fructiferae pedunculo pendenti curvato, 14 cm. longo, 7-8<br />
mm. crasso, parte superiore dense atrofusco-setuloso-hispidulo pilis<br />
adpressis tenuibus; spadicis rhachi brevi, 1.5 cm. longa, ramis 9, 5-<br />
7.5 cm. longis, 2.5-3 mm. crassis, brunneo-furfuraceo-pubescentibus<br />
scrobiculatis; calyce fructifera duplico, exteriore minore 3-4 mm.
76 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
longa, 7.5 mm. lata, 3-lobata, lobis 3-4 mm. latis rotundatis sparse<br />
hispidulis, supra pilis fusco-nigris pluristriatis ad margines scariosis,<br />
interiore 5-6 mm. longa, 11-12 mm. lata, irregulariter 5-7-lobata,<br />
lobis 2.5-3 mm. longis, 2-3 mm. latis, rotundatis moderatim vel<br />
tenuiter hispidulis, pilis nigris vel fuscis ad margines scariosis;<br />
drupa subgloboso-oblata vel late turbinata, apice subtruncata, 15-16<br />
mm. alta, 18-21 mm. lata, glabra tenuiter pluristriata.<br />
Stems armed with pale spines arranged in fan-like groups; fronds<br />
dark green above, dull green below; pexiole moderately armed in<br />
lower half with flattened unequal spines, pale brown except black<br />
at base and these tip, densely scattered over the basal 30 cm., but<br />
sparse and irregular in the next 30 cm., absent beyond this, all parts<br />
of the rachis densely dark brown scurfy- furfuraceous; pinnae 10 pair<br />
on one side, 12 on the other, unequally arranged and interrupted with<br />
gaps of 10-20 cm. along rachis, the pinnae arranged in groups of 2-4;<br />
terminal pinnae widely divergent at a 60 angle, densely setulose<br />
near apex; middle pinnae 37-47 cm. long, 4.5-6 cm. wide, conspicuously<br />
narrowed and curved to the base, lower pinnae 30-48 cm. long,<br />
2.5-6 cm. wide, the main midrib mostly in center of pinna, but becoming<br />
asymmetric or towards one side near either end of the pinnae;<br />
primary nerves 6, glabrous above, below buff-furfuraceous at base of<br />
and (or) on main midrib and on some of primary nerves at base of<br />
pinnae, otherwise glabrous below, sometimes portions of the surface<br />
minutely scurfy, the margins of the apices and upper portion black<br />
setulose with slender setae 1.5-2.5 mm. long; spathe densely pubescent<br />
with dark brown hairs and black-brown setae mixed with flattened<br />
membranaceous spines which are long-attenuate at apex, brown<br />
and buff-scarious on margins, dark brown at base; axis of rachis of<br />
spadix not produced through the inflorescence, but terminating shortly,<br />
the branches of the spadix scrobiculately marked by the locations<br />
of the flowers; fruiting calyx double, the outer smaller; fruit purpleblack,<br />
edible, with sweetish-acid juice, subtruncate at apex, abruptly<br />
tapering to a slightly raised central mound, apiculately tipped, the<br />
central mound about 8 mm. in diameter and marked by a circular depression,<br />
gradually attenuate at base, the body of the fruit 18-21<br />
mm. broad.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in lower portion of<br />
Quebrada O-paru-ma', tributary of Rio Pacairao, below Santa Teresita<br />
de Kavanayen, state of Bolivar, alt. 915-1065 m., November 25, 1944,<br />
Julian A. Steyermark 60542.<br />
Local name: "Kamar-ba-yek". The trunk of this palm is used<br />
locally by the Indian inhabitants for the terminal portion of the arrow<br />
(Kamarba), the other part of the arrow being known as " purau".<br />
The specific name is taken from the Pemo'n language of the<br />
Taurepan Indians of Ptari-tepui, the word "kamarupa" signifying a<br />
spiny tree used for making arrows. Although the name for the tree<br />
was given apparently as "kamarba", it seems preferable to employ<br />
the more generally known word "kamarupa".
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 77<br />
This species somewhat approaches Bactris Gastoniana Barb.,<br />
but differs in the leaf rachis, which is smooth except at the basal<br />
part, shape of the drupe, greater number of pairs of pinnae, long<br />
spiny stem, pale spines of the stem, and other differences. From<br />
B. arista ta Mart, it differs in its many-branched spadix and rachis<br />
armed at base; from B. rivularis Barb, it differs in the shape and<br />
number of the pinnae, and other particulars, while from B. maraja<br />
Mart, it differs in the fuscous-pubescent rachis which is aculeate<br />
only at base, in the larger number of pinnae, and the shorter spadix.<br />
It is characterized by the scurfy-furfuraceous leaf rachis which is<br />
unarmed except at base, the sigmoid oblanceolate long-falcate pinnae<br />
acuminate at apex, the long pale-colored spines arranged in fan-like<br />
groups on the stems, the densely spinose spathe, and the short<br />
several-branched spadix.<br />
Bactris ptariana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caudex 6-9 m. altus, 5-10 cm. crassus, solitarius, ad annulos<br />
aculeis nigris 4-32 mm. longis dense aggregatis armatus; fronde<br />
1.91 m. longa; vagina fusco-tomentosa aculeis brevibus 0.6-2 cm.<br />
longis applanatis; petiolo 55-60 cm. longo basi 4 cm. lato; rhachi<br />
infra prope basem aculeis nigris dense aggregatis annulatis minoribus<br />
et majoribus; pinnis inermibus utrinque 40 plus minusve regulariter<br />
dispositis suboppositis concoloribus lineari-lanceolatis tenuiter<br />
acuminatis, 55-85 cm. longis, 1-3 cm. latis, supra glabris infra<br />
omnibus nervis hispidulis; spadice 15-22 cm. longo, usque ad 10 cm.<br />
lato, ramulis 20-25, 13-17 cm. longis, 2-3 cm. crassis dense hirtellis;<br />
pedunculo 18 cm. longo, 15 mm. lato, supra inermi dense pallidovelutino<br />
infra setis brevibus nigro-fuscis dense vestito; spatha fusiforrai<br />
clavato-acuta, 40-48 cm. longa, parte inferiore usque ad 7 cm.<br />
lata, aculeis densis brevioribus fuscis vel castaneis et longioribus<br />
intermixtis nigris patentibus obtecta, dense velutina; floribus masculinis<br />
cum foemineis intermixtis ad ramorum apices aggregatis,<br />
breviter pedicellatis, pedicellis 0.8 mm. longis glabris: calyce 1 mm.<br />
longa, 3 lobis late triangularibus obtusis 0.8 mm. longis, 0.6-0.7 mm.<br />
latis, glabris fusco-maculatis lineolatis; corolla ultra medium divisa,<br />
3 lobis ovatis superne subito angustata 2 mm. longis, 1.5 mm. latis,<br />
apice fusco-maculatis; staminibus 6, filamentis tenuibus glabris,<br />
1.2 mm. longis; antheris oblongis, 0.8-0.9 mm. longis; floribus foemineis:<br />
calyce 0.8-1.1 mm. longa, 3.5 mm. lata, 3 lobis fere obsoletis;<br />
corolla 3 mm. longa, 3 mm. lata, 3 lobis late triangularibus subcuculatis<br />
obtuse apiculatis, parce stipitato-glandularibus obtecta;<br />
drupa obovoidea, 11 mm. longa, 11 mm. lata, glabra plerumque calva<br />
apice apiculata.<br />
Spines on trunk densely clustered in annulate arrangement, the<br />
trunk annulate about 3 cm. between the spines; frond subcoriaceous<br />
to firmly membranaceous, deep green above, dull green below; rachis<br />
of frond concave above at very base, convex below, in lower and<br />
middle parts convex below, carinate and bifacial above, the lower
78 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
portion armed on both surfaces with flattened black spines 2-6 cm.<br />
long, 1 mm. wide, these more or less furfuraceous at or near the base,<br />
middle part of rachis with the lower convex side spinose with aggregations<br />
of black spines 1.5-3.5 cm. long, mixed at the base with<br />
small, slender, black or gray scales and (or) hairs, the upper carinate<br />
side without spines, the upper part of rachis with shorter black<br />
spines 0.4-1.1 cm. long on the lower surface mixed with short, blackbrown<br />
hairs and scales, spineless on the upper side, the uppermost<br />
part of rachis spineless on the lower side with only small clusters of<br />
blackish scales; spines at base of rachis on lower surface arranged<br />
in fan-like aggregations; pinnae 2-ranked, the uppermost ones with<br />
6 primary nerves on each side, the lower and middle ones with 8-10<br />
on each side, all the nerves on lower surface hispidulous with tiny<br />
brown appressed scales at base of hairs, lower pinnae 78-85 cm. long,<br />
1.5-2 cm. wide, middle ones 75-85 cm. long, 2-3 cm. wide, uppermost<br />
ones 55-60 cm. long, 1-2 cm. wide, some pinnae sparsely and remotely<br />
setulose-ciliate, otherwise entirely unarmed; inflorescence erect,<br />
arising at base of leaf sheath; rachis creamy white; flowers yellow<br />
(Fig. 10).<br />
Type in herb., Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in forest near<br />
"Misia Kathy" camp, on southeast-facing slopes of Ptari-tepm,<br />
state of Bolivar, alt. 1585-1600 m., November 10-11, 1944, Julian A.<br />
Steyermark 60046. Also collected on lower southeastern slopes of<br />
Carrao-tepxu, state of Bolfvar, alt. 1675-1980 m., December 5-6,<br />
1944, Steyermark 60869.<br />
Local name: "Moi-ye-kai-yek".<br />
This species shows a relationship to B, longisecta Burret, B.<br />
balanophora Spruce, B. littoralis Barb., B. glaucescens Drude, B.<br />
bidentula Spruce, B. megistocarpa Burret, B. setosa Mart., and<br />
B. vulgaris Barb., but differs from them by its combination of solitary<br />
trunk, dense fan-like clusters of long, black spines on lower surface<br />
of rachis and petiole, the long, black spines densely covering the<br />
spathe, the unarmed rachis of the inflorescence which is much<br />
branched and densely hirsutulous, the regularly many-pinnate frond<br />
with narrowly linear-lanceolate, concolorous pinnae which are<br />
densely hispidulous on the nerves of the lower surface, the glabrous<br />
fruit, and the minutely stipitate-glandular, otherwise glabrous,<br />
pistillate corolla.<br />
Bactris sororopanae Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caudex 1.7-1.9 m. altus, 9-10 mm. crassus, solitarius, aculeis<br />
brevibus tenuibus nigris, 3-4 mm. longis; frondis vagina fuscotomentosa<br />
aculeis brevibus tenuibus 3-5 mm. longis apice fuscosetosa;<br />
lamina 25-27 cm. longa, 18 cm. lata; petiole 10-15 cm. longo,<br />
3 mm. crasso, inermi ancipitali costato pallido-brunneo tomentosoleproso;<br />
rhachi fusco-leprosa 10-12 cm. longa; pinnis utrinque 5-6<br />
irregulariter proxime dispositis alternatis vel suboppositis sigmoideis<br />
lanceolatis apice longi-acuminatis superne curvatis, 12-16 cm.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 79<br />
longis, 1.7-4.5 cm. lads, utrinque glabris vel infimis infra saepe<br />
fusco-leprosis ad margines prope apicem aculeis nigris tenuibus;<br />
spadice 3 cm. longa, in axillis, mox pendenti; rhachi unica et simplice<br />
glabra, floribus et fructibus spissis; spatha inermi 3-3.3 cm.<br />
longa furfuracea glabrescenti mox in partes longitudinales divisa;<br />
calyce quam corolla breviore persistenti, 3 lobis late ovatis apice<br />
rotundatis, 2.5 mm. longis, 2-2.5 mm. latis pluristriatis, extus glabra<br />
scariosa; corolla persistenti, 3 lobis ovato-suborbicularibus apice<br />
obtusis 3.5-4 mm. longis, 3.5-4 mm. latis, pluristriatis, extus glabra<br />
scariosa; drupa subgloboso-ovata, rostro brevi, glabra, 1 cm. longa,<br />
9 mm. lata.<br />
FIGURE 10<br />
Bactris ptariana Steyermark<br />
A, Portion of middle section of frond (X 1/3); B, Portion of trunk<br />
(X 1/3); C, Inflorescence with spathe (X 1/6); D, Fruit (X 4>, E,<br />
Pistillate flower (X 4); F, Pistillate corolla (X 4); G, Pistil (X 4);<br />
H, Staminate flower (X 4); I, Stamen (X 4).
80 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Pinnae chartaceous, deep green above, dull green below, irregularly<br />
but closely disposed, proximate, sigmoid, the apex upwardly<br />
curved and long-acuminate, the terminal pair, and sometimes the<br />
lowest pair, the longest, the midrib prominent, but shifting from<br />
central to the other side near the ends of the pinnae, primary ribs<br />
1-2 on each side; spathe furfuraceous, becoming glabrescent; drupe<br />
green, filled with a homogeneous seed.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in woods bordering<br />
savanna, along Rio Karuai, at base of Sororopan-tepui, west of La<br />
Laja, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., November 29, 1944, Julian A.<br />
Steyermark 60781.<br />
Local name: "Moy-ye-ki-yek". A game<br />
is sometimes played with<br />
the stems of this species. An Indian that can pull the tough stem<br />
from the ground thereby gives proof of his strength or force.<br />
This species is related to Yuyba Maguirei Bailey (Bailey, L. H.<br />
Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 75: 106. 1948.) = Bactris Maguirei (Bailey)<br />
Steyermark, comb. nov. I cannot agree with Bailey that these diminutive<br />
palms should constitute a genus distinct from Bactris. The<br />
dwarfing of general stature, together with its associated smaller size<br />
of spathe, peduncle, and reduction of spines on the trunk, should not<br />
be regarded as generic characters. They might, on the other hand, be<br />
considered as setting off a distinct section within the genus. Both<br />
Yuyba and Bactris have 6 stamens, and Bactris may have even 9<br />
or 12.<br />
From B, Maguirei this new species differs in its more densely<br />
brown-scurfy leaf rachis, the tips and upper margins of the pinnae<br />
more closely black-setulose, the shorter spathe and spadix, the<br />
more closely crowded pinnae, and the somewhat shorter spines of the<br />
stem and leaf sheath.<br />
From B. microspadix Burret, it may be distinguished by the smaller<br />
peduncle of the inflorescence, the shorter petiole not spiny at base,<br />
and the shorter spathe and pinnae, while the simple spadix, brownfurfuraceous<br />
leaf rachis, and the number of pairs of pinnae differentiates<br />
it from B. microspatha Barb. It is closely related to B.<br />
mitis, which, however, has a 2-3-fid spadix with glabrous rachis, an<br />
unarmed leaf sheath and rachis, and 6,8-10 pairs of pinnae not as<br />
closely set together as in, fi. sororopanae. From the closely related<br />
B. paucisecta Burret of British Guiana, the new species differs in<br />
the tomentose or furfuraceous rachis, shorter spadix, narrower and<br />
shorter apical leaf segment, and less number of primary nerves.<br />
Bactris venezuelensis Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caudex 3 m. altus, supra 1.5 cm. crassus; frondis vagina fuscotomentosa<br />
furfuracea, aculeis brevibus tenuibus nigris instructa;<br />
petiolo 20-27 cm. longo infra pallido-tomentoso-furfuraceo, aculeis<br />
nigris supra longioribus 3-4 cm. longis, infra brevioribus numerosis<br />
0.6-2.2 cm. longis armato; rhachi 28 cm. longa, 4-5 mm. crassa,
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 81<br />
pallid o-fusca furfuracea mox glabrescenti, prope basim aculeis nigris<br />
2-3.5 cm. longis armata; lamina 55-75 cm. longa, 30 cm. lata, apice<br />
profunde bifida, paucisecta, segmentis utroque latere infra 2-4 irregulariter<br />
et inaequaliter dispositis lanceolatis sigmoideis supra glabris<br />
subtus pilis pallidis dissitis minute adpressis et ad nervos inconspicue<br />
furfuraceis, ad margines setis brevibus tenuibus nigris 1.5-2<br />
mm. longis; segmenta terminal! magna cuneato-oblanceolato-obovata,<br />
parte indivisa 13-16 cm. longa, 12-18.5 cm. lata, lobis oblongolanceolatis,<br />
20-35 cm. longis, 7-10 cm. latis, nervis primariis utroque<br />
latere 8-9; segmentis lateralibus altermatis aut suboppositis, 30-50<br />
cm. longis, 1.5-4.5 cm. latis, nervis primariis utroque latere 2-3,<br />
nervis secundariis 7-10; spatha exteriore 5 cm. longa, interiore<br />
fusiformi 11-12 cm. longa, setis fuscis pilosis vel glabrescentibus<br />
5-6 mm. longis vel brevioribus dense obtecta, fusco-tomentosa;<br />
spadice patenti demum pendenti, ramulis 8 gracilibus, 7.5-9.5 cm.<br />
longis, 1-1.5 mm. latis, crassis conspicue scrobiculatis paullo toraentosis;<br />
rhachi 1 cm. longa dense fusco-tomentosa, pedunculo 4-4.5 cm.<br />
longo, 4 mm. crasso, inermi dense pallido-fusco-tomentosa furfuracea;<br />
floribus masculinis ignods; floribus foemineis: calyce<br />
urceolata, 3-3.5 mm. longa, 2.5-3 mm. lata, 3-denticulata glabra<br />
pluristriata; corolla quam calyce longiore tubulosa 5-5.5 mm. longa,<br />
apice subtruncata ciliato-setulosa, pluristriata, superficie setulosa<br />
setis brevibus paucis nigris, mox deciduis.<br />
Petiole spiny, the spines above longer and more scattered, shorter<br />
and more numerous in lower part; sheathing base of petiole shredding<br />
at sides; lamina deeply bifurcate at apex into a large terminal segment<br />
with 2-4 pairs of lanceolate sigmoid segments irregularly and<br />
unequally distant below, glabrous above, minutely appressedpubescent<br />
below with scattered pale hairs and furfuraceous on the<br />
lower surface of some of nerves; lateral segments tapering to an<br />
elongate apex, often remotely separated from the terminal bifurcate<br />
segment; axis of spadix not continued throughout its length, branches<br />
conspicuously scrobiculate from the insertions of the flowers; pistillate<br />
calyx slightly 3-denticulate with shallow lobes.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in forest along Base<br />
River (Cano Negro), at southeastern base of Cerro Duida, Territorio<br />
Federal Amazonas, alt. 225 m., August 23, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
57933.<br />
This species is closely related to B. corosilla Karst., B. geonomoides<br />
Drude, B. incommoda Trail, and B. penicillata Barb. From<br />
the last one it differs in the shorter spathe and spadix, shorter<br />
lamina, and black instead of brown petiolar spines. From B. geonomoides<br />
and B. incommoda it differs in the broadly lanceolate-falcate<br />
instead of linear lowermost pair of pinnae, in shorter brown instead<br />
of longer black spines covering the outer surface of the spathe, and<br />
in the somewhat shorter spathe.
82 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Dahlgrenia Steyermark, gen. nov.<br />
Monoeca, spadicibus distinctis unisezualibus. Spadis utriusque<br />
sexus ramosus, ramis masculinis tenuibus. Flores masculi minutuli:<br />
calyx parvus, sepalls 3 imbricatis late subrhoraboideo-subglobosis;<br />
corolla petalis 3 valvatis liberis non patentibus basi non-dilatatis<br />
nee gibbosis oblongis; sta minibus 6. Flores foeminei parvi: calyx<br />
sepalis 3 imbricatis suborbicularibus; corolla petalis 3 valvatis late<br />
ovatis; staminodia 6 ad basim ovarii adhaerentibus; ovario integro<br />
glabro, loculis 3, ovulo in loculo solitario, stigmatibus apicalibus.<br />
Palmae inermes, frondibus paripinnatis. Pinnae apice praemorsae<br />
et erosae.<br />
Type species:<br />
Dahlgrenia ptariana Steyermark.<br />
This genus is dedicated to and named in honor of Dr. B. E.<br />
Dahlgren, Curator Emeritus of the Department of Botany at the<br />
Chicago Natural History Museum. Students of palms owe Dr.<br />
Dahlgren a debt of gratitude for his contributions to the study of<br />
tropical American palms, for the excellent series of palm exhibits<br />
and palm herbarium which he has organized and developed at the<br />
Museum, and especially for his monumental work "Index of American<br />
Palms" published in 1936.<br />
Dahlgrenia ptariana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caudex 11-14 m. altus, 9.5-10 cm. crassus, solitarius; frondibus<br />
2.2 m. longis 4-seriatis subcoriaceis supra viridibus infra argillaceis<br />
lineis latis fuscis ad margines exteriores et squamis fuscis sessilibus<br />
microscopic is obtectis; rhachi usque ad 4.5 cm. lata tomentosa<br />
cinereo-fusca praedita supra carinata infra convexa; pinnis utroque<br />
latere 28 valide sulcatis, pinna terminali cuneata praemorsa 50 cm.<br />
longa, ceteris angustate ligulatis apice oblique praemorsis et erosis,<br />
86-115 cm. longis, 7 cm. latis, infra usque ad 16 nervis, lineo lato<br />
marginali 4-8 mm. lato; spathis elongatis; spadice masculina alba<br />
ramis numerosis tenuibus 9-12 cm. longis, 2 mm. eras sis, glabris;<br />
floribus masculinis confertis glabris; sepalis supra rotundatis 0.5<br />
mm. altis, 0.7-0.8 mm. latis, petalis ovatis vel elliptico-oblongis,<br />
0.7 mm. longis, 0.5 mm. latis, obtusis; antheris sessilibus vel fere<br />
0.5-0.6 mm. longis; spadice foeminea alba tomentella pilis brevibus<br />
albidis, rhachi 60 cm. longa, 1-2.5 cm. crassa, ramis numerosis 60<br />
cm. longis, 2 mm. crassis; bracteis late ovatis acutis vel acuminatis,<br />
2.5-3 cm. longis, basi 2 cm. latis, extus fulvo-tomentosis, intus<br />
basi nigris; sepalis rotundatis 1.5 mm. altis, 2.5 mm. latis ad margines<br />
ciliatis; petalis obtusis 2 mm. latis, 2 mm. altis, striatis;<br />
staminodiis 0.2 mm. longis dentiformibus; ovario 1.2 mm. longo.<br />
Fronds 4-ranked; rachis covered with a fine dull gray-brown<br />
tomentum which wears off in age, but persists in places as a dark<br />
brown tomentum; pinnae subcoriaceous, deep rich green above,<br />
silvery below with a broad, dark brown, tomentose band extending<br />
along outer margin on lower surface of each segment, sometimes
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 83<br />
FIGURE 11<br />
Dahlgrenia ptariana Steyerraark<br />
A, Leaf segment from lower portion of frond (X 1/7); B, Terminal<br />
portion of frond (X 1/5); C, Pistillate flower, from above (X 5.5);<br />
D, Pistillate sepal (X 5.5); E, Pistillate petal (X 6); F, Pistil<br />
(X 10); G, Pistil, from above (X 10>, H, Staminate sepal (X 9);<br />
I, Staminate petal (X 5); J, Stamen (X 10>.
84 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
other narrower, dark brown bands occur elsewhere on the segment,<br />
the lower surface covered with numerous, microscopic, sessile,<br />
deep brown scales, strongly sulcate above and conspicuously ribbed<br />
below; terminal segment cuneate, shallowly and irregularly erose<br />
at apex, 50 cm. long; middle and lower pinnae narrowly ligulate,<br />
obliquely praemorse and shallowly erose along apex, up to 16- nerved<br />
on lower surface, but often with only 3-5 strong nerves, the dark<br />
brown, tomentose, marginal band 4-8 mm. wide; spadices unisexual,<br />
arising on trunk at base of leafy shoot, white; staminate spadix with<br />
numerous branches, the branches slender with crowded staminate<br />
flowers; staminate sepals broadly depressed-rounded; staminate<br />
petals separate and free to the base, the margins pale; pistillate<br />
spadix covered minutely with short whitish tomentum; pistillate<br />
sepals depressed-suborbicular; staminodia attached at base of<br />
ovary (Fig. 11).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on southeast-facing<br />
slopes of Ptari-tepuT, state of Bolivar, alt. 1585-1600 m., November<br />
10-11, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60044.<br />
Local name: "Puru-a-yek". This is one of the dominants of the<br />
understory of the moist forest covering the southeast-facing slopes<br />
of Ptari-tepuT. The inside of the shoot is not edible.<br />
The characteristics of this new genus are the occurrence of the<br />
pistillate and staminate flowers in separate spadices, the pistillate<br />
flowers much smaller than in Socratea, Iriartea, Dictyocaryum,<br />
Catostigma, or Catoblastus, the entire glabrous ovary with apical<br />
stigmas, the very small staminate flowers with separate petals not<br />
spreading and not dilated or gibbous at base, and the 6 stamens.<br />
In Dugand's key to the Iriarteae (Caldasia 1: 33-34. 1940), this<br />
plant does not fall either section. into^<br />
He has "Flores de ambos<br />
sexos en el mismo espa'dice; ovario entero, de estigmas apicules o<br />
excentricos", which includes Socratea, Iriartea, Iriartella, Dictyocaryum,<br />
and Cuatrecasea, as opposed to "Flores de cada sexo en<br />
espadices, separados", which includes Catoblastus, Catostigma,<br />
Wettiniicarpus, and Wettinia. Our collection would fall in the latter<br />
group. However, that group has the "ovario casi siempre trilobulado<br />
(1 o 2 lobulos mas pequenbs abortivos) a menudo pubescente o<br />
velludo, con estilo o estigmas basilares o sobre los lobulos basales;<br />
palmeras medianas o elevadas", whereas our collection has "ovario<br />
entero, de estigmas apicales o excentricos" which would place<br />
it<br />
wkh Socratea, Iriartea, and Dictyocaryum.<br />
Like Dictyocaryum our collection has 6 stamens, entire ovary with<br />
apical stigmas, 6 staminodia, and the segments of the leaves quite<br />
laciniate in different directions; however, unlike that genus, the<br />
staminate and pistillate flowers are in separate spadices, the pistillate<br />
flowers are much smaller, and the staminate sepals are not<br />
dilated or gibbous at the base, and are much broader than long. In
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 85<br />
Dictyocaryum the staminate sepals are narrower and much longer<br />
than broad.<br />
It will be observed that the segments of the fronds in Dahlgrenia<br />
are narrow, because they have become split at maturity apparently<br />
into five narrow divisions, whereas actually<br />
it<br />
may represent just<br />
one leaf segment up to 21 cm. wide that has become split into portions<br />
from 3-5 cm. wide. On such a wide leaf the brown bands may<br />
number as many as nine, but when each segment splits lengthwise<br />
of the whole of which it is a part, these brown bands then appear<br />
marginal, with the result that there may be up to twenty-five main<br />
nerves extending lengthwise, these becoming fewer in number as the<br />
segment becomes split.<br />
Desmoncus duidensis Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Scandens vel subscandens; frondis vagina inermi fusco-furfuracea;<br />
fronde 0.78 m. longa; flagello tenui 20 cm. longo, foliolis hamatis<br />
4-jugis rectis 12-25 mm. longis, 1-1.5 mm. latis, aculeis brevibus<br />
retrorsis curvatis 1.5 mm. longis fusco-furfuraceis; rhachi tenui 2-3<br />
mm. crassa fusco-furfuracea aculeis retrorsis brevibus viridibus vel<br />
stramineis praedita; pinnis oppositis 4-jugis sessilibus oblongoellipticis<br />
ad apicem acuminatis ad basim nonnihil angustatis 12.5-16<br />
cm. longis, 3.5-6 cm. latis, supra glabris, infra minute fuscomaculatis<br />
vel punctatis, ad margines fusco-furfuraceis 2 mm., firme<br />
membra naceis.<br />
Low climbing or sprawling plant; frond dark green above, dull<br />
paler green below.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in forest along Base<br />
River (Cano Negro), at southeastern base of Cerro Duida, Territorio<br />
Federal Amazonas, alt. 225 m., August 23, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
57944.<br />
Desmoncus duidensis is distinguished by the few pairs of oblongelliptic<br />
sessile opposite pinnae, the slender, short, few pairs of<br />
straight barbs of the cirrhus, the unarmed leaf sheaths and leaflets,<br />
the minutely aculeate rachis, and the brown-furfuraceous margins.<br />
From D. nemorosus Barb, it differs in the unarmed leaf sheath,<br />
shorter more slender barbs of the cirrhus, and the fewer leaflets,<br />
which are not aculeate on the lower surface of the midrib. From<br />
D. aereus Drude it<br />
may be distinguished by the shorter, more slender,<br />
fewer barbs of the cirrhus, and by the short-aculeate rachis.<br />
Desmoncus maltijugus Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Scandens; frondis vagina pallido-viridi, tomento flavo-cinereo,<br />
setis fuscis confertis 2-15 mm. longis; fronde 1.7 m. longa brevipetiolata;<br />
petiolo 1 cm. longo; flagello 50 cm. longo, foliolis hamatis<br />
6-jugis oppositis rectis robustis, 1.3-5 cm. longis, 3-4 mm. latis,<br />
rhachi inermi; infra foliola hamata 2 foliolis aliis longioribus<br />
retrorso-patentibus 7.5-10 cm. longis; frondis rhachi utrinque fusco-
86 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
furfuracea, parte inferiore pubescente, aculeis fuscis 11-40 mm.<br />
longis abundanter instructa; pinnis plerumque alternatis vel suboppositis,<br />
utrinque 23-25, sessilibus anguste lanceolatis ad apicera<br />
acuminatis, ad basim angustatis, 20-30 cm. longis, 2-3 cm. latis,<br />
glabris praeter utrinque lineas fusco-furfuraceas aut tomentosas per<br />
nervos, supra omnino glabrescentibus, utrinque in costa media<br />
aculeis 2-6 fuscis, 13-32 mm. longis armatis, aculeis praesertim<br />
basi et parte inferiore saepe pubescentibus; spatha superiore aut<br />
interiore elliptica, 30 cm. longa, 8-10.5 cm. lata, tomentosa fusca,<br />
aculeis brevibus tenuibus nigro-fuscis basi straminea bulbosocrassiuscula<br />
oriundus; spadice simpliciter ramoso 15 cm. longo<br />
fusco vel purpureo-fusco-furfuraceo; spadicis ramis 37 angulatis<br />
undulatis 10-15 cm. longis, 2 mm. crassis, prope basim atro-fuscofurfuraceis<br />
aliter glabris; floribus foemineis: calyce cupulare gamosepala<br />
0.5 mm. alta margine 3-apiculata; corolla gamopetala pluristriata<br />
3-lobata, 1.5 mm. alta, lobis suborbicularibus, late rotunda tis,<br />
per margines obscures, 1.5 mm. alta, 2 mm. lata; spadicis pedunculo<br />
compresso, parte superiore 5 cm. longa, 1 cm. crassa, purpureofusco-furfuracea<br />
aculeis brevibus nigris 3-5 mm. longis praedita,<br />
parte inferiore 11 cm. longa, inermi; drupa novella ovoideo-oblonga<br />
superne subito angustata, 8.5-9 mm. longa, 5 mm. crassa.<br />
Pinnae closely but unequally distributed along the rachis, membranaceous,<br />
grass dull green above, dull paler green below, narrowly<br />
lanceolate, tapering to an acuminate apex, gradually narrowed to<br />
base, armed on midnerve and lower and upper leaf surfaces with 2-6<br />
dark brown spines 13-32 mm. long, the spines often pubescent,<br />
especially at base and lower half, the leaf surface glabrous except<br />
for brown-furfuraceous or tomentose lines along one or more nerves<br />
above and below, becoming entirely glabrescent above; rachis<br />
fuscous-furfuraceous throughout; upper spathe moderately armed with<br />
short slender black-brown spines 6-11 mm. long, arising from a<br />
bulbous-thickened buff-colored base; drupe becoming scarlet.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in vicinity of<br />
Tumeremo, between south of town and airport, state of Bolivar, alt.<br />
305 m., December 18, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60968.<br />
Known locally as "Camuari". The stems are stripped of their<br />
spines and split into lengths which are woven into various types of<br />
baskets (cana ate) and back carriers (guayare).<br />
This species is characterized by its numerous closely and unequally<br />
spaced pinnae, elongate black spines of the brown-furfuraceous<br />
leaf rachis, the spiny leaves, and the spiny broadly ovate<br />
inner spathe.<br />
It is most closely related to D. rudentum Mart., D.<br />
horrid us Splitgerb., D. palustris Trail, and D. angustisectus Burret,<br />
to which group<br />
it<br />
belongs by reason of the broad ovate inner spathe,<br />
and, following Burret's establishment of the section Orthacanthium,<br />
by the straight instead of recurved pairs of hooks, but from all these
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 87<br />
it is distinguished by the greater number of pinnae, combined with<br />
the other characters stated above.<br />
Euterpe ptariana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caudez 8-9.5 m. altus, 5-7.5 cm. crass us; frondibus magnis 2.2 m.<br />
longis, in parte media 1.4 m. latis, pinnis utrinsecus 32, petiolo<br />
30-32 cm. longo, 2-2.5 cm. lato, supra concavo, subtus convezo<br />
utrinque atro-leproso, ad vaginam dilatato; frondis<br />
coriacea vagina elongata<br />
glauca cano-viridi maculis purpureo-fuscis, rhachi triangulari,<br />
2.5-20 mm. crassa, subtus squamis nigris aut purpureo-fuscis<br />
persistentibus obtecta, lateribus squamis paucioribus; pinnis subcoriaceis<br />
suboppositis vel alternatis ligulato-lanceolatis acuminatis<br />
vel filiformi-caudatis, usque ad 80 cm. longis et 5 cm. latis, 2<br />
infimis angustissimis 0.4-0.8 cm. latis, plerumque 5-nervatis, subtus<br />
costa media et nervis primariis squamis elongatis persistentibus<br />
purpureo-fuscis obtectis, inter nervos maculis fuscis parvissimis;<br />
spatha coriacea squamis purpureo- vel nigro-fuscis partim vel oranino<br />
obtecta, moz glabrescenti; spadice immatura 15 cm. longa, pedunculo<br />
brevissimo 2-3 cm. longo, ramis circ. 30, 20-25 cm. longis, 1.5-2<br />
mm. eras sis, minute puberulis pilis pallidis vel stramineis, bracteis<br />
3.5-4 mm. longis ovatis acuminatis; floribus immaturis.<br />
Pinnae subcoriaceous, deep green above, dull green below, upper<br />
surface (in dried state) covered with a "bloom", middle pinnae falcate<br />
with a long acuminate or filiform-caudate tip, 58-61 cm. long,<br />
4.5-5 cm. wide, the caudate part up to 5.5 cm. long, the upper pinnae<br />
short, abruptly acuminate, the uppermost ones 20-37 cm. long, 2.5-3.5<br />
cm. wide, the 2 lowermost pinnae much narrower than the others,<br />
63-80 cm. long, 0.4-0.8 cm. wide, the pinnae mostly 5-nerved (including<br />
the midnerve and 2 strong nerves on each side), the principal<br />
nerves and especially the midrib on lower surface covered with<br />
elongated purplish-brown persistent scales attenuate at each end<br />
and darker black-brown in the center, minutely dotted with dull<br />
brown spots on the leaf surface between the nerves.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in forest near<br />
"Misia Kathy" camp, southeast-facing slopes of Ptari-tepuij state<br />
of Bolivar, alt. 1585-1600 m., November 10-11, 1944, Julian A.<br />
Steyermark 60045.<br />
Local name: "Manaca-si-yek". The interior of the shoot of this<br />
palm is edible. It is a common species of the forest at the elevation<br />
noted.<br />
This species is characterized by the purplish-brown or blackish<br />
scales attached to the nerves of the lower leaf surface, the blackishbrown<br />
scurfiness on the lower part and sides of the leaf rachis, the<br />
glaucous gray-green leaf sheath wkh purple-brown specks, the<br />
minutely puberulous branches of the rachis of the inflorescence with<br />
pale buff pubescence, and the very narrow lowermost leaf segments.
88 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
It differs from E. roraimae Dammer, which also possesses peculiar,<br />
large, colored scales, in that the scales of the lower leaf<br />
surface of E. roraimae are rich brown, whereas those of E. ptariana<br />
are much darker brown, being purple- or blackish-brown and darker in<br />
the center. Furthermore, in E. ptariana there is an abundance of persistent<br />
dark purplish-brown or blackish scales on the lower side of<br />
the leaf rachis, whereas in E. roraimae these are either absent,<br />
relatively sparse, or deciduous in mature leaves. Moreover, the<br />
branches of the spadiz in E. roraimae are fuscous-brown tomentose,<br />
whereas in E. ptariana they are minutely puberulous with buff or<br />
light-colored hairs. Another characteristic of E. ptariana is the<br />
glaucous gray-green leaf sheath speckled purple-brown. In addition,<br />
the peduncle of the spadix in E, ptariana appears, by comparison<br />
with the rachis, to be much shorter and the branches more slender<br />
than in E. roraimae. Finally, the lowermost pinnae are much narrower<br />
in E. ptariana than in . roraimae.<br />
Geonoma karuaiana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caudez 1.75-2.75 m. altus; frondibus usque ad 7.5 dm. longis<br />
pinnatisectis; pinnis utroque latere 4; petiolo 30-33 cm. longo plus<br />
minusve partim fusco-leproso, moz partim glabrescenti; pinnis firme<br />
membranaceis, 35-50 cm. longis, 4-12 cm. latis, apice falcatoacuminato<br />
filiform!, nervis primariis 4-11, subtus ad nervos squamis<br />
fuscis persistentibus seriatis dispositis; spatha 10-11 cm. longa,<br />
1.5-2.5 cm. lata, extus fusco-leprosa; spadice 11-20 cm. longo,<br />
10-20 cm. crasso; pedunculo tenuiter granuloso-tuberculato squamis<br />
fuscis; spadicis ramis 7-11, simplicibus 7 vel 2 infimis furcatis ad<br />
apicem spinosis, 9-15 cm. longis, 3 mm. crass is, dense vel brevker<br />
piles is, tenuiter granulosotuberculatis; floribus in foveis spiraliter<br />
dispositis, 40 e basi ad apicem 2-4 mm. dissitis non bilabiatis,<br />
labio inferio truncate fere recto, labio superio curvato-rotundato;<br />
floribus masculinis: sepalis elliptico-oblongis obtusis, 2.5 mm.<br />
longis, 1.75 mm. latis ad margines denticulatis; petalis 2.5 mm.<br />
longis, 1.75 mm. latis, oblanceolato-oblongis obtusis usque ad 2/3<br />
longitudinem connatis; urceolo staminali 0.5 mm. longo; filamentis<br />
0.5 mm. longis; antheris 1.25-1*5 mm. longis; floribus foe mine is sub<br />
anthesi: sepalis 2-2.5 mm. longis oblongo-lanceolatis; fructu<br />
elliptic o-ovato 7 mm. longo, 6 mm. crasso, nigro (sicco) stria tula to<br />
(sicco).<br />
Frond dark green above, dull green below; petiole with patches of<br />
brown scurfiness, becoming glabrescent in places; pinnae widely<br />
separated, 7.5 cm. separating the first pair from the second, 7.5-8.5<br />
cm. separating the second pair from the third, and 6-7.5 cm. separating<br />
the third pair from the fourth pair, the lower 3 pairs of pinnae<br />
35-45 cm. long, 4-4.5 cm. wide, 7-11-nerved, narrowly lanceolate,<br />
falcate -acuminate, the apez prolonged into a long filiform tip 3-4.5<br />
cm. long; uppermost pairs of pinnae 45-50 cm. long, 11-12 cm. wide,<br />
broadly lanceolate, with 4 primary nerves, the falcate-acmoinate
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 89<br />
apex prolonged into a slender filiform tip about 3-4 cm. long, asymmetric<br />
at base, the lower surface of the main nerves with lines of<br />
persistent brown scales, which also tend to persist in patches along<br />
the leaf rachis, on the lower surface, and on the sides; spadix 11 cm.<br />
long in anthesis, 15-20 cm. in fruit, 5-20 cm. in diameter, the peduncle<br />
finely granule se-tuberculate with dark brown scales interspersed<br />
along the axis, the branches of the spadix 7-11, the simple<br />
ones 7, the two lowest sometimes forked, spinose at apex, 9-15 cm.<br />
long, densely or sparsely short-pubescent, finely granulose-tuberculate,<br />
the hairs darkening in age; flowers with foveolae 3-4 mm. apart<br />
on the same side, but only 2 mm. apart between those nearest each<br />
other; fruit small, blackish when dried, deep olive green in life.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected along Rio Karuai, at<br />
base of Sororopan-tepui^ west of La Laja, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220<br />
m., November 29, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60789.<br />
This species is characterized by having few (4) pairs of broad<br />
leaf segments which on the nerves of the lower leaf surface and<br />
along the lower surface of the leaf rachis have lines of brown scurfiness,<br />
relatively small fruits, minutely pilose rachillae of the flowering<br />
branches, spinose tips of the branches, and relatively small<br />
spathes.<br />
Hyospathe maculata Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caudex solitarius, 1.3 m. altus, 8 mm. crassus; lamina 55-65 cm.<br />
longa, 4-6-juga fere concolori firme membranacea; petiolo 12.5 cm.<br />
longo, 4 mm. crasso; rhachi 19-28 cm. longa utrinque irregulariter<br />
fusco-maculata; segmentis falcatis inaequalibus, late lanceolatis<br />
anguste acuminatis, 35-43 longis, jugis infimis 1.5-3 cm. latis,<br />
mediis 3.5-4.5 cm. latis, supremis 4.5-6 cm. latis, infra glabratis,<br />
nervis pluribus; segmentis intermediis angustioribus linearibus vel<br />
lineari-lanceolatis, 35-38 cm. longis, 1-1.5 cm. latis, anguste acuminatis,<br />
apicibus filiformibus; vagina fusco-maculata leprosa; spadice<br />
parvo; spatha non visa; pedunculo 3*9-4 cm. longo, 3 mm. lato;<br />
inflorescentiae rhachi pallid o-viridi, parte florifera 9 cm. longa, 18<br />
cm. lata, ramis 12, simplicibus, 5.5-10 cm. longis, 1.5-2 mm. crassis;<br />
floribus masculinis sessilibus: calyce 1.25 mm. longo, 1 mm. lato,<br />
lobis 4 parce inaequalibus late triangularibus, 0.3-0.4 mm. longis,<br />
apice 0.2 mm. latis; petalis 4, 2.8-3 mm. longis, 0.9-1 mm. latis,<br />
oblongis vel lanceolaco-oblongis, obtusis, tenuiter pluristriatis;<br />
staminibus 4-7; antheris 0.8-0.9 mm. longis; filamentis 1 mm. longis;<br />
fructu non viso.<br />
Rachis of frond irregularly dotted or splotched on all sides, especially<br />
prominent on lower side, with dark brown scales or masses<br />
of scales; segments of frond glabrate on the lower surface or somewhat<br />
brown-scaly near base, deep green above, dull green below;<br />
leaf sheath dark brown, mottled with tiny patches of persistent<br />
scales, less densely so on older spathes; flowering rachis arising<br />
on trunk just below leafy shoot, divergent; flowers dull yellow.
90 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on wooded slopes<br />
of Quebrada O-paru-ma, between Santa Teresita de Kavanayen and<br />
Rio Pacairao (tributary of Rio Mouak), state of Bolivar, alt. 1065-<br />
1220 m., Nov. 20-21, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60406.<br />
Known locally as "Kricha-yu-yek". The fruit is said to be edible,<br />
and has an acidulous watery quality.<br />
This species is characterized by the small spadix and spadix<br />
branches, the 4-6 pairs of leaf segments, and by the maculate leaf<br />
sheath and base of the leaf stipe. It is most closely related to<br />
H. Ulei Dammer of Peru, from which it differs in the sessile staminate<br />
flowers with 4 instead of 3 petals, 4 instead of 3 calyx lobes,<br />
and shorter anthers.<br />
Mauritia flexuosa L., var. venezuelana Steyermark, var. nov.<br />
A typo differt fructu minore, squamis fructiferis minoribus, et<br />
lobis calycis fructifera minoribus.<br />
Outer pistillate lobes suborbicular, 6-7 mm. long, 7-8 mm. wide,<br />
the inner ones ovate, acute, 8 mm. long, 6.5 mm. wide; fruit 3.5-4 cm.<br />
broad; scales of the fruit relatively small, 3.5 mm. long, 4-4.25<br />
mm. wide.<br />
Local name:<br />
"Moriche".<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected along a small stream<br />
with running water in morichales in savanna between Rio Carom' and<br />
Ciudad Boli'var, state of Boli'var, alt. 200 m., August 2, 1944, Julian<br />
A. Steyermark 57649.<br />
According to Pittier et al, the common species of Mauritia in the<br />
morichales of the llano in Venezuela is M. minor Burret (Catalogo de<br />
la Flora Venezolana, vol. 1: 143. 1945), and M. flexuosa is not even<br />
credited to the country. But, Pittier was following the results of<br />
Dugand's studies when he adopted the name M. minor, since Dugand<br />
showed what was passing in Colombia as M. flexuosa was really<br />
M. minor, the material common to the eastern llanos in Colombia<br />
having elliptical rather than globose fruit. According to his communication<br />
from Pittier, it is stated (Dugand, A. Caldasia 3: 18.<br />
1941) that "El Profesor H. Pittier, a quien comunique recientemente<br />
mis dudas respecto a la identidad del moriche del Meta, me ha<br />
escrito confirmando mis punto de vista y diciendome que los ejemplares<br />
del moriche venezolano que e'l posee tampoco pertecen a M.<br />
flexuosa puesto que sus frutos son elipticos y no globosos."<br />
However, this statement by Pittier is not borne out by the present<br />
collection (Steyermark 57649), which comes from the llanos around<br />
Ciudad Bolivar, and which has globose mature fruits. Those collected<br />
by Williams (his no. 14802) from the Upper Rib Negro (cited<br />
as M. Carana Wallace) are described by Williams as "globose".<br />
Apparently, Pittier's observations communicated to Dugand are either
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 91<br />
inexact or too general. Thus far, all the material examined by me<br />
from the Venezuelan llanos has globose fruit.<br />
The size of the scales of the fruit, the fruit itself, and the length<br />
of the calyx lobes in Steyermark 57649 are all smaller than stated in<br />
the description of M. flexuosa given by Drude in Mart. Fl. Bras,<br />
(pp. 290-291), but agree with that species better than for any other.<br />
In the absence of typical material of M flexuosa from Surinam, and<br />
from the lack of identifying criteria in Linnaeus *s description, this<br />
Venezuelan collection is probably best treated as a small-fruited<br />
variety of that species, having the same type of globular fruit as is<br />
characteristic of M. flexuosa. From M Minor if differs in its smaller<br />
globose rather than elliptic fruit, smaller fruiting scales, and smaller<br />
calyx lobes, while from M. Corona it differs principally, if Wallace's<br />
description is to be followed literally, in the shape of the fruits,<br />
described in Af. Corona as "slightly ovate".<br />
Dugand (Caldasia 3: 18. 1941) further states that "las informaciones<br />
del Profesor Pittier son suficientemente significativas y<br />
deben aceptarse como terminantes en el sentido de que el moriche<br />
venezolano no corresponde a la descripcion de M. flexuosa*" Since<br />
I have shown above that the globose fruits of my 57649 do correspond,<br />
it is proper to refer them to M. flexuosa as agreeing with the<br />
description for globose fruits.<br />
Socratea albolineata Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caudex solitarius, gracilis, 9-12 m. altus, 7.5-12.5 cm. crassus;<br />
frondibus 2.7 cm. longis, segmentis utrinque 18; rhachi dense pallida<br />
flavido-tomentosa, prope basim 3 cm. crassa; frondibus apice furcatis<br />
paripinnatis, segmentis cuneatis transversim praemorsis; segmentis<br />
majoribus cuneatis, apice oblique maximis 70-90 cm. longis,<br />
10-17 cm. latis, circ. 15-nervatis, infra 10-13 lineis tomentosis<br />
albidis aliter glabris; spadice fructifero 50 cm. longo, basi 5-10 cm.<br />
lato, parte media 2-3 cm. lata, supra 0.5-1 cm. lato et glabriusculo<br />
vel tenuiter parce adpresso-piloso, infra tenuker strigoso; ramis<br />
fructiferis patento-curvatis, 15-35 cm. longis, 5-6 mm. crassis, ad<br />
basim fulvo-tomentosis; vaginis fructiferis indumento tenui cinereo<br />
vestitis, praesertim infimis pilis fuscis brevibus adpressis; perianthio<br />
fructifero glabro; sepalis fructiferis late triangularibus, supra<br />
rotundatis, 4 mm. longis, 7 mm. latis; petalis fructiferis late<br />
depresso-suborbicularibus, 3-5 mm. longis, 11 mm. latis; bacca oblonga<br />
calva glabra pallido-fusca, 2.5 cm. longa, 2 cm. crassa; pericarpio<br />
1 mm. crasso; semine oblongo, 17-18 mm. longo, 13 mm. lato;<br />
embryone apicali vel subapicali; mesocarpio albido furfuraceo, lineis<br />
irregularibus castaneis radiato; endocarpio extus fusco lineis irregularibus<br />
pallido-vel flavido-fuscis anastomosantibus ramificatis.<br />
Frond forked and praemorse at apex with shallow irregular teeth;<br />
larger segments cuneate, obliquely praemorse at apex with irregular<br />
coarse teeth, the margin extended into 6-8 laciniate portions slender-
92 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
ly elongated, the lower surface glabrous except for 10-13 dull white,<br />
tomentose, longitudinal bands, deep green on upper surface, dull<br />
green on lower surface; fruking spadix arising at base of (below)<br />
leaf sheath, 5-10 era. wide at base, 2-3 era. wide in middle portion,<br />
0.5-1 cm. wide in the upper half, glabrescent or finely sparsely<br />
appressed-pilose above or finely strigose below; fruking sheaths<br />
covered with a dull gray, fine coating, which is covered over, especially<br />
on the lowermost sheath, with brown appressed short hairs;<br />
mesocarp whitish, dry-scaly, with irregular, castaneous, thread-like<br />
parts running lengthwise through tissue; outside of endocarp dark<br />
brown with irregular buff or pale brown longitudinal lines anastomosing<br />
or branching on surface.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in lower portion of<br />
Quebrada O-paru-ma, tributary of Rio Pacairao, below Santa Teresita<br />
de Kavanayen, state of Bolivar, alt. 915-1065 m., November 25, 1944,<br />
Julian A Steyermark 60541*<br />
Known locally as "Capai-chan-yek" ("Cola de Pescado"). The<br />
bark and wood are used locally by the inhabitants for making into<br />
roofs.<br />
This species is distinguished by the longitudinal lines of white<br />
tomentum on the lower surface of the leaf segments, which are otherwise<br />
glabrous, by the concolorous leaf surfaces, and by the dense<br />
tomentum over the surface of the leaf rachis, especially in its lower<br />
portion. From S. elegans Karst., described as having the lower side<br />
of the leaf segments with "lineis albo-tomentosulis notatas", this<br />
new species differs in the concolorous rather than glaucous lower<br />
leaf surface, and in the segments with longer, more erose tips.<br />
ARACEAE<br />
Anthurium duidae Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Planta terrestris glabra; caudice paullo elongato, 5 mm. crasso,<br />
internodiis 1.5-3 cm. longis; cataphyllis ovatis vel lanceolatis,<br />
obtusis, nervatis, 1.5-5 cm. longis, 1-1.3 cm. latis; petiolis lamina<br />
longioribus, 19-28 cm. longis, 2.5-3 mm. crassis; lamina in sicco<br />
subcoriacea, late ovato-oblonga, 13-16 cm. longa, 8-11 cm. lata,<br />
supra obscure viridi, subtus pallida, apice rotundata, basi subcordata,<br />
nervis primariis utrinque 1, basi nascentibus, 1-1.3 cm. a<br />
margine remotis, utrinque distincte prominentibus.<br />
Blades deep green above, pale below.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on summit of Cerro<br />
Duida, along valley forest between Central Camp and Brocchinia<br />
Hills, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 1675 m., August 31, 1944,<br />
Julian A. Steyermark 58099.<br />
In leaf shape this species somewhat resembles A. marense Krause,<br />
but that species has the primary nerves more remote from the margin
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 93<br />
and a more deeply cordate or subcordate leaf. From A. glanduligerum<br />
Engl. it differs in having 3 instead of 5 prominent nerves (1 instead<br />
of 2 main primary nerves on each side of the midnerve), the lowest<br />
pair evident in A. glanduligerum, but not in A. duidae. It is unfortunate<br />
that the material upon which this new species is based is sterile,<br />
but it resembles no other described species.<br />
Anthurium Krauseanum Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Herba epiphytica, caudice elongate, 5-10 mm. crasso, internodiis<br />
2-2.5 cm. long is, caulibus radices paucas elongatas emittentibus;<br />
cataphyllis ovato-oblongis, obtusis, 2-2.5 cm. longis; foliorum<br />
petiolis 21-23 cm. longis, 3 mm. crassis, supra sulcatis teretiusculis;<br />
lamina coriacea, supra atro-viridi nitente, ovato-oblonga, basi subtruncata<br />
vel rotundata, apice obtusa, 17-19 cm. longa, 7-8.5 cm. lata,<br />
nervis primaries utrinque 2 basi nascentibus, infimis leviter arcuatis<br />
in ima quarta parte marginibus exeuntibus, intimis validioribus<br />
adscendentibus medium a margine 1.3-15 cm. remotis, utrinque distincte<br />
prominentibus; spatha 2.3 cm. longa, 5 mm. lata; spadice<br />
stipite 4 mm. longo suffulto,10 mm. longo, 4 mm. crasso.<br />
Leaves dark green and shining above, dull paler green below;<br />
spadix dull lavender.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in woods on southeastern<br />
portion of base of Carrao-tepui, state of Bolivar, alt. 1460-<br />
1615 m., December 4-5, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60847.<br />
This species is related to A. crassifolium N. E. Brown, differing<br />
from that in its smaller spathe and spadix, stipitate instead of sessile<br />
spadix, and subtruncate to broad, instead of cuneate, leaf base.<br />
In its shorter stipe and spadix, and narrower spathe,<br />
it differs from<br />
A, microphyllum (Hook.) Don.<br />
Anthurium monsterioides Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caudex epiphyticus; foliorum petiolo 45 cm. longo, 1-2 cm. crasso,<br />
semitereti; lamina 9-H-secta, segmentis subpetiolatis, basi longe<br />
cuneatis liberis, apice abrupte acuminatis, 35-60 cm. longis, 10-25<br />
cm. lads, nervis primariis 3-4 utrinque; lobis 4 utrinque vel paucioribus<br />
remotis, apice abrupte acuminatis et sursum curvatis, 8-12 cm.<br />
longis, 5.5-8.5 cm. latis; pedunculo quam petiolo breviore, 25 cm.<br />
longo, 8 mm. crasso; spatha subcoriacea, viridi, 10-24 cm. longa,<br />
1.5-3 cm. lata, lanceolata, acuminata reflexa; spadice sessili<br />
pallid o-purpurascente, 8-23 cm. longo, inferne 0.7-1.3 cm. crasso;<br />
tepalis 2 mm. longis, 1-1.3 mm. latis; pistillo 2-2.3 mm. longo;<br />
ovario oblongo-ovoideo; stigmate sessile coronato.<br />
Leaf blade dark green above, dull green below, the 9-11 segments<br />
cuneate ly tapering and decurrent to the substipitate base, the stipi-<br />
'tate portion up to 1.5 cm. long, midnerve prominent especially below;<br />
inflorescence arising from base of leaf sheath.
94 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on rich forested<br />
slopes along Rio Onia, near Bolero, north of Mesa Bolivar, state of<br />
Merida, alt. 545-915 m., May 23, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 56727.<br />
Apparently a member of sect. Semaeophy Ilium Schott, this species<br />
is related to A. Holtonianum Schott, A, Burchellianum (Engl.) Macbr.,<br />
and A clavigerum Poepp. & Endl. in its deeply lobed, laciniate<br />
leaves, but differs from all of them in the acuminate lobes of the<br />
segments, each segment deeply cut in the manner of Monstera dilacerata.<br />
The lobing most closely approaches that of /4. clavigerum,<br />
but that species has most of the lobes rounded at the apex, and the<br />
spaces between the lobes are larger. To add to the resemblance<br />
between this species and Monstera dilacerata, it will be noted that<br />
some of the leaflets of the segments have large holes, which appear<br />
as natural as those in the Monstera, although in the single specimen<br />
at hand, it is not possible to state definitely whether some of the<br />
holes may not have been caused by insect damage. None of the<br />
other lobate-laciniate species of Anthurium have long acuminate, upwardly<br />
curved tips to the lobes of the segments, nor have as deeply<br />
cut lobes as has this species.<br />
Anthurium ptarianum Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Planta terrestris, caudice erecto elongate, 1.5 cm. alto, circ. 1 cm.<br />
crasso; cataphyllis lanceolatis, elongatis; foliorum petiole 53-60 cm.<br />
longo, 4-6 mm. crasso; lamina coriacea erecta late ovato-hastata,<br />
25-30 cm. longa, 15-16 cm. lata, apice obtusis, basi late subcordata,<br />
lobis posticis brevibus vel semi-orb icularibus, 8-8.5 cm. longis,<br />
8-8.5 cm. lads, exitu rotundatis, sinu amplo semicircular], lobo<br />
antico inferne 15-16 cm., superne 7-8 cm. lato, nervis primariis e<br />
basi nascentibus utrinque 4, interlobaribus et proximis liberis, nervis<br />
secundariis confertis; spatha subcoriacea reflexa, lanceolata, apice<br />
acuminata, basi decurrenti, 6.5 cm. longa, infeme 1.5 cm. lata;<br />
spadice 9-15 cm. longo, 4-15 mm. crasso, tenuiter fusiformi, stipite<br />
suffulto; tepalis in anthesi 1.8-3.5 mm. longis, 1.8-2.5 mm. latis;<br />
ovario 1.5-2 mm. longo.<br />
Lamina of leaf rich deep green above, paler below; spathe dull<br />
green; spadix dull lavender; fruiting parts blood red (Fig. 12).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on forested southfacing<br />
slopes overlying sandstone, on "Cave Rock" above "Cave<br />
Camp", Ptari-tepui, state of Bolivar, alt. 1810 m., October 29, 1944,<br />
Julian A. Steyermark 59509 (2 sheets).<br />
Apparently a member of section Belolonchium Schott, it is nearest<br />
A. conjunctum K. Krause of Bolivia and A. Lechlerianum Schott of<br />
Peru in leaf shape. The spathe and spadix, however, are longer than<br />
in those species.<br />
It is characterized by the lavender spadix, dull<br />
green elongated spathe, blades with 5 main nerves on each side and<br />
closely secondary nerves.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 95<br />
FIGURE 12<br />
Anthurium ptarianum Steyermark<br />
Blade and upper part of petiole (X 1/2).
96 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Philodendron duidae Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Planta terrestris; caudice crasso brevissimo; foliis basallbus;<br />
foliorum petiole erecto tereti, 40 cm.longo, 4-10 mm. crasso, deorsum<br />
dilatato; lamina coriacea perfoliata ovato-semiorbiculari vel cordatoovata,<br />
apice abrupte cuspidulata, basi cordata, 24-25 cm. longa,<br />
16.5-18 cm. lata; lobo antico late ovato, inferne 16-17 cm., superne<br />
7-10 cm. lato; lobis posticis paullo retrorsis rotundatis obtusis, 4-6<br />
cm. longis, 5-6 cm. latis, ad 1/3-1/2 longitudinis connatis, nervis<br />
lateralibus numerosissimis aequaliter prominentibus tenuibus confertis;<br />
pedunculo 1.3 cm. longo, 1.2 cm. crasso; spatha subcoriacea<br />
ovato-lanceolata, apice acuta, infra medium constricta, 15.5 cm.<br />
longa, media 4.3 cm., basi 7 cm., prope apicem 2 cm. lata; spadice<br />
cylindrico, 10.8 cm. longo, 1.6-1.7 cm. crasso; inflorescentia foeminea<br />
quam mascula breviore, 3 cm. longa, 1.6 cm. crassa; pistillo<br />
depresso-cylindrico vel late oblongo, 1.5 mm. longo, stigmate 1.5<br />
mm. lato rotundato paullo convexo coronata, 4-6-loculari, loculis<br />
pluribus tota longitudine loculorum insert is; inflorescentia mascula<br />
7.8 cm. longa, 1.7 cm. crassa, parte superiore 2/3 sterili.<br />
Leaves basal, deep green above, dull green below, the numerous<br />
fine nerves equally prominent, subhorizontally spreading to ascending<br />
in middle portion, retrorse to descending in postical lobes,<br />
ascending towards apex, marginal nerve prominent, more strongly<br />
developed than others; inflorescence arising from center of plant;<br />
spathe yellow green, suffused with salmon at base, longer than<br />
spadix; spadix whitish; staminate inflorescence sterile above in<br />
upper 2/3, the parts of the sterile portion irregularly 4-6-angled,<br />
some of the margins somewhat crenate, fleshy, 1.5-2 mm. high, those<br />
in the upper half 1.2-1.5 mm. wide, those in lower part 2-3 mm. wide<br />
across the top (Fig. 13).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected among rock outcrops,<br />
Savanna Hills, summit of Cerro Duida, Territorio Federal Amazonas,<br />
alt. 1025-1200 m., September 2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58225<br />
(2 sheets). Same locality, Tate 830 (NY).<br />
Evidently a member of sect. Baursia, since all the nerves of the<br />
leaf blade are equal, dense, and close together. This species is<br />
remarkable in possessing perfoliate leaves, the basal lobes of the<br />
blade completely surrounding the petiole. The completely sterile<br />
upper 2/3 of the staminate inflorescence is also noteworthy. At the<br />
time this species was collected by Tate from the Savanna Hills,<br />
Krause indicated (Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 58: 321. 1931) that it would<br />
prove to be a new species, but did not describe it, because only the<br />
sterile specimen was available. It is fortunate that flowering material<br />
has been obtained subsequently.<br />
Philodendron Englereanum Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Planta terrestris et epiphytica; caudice crasso; foliorum petiolo<br />
erecto tereti, 38-44 cm. longo, 3-8 mm. crasso; lamina coriacea,
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 97<br />
subtus glauco cordato-ovata, apice abrupte cuspidulata, basi profunde<br />
cordata, 28-30 cm. longa, 16-17 cm. lata; lobo antico late<br />
ovato, inferne 16.5-17 cm., superne 8.5-9 cm. lato; lobis posticis<br />
paullo retrorsis rotundatis obtusis, 5.5 cm. longis, 6.5-7 cm. latis,<br />
nervis lateralibus numerosissimis, omnibus subaequalibus confertis<br />
subarcuatis percursatis.<br />
FIGURE 13<br />
Philodendron duidae Steyermark<br />
Blade and upper portion of petiole (X 1/2).
98 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Lamina of leaf deep green above, glaucous-silvery below.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in dwarf wet woods,<br />
lower southeastern slopes of Carrao-tepui, state of Bolivar, December<br />
5-6, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60863. Another collection,<br />
with more juvenile foliage, is same locality, Steyermark 60864.<br />
This species, its leaves with numerous, closely spaced, subeqttal<br />
nerves, is related to P. duidae Steyerm., described above, from<br />
which it differs in the glaucous-silvery lower leaf surface of the<br />
blades, which in a mature stage (Steyermark 60863) have the postical<br />
lobes divided all the way to the petiole. In juvenile leaves (Steyermark<br />
60864) a subpeltate condition is found. In addition, the blades<br />
are relatively narrower, being ovate-oblong instead of ovate-sub-,<br />
orbicular, as in P duidae, and more abruptly acuminate at apex.<br />
Philodendron Krauseanum Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caudex scandens, teres, internodiis superioribus 8-12 mm. longis;<br />
foliorum petiolo 6-11 cm. longo, vagina persistenti latiuscula, ad 17<br />
mm. lata. apice obtusa, laminae basin haud attingenti instructo;<br />
lamina coriacea, oblongo-elliptica, apice cuspidato-acuminata, basi<br />
obtusa vel rotundata, 15-22 cm. longa, 6-8 cm. lata, nervis primariis<br />
utrinque 8, supra conspicuoribus arcuatim adscendentibus; pedunculo<br />
ca. 3.5 cm. longo; spatha extus viridi, 11-12.5 cm. longa, tubo<br />
ovoideo-oblongo, 2.5-3 cm. lato, quam lamina oblonga apice abrupte<br />
cuspidata paullum breviore; spadice cylindrico sursum paullum<br />
attenuate obtuso quam spatha breviore vel longiore, 10.5-16.5 cm.<br />
longo, 1-1.5 cm. crasso; inflorescentia foeminea, 5-7.5 cm. longa,<br />
ca. 1.5 cm. crassa; pistillo prismatico, 5 mm. longo, plerumque<br />
4-loculari, ovulis pro loculo numerosissimis biseriatis, stigmate<br />
majusculo rotundato corona to; inflorescentia mascula 8-9 cm. longa,<br />
1 cm. crassa; floribus masculis prismaticis.<br />
Leaf sheath broad on both sides of petiole and extending to within<br />
7-8 mm. of junction with blade and petiole, slightly produced beyond<br />
the insertion; leaf blades deep or rich green above, dull paler green<br />
below, midnerve prominent, especially below, 1.5 mm. wide, the 8<br />
primary nerves on each side on lower surface of blade much more<br />
conspicuous than the fine, closely spaced, arcuate-ascending<br />
secondary and tertiary nerves.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in lower portion of<br />
Quebrada O-paru-ma', tributary of Rib Pacairao, below Santa Tereska<br />
de Kavanayen, state of Bolivar, alt. 915-1065 m., November 25, 1944,<br />
Julian A. Steyermark 60567. Also collected along wooded quebrada,<br />
Gran Sabana, between waterfall at Rue'-meru (tributary of Rio Kukena'n)<br />
and Divina Pastora on Rio Kukenan north of Santa Elena, south<br />
of Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 1065 m., October 3, 1944,<br />
Steyermark 59276.<br />
In the broad petiolar sheath this species approaches P. lingulatum<br />
(L.) C. Koch of the West Indies, but that has the leaf blades more
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 99<br />
obtuse at base and a narrower petiolar sheath. In P. lingulatum the<br />
leaf blade is ovate, whereas in P. Krauseanum it is oblong-elliptic.<br />
Philodendron ptarianum Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Planta terrestris, caudice epigaeo, internodiis brevibus; cataphyllis<br />
lanceolatis, 24 cm. long is; foliorum petiolo verrucoso, supra<br />
2-angulato, dorsaliter convexo, 6-7 cm. longo, 3.5-4.5 mm. crasso;<br />
lamina erecta coriacea, supra nitida, lanceolata, apice breviter<br />
cuspidata, basi obtusa, 23-25 cm. longa, 4.6-5.1 cm. lata, paullo<br />
inaequilaterali, costa media crassissima, supra verrucosa, basi 3-4<br />
mm. lata, nervis lateralibus numerosissimis densissimis, omnibus<br />
subaequalibus parallelis, 1-1.25 mm. remotis, leviter arcuatim<br />
adscendentibus.<br />
Petiole verrucose, 2-angled above, convex below, leaf blade erect,<br />
dark green and shining above, yellow green below, midnerve above<br />
verrucose, pale green.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on dry, sandy and<br />
rocky sandstone exposures on level ground adjacent to swamp on<br />
plateau-portion of southeast-facing slopes, Ptari-tepui, state of<br />
Bolivar, alt. 1600 m., November 1, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59682.<br />
Apparently a member of sect. Baursia, and although in sterile<br />
condition, this species is well-marked by its distinctive vegetative<br />
characters of verrucose petiole and upper surface of midrib, as well<br />
as by the relatively small lanceolate leaf blades, which are shining<br />
on the upper surface, and by the elongated petioles. It is related to<br />
P macro gloss urn Schott, P, stenophyllum Krause, P* calophyllum<br />
Brongn., and P. insigne Schott.<br />
Philonotion Williams!! Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Planta herbacea; foliorum petiolo 6-7 cm. longo; vagina 3.5-5<br />
longa, 5-8 mm. lata, inferne dilatata; lamina anguste lanceolata,<br />
apice 8-10 mm. longe filiformi-caudata, basi obtusa repentino contracta,<br />
6-12 cm. longa, 13-15 mm. lata, nervis lateralibus numerosis<br />
subaequalibus tenuibus valde adscendentibus; pedunculo cataphyllo<br />
longo vaginante, subtus incluso, 19 cm. longo, 2-4 mm. lato; spatha<br />
8 cm. longa, fauce 3.5 cm. longa, 1.5 cm. ampla, lamina cylindrica<br />
vel anguste cyrabiformi, 4 cm. longa, 8 mm. lata, cuspide 8 mm. longa<br />
instructa; spadice 7 cm. longo; inflorescentia foeminea 1.5 cm. longa,<br />
5 mm. crassa, sursum attenuata; pistillo 1.6 mm. longo, ovario<br />
elliptico-oblongo uniloculari, ovulo unico funiculo longo infra medium<br />
parietis lateraliter affixo, stigmate hemispherico-discoideo; inflorescentia<br />
mascula sterili 2-2.5 cm. longa, inferne 4 mm. crassa, mascula<br />
fertili subfusiformi, 3.5 cm. longa, medio 4.5 mm. crassa.<br />
Petiolar sheath 1/2-3/4 length of petiole, obtuse at apex; lamina<br />
of leaf narrowly lanceolate, abruptly tipped with a filiform-caudate<br />
appendage 8-10 mm. long, midnerve somewhat prominent below,<br />
broadened near base to 1.5-2 mm. wide, the lateral nerves faint or<br />
cm.
100 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
FIGURE 14<br />
Philonotion Williamsii Steyermark<br />
A, Habit (X 1/2); B, Spadix (X 1); C, Pistil, showing ovule and<br />
attachment (X 8.5).
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 101<br />
apparently none on upper surface, faintly numerous, dense, and<br />
strongly ascending on lower surface (Fig. 14).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected "en los sitios<br />
sorabreados, humedos, a lo largo de la margen de la selva, Yavita,<br />
Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 128 m., January 23, 1942, Llewelyn<br />
Williams 13922.<br />
Philonotion has been known hitherto as an obscure monotypic<br />
genus, based upon the single species P. Spruceanum Schott, collected<br />
by Spruce along the Rio Panure' in the Upper Amazonas region<br />
of Brazil. It is remarkable, therefore, to encounter a second species<br />
of this genus, occurring in the Amazonian drainage of Venezuela.<br />
This new species differs from P. Spruceanum in the much narrower,<br />
smaller, linear-lanceolate leaves with a pronounced filiform-caudate<br />
tip, a larger spathe with long filiform tip, the peduncles and inflorescence<br />
exceeding the leaves, and shorter petioles, which in P<br />
Williamsii are sheathed 1/2-3/4 their length, whereas in P. Spruceanum<br />
the petiole is sheathed only in its lower portion.<br />
Spathicarpa duidae Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Herbe terrestris e rhizoma crassiuscula; caule adscendenti vel<br />
decumbenti, 6-9 dm. alto; foliorum petiolo 20 cm. longo, longe vaginato;<br />
lamina elliptico-ovata, apice acuminata, basi acuta, 30-35 cm.<br />
longa, medio 16-17.5 cm. lata, nervis primariis utrinque 14-15 angulo<br />
circ. 30 adscendentibus, nervis secundariis tenuibus; spatha viridi<br />
anguste lanceolata, 8 cm. longa, paullo infra mediam constricta,<br />
lamina expansa circ. 2.2 cm. lata; spadice lineari, 4 cm. longo, quam<br />
spatha breviore, tota longitudine spathae adnato; inflorescentia<br />
foeminea 3 cm. longa; pistillo subgloboso, 1.5 mm. longo, apice<br />
1<br />
mm. lato, stigmate disco umbonato; ovario uniloculari; ovulo orthotropo,<br />
unico.<br />
Leaf blades coriaceous, deep green above, pale green beneath.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on Cerro Duida,<br />
southeastern-facing slopes along Cano Negro (tributary to CarTo<br />
Iguapo), Terriotrio Federal Amazonas, alt. 970-1150 ra., August<br />
25-26, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57994.<br />
Local name:<br />
"picaton".<br />
This species is a common one at this elevation on Mount Duida.<br />
It<br />
appears to be referable to Spathicarpa in possessing a spadix<br />
adnate on one side for its entire length with the spathe, and in its<br />
unilocular ovary with an apparently single orthotropous ovule. It is<br />
readily distinguished from other species of the genus by the large<br />
Dieffenbachia-like leaves. The flowering part of the specimen<br />
is in<br />
poor condition.<br />
Stenospermatium Pittieri Steyermark, sp. nov,<br />
Planta terrestris vel subepiphytica; caudice erecto tereti, 9 dm.
102 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
alto; foliorum petiolo modice valido, 12-25 cm. longo, supra mediam<br />
vagina 1-1.5 cm. lata sursum angustata apice obtusa inferne dilatata<br />
instructo; lamina coriacea, elliptic o-oblonga, apice abrupte breviter<br />
cuspidata, basin versus subcuneatim contracta, 16.5-32 cm. longa,<br />
7.5-12 cm. lata, nervis primariis numerosis angulo 40 -45 a costa<br />
valida adscendentibus; pedunculo 8.5 cm. longo; spatha pallidoviridi<br />
ovata, apice abrupte acuminata, 7.5 cm. longa, 5.5 cm. lata;<br />
spadice lineari-cylindrico 4.5 cm. longo, 8 mm. crasso, stipite 8 mm.<br />
longo suffulto; pistillo 2.5 mm. longo, prismatoideo-hexagono, vertice<br />
truncato, 2.5 mm. lato; ovario uniloculari; ovulis 12-14.<br />
Leaves dark green and shining above, silvery pale green below;<br />
spathe pale green.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on rich steep wooded<br />
slopes, Alto de Lirio, between Bramon and Las Delicias, state of<br />
Tachira, alt. 1890-2285 m., July 18, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
57455 (2 sheets).<br />
This species<br />
is related to S maximum Engl. and S. multiovulatum<br />
(Engl.) N. E. Brown, but has a shorter spadix than S. maximum, and<br />
a shorter spathe and spadix than S. multiovulatum. It is further distinguished<br />
by the large leaves, the petiole vaginate only to above<br />
the middle, and a long peduncle.<br />
I<br />
rospatha savannarum Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Planta terrestris; foliis basalibus; foliorum petiolo 58-63 cm.<br />
longo; lamina hastato-sagittata, 17-20 cm. longa, lobo antico lanceolata<br />
9.5-11 cm. longa, 2.3-3 cm. lata, lobis posticis anguste lanceolatis<br />
vel oblanceolatis, 8-10.5 cm. longis, 1.5-1.7 cm. latis, sinu<br />
angusto parabolico sejunctis, nervis primariis lobi antici infimis adscendentibus<br />
marginem patentibus, superioribus adscendentibus in<br />
apice exeundibus, nervis primariis loborum posticorum utrinque 3<br />
adscendentibus, in latere interiore in margine exeuntibus, latere<br />
interiore in margine exeuntibus, latere exteriore dichotomis; pedunculo<br />
7 dm. longo; spatha lanceolata longe caudata, 18.5 cm. longa,<br />
inferne expansa circ. 2 cm. lata, superne recurvata, intus purpureoviridi,<br />
extus brunneo-viridi; spadice lineari-cylindrico, 3.5 cm. longo,<br />
4 mm. crasso; floris tepalis 4, spatulatis, 2.5 mm. longis, apice<br />
rotundatis 1.8 mm. latis; pistillo oblongo-cylindrico, 2 mm. longo;<br />
ovario uniloculari; ovulo unico; staminibus 4; filamentis latiusculis<br />
1 mm. longis, 1 mm. latis.<br />
Leaves grass green above, dull green below; inflorescence erect;<br />
spathe recurved above, lavender-green within, bronze green without;<br />
spadix pale gray-green above, pale gray-lilac below with brownlavender<br />
spots; ovary 1-celled, the single ovule arising from the<br />
base at one side (Fig. 15).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected along rill in savanna,<br />
Sabana Grande, at southeastern base of Cerro Duida, Territorio
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 103<br />
Federal Amazonas, alt. 200 m., August 23, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
57853.<br />
This remarkable plant is distinguished from all other members of<br />
the genus by the unilocular 1-ovulate ovary, the usual condition<br />
being incompletely 2-locular with 2 or more ovules. It is further<br />
distinguished by the 4 perianth segments and 4 stamens of each<br />
flower, the short slender spadix, relatively narrow long-caudate<br />
spathe, and the narrow lanceolate to oblanceolate postical lobes and<br />
the relatively small antical lobe of the leaf blade. The spathe and<br />
spadix are shorter than in (/, caudata (Poepp. & Endl.) Schott and<br />
{/. sagittifolia (Rodsch.) Schott, and the leaf blades are shorter than<br />
in those species.<br />
It<br />
appears most closely related to (/. decipiens<br />
FIGURE 15<br />
Urospatha savannarum Steyermark<br />
A, Spathe and part of spadix, lateral view (X 1/2); B, Perianth segment<br />
(X 9), upper half, from above, lower half, from side; C, Flower,<br />
from above (X 10>, D, Staminate cluster (X 15); E, Ovule (highly<br />
magnified; F, Pistil, showing ovule in position (X 6); G, Blade and<br />
upper portion of petiole (X 1/2).
104 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Schott and i. dubia Schott, which have the cells of the ovary 2-<br />
ovulate. Vrospatha savannarum may represent a stage towards reduction<br />
in the evolutionary trend from species, such as U dubia and<br />
U. decipiens, having 2 ovules.<br />
So far as the single-celled, 1-ovulate ovary is concerned, U.<br />
savannarum is anomalous as a member of the genus Vrospatha. But<br />
in features of the stamens and morphology of the perianth segments,<br />
and in the structure of the elongated spathe, it agrees with other<br />
members of this genus.<br />
It resembles the genus Dracontioides in<br />
having the ovary 1-ovulate, but that has a spathe which is shortly<br />
convolute below and fomiculate above, features altogether lacking<br />
in U. savannarum. It is probable that a special section of the genus<br />
should be set aside for this new species.<br />
XYRIDACEAE<br />
Abolboda macrostachya Spruce, var. robustior Steyermark, var. nov.<br />
Planta caespitosa; foliis rigidis coriaceis pungentibus, 18-42 cm.<br />
cm. longis, 9-23 ram. lads, marginibus involutis; scapo 50-60 cm.<br />
longo, 5-6 mm. lato; spicis elliptic o-oblongis vel fusiformibus,<br />
usque ad 5.5 cm. longis, 1.3 cm. crassis; bracteis ovatis vel late<br />
oblongis, acuminatis vel mucronatis, subcoriaceis, marginibus<br />
scariosis integerrimis, 13-15 mm. longis, 6-7 mm. latis.<br />
Leaves in rosette, rich green; floral bracts brown-lavender with<br />
scarious margins; corolla deep blue.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in sandy wet meadow,<br />
Gran Sabana, between Mission of Santa Teresita de Kavanaye'n,<br />
northwest to Rio Karuai, on large mesa, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220<br />
m., October 26, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59349 (2 sheets). Also<br />
collected in swamp, vicinity of "Misia Kathy Camp", on mesa between<br />
P tari-tepuT and Sororopan-tepui, alt. 1615 m., November 15-17,<br />
1944, Steyermark 60243.<br />
From typical A. macrostachya spruce, this differs in the much<br />
larger leaves, longer bracts of the scape, more elongated scapes,<br />
and thicker heads of flowers.<br />
Abolboda ptaritepuiana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caules adscendentes foliati, steriles usque ad 1.2 m. alti; foliorum<br />
vaginis membranaceis fuscis, vetustis squamosis praesecantibus;<br />
foliis erectis firme membranaceis planis lineari-lanceolatis, 12-15<br />
cm. longis, 10-12 mm. latis, acuminatis, glaberrimis, supra viridibus,<br />
subtus argenteis, basi purpureis, marginibus fuscis; scapo tereti,<br />
39 cm. longo, 5-7 mm. crasso, glaberrimo; floribus capitatis, capitulis<br />
floriferis, 6 cm. longis, 8 cm. crassis; bracteis ovatis vel late<br />
lanceolatis, 3.2-4.2 cm. longis, 5-12 mm. latis, marginibus integerrimis.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 105<br />
Sterile stems leafy above, the sheaths in age shredding into<br />
brown scaly segments; leaves of sterile stems firmly membranaceous,<br />
those of fertile stems somewhat more rigidly pointed and slightly<br />
broader at base.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in dense thickets,<br />
Ptari-tepui, Bonnetia roraimae forest on southwest-facing shoulder,<br />
state of Bolivar, alt. 2000-2200 m., November 2, 1944, Julian A.<br />
Steyermark 59760 (2<br />
sheets).<br />
This species, although closely related to A. seeptrum Oliver,<br />
differs from that species in the elongated leafy stem, the prominent,<br />
brown-scaly shredding leaf sheaths, leaves less rigid and not as<br />
prominently pungent-tipped, green instead of silvery-blue on the<br />
upper leaf surface, entire or subentire margins of the floral bracts,<br />
which in the fruiting condition are shorter and erect-ascending, instead<br />
of divaricately spreading as in A. seeptrum, and much more<br />
slender peduncles.<br />
Abolboda rig Ida (Malme) Steyermark, comb. nov.<br />
A bolboda grandis Griseb. var. rigida Malme, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club<br />
58: 326. 1931.<br />
This appears distinct from A. grandis in the broader, pungent,<br />
stiff leaves of coriaceous instead of subcoriaceous texture, and<br />
larger heads with larger bracts and flowers.<br />
The leaves are described by Malme as 12-17 cm. long and 8-10<br />
mm. wide, but Steyermark 58181 from the summit of Mount Duida has<br />
leaves measuring 23-24 cm. long and 15-19 mm. wide, and has bracts<br />
measuring normally 14-15 mm. long. Malme describes the bracts as<br />
"circiter 10 mm. longae, usque 5 mm. latae". The^ variety was<br />
originally described from Mount Duida (late 586), and later collected<br />
also on Mount Auyan-tepui (Tate 1208, Cardona 116, 203).<br />
Xyrls albescens Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caespitosa satis robusta; foliis erectis subcoriaceis ensiformilinearibus,<br />
apice valde falcato-incurvatis et obtusis subtiliter<br />
nervoso-striatis, marginibus dense cilia tis pilis albidis instructis,<br />
40-75 cm. longis, 4-6 mm. latis; vagina tertiam vel quartam partem<br />
folii occupante, basin versus ferrugineo-castanea vel atro-castanea,<br />
nitida, eciliata; scapo recto ancipiti, marginibus dense ciliatis pilis<br />
albidis instructis, 60-75 cm. longis, 2-3 mm. latis; spicis subglobosis,multifloris,<br />
1.2-1.5 cm. longis, 1.2-1.7 cm.crassis; bracteis subcoriaceis<br />
nigris vel fusco-nigris (vivis), decussatis, confertim erectoadpressis<br />
velpaullo patentibus, infimis sterilibus, late ovato-oblongis<br />
vel late oblongis, ceteris late oblongis, integerrimis, apice rotundatis,<br />
8-10 mm. longis, 5-6 mm. latis, area dorsali nulla; sepalis<br />
lateralibus liberis paullo inaequilateris, anguste lanceolatis, acutis,<br />
8 mm. longis, 1-1.2 mm. latis, fuscis, ala carinali in pane tertia<br />
superiore cilia to-scabridula.
106 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
ff<br />
FIGURE 16<br />
Xyris albescens Steyerraark. A, Tip of blade, showing recurved portion<br />
(X 1/3 >, B, Petal (X 1.5).<br />
Xyris esmeraldae Steyermark.<br />
spike (X 1.5).<br />
C, Upper part of flowering scape with<br />
Xyris lanulobractea Steyermark. D, Stamen (X 6); E, Portion of hairs<br />
at base of filament (highly magnified); F, Bract, showing dorsal area<br />
and pubescence at summit (X 3); G, Petal (X 1.5); H, Staminodium<br />
(X6).<br />
Xyris ptariana Steyermark. I, Petal (X 1); J, Cluster of uppermost<br />
leaves in position, showing recurved ligule (X 2/3).<br />
Xyris stenostachya Steyermark. K, Uppermost part of scape with<br />
spike (X 1); L, Middle part of blade (X 3).
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 107<br />
Petals 8.5 mm. long, the blade 6 ram. long, 4 mm. wide, broadly<br />
elliptic-ovoid, subobtuse, margins erase from tip to near base, claw<br />
3 mm. long; anther linear, 2.5 mm. long; filament 1 mm. long; staminodium<br />
long penicillate-plumose at apex with hairs 2 mm. long;<br />
style branches 3, 3 mm. long, slightly penicillate and truncate at<br />
tip (Fig. 16, a-b).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on Ptari-tepui^<br />
Bonnetia roraimae forest on southwest-facing shoulder, state of<br />
Bolivar, alt. 2000-2200 m., November 2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
59734. Also collected in swamp, Ptari-tepuf, on plateau portion of<br />
southeast-facing slopes, alt. 1600 m., November 1, 1944, Steyermark<br />
59683.<br />
Apparently a member of Sect. XII (X. spe eta biles Malme) [published<br />
as Stirps X. spectabilis, but undoubtedly intended as plural, as all<br />
other sections are so designated by Malme with plural endingsj, and<br />
most closely related to X. decussata Gleason of Mount Roraima,<br />
which it resembles in the falcate-incurved rounded or obtuse leaf<br />
tips, pubescent margins of leaves and scapes, and decussate darkcolored<br />
bracts lacking a definite dorsal area. It differs from that<br />
species in the white instead of dark brown hairs of the margins of<br />
scapes and leaves, recurved-falcate inequilateral leaf tip, much<br />
longer leaves and scapes, more robust habit, larger heads, bracts,<br />
and lateral sepals, and longer sheaths of an orange-brown to dark<br />
castaneous brown color.<br />
In its strongly flattened, broad scape with pubescent margins of<br />
the leaves and scapes,<br />
it is reminescent of X, eriophylla Reichenb.,<br />
but that has a definite dorsal area on die bracts, densely villous<br />
upper part of the lateral sepal, and transversely rugose leaves.<br />
Xyris c a pillar is Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caespitosa; foliis rubrescentibus planis setaceis, acutis, 0.5-3<br />
cm. longis, 0.1-0.2 mm. latis, omnino glaberrimis; vagina circiter<br />
tertiara vel feredimidium partemfolii occupante, basin versus pallidobrunnea,<br />
scariosa, eciliata; scapo subtereti tenuissimo, glabro,<br />
1.5-1.9 cm. alto; spicis anguste ellipticis, 1-floris, 3-4 mm. longis,<br />
0.8-1 ram. latis; bracteis membranaceis brunneis, 2 infimis brevissimis,<br />
anguste lanceolatis, 2-2.1 mm. longis, glabris, bracteis intermediis<br />
et superioribus lanceolatis, 3-4 ram. longis, albido-maculatis,<br />
marginibus scariosis; ovario et capsula uniloculari; seminibus<br />
plerumque 2.<br />
Leaves copper-colored; placentae basal-central, ovules numerous,<br />
attached to long, ascending funicles; seeds 2 or more, minute,<br />
ellipsoid, reddish-brown.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected between Esmeralda<br />
Savanna and southeastern base of Cerro Duida, Territorio Federal<br />
Amazonas, alt. 200 m., August 22, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57835.
108 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Also collected in savanna and shrubby growth bordering forest of Rio<br />
Karuai, between Santa Teresita de Kavanaye'n and base of Ptariteput,<br />
state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., November 18, 1944, Steyermark<br />
60306.<br />
So far as known, this is the species having the most delicate and<br />
slender leaves and flowers in the genus.<br />
It is most closely related<br />
to X. filiscapa Malme of Manaos, Brazil, from which it differs in the<br />
shorter, narrower, entirely glabrous leaves, shorter and more slender<br />
scapes or culms, and 1-flowered inflorescence.<br />
At first, it was thought that this species might represent a reduced,<br />
starved, or dwarf state of X filiscapa, but, in addition to the more<br />
slender and shorter leaves, scapes, and spikes, the leaves themselves<br />
are completely glabrous, lacking the ciliation characteristic<br />
of X. filiscapa, as exhibited, for example, in Williams 13996. Since<br />
our material possesses mature capsules and seeds,<br />
it cannot be<br />
considered as representing immature or dwarfed plants.<br />
Xyris culmenicola Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caespitosa; foliis subcoriaceis ensiformi-linearibus, apice acutis<br />
vel pauilo falcato-incurvatis, valde nervoso-striatis, margin ibus<br />
dense ciliatis pilis alb id is instructis, 15-30 cm. longis, 2-3.5 mm.<br />
latis; vagina quartam vel quintam partem folii occupante, inferne<br />
atro-castanea nitida, eciliata; scapo erecto ancipiti, ecostato, omnino<br />
glabro, 35-45 cm. longo, 1.5-2 mm. lato, aciebus obtusis; spicis<br />
elliptic o-ovatis, basi pauilo contractis, multifloris, 14 mm. longis,<br />
7-11 mm. crassis; bracteis coriaceis, nigricantibus vel fusco-nigris,<br />
concoloribus, opacis, ovalibus vel late oblongis apice pauilo laceratis,<br />
inferioribus et intermediis apice emarginatis, sub apice rotundatis<br />
et pauilo carinatis, 7-8 mm. longis, 3.8-4.5 mm. latis, area<br />
dorsali nulla; sepalis lateralibus liberis, lineari-oblanceolatis,<br />
acutis, 7 mm. longis, 1.1-1.2 mm. latis, dorso castanea, ala carinali<br />
angusta, in parte dimidia superiore ciliato-scabrida.<br />
Heads somewhat thicker in dried state; carinal wing of lateral<br />
sepals ciliolate in upper half, the cilia longer near the tip; ovules<br />
on basal placentae; seeds few (2-9), elongated, tailed at one end<br />
wkh whitish appendages 0.5 mm. long; body of seed linear-oblong,<br />
2.25 mm. long. 0.4 mm. wide, pale brown, the surface smoothish.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected around small stream<br />
on dry rocky slopes, summit of Cerro Duida, Brocchinia Hills,<br />
Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 1700-1980 m., September 1, 1944,<br />
Julian A. Steyermark 58798; also collected in Savanna Hills, summit<br />
of Cerro Duida, alt. 1025-1200 m., September 2, 1944, Steyermark<br />
58233.<br />
Closely related to A", lugubris Malme, also from the summit of<br />
Duida, but differing from that species in having the margins of the<br />
leaves conspicuously densely white-ciliate, the leaves strongly
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 109<br />
longitudinally nerved, whereas in X, lugubris they are impressednerved<br />
with numerous conspicuous pale puncticulate stomata, the<br />
ligules of the sheaths not lacerate, and the bracts of the heads less<br />
conspicuously lacerate on the margins.<br />
Xyris esmeraldae Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caespitosa subbulbosa, aphylla vel folia obsoleta; scapis numerosis<br />
tenuibus, subteretibus, valde spiraliter tortis, 12-20 cm. altis,<br />
0.5 mm. latis, omnino glabris; spicis ellipticis vel fusiformibus,<br />
4-4.5 mm. longis, 1-1.5 mm. latis; bracteis 2 infimis late oblongis<br />
vel ovato-oblongis, obtusis, 2 mm. longis, 1 mm. latis, marginibus<br />
scariosis, ceteris ad 3.5 mm. longis, ad 4 mm. latis; sepalis lateralibus<br />
lance olatis, 3 mm. longis, 1 mm. latis, apice denudatis, ala<br />
carinali parce denticulata; capsula uniloculari, 3-valva.<br />
Plant semi-bulbous at base; leaves reduced to short bracts at base<br />
or absent; seeds at base of capsule on long erect funicles (Fig. I6,c).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in swampy woods<br />
between Esmeralda Savanna and southeastern base of Cerro Duida,<br />
Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 200 m., August 22, 1944, Julian<br />
A. Steyermark 57821.<br />
The fact that the specimen is not in flowering condition makes its<br />
exact position in the genus somewhat uncertain, but there is no doubt<br />
but that it<br />
pertains to the subgenus Nematopus Seubert. The possession<br />
of lateral sepals naked at the apex and denticulate on the<br />
keel would place<br />
it<br />
probably in Sect. V. of Malme (X, Hymenachnes)<br />
and, because of its spirally twisted scapes, near X. tortula Mart, and<br />
X. simulans Alb. Nilsson var. subtortula Malme. From these species,<br />
X, esmeraldae may be distinguished by the smaller, narrower spikes,<br />
smaller lateral sepals, conspicuously spirally twisted narrow scapes,<br />
and leafless condition.<br />
Xyris lanulobractea Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caespitosa; foliis erectis subteretibus coriaceis subsetaceis,<br />
apice subulatis, subtiliter striatu latis, omnino glabris, 18-44 cm.<br />
longis, 0.5-1 mm. latis; vagina sextam vel nonam partem folii occupante,<br />
inferne castanea, nitida, eciliata; scapo erecto vel basin<br />
versus paullo torto subtereti subtiliter striatulato, omnino glabro,<br />
40-50 cm. longo,<br />
1 mm. lato; spicis ovato-ellipsoideis vel ovoideis<br />
multifloris, 9-11 mm. longis, 6-7 mm. crassis; bracteis coriaceis,<br />
brunneis praeter apices, infimis parvissimis sterilibus, late oblongis<br />
vel oblongo-suborbicularibus, apice rotundatis, 3-5 mm. longis, 2.5-<br />
3.5 mm. latis, intermediis superioribusque fertilibus, late oblongis<br />
vel rhomboideo-oblongis, 5 mm. longis, 4-4.5 mm. latis, area dorsali<br />
distincta oblonga sub apice obtusa et irregulariter reticulata, supremis<br />
dense longe ciliatis, ceteris pane superiore et apice dense<br />
albido-lanuginosis; sepalis lateralibus liberis, paullo inaequilateris,<br />
obla nee olatis, 5 mm. longis, 0.9-1 mm. latis, apice villosis, ala<br />
carinali in parte quarta superiore dense fimbriato-villosis pilis
110 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
albidis; petalis 8 mm. longis, lamina 4 mm. longa, 5 mm. lata, apice<br />
grosse erosa; filamentis 1 mm. longis, basi pilosis pilis ad 2 ram.<br />
longis instructis; antheris 1.3 mm. longis; staminodiis longe<br />
penicillatis.<br />
Petals longer than the bracts and sepals, obovoid-cuneate, the<br />
blade abruptly narrowed to a long slender claw 4 mm. long and 0.5<br />
mm. wide, lamina erose or toothed at apex with relatively coarse<br />
broad projections; ovary 2 mm. long; style filiform, 3 mm. long; style<br />
branches 3, filiform, 2 mm. long, tipped by slightly fimbrillate<br />
stigmas (Fig. 16, d-h).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on swampy ground<br />
following streamlet, Gran Sabana, between Mission of Santa Teresita<br />
de Kavanayen northwest to Rio Karuai, on large mesa, state of<br />
Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., October 26, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59336.<br />
This is a member of Sect. XXL of Malme (X. pilosae), and most<br />
closely related to X. globosa Alb. Nilsson of the upper Orinoco<br />
(Spruce 3244), near Esmeralda, Venezuela. It differs from X. globosa<br />
in the larger and more broadly ovoid heads with denser and longer<br />
hairs on the upper part of the bracts, in X globosa being shorter and<br />
more scattered, the dorsal area of the bracts less pointed at tip and<br />
relatively wider, the anthers exserted on conspicuous filaments, and<br />
the conspicuously long-penicillate staminodia.<br />
Xyris ptariana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caespitosa, robusta, elata; foliis manifeste distichis rigidis<br />
coriaceis, ensiformi-linearibus, quam scapo brevioribus, laevibus,<br />
aciebus acutis, apice falcato-incurvatis et obtusiusculis vel acutiusculis,<br />
valde nervoso-striatis, 12-20 cm. longis, 3-5 mm. lads, omnino<br />
glabris; vagina circiter dimidiam partem folii occupante, ligula distincte<br />
limitata, saepe recurvato-revoluta, eciliata, inferne castanea,<br />
nitida, 9-12 cm. longa, deorsum sensim dilatata; scapis rectis,<br />
superne ancipitibus et bicostatis, inferne unicostatis, laevibus,<br />
omnino glabris, 30-38 cm. longis, 1-1.2 mm. latis; spicis<br />
obovoideo-subglobosis, multifloris, 11-13 mm. longis, 5-10 mm. latis;<br />
bracteis subcoriaceis integerrimis, fuscis concoloribus praeter<br />
margines scariosos, nitidis, glabris, 5-8 infimis et exterioribus<br />
sterilibus parvisque oblongo-obovatis, 4-5 mm. longis, apice rotundatis<br />
vel obtusis, 6-7 intermediis superioribusque fertilibus late<br />
oblongis, 8-9 mm. longis, 4-5 mm. latis, sub apice rotundatis vel<br />
obtusis, emarginatis vel retusis; sepalis lateralibus liberis, inaequilateris,<br />
oblanceolatis, 6.5-7 mm. longis, supra medium 1.2-1.5<br />
mm. latis, aia carinali in parte superiore minute papillato-scabridula;<br />
petalis rhomboideo-cuneatis, 9 mm. longis, supra medium 6 mm. latis;<br />
filamentis 1 mm. longis, 0.5 mm. latis; antheris 1.3 mm. longis;<br />
staminodiis 3, 4.5 mm. longis, superne dilatatis et penicillatis.<br />
Forming dense tufts; leaves dark green with brown at base; ligule<br />
typically recurved-revolute or spreading and becoming squarrose;
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 111<br />
spike 5-6 mm. wide in fresh condition, up to 10 mm. wide in dried<br />
state with loosely spreading bracts; petals faintly many-nerved,<br />
slightly wavy-margined on top, the rhomboid blade narrowed below<br />
the middle to a cuneate claw; filament inserted somewhat below the<br />
middle near the junction of the claw and the blade of the petal;<br />
staminodia penicillate-plumose above with pale yellow hairs; placentae<br />
basal; ovules numerous (Fig. 16, i-j).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on wet bluffs under<br />
constant spray of swinging waterfall, Ptari-tepuf, along base of eastfacing<br />
high sandstone bluffs, state of Bolivar, alt. 2410-2450 m.,<br />
November 7, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59919.<br />
Xyris ptariana belongs to the same group of species as X. Tatei<br />
Malme and X. witsenioides Oliver and is intermediate between these<br />
two. At one end of the series stands X. witsenioides, while at the<br />
other end is X. Tatei, By broadening the leaves and enlarging and<br />
elongating the sheaths and scapes of X. witsenioides, a condition,<br />
more or less like that found in X. ptariana is reached, and, by continuing<br />
one step further, again widening the leaves and scapes of<br />
X. ptariana, the state of X. Tatei is reached. Xyris ptariana has<br />
somewhat larger heads and broader leaves and scapes than has<br />
X. witsenioides, but narrower leaves and scapes than X. Tatei*<br />
Like X. Tatei, to which X. ptariana is most closely related, the<br />
tip of the leaf is prominently incurved-falcate and obtusish, whereas<br />
in X. witsenioides it is scarcely or not at all falcate and more gradually<br />
narrowed to an acute or acuminate apex. In X. ptariana, however,<br />
the lower part of the scape is angled on one side, as in X. witsenioides,<br />
rather than bicostate and biangulate throughout, as in X. Tatei.<br />
In A!, ptariana the keel of the lateral sepal is somewhat less scabrid<br />
than in X. witsenioides. The most conspicuous characteristic of<br />
X. ptariana, however, is the ligule, which is typically recurvedrevolute;<br />
in X. witsenioides the ligule is produced upwards and erect<br />
or straight or protrudes slightly as a small or elongated structure,<br />
whereas in X. Tatei it is spreading-squarrose at the tip. This is<br />
seen best developed, in the species mentioned, on the sheaths of the<br />
uppermost and youngest leaves.<br />
Xyris scabridula Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caespitosa; foliis rigid is coriaceis, flexuosis vel nonnihil laxe<br />
spiraliter tortulis, subcomplanatis vel subteretibus, profunde sulcatis,<br />
glabris, quara scapis multo brevioribus, 6-12 cm. longis, 1-1.5 mm.<br />
latis, aciebus subobtusis; vagina scabridula, inferne fusca nitida;<br />
scapis atro-viridibus rectis vel nonnihil flexuosis laxe tortulis, subteretibus,<br />
subtiliter sulcato-nervatis, 19-26 cm. longis, 0.75-1 mm.<br />
latis; vagina basali purpurea, 6-7 cm. longa, nitida; spicis paucifloris,<br />
ovoideis, 6-7 mm. longis, 3.5-4 mm. crassis; bracteis coriaceis,<br />
integerrimis, adpressis fuscis concoloribus, infimis sterilibus<br />
late oblongis, 3 mm. longis, apice rotundatis, intermediis superioribusque<br />
late oblongis, 5-6 mm. longis, 3-4 mm. latis, apice rotundatis,
112 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
omnibus glabris, area dorsal! nulla; sepalis late rail bus fere aequilateris,<br />
late lanceolatis, ala carinali e basi ad apicem manifeste<br />
s cabrid ulo-c ilia ta.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected around rills on rocky<br />
dry ridge top, summit of Cerro Duida, Brocchinia Hills, Territorio<br />
Federal Amazonas, alt. 1700-1980 ni., September 1, 1944, Julian A.<br />
Steyermark 58168; same locality, but in slightly more moist places,<br />
Steyermark 58178. The last collection, although sterile, is undoubtedly<br />
referable to this new species. It has leaves up to 40 cm.<br />
long, and the sheaths at the base are much more conspicuously<br />
scabridulous than in the type specimen.<br />
This species is related to X. stenophylloides Malme, also from the<br />
summit of Duida, and to X, stenophylla Alb. Nils son. It is characterized<br />
by the scabridulous-ciliolate keel of the lateral sepals, the<br />
torulose leaves and scapes, small few-flowered heads with dark<br />
brown bracts without a dorsal area, the purple sheaths of the flowering<br />
scapes, and the strongly sulcate-nerved leaves and scapes.<br />
From X. stenophylloides<br />
it<br />
may be distinguished by the scabridciliolate,<br />
instead of entire eciliate keel of the lateral sepal, purlish<br />
instead of brown sheaths of the scape, and scabridulous instead<br />
of glabrous leaf sheaths. From X. stenophylla<br />
it differs in the<br />
shorter, more rigid, and more prolonged leaf sheaths, scabrid instead<br />
of ciliate leaf sheaths, and shorter differently shaped lower bracts of<br />
the heads.<br />
Xyris setigera Oliver, var. elongata Steyermark, var. nov.<br />
A typo differt foliis longioribus et marginibus ciliatis brevioribus<br />
remotioribus.<br />
Leaves 15-30 cm. long, the margins with shorter and less crowded<br />
cilia than in the species.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on dry sandy and<br />
rocky sandstone exposures on level ground adjacent to swamp on<br />
plateau portion of southeast-facing slopes, Ptari-tepui' state of<br />
Bolivar, alt. 1600 m., November 1, 1944, Julian A, Steyermark<br />
59660; Ptari-tepui, Brocchinia-Stegolepis-Heliamphora swamp on<br />
southwest-facing shoulder, alt. 2200 m., November 2, 1944, Steyermark<br />
59782; swampy ground following streamlet, Gran Sabana, between<br />
Mission of Santa Teresita de Kavanayen northwest to Rio<br />
Karuai, on large mesa, alt. 1220 m., October 26, 1944, Steyermark<br />
59336a; and savanna, vicinity of "Misia Kathy Camp", on mesa<br />
between Ptari-tepui and Sororopan-tepui, alt. 1615 m., November<br />
15-17, 1944, Steyermark 60239.<br />
From typical X. setigera Oliver of Mount Roraima, this variety<br />
has become differentiated by elongating the leaves and in reducing<br />
the size and number of the cilia on the leaf margins.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 113<br />
Xyris stenostachya Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caespitosa; foliis ensiformi-linearibus complanatis valde transverse<br />
rugulosis, glabris, 10-15 cm. longis, 2-3 mm. latis, marginibus<br />
incrassatis; vagina membranacea, brevi, glabra; scapis tenuibus<br />
subteretibus transverse rugulosis, 17-30 cm. longis, 0.5-0.6 mm.<br />
crass is; spicis lineari-cylindricis, acutis vel subacutis, 20-26-floris,<br />
16-34 mm. longis, 2.5-3 mm. latis; bracteis firme membranaceis,<br />
pallido-viridibus, marginibus pallid o-brunne is subscariosis, integerrimis,<br />
ovato- vel elliptic o-oblongis, apice obtusis vel rotundatis, 7<br />
mm. longis, 3 mm. latis, area dors all bene evoluta; sepalis lateralibus<br />
liberis, lanceolatis, acutis, 5.25-5.5 mm. longis, 0.8-1 mm. latis,<br />
ala carinali parce et minute ciliolata, aliter glabra; petalis oblongis,<br />
apice irregulariter eroso-dentatis, 3 mm. longis, circiter 1 mm. latis;<br />
filamentis 1 mm. longis, glabris; antheris 0.7 mm. longis; staminodii<br />
ramis penicillatis (Fig. 16, k-1).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected among rock outcrops<br />
below mouth of Rio Sanariapo, along Orinoco river, Territorio Federal<br />
Amazonas, alt. 100 m., September 8, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
58437.<br />
A member of subgenus Nematopus Seubert, Sect. IV. of Malme<br />
(X. para en sis), this species is closely related to X. longiceps<br />
Malme, from which it differs in the transversely rugulose leaves and<br />
scapes, and longer and more slender spikes.<br />
It is also related to X.<br />
savannensis Miquel, differing from that species in the more elongated<br />
narrow spikes.
114 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Carptotepala Moldenke, gen. nov.<br />
ERIOCAULACEAE l<br />
Flores trimeri androgyni. Bracteae involucrati paucae imbricatae<br />
squarrosae. Receptaculum dense longeque villosum. Bracteae receptaculi<br />
nullae. Flores masculi central!; sepala 3 libera glabra;<br />
receptaculum ultra calycem in stipitem angustum production corollam<br />
staminaque gerens; petala 3 libera firma adscendentes glabra; stamina<br />
3 libera; filamenta elongata. Flores femini peripherati; sepala<br />
3 libera glabra; petala 3 libera elongata erecta in medio constricta,<br />
ad apicem saepe appendiculata; stylus brevissimus, appendicibus 3<br />
ornatis; stigmata 3 brevissima recurvata.<br />
Flowers trimerous, androgynous; involucral bracelets rather few,<br />
imbricate, squarrose; receptacle densely long-villous; receptacular<br />
bracelets absent; staminate florets central in the head, easily detached,<br />
their sepals 3, separate, glabrous; the remainder of the floret<br />
inserted at the apex of a prolongation of the receptacle; their petals<br />
3, separate, firm, ascending, glabrous; stamens 3, inserted alternate<br />
to the petals, free; filaments elongate; anthers sagittate, versatile,<br />
composed of 2 thecae, each dehiscing by means of a longitudinal<br />
slit; rudimentary ovary present at the base of the stamens; pistillate<br />
florets peripheral, firmly attached to the receptacle, with all the<br />
floral parts inserted at one level; their sepals 3, separate, glabrous;<br />
their petals 3, separate, elongate, erect, narrowed in the middle,<br />
often appendaged at the apex; style very short; stigmas 3, very short,<br />
recurved; style-appendages 3, issuing from the same level as the<br />
stigmas, elongate, erect, fimbriate; ovary large, 3-angulate or 3-<br />
alate, 3-celled, 3-ovulate.<br />
This genus is known thus far only from the type species C. insolita<br />
Moldenke, which exhibits most remarkable floral characters. Among<br />
its distinctive characters are the definitely central and loosely<br />
attached staminate florets and the distinctly peripheral firmly attached<br />
pistillate florets; the prolongation of the floral receptacle<br />
(regarded as such in the absence of detailed morphological examination)<br />
above the calyx in the staminate florets; the free elongate<br />
stamens; the completely separate sepals and petals in flowers of<br />
both sexes; the elongated exserted petals of the pistillate florets,<br />
with their narrowed mid-portion and caudate appendage; and the 3-<br />
alate ovary. The generic name is compounded from the Latin word<br />
"carptim", meaning in separate parts, and the latinized French word<br />
"tepal", meaning a division of the perianth.<br />
Carptotepala insolita Moldenke, sp. nov.<br />
Herba parva caulescens; caulibus gracilibus 4-6 cm. longis rectis<br />
simplicibus ad apicem longe villosis; foliis numerosissimis rectis<br />
1<br />
By Harold N. Moldenke
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 115<br />
linearibus 4.5-8 cm. longis raultistriatis non fenestratis utrinque<br />
glabris vel ad basin plusminusve longe villosis; vaginis cylindricis<br />
angustis arete adpressis glabris ca. 3.5 cm. longis; pedunculis<br />
stramineis vel flavis 15-25 cm. longis 3-costatis tortis glabris.<br />
Small caulescent herb; stems slender, 4-6 cm. long, completely<br />
hidden by the sheathing leaf-bases, erect, apparently unbranched,<br />
long-villous at the summit; leaves very numerous, erect, linear,<br />
grass-green, thin-membranous, 4.5-8 cm. long, rather regularly attenuate<br />
from the acute apex to the ampliate and sheathing base, about<br />
1.5 mm. wide at the mid-point, many-striate, not fenestrate, glabrous<br />
on both surfaces or more or less long-villous on the subhyaline<br />
margins of the top of the sheathing base; sheaths cylindric, narrow,<br />
closely appressed to the peduncles, shorter than the leaves, about<br />
3.5 cm. long, glabrous, many-striate, slightly twisted, obliquely<br />
split at the apex, the blade ovate-lanceolate, appressed to the<br />
peduncle, about 7 mm. long, acute, glabrous; peduncles about 3 per<br />
plant, slender, stramineous or yellow, 15-25 cm. long, 3-costate,<br />
twisted, glabrous, shiny; heads solitary, turbinate, 4-5 mm. long,<br />
3-4 mm. wide; involucral bractlets rather few, closely imbricate in<br />
several series, oblanceolate-spatulate, about 1.9 mm. long and 0.8<br />
mm. wide, firm, stramineous or light-brown, rounded at the apex, more<br />
or less squarrose, glabrous on both surfaces, shiny, concave on the<br />
inner, convex on the outer surface; receptacle long-villous; receptacular<br />
bractlets absent; staminate florets central in the head, loosely<br />
attached; sepals 3, separate to the base, inserted about 0.4 mm. below<br />
the remainder of the floret, narrowly elliptic, yellowish, about<br />
1.9 mm. long and 0.4 mm. wide, subacute at the apex, glabrous<br />
throughout, not bearded, not glanduliferous, firm, erect or spreading;<br />
petals 3, separate to the base, elliptic, about 2.1 mm. long and 0.8<br />
mm. wide, obtuse at the apex, yellowish, thin-textured, firm, ascending,<br />
glabrous throughout, not bearded, not glanduliferous, not involute;<br />
stamens 3, separate and free to the base, alternate with the<br />
petals; filaments flattened, about 1.8 mm. long, glabrous; anthers<br />
sagittate, versatile, about 0.4 mm. long, 0.2-0.3 mm. wide, the 2<br />
thecae separate and opening by longitudinal slits; ovary rudimentary,<br />
at the base of the stamens and petals, dark-brown, about 0.2 mm.<br />
long and wide, 3-angled, 3-celled, sometimes surmounted by a very<br />
abbreviated 3-parted style; pistillate florets peripheral in the head,<br />
all its parts borne at one level: sepals 3, separate to the base,<br />
oblong, firm, brownish, ascending, about 1.6 mm. long and 0.3 mm.<br />
wide, acute at the apex, glabrous on both surfaces, not bearded, not<br />
glanduliferous; petals 3, separate to the base, elongate-linear, erect,<br />
narrowed in the mid-portion, to 4.2 mm. long, about 0.2 mm. wide for<br />
the lowest 1.2 mm. above the base and there hyaline, then narrowed<br />
to about half that diameter for about 0.4 mm., then expanded to 0.15<br />
mm. and somewhat involute and brownish for about 0.8 mm. or more,<br />
acute at the apex, the apex often surmounted by a terminal caudate<br />
erect of spreading appendage to 0.8 mm. in length, the lowest expanded<br />
hyaline portion of the petal long-hirsute on the back, the
116 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
remainder glabrous, not bearded, not glanduliferous: style very<br />
short, about 0.1 mm. long, glabrous, terminated by 3 recurvedspreading<br />
stigmas of about similar length and 3 elongated erect<br />
fimbciate appendages about 0.8 mm. long and dark-brown at the apex;<br />
ovary large, elliptic, about 0.8 mm. long and 0.4 mm. wide, broadly<br />
3-angulate or-alate, glabrous, 3-celled.<br />
Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected by a waterfall<br />
in a swampy savanna between Rio Karuai and Salto de Iraba-naima<br />
along the Rio Karuai, at the southwestern base of Ptari-tepui, state<br />
of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., November 28, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
60703.<br />
Eriocaulon dimorphopetalum Moldenke, sp. nov.<br />
Herba; foliis caespitosis tenuiter membranaceis saepe pellucidis<br />
patentibus 2-6 cm. longis longe attenuates fenestratis glabris; vaginis<br />
laxis 3-5.5 cm. longis pellucidis fenestratis glabris, ad apicem subtruncatis<br />
fissisque; pedunculis paucis erectis stramineis vel brunneis<br />
5-9 cm. longis 3-costatis glabris tortis; capitulis brunnescentibus<br />
glabris hemisphaericis 5 mm. diam.; floribus dimeris.<br />
Herb; stems very abbreviated; leaves cespitose, thin-membranous,<br />
often pellucid, wide-spreading, 2-6 cm. long, 1-2 cm. wide at the<br />
mid-point, long-attenuate, fenestrate, glabrous on both surfaces;<br />
sheaths loose, 3-5.5 cm. long, pellucid, fenestrate, glabrous, subtruncate<br />
and split at the apex; peduncles 5 or more per plant, erect,<br />
stramineous or brownish, 5-9 cm. long, 3-costate, glabrous, slightly<br />
twisted; heads light brown (at least, when dry), hemispheric, about<br />
5 mm. in diameter, smooth; involucral bractlets few, stramineous or<br />
light-brown, broadly elliptic, about 2 mm. long and 1.8 mm. wide,<br />
rounded at the apex, glabrous; receptacle glabrous; receptacular<br />
bractlets elliptic-obovate, about 2 mm. long and 0.9 mm. wide, obtuse<br />
or subacute at the apex, stramineous on the upper half, subhyaline<br />
toward the base, glabrous; staminate florets few, central: sepals 2,<br />
separate, subhyaline, obovate, about 1.3 mm. long and 0.6 mm. wide,<br />
apparently cucullate at the apex, not keeled, glabrous throughout;<br />
petals 2, linear-oblong, separate almost to the base, about 1 mm.<br />
long and 0.1 mm. wide, acute at the apex, glabrous, not glanduliferous;<br />
stamens 4, borne at the apex of a club-like stramineous 1-<br />
inch-long prolongation of the receptacle, the filaments divergent,<br />
about 0.2 mm. long; anthers black, about 0.3 mm. long, 2 often<br />
aborted; pistillate florets very numerous, peripheral, in many series:<br />
sepals 2, elliptic-falcate, stramineous or light-brown throughout,<br />
about 2.3 ram. long and 0.8 mm. wide, apiculate at the apex, glabrous<br />
throughout, very broadly keeled on the back, conduplicate; petals 2,<br />
1<br />
usually reduced, the outer developed and stramineous throughout,<br />
oblong, about 1.7 mm. long and 0.3 mm. wide, obtuse at the apex,<br />
with a small black gland at the center of the apex, glabrous throughout,<br />
the reduced one about 0.4 mm. long and 0.2 mm. wide and hyaline;<br />
style capillary, about 0.4 mm. long, glabrous; stigmas 2, 0.4-0.5
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 117<br />
mm. long, erect; ovary black or dark-brown, globose, about 0.6 mm.<br />
long and wide, glabrous, 2-celled, 2-ovulate.<br />
Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected in swampy<br />
meadow south of Divina Pastora, Gran Sabana, between Divina<br />
Pastora on the Rio Kukenan and Santa Elena, south of Mount Roraima,<br />
state of Bolivar, alt. 915-1005 m., October 3, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
59264, The collector notes "leaves soft, rich green; heads<br />
white". The dried material, however, does not exhibit any whiteness<br />
on the heads.<br />
Eriocaulon Steyermarkii Moldenke, sp. nov.<br />
Herba; foliis caespitosis erectis vel divergentibus tenuibus 6-7<br />
cm. longis longe attenuatis glabris basin versus plusminusve fenestratis;<br />
vaginis arete adpressis 4-6 cm. longis pertenuis valde fenestratis<br />
glabris, ad apicem oblique fissis; pedunculis 1 vel 2, 18-20<br />
cm. longis erectis stramineis 5-costatis glabris; capitulis albis<br />
hemisphaericis 8 mm. diam.; floribus dimeris.<br />
Herb; stems much abbreviated; leaves cespitose, erect or spreading,<br />
thin-textured, 6-7 cm. long, about 3 mm. wide at the mid-point,<br />
long-attenuate, glabrous, more or less fenestrate toward the expanded<br />
base; sheaths 4-6 cm. long, very thin-textured, closely<br />
appressed to the peduncle, conspicuously fenestrate, glabrous,<br />
obliquely split at the apex, the blade attenuate-acute, erect, and<br />
closely appressed; peduncles 1 or 2 per plant, 18-20 cm. long,<br />
erect, stramineous, 5-costate, glabrous; heads white, hemispheric,<br />
about 8 mm. in diameter; involucral bractlets black, elliptic or<br />
elliptic-obovate, concave on the inner and convex on the outer surface,<br />
about 3 mm. long, 1.6-2 mm. wide, obtuse at the apex, more or<br />
less pilose-pubescent with short white hairs toward the apex on the<br />
outer surface, the hairs easily rubbed off; receptacle glabrous; receptacular<br />
bractlets obovate, blackish, about 2.5 mm. long and 1.5<br />
mm. wide, acute at the apex, pilose on the back at the apex; staminate<br />
florets: sepals 2, blackish on the upper half, separate to the<br />
base, falcate-conduplicate, about 2.5 mm. long and 1 mm. wide, somewhat<br />
cucullate at the apex, pilose-pubescent toward the apex on the<br />
outer surface with erect white easily broken-off hairs; petals 2, unequal,<br />
connate into a slender glabrous hyaline tube for 1.5 mm., the<br />
free terminal part Ungulate, one about 2 mm. long, the other 1 mm.<br />
long, both about 1 mm. wide and densely white-pilose on the back<br />
and bearded at the apex, each with a small black gland at the middle<br />
below the apex, widely divergent, subhyaline; stamens 4, 2 usually<br />
anantherous; filaments capillary, about 0.4 mm. long, glabrous, borne<br />
at the apex of the corolla-tube, adnate at base to the corolla; anthers<br />
black; pistillate florets: sepals 2, conduplicate , slightly falcate,<br />
oblanceolate, about 2.5 mm. long and 1 mm. wide, acute or apiculate<br />
at the apex, pilose-bearded at the apex on the outer surface; petals<br />
2, equal, subhyaline, spatulate -obovate, about 2.5 mm. long and 1.5<br />
mm. wide, separate practically to the short-clawed base, acute at
118 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
the apex, ciliate-raargined and more or less pilose on the inner surface<br />
near the margins and apex, bearded at the apex, with a small<br />
black gland in the center near the apex; ovary very small; style very<br />
short; stigmas 2, erect-recurved.<br />
Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected in water of<br />
swamp on the summit of Mount Roraima, on southern half of the summit<br />
between Summit Camp, Great Central Rift, Central Swamp, and<br />
pond at southern end, state of Bolivar, alt. 2700-2740 m., September<br />
28, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58868. The collector notes: "heads<br />
dull white; bracts dull blackish."<br />
Leiothrix Steyermarkii Moldenke, sp. nov.<br />
Herba perennis caulescens; caulibus usque ad 15 cm. longis, 1<br />
crassis, furcatis dense foliosis, ad apicem dense longeque villosis;<br />
foliis linearibus 4-5 cm. longis recurvato-patentibus ca. 1 mm. latis<br />
obtusis utrinque sparse pilosulis vel glabrescentibus; vaginis gracilibus<br />
arete adpressis 4-6 cm. longis sparse pilosulis multis triads<br />
tortis; pedunculis 1 vel paucis 35-46 cm. longis glabris 3-costatis<br />
tort is, ad apicem adpresso-pilosis.<br />
Caulescent perennial herb, growing in dense tufts; stems to about<br />
15 cm. long, about 1 cm. thick, usually only once forked near the<br />
base, very densely leafy and entirely hidden by the sheathing and<br />
closely imbricate leaf-bases, densely long-pilose with white villous<br />
hairs at the apex; leaves pale green, very numerous, linear, 4-5 cm.<br />
long, recurved-spreading, about 1 mm. wide, blunt, sparsely and irregularly<br />
pilosulous on both surfaces or glabrescent, thin-textured<br />
but not fenestrate, the midrib rather prominulous beneath, the margins<br />
sometimes slightly revolute; sheaths very slender, closely<br />
appressed to the peduncles, usually slightly surpassing the leaves,<br />
4-o cm. long, rather sparsely pilosulous with simple whitish or capitate<br />
gland-tipped rather spreading hairs, many-striate, somewhat<br />
twisted, the apex obliquely split, the blades lanceolate-Ungulate,<br />
appressed-pilosulous and often somewhat cilia te, about 5 mm. long,<br />
erect, blunt; peduncles slender, 1 or a few at the apex of each<br />
branch, 35-46 cm. long, glabrous or practically so, 3-costate, twisted,<br />
more or less appressed-pilose just beneath the head; heads hemispheric,<br />
7-8 mm. wide, creamy-white; involucral bractlets lightstramineous<br />
or buff, oblanceolate, usually very concave on the inner<br />
and convex on the outer surface, about 2.5 mm. long and 1.5 mm.<br />
wide, readily splitting at the very abruptly rounded apex, glabrous<br />
throughout, shiny; receptacle densely long-pilose; receptacular bractlets<br />
none; staminate florets: sepals 3, separate almost to the base,<br />
hyaline, narrowly elliptic-falcate, 2.3-2.6 mm. long, about 0.6 mm.<br />
wide, more or less conduplicate-navicular, glabrous throughout, not<br />
bearded, not glanduliferous; petals 3, united into a slender tube about<br />
1.5 mm. long, glabrous, stramineous, the free terminal lobes hyaline,<br />
about 0.6 mm. long, involute, glabrous, not glanduliferous; stamens 3,<br />
included; anthers white; pistillate florets: sepals 3, separate practi-<br />
cm.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 119<br />
cally to the base, hyaline, elliptic-falcate, more or less navicular,<br />
2.6-2.8 mm. long, about 0.6 mm. wide, acute, rather densely appressed-pilose<br />
on the back, not bearded, not glanduliferous; petals 3,<br />
separate to the base, narrow-elliptic, hyaline, about 1.8 mm. long,<br />
long-attenuate at the apex, the attenuate subcaudate apex involute,<br />
glabrous throughout, not bearded, not glanduliferous; style about<br />
0.5 mm. long, glabrous; ovary oblong, 3-celled, about 0.4 mm. long;<br />
style-appendages 3, about 1 mm. long, erect, arising from a lower<br />
level than the 3 much shorter papillose stigmas.<br />
Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected in<br />
Brocchinia-Stegolepis-Heliamphora swamp, on southwest-facing<br />
shoulder of Ptari-tepui' state of Bolivar, alt. 2200 m., November<br />
2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59779. This handsome species does<br />
not closely resemble any other species of this genus from northern<br />
South America.<br />
Leiothrix umbratilis Moldenke, sp. nov.<br />
Herba; caulibus valde abbreviatis; foliis rosulatis rectis 19-22<br />
cm. longis, 10-13 mm. latis utrinque plusminusve pilosis obtusis, in<br />
statu senectute glabrescentibus; vaginis laxis 14-15 cm. longis<br />
dense patenteque villosis, laminis irregulariter lobatis; pedunculis<br />
7-10, 35-40 cm. longis, sparse pilosulis dein glabrescentibus, ad<br />
apicem persistenter patento-puberulis, 2-costatis compressis tortis.<br />
Herb; stems greatly abbreviated; leaves all basal, cespitose, erect,<br />
thin-chartaceous, grass-green, 19-22 cm. long, 10-13 mm. wide at the<br />
mid-point, rather firm-textured, not fenestrate, more or less pilose on<br />
both surfaces, glabrescent in age, blunt at apex; sheath slightly<br />
shorter than the leaves, cylindric, rather loose, 14-15 cm. long,<br />
densely spreading-villous, obliquely split at the apex, the blade<br />
elongate, erect, usually about 2 cm. long, more or less appressed to<br />
the peduncle, irregularly lobed at the apex; peduncles 7-10 per plant,<br />
35-40 cm. long, very sparsely pilosulous when young, soon glabrescent<br />
except for the very apex which is persistently spreadingpuberulent,<br />
2-costate, flattened, twisted; heads hemispheric, about<br />
1 cm. wide, white, very hairy; involucral bractlets stramineous,<br />
densely imbricate, in many series, variable in shape, oblong or<br />
oblanceolate or elliptic, about 4 mm. long, blunt, about 1 mm. wide,<br />
more or less sparsely pilose on the back, more densely so on the<br />
margins and at the apex; receptacle densely long-villous; receptacular<br />
bractlets hyaline, spatulate, about 5 mm. long and 1 mm. wide,<br />
obtuse, very sparsely pilose near the margins and apex; staminate<br />
florets pedicellate: sepals 3, hyaline, narrow-elliptic, 2.1-2.3 mm.<br />
long, about 0.6 mm. wide, subacute, glabrous throughout or very<br />
sparsely pilosulous at the apex, not bearded, not glanduliferous;<br />
petals 3, hyaline, united into a slender tube about 2.1 mm. long,<br />
glabrous, the free lobes narrow-oblong, hyaline, erect, about 2.1 mm.<br />
l n g glabrous, not bearded, not glanduliferous, somewhat involute<br />
at the apex; stamens 3, included; filaments about 0.4 mm. long;
120 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
pistillate florets pedicellate: sepals 3, separate to the base, hyaline,<br />
elliptic, erect, about 3 mm. long and 0.8 mm. wide, usually navicular,<br />
subacute, ciliate-margined toward and at the apex; petals 3,<br />
separate to the base, hyaline, erect, narrowly elliptic or oblong,<br />
about 1.7 mm. long and 0.4 mm. wide, ciliate-margined toward and at<br />
the apex; style about 1.4 mm. long, glabrous, with 3 slender erect<br />
appendages issuing at about 1/3 its height, 1 mm. long; stigmas 3,<br />
terminal, very small, about 0.2 mm. long; ovary 3-lobed, 3-celled,<br />
glabrous, but surrounded by a tuft of very long erect villous hairs<br />
issuing from the receptacle within the perianth.<br />
Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected in shaded<br />
places at the edge of a forest in scrubby Stegole pis-shrub growth on<br />
mesa between Ptari-tepui and Sororopan-tepui', in vicinity of "Misia<br />
Kathy Camp", state of Bolivar, alt. 1615 m., November 15-17, 1944,<br />
Julian A. Steyermark 60280. The species is obviously related to<br />
L. flavescens (Bong.) Ruhl., but differs in its longer and broader<br />
leaves, the peduncles not surpassing the leaves, and in floral<br />
characters.<br />
Paepalanthus perplexans Moldenke, sp. nov.<br />
^Herba caulescens; caulibus elongatis ca. 30 cm. longis gracilibus<br />
valde foliosis furcatis; foliis lanceolatis 3.5-4 cm. longis, ca. 1 cm.<br />
latis, firme membra naceis multistriatis patentibus acutis utrinque<br />
irregulariter albido-pilosis dein punctulato-puberulis; vaginis anguste<br />
cylindricis ca. 5 cm. longis sparse irregulariterque pubescentibus vel<br />
pilosulis, ad apicem dense villosis ciliatisque; pedunculis gracilibus<br />
usque ad 30 cm. longis 3-costatis non tortis sparse irregulariterque<br />
pilosulis.<br />
Caulescent herb; stems elongate, about 30 cm. long, slender, very<br />
leafy, branched; leaves sheathing, the bases closely imbricate,<br />
lanceolate, 3.5-4 cm. long, about 1 cm. wide at the base, firmly<br />
membranous, rich grass-green on both surfaces, many-striate, not<br />
fenestrate, spreading, acute at the apex, the base s carious-margined<br />
(the opaque portion of the blade uniformly 5 mm. wide to the base, the<br />
scarious margin becoming regularly narrower from the base to about<br />
1.5-2 cm. above the base), both surfaces more or less irregularly<br />
whitish long-pilose, less so or only punctulate-puberulent in age, the<br />
scarious margins more or less long-ciliate; inflorescences about 4<br />
per branch per season, but those of the previous season usually<br />
persisting in blackened form lower down the branches; sheaths<br />
narrow-cylindric, surpassing the leaves, about 5 cm. long, sparsely<br />
and irregularly short-pubescent or pilosulous,its apex obliquely split,<br />
densely villous and ciliate.the blade lanceolate and acute, erect; peduncles<br />
slender, to about 30 cm. long, sparsely and irregularly pilosulous,<br />
3-costate, not twisted; heads hemispheric, 5-7 mm. wide;<br />
involucral bracelets in many closely imbricate series, ovate, 2-2.5<br />
mm. long, 1-1.5 mm. wide at the base, dark-brown, shiny, acute at the<br />
apex, glabrous except for the ciliolate margins; receptacle long-vil-
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 121<br />
lous; receptacular bracelets spatulate, about 2 ram. long, about 0.8<br />
mm. wide at the widest point, brown on the upper 1/3, stramineous on<br />
the lower 2/3, densely bearded at and just below the apex on the<br />
back, the remainder glabrous on both surfaces; staminate florets apparently<br />
of 2 types: the fertile type with 3 sepals, separate practically<br />
to the base, oblanceolate, about 1.7 mm. long, 0.4-0.6 mm. wide at<br />
the widest point, navicular, dark-brown, rounded and densely bearded<br />
on the back at the apex, otherwise glabrous and shiny; petals 3, deepbrown,<br />
about 1.3 mm. long, united for 1/2 their length into a narrow<br />
tube, glabrous throughout, the free lobes oblong, involute at the apex;<br />
stamens 3, filaments brown, about 0.6 mm. long, glabrous; anthers<br />
brown, elliptic -oblong, about 0.6 mm. long; the sterile type with 3<br />
obovate -elliptic sepals separate practically to the base, about 1.7<br />
mm. long and 0.8 mm. wide, brownish, long-pilose throughout on the<br />
outer surface, densely bearded at the rounded apex; petals 3, united<br />
into a slender tube about 1.6 mm. long, the free lobes about 0.6 mm.<br />
long, narrow-lanceolate, recurved, thin; filaments 3, erect, heavy,<br />
subspatulate, anantherous; pistillate florets not observed.<br />
Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected in Bonnetia<br />
roraimae forest on the southwest-facing shoulder of Ptari-tepui, state<br />
of Boh'var, alt. 2 000-2200 m., November 2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
59748. This puzzling species resembles P. Killipii Moldenke in<br />
general habit and appearance. The collector describes the plant as<br />
having "scapes pale green below, pale salmon above; bracts brownish;<br />
heads white with blackish." It is most remarkable in exhibiting<br />
no pistillate florets in the several heads examined, but having apparently<br />
two types of morphologically staminate florets instead, one<br />
type fertile and the other type anantherous. The species is probably<br />
either dioecious or polygamo-dioecious.<br />
Paepalanthus roraimensis Moldenke, sp. nov.<br />
Herba caulescens; caulibus elongatis 50 cm. longis dense filiosis,<br />
ad apicem dense longeque villosis dein glabrescentibus; foliis subcoriaceis<br />
lanceolatis patentibus ca. 6 cm. longis, 1.3-1.4 cm. latis,<br />
utrinque glabris vel sparsissime pilosis, ad basin longe villosis<br />
multistriatis non fenestratis attenuato-acutis; vaginis anguste cylindricis<br />
ca. 6.5 cjn. longis arete adpressis multistriatis non tortis<br />
sparsissime pilosis; pedunculis ca. 30, 15-20 cm. longis 5-7-costatis<br />
sparse pilosulis vel glabrescentibus tortulis.<br />
Caulescent herb; stems elongated, 50 cm. long or longer, densely<br />
leafy, completely hidden by the leaves except at the base, 5-6 mm.<br />
wide, densely long-villous at the apex, glabrous in age; leaves dullgreen,<br />
subcoriaceous, spreading, lanceolate, about 6 cm. long, 1.3-<br />
1.4 cm. wide near the base, clasping the stem at base, glabrous or<br />
very sparsely pilose on both surfaces except at the long-villous<br />
base, completely glabrous and shiny when mature (except for the<br />
base), many-seriate, not fenestrate, attenuate to the acute apex;<br />
sheaths about equaling the upper leaves, about 6.5 cm. long, narrow-
122 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
cylindric, closely appressed to the peduncles, many-striate, not<br />
twisted, very sparsely pilose, obliquely split at the apex, the blade<br />
about 1.5 cm. long, lanceolate, erect, appressed, sparsely and irregulraly<br />
ciliate, apiculate at the apex; peduncles numerous, about<br />
30 per plant, 15-20 cm. long, sparsely pilosulous or glabrescent,<br />
5-7-costate, slightly twisted; heads hemispheric, about 1 cm. in<br />
diameter, gray; involucral bractlets blackish toward the apex, paler<br />
toward the base, numerous, closely imbricate, broadly ovate, about<br />
2.5 mm. long and wide, acute or subapiculate at the apex, glabrous,<br />
shiny; receptacle very sparsely and obscurely long-villous or glabrescent;<br />
receptacular bractlets narrowly oblong, 2.6-2.8 mm. long,<br />
about 0.5 mm. wide, black at the apex, brown below, hyaline at the<br />
base, villous on the back toward the apex, densely bearded at the<br />
apex; staminate florets: sepals 3, connate at the base, the free portions<br />
elliptic, about 1.9 mm. long and 0.6 mm. wide, obtuse, shortvillous<br />
toward and at the apex on the back; petals 3, connate into a<br />
hyaline tube about 1 mm. long, glabrous, ampliate at the apex into a<br />
cupuliform rim which is about 0.6 mm. in height and 1 mm. in diameter,<br />
hyaline, glabrous, and 3-toothed, the teeth ovate, about 0.4 mm.<br />
long or less, often more or less ciliolate between the teeth; stamens<br />
3, opposite the petal-teeth, inserted at the apex of the corolla-tube;<br />
filaments about 0.6 mm. long, glabrous; anthers white, versatile,<br />
each of the 2 separate thecae about 0.4 mm. long, opening by longitudinal<br />
slits; 3 rudimentary style-appendages inserted at the apex of<br />
the corolla-tube, about 0.4 mm. long, papillose; pistillate florets:<br />
sepals 3, connate only at the very base, elliptic, dark-brown toward<br />
the apex, hyaline at the base, about 2.1 mm. long and 0.8 mm. wide,<br />
more or less navicular, appressed-villous on the back, densely<br />
bearded at the apex; petals 3, hyaline, separate, narrowly oblongelliptic,<br />
about 2.1 mm. long and 0.4 mm. wide, acute, very densely<br />
long-villous on the back with erect or spreading hairs equaling or<br />
slightly surpassing the petals, not bearded, not glanduliferous; style<br />
about 0.8 mm. long, glabrous, terminated by 3 erect stigmas and 3<br />
erect style-appendages, all about 0.6 mm. long; ovary subglobose,<br />
about 0.4 mm. long and wide, glabrous, 3-lobed, 3-celled.<br />
Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected below waterfall<br />
spray among boulders or talus, on ascent of ledge along southwest-facing<br />
side, from beginning of sandstone bluffs to summit,<br />
Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 2255-2620 m., September 27,<br />
1944, Julian A. Stcyermark 58768.<br />
Paepalanthus scopulorum Moldenke, sp. nov.<br />
Herba caulescens; caulibus gracilibus elongatis furcatis foliosis;<br />
foliis duris firmis elongato-lanceolatis 2.5-4 cm. longis 3-7 mm. latis<br />
acutis multistriatis non fenestratis patentibus, in senectute subfa<br />
Icato-conduplicatis, supra in statu juventute dense albido-villosis<br />
dein glabrescentibus, subtus obscure subadpresso-pilosis; vaginis<br />
cylindric is laxiusculis 1.5-2 cm. longis densiuscule breviterque<br />
pubescentibus, ad apicem longe ciliatis; pedunculis gracilibus, 5-15,
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 123<br />
6-7 cm. longis, 4- vel 5-costatis,. tortis, dense breviterque pubescentibus<br />
dein praeter apicera glabrescentibus.<br />
Caulescent herb; stems slender, to about 10 cm. long, branched,<br />
very leafy; leaves firm and tough, elongate lanceolate, somewhat<br />
twisted or falcate-conduplicate in age, 2.5-4 cm. long, 3-7 mm. wide<br />
at the mid-point, acute at the apex, many-striate, not fenestrate,<br />
spreading, sheathing the stem at the base, densely white-villous with<br />
tangled white hair when young on the upper surface, glabrescent in<br />
age, obscurely subappressed-pilose on the lower surface (densely so<br />
when very young, sparsely so in age); sheaths cylindric, rather loose,<br />
about equaling the uppermost leaves, 1.5-2 cm. long, rather densely<br />
short-pubescent with appressed antrorse hairs, less so in age, obliquely<br />
split at the apex, the blade lanceolate, erect or the tip<br />
spreading or recurved, 5-7 mm. long, more or less long-ciliate on the<br />
margins; peduncles slender, 5-15 per plant, 6-7 cm. long, 4- or 5-<br />
c estate, twisted, densely short-pubescent with subappressed antrorse<br />
hairs, glabrescent in age except for the very tip; heads hemispheric,<br />
6-7 mm. in diameter; involucral bractlets broadly triangular- ovate,<br />
dark-brown, about 2 mm. long, about 1.5 mm. wide at the base, shortacuminate<br />
at the apex, ciliolate-margined, otherwise glabrous; receptacle<br />
densely long-villous; receptacular bractlets absent; staminate<br />
florets: sepals 3, separate to the base, firm, erect, brownish,<br />
darkest toward the apex, oblanceolate, about 1.4 mm. long and 0.5<br />
mm. wide, acute, the margins more or less involute, densely bearded<br />
at the apex on the back, otherwise glabrous, not glanduliferous;<br />
petals 3i united into a hyaline infundibular tube about 1.7 mm. long,<br />
glabrous, narrow-cylindric for about the lower half of its length,<br />
abruptly ampliate to 0.8 mm. at the apex, its rim 3-apiculate; stamens<br />
3, opposite the corolla-apiculations, inserted on the corolla-tube<br />
about 0.4 mm. below its apex; filaments slender, about 0.4 mm. long,<br />
glabrous, equaling the corolla-apiculations; anthers white, versatile,<br />
oblong, about 0.3 mm. long, composed of 2 separate thecae, each<br />
dehiscing by means of a longitudinal slit; style about 1.3 mm. long,<br />
the upper 0.4 mm. trifid; ovary absent; pistillate florets few: sepals<br />
3, lingulate, firm, erect, about 1.2 mm. long, rather uniformly about<br />
0.6 mm. wide throughout, obtuse at the apex, light-brown toward the<br />
apex and in a median band to the base, hyaline-margined toward the<br />
base, more or less densely long-villous on the back and shortbearded<br />
at the apex, or only densely bearded, not glanduliferous;<br />
petals 3, separate almost to the base, subhyaline, erect, ellipticoblong,<br />
about 13 mm. long and 0.4 mm. wide, subacute at apex,<br />
glabrous on the back, very densely long-villous on the inner surface<br />
with white hairs surpassing the petals in length, not bearded, not<br />
glanduliferous; style about 0.6 mm. long, glabrous, terminated by 3<br />
clavate style -appendages and 3 bifid stigmas, all 0.4-0.5 mm. long;<br />
ovary small, subglobose, about 0.4 mm. long and wide, glabrous,<br />
3-celled.<br />
Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected in dense
124 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
colonies and masses on wet bluffs, along base of south-facing sandstone<br />
bluffs, Ptari-tepul, state of Bolivar, alt. 2410 m., November 6,<br />
1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59914. The collector notes that it is one<br />
of the commonest species on the bluffs. It resembles P Killipii<br />
Moldenke, from Colombia, in habit, but is abundantly distinct in<br />
characters of the leaves, peduncles, and flowers.<br />
Paepalanthus squamiliferus Moldenke, sp. nov.<br />
Herba caulescens; caulibus usque ad 9 cm. longis dense foliosis;<br />
foliis firme membranaceis erecto-patentibus 3.5-4 cm. longis, 2.5-4<br />
mm. latis, acutis multistriatis non fenestratis utrinque glabris;<br />
vaginis anguste cylindricis adpressis tortis ca. 6 cm. longis multistriatis<br />
glabris, apice piloso-ciliato; pedunculis solitariis usque ad<br />
40 cm. longis 5-costatis, parce pilosis, pilis irregulariter patentibus<br />
vel reflexis.<br />
Caulescent herb; stems to about 9 cm. long, very leafy, completely<br />
hidden by the leaf-bases; leaves firmly membranous, grass-green,<br />
erect-spreading, grass-like, 3.5-4 cm. long-, 2.5-4 ram. wide at the<br />
mid-point, acute, many-striate, not fenestrate, glabrous on both surfaces;<br />
sheath greatly surpassing the leaves, narrowly cylindric, appressed<br />
to the peduncles, twisted, about 6 cm. long, many-striate,<br />
glabrous except for the more or less pilose-ciliate apex, obliquely<br />
split at the apex, the blade erect, closely appressed, ovate, 0.5-1.5<br />
cm. long, ciliate-margined when young, glabrous in age; peduncles<br />
solitary at the apex of each stem, to about 40 cm. long, sparsely<br />
pilose with irregularly spreading or retrorse white hairs, 5-costate;<br />
heads hemispheric or almost spherical, about 1.5 cm. in diameter,<br />
gray; involucral bractlets variable in size and shape, the outermost<br />
very dark brown or blackish, broadly elliptic, about 4.5 mm. long and<br />
3 mm. wide, the inner ones oblong, slightly wider near the apex,<br />
dark-brownish, lighter toward the margins, about 4 mm. long and 1.5<br />
mm. wide, acute at the apex, all rather sparsely long-villous in a<br />
central band on the back with more or less appressed antrorse hairs;<br />
receptacle long-villous; receptacular bractlets oblong or elliptic,<br />
about 34 mm. long and 0.8 mm. wide, usually more or less conduplicate-navicular,<br />
acute, long-villous in a median band on the back;<br />
staminate florets: sepals 3, connate only at the very base, erect,<br />
light-brownish, elliptic, about 3.5 mm. long and 1 mm. wide, obtuse<br />
at the apex, densely villous toward the apex on the back, not bearded,<br />
not glanduliferous; petals 3, connate into a slender tube about 4 mm.<br />
l n gi glabrous, not ampliate above, the separate lobes narrowly<br />
oblong, erect, 3-3.5 mm. long and 0.5 mm. wide, short-bearded at the<br />
apex, not involute, not glanduliferous; stamens 3, inserted at the<br />
mouth of the corolla-tube; filaments about 2.5 mm. long, black,<br />
glabrous; anthers not seen; pistillate florets: sepals 3, separate to<br />
the base, brown, broadly elliptic, about 3.4 mm. long and 1.9 mm.<br />
wide, acute, brownish, long-villous in a median band on the back, the<br />
margins lighter and usually conduplicate, not bearded, subtending a<br />
great mass of long, erect, villous hair; petals 3, separate to the base,
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 125<br />
linear-lanceolate, 2.1-2.8 ram. long, about 0.3 mm. wide, more or less<br />
attenuate to the sharply acute apex, very densely long-villous on the<br />
back with wide-spreading hairs that far exceed the petals; style<br />
about 1 mm. long, glabrous, terminated by 3 erect flat styleappendages<br />
about 1 mm. long and 3 erect simple or bifid stigmas<br />
1.9-2 mm. long; ovary small, with 3 erect scales about 0.3 mm. long<br />
at its base.<br />
Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected in Brocchinia-<br />
Stegolepis-Heliamphora swamp on southwest-facing shoulder of Ptaritepuf,<br />
state of Bolivar, alt. 2200 m., November 2, 1944, Julian A.<br />
Steyermark 59777. The species is most remarkable because of the 3<br />
erect scales subtending the base of the ovary. Apparently these<br />
represent the very much reduced corollas.<br />
Paepalanthus Steyermarkii Moldenke, sp. nov.<br />
Herba pumila; caulibus valde gracilibus 1-2 cm. longis foliosis<br />
plerumque furcatis; foliis numerosis linearibus 5*10 mm. longis<br />
subrectis vel recurvato-patentibus, 0.5-1 mm. latis obtusis utrinque<br />
densiuscule albido-pilosis; vaginis gracile cylindricis arete adpressis<br />
ca. 1 cm. longis dense albido-pilosis pedunculis paucis<br />
2.5-3.5 cm. longis densiuscule albido-pilosis 3-costatis non tortis.<br />
Dwarf herb; stems very slender, 1-2 cm. long, leafy, often branched;<br />
leaves numerous, usually densely clustered at the apex of the stems<br />
or branches, 5-10 mm. long, linear above the sheathing base, suberect<br />
or recurved-spreading, 0.5-1 mm. wide, blunt, gray-green, not fenestrate,<br />
rather densely white-pilose on both surfaces; sheath slendercylindric,<br />
closely appressed to the peduncle, equaling the leaves,<br />
about 1 cm. long, densely white-pilose like the leaves, obliquely<br />
split at the apex, the blade linear, spreading, about 4 mm. long,<br />
blunt, white-pilose; peduncles slender, 1 or several per branch, 2.5-<br />
3.5 cm. long, rather densely white-pilose with spreading or (more<br />
rarely) appressed hairs, 3-costate, not twisted; heads hemispheric,<br />
about 5 mm. in diameter, gray-white; involucral bractlets oblanceolate,<br />
1.7-1.9 mm. long, about 0.8 mm. wide, light-brownish in a<br />
median band almost to the apex, translucent along the margins and at<br />
the apex, acute at the apex, glabrous throughout; receptacle longpilose;<br />
receptacular bractlets oblanceolate, about 1 mm. long and<br />
0.5 mm. wide, very light-stramineous, obtuse at the apex, glabrous<br />
except for the densely bearded apex; staminate florets: sepals 3,<br />
separate practically to the base, oblanceolate, about 1.1 mm. long<br />
and 0.4 mm. wide, light-brownish or stramineous, obtuse, glabrous<br />
except for the densely bearded apex, not glanduliferous; petals 3,<br />
united into a slender glabrous subhyaline tube about 0.8-1 mm. long,<br />
the free terminal lobes about 0.3 mm. long, subhyaline or stramineous,<br />
erect, glabrous, involute at the apex, not glanduliferous; stamens 3,<br />
about equaling the petals; pistillate florets: sepals 3, separate<br />
practically to the base, elongate-oblong, about 1.8 mm. long and 0.4<br />
mm. wide, attenuate to an acute apex, light-stramineous or trans-
126 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
lucent, glabrous throughout, not bearded, not glanduliferous; petals<br />
3, separate, elliptic-sublanceolate, hyaline, about 1.2 mm. long and<br />
0.3 mm. wide, subacute, glabrous throughout, not glanduliferous;<br />
ovary 3-celled, oblong-elliptic, about 0.7 mm. long and 0.4 mm. wide,<br />
glabrous, 3-ovulate; style stout, about 0.4 mm. long, glabrous; stigmas<br />
3; style -appendages 3, issuing from the same level as the<br />
stigmas.<br />
Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected in sandy wet<br />
ground with Stegolepis and Brocchinia on large mesa, Gran Sabana,<br />
between Mission of Santa Teresita de Kavanayen northwest of Rio<br />
Karuai, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., October 26, 1944, Julian A.<br />
Steyermark 59369. The species is apparently closely related to P.<br />
cristatus Moldenke, which differs in its blunt brunneous involucral<br />
bractlets, larger receptacular bractlets which are long-villous over<br />
the entire back, larger cuneate sepals in the staminate florets,<br />
smaller and bearded sepals and bearded petals in the pistillate<br />
florets, the glabrescent leaves and peduncles, and other characters.<br />
Rondonanthus micrope talus Moldenke, sp. nov.<br />
Herba dense caespitosa; caulibus valde abbreviatis dense villosis;<br />
foliis numerosis firmis rectis vel patentibus lanceolatis 2-4 cm.<br />
longis, 2-4 mm. latis, acutis vel attenuatis, in statu juventute<br />
utrinque sparse longeque pilosis, dein glabrescentibus, obscure<br />
multistriatis non fenestratis nkidis, ad basin dense villosis; vaginis<br />
cylindricis, ad basin inflatis, ad apicem arete adpressis, ca. 1.4 cm.<br />
longis, multistriatis non tortis glabris, ad apicem cilia tis; pedunculis<br />
paucis abbreviatis 2-3 cm. longis non tortis sulcatis obscure puberulis<br />
nitidis, ad apicem ampliatis.<br />
Densely tufted herbs; stems much abbreviated, densely villous,<br />
hidden by the leaves; leaves numerous, in dense rosettes, rather<br />
firm, erect or spreading, lanceolate, 2-4 cm. long, 2-4 mm. wide at<br />
the mid-point, acute or attenuate at the apex, sparsely long-pilose<br />
on both surfaces when young, glabrescent in age, rather obscurely<br />
many-stria te, not fenestrate, shiny, ampliate and clasping the stem<br />
at the base and usually densely villous there; sheath cylindric,<br />
somewhat inflated toward the base, closely appressed to the peduncle<br />
at the apex, about 1.4 cm. long, many-striate, not twisted, glabrous<br />
except for the apex, obliquely split at the apex, the blade lanceolate,<br />
about 5 mm. long, erect, appressed to the peduncle, acute, cilia teraargined;<br />
peduncles few, all abbreviated, 2-3 cm. long, not twisted,<br />
several-sulcate, very obscurely puberulent in the s ideations, otherwise<br />
glabrous, shiny, brownish, ampliate at die apex; heads hemispheric,<br />
3-9 cm. in diameter, white; plants apparently dioecious,<br />
only staminate florets seen; involucral bractlets broadly ovate,<br />
blackish, closely imbricate, about 2.3 mm. long and 3 mm. wide, more<br />
or less acuminate at the apex, glabrous and shiny except for the<br />
more or less ciliate margins toward the apex; receptacle longvillous;<br />
receptacular bractlets oblong-elliptic, blackish toward the
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 127<br />
apex, lighter or even subhyaline toward the base, closely appressed<br />
to the staminate florets, 1.5-2.1 mm. long, 0.4-0.6 mm. wide, obtuse<br />
at the apex, densely villous on the back from about the middle to the<br />
apex and on the margins often to the base, densely bearded at the<br />
apex, or glabrous except for the bearded apex; staminate florets:<br />
sepals 3, separate to the base, subhyaline or stramineous, narrowly<br />
elliptic-oblanceolate, sometimes brownish toward the apex, 0.7-1.5<br />
mm. long, 0.2-0.4 mm. wide, acute at the apex, densely bearded at<br />
and near the apex; petals 3, reduced to tiny suborbicular scales about<br />
0.2 mm. long or less, hyaline, separate to the base, opposite the<br />
filaments and barely reaching the base of the anthers, appressed;<br />
stamens 3, tiny erect, included; filaments about 0.3 mm. long, glabrous;<br />
anthers oblong, white, about 0.3 mm. long, dorsifixed, composed<br />
of 2 parallel more or less versatile thecae, each opening by<br />
longitudinal slits; among the staminate florets are similar ones with<br />
more or less effete anthers, but otherwise identical; pistillate<br />
florets not seen.<br />
Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected on ascent of<br />
ledge along southwest-facing side of Mount Roraima, from beginning<br />
of sandstone bluffs to summit, state of Bolivar, alt. 2255-2620 m.,<br />
September 27, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58777. In the absence of<br />
pistillate florets the generic position of this curious species is<br />
uncertain. It is placed tentatively in Rondonanthus because of its<br />
separate petals in the staminate florets and its apparently dioecious<br />
habit. It differs pronouncedly from the only other known species of<br />
the genus, R. roraimae (Oliv.) Herzog, which has the petals of the<br />
staminate florets as long as the sepals and very different involucres.<br />
It<br />
may possibly represent an undescribed genus.<br />
Syngonanthus duidae Moldenke, sp. nov.<br />
Herba acaulescens; foliis rosulatis recurvis usque ad 1 cm. longis<br />
non fenestratis glabratis, ca. 0.5 mm. latis, obtusis; vaginis arete<br />
adpressis ca. 1.5 cm. longis glabris, apice ciliato; pedunculis<br />
solitariis gracillimis 8-15 cm. longis 3-costatis tortis basin versus<br />
breviter pilosis, apicem versus glabris.<br />
Acaulescent herb, or with extremely abbreviated stems; leaves<br />
basal, rosulate, recurved, firm-textured, dull-green, tinted with brickred<br />
or brown, 1 cm. long or less, not fenes trace, the venation indiscernible,<br />
essentially glabrous, 0.5 mm. wide or less, blunt at the<br />
apex; sheaths surpassing the leaves, closely appressed to the<br />
peduncles, about 1.5 cm. long, essentially glabrous except for the<br />
ciliate apex, obliquely split at the apex; peduncles solitary, very<br />
slender, 8-15 cm. long, lightly 3-costate, twisted, short-pilose on the<br />
lower half, glabrous above; heads hemispheric, 3*5-6 mm. in diameter,<br />
white; involucral bracelets lanceolate, about 3-2 mm. long, about 0.6<br />
mm. wide at the base, regularly attenuate to the sharply subacuminate<br />
apex, stramineous or white, glabrous throughout; receptacle densely<br />
white-pilose with rather long hairs; receptacular bractlets oblong or
128 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
oblong-lanceolate, hyaline, about 2.8 mm. long, about 0.4 ram. wide<br />
at the base, subacute at the apex, slightly appressed-short-pilose on<br />
the back or glabrate, not bearded; staminate florets: sepals 3, separate<br />
practically to the base, narrow-lanceolate, about 2.8 mm. long,<br />
about 0.3 mm. wide at the base, attenuate to the subacute apex,<br />
sparsely pilose on the back toward the base, not bearded, not glanduliferous;<br />
petals 3, connate into a hyaline tube about 1.4 mm. .long and<br />
0.5 mm. wide, glabrous, 3-lobed and involute at the apex, not glanduliferous;<br />
stamens 3; anthers white, oblong, about 0.2 mm. long;<br />
pistillate florets: sepals 3, separate to the base, narrowly ellipticlanceolate,<br />
about 3 mm. long, about 0.4 mm. wide, attenuate to the<br />
sharply acute apex, rather sparsely or densely pilose on the back and<br />
margins, not bearded, not gland uliferous; petals 3, connate at the<br />
middle, hyaline, narrow-ellitpic, about 2.2 mm. long and 0.5 mm.<br />
wide, acute, somewhat pilose on the back, not bearded, not glanduliferous;<br />
style short, stout, about 0.4 mm. long, glabrous; stigmas 3,<br />
about' 0.3 mm. long, densely papillose; style-appendages 3, elongate<br />
to 1 mm., glabrous, epapillose, arising from the same place as the<br />
stigmas; ovary ovate, about 0.5 mm. long, glabrous, 3-celled, 3-<br />
ovulate.<br />
Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected around a<br />
small stream on dry rocky slopes, summit of Cerro Duida, Brocchinia<br />
Hills, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 1700-1980 m., September 1,<br />
1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58199.<br />
Syngonanthus venezuelensis Moldenke, sp. nov.<br />
Herba perenna pumila caulescens; caulibus usque ad 3 cm. longis<br />
gracilibus brachiatis dense foliosis procumbentibus vel adscendentibus,<br />
ad apicem plusminusve longe pilosis; foliis firmis linearibus<br />
5-7 mm. longis non fenestratis obtusis parcioscule pilosis in statu<br />
senectute glabrescentibus; vaginis gracilibus arete adpressis ca-<br />
7 mm. longis parce pilosulis glabrescentibus; pedunculis gracilibus<br />
solitariis ca. 1 cm. longis 2-costatis non tortis glabris.<br />
Dwarf caulescent perennial, forming dense mats; stems about 3 cm.<br />
long, slender, several-branched, densely leafy, procumbent or ascending,<br />
more or less long-pilose with soft white hairs on the younger<br />
parts; leaves firm, gray-green on both surfaces, linear except for the<br />
sheathing base, spreading or recurved, 5-7 mm. long, less than 1 mm.<br />
wide, not fenestrate, rounded at apex, rather sparsely and loosely<br />
pilosulous on both surfaces, g la bre scent in age, the hairs very short,<br />
white, appressed; sheaths slender, closely appressed to the peduncles,<br />
about 7 mm. long, subequaling the leaves, sparsely pilosulous<br />
like the leaves, glabrescent in age, obliquely split and<br />
more or less ciliolate at the apex, the blade about 2 mm. long,<br />
narrow-lanceolate, erect, blunt; peduncles slender, about 1 cm. long,<br />
glabrous (or minutely pilosulous with appressed hairs at the apex),<br />
2-costate, not twisted, usually one per branch; heads hemispheric,<br />
about 5 mm. in diamtere; involucral bractlets stramineous, usually
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 129<br />
darker brown in the central portion, obovate-oblanceolate, about 1.5<br />
mm. long and 0.8 mm. wide, acute at apex, the margins at and above<br />
the widest part subhyaline, glabrous and shiny throughout; receptacle<br />
long-pilose; receptacular bractlets oblong-oblanceolate or oblong,<br />
1.3-1.7 mm. long, 0.4-0.6 mm. wide, stramineous in a median band,<br />
hyaline-margined, often with the margins conduplicate, densely<br />
bearded at the apex on the back, otherwise glabrous; staminate<br />
florets: sepals 3, separate almost to the base, brunneous, ellipticobovate<br />
or obovate, about 1 mm. long, about 0.4 mm. wide, subacute<br />
or obtuse, glabrous throughout, not glanduliferous; petals 3, united<br />
into a slender tube about 0.8 mm. long, glabrous, the free lobes about<br />
0.3 mm. long, involute, glabrous, not glanduliferous; stamens 3, included;<br />
pistillate florets: sepals 3, separate almost to the base,<br />
hyaline, narrowly oblong or oblanceolate, 0.8-1.3 mm. long, about<br />
0.2 mm. wide, acute at apex, glabrous throughout, the free apical<br />
lobes quite short, hyaline, incurved, glabrous, not glanduliferous;<br />
style stramineous, about 0.5 mm. long; stigmas 3; ovary oblong,<br />
3-celled.<br />
Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected in sandy wet<br />
meadow on large mesa, Gran Sabana, between Mission of Santa<br />
Teresita de Kavanaye'n northwest to Rio Karuai, state of Bolivar, alt.<br />
1220 m., October 26, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59347. Superficially<br />
this peculiar species greatly resembles some of the very dwarf matted<br />
species of Paepalanthus.
130 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
RAPATEACEAE<br />
Rapatea Steyermarkii Maguire, sp. nov.<br />
Herbae terrestres perennantes. Caudex adscendens erectusve,<br />
10-20 cm. longus. Folia 8-10, 50-65 cm. longa; vaginis equlcantibus<br />
distichisque, in dispositione paullum helicoideis, 12-15 cm. longis,<br />
1.5-3.5 cm. e costa ad marginem, 10-15-nervatis, vix brevi-castaneostrigosis,<br />
scarioso marginatis, paullatim arctatis in petiolum alatum<br />
ca. 1 cm. longum; laminis 40-50 cm. longis 5-7 cm. latis, supra<br />
tenuiter celluloso-punctatis, infra similiter punctatis atque conspicue<br />
glanduloso-papillatis, 70-80-nervatis ,<br />
e costa prominenti nervis<br />
lateralibus valde adscendentibus, apice fa Ic ato-a eliminate, basi<br />
inaequilacerali, abrupte constricto. Pedunculi solitarii vel pauci,<br />
3-5 cm. longi, ca. 1.5 cm. lati, in maturitate valde recurvati; involucri<br />
bracteis 2, late cordatis ca. 5 cm. latis ad basim, 6-7 cm.<br />
longis, ad apicem abrupte caudatis; receptaculi bracteis scariosis<br />
12-18 mm. longis utrinque pubescentibus uninervatis; pedicellis ca.<br />
1 cm. longis 2 mm. crassis paullum compressis castaneo-pubescentibus;<br />
spiculis ca. 2 cm. longis sepalis expansis exclusis; bracteolis<br />
9-11, paullum gradatis, exterioribus 12-13 mm. longis 5 cm. latis,<br />
interioribus 17-20 cm. longis, 3.5-4.0 mm. latis, acutis brevipungentibus,<br />
apiculo ca. 1 mm. longo, corpore tr in erva to, utrinque pubescentibus.<br />
Perianthium non vis urn; ovario triloculari, ovulo uno in loculo.<br />
Capsula 7-8 mm. longa, basi subscarioso, sursum indurata; semine 5<br />
mm. longo, cylindrico-oblongo, griseo-brunneo striato, hilo basilari<br />
obliquo, concavo.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in shaded wet woods<br />
of a dwarf type, lower southeastern slopes of Carrao-tepui, state of<br />
Bolivar, alt. 1675-1980 m., Dec. 5-6, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
60868, "leaves arising at base from an elongated caudex or old stem<br />
several inches to a foot from the ground, then the leaf bases or<br />
sheaths themselves in a fan-like arrangement, but the blades in a<br />
spiral or several-ranked arrangement, not in a single rank as in<br />
Stegolepis; leaves firmly membra naceous, dull green above, silvery<br />
green-papillate below."<br />
Rapatea Steyermarkii is most closely related to R. Ulei Ducke,<br />
which it<br />
strikingly resembles superficially. Aside from its distinct<br />
geographic and ecologic isolation, our plant is at once recognized<br />
by its short peduncle, smaller head, and much larger spikelets, and<br />
by the conspicuously glandular-papillate leaves, noted in the field<br />
by the collector.<br />
Stegolepis Gleasoniana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Foliorura vaginae conduplicatae ovatae, apice rotundatae vel<br />
obtusae, nitentes membranaceae, nervis manifestos; laminis crassis<br />
coriaceis rigidis late linearibus erectis, subtus pallido-viridibus,<br />
90-95 cm. longis, 8-22 ram. latis, in parte media latissimis, ad extremes<br />
angustatis, inaequilateris, apice acuminatis, uno latere costa
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 131<br />
media prominent! incrassata, 7-10nervis uno latere, 10-12 nervis alio<br />
latere; scapis elongatis tenuissimis, 40-45 cm. longis, 1 mm. crassis,<br />
glabris, paucisulcato-striatis, apice paullo dilatatis; involucre nullo<br />
nisi bracteis 3 infimis quam vicinis multo longioribus; floribus 1 vel<br />
2 infrequente 4; bracteis brunneis, extimis 3 vel 4 membranaceis<br />
majoribus inaequalibus anguste lanceolatis longe acuminatis, 14-18<br />
mm. longis, 3 mm. latis, intermediis 11 brevioribus anguste lanceolatis,<br />
longe acuminatis (exterioribus) vel late lanceolatis vel ovatis,<br />
breve- vel longe-acuminatis ( interiorib us), 6.5-7 mm. longis, 2.5-3<br />
mm. latis (interioribus) ad 8-9 mm. longis, 2-3 mm. latis (exterioribus);<br />
sepalis unguiculatis, laminis in anthesi exsertis erectis lanceolatis<br />
acutis; petalis unguiculatis, laminis suborbicularibus, apice subacutis;<br />
filamentis lineari-subulatis, 6 mm. longis, in parte inferiore<br />
paullo latioribus; antheris lineari-subulatis, 10 mm. longis, poro<br />
terminali introrso dehiscentibus; ovario late ovoideo, 2 mm. longo;<br />
stylo filiformi, 11 mm. longo; ovulis in quoque loculo 8-10; capsula<br />
4-5 mm. longa; seminibus rhomboideo-oblongis, purpureo-brunneis,<br />
1.5 mm. longis, circiter 20-costatis, striis reticulatis.<br />
Sheaths thin, membra naceous, finely nerved, rounded or obtuse at<br />
summit; leaves somewhat asymmetric, broader in middle part, narrowed<br />
at each end, deep green above, pale green below, midrib prominent<br />
and thickened on one side, the nerves on either side of midrib prominent<br />
only on one surface (lower), unequal in number; scapes very<br />
slender and elongated; the three outermost bracts foliaceous, unequal<br />
and elongated, equaling the flower; sepals brown, the blades rigid,<br />
chartaceous, cucullate-incurved, 12-13 mm. long, 4.5-5 mm. wide, the<br />
claw membranaceous, oblong-rhomboid, slightly enlarged at junction<br />
with blade, 4 mm. long, 3 mm. wide, 7-nerved; petals deep yellow,<br />
the blade suborbicular, abruptly narrowed to subacute tip, 16 mm.<br />
long, 14 mm. wide, the claw 5 mm. long, 2 mm. wide; fertile stamens<br />
3-5, one to three of them becoming partly or completely petaloid;<br />
filaments slightly broader in lower half, 6 mm. long, 1.1 mm. wide<br />
near base;ovary with 3 cells, 8-10 ovules in each cell (Fig. 17, c-e).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on moist fluffs<br />
of<br />
Cerro Duida, southeastern-facing sandstone bluffs near Cano Negro<br />
(tributary of Cano Iguapo), Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 1095-<br />
1520 m., August 26, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58040.<br />
This species is remarkable for the elongated foliaceous outer<br />
bracts of the heads. In its slender filiform it<br />
peduncles resembles<br />
S. Allenii Steyermark of Panama, but that has the leaf sheaths tapering<br />
rather than abruptly rounded at the summit, while, moreover, in<br />
S. Allenii the flowers are much smaller and the bracts are strongly<br />
imbricate.<br />
Stegolepis Gleasoniana appears to be related to S. pauciflora<br />
Gleason, from which it differs in the shorter sepals and petals, more<br />
slender, almost filiform scapes, which are much narrower- below the<br />
heads than in 5. pauciflora, elongated membranaceous outermost 3-4
132 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
bracts, much narrower leaf blades throughout the length, acuminate<br />
instead of obtuse or subacute bracts, and the delicate, membranaceous<br />
instead of rigid and thick leaf sheaths, the nerves being evident<br />
in the thin sheaths of 5. Gleasoniana and not evident in 5.<br />
pauciflora*<br />
A-AA<br />
FIGURE 17<br />
Stegolepis ptarite puiana Steyerraark. A, Uppermost part of scape<br />
with flower heads (X 1); B, Uppermost part of blade (X 1/2).<br />
Stegolepis Gleasoniana Steyermark. C, Petal (X 1 >, D, Stamen<br />
(X2); E,Seed(X5).<br />
Stegolepis parvipetala Steyermark. F, Petal (X 2.5); G, Three of<br />
filaments joined at base with one another (highly magnified).
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 133<br />
This distinct species is named in honor of Dr. H. A. Gleason of<br />
the New York Botanical Garden, who has done much to advance our<br />
knowledge of the genus Stegolepis and other genera of the<br />
Rapateaceae.<br />
Stegolepis parvipetala Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Foliorum vaginae conduplicatae, incrassatae coriaceae, superne<br />
graduatim angustatae; laminis erectis crass is rigidis coriaceis, uno<br />
latere argenteo-viridibus, late linearibus, ad extremes angustatis,<br />
90-100 cm. longis, 1-4.5 cm. latis, in parte media latissimis, pluristriatis,<br />
subtus costa media prominenti; scapis elongatis erectis,<br />
glabris, pluricostatis, 60-85 cm. longis, 4-6 mm. crassis, apice<br />
paullo dilatatis; involucre nullo; floribus 32-35 sessilibus, 14-15<br />
mm. longis; bracteis castaneo-aureis, circiter 22, ovato-triangularibus,<br />
obtusis, 3-5 (extimis) ad 10 mm. (intimis) longis, 3-4 mm. latis;<br />
sepalis 14 mm. longis, laminis 10 mm. longis, 4.5-5 mm. latis;<br />
petalis parvis, 11 mm. longis, laminis ovato-oblongis, subacutis vel<br />
obtusis, basi subito obtusis vel cordatis, 8 mm. longis, 4.5-5 mm.<br />
latis, unguiculis amplis, 3 mm. longis, 4 mm. latis; filamentis 2.5-3<br />
mm. longis, ad basin corollae adnatis, basi connatis; antheris<br />
lineari-lanceolatis, basi valde cordatis; ovulis 27, in quoque loculo<br />
9; stylo 13 mm. longo.<br />
Leaves grass green on one side, silvery side on other; bracts dull<br />
orange; claw of sepals 4 mm. long; petals dull yellow, small, recurved<br />
or spreading back, connate at base; filaments attached at<br />
base of petals, joined to each other at base; anthers 7-8 mm. long<br />
(Fig. 17,<br />
f-g).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on Ptari-tepui, on<br />
forested south-facing slopes overlying sandstone, on "Cave Rock"<br />
above "Cave Camp", state of Bolivar, alt. 1810 m., October 29,<br />
1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59514 (2 sheets).<br />
This species is distinguished by the small petals with a broad<br />
claw and broadly ovate blade, dull orange-castaneous bracts, and the<br />
filaments united at base. It resembles S, angustata Gleason in the<br />
leaf blades cuneate or narrowed at base and in the leaf sheaths<br />
gradually narrowed to the summit, but differs in the smaller petals,<br />
with a broader claw and differently shaped blade, and in the orangecastaneous<br />
instead of pale brown bracts. From S, guianensis<br />
Klotzsch it differs in the leaf sheath gradually narrowed to the<br />
summit, smaller petals with broad claw and ovate blade, and color<br />
of bracts.<br />
Stegolepis ptaritepuiensis Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Foliorum vaginae conduplicatae incrassatae coriaceae late ovatis,<br />
6.5-8 cm. longis, 4-10 cm. latis, nitentibus, supeme rotundatis,<br />
marginibus membranaceis fere scariosis; laminis erectis crassis<br />
rigidis coriaceis, late linearibus, 25-41 cm. longis, 10-30 mm. latis,<br />
apice acutis et angustatis, tenuiter plurinervatis; scapis elongatis,
134 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
60-75 cm. altis, 2-3 mm. crassis, subteretibus, apice dilatatis complanatis<br />
rotundatis, 5-14 mm. latis, pluricostatis; involucre nullo;<br />
floribus fuscis, firme chartaceis, 9-18, sessilibus, 17-20 mm. longis,<br />
5-7 mm. crassis; bracteis 27-28, valde imbricatis, extimis brevissirais<br />
late triangularibus vel ovatis, 4-5 mm. longis, 4-5 mm. latis,<br />
intermediis late ovatis vel ovato-lanceolatis, 6-8 mm. longis, 3-4<br />
mm. latis, intimis lanceolatis vel oblongo-lanceolatis, 14-17 mm.<br />
longis, 4.5-5 mm. latis, omnibus apice abrupte apiculatis vel breve<br />
acuminatis; sepalis 18 mm. longis, unguiculatis, laminis oblongolanceolatis;<br />
petalis lute is, 14 mm. longis, longe unguiculatis,<br />
laminis rhomboideo-subrotundatis", apice abrupte acuminatis; filamentis<br />
2 mm. longis; antheris 7.5-8 mm. longis; stylo filiformi, 10.5<br />
mm. longo; ovario 3-loculari, ovulis in quoque loculo 4-5.<br />
Scapes subterete except at the top which is flattened and ends in<br />
a rounded tip; sepals with blade 15 mm. long and claw 3 mm. long;<br />
petals with blade 10 mm. long, 10 mm. wide, and claw 5 mm. long,<br />
2.5 mm. wide; stamens 6, all fertile; filaments papilla te-areolate<br />
(Fig. 17, a-b).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on Ptari-tepui, in<br />
swamp on open level portion of plateau on southeast-facing slopes,<br />
state of Bolivar, alt. 1600 ra.. November 1, 1944, Julian A* Steyermark<br />
59655; also collected in sandy wet ground with Brocchinia,<br />
Gran Sabana, between Mission of Santa Teresita de Kavanaye'n northwest<br />
to Rio Karuai, on large mesa, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m.,<br />
October 26, 1944, Steyermark 59365.<br />
This species is the common one found at the base of and on the<br />
slopes of Ptari-tepuf. It is related to S. pungens Gleason of Mount<br />
Duida, from which it differs in the narrower, more falcate-ens iform<br />
leaves, which are acute instead of obtuse at apex, the heads with<br />
more numerous flowers, which are smaller, narrower, and in usually<br />
two rows instead of one, as in S. pungens, the smaller petals, shorter<br />
filaments, smaller bracts, and more slender, subterete instead of<br />
flattened scapes.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 135<br />
BROMELIACEAE 11<br />
Brocchinia melanacra L. B. Smith, sp. nov.<br />
Verisimiliter acaulis, florifera ultra 8 dm. alta; foliis ad 6 dm.<br />
longis, integerrimis, utrinque obscure punctulato-lepidotis, vaginis<br />
ellipticis, 7-8 cm. longis, membranaceo-marginatis, basi atrocastaneis<br />
lucidisque, laminis strictis, anguste triangularibus, ca. 2<br />
cm. latis, parte apicali ca. 5 cm. longa, involuta, incrassata, laevi,<br />
subtus atro-castanea, reliqua parte margine revoluta, utrinque viridi,<br />
ex sicco rugosa; scapo recto, 5 mm. diametro, glabro; scapi bracteis<br />
e late ovato longe acuminatis, eorum laminis cum apicibus foliorum<br />
similibus, quam internodiis multo brevioribus; inflorescentia laxe tripinnatim<br />
paniculata, ca. 5 dm. longa, oranino glabra; bracteis primariis<br />
eis scapi similibus, quam basibus sterilibus ramorum multo brevioribus;<br />
ram is strictis, gracilibus; bracteis florigeris ovato-lanceolatis,<br />
acutis, ovaria aequantibus vel quam eis brevioribus; lioribus breviter<br />
sed graciliter pedicellatis, paulo divergentibus; sepalis lanceolatis,<br />
acutis, 4.5 mm. longis; petalis anguste panduratis, cucullatis,<br />
sepala subaequantibus, albis; staminibus inclusis, filamentis serei<br />
secundae cum petalis paulo connatis; ovario obovoideo, trigono, 4<br />
mm. longo, omnino infero; stylis coalitis (Fig. 18, a-e).<br />
Type collected on summit of Cerro Duida, on high moist ridge top,<br />
Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 1820-2075 m., September 4, 1944,<br />
Julian A. Steyermark 58352. Tate 671, a very immature specimen<br />
that came from the summit of Duida and that I could not place previously,<br />
is undoubtedly this same species. For comparison with other<br />
species see the key below.<br />
Brocchinia secunda L. B. Smith, sp. nov.<br />
Caulescens, florifera verisimiliter sesquimetralis vel ultra; caule<br />
reclinato, ultra 3 dm. longo, 7 mm. diametro, foliaceo; foliis ad 23<br />
cm. longis, integerrimis, supra glabris, subtus dense punctulatolepidotis,<br />
vaginis ellipticis, ca. 5 cm. longis, quam laminis haud<br />
latioribus, laminis anguste subtriangularibus, acuminatis sed apice<br />
ipse acutis apiculatisque, 35 mm. latis, planis, margine angusto*<br />
albido excepto utrinque viridibus, areolatis; scapo ignoto; inflorescentia<br />
laxissime tripinnatim paniculata, fere metralis, sparse minute<br />
que albido-furfuracea; bracteis primariis ex ovato acuminatis,<br />
parvis, quam basibus sterilibus ramorum multo brevioribus, punctulato-lepidotis;<br />
ramis divergentibus, gracillimis, ultimis saepe<br />
secundis; bracteis florigeris ovatis, acutis, 2-3.5 mm. longis,<br />
pedicellos graciles superantibus, membranaceis; floribus secundis,<br />
patentibus; sepalis lanceolatis, obtusis, 6 mm. longis, basi incrassatis,<br />
ecarinatis; petalis late ovatis, cucullatis, basi breviter<br />
unguiculatis, sepala subaequantibus, albis; staminibus inclusis;<br />
ovario gracillime cylindrico, ad 18 mm. longo, paulo supero; stylis<br />
liberis (Fig. 18, f-j).<br />
By Lyman B. Smith
136 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Type collected on moist face of dripping sandstone bluffs, Ptaritepuf,<br />
steep forested slopes at base of first line of sandstone bluffs,<br />
on south-facing part, east of "Cave Rock", state of Bolivar, alt.<br />
2130 m., November 4, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59863.<br />
Brocchinia Steyermarkii L. B. Smith, sp. nov.<br />
Florifera 6 dm. alta (ISteyermark); foliis ad 7 dm. longis, strictis,<br />
utrinque subdense punctulato-lepidotis, vaginis late ovatis, ca. 8<br />
cm. longis, basi castaneis, la minis anguste subtriangularibus,<br />
pungentibus, ca. 35 cm. latis, ex sicco involutis, reticulatis; scapo<br />
erecto, 1 cm. diametro; scapi bracteis foliaceis, infimis dense<br />
imbricatis; inflorescentia ample 3- vel 4-pinnatim paniculata, minute<br />
denseque brunneo-flocculosa; bracteis primariis subfoliaceis, parvis,<br />
supremis quam basibus sterilibus ramorum multo brevioribus; ramis<br />
FIGURE 18<br />
Brocchinia melanacra. A, Apex of branch (X 1); B, Apex of leaf<br />
(X 1>, C, Sepal (X 5); D, Petal (X 5); E, Apical section of ovary<br />
(X10X<br />
Brocchinia secunda. F, Apex of leaf (X 1); G, Branch (X 1).
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 137<br />
divergentibus, gracilibus, ultimis plerumque subfasciculatis; bracteis<br />
florigeris late ovatis, acutis, quam ovariis multo brevioribus;<br />
floribus sessilibus, divergentibus; sepalis subtriangularibus, 4 mm.<br />
longis, haud carinatis; petalis ellipticis, obtusis, nullo modo cucullatis,<br />
sepala subaequantibus, aurantiacis; staminibus inclusis,<br />
filamentis latis, basi cum sepalis petalisque connatis; ovario<br />
oblongo-ellipsoideo, triangulate, 8 mm. longo, omnino infero; stylis<br />
coalitis (Fig. 19, a-e).<br />
Type collected in swampy savanna, bordering forest of Rio Karuai,<br />
between Santa Teresita de Kavanaye'n and base of Ptari-tepui', state<br />
of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., November 18, 1944, Julian A t<br />
Steyermark<br />
60347.<br />
FIGURE 19<br />
Brocchinia Steyermarkii. A, Flower (X 1); B, Apex of leaf (X 1);<br />
C, Sepal (X 5>, D, Petal (X 5>, E, Apical section of ovary (X 5).<br />
Brocchinia vestita. F, Flower (X 1>, G, Apex of leaf (X 1); H,<br />
Sepal (X 5); I, Petal (X 5); J, Stamen (X 5); K, Apical section of<br />
ovary (X 5X
138 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Brocchinia vestita L. B. Smith, sp. nov.<br />
Parva, e fragmentis solum cognita; foliis ca. 2 dm. longis, vaginis<br />
brevibus, quam laminis viz latioribus, atro-castaneis ,<br />
laminis<br />
anguste triangularibus, acuminacis, pungentibus, planis, ad 28 mm.<br />
latis, integerrimis, supra glabris lucidisque, subtus subdense<br />
punctulato-lepidotis, utrinque viridibus; scapo erecto, 6 mm. diametro,<br />
dense brunneo-puberulo; scapi vaginis anguste triangularibus,<br />
acuminatis, glabris, ad apicem versus incrassatis, supremis quam<br />
internodiis bene brevioribus; inflorescentia subdense tripinnatim<br />
paniculata, 25 cm. longa, 15 cm. diametro, bracteis primariis exceptis<br />
dense puberula; bracteis primariis eis scapi similibus, ad 18 mm.<br />
longis; ramis gracilibus, sublaxifloris; bracteis florigeris e late<br />
ovato acuminatis, quam ovariis subduplo brevioribus, tenuibus;<br />
floribus sessilibus, divergentibus vel patentibus; sepalis oblongoellipticis,<br />
obtuse carinatis cucullatisque, 4 mm. longis; petalis<br />
oblongo-ellipticis, obtusis, sepala subaequantibus, albis; staminibus<br />
liberis, inclusis; ovario 5-6 mm. longo, tereti, paulo supero; stylis<br />
liberis (Fig. 19, f-k).<br />
Type collected on ridge top, summit of Cerro Duida, Savanna<br />
Hills, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 1025-1200 m., September<br />
2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58279. For comparison with other<br />
species see the key below.<br />
The following key will serve to relate the new species of Brocchinia,<br />
proposed in this paper, to my treatment in the Contributions<br />
from the Gray Herbarium 161: 30. 1946.<br />
1. Ovary only one-third inferior; leaves and scape-bracts serrate.<br />
1. Ovary wholly or almost wholly inferior.<br />
B, s errata.<br />
2. Leaf-blades narrowly triangular or subtriangular, acute or<br />
acuminate.<br />
3. Capsule trigonous.<br />
4. Flowers sessile; petals orange B. Steyermarkii,<br />
4. Flowers slenderly pedicellate.<br />
5. Leaf-blades, scape-bracts and primary bracts of<br />
uniform texture; inflorescence bipinnate<br />
B, prismatic a.<br />
5. Leaf-blades, scape-bracts and primary bracts with<br />
dark castaneous indurate involute apices; inflorescence<br />
tripinnate fl, melanacra,<br />
3. Capsule terete.<br />
6. Leaf-sheaths prominent, 20-25 cm. long, dark castaneous;<br />
inflorescence narrow B. ocuminata.<br />
6. Leaf-sheaths inconspicuous, much smaller; inflorescence<br />
broad.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 139<br />
7. Flowers secund; ovary slender, 18 mm. long<br />
B, secunda.<br />
7. Flowers not secund; ovary stout, 5-6 ram. long<br />
fl.<br />
vestita.<br />
2. Leaf-blades ligulate, rounded and apiculate (no new species<br />
under this heading).<br />
Connellia caricifolia L. B. Smith, sp. nov.<br />
Caulescens, ramosa, florifera 17 cm. alta; caule ultra 1 dm. longo,<br />
2-3 mm. diametro; foliis dense quaquaversis, 6 cm. longis, omnino<br />
inermibus, vaginis late ovatis, 2 cm. longis, glabris, sulcatis,<br />
laminis linearibus, 4 mm. latis, supra glabris, subtus perobscure<br />
punctulato-lepidotis, marginibus albis cartilagineis except is utrinque<br />
viridibus; scapo erecto, 2-2.5 mm. diametro, brunneo, lucido; scapi<br />
bracteis internodia superantibus sed scapum baud obtengentibus,<br />
late ovatis, lucidis, infimis caudatis; inflorescentia simplicissima,<br />
laxe perpauciflora, glabra; bracteis florigeris late ellipticis, apiculatis,<br />
ad 14 mm. longis, pedicellos graciles superantibus; floribus<br />
erectis; sepalis ellipticis, ca. 12 mm. longis, tenuibus; petalis 2 cm.<br />
longis, unguiculatis , roseis, lamina suborbiculari; staminibus styloque<br />
inclusis; ovario supero (Fig. 20, a-b).<br />
Type collected on exposed surface of morros, summit of Mount<br />
Roraima, on northwest portion north and northwest of Summit Camp,<br />
state of Boh'var, alt. 2620-2740 m., September 27, 1944, Julian A.<br />
Steyermark 58846. The flowers are very similar to those of C f<br />
Quelchii, also from Mount Roraima, but the leaves are weak, glabrous<br />
above and prominently white -margined where those of C.<br />
Quelchii are stiff, densely lanate above and essentially uniform<br />
in texture.<br />
With considerable misgiving<br />
I am restoring the genus Connellia,<br />
because it<br />
represents the least objectionable of several awkward<br />
choices. To include C. Augustae, C Quelchii and the two new<br />
species here proposed, in Puya, involves too much contradiction in<br />
the key to genera. The technical characters of capsule-dehiscence<br />
and seed-appendages place Connellia much closer to Lindmania than<br />
to P uya which it more closely resembles in habit.<br />
To reduce Connellia to Lindmania would be logical, especially in<br />
view of the intermediate position of Lindmania guianensis, but I<br />
hesitate to do so until it is possible to establish the validity of<br />
Lindmania as distinct from the earlier Cottendorfia. Lindmania<br />
guianensis has the placentae practically as reduced as in Cottendorfia,<br />
and the discovery of fruit of the latter may show that the<br />
rather doubtful distinction on ovule-appendage is equally untenable.<br />
Phylogenetically, Connellia appears to link Puya to Lindmania<br />
but to be closer to the latter.
140 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
FIGURE 20<br />
Connellia caricifolio. A, Scape and inflorescence (X 1); B, Leaf<br />
(X IX<br />
Connellia nutans. C, Base of leaf (X 1); D, Branch of inflorescence<br />
(X 1); E, Flower (X 1); F, Petal and stamen (X 1).
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 141<br />
The following key summarizes the distinctions discussed above:<br />
1. Seeds broad, a late; capsule primarily loculicidal; petals<br />
strongly spirally twisted together after anthesis<br />
Puya<br />
1. Seeds narrow, caudate or apiculate; capsule septicidal (unknown<br />
in Cottendorfia) or sometimes about equally both; petals<br />
not twisted together after anthesis.<br />
2. Seeds or ovules merely apiculate; placentae basal.<br />
Cottendorfia<br />
2. Seeds long-caudate; placentae usually extending almost the<br />
height of the cell.<br />
3. Petals white, colorless, separate after anthesis; sepals<br />
not over 5 mm. long, thin, flat; plants slender.<br />
Lindmania<br />
3. Petals brightly colored, more or less massed together<br />
after anthesis but not twisted; sepals larger and firmer;<br />
plants relatively robust<br />
Connellia<br />
Connellia nutans L. B. Smith, sp. nov.<br />
Dense aggregata, plus minusve caulescens (?), planta fructifera<br />
metralis vel ultra; foliis multis, caulem quaquaverse denseque vestientibus,<br />
ca. 3 dm. longis, vaginis amplis, basi medioque integris,<br />
dissite perobscureque punctulatis, brunneis, lucidis, laminis anguste<br />
triangularibus, a cumin at is, ad 3 cm. latis, basi extrema dentibus ad<br />
2 mm. longis dense armatis alibi integris, infimis delapsis; scapo<br />
decurvato, 14 mm. diametro, scapi bracteis erectis, dense imbricatis,<br />
subfoliaceis sed omnino inermibus; inflorescentia bipinnatim paniculata,<br />
2-7 dm. longa, 8-12 cm. diametro, subthyrsoidea, glabra; bracteis<br />
primariis e late ovato acuminatis; ramis strictis, gracilibus,<br />
floriferis brevibus sed fructiferis ad 18 cm. longis et bracteas multo<br />
superantibus; bracteis florigeris oblongo-lanceolatis, 17 mm. longis f<br />
brunneis, tenuibus; pedicellis gracillimis, 10 mm. longis; sepalis<br />
ellipticis, obtusis, 14 mm. longis, carinatis, brunneis, lucidis;<br />
petalis bene unguiculatis roseis, lamina suborbiculari; staminibus<br />
styloque inclusis; ovario supero; seminibus caudatis (Fig. 20c-f).<br />
Type collected along base of east-facing high sandstone bluffs,<br />
Ptari-tepuf, state of Bolivar, alt. 2410-2450 m., November 7, 1944,<br />
Julian A. Steyermark 59933', common type on bluffs, in dense mats.<br />
The flower and seed of Connellia nutans closely resemble those of<br />
C Augustae, but the deflexed inflorescence of the former quickly<br />
distinguishes it. Also even in fruit the branches of C.Augustae are<br />
very short. Steyermark 59611, from south-facing high sandstone<br />
bluffs, Ptari-tepui, October 30, 1944, alt. 2400-2410 m.. is sterile,<br />
but so closely resembles the type of C. nutans that it seems very<br />
likely that it is the same species.
142 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
FIGURE 21<br />
Navia aurea. A, Floral bract (X 1); B, Leaf (X 1).<br />
Navia glauca. C, Leaf (X 1); D, Flower (X 1>, E, Floral bract (X 1).<br />
Navia Steyermarkii. F, Leaf-blade (X 1); G, Flower (X 1); H, Floral<br />
bract (X 1).<br />
Navia xyridiflora. I, Flower (X 1); J, Leaf-blade (X 1).
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 143<br />
Guzmania confinis L. B. Smith, sp. nov.<br />
Acaulis, florifera ad 5 dm. alta; foliis strictis, dense rosulatis,<br />
ad 23 cm. longis, viridibus (ISteyermark), vaginis ellipticis, lamina<br />
fere aequantibus, utrinque punctulato-lepidotis, laminis anguste<br />
triangularibus, 23 mm. latis, subtus obscure punctulato-lepidotis,<br />
supra densissime cinereo-lepidotis, margine revolutis; scapo erecto,<br />
gracili; scapi vaginis subfoliaceis, densissime imbricatis, purpureis;<br />
inflorescentia dense bipinnatim paniculata, cylindrica; bracteis<br />
primariis eis scapi similibus sed gradatim brevioribus, infimis flores<br />
multo superantibus; ramis subabortivis, flores 3 subfasciculatim<br />
gerentibus; bracteis florigeris suborbicularibus, 5 mm. longis, quam<br />
sepala multo brevioribus, membranaceis, sparse lepidotis; sepalis<br />
oblongis, late obtusis, 10 mm. longis, ad 6 mm. connatis, membranaceis,<br />
sparse lepidotis; petalis 20 mm. longis, alte conglutinatis,<br />
nudis, albis, laminis ellipticis; staminibus styloque inclusis;<br />
capsula cylindrica, rostrata, 2 cm. longa (Fig. 22, a-b).<br />
Type collected on limestone outcrops of Paramo de Tama, near<br />
Colombian-Venezuelan boundary, state of Tachira, alt. 3045-3475 m.,<br />
July 15, 1944 , Julian A. Steyermark 57380; terrestrial, the common<br />
dominant type, forming dense colonies. Guzmania confinis is much<br />
more conspicuously lepidote on the upper surface of its leaves and<br />
bracts than on the lower, a character shared by G. palustris, but not<br />
by its other near relatives, G. Mosquerae and G. crypto nth a. Guzmania<br />
palustris has a much stouter habit and broader leaves and<br />
bracts than G. confinis and its flowers are about twice as large.<br />
Mez has placed such species with highly connate sepals in Thecophyllum,<br />
but in every instance that I have been able to check, the<br />
corolla proves them to be typical of Guzmania.<br />
Guzmania retusa L. B. Smith, sp. nov.<br />
Acaulis; foliis suberectis, 5 dm. longis, inflorescentiam superantibus,<br />
utrinque minute obscureque punctulato-lepidotis, vaginis<br />
magnis sed baud distinctis, laminis lingulatis, 6 cm. latis, apice<br />
late rotundatis et retuso-apiculatis, subtus pallide purpureis, supra<br />
purpureo-maculatis, margine anguste purpureis; scapo erecto, gracili;<br />
scapi bracteis erectis, dense imbricatis, ellipticis, apiculatis,<br />
punctulato-lepidotis; inflorescentia simplicissima, dense ellipsoidea,<br />
4.5 cm. longa, 2 cm. diametro, apicem usque fertili; bracteis florigeris<br />
orbicularibus, leviter convexis, 2 cm. diametro, sepala superantibus,<br />
coriaceis, lucidis, punctulato-lepidotis, nervatis vel fere<br />
laevibus; floribus subsessilibus; sepalis ellipticis, 13 mm. longis,<br />
aequaliter ad 5 mm. connatis, carinatis, coriaceis, apice sparse<br />
lepidotis; petalis 23 mm. longis, flavis, laminis late ellipticis;<br />
staminibus styloque inclusis (Fig. 23, a-c).<br />
Type collected on lower south-facing slopes between Rio Karuai<br />
and first ridge above Rio Karuai, Ptari-tepuT, state of Bolivar, alt.<br />
1220 m., November 28, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60677; terrestrial.<br />
I hesitate to describe a species from two specimens coming from
144 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
FIGURE 22<br />
Guz mania confinis. A, Branch (X 1); B, Inflorescence (X 1).<br />
Pitcairnia tuberculata. C, Branch of inflorescence (X 1).<br />
Tillandsia lacera. D, Petal (X 1); E, Branch of inflorescence (X 1>,<br />
F , Sepal (X 1 ).
I BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 145<br />
localities some seventeen hundred miles apart, so the above description<br />
is wholly from the type. However, I can find no significant<br />
difference in Steinbach 9623 which comes from the department of<br />
Cochabamba in Bolivia.<br />
Navia aurea L. B. Smith, sp. nov.<br />
Breviter caulescens; caule baud ultra<br />
10 cm. longo, 8 mm. dia metro;<br />
foliis multiseriatis, persistentibus, caulem omnino obtegentibus,<br />
vaginis late obovatis, 12 mm. longis, tenuibus, nervatis, ad apicem<br />
versus subdense serrulatis, laminis linearibus, acuminatis pungentibusque,<br />
8 cm. longis, 2-3 mm. lads, laxe minuteque serrulatis,<br />
coriaceis, viridibus (ISteyermark), juvenilibus ad basin versus<br />
laxissime albido-floccosis, per aetate glabris lucidisque; inflorescentia<br />
dense capituliforme, sessile; bracteis florigeris anguste<br />
lanceolatis, sepala subaequantibus, apice minute serrulatis; floribus<br />
imperfecte cognitis, sessilibus; sepalis liberis, lineari-lanceolatis,<br />
longe acuminatis, ca. 12 mm. longis, tenuibus, glabris, lateralibus<br />
carinatis; petalis aureis, ca. 25 mm. longis (Fig. 21, a* bX<br />
Type collected in dry rock crevices of bluff along Cano Negro,<br />
summit of Cerro Duida, Savanna Hills, Territorio Federal Amazonas,<br />
alt. 1025-1200 m., September 2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58219.<br />
Its bright yellow flowers immediately separate Navia aurea from all<br />
other known members of the genus, yet its very fine many-ranked<br />
leaves with their delicate cobwebby indument distinguish<br />
it even<br />
when sterile.<br />
Navia duidae L. B. Smith var. glabrior L. B. Smith, var. nov.<br />
Differt foliis subtus minute punctulato-lepidotis, glaucis, haud<br />
cinereis.<br />
Type collected along rocky banks of Cano Negro, summit of Cerro<br />
Duida, between Brocchinia Hills and Savanna Hills, Territorio<br />
Federal Amazonas, alt. 1050-1600 m., September 2, 1944, Julian A,<br />
Steyermark 58210; terrestrial among rocks.<br />
Navia glauca L. B. Smith, sp. nov.<br />
Caulescens; caule ad 15 cm. longo,<br />
1 cm. diametro; foliis caulem<br />
dense quaquaverse vestientibus, patentibus, vaginis brevibus,<br />
omnino occultatis, laminis anguste triangularibus, acuminatis,<br />
pungentibus, infra 7 cm. longis, ad 9 mm. latis, laxe minuteque serrulatis,<br />
coriaceis, supra glabris viridibusque, subtus minute pilosolepidotis<br />
et glaucis; inflorescentia dense capituliforme, in foliorum<br />
centre nidulante, pauciflora; bracteis florigeris lanceolatis, sepala<br />
superantibus, glabris; floribus sessilibus; sepalis liberis, 14 mm.<br />
longis, oblongo-lanceolatis, acutis, glabris, posticis carinatis;<br />
petalis ad 23 mm. longis, albis; staminibus styloque inclusis (Fig.<br />
21, c-e).
146 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Type collected on summit of Cetro Duida, on high moist ridge top,<br />
Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 1820-2075 m., September 4, 1944,<br />
Julian A Steyermark 58320*<br />
FIGURE 23<br />
Guzmania retusa. A, Flower (X 2/3); B, Inflorescence (X 2/3>,<br />
C, Apex of leaf (X 2/3).<br />
Pitcairnia cinerea. D, Sepal (X 2/3 >, E, Leaf (X 2/3); F, Branch of<br />
inflorescence (X 2/3).<br />
TiLlands ia stenoglossa. G, Apez of leaf (X 2/3); H, Branch of inflorescence<br />
(X 2/3).<br />
Navia Steyermarkii L. B. Smith, sp. nov.<br />
Caulescens; caule ultra 2 dm. longo; foliis caulem dense quaquaverse<br />
vestientibus, patentibus, vaginis brevibus, omoino occultatis,<br />
la minis linearibus, acuminatis, ca. 20 cm. longis, 8 mm. latis, laze
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 147<br />
minuteque serrulatis, supra glabris, subtus dissite piloso-lepidotis<br />
mox glabris, utrinque viridibus; inflorescentia dense capituliforme,<br />
in foliorum centre nidulante, 15 mm. diametro; bracteis florigeris<br />
lanceolatis, sepala superantibus, ad apicem versus serrulatis; floribus<br />
sessilibus; sepalis liberis, 13 mm. longis, oblongo-lanceolatis,<br />
acutis, glabris, posticis carinatis; petalis ad 21 mm. longis, albis;<br />
staminibus styloque inclusis (Fig. 21,f-h).<br />
Type collected on moist southeastern-facing sandstone bluffs near<br />
Cano Negro (tributary of Canb Iguapo), Cerro Duida, Territorio<br />
Federal Amazonas, alt. 1095-1520 m., August 26, 1944, Julian A.<br />
Steyermark 58012.<br />
Navia xy rid iflore L. B. Smith, sp. nov.<br />
Aggregata, caulescens; caule robusto, ukra 1 dm. longo; foliis<br />
caulem dense quaquaverse vestientibus, persistentibus, patentibus,<br />
vaginis brevibus, omnino occultatis, laminis linearibus, acuminatis,<br />
ad 19 cm. longis, 16 mm. latis, dense minuteque serrulatis, supra<br />
glabris viridibusque, subtus griseis, dissite minuteque punctulatolepidotis;<br />
inflorescentia dense capituliforme, in foliorum centro nidulante,<br />
pauciflora; bracteis florigeris ellipticis, apiculatis, sepala<br />
superantibus, coriaceis, brunneis, apice lepidotis; floribus sessilibus;<br />
sepalis liberis, posticis spathulatis, 11 mm. longis, ad apicem<br />
versus valde alatis et lepidotis; petalis albis, delapsis solum<br />
cognitis (Fig. 21, i-j).<br />
Type collected on dry slopes, Brocchinia Hills, Cerro Duida,<br />
Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 1700-1980 m., September l f 1944,<br />
Julian A t<br />
Steyermark 58152. In habk, Navia xyridiflora appears<br />
practically identical with N. angustifolia except for a slightly more<br />
even upper leaf-surface, yet the sepals show die strongest contrast<br />
in the genus. In N. xyridiflora they are strongly heteromorphic with<br />
the posterior ones spatulate and broadly alate, while in N. angustifolia<br />
they are all lance-oblong and not at all alate.<br />
The following key shows how the above novelties are distinguished<br />
from previously known members of Navia:<br />
1. Inflorescence elongate, interrupted N caulescens.<br />
1. Inflorescence densely capitate or glomerate.<br />
2. Leaf-blades 12-19 mm. broad, densely serrulate.<br />
3. Inflorescence distinctly scapose, glomerate from several heads;<br />
leaf-blades densely white-lanate beneath; sepals 5.5 mm. long.<br />
N. bicolor.<br />
3. Inflorescence sessile, capitate; leaf-blades glabrous or sparsely<br />
and obscurely punctulate-lepidote beneath; sepals 11-19<br />
mm. long.<br />
4. Sepals to 19 mm. long, lance-oblong, subsimilar, not dilated<br />
toward apex<br />
N. angustifolia.
148 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
4. Sepals not over 11 mm. long, the posterior ones much dilated<br />
toward apex, alate-carinate N xyridiflora.<br />
2. Leaf-blades less than 10 mm. wide.<br />
5. Sepals not over 6 mm. long.<br />
6. Leaf-blades 6 mm. broad .V. acaulis.<br />
6. Leaf-blades less than 3 mm. broad.<br />
7. Leaf-blades soon deciduous and exposing the branched<br />
stem, 3 cm. long.<br />
A'. Schultesiana.<br />
7. Leaf-blades persistent and concealing the stem, 10 cm.<br />
long A',<br />
graminifolia.<br />
5. Sepals 10-1 9 mm. long.<br />
8. Leaf-blades tapering evenly from base to apex; sepals free.<br />
9. Leaf-blades not over 9 cm. long.<br />
10. Petals bright yellow; leaf-blades laxly serrulate, 2-3<br />
mm. wide, 8 cm. long; floral bracts serrulate. ..A. aurea.<br />
10. Petals white or flavous;<br />
floral bracts entire.<br />
11. Leaf-blades densely serrulate, 4.5 mm. wide, 5 cm.<br />
long N brachyphylla.<br />
11. Leaf-blades laxly serrulate, to 9 cm. long.<br />
12. Leaf-blades pruinose-lepidote beneath with linear<br />
scales, less than 7 cm. long but 9 mm. wide.<br />
12. Leaf-blades appressed-lepidote beneath.<br />
A',<br />
glauca.<br />
13. Scales of the lower surface of the leaf-blade<br />
with distinct free margins, making the surface<br />
appear cinereous-scurfy.<br />
N duidae.<br />
13. Scales of the lower surface of the leaf-blade<br />
punctiform, immersed, making the surface appear<br />
glabrous A. duidae var. glabrior.<br />
9. Leaf-blades about 20 cm. long, 8 mm. wide; floral bracts<br />
serrulate toward apex<br />
N* Steyermarkii.<br />
8. Leaf-blades narrowed or inrolled toward base, 13-22 cm.<br />
long; sepals much connate.<br />
14. Leaf-blades subentire with only a few teeth near the<br />
base A'. Gleasonii.<br />
14. Leaf-blades sparsely serrulate throughout.<br />
15. Stem 22 cm. or longer; leaf-blades to 25 cm. long, 9.5<br />
mm. wide; sepals 16 mm. long N. Maguirei.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 149<br />
15. Stem 6-10 cm. long; leaf-blades less than 20 cm. long,<br />
5 mm. wide; sepals 10 ram. long.<br />
A'.<br />
Maguirei<br />
var. minor.<br />
Pitcairnia cinerea L. B. Smith, sp. nov.<br />
E fragmentis solum cognita, verisimiliter acaulis, florifera ultra<br />
3-4.5 dm. alta (ISteyermark); foliis homomorphis, bulbose rosulatis,<br />
ca. 3 dm. long is, vaginis late ovatis, 15 mm. longis, crasse coriaceis,<br />
inflatis, laminis arcuato-recurvatis, linearibus, longe acuminatis,<br />
10 mm. latis, coriaceis, margine spinis patentibus gracilibus<br />
ad 3 mm. longis laxe armatis, supra dissite lepidotis, mox glabris,<br />
subtus densissime adpresseque cinereo-lepidotis; scapo erecto, 3.5<br />
mm. diametro, cinereo-lepidoto, mox glabro; scapi bracteis in finals<br />
foliaceis, internodia multo superantibus, supremis angustissime<br />
triangularibus, parvis, quam internodia multo brevioribus, integris;<br />
inflorescentia laxe bipinnatim paniculata, spars issime lepidota;<br />
bracteis primariis supremis scapi similibus, quam ramis multo<br />
brevioribus; ramis divaricatis, subdense florigeris, ad 6 era. longis;<br />
bracteis florigeris late ellipticis, apiculatis, 3-4 mm. longis, tenuibus;<br />
floribus divergentibus, sessilibus; sepalis anguste subtriangularibus,<br />
apice asymmetrice acutis, 15-18 mm. longis, coriaceis,<br />
basi alato-carinatis; petalis angustis, 25 mm. longis, nudis, margine<br />
minutissime denticulatis , pallide viridibus; staminibus styloque inclusis;<br />
ovario 2/3 supero, parte infero obconico, 6-alato; ovulis<br />
alatis (Fig. 23, d-f).<br />
Type collected on igneous rock outcrops, Puerto Ayacucho, Territorio<br />
Federal Amazonas, alt. 200 m., September 11, 1944, Julian A.<br />
Steyermark 58514. Because of its alate ovules, Pitcairnia cinerea,<br />
along with P. armata, P. ctenophylla, P. heliophylla and P. patentiflora,<br />
would seem to belong in section Schweideleria. It is interesting<br />
to note that all these species agree in their very narrow spiny<br />
leaf-blades, while all the species previously grouped in the section<br />
have distinctly petiolate broad-bladed leaves with few or no spines.<br />
Pitcairnia cinerea is very unusual in the genus for its 6-winged<br />
ovary.<br />
Pitcairnia tuberculata L. B. Smith, sp. nov.<br />
E fragmentis fructiferis solum cognita, verisimiliter acaulis et<br />
florifera ultra metralis; foliis rosulatis, ultra 7 dm. longis, vaginis<br />
suborbicularibus, 3 cm. longis, integris, atro-castaneis, extus ad<br />
apicem versus densissime brunneo-lepidotis ,<br />
laminis sublinearibus,<br />
acuminatis, basi paulo angustatis sed baud petiolatis, ad 2 cm.<br />
latis, his vetustis glabris, toto margine spinis gracilibus atris ad 2<br />
mm. longis laxe armatis; scapo erecto, 8 mm. diametro, scapi bracteis<br />
foliaceis, internodia superantibus sed scapum nullo modo<br />
occulta ntibus; inflorescentia ampla, laxe bi- vel tripinnatim paniculata;<br />
bracteis primariis angustissime triangularibus, ad 3 cm. longis,<br />
quam basibus sterilibus ramorum multo brevioribus; ramis gracilibus,
150 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
ad 25 cm. longis, ad apicera versus minute tuberculatis; bracteis<br />
florigeris elliptic is, apiculatis, 5 mm. longis, quam pedicellis multo<br />
brevioribus; floribus patentibus, saepe secundis; pedicellis 1 cm.<br />
longis, gracilibus, tuberculatis; sepalis anguste triangularibus, ad<br />
27 mm. longis, ecarinatis, subcoriaceis, densissime grosseque<br />
tuberculatis; petalis delapsis solum cognitis, linearibus, 5 cm.<br />
longis, nudis; staminibus verisirailiter inclusis; ovario 4/5 supero;<br />
ovulis caudatis (Fig. 22, c).<br />
Type collected along dry grassy slopes following quebrada, between<br />
Beguilla and Mucuchachi', state of Me'rida, alt. 1065-2430 m.,<br />
May 4, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 56297. Pitcairnia tuberculata is<br />
strongly reminiscent of P. echinata but has naked petals, much<br />
smaller sepals and floral bracts and much more complex indument<br />
on the sepals. The indument of P. tuberculata consists of rods so<br />
sculptured as to be dendritic in form. On account of the naked<br />
petals, P. tuberculata would fall close to P. ferruginea in the key in<br />
the Pflanzenreich, but the latter has merely stellate indument and<br />
poorly demarcated leaf-sheaths.<br />
Tillandsia lacera L. B. Smith, sp. nov.<br />
Acaulis, florifera 27 cm. alta; foliis mukis, dense rosulatis,<br />
erectis, 12-20 cm. longis, utrinque dense adpresseque lepidotis,<br />
vaginis late ovatis vel suborbicularibus, atro-castaneis, laminis<br />
anguste triangularibus, long acuminatis, 2-3 cm. latis, cinereolepidotis;<br />
scapo erecto, gracili; scapi vaginis dense imbricatis,<br />
ellipticis, dense lepidotis, infimis foliaceo-laminatis, alteris late<br />
rotundatis dein abrupte lineari-caudatis vel apiculatis, ex sicco<br />
chartaceis; inflorescentia dense bipinnatim paniculata, breviter<br />
cylindrica, 7 cm. longa, 3.5 cm. diametro; bracteis primariis eis<br />
supremis scapi similibus, erectis, bases steriles spicarum subaequantibus,<br />
spicis e basi sterili nuda erecta divergentibus, dense<br />
4-6-floris, oblongis, acutis, complanatis, 20 mm. longis, 8 mm. latis;<br />
bracteis florigeris dense imbricatis, lanceolatis, subcucullatis, 9<br />
mm. longis, sepala paulo superantibus, obtuse carinatis, chartaceis,<br />
nervatis, dense adpresseque cinereo-lepidotis; floribus subsessilibus;<br />
sepalis liberis, lanceolatis, late acutis, 8 mm. longis, carinatis,<br />
nervatis, glabris; petalis 13 mm. longis, auriculis binis praeditis,<br />
laminis oblongis, late rotundatis, valde laceratis, fulgide lilacinis,<br />
stamina styloque superantibus (Fig. 22, d-f).<br />
collected in^thickets along quebrada, above Betania, at base<br />
of Paramo de Tama', state of Tachira, alt. 2285-2430 m., July 14,<br />
1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57282.<br />
On account of its lacerate auricled petals, Tillandsia lacera is<br />
obviously related to T. heterandra, but it differs in its abruptly<br />
caudate upper scape-bracts, denser inflorescence, and short spikes<br />
with naked sterile bases.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 151<br />
Tillandsia rubra R. & P. var. reducta L. B. Smith, var. nov.<br />
Differt planta minore, 6-10 dm. alta; inflorescentia simplex vel e<br />
spica terminal! normal! et lateralibus abortivis formata.<br />
Type collected on southeastern portion of base of Carrao-tepui,<br />
state of Bolivar, alt. 1460-1615 m., December 4-5, 1944, Julian A.<br />
Steyermark 60851 (inflorescence simple); epiphyte on lower part of<br />
tree trunk. Also collected on ridge shoulder between Quebrada de<br />
Morro and Quebrada Cortijo, by boundary line Lara-Trujillo, above<br />
Humocaro Bajo, state of Trujillo, alt. 2600-2800 m., February 6,<br />
1944, Steyermark 55334 (cotype, with inflorescence with aborted<br />
lateral branches); epiphyte in crotches of shrub.<br />
Tillandsia (Pseudo-Catopsis) stenoglossa L. B. Smith, sp. nov.<br />
Acaulis, florifera 3 dm. alta; foliis paucis, subbulbose rosulatis,<br />
26 cm. longis, scapum superantibus, utrinque dense punctulatolepidotis,<br />
vivo omnino roseis (ISteyermark), exterioribus valde reductis,<br />
vaginis late ovatis, ad 10 cm. longis, laminis anguste lingulatis,<br />
16 mm. latis, apice late acutis apiculatisque, planis; scapo<br />
erecto, gracillimo, mox glabro; scapi bracteis oblongis, parvis,<br />
remotis, cinereo-lepidotis; inflorescentia erecta, laxe bipinnatim<br />
paniculata, 10 cm. longa, spars<br />
is sime cinereo-lepidota; bracteis<br />
primariis eis scapi similibus, bases breves steriles ramorum paulo<br />
superantibus; spicis secunde patentibus, laxe florigeris, 5 cm.<br />
longis, 1 cm. latis; rhachi flexuosa, gracili, angulata; bracteis florigeris<br />
ovatis, acutis, ecarinatis, quam sepalis distincte brevioribus,<br />
fere laevibus; floribus valde divergentibus, nullo modo secundis;<br />
sepalis liberis, obovatis, asymmetricis, 5 mm. longis, laevibus<br />
(Fig. 23, g-h).<br />
Type collected in Bonne tia roraimae forest on southwest-facing<br />
shoulder, Ptari-tepui', bordering swamp, state of Bolivar, alt. 2000-<br />
2200 m., November 2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59775. In my key<br />
in the Contributions from the Gray Herbarium, 89: 16, this species<br />
would fall next to Tillandsia parviflora and T guana eas tens is. It<br />
differs from both of them in its ligulate leaf-blades and from 7.<br />
guanacastensis in its lax spikes.
152 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
COMME LINAGEAE<br />
Aneilema gracilis (H.B.K.) Steyermark, comb. nov.<br />
Tradescantia gracilis H.B.K. Nov. Gen. & Sp. 7: 261. pL 672.<br />
1825.<br />
Aneilema gracilis, forma bicolor (Kunth) Steyermark, comb. nov.<br />
Tradescantia gracilis<br />
Phan. 3: 298. 1881.<br />
p bicolor (Kunth) C. B. Clarke in DC. Mono.<br />
Tradescantia b ico lor Kunth, Enum. 4: 88. 1843.<br />
South-facing slopes of Cordillera del Avila, just above Caracas,<br />
along trail towards Los Venados, Distrito Federal, alt. 1520-1675 m.,<br />
Steyermark 55027.<br />
The stamens in this collection are 6 in number, all fertile, equal<br />
and similar, and barbate in the lower third. So far as the 6 equal<br />
stamens are concerned, the collection matches H.B.K's plate 672 of<br />
Tradescantia gracilis.<br />
Phaeosphaerion pseudomonosperma (O. Ktze.) Steyermark, comb. nov.<br />
Athyrocarpus Pseudomonosperma O. Ktze. Rev. Gen. PI. 3, pt. 2:<br />
319. 1898.<br />
Monagas: Montana de Aguacate, along Quebrada de Pajarral,<br />
tributary to Rio Caripe, northeast of Alto de Aguacate, between<br />
Caripe and Caripito, alt. 600-900 m., Steyermark 62217.<br />
Tradescantia venezuelensis Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Perennis, caulibus erecto-adscendentibus, basi decumbentibus,<br />
glabris, 40 cm. longis; foliis membranaceis, oblongo- vel ovatolanceolatis,<br />
acutis, basi obtusis vel rotundatis valde asymmetricis,<br />
supra viridibus, subtus argenteo-viridibus, 3-5- 7 cm. longis, 1.5-<br />
2.5 cm. latis, utrinque pilosis; vaginis 5-8 mm. longis, 3-5 mm. latis,<br />
marginibus apicibusque ciliatis, apice oblique truncatis; pedunculis<br />
1.5-3.5 cm. longis uno latere dense pilosulis; bracteis 2, subaequalibus,<br />
cordato-ovatis, obtusis, 12-13 mm. longis, 12 mm. latis, marginibus<br />
dense ciliatis; sepalis ovato-oblongis, obtusis, falcato-asymmetricis,<br />
3 mm. longis, sepalorum 2 tenuibus glabris, tertio uno<br />
latere carinato, carina ciliata; petalis albis, 2 mm. longis, obtusis<br />
vel rotundatis; staminibus 6, 3 brevioribus; filamentis glabris, ad<br />
2 mm. longis; stylo filiform!, in fructu persistenti, glabro, 1-2 mm.<br />
longo; se minibus 4, oblongis vel quadrato-rhomboidalibus, griseobrunneis,<br />
1.25-1.5 mm. longis, 0.75- 1 mm. latis, uno latere plus<br />
minusve 12-scrobiculato, e contrario reticulate cicatrice hilari<br />
elongata.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected between La Trinidad<br />
and headwaters of Rio de Amana, Cerro Tururaiquire, state of Sucre,<br />
alt. 1300-1800 m., May 10, 1945, Julian A. Steyermark 62688.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 153<br />
Known locally as "Suelda con sue Ida".<br />
Characterized by the glabrous filaments, small white petals, tiny<br />
sparsely pilosulous sepals, small size of seeds, strongly inequilateral<br />
base of leaves, small bracts subtended on one side by a leaf,<br />
and short pedicels, this species is related to Tradescantia commelinoides<br />
Roem. & Sch. of Central America and Mexico. From this<br />
species, it differs, among other respects, in its white petals.<br />
It is<br />
related to T cymbispatha Clarke, from which it differs in the much<br />
smaller seeds, more densely pubescent bracts, smaller petals and<br />
sepals, inequilateral leaves, shorter pedicels, and filaments all<br />
glabrous. From T. anagallidea Seub. and T. fluminensis Veil, it may<br />
be distinguished by the asymmetric narrowed leaf base, smaller<br />
flowers, shorter pedicels, and glabrous filaments.<br />
LILIACEAE<br />
Excremis coarctata (R. & P.) Baker, forma alba Steyermark,<br />
f. nov.<br />
A typo recedit petalis alb is.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on ascent of Pico de<br />
Naiguata, above Los Chorros, state of Miranda, alt. 2200-2765 m.,<br />
June 16-17, 1945, Julian A. Steyermark 62963.<br />
This differs from typical E. coarctata in the white, instead of blue,<br />
petals.<br />
Nietneria paniculate Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Herba perennis; foliis erectis, caeruleo-viridibus, linearibus,<br />
falcatis, angustate acuminatis, firmiter 10-costulatis, 7-17 cm.<br />
longis, 1.5-3.5 mm. latis, vaginis equitantibus; inflorescentia paniculata,<br />
1.5-7.5 cm. longa, 1.5-2 cm. lata, pedicellis 8-13 mm. longis,<br />
erectis; bracteis infimis 4.5-6 mm. longis; perianthio superne flavo,<br />
parte inferiore olivaceo-viridi, hypanthio late conico, 2 mm. longo,<br />
segmentis 5 mm. longis, exterioribus 1.5 mm. latis, interioribus<br />
1.75-2 mm. latis, marginibus scariosis albidis 0.5 mm. latis, subaequalibus,<br />
lanceolatis, acutis, apice paullo incurvatis, 5-7-nervatis;<br />
filamentis subulatis, 3 mm. longis; antheris oblongis, 1.1 mm.<br />
longis; ovario late conico, 3mm. longo sursum sensim angustato.<br />
Tips of leaves long- or narrowly acuminate; the 2-3 bracts of the<br />
scape above the lowest folia ceous bract poorly developed and reduced<br />
in size; inflorescence elongated paniculate, the flowers rather<br />
remotely separated; perianth segments 6, the inner 5-7-nerved with<br />
scarious whitish margins, the outer 7-nerved; bracts at base of lowest<br />
flowering branches 4.5-6 mm. long; stigmas subcapitate; styles<br />
1 mm. long.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in Gran Sabana,<br />
between Mission of Santa Teresita de Kavanayen northwest to Rio<br />
Karuai, on large mesa, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., October 26,<br />
1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59362.
154 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
This is the second species to be described in the genus Nietneria,<br />
previously represented by the single species /V. corymbosa<br />
& Klotzsch<br />
Schomb. of the Roraima region. It differs from that species in<br />
having a paniculate elongate instead of corymbose or subcorymbose<br />
inflorescence, the flowers more separated, much shorter bracts at the<br />
base of the lowest flowering branches, those in TV.<br />
corymbosa being<br />
more foliaceous, 7-9 mm. long in anthesis and 16-20 mm. long in<br />
fruit, the tips of the leaves long- or narrowly acuminate, whereas in<br />
N. corymbosa they are short-acute to subacuminate, and finally in the<br />
middle and upper bracts of the scape, which in N, corymbosa are<br />
more foliose and better developed.<br />
Smilax duidae Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Frutex scandens ubique glaber; ramulis teretibus laevibus vel<br />
minute tuberculatis, inermis; petiolis crassis, 30 cm. longis basi<br />
dilatis; laminis coriaceis elliptico-oblongis, 20-21 cm. longis, 7-9<br />
cm. latis, obtusis vel acutis, basi subacutis et in petiolum subito<br />
contractis, basi 5-nervatis, nervis extimis minus prominentibus;<br />
pedunculis umbellarum mascularum in racemis bracteatis ad 5.5 cm.<br />
longis dispositis; bracteis oblongis acutis, 5.5-6.5 mm. longis;<br />
pedunculis 20-23 mm. longis,- paullo compressis; receptaculis masculis<br />
subglobosis 2 mm. diametro; floribus pallido-viridibus 21-23<br />
per umbellam; pedicellis pallido-viridibus gracilibus 6-7 mm. longis;<br />
perianthii segmentis oblongis, 4.5-5 mm. longis, circiter 1.2 mm.<br />
latis, subacutis; staminibus perianthium aequantibus; filamentis 2.5<br />
mm. longis; antheris linear! oblongis, 2.2 mm. longis.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on Cerro Duida,<br />
southeastern-facing forested sandstone slopes along Cano Negro<br />
(tributary of Cano Iguapo), Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 260-<br />
610 ra., August 26, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58057.<br />
This species resembles S. pseudosyphilitica Kunth in appearance,<br />
but differs in having larger staminate flowers, much longer peduncles,<br />
and longer pedicels. The general shape and large size of the<br />
leaves simulate those of 5. graciliflora A. C. Smith and S. grandifolia<br />
Regel, but those species have aculeate stems.<br />
From 5. immersa A. C. Smith the new species may be distinguished<br />
by the larger 5-nerved leaves, longer peduncles and pedicels, and<br />
longer perianth segments.<br />
Smilax Lasseriana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caulis fruticosus teres striatus, tenuiter tuberculatus, ramulis<br />
novellis striato-angu latis minute tuberculatis, inermis, scabridulis;<br />
petiolis crassis, 5-7 mm. longis, apicem versus incrassatis et rugulosis;<br />
larainis coriaceis, supra lucidis, ovato-oblongis, 6-9 cm.<br />
longis, 3-5.5 cm. latis, basi subcordatis in petiolura subito contractis,<br />
apice obtusis breviter calloso-mucronulatis, e basi conspicue<br />
3-5-nervatis, venis utrinque prominulis in rete grosso areolatum<br />
connexis; umbellis foemineis axillaribus; pedunculis foemineis
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 155<br />
brevibus, 2-10 mm. longis, striatis; pedicellis foemineis 1 mm.<br />
longis, 0.6 mm. latis; perianthii segmentis anguste oblongis obtusis,<br />
exterioribus 1.8-1.9 mm. longis, 0.8-0.9 mm. latis, interioribus 1 .5<br />
mm. longis, 0.5 mm. latis, apice incurvato-cucullatis; stigmatibus<br />
brevibus, sessilibus, incrassatis, latioribus quam longioribus, 0.5<br />
mm. altis; ovario 1.5 mm. longo.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected onSororopan-tepuf,<br />
crest of cerro between east and west end, state of Bolivar, alt. 2255<br />
m., Julian A. Steyermark 60121, "sprawling over ground by wooded<br />
streamlet; stems wiry; leaves coriaceous, deep green both sides;<br />
flowers pale green."<br />
This species<br />
is named in honor of Dr. Tobias Lasser of the Servicio<br />
Botanico of the Ministerio del Agricultura y Cria in Caracas.<br />
In the obtusis h, apiculate leaves and scabridulous stems this<br />
species resembles S. rufescens Griseb., from which it differs chiefly<br />
in the subsessile, pistillate peduncles and shining upper surface of<br />
the cordate or subcordate leaves. Smilax viminea Griseb. has subsessile<br />
peduncles, but much narrower leaves. Smilax Williams it<br />
Macbr. has obtusish leaves, but non-scabrous, non-verrucose branches,<br />
and the reticulation of the upper surface of the leaf blades consists<br />
of smaller areolation.<br />
Smilax Pittieriana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Frutex scandens ubique glaber; ramulis teretibus laevibus inermis;<br />
petiolis 1-1.5 cm. longis; laminis coriaceis oblongo-lanceolatis,<br />
7-14 cm. longis, 1.5-5 cm. latis, acutis vel acuminatis, basi subacutis<br />
vel obtusis in petiolum contractis decurrentibus, e basi 3-5-<br />
nervatis, nervis extimis inconspicuis; pedunculis umbellarum mascularum<br />
axillaribus solitariis c ire her 2.5 cm. longis, paullo compress is;<br />
receptaculis masculis subglobosis 2 mm. diametro; floribus viridescenti-flavidis,<br />
ca. 6 per urabellam; pedicellis masculis gracilibus<br />
9-12 mm. longis, 0.4-0.5 mm. latis; perianthii segmentis linearioblongis<br />
obtusis subaequalibus, 5.2-5*3 mm. longis, 1.2-1.4 mm.<br />
latis, extus apicem versus et ad marginem parce et minute papillosotomentulosis,<br />
1-nervatis; staminibus brevioribus quam segmentis;<br />
filamentis 2 mm. longis; pedicellis foemineis 6-7 mm. longis, 0.3-0.5<br />
mm. latis; perianthii foeminei segmentis lineari- oblongis obtusis, 4<br />
mm. longis, I mm. latis, extus apicem versus parce papillosotomentulosis;<br />
staminodiis 6, subulatis, 1.2 mm. longis, arcuatoadscendentibus;<br />
stylis 3, crassis, carnosis, oblongis, parte superiore<br />
tercero paullo constrictis 1-1.2 mm. longis; ovario 1.5 mm. long.<br />
Type (staminate plant) in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in<br />
scrubby forest at margin of swampy meadow, vicinity of "Misia Kathy<br />
camp", on mesa between Ptari-tepui and Sororopan-tepui, state of<br />
Bolivar, alt. 1615 m., November 15-17, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
60251; co-type (pistillate plant), same locality, Steyermark 60251a.
156 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
The dimorphous leaves of the pistillate and staminate plants are<br />
noteworthy, those of the staminate plants being broader. The older<br />
mature leaves of both sexes are non-reticulate and show immersed<br />
nerves, whereas the younger leaves of both sexes manifest a reticulate<br />
conspicuously nerved and veined appearance. In age, apparently,<br />
the leaves become much more coriaceous, and the veins become<br />
immersed on the upper leaf surface. On these older leaves usually<br />
just one main nerve stands out, the other lateral ones being only<br />
slightly evident.<br />
This species is related to S. immersa A. C. Smith of British<br />
Guiana, the principal likeness being found in the nerves of the upper<br />
leaf surface becoming immersed in the leaf tissue of the older<br />
leaves. From this species it differs in its shorter petioles, smooth<br />
rather than minutely tuberculate branches, more narrowly lanceolate<br />
or oblong-lanceolate leaves, longer pedicels of the staminate flower,<br />
and staminate inflorescence composed of only one umbel.<br />
Smilax staminea Griseb., f.<br />
obtusata Steyermark, forma nova.<br />
A typo differt apice foliorum obtuso vel subobtuso; pedunculis<br />
foemineis axillaribus solitariis 2-4 mm. longis, 1.5 ram. latis; pedicellis<br />
bacciferis 5-6 mm. longis.<br />
Stems striatulate, glabrous, unarmed; petioles thickened, 6-15 mm.<br />
long; leaf-blades deep green above, dull paler green below, ovateoblong<br />
(older leaves) to narrowly oblong (those on lateral shoots),<br />
6.5-H cm. long. 2.5 cm. wide, shining above, conspicuously reticulate-veined<br />
on both sides, obtuse to rounded at base, obtuse or<br />
subobtuse at apex, 3-5-nerved from the base; fruiting peduncles<br />
short, solitary, 2-4 mm. long; fruiting pedicels 5-6 mm. long; berries<br />
pale green, 7-8 mm. in diameter.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on forested sandstone<br />
south-facing slopes between pleteau portion and "Cave Camp,"<br />
Ptari-tepuf, state of Bolfvar, alt. 1700-1800 m., November 1, 1944,<br />
Julian A. Steyermark 59695.<br />
Tofieldia duidae Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Herba caespitosa, foliis elongato-linearibus acicularibus, 5.5-14<br />
cm. longis, 2-3 mm. latis, glabris, longitudinaliter 6-10-striatis, basi<br />
distiche vaginantibus; scapo erecto tereti, 13-25 cm. longo, glabro<br />
foliis longioribus, 2-6-floro; bracteis minutis; floribus strictis racemosis;<br />
pedicellis erectis, 8-12 mm. longis; involucello bracteolis<br />
late ovatis acutis 1.5-2 ram. longis; perianthii segmentis oblongolanceolatis<br />
acutis, 8 ram. longis, 1.75-2 mm. latis, 5-7-striatis;<br />
filamentis linearibus planis 2.7 mm. longis; antheris lineari-oblongis,<br />
1.2 ram. longis, 0.5 ram. latis; stylis 3 coalitis, 1.5 ram. longis;<br />
stigmatibus 3 subcapitatis; ovario 3-lobato conico-oblongo 3.5 mm.<br />
longo apicera versus acuto, triloculari; ovulis 10 in quoque loculo.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected along stream bank
[<br />
BOTANICAL<br />
EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 157<br />
above Vegas Falls, Brocchinia Hills, summit of Cerro Duida, Territorio<br />
Federal Amazonas, alt. 1700-1980 m., September 1, 1944, Julian<br />
A. Steyermark 58176', co-type in herb. N.Y. Bot. Card., collected on<br />
rocks in streambed at Central Camp, summit of Mount Duida, alt.<br />
1550 m., Dec. 20-28, 1928, G. //. H. Tate 546.<br />
This species differs from T. Schomburgkiana Oliver, described<br />
from Mount Roraima, and with which it has been confused, by its<br />
glabrous, long-acicular leaves, smaller perianth, much more slender<br />
scape and pedicels, and the minute reduced bracts of the scape and<br />
at the base of the pedicels.<br />
Tofieldia sessiliflora Hook., var. robustior Steyermark, var. nov.<br />
A typo differt inflorescentia valde elongata, 20-28 cm. longa;<br />
seminibus 2-2.5 mm. longis.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in wet meadow at<br />
Las Sabanetas, above Los Aposentos, west of Humocaro Bajo, state<br />
of Lara, alt. 2530 m., February 5, 1944, Julian A, Steyermark 55291.<br />
Known locally as "Barrita de San Jose'".<br />
This differs from typical T. sessiliflora in its much more elongated<br />
inflorescence and longer seeds.<br />
AMARYLLIDACEAE<br />
Pancratium Moritzianum (Kunth) Steyermark, comb. nov.<br />
Hymenocallis Moritziana Kunth, Enum. PI. 5: 668. 1850.<br />
Stem ancipital; filaments green in upper half, white below; style<br />
dull green; all other parts white; segments recurved, 1/2 curved;<br />
leaves green above, pale below; cultivated at Mucuchachf, state of<br />
Merfda, alt. 1065 m., May 4, 1944, Steyermark 56319 (2 sheets).<br />
VELLOZIACEAE<br />
Vellozia duidae Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caudex erectus simplex subligneus 1.3-1.8 m. altus, 2.5-5 cm.<br />
diametro; foliis apicalibus subcoriaceis adscendentibus undique<br />
viridibus 45-50 cm. longis, 10-11 mm. latis, apicibus pendentibus,<br />
supra glabris, subtus subglabratis vel inter nervios minute pilosulis,<br />
marginibus basi adpresso-hirsutis.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on ridge top, Savana<br />
Hills, summit of Cerro Duida, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt.<br />
1025-1200 m., September 2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58270,<br />
"stems 4-7 feet tall; leaves ascending with drooping tips, subcoriaceous,<br />
grass green both sides; stems subligneous, soft, 1-2<br />
inches in diameter. "
158 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
It is with hesitancy that a new species in this genus is described<br />
from a vegetative state only, but the plant from the summit of Duida<br />
differs vegetatively from other species as follows: the broader and<br />
longer leaves which are glabrous on the upper surface and only<br />
subglabrate to minutely pilosulous in the sulcations between the<br />
nerves on the lower surface, the appressed-hirsute basal margins of<br />
the leaves, and the relatively tall thick stems which vary from 1.3-<br />
1 .8 meters in height.<br />
Vellozia duidae is locally common in the Savana Hills, and forms<br />
a striking appearance with its tall subligneous stems giving rise at<br />
the tip to the long leaves. These stems are much taller than in<br />
V, tubiflora H.B.K. of the lowlands of the Upper Orinoco in Venezuela,<br />
and have much broader and longer leaves than either V.<br />
tubiflora or V. Alexandrinae (Schomb.) Goeth. & Henr. of the Gran<br />
Sabana region bordering Roraima, Auyan-tepui' and Ptari-tepui. In<br />
those species, moreover, and especially in V. Alexandrinae, the<br />
leaves are densely appressed-silvery-sericeous-pubescent beneath.<br />
The chances are great that V. duidae, geographically isolated as it<br />
is on the summit of Duida, will be found to possess additional<br />
characters as a distinct species when its flowers are eventually<br />
collected and described.<br />
DIOSCOREACEAE<br />
Dioscorea bolivarensis Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caules teretes, glabri; laminis membranaceis cordato-ovatis acuminatis,<br />
4-6 cm. longis, 3-3.5 cm. latis, 7-nervatis glabris; petiolis<br />
1.5-1.8 cm. longis; paniculis masculis paniculato-ramosis, 10-15 cm.<br />
longis; racemulis 2.5-3.5 cm. longis; floribus plerumque binis vel<br />
trinis fasciculatis pedicellatis; pedicellis 1-2 mm. longis glabris;<br />
bracteis ca. 1 mm. longis ovatis acuminatis; perianthio 2 mm. lato<br />
rotate; segmentis lineari-oblongis 1.5 mm. longis, 0.5-0.8 mm. latis,<br />
tubo brevi; sta minibus fertilibus 6, perianth ii tubo insert is; fi lame<br />
mis elongatis.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected along rocky cascades<br />
of Rio Upaca, west of Upata, state of Bolivar, alt. 500 m.,<br />
July 31, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57551.<br />
The paniculately branched staminate inflorescence relates this<br />
species to section Sarcantha Uline, as treated by R. Knuth in Das<br />
Pflanzenreich (IV. 43: 247. 1924), and to D. amazonum Griseb. in<br />
that section, but that species has very elongated staminate branches<br />
of the inflorescence and the flowers are solitary, whereas in D.<br />
bolivarensis the flowers are in pairs or in cy mules of threes, and<br />
much smaller.<br />
Dioscorea Lasaeriana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caules usque 2.5-* mm. crassi, hirtello-pubescentes, pilis patulis<br />
obsiti; laminis firmiter papyraceis ovato-oblongis, cordato-ovatis
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 159<br />
vel subrotundatis, apice subiter cuspidatis, basi sinu latissimo<br />
cordate, adultis 8.5-10 cm. longis, 5.5-9 cm. lads, subtus villosis,<br />
supra glabris, 7-9-nervatis venis , prominence reticulatis, praesertim<br />
subtus; petiolis 3-4 cm. longis hirtellis; racemis masculis fasciculatis<br />
pluribus in axilla folii, usque 15-20 cm. longis, 1-1.5 mm. crassis,<br />
villosis, rhachi et floribus et pedicellis villosis; fasciculis subsessilibus<br />
1-1.5 mm. longis, 2-4-floris; pedicellis 3-6 mm. longis,<br />
villosis, perianthio 1.8-2 mm. longo, villoso, usque ad 4/5 partito;<br />
segmentis lanceolato-oblongis, obtusis, extus villosis; staminibus<br />
6, centralibus; filamentis recurvatis, basi in tubum coalitis; antheris<br />
suborbicularibus brevioribus quam filamentis.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on meadowy slopes<br />
between La Sabana de las Piedras and Cerro Negro, northwest of<br />
Caripe, state of Monagas, alt. 1200-1500 m., April 5, 1949, Julian<br />
A. Steyermark 61836; also collected in woods above Las Cuadras,<br />
along Quebrada Molino, north of Torondoy, state of Me'rida, alt. 1820-<br />
2255 m., March 27, 1944, Steyermark 55802.<br />
A member of subgenus Helmia (Kunth) Benth., sect. Dematostemon<br />
Griseb., as treated by R. Knuth in Das Pflanzenreich IV. 43: 50-51.<br />
1924, this species, because of its staminate flowers villous on the<br />
outer surface, is related to D. Fendleri R. Knuth of Venezuela, but<br />
differs from that species in having villous stems and the lower surface<br />
of the leaves villous. It is also closely related to D. sericea R.<br />
Knuth of Colombia, from which it differs in the much longer pedicels<br />
of the staminate flowers, the acuminate or cuspidate leaf-tips, and<br />
the loosely villous instead of villous-sericeous pubescence of the<br />
lower surface of the leaves.<br />
Dioscorea sororopana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Volubilis glabra; caulibus tenuibus subteretibus; foliorum laminis<br />
firmiter membranaceis vel subcoriaceis late ovatis, subito acuminatis,<br />
basi sinu latissime cordato, adultis 4-8 cm. longis, 3.5-6 cm.<br />
latis, glabris, 7-1 3-nervatis nervis<br />
,<br />
extremis furcatis, subtus conspicuoribus<br />
et laxe areolatis; petiolis 1.5-4 cm. longis; inflorescentia<br />
mascula spicata; spicis masculis simplicibus solitariis vel<br />
2-fasciculatis, 8-9 cm. longis, glabris angulatis, longioribus quam<br />
foliis; floribus masculis 2-3-glomerulatis, sessilibus; glomerulis<br />
1-3 mm. remotis; bracteis ovatis cuspidatis, 2.5 mm. longis; perianthio<br />
masculo campanulato, 2-2.5 mm. longo, segmentis subaequalibus,<br />
suborbiculari-ovatis, rotundatis vel obtusis, 1.5 mm. longis,<br />
0.75-1 mm. latis, paullo longioribus quam tubo; staminibus 3, tubi<br />
fundo insertis, subcentralibus erectis, 1 mm. longis; filamentis<br />
0.7-0.8 mm. longis; spicis fructiferis 10 cm. longis, 4 capsulas<br />
gerentibus; capsulis suborbicularibus vel subreniformibus 17-18 mm.<br />
longis, 18-19 mm. latis; seminibus undique alis circumcinctis, 9 mm.<br />
longis, 5-6 mm. latis, late oblongis, semine ipso suborbiculari 3-4<br />
mm. longo.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected by wooded streamlet,
160 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
crest of cerro between east and west end, Sororopan-tepui, state of<br />
Bolivar, alt. 2255 m., November 14, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
60124 (staminate plant); same locality Steyermark 60143 (pistillate<br />
plant), co-type.<br />
By having the seeds winged all around, this species would fall<br />
into subgenus Eudioscorea, according to R. Knuth's treatment of the<br />
genus in "Das Pflanzenreich". It is characterized by the 3 short<br />
fertile stamens without staminodia in the staminate flowers, the<br />
broadly suborbicular, rounded or obtuse staminate perianth segments,<br />
the fasciculate, sessile staminate flowers, the capsule as broad as<br />
or slightly broader than long, and the relatively small, broadly ovate,<br />
heart-shaped leaves with a conspicuous reticulum of nerves beneath.<br />
It may be considered a member of the sect. Hemidematostemon<br />
Griseb., the known species of which are all Brazilian, but does not<br />
agree with any of the described species of that section.<br />
IRIDACEAE<br />
Trimezia Fosteriana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Herba perennis, ex cormum oriunda; scapo erecto subcomplanato<br />
simplici glabro, 60-75 cm. alto, bi- vel tri-foliato, bracteis subfoliosis<br />
remotis, 5 - 13 cm. longis; foliis radicalibus elongatis erectis<br />
glauco-viridibus subcoriaceis conspicue striatis linearibus, 30-65<br />
cm. longis, 5-8 mm. latis, apice obtusis et asymmetric is; spatha<br />
terminali sessili 1-3-flora bivalva; valvis inaequalibus pedicellum<br />
subaequantibus striatis late lanceolatis carinatis 3.5-4.5 cm. longis,<br />
8-10 mm. latis, acutis vel acuminatis, exteriore interiorera basi<br />
amplectenti; floribus aureo-purpureo-maculatis; perigonii laciniis<br />
2.5 cm. longis, exterioribus patentibus, interioribus minoribus sursum<br />
arcuatis; stylo 13 mm. longo trigono tripartite, laciniis triangulatis<br />
aureo-flavidis 4 mm. longis, uno angulo ad duas margines late<br />
alato; stigmatibus bifidis lobatis vel crenatis, dentibus obtusis;<br />
staminibus styli ramulis oppositis et adnatis; filamentis liberis<br />
aureo-flavidis 4 mm. longis; antheris 6 mm. longis, apice apiculatis,<br />
juxta longitudinem dehiscentes; ovulis in loculis plurimis.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected along Rio Tek-<br />
Yunsen, between Santa Teresita de Kavanaye'n and Carrao-tepui^<br />
state of Bolivar, alt. 1375 m., December 4, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
60834; sandy wet ground with Stegolepis and Brocchinia, Gran<br />
Sabana, between Mission of Santa Teresita de Kavanayen northwest<br />
to Rio Karuai, on large mesa, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., October<br />
26, 1944, Steyermark 59364.<br />
This species is named in honor of Dr. Robert C. Foster of the<br />
Gray Herbarium of Harvard <strong>University</strong>. His studies of tropical<br />
American Iridaceae in recent years have done much to further our<br />
taxonomic knowledge of this family.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 161<br />
The long basal, closely ribbed, narrow leaves, foliose flowering<br />
scapes, and yellow perianth segments, of which the inner ones are<br />
spotted purple, distinguish this species. According to Dr. Foster,<br />
who has examined my material, "this species represents a transition<br />
between the rather broad, flat, thin leaves of T. martinicensis (Jacq.)<br />
Herb, and its allies, and the rigid, terete, thick leaves of the Lans-<br />
6erg*o-group, exemplified by T. juncifolia (Klatt) Benth. & Hook."<br />
MUSACEAE<br />
Heliconia Schneeana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Planta 3 m. alta; foliorum laminis utrinque pallido-viridibus anguste<br />
oblongis, apice subito acuminatis; inflorescentia in scapo<br />
aphyllo foliorum vaginis inferne abscondito terminal!, erecta; rhachidi<br />
inflorescentiae conspicua, flexuosa; rhachidis internodiis 3-6 cm.<br />
longis, in sitfco 4-5 mm. crassis, dense brunneo-villosulis; bracteis<br />
spathaceis rubris 8, e longato-lanceolatis, e basi latioribus, apice<br />
acutis 12-19 cm. longis, 1-1.5 cm. latis, reclinatis vel reflexis,<br />
dorso inferne praesertim tomentosis; bractea infima fertili elongata,<br />
38 cm. longa, lamina parva instructa; floribus in axillis spatharum,<br />
fasciculatis perpluribus pedicellatis ovario longioribus; bracteis<br />
membranaceis lanceolatis acuminatis, 4.5-5 cm. longis, 1-1.3 cm.<br />
latis, glabris; pedicellis flavidis 1.5-3 cm. longis, dense brunneovillosulis;<br />
tepalis 4-4.5 cm. longis, glabris, basi viridescentiflavidis<br />
superne pallido-viridibus; filamentis pallid o-f la vid is; ovario<br />
basi flavido, superne viridi.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in forest above<br />
Hacienda Agua Blanca, above La Azulita, state of Merida, alt. 1310-<br />
1340 m., April 25, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 56083 (3 sheets),<br />
"stems 10 feet tall; flowers among upper leafy shoot pan; bracts<br />
pointing downward, deep red; pedicel yellow; ovary yellow at base,<br />
green in upper half; filaments pale yellow; leaves pale dull green<br />
both sides."<br />
This species is characterized by the strongly reflexed or downward-pointing,<br />
narrowly elongated linear-lanceolate bracts of the<br />
inflorescence, the flexuose densely villosulous rachis, the densely<br />
villosulous pedicels, and the erect inflorescence.<br />
It is named in honor of Dr. Ludvig Schnee of Caracas, who', for<br />
many years, has studied and published on various groups of Venezuelan<br />
monocotyledons.<br />
MARANTACEAE<br />
Calathea acuminate Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Planta 35-40 cm. alta; foliis ad 18 cm. longe petiolatis, petioli<br />
parte superiore ad 4-5 mm. longa tereti callosa supra minutissime
162 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
pilosa; laminis inaequilateralibus elliptic o-lanceolatis vel anguste<br />
oblongo-ellipticis acuminatis basi acutis membranaceis, utrinque<br />
glabris, 13-20 cm. longis, 2.7-3.3 cm. latis; vaginis membranaceis<br />
praesertim supra minute adpresso-puberulis; spiels ellipsoideoovatis,<br />
3 cm. longis; pedunculis gracilibus striatulis glabris vel<br />
minute adpresso-puberulis; bracteis 3-4, late ovatis acuminatis, 2.2-<br />
3.7 cm. longis, 1.2-1.8 cm. latis, praesertim infra minute puberulis;<br />
sepalis ellipticis 11-12 mm. longis; corolla alba, tubo 15 mm. longo.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected en las sabanetas, a<br />
lo largo de los caminos en sitios poco humedos, Capihuara, Alto<br />
Casiquiare, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 120 m., May 24, 1942,<br />
Llewelyn Williams 15532, "hierba hasta de 40 cm. con flores<br />
blancas"; en los sitios poco humedo en la selva, San Carlos de Rib<br />
Negro, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 100 m., February 28, 1942,<br />
Llewelyn Williams 14515, "hasta de 30 cm. de alto; flores blancas".<br />
This species apparently is a member of subgenus Microcephalum<br />
Benth. as treated by K. Schumann in "Das Pflanzenreich" IV. 48:<br />
111. 1902. It differs from all other members of this subgenus, however,<br />
in its larger flower with longer corolla tube measuring at least<br />
15 mm. long.<br />
It is further characterized by having few (3-4) long,<br />
acuminate bracts, which are minutely puberulous, especially at the<br />
base, and the narrowly elliptical, long-acuminate leaves.<br />
From C. Baraquinii (Verschaff.) Reg. it differs in the much longer<br />
petioles, which are glabrate or minutely pilosulous, larger spikes,<br />
glabrate to minutely puberulent peduncles, and longer corolla tube.<br />
Calathea duidae Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
PJanta acaulis; scapis e basi plantae emittentibus a foliis discretis;<br />
foliis basalibus subcoriaceis inaequilateralibus, late ovatis vel<br />
suborbiculari-ovatis subito mucronatis, basi truncatis vel rotundatis,<br />
42 cm. longis, ad 36 cm. latis, glabris; scapis saltern 45 cm. longis,<br />
in sicco 6-8 mm. crassis, dense adpresso-puberulis, supra velutinis;<br />
spicis obovoideo-subglobosis, apice rotundatis basi obtusis vel<br />
rotundatis, 9.5-10 cm. longis, ad 10 cm. latis; bracteis omnino fertilibus<br />
spiralibus, orbiculatis, apice rotundatis, plerumque fenestralibus<br />
tenuibus plurimis, 4-5 cm. longis, 3-4 cm. latis, extus puberulis,<br />
praesertim infra; floribus non vis is; capsulis trilocularibus, apice<br />
truncato-depressis, extus parce puberulis, 15 mm. longis, 11 mm.<br />
crassis; seminibus 3, arillosis, uno solum maturescentibus, obtuse<br />
subtrigonis, seminis corpo nigro 9 mm. longo, 7 mm. crasso, arillo<br />
btunneo 3 mm. longo, 5 mm. lato.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected between Sabana<br />
Grande and Base River (Cano Negro), at southeastern base of Cerro<br />
Duida, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 210 m., August 23 t 1944,<br />
Julian A. Steyermark 57888, "flowering stems arising from base of<br />
plant; leaves subcoriaceous, deep green above, dull green below;<br />
bracts lace-like, dull brown; fruit orange."
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 163<br />
Locally known as "Bijau", the leaves of this plant are reported<br />
to be used in wrapping a type of tamale here called "hallaca".<br />
The fruiting bracts with their fine lacy network impart to this<br />
species a most unusual aspect. If they are a normal and natural<br />
feature, then the species may be considered as the most extraordinary<br />
one of the genus. Examination by high power microscope<br />
reveals that the skeletal tissue is a left-over one, originally covered<br />
by parenchymatous cellular tissue. However, the parenchyma appears<br />
to be very thin, whereas the fibro-vascular network accounting<br />
for the unusual lace-like skeleton of the bracts, is exceptionally<br />
strong and persists in fruit as the characteristic gross morphological<br />
feature of the bract.<br />
The species is further distinguished by the densely, fine pubescent<br />
naked flowering scape arising at the base of the plant, the<br />
large broadly orbicular bracts, in which at least the lowest ones are<br />
villosulous on the outer surface, the large inflorescences, and the<br />
large orbicular-ovate or broadly ovate leaves.<br />
Calathea Lasseriana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Folia ad 22 cm. longa; petiolis longissime vaginatis fere ad<br />
articulum, vaginis raerabranaceis infra medium 8 mm. latis, petioli<br />
parte superiore 5-6 mm. longa, 4-5 mm. crassa, subtereti callosa,<br />
supra pilosulis; iaminis inaequilateralibus supra viridibus infra<br />
argenteo-viridibus membranaceis obovato-ellipticis abrupte et breviter<br />
acuminatis, basi obtusis, 20-30 cm. longis, 8-16 cm. latis,<br />
glabris; inflorescentia sessili terminal!, inferne foliorum basibus<br />
cincta; spica anguste ovata, 3.5 cm. longa; bracteis 2.5-3 cm. longis,<br />
circum apicem minute puberulis, aliter glabris; floribus pallidoflavidis;<br />
sepalis linearibus obtusis, 11-12 mm. longis, 1.5 mm. latis,<br />
glabris; corollae tubo cylindrico, 12 mm. longo, 1.5 mm. crasso,<br />
pubescent! pilis adscendentibus; lobis exterioribus oblanceo latis,<br />
acutiusculis, 9 mm. longis, 3 mm. latis; ovario glabro.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in forest near Base<br />
River (Cano Negro), at southeastern base of Cerro Duida, Territorio<br />
Federal Amazonas, alt. 215 m., August 23, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
57920, "terrestrial; flowers creamy-yellow; leaves silvery gray<br />
green below, rich deep green above with sulcate nerves."<br />
This species is apparently related to C. mishuyacu Macbr., known<br />
only from near Iquitos, Peru. Our collection differs from the type of<br />
that species (Klug 416) in its sessile, instead of subsessile inflorescence,<br />
broader more membranous sheaths of the petioles, the<br />
sheaths of the petioles extending to the junction of the leaf blade<br />
instead of ending below the callus as in C. mishuyacu, the shorter<br />
broader callus at the top of the petiole, the leaf blades more rounded<br />
at the base, and the shorter bracts.<br />
It is also related to C. propinqua (Poepp. & Endl.) Koernicke of<br />
Surinam and Brazil, and to C. exscapa (Poepp. & Endl.) Koernicke
164 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
of Peru. From the former it differs in the sheaths of the petioles<br />
extending all the way to the junction with the blade, the callus portion<br />
at the base of the blade not pubescent, the more rounded base<br />
of the leaf blades, the glabrate bracts, and the smaller flowers.<br />
Ischnosiphon Lasseriana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Herba erecta stricta; caulibus minute verruculoso-tuberculatis,<br />
supra medium 0.5 cm. crassis; petiolis ad articulum vaginatis, articulo<br />
7-9 mm. longo plerumque glabro, vaginis 6-6.5 cm. longis,<br />
glabris; laminis inaequilateralibus utrinque viridibus ovatis acuminatis,<br />
basi rotundatis, 8.5-13 cm. longis, 2.8-3.8 cm. latis, glabris;<br />
racemis solitariis.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in lower portion of<br />
Quebrada O-paru-ma, tributary of Rio Pacairao, below Santa Teresita<br />
de Kavanayen, state of Bolivar, alt. 915-1065 m., November 15, 1944,<br />
Julian A, Steyermark 60557,<br />
Local name:<br />
"Curarima-yek".<br />
This species is related to /. surinamensis (Miq.) Koernicke of the<br />
Guianas and Brazil, and to / verruculosus Macbr. of Peru. In its<br />
solitary spikes it resembles the former, but differs from that chiefly<br />
in the verruculose stems, while from the latter it<br />
may be distinquished<br />
by the smaller leaves, and by the more finely verruculose<br />
stems, the projections being closer together and less conspicuously<br />
raised above the surface of the stem.<br />
Monotagma duidae Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Herba erecta metralis; foliis longe petiolatis, articulo subtereti<br />
0.8-6.5 cm. longo, glabro vel pubescenti; vaginis basi vel interdum<br />
superne dense strigillosis; laminis infra cinereo-viridibus interdum<br />
atro-viridibus lineatis, inaequilateralibus ovato-lanceolatis, acuminatis<br />
basi obtusis, 32-45 cm. longis, 11-15 cm. latis, supra ad<br />
costam raediam plus minusve dense hirtello-pubescentibus, interdum<br />
ad superficiam leviter puberulis, aliter glabris; inflorescentia terminal!,<br />
folio frondoso suffulta; paniculis congestis ovoideis vel ovatoellipticis,<br />
10-13 cm. longis, 6-8 cm. latis; bracteis subcoriaceis<br />
pallid o-viridibus vel cupreis suffusis, 2.2-2.4 cm. longis, strigillosis;<br />
floribus blancis, roseo-suffusis; bracteolis membranaceis ovatolanceolatis<br />
subacutis, 7 mm. longis; sepalis lineari-spatulatis,<br />
obtusis 5 mm. longis, 1 mm. latis; corollae tubo 1.5-2 cm. longo;<br />
lobis 5-6 mm. longis, 3 mm. latis, lobo exteriori anguste spatulato,<br />
7 mm. longo; staminodio exteriori calloso 4 mm. longo; a nth era late<br />
obovato-oblonga;<br />
filamento late linear!.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in second woodland<br />
after crossing Esmeralda Ridge on way to Duida, between Esmeralda<br />
Savana and southeastern base of Cerro Duida, Territorio Federal<br />
Amazonas, alt. 200 m., August 22, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57807,<br />
"leaves in rosette from cluster on stems; staminodia pale rose at
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 165<br />
base, rest of petals white; bracts pale green; leaves grass dull green<br />
above, gray green below with dull dark green lines"; forest along<br />
Base River (Cano Negro), at southeastern base of Cerro Duida, alt.<br />
225 m., August 23, 1944, Steyermark 57927, "herb in dense clump,<br />
3 feet tall; leaves gray green below, deep green above; bracts brickcolored<br />
above; flowers white with rose-salmon"; San Carlos, Rio<br />
Negro, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 100 m., 1942, Lletvelyn<br />
Williams 14243.<br />
This species is characterized by the combination of the short,<br />
dense inflorescence, strigillose bracts, relatively short sepals and<br />
corolla parts, densely puberulent upper portion of the petioles, and<br />
minutely puberulent midrib of the upper leaf surface.<br />
It is related to M. laxum (P. & E.) Schum. and M. exannulatum<br />
Schum., from which it differs in the shorter sepals, abbreviated,<br />
shorter inflorescence, strigillose bracts, finely puberulous upper<br />
portion of the petiole, and puberulous midrib of the upper leaf surface.<br />
Williams 14243 has the leaf surface and petioles more pubescent<br />
than the other two collections cited, but is apparently the<br />
same in all other respects<br />
ḂURMANNIACEAE<br />
Burmannia sanariapoana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Caules erectes simplices vel ramosi, 11-23 cm. alti, inferne foliolosi,<br />
superne parce bracteosi; foliis 5-6, infimis ovato-lanceolatis,<br />
3-5 mm. longis, caulinis lineari-lanceolatis vel lanceolatis, subulatis<br />
squamiformibus, caulem vaginantibus, 5-12 mm. longis, 0.5-1*5 mm.<br />
latis, prominenter uninerviis; bracteis caulinis adpressis remotis<br />
oblongo-lanceolatis, acutis, 3-5 mm. longis; floribus in racema<br />
capituliformi vel in cyma dichotoma secundis subsessilibus bracteatis;<br />
bracteis elliptic o-oblongis, 1 mm. longis, 0.5 mm. latis; ovario<br />
1.3 mm. longo; perianthio obconico triquetro purpureo, apice pallidiori<br />
et viridi, superne alato, tubo triangulari 2-3.5 mm. longo, lobis<br />
exterioribus ovatis 1-1.3 mm. longis erectis alatis vel cristatis,<br />
supra marginibus inflexis apice cucullatis, lobis interioribus linearispatulatis<br />
vel anguste oblongo-linearibus, rotundatis, 4 mm. longis;<br />
staminibus sessilibus, infra bases loborum interiorum insertis,<br />
connective ellipsoideo, 2 cristis apicalibus sublanceolatis; antheris<br />
reniformibus; stylo cylindrico-filiformi; stigmatibus divaricatis infundibuliformibus<br />
cristatis (Fig. 24).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in vicinity of Sanariapo,<br />
near Rio Sanariapo, tributary of Orinoco river, Territorio Federal<br />
Amazonas, alt. 100 m., September 8, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
58466, "flowers purple with paler lavender and greenish at tip".<br />
This species is related to B. dasyantha Mart, of Brazil, but has<br />
smaller flowers and shorter and more scale-like leaves than that
166 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
species.<br />
It is intermediate between 5. capitata (Walt.) Mart, forma<br />
brae te os a (Gleason) Jonk. and H. dasyantha.<br />
FIGURE 24<br />
Burmannia sanariapoana Steyermark<br />
A, Portion of inflorescence (X 5); B, Flower and bracts (X 5);<br />
C, One of inner and outer perianth lobes from within, and attached<br />
stamen (X 18>, D, Outer perianth lobe with crest, lateral view (X 18);<br />
E, Stamen (highly magnified); F, Upper part of style with stigmas<br />
(highly magnified).
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 167<br />
ORCHIDACEAE 1 2<br />
Pogonia stricta C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov.<br />
Herba terrestris, gracilis. Caulis sparsim ramosus, cum ramis<br />
strictis paucifloris, sine foliis sed minute bracteatus. Racemi bi-vel<br />
quadriflori. Flores lateraliter visi arcuati. Sepala carnosa. Sepalum<br />
dorsale fomicacum, longitudinaliter concavum, lanceolateoblongum.<br />
Sepala lateralia arcuato-falcata, caetera similia. Petala<br />
elliptic o-oblonga, leviter falcata, quam sepala paulo breviora sed<br />
latiora. Labellum tubulari-involutum, simplex, lance olato-oblongum,<br />
obtusum; discus basi minute bicallosum, cum fascia lata carnosa<br />
minute multipapillosa per medium. Columna apice dilatala, ala<br />
conspicua term in a ta.<br />
Plant terrestrial, very slender, at least 23 cm. high (up to the apex<br />
of the raceme) in the only complete plant present. Stem with 1 to<br />
several strict and more or less remote branches, produced below into<br />
an irregularly flexuous villous portion, leafless, provided remotely<br />
with minute appressed, triangular-ovate and acute or narrowly<br />
triangular-lanceolate and acuminate bracts which are 10 mm. or less<br />
long; branches short, 2- to 4-flowered, rarely up to 7.8 cm. long.<br />
Floral bracts strict, triangular-ovate, deeply concave, acuminate.<br />
Flowers small, narrowly campanulate and arcuate when seen from the<br />
side in natural position. Sepals fleshy, longitudinally concave,<br />
greenish yellow. Dorsal sepal fornicate, lanceolate-oblong, acute,<br />
apiculate, up to about 20 mm. long and 4 mm. wide when expanded,<br />
dorsally lightly carinate. Lateral sepals oblique and falcate,<br />
lanceolate-oblong, acute, about 20 mm. long and 4.8 mm. wide,<br />
dorsally carinate. Petals similar to the lateral sepals, ellipticoblong,<br />
falcate, acute, up to 18 mm. long and 5 mm. wide, 3-nerved<br />
(or 5-nerved in the middle), with minutely irregular margins, creamy<br />
yellow. Lip tubular-involute in natural position, simple, lanceolateoblong,<br />
obtuse, up to about 16.3 mm. long and 6.2 mm. wide below<br />
when expanded, with the lateral margins toward the apex minutely<br />
erose and crisped-undulate; disc minutely bicallose at base, with a<br />
broad central oblong-lanceolate acuminate fleshy band (entirely<br />
covered by crowded papillose keels) extending from the base nearly<br />
to the apex. Column small, from a slender base rather abruptly<br />
dilated above, terminating in a prominent triangular blunt wing which<br />
is lacerate on each side below, about 8 mm. or less high at the<br />
back (Fig. 25).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1203783, isotype in Herb.<br />
Ames, no. 64865, Brocchinia-Stegolepis-Heliamphora swamp on<br />
southwest-facing shoulder, Ptari-tepui, state of Bolivar, alt. 2200 m.,<br />
November 2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59786, "lateral sepals with<br />
pale greenish in center, lip creamy white with rose-lavender or<br />
magenta".<br />
1 2<br />
By Charles Schweinfurth
168 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
POGONIA<br />
stricta<br />
C. Schweinf.<br />
FIGURE 25<br />
Pogonia stricta. 1, Plant (X 4/5); 2, Flower from the side (X 2);<br />
3, Dorsal sepal (X 2); 4, Petal (X 2>, 5, Lateral sepal (X 2>, 6, Lip,<br />
from above (X 2 X
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 169<br />
This species is apparently allied to Pogonia paludosa Reichb. f.,<br />
but is dissimilar in having branched stems, short floral bracts and<br />
differently colored flowers with a dissimilar lip.<br />
Pogonia triflora C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov.<br />
Herba terrestris, gracilis. Caulis basi excepta glaber, parte inferiore<br />
remote bivaginata, parte superiore remote bifoliata. Folia<br />
parva, stricta, amplexicaulia; folium basale anguste ellipticum<br />
et acutum; folium superius linear!- la nceola turn et acuminatum.<br />
Racemus perlaxe triflorus cum brae te is floralibus conspicuis, strictis,<br />
lanceolatis vel ovato-lanceolatis, acuminatis. Flores parvi,<br />
rosei. Sepalum dorsale fornicatum, expansum anguste oblongolanceolatum,<br />
acutum. Sepala lateralia expansa similia. Petala<br />
sepalis similia sed paulo breviora et latiora, cum marginibus superioribus<br />
leviter et irregulariter denticulatis. Labellum expansum<br />
anguste oblongo-ovatum, prope apicem trilobatum; lobi laterales<br />
apice abrupte angulati; lobus medius triangulari-ovatus; discus<br />
fascia mediana lata percursus, basi minute bicallosus. Columna<br />
gracilis, perianthii segmentis distincte minor.<br />
Plant terrestrial, slender. Stem glabrous except at the very base<br />
which is apparently lanuginose, provided in the lower portion with<br />
two remote ovate or ovate-oblong amplexicaul sheaths and above<br />
with two remote leaves, about 19 cm. high up to the base of the<br />
floriferous portion. Leaves two, appressed, amplexicaul, narrowly<br />
elliptic or linear-lanceolate, 'acute or acuminate, the upper and<br />
larger blade about 3.6 cm. long and 6 mm. wide. Raceme very loosely<br />
3-flowered, with the rachis about 5 cm. long. Floral bracts conspicuous,<br />
strict, lanceolate (lowermost) to ovate-lanceolate, acuminate,<br />
amplexicaul, deeply concave, the lowermost about 3.2 cm.<br />
long and 9 mm. wide. Flowers rather small, "rose-orchid", apparently<br />
nodding in age. Segments membranaceous. Dorsal sepal<br />
fornicate in natural position, when expanded narrowly oblong-lanceolate,<br />
acute, about 2.4 cm. long and 5 mm. wide. Lateral sepals<br />
closely similar. Petals similar to the sepals but slightly shorter and<br />
broader, about 2.2 cm. long and 6 mm. wide, with the upper margins<br />
lightly and irregularly denticulate. Lip deep rose, when expanded<br />
oblong-ovate in outline, distinctly 3-lobed near the apex, about 2.25<br />
cm. long and 9 mm. wide; lateral lobes with abruptly angulate obtuse,<br />
spreading tips; mid-lobe small, triangular-ovate; disc traversed by a<br />
broad median thickened band (with irregular margins) which extends<br />
from the base about to the middle of the mid-lobe, minutely bicallose<br />
at the base. Column, slender, slightly dilated upward, about 1.6 cm.<br />
long (Fig. 26).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1203772, southwest-facing<br />
slopes between base of mountain at Quebrada Ka-hua-paru and<br />
Glycon swamp, Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220-1980 m.,<br />
October 1, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59014.
170 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
POGONIA<br />
trijlfora<br />
(3. o c fiure i nji.<br />
FIGURE 26<br />
Pogonia triflora. 1, Plant (X 4/5>, 2. Flower from the side (X 2);<br />
3, Dorsal sepal (X 2); 4, Petal (X 2>, 5, Lateral sepal (X 2>, 6, Lip,<br />
from above (X 2).
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 171<br />
This species appears to be similar to Pogonia tenuis Reichb. f.,<br />
but differs in having longer floral bracts, larger rose-colored (not<br />
white) flowers and acute (not acuminate) sepals.<br />
It seems to be<br />
allied to P. elegantula Schltr., but has much smaller, narrower<br />
leaves.<br />
Pogonia unifoliata C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov.<br />
Herba terrestris, minor. Caulis gracilis, ima basi dense villosus,<br />
supra glaber, unifoliatus. Folium anguste ellipticura, acutum, sessile,<br />
amplectens, erectum. Flos singulus, bracteatus. Sepala<br />
lanceolato-oblonga, acuta, tubulari-involuta. Petala ellipticooblonga,<br />
paulo breviora, tenuiora. Labellum ezpansum oblongoellipticum,<br />
prope apicem profunde trilobatum; lobi laterales involuti,<br />
cum apice libero brevi rotundato vel obtuso; lobus medius comparate<br />
parvus, in circuitu natural! triangularis, ezpansus suborbiculariobovatus;<br />
discus basi minute bicallosus, fascia mediana late percursus.<br />
Columna brevis, supra sensim dilatata.<br />
Plant terrestrial, rather small. Stem slender, up to about 20 cm.<br />
long, densely brown-villous at the base (doubtless where in contact<br />
with the soil), glabrous above, blue-gray and glaucous, furnished in<br />
the lower third with a minute ovate-lanceolate amplexicaul sheath<br />
and in the upper third with a single leaf. Leaf erect, narrowly<br />
elliptic, acute, sessile, amplexicaul, blue-gray, glaucous, about 2.8<br />
cm. long and 8 mm. wide. Inflorescence 1-flowered, leafy bracted.<br />
Bract similar to the leaf, ovate-elliptic, amplexicaul, acute, deeply<br />
concave and clasping the flower, about 2.5 cm. long, with the tip<br />
little shorter than the floral segments. Ovary slender, plurisulcate,<br />
glabrous. Flower small, apparently a bud. Sepals parallel, fleshy,<br />
pale yellow-green, glaucous, tubular-involute. Dorsal sepal lanceolate-oblong,<br />
acute, 7 -nerved, about 14.5 mm. long and 4 mm. wide<br />
when expanded. Lateral sepals similar, slightly shorter and narrower,<br />
slightly oblique, 5-nerved. Petals elliptic-oblong, acute or subacute,<br />
about 13 mm. long and 4 mm. wide, thinner than the sepals,<br />
pale green, 3-nerved through the middle with lateral nerves branching.<br />
Lip oblong-elliptic in natural poskion, deeply 3-lobed near the<br />
apex, about 12.5 mm. long and 5.8 mm. wide when expanded, pale<br />
greenish white with purple lines; lateral lobes inrolled with short<br />
rounded or obtuse free apex; mid-lobe very small, triangular in<br />
natural position with involute sides, when expanded suborbicularobovate<br />
with crenate margins; disc through the middle with a broad<br />
fleshy band (longitudinally divided above) extending from near the<br />
base about to the middle of the mid-lobe, minutely bicallose at the<br />
base. Column short, gradually dilated upward, white at base with<br />
wine-purple near tip, about 7.1 mm. tall at the back including the<br />
large erect anther (Fig. 27).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1203948, scrubby forest on<br />
rocky open portion of plateau on southeast-facing slopes, Ptari-tepui,<br />
state of Bolivar, alt. 1600 m., November 1, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
59630.
172 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
POGONIA<br />
if n iAo fia ta<br />
&<br />
FIGURE 27<br />
Pogonia unifoliata. 1, Plant (X 4/5); 2, Flower from the side (X 3>,<br />
3, Dorsal sepal (X 4); 4, Petal (X 4); 5, Lateral sepal (X 4); 6, -Lip,<br />
from above (X 4).
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 173<br />
This species does not appear to have any near ally, but it recalls<br />
a small form of the North American Pogonia ophio gloss aides (L.)<br />
Ker-Gawl.<br />
Prescottia carnosa C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov.<br />
Herba terrestris, stricta; pro genere mediocris. Folia tria, basalia,<br />
prominenter petiolata; lamina ovata, acuta, basi rotundata vel subtruncata,<br />
valde coriacea. Scapus glaber, remote multivaginatus.<br />
Raceraus subdense multiflorus. F lores parvi. Sepala petalaque<br />
revoluto-circinnata. Sepala similia, oblonga vel triangulari-oblonga,<br />
apice abrupte rotundata, lateralia paulo majora et in saccum ovario<br />
adnatum basi producta. Petala linearia, apice abrupte rotundata.<br />
Labellum erectum, multo majus, subgloboso-concavum, valde carnosum,<br />
intus medio unicarinatum, basi utrinque in auriculam adnatam<br />
eztensum. Columna abbreviata.<br />
Plant terrestrial, strict, medium-sized for the genus, about 50.5<br />
cm. high. Roots fascicled, tuberous, densely lanuginose. Stem up<br />
to the inflorescence glabrous, about 41.5 cm. long, rose-red, provided<br />
with many (about 13) sheaths which are relatively short imbricating<br />
and coriaceous at base, scarious longer and remote in the<br />
middle, and scarious and very short above. Leaves 3, entirely basal<br />
(i.e. rosulate), long-petioied; lamina ovate, acute, abruptly rounded<br />
to subtruncate at base, with the margins entire but often appearing<br />
erose-crenulate in the dried specimen, coriaceous, deep green above,<br />
silvery beneath with rose-red mid-rib, about 4.7 cm. long and 3 cm.<br />
wide; petioles fleshy<br />
and deeply sulcate, abruptly dilated above,<br />
rose-red, about 5.5-6.5 cm. long. Inflorescence subdensely manyflowered,<br />
looser below; rachis 8.5 cm. long, rose-red. Floral bracts<br />
ovate, long-acuminate, scarious, shorter than the ovary. Flowers<br />
very small, non-res up inate (i.e. with lip uppermost), tawny-yellow<br />
and salmon, sepals and petals submembranaceous and recurvedcircinnate,<br />
lip fleshy. Dorsal sepal oblong or lanceolate-oblong,<br />
abruptly rounded at the apex, 1-nerved, about 3 mm. long and 1.2 mm.<br />
wide below when expanded. Lateral sepals triangular-oblong, forming<br />
at base a sac adnate to the ovary; free part similar to the dorsal<br />
sepal, shortly connate on the inner margins, about 3*5 mm. long and<br />
nearly 2 mm. wide below. Petals linear, abruptly rounded at the<br />
apex, 1-nerved, about 2.6 mm. long and 0.9 mm. wide. Lip relatively<br />
large, subglobose-concave, tapering on each side below into a long<br />
auricle which is mostly adnate to the sepaline wall but free at the<br />
apex, very fleshy, about 7-nerved, divided in the middle by a prominent<br />
but short longitudinal keel, glabrous within but densely minutepapillose<br />
on the outer surface. Column abbreviated, very stout<br />
(Fig. 28).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1203753, Brocchinia-<br />
Stegolepis-Heliamphora swamp on southwest-facing shoulder, Ptaritepui,<br />
state of Bolivar, alt. 2200 m., November 2, 1944, Julian A.<br />
Steyermark 59772.
174 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
This species is remarkable for its small coriaceous ovate leaves<br />
and for die medium keel or septum in the center of the fleshy lip.<br />
It<br />
appears to be somewhat allied to the widely distributed Prescottia<br />
stachyodes (Sw.) Lindl. which has larger membranaceous leaves and<br />
an ecarinate membranaceous lip.<br />
Erythrodes confusa C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov.<br />
Herba terrestris, alta. Caulis gracilis, pluriarticulatus cum articulis<br />
inferioribus radiciferis et superioribus foliiferis. Folia ellipticolanceolata,<br />
acuminata, basi sensim angustata, petiolata; petiolus in<br />
vaginam laxam infundibuliformem productus. Racemus erectus, dense<br />
mukiflorus. Flores parvL Sepalum dorsale lanceolato-ellipticum.<br />
Sepala lateralia oblongo-lanceolata, leviter falcata, antice late<br />
decurrentia. Petala oblique lineari-oblanceolata. Labellum in<br />
calcar pergracile productum; lamina supra medium utrinque constricta,<br />
cum lobo anteriore suborbiculari-ovato, conspicue apiculato;<br />
calcar elongatum, supra plusminusve incrassatum.<br />
Plant terrestrial, tall, about 35 cm. in length to the tip of the<br />
raceme. Stem rather slender, many-jointed, glabrous except near the<br />
apex, dark purple, the lower portion producing at the joints pairs of<br />
long simple lanuginose roots, the upper portion loosely leafy. Leaves<br />
about eight, shortly petioled; lamina elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate,<br />
gradually narrowed below, membranaceous, many-nerved with three<br />
prominent sulcate nerves, dull above, silvery gray beneath, up to 10<br />
cm. long and 2.65 cm. wide (the uppermost and lowermost leaves<br />
much smaller); petiole indistinct, about 2.7 cm. or less long, sulcate,<br />
gradually dilated below into a loose infundibuliform sheath. Inflorescence<br />
a dense, terminal, many-flowered raceme, about 4.3 cm.<br />
long. Floral bracts lanceolate, long-acuminate, concave, sparingly<br />
ciliolate. Flowers small, membranaceous, with a few scattered hairs<br />
without and with a slender glandular-pubescent ovary. Sepals dull<br />
lavender-brownish without, pale green at base and buff in upper half<br />
within. Dorsal sepal lanceolate-elliptic, acuminate, concave, 1-<br />
nerved, (indistinctly 3-nerved near the base), up to 7 mm. long and<br />
2.2 mm. wide in the middle. Lateral sepals oblong-lanceolate,<br />
acuminate with inrolled margins, lightly falcate, long-decurrent at the<br />
base in front, 1-nerved (indistinctly 3-nerved toward the base), a<br />
little smaller than the dorsal sepal. Petals adherent to the dorsal<br />
sepal, very obliquely linear-oblanceolate, acute or acuminate, up to<br />
7 mm. long and 1.1 mm. wide above, 1-nerved, the same color as the<br />
sepals. Lip produced into an elongate spur; lamina divided by an<br />
abrupt constriction into two pans; basal part oval, concave, with a<br />
little fold on each side at the constriction; anterior part suborbicularovate,<br />
abruptly acute or apiculate, about 2.5 mm. long and 2.6 mm.<br />
or less wide; spur very slender, more or less dilated above, up to<br />
1 .4 cm. long, white. Column dilated upward, terminating in an obtuse<br />
oblong-triangular wing (Fig. 29).
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 175<br />
FIGURE 28<br />
Prescottia carnosa. 1, Plant (X 4/5); 2, Flower and ovary, natural<br />
position (X 4); 3, Dorsal sepal (X 8>, 4, Petal (X 8>, 5, Lateral<br />
sepal (X 8); 6, Lip, partially expanded, from above (X 6).
176 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Ocfiureinfi.<br />
FIGURE 29<br />
Erythrodes confusa. 1, Plant (X 3/5); 2, Flower from the side (X 2);<br />
3, Petal (X 5): 4, Column with anther attached, from the side (X 5);<br />
5, Lip and spur, from above (X 3).
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 177<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1203776, southeasternfacing<br />
slopes along Cano Negro (tributary of Cano Iguapo), Cerro<br />
Duida, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 305-1095 m., August 25-26,<br />
1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57966.<br />
This species appears to be allied to the Brazilian Erythrodes<br />
commelinoides (Rodr.) Ames, but differs in its narrower leaves and<br />
much smaller flowers with differently proportioned lip. In vegetative<br />
appearance it .<br />
suggests aratanhensis (Rodr.) Ames and E. multifoliata<br />
C. Schweinf., but the perianth is very different.<br />
Stelis (1 is par C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov.<br />
Herba epiphytica, pro genere mediocris, rhizomatosa. Rhizoma<br />
gracile, vaginis arctis tubulatis omnino juventute velatum. Caules<br />
secundarii numerosi, rari vel approximati, apice unifoliati. Folium<br />
conspicue petiolatum; lamina oblongo-elliptica, acuta, infra cuneata.<br />
Inflorescentiae saepissime solitariae vel duae, diffusae vel suberectae,<br />
folium subaequantes vel duplo superantes, supra dense<br />
multiflorae. Flores perparvi, glabri. Sepala valde inaequalia, trinervia.<br />
Sepalum dorsale late ovatum vel rotundato-ovatum. Sepala<br />
lateralia similia, multo minora, valde obliqua. P eta la minuta, suborb<br />
iculari-rhorabica, cum parte anteriore late rotundata et incrassata.<br />
Labellum subaequale, valde incrassatum, semiorbiculari-ovatum<br />
antice visum, transverse cuneato-trapeziforme superne visum. Columna<br />
generis<br />
.<br />
Plant epiphytic, medium-sized for the genus, producing an elongate<br />
rhizome. Roots fibrous, filiform, glabrous, scattered. Rhizome<br />
slender, irregularly flexuous, entirely concealed by close tubular<br />
sheaths which waste away in course of development. Secondary<br />
stems numerous, scattering (about 2.5 cm. apart) to approximate,<br />
making an acute angle with the rhizome, up to 7.2 cm. long (commonly<br />
much less), unifoliate at the apex, entirely or mostly concealed by<br />
two to four close tubular evanescent sheaths. Leaf erect or erectspreading,<br />
distinctly petioled; lamina oblong-elliptic, acute with a<br />
minutely tridenticulate apex, cuneate below, coriaceous, about 4-7.5<br />
cm. long, 9-17 mm. wide; petiole slender, about 2 cm. or more long.<br />
Inflorescences commonly solitary or two (rarely remnants of a third<br />
one appears), diffuse to suberect, subequaling to twice surpassing<br />
the leaf, subdensely to densely many-flowered and racemose above,<br />
rather loosely flowered toward the base. Floral bracts minute, infundibuliform,<br />
acute. Flowers very small, glabrous, deep purple or<br />
dull lavender with mulberry-purple lip. Sepals markedly unequal,<br />
3-nerved, connate below. Dorsal sepal broadly ovate or round-ovate,<br />
obtuse to subacute, about 3 mm. long and nearly as wide below.<br />
Lateral sepals very obliquely round-ovate, about 2 mm. long and<br />
wide below. Petals minute, suborbicular-rhombic, with the anterior<br />
portion broadly rounded and fleshy-thickened, about 0.5 mm. long and<br />
1 mm. wide. Lip subequal to the petals, very fleshy, with a transverse<br />
thickening across the middle and a small conical tubercle near<br />
the base, semiorbicular- ovate when viewed from the front, trans-
178 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
versely cuneate-trapeziform with a broad truncate-concave apex when<br />
viewed from above. Column of the genus (Fig. 30).<br />
Type in Herb. Ames no. 64847, isotype in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist.<br />
Mus., no. 1221980, rich forest on slopes near summit of Cerro San<br />
Isidro, above La Carbonera, state of Me'rida, alt. 2430-2745 m., April<br />
22, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 56034, "epiphyte on trunk of Ladenbergia<br />
undata, leaves fleshy subcoriaceous, dull green above, pale<br />
below"; same data, Steyermark 56031.<br />
This species appears to be allied to the Ecuadorian Stelis lancea<br />
Lindl., but differs in its very unequal sepals and simple lip.<br />
Lepanthes exilis C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov.<br />
Herba epiphytica, caespitosa. Caules numerosi, pertenues, apice<br />
unifoliati, pluriarticulati, vaginis arctis glabris tubulatis omnino<br />
tecti. Folium lanceolatum vel elliptico-lanceolatum, acuminatum<br />
cum apice acriter tridenticulato, breviter petiolatum. Inflorescentiae<br />
axillares, saepissime plures, diffusae, multiflorae, quam folium plusminusve<br />
longiores. Flores parvi, membranacei, glabri. Sepalum<br />
dorsale ovatum, acutum, concavum. Sepala lateralia in laminam late<br />
ovatam profunde bidentatam connata. Petala perparva, transverse<br />
oblonga cum lobo posteriore subquadrato-oblongo comparate longo et<br />
lobo anteriore minuto, triangular!. Labellum petala subaequans, 3-<br />
lobatum; lobi laterales comparate magni, late flabellati; lobus medius<br />
minutus, villosus. Columna generis.<br />
Plant epiphytic, caespitose. Roots fibrous, glabrous, filiform,<br />
numerous. Rhizome abbreviated. Stems numerous, very slender,<br />
1-leaved at the apex, several- (up to 14-) jointed, entirely concealed<br />
by close tubular glabrous sheaths which terminate in ovate spreading<br />
marginate, minutely hispid mouths, about 5 (rarely) -13 cm. long.<br />
Leaf very shortly petioled; lamina lanceolate to elliptic -lanceolate<br />
(often narrowly so), coriaceous, acuminate to a sharply tridenticulate<br />
apex, shortly cuneate below, 3*1-6.5 cm. long, up to 1.3 cm. or less<br />
wide; petiole about 5 mm. or less long. Inflorescences axillary,<br />
solitary to about 15, diffuse, laxly or subdensely many-flowered,<br />
surpassing the leaf (sometimes nearly three times as long). Floral<br />
bracts minute, infundibuliform. Flowers very small, membranaceous.<br />
Sepals distinctly connate below, tawny yellow with pale yellow<br />
margins. Dorsal sepal ovate, acute, concave, 3-nerved, up to 4 mm.<br />
long and 2.2 mm. wide when expanded. Lateral sepals with their<br />
inner margins connate to half their length, each sepal very obliquely<br />
ovate, acute, 2-nerved; lamina of lateral sepals broadly ovate, about<br />
3.4 mm. long from the outer point of union with the dorsal sepal to<br />
the tip and 2.9 mm. wide near the base. Petals much smaller than<br />
the sepals, vermilion-orange, transverse, bilobed, about 0.8 mm. long<br />
and 1.9 mm. wide; posterior lobe much the larger, oblong-subquadrate<br />
with a very oblique obtuse apex; anterior lobe very small, triangular,<br />
obtuse. Lip adnate to the middle of the column, 3-lobed, orchid-rose;<br />
lateral lobes relatively large, broadly flabellate, the apex broadened
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 179<br />
FIGURE 30<br />
Stelis dispar. 1, Plant (X 3/5>, 2, Flower, from the front (X 8);<br />
3, Petal (X 16); 4, Lip, from above (X 16); 5, Lip, from die side<br />
(X 16).
180 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
into a transverse peltate plate about 1.6 mm. across; mid-lobe minute,<br />
oblong-ovate, long-hirsute. Column about 1.4 mm. long, dilated<br />
above, orchid-rose (Fig. 31)<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1207544, isotype in Herb.<br />
Ames no. 64841, on densely forested steep south-facing slopes overlying<br />
sandstone, between "Cave Rock" and base of high sandstone<br />
bluffs, Ptari-tepui' state of Bolivar, alt. 2100-2285 m., October 30,<br />
1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59540 "leaves pale green above and<br />
paler green beneath".<br />
This species appears to be allied to Lepanthes cyanoptera Reichb.<br />
f., but has longer leaves and dissimilar sepals and petals.<br />
Pleurothallis callifera C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov.<br />
Herba epiphytica, mediocris, caespitosa. Caules numerosi, graciles,<br />
variabiles, apice unifoliati. Folia valde variabilia, saepissime<br />
horizontalia, lanceolata vel saepius ovato-lanceolata vel ovata,<br />
acuta vel acuminata, basi cordata. Inflorescentiae abbreviatae,<br />
uniflorae, singulae vel plures. Flores parvi, bilabiati, glabri.<br />
Sepalum dorsale oblongo-ovatum, concavum, acutum. Sepala lateralia<br />
in laminam triangulari-ovatam, acutam, concavam omnino connata.<br />
Petala patentia, lineari-lanceolata, acuminata, basi obliqua. Labellum<br />
in positu natural! arcuato-recurvum et sulcatum, expansum<br />
rhombico-ovatum, membranaceum; discus prope basim carina transversa<br />
crescentiformi ornatus. Columna crassa, perbrevis.<br />
Plant epiphytic, medium-sized, caespitose. Roots numerous,<br />
fibrous, glabrous. Rhizome abbreviated. Stems approximate, slender,<br />
provided below with 2 close separated tubular sheaths of which<br />
the upper is much the longer, very variable in size, about 9-23.5 cm.<br />
long, 1-leaved at the apex. Leaf very variable in form and size,<br />
commonly horizontal or widely spreading, lanceolate (rarely) to<br />
ovate-lanceolate or ovate, acute or acuminate with a minutely<br />
tridenticulate<br />
tip, cordate at the sessile base, 5.8-10.8 cm. long, 1.9-<br />
4.4 cm. wide. Inflorescences abbreviated, axillary, 1-flowered,<br />
apparently solitary to several, enclosed in an evanescent conduplicate<br />
spathe. Flower small, glabrous, bilabiate. Dorsal sepal<br />
oblong-ovate, acute, 3-nerved, concave, about 7 mm. long and 4 mm.<br />
wide. Lateral sepals entirely connate into a triangular-ovate concave<br />
lamina which is acute, 5- to 6-nerved, about 7 mm. long and<br />
4.4 mm. wide. Petals linear-lanceolate, acuminate, oblique at the<br />
base, 1 -nerved, about 6 mm. long and 1.1 mm. wide at the base. Lip<br />
arcuate-recurved and sulcate in natural position, rhombic-ovate when<br />
expanded, submembranaceous, cuneate below, obtuse at the apex,<br />
3-nerved with the mid-nerve clavate and thickened near the tip, about<br />
4 mm. long and 3.2 mm. or more wide when expanded; disc with a<br />
prominent transverse crecentiform keel or callus near the base.<br />
Column abbreviated, stout (Fig. 32).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1206418, isotype in Herb.<br />
Ames no. 64844, on densely forested steep south-facing slopes over-
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 181<br />
FIGURE 31<br />
Lepanthes exilis. 1, Plant (X 3/5); 2, Flower, from the front, (X 7);<br />
3, Petal (X 14); 4, Lip (X 14).
182 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
PLEUROTHALLIS<br />
C,<br />
FIGURE 32<br />
Pleurothallis callifera. 1, Plant (X l/2>, 2, Flower from the side<br />
(X 4>, 3, Petal (X 5); 4, Lip, from above (X 5); 5, Lip and column,<br />
from the side (X 5).
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 183<br />
lying sandstone, between "Cave Rock" and base of high sandstone<br />
bluffs, Ptari-tepui', state of Bolivar, alt. 2100-2285 m., October 30,<br />
'1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59541, "leaves coriaceous, dark green<br />
above and pale green beneath; sepals translucent, dull green with dull<br />
lavender stripes; petals spreading, dull lavender; lip dorsal, erect,<br />
purple, depressed along the middle".<br />
This species appears to resemble Pleurothallis undulata Poepp.<br />
& Endl., but the membranaceous rhombic-ovate lip is distinctive.<br />
Pleurothallis exilis C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov.<br />
Herba perparva, calcicola, caespitosa. Rhizoma abbreviatum.<br />
Caules secundarii perparvi, approximati, apice unifoliati. Folium<br />
late spathulatum vel anguste oblanceolatum, apice rotundatum vel<br />
acutum, infra sensim angustatum. Inflorescentia abbreviatae, bivel<br />
quadriflorae, flos membranaceus. Sepalum dorsale valde concavum,<br />
oblongo-lanceolatum, acutum. Sepala lateralia in laminam concavam<br />
elliptic o-ovatam connata. Petala breviora, late obovata,<br />
obliqua, abruptius acuta. Labellum quam petala paulo brevius, in positu<br />
natural! conduplicatum, expansum anguste ovatum, apice rotundatum,<br />
marginibus anterioribus denticulatis. Columna apice cum ala<br />
lacerata.<br />
Plant very small, caespitose. Roots fibrous, glabrous, relatively<br />
stout. Rhizome abbreviated. Secondary stems numerous, approximate,<br />
filiform, 1-jointed, mostly concealed by 2 imbricating tubular<br />
evanescent sheaths, 1-leaved at the apex. Leaf erect or spreading,<br />
broadly spatulate to narrowly oblanceolate, acute to rounded with a<br />
minutely tridenticulate apex, gradually narrowed to an indistinct<br />
petiole, up to 2.5 cm. long and 7 mm. wide, marginate. Inflorescence<br />
abbreviated, with two to four flowers, the segments (in our specimen)<br />
on the summit of an ellipsoid ovary. Dorsal sepal strongly concave,<br />
oblong-lanceolate, acute, 3-nerved, membranaceous, about 3.7 mm.<br />
long and 2 mm. wide when expanded. Lateral sepals connate into a<br />
concave elliptic-ovate lamina which is 4-nerved, about as long as<br />
the dorsal sepal and 3.4 mm. wide when expanded. Petals broadly<br />
obovate, oblique, rather abruptly acute, 1-nerved, about 2.6 mm. long<br />
and 1.6 mm. wide. Lip conduplicate and gently recurved in natural<br />
position, simple, narrowly ovate when expanded, rounded at the apex<br />
with the anterior margins denticulate, about 2.5 mm. long, finely<br />
papillose especially on the inner surface. Column shorter than the<br />
lip, slightly arcuate, terminated by a lacerate wing (Fig. 33).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1206448, isotype in Herb.<br />
Ames no. 64846, base of limestone bluffs, Cerro de la Cueva de<br />
Dona Anita, south of and bordering valley of Caripe, state of Monagas,<br />
alt. 1100-1200 m., April 7, 1945, Julian A. Steyermark 61902,<br />
"common in crevices of lime bluffs, leaves deep green above and<br />
gray green beneath".<br />
This little species recalls Pleurothallis barbulata Lindl., but has<br />
very different petals and lip.
184 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
PLEUROTHALLIS<br />
C, Scfaveinjvrtfi<br />
P, fiumiKs C,Scfoveinf><br />
FIGURE 33<br />
Pleurothallis exilis. 1, Plant (X 2>, 2, Flower from the side, partially<br />
expanded (X 5); 3, Petal (X 5); 4, Lip, from the side and from<br />
above (X 8).<br />
Pleurothallis humilis. 5, Plant (X 2); 6, Flower from the side,<br />
partially expanded (X 5>, 7, Petal (X 8>, 8, Lip from above (X 12).
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 185<br />
Pleurothallis humilis C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov.<br />
Herba perparva, caespitosa, epiphytica. Caules secundarii abbreviati,<br />
vaginis duabus imbricatis tubularibus obtecti. Folium<br />
singulum, erectum, oblanceolatum vel lineari-oblanceolatum, apice<br />
abrupte rotundatum, infra longe angustatum. Inflorescentiae filiformes,<br />
singulae vel tres, saepissime folia superantes, supra univel<br />
laxe triflorae. Flos parvus, tenuis. Sepalum dorsale valde<br />
concavum, anguste lanceolatum, acuminatum. Sepala lateralia<br />
similia sed angustiora, obliqua. Petala oblique linear!- lanceolata,<br />
longe acuminaca, sepalis paulo breviora. Labellum multo minus, in<br />
positu natural! oblanceolaco-oblongum, acutum, cum lobulis erectis<br />
breviter rotundato-rriangulis in parte inferiore. Columna crassa.<br />
Plant very small, epiphytic, caespitose. Roots fibrous, glabrous,<br />
as stout as the stems. Stems abbreviated, about 8 mm. or less long,<br />
entirely or very nearly enveloped by 2 tubular imbricating translucent<br />
sheaths. Leaf solitary, erect, oblanceolate or linear-oblanceolate,<br />
abruptly rounded above with a minutely tridenticulate tip, longnarrowed<br />
below, fleshy-coriaceous and rich green with purple spots<br />
in natural condition and revolute margins in the dried state, up to 18<br />
mm. long and 3.5 mm. wide when expanded, the mid-nerve being sulcate<br />
above and sharply carinate beneath in the dried specimen.<br />
Inflorescences filiform, 1-3 near the summit of the stem, usually<br />
more or less surpassing the leaf, 1- or loosely 3-flowered above.<br />
Flower small but large for the plant, thin and translucent in the<br />
dried specimen. Sepals and petals dull salmon-orange. Dorsal sepal<br />
strongly concave, narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, 3-nerved, about<br />
5 mm. long and 1.5 mm. wide when expanded. Lateral sepals similar<br />
to the dorsal sepal, obliquely and narrowly lanceolate, acuminate,<br />
shortly connate at the base, about 5 mm. long and 1 mm. wide.<br />
Petals obliquely linear- lanceolate, long-acuminate, 1-nerved, slightly<br />
shorter than the sepals, about 0.75 mm. side. Lip red, much<br />
smaller than the other segments, oblanceolate-oblong in natural<br />
position, acute, glabrous, with a pair of incurved triangular-rounded<br />
lateral lobules near the basal third, about 2.25 mm. long and 0.5 mm.<br />
wide above. Column stout, about 1.5 mm. long (Fig. 33).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1203736, epiphyte on tree<br />
on wooded slopes of Quebrada O-paru-ma, between Santa Teresita de<br />
Kavanaye'n and Rib Pacairao (tributary of Rib Mouak), state of<br />
Boh'var, alt. 1065-1220 m., November 20-21, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
60383.<br />
This little plant has several apparent allies. It differs from<br />
Pleurothallis barbulata Lindl. in having much larger sepals and<br />
petals and an eciliate lip. It has petals which are markedly unlike<br />
those of P. pertenuis C. Schweinf. and P. sarcophylla Reichb. f.<br />
Pleurothallis Steyermarkii C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov.<br />
Herba terrestris, magna. Caules approximati, longi, apice unifoliati.<br />
Folium ellipticum, apice abrupte acuminatum, infra longe an-
J86 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
gustatum, coriaceum. Inflore scentiae axillares, pendulae vel reflexae,<br />
pluri-vel multiflorae. Floras comparate parvi, bilabiati,<br />
atropurpurei. Sepala membranacea. Sepalum dorsale lanceolatum vel<br />
ovato-lanceolatum, acuminatum. Sepala lateralia in laminam suborbicularem<br />
profunde concavam connata. Petala oblongo-lanceolata,<br />
longe acuminata, in positu natural! leviter incurva. Labellum<br />
parvum, in circuitu triangulari-ovatum, in positu natural! trilobatum<br />
cum lobis lateralibus basalibus obovato-semiorbicularibus et lobo<br />
terminal! triangular! acuminate. Columna parva.<br />
Plant large. Rhizome apparently abbreviated. Roots fibrous,<br />
pubescent, filiform, numerous. Stems approximate, rather slender,<br />
clothed in the lower part with about three distant close tubular<br />
sheaths which are evanescent in course of development, 41.5-65 cm.<br />
or more long (incomplete in the longest specimen), unifoliate at the<br />
apex, very rarely superposed. Leaf elliptic, abruptly acuminate with<br />
a tridenticulate tip and produced mucro, long-narrowed to a more or<br />
less petioled base, coriaceous, 15 - about 23 cm. long (longest blade<br />
incomplete), 5-7.1 cm. wide. Inflorescences axillary, one or two,<br />
nodding or recurved, subdensely several- to many-flowered, much<br />
shorter than the leaf, about 11 cm. or less in length. Floral bracts<br />
narrowly infundibuliform, abruptly acute. Flowers relatively small,<br />
deep wine-purple, bilabiate. Sepals membranaceous. Dorsal sepal<br />
lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, concave, 3-nerved, about<br />
11 mm. long (tip incomplete), 4 mm. wide when expanded. Lateral<br />
sepals entirely connate into a deeply concave suborbicular lamina<br />
which is 6-nerved, about 10 mm. long and wide when partially expanded,<br />
subacute at the apex. Petals oblong-lanceolate, longacuminate,<br />
lightly incurved in natural position, rather fleshy, 3-<br />
nerved, about 10 mm. long and 2 mm. wide below. Lip relatively<br />
small, triangular -ovate in outline, abruptly re flexed at the base,<br />
3-lobed in natural position with obovate-semiorbicular lateral lobes<br />
and triangular acuminate mid-lobe, subentire when expanded, deeply<br />
cordate at base, about 4.1 mm. long from the basal margin of a<br />
lateral lobule to the tip of the lip and subequally wide below; disc<br />
with a pair of nipple-shaped call! in the center of the base. Column<br />
short and stout, about 2 mm. high at the back, with a very short foot<br />
in front (Fig. 34).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1221987, isotype in Herb.<br />
Ames no. 64843, rich woods near and bordering Quebrada de Palmar,<br />
at foot of Pa'ramo de Tama', 2 kms. above Betania and 7 kms. above<br />
Villapaez, state of Tachira, alt. 2500 m., July 14, 1944, Julian A.<br />
Steyermark 57246, "leaves dark green above and dull green beneath,<br />
stems erect, dull green mottled with dark purple".<br />
This species appears to be allied to the Ecuadorian Pleurothalli*<br />
antennifcra Lindl., but lacks the abbreviated upper stem-member, has<br />
shorter racemes and broader petals.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 187<br />
PLEUROTHALLIS<br />
Sieyerrruvrkii<br />
FIGURE 34<br />
Pleurothallis Steyermarkii. 1, Upper portion of plant (X 3/5); 2,<br />
Basal portion of plant (X 2/3); 3, Flower, from the side (X 3);<br />
4, Petal (X 3); 5, Lip from above (X 6); 6, Lip from the side (X 6).
188 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Pleurothallis sub til is C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov.<br />
Herba mediocris, epiphytica. Rhizoma abbreviatum. Caules<br />
secundarii approximati, graciles, a basi decumbent! suberecti, apice<br />
unifoliati. Folium lineare, apice abrupte tridentatum, basi cordatum,<br />
coriaceura, marginibus revolutis. Inflorescentiae azillares, uniflorae,<br />
singulae vel plures. Flores perparvi, flavidi, glabri. Sepalum<br />
dorsale valde concavum, suborbiculari-ovatum, obtusum. Sepala<br />
lateralia in laminam concavam suborbicularem, apice bidentacam<br />
connata. Petala falcata, oblongo-lanceolata. Labellum ovatum,<br />
obtusum, valde incrassatum, basi abrupte reflezum et a latere visum<br />
sigmoideum. Columna valde arcuata, supra dilatata.<br />
Plant medium-sized, epiphytic, apparently caespitose. Roots<br />
fibrous, filiform, glabrous, numerous. Secondary stems very variable<br />
in size, numerous, slender, rigid, suberect from a decumbent base,<br />
1-leaved at the apex, enveloped below by one to three close tubular<br />
evanescent sheaths, up to 19 cm. long. Leaf commonly horizontally<br />
spreading or reflexed, linear, narrowed above to an abrupt minutely<br />
tridentate apex of which the middle tooth is produced into a conspicuous<br />
mucro, cordate at the base, coriaceous with strongly revolute<br />
margins, very variable in size, up to 12.7 cm. long and about 8<br />
mm. wide when expanded. Inflorescences axillary, abbreviated, 1-<br />
flowered, solitary or several (up to 7), enclosed by an evanescent<br />
concave spathe. Flower very small, bilabiate, glabrous, with sepals,<br />
petals and column pale yellow and lip deep yellow. Sepals concave.<br />
Dorsal sepal suborbicular-ovate, obtuse, 3-nerved, about 3.5 mm.<br />
long and 2.5 mm. wide when forcibly expanded. Lateral sepals<br />
connate into a suborbicular lamina which is bidentate at the apex,<br />
4-nerved, and slightly shorter but broader than the dorsal sepal.<br />
Petals falcate, oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, 1-nerved, with slightly<br />
irregular margins, about 3*3 mm. long and 1 mm. wide. Lip ovate,<br />
very fleshy, obtuse, abruptly reflexed at the base and sigmoid in<br />
natural position when viewed from the side, cordate at the base when<br />
viewed from the front, about 2 mm. long and 1.5 mm. wide. Column<br />
strongly arcuate, abruptly dilated above (Fig. 35).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1206354, isotype in Herb.<br />
Ames no. 64845, rich forest on slopes near summit of Cerro San Isidro,<br />
above La Carbonera, state of Merfda, alt. 2430-2475 m., April 22,<br />
1944, Julian A. Steyermark 56030, "epiphyte on Ladenbergia undata,<br />
leaves dull blue green above and paler beneath".<br />
This species differs from the Bolivian Pleurothallis scleropus<br />
Schltr. in having smaller flowers with dissimilar sepals. It is ^egetatively<br />
similar to the narrow-leaved form of the Peruvian P. juninensis<br />
Schltr.<br />
Octomeria rhizomatosa C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov.<br />
Herba epiphytica, pro genere alta et rigida. Rhizoma repens,<br />
elongatum ut videtur. Caules secundarii graciles, apice unifoliati,
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 189<br />
PLEIIROTHALLIS<br />
a<br />
suMiis<br />
FIGURE 35<br />
Pleurothallis subtilis. 1, Plant (X 3/5>, 2, Flower, three-quarter<br />
view (X 6); 3, Lip from the side and from above (X 10); 4, Petal<br />
(X6).
190 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
tri- vel quadriarticulati ec vaginis pluribus tubulatis arete omati.<br />
Folia perangusta, oblongo- vel elliptic o-linearia, apice acuto minute<br />
tridenticulata, basi breviter petiolata. Inflorescentiae abbreviatae,<br />
uniflorae, subaxillares, in fascicule utroque flores plures ut videtur.<br />
Flores parvi, membranacei, flavidi, glabri. Sepala petalaque persimilia,<br />
elliptico-lanceolata, acuminata, trinervia. Labellum multo<br />
brevius, infra medium trilobatum, cum lobis lateralibus parvis,<br />
rotundacis, suberectis et lobo intermedio multo majore, apice acuto<br />
vel tridentato. Columna parva, leviter arcuata.<br />
Plant epiphytic, tall for the genus. Rhizome creeping, apparently<br />
elongate, entirely concealed by close tubular sheaths which waste<br />
away during development. Roots fibrous, filiform, glabrous, apparently<br />
growing in scattered clusters. Secundary stems slender, 1-<br />
leaved at the apex, up to 2 cm. apart on the rhizome, subparallel with<br />
the rhizome or growing at a right angle from a decumbent base, 3- to<br />
4-jointed, adorned at intervals with three to five close tubular evanescent<br />
sheaths, about 8-20 cm. long. Leaf rigidly erect or ascending,<br />
short-petioled; lamina oblong-linear or elliptic-linear, acute with<br />
a minutely tridenticulate apex, cuneate below, 11.7-19.5 cm. long, up<br />
to 1 cm. wide; petiole sulcate, about 7 mm. long. Inflores censes<br />
subaxillary, abbreviated, 1-flowered, apparently with several flowers<br />
in each fascicle. Flowers small, membra naceous, glabrous, with<br />
creamy yellow sepals and petals and pale yellow lip. Dorsal sepal<br />
elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, 3-nerved, about 8.4 mm. long and 2.5<br />
mm. wide. Lateral sepals free, very similar to the dorsal sepal but<br />
slightly narrower (1.5 mm. wide), slightly oblique. Petals ellipticlanceolate,<br />
acuminate, about 7 mm. long and 2.2 mm. wide, 3-nerved,<br />
Lip much shorter than the other segments, oblong-obovate in outline<br />
in natural position, 3-lobed below the middle, about 3*7 mm. long and<br />
2 mm. across the lateral lobes when expanded, cuneate at base,<br />
pandurate-constricted on each side in the middle, acute and unequally<br />
3-angled or tridentate in front; lateral lobes relatively very<br />
small, erect-incurved in natural position, rounded; disc with a pair<br />
of short distant keels extending from the middle of the lateral lobes<br />
to the dilated portion of the middle lobe. Column relatively small,<br />
gently arcuate, slightly narrowed above, about 2 mm. long at the<br />
back (Fig. 36).<br />
Type in herb. Ames no. 64842, isotype in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist.<br />
Mus., no. 1207006, along Quebrada Sororopan, between Santa Teresita<br />
de Kavanayen and Rio Tek-Yunsen, state of Bolivar, alt. 1375<br />
m., December 3, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60830; cotype collected<br />
on forested sandstone south-facing slopes between plateau portion<br />
and "Cave Camp", Ptari-tepui, alt. 1700-1800 m., November 1, 1944,<br />
Julian A. Steyermark 59703, "leaves deep green above and paler<br />
green beneath, flowers (buds) greenish yellow".<br />
Another collection (Steyermark 59703), while furnishing only young<br />
buds, apparently represents this species.<br />
It differs in having some
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 191<br />
OCTOMERIA<br />
FIGURE 36<br />
Octomeria rhizomatosa. 1, Plant (X 1/3); 2, Flower, from the side<br />
(X 3); 3, Petal (X 3); 4, Dorsal sepal (X 3); 5, Lateral sepal (X 3);<br />
6, Lip from above (X 7); 7, Column and lip from the side (X 7).
192 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
times greater intervals between the stems (up to nearly 3 cm.) and<br />
sometimes broader leaves (up to 1.2 cm. wide).<br />
This species seems to be allied to the Colombian Octomeria longifolia<br />
Schltr., but has larger flowers with acuminate sepals and petals<br />
and a differently proportioned lip.<br />
Acineta alticola C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov.<br />
Herba robusta, saxicola, caespitosa. Pseudobulbi plusminusve<br />
ovoidei, apice tri-vel quadrifoliati. Folia elliptico-lanceolata vel<br />
oblonga, acuta vel saepius acuminata, plica ta. Inflorescentia
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 193<br />
ACINETA<br />
aCticoCa,<br />
C,<br />
FIGURE 37<br />
Acineta alticola. 1, Plant (X 1/6); 2, Flower, from the side (X 2/3 >,<br />
3, Petal (X 2/3); 4, Column and lip from the side, natural size;<br />
5, Lip from above, natural size.
194 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
triangular with upcurved sides and subacute apex in natural position,<br />
broadly ovate if forcibly flattened, "pointed with inrolled margins";<br />
deep yellow disc between the lateral lobes with a high subquadrate<br />
fleshy purple callus and a small irregularly subglobose callus just<br />
in front. Column relatively slender but gradually bialate toward the<br />
apex, arcuate, whitish above and greenish white and "lightly pubescent"<br />
below, about 2 cm. high (Fig. 37).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., nos. 1203742, 1203744, isotype<br />
in Herb. Ames no. 64855, along base of east-facing high sandstone<br />
bluffs, Ptari-tepui^ state of Bolivar, alt. 2410-2450 m., November 7,<br />
Julian A. Steyermark 59922,<br />
This species appears to be quite distinct from all of the other<br />
Acinetas noted by reason of the relatively shallow sinus between the<br />
lateral and middle lobes of the lip and by its abbreviated not spatulate<br />
middle lobe.<br />
Zygopetalum Tatei X. & S. var. angustilabium C. Schweinfurth,<br />
var. nov.<br />
Herba v aria bills, pseudobulbis brevioribus et nunc latioribus unifoliatis<br />
atque la belli epichilio multo angustiore a specie differt.<br />
Plant epiphytic, very variable, closely similar to the species.<br />
Pseudobulbs cylindric (as in the species) to ellipsoid or complanatesubglobose,<br />
up to 3 cm. long (instead of 3.6-6 cm. long in the<br />
species), unifoliate (not bifoliate). Scape about 13.5 cm. or less<br />
long (instead of 35 cm. or more long), 1- (rarely) or loosely 2-flowered<br />
above. Flowers about as large as those of the species except for<br />
the epichile of the lip which is ovate or rhombic-ovate and acuminate<br />
(instead of abruptly apiculate) about 1.9 cm. long and only 1.3 cm.<br />
wide (instead of 2.3-2.8 cm. wide in the species).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1203947, isotype in Herb.<br />
Ames no. 64861, epiphyte on branch, summit of Carrao-tepui, state of<br />
Bolivar, alt. 2470-2500 m., December 7, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
60909, "sepals and petals pale yellow or olive green with pale<br />
brown transverse bands, lip white with purple above and on crest,<br />
column rich yellow with magenta on margin and magenta streaks<br />
within"; same locality and date, epiphyte on trunk of Bonnetia<br />
Roraimae, "leaves coriaceous, dark green above and dull green beneath,<br />
sepals and petals orange-brown, lip white with dull brown at<br />
base, column dull orange", Steyermark 60908; same locality and<br />
date, "leaves dark green, lip creamy yellow, column pale grass<br />
green", Steyermark 60910.<br />
Maxillaria condensata C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov.<br />
Herba epiphytica, ramosa, late patens. Caules graciles, vetustiores<br />
remote pseudobulbiferi, panes juniores cum vaginarum foliiferarum<br />
disticharum imbricantium fasciculis. Folia parva, variabilia,<br />
saepissime elliptica vel oblonga, crassa ut videtur. F lores parparvi,<br />
e vaginarum axillis exorientes. Sepalum dorsale elliptico-oblongum,
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA 195<br />
FIGURE 38<br />
Maxillaria condensata. 1, Plant (X 3/5); 2, Flower from the front,<br />
expanded with the lip detached (X 2>, 3, Lip, three-quarter view<br />
(X4).
196 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
acutum. Sepala lateralia falcato-oblonga, acuta. Petala oblanceolato-linearia,<br />
acuta. Labellum in partes duas divisum; pars basalis<br />
columnae parallela, tubulari-concava, expansa elliptica; pars anterior<br />
leviter convexa, ovato-subquadrata, apice profunde bilobata.<br />
Columna conspicua, in pedem sensim producta.<br />
Plant epiphytic, sprawling. Stems irregularly much branched,<br />
slender, bearing pseudobulbs at more or less remote intervals, producing<br />
scattered fibrous, filiform, glabrous roots mostly beneath or<br />
in the vicinity of the pseudobulbs or among the remote strobiliform<br />
clusters of leaves on the younger parts; stem-members adorned with<br />
several short infundibuliform sheaths which are more or less distant<br />
and evanescent in age, up to 9.3 cm. long in our specimens. Pseudobulbs<br />
well-developed only on the older portions of the plant, narrowly<br />
ovoid to ellipsoid, unifoliate at the apex, about 1.5 cm. or less<br />
long and apparently surmounting abbreviated stems which are enveloped<br />
by several pairs of closely imbricating evanescent leafbearing<br />
sheaths. Upper portions of the stems producing short strobiliform<br />
clusters of several distichous, closely imbricating leafbearing<br />
sheaths. Leaves small, apparently fleshy, variable in size<br />
and shape, elliptic to oblong or linear, subacute to abruptly rounded<br />
with a minutely tridenticulate more or less oblique apex, up to 4.6<br />
cm. long, 3.5-8.5 mm. wide, sessile at the narrowed complicate base.<br />
Inflorescences abbreviated, 1-flowered, in the axils of leaf-bearing<br />
sheaths on the younger portions of the plant. Flowers very small on<br />
relatively elongate pedicels, with subfleshy segments. Sepals pale<br />
greenish yellow. Dorsal sepal elliptic-oblong, acute, 3 -nerved, about<br />
7 mm. long and 3 mm. wide. Lateral sepals obliquely oblong, lightly<br />
falcate, acute, 3-nerved or obscurely 5-nerved, about 7 mm. long and<br />
3 mm. wide. Petals oblanceolate-linear, acute, 3-nerved, about 6 mm.<br />
long and 1.3 mm. wide, maroon-purple or wine purple-red. Lip about<br />
as long as the other segments, with the lower half erect and parallel<br />
to the column and the anterior half recurved in natural position, pale<br />
yellow with dull lavender spots on anterior lobe; lower portion<br />
tubular-concave, broadly elliptic when expanded, minutely erose in<br />
front and extending onto the anterior portion; anterior portion lightly<br />
convex, ovate-subquadrate, deeply bilobed with overlapping lobules,<br />
the lateral margins slightly constricted above the middle and irregularly<br />
denticulate, provided with a conical tubercle beneath the apical<br />
indentation. Column prominent, arcuate, slightly dilated above,<br />
cream-colored, about 4 mm. high at the back, extended gradually into<br />
a conspicuous foot (Fig. 38).<br />
Type in Herb. Ames no. 64858, isotype<br />
Mus., no. 1206998, lower southeastern slopes of Carrao-tepuf, state<br />
of Bolivar, alt. 1675-1980 m., December 5-6, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
60873, "on dead mossy log".<br />
in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist.<br />
There do not appear to be any near allies of this species.<br />
The specific name is in allusion to the short crowded branches.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 197<br />
Maxillaria patula C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov.<br />
Herba robusta, alticola, ramosa. Caules crassi, saepius ramosi,<br />
plusminusve remote pseudobulbiferi. Pseudobulbi ovoidei vel anguste<br />
pyriformes, saepissime unifoiiati, basi vaginis foliiferis<br />
distichis obtecti. Folia oblongo-elliptica vel oblonga, apice rotundata,<br />
basi conduplicata sessilia. Inflorescenciae abbreviatae, uniflorae,<br />
ex bractearum axillis exorientes. Flores parvi, carnosi,<br />
aurantiaci. Sepala similia, concava, ovata, vel oblongo-ovata, acuta<br />
vel acuminata. Petala late oblonga, acuta. Labellura erectum et<br />
columnae parallelum, leviter sigmoideum, prope apicem distincte<br />
trilobatum; lobi laterales erecto- incurvi, semiobovati; lobus terminalis<br />
parvus, ovato-rotandatus. Columna parva, antice complanata,<br />
infra incrassata.<br />
Plant robust, with sprawling stems. Stems stout, usually loosely<br />
branched, bearing pseudobulbs at varying intervals; stem-members<br />
between the pseudobulbs 2-10 cm. long, several-jointed, the older<br />
ones naked, the younger ones more or less entirely concealed by<br />
approximate or imbricating infundibuliform sheaths, bearing scattering<br />
fibrous glabrous roots mostly beneath or in the vicinity of the<br />
pseudobulbs. Pseudobulbs ovoid to narrowly pyriform, 1- or rarely<br />
2-leaved at the apex, up to 3 cm. high, surrounded below by several<br />
(usually two or three) pairs of distichous imbricating leaf-bearing<br />
sheaths, the blades being successively larger upward. Leaves<br />
elliptic-oblong to oblong, rounded above with a somewhat unequally<br />
bilobed and apiculate tip, sessile with a cuneate conduplicate base,<br />
up to 7 (rarely 9.2) cm. long and 1.5 cm. wide, coriaceous. Inflorescences<br />
rising singly from the axils of the clustered bracts on<br />
the younger apical portions of the stems, abbreviated, 1-flowered.<br />
Flowers campanula te in natural position, fleshy, vermilion-orange<br />
with orange-yellow to golden lip and column. Dorsal sepal concave,<br />
ovate or oblong-ovate, acute (acuminate in natural position), about<br />
10 mm. long and 5.6 mm. wide when expanded. Lateral sepals very<br />
similar but slightly longer and narrower than the dorsal sepal, lightly<br />
oblique. Petals broadly oblong, acute, about 7.2 mm. long and 3 mm.<br />
wide. Lip continuous with the column, upcurved and parallel to the<br />
column in natural position, very fleshy, lightly sigmoid, about 7.1<br />
mm. long, sharply 3-lobed near the apex, oblong when viewed from<br />
above; lateral lobes erect-incurved, relatively elongate, semiobovate<br />
from a cuneate base, with a rounded free terminal portion; mid-lobe<br />
much smaller, ovate-rotundate ,<br />
rounded above with a conical mucro<br />
beneath; disc with a broad central thickening extending from the base<br />
nearly to the apex of the upcurved lateral lobes. Column short,<br />
stout, about 4 mm. high at the back, with the lower portion gradually<br />
dilated into a short stout foot (Fig. 39)*<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1206446, isotype in Herb.<br />
Ames no. 64859, between headwaters of Rio Colorado and summit of<br />
southern peak, Cerro Turumiquire, state of Sucre, alt. 2200-2400 m.,
198 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
MAXILLARIA<br />
FIGURE 39<br />
Maxillaria patula. 1, Plant (X 3/5); 2, Flower from the side, (about<br />
X 1-1/2); 3, Flower from the front, expanded with the lip detached<br />
(X 2>, 4, Lip, three-quarter view (X 4).
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 199<br />
May 7, 1945, Julian A. Steyermark 62650, "leaves deep olive green<br />
above and dull green beneath".<br />
This species is habitally very similar to the West Indian Maxillaria<br />
croceorubens (Reichb. f.) L. O. Wms. (Ornithidium croceorubens<br />
Reichb. .) but the petals and lip are very different.<br />
Oncidium diffusum C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov.<br />
Herba epiphytica, venusta. Rhizoma abbre via turn. Pseudobulbi<br />
aggregati, ovoidei vel anguste ovoidei, valde complanati ut videtur,<br />
apice unifoliati. Folium la nee ola to-elliptic urn, acutum, in petiolum<br />
brevem sulcatum angustatum, membranaceum. Inflorescentia lateralis,<br />
pendula, diffusa, perlaxe paniculata cum ramis laxe paucifloris.<br />
Flores parvi, segmentis patentibus. Sepalum dorsale oblanceolatospathulatum,<br />
infra longe angustatum. Sepala lateralia similia sed<br />
majora, omnino libera, oblique spathulata, basi longe et anguste<br />
unguiculata. P eta la obovato-spathulata, quam sepala breviora sed<br />
latiora. Labellum suborbiculari-ovatum, basi cord a turn, supra conspicue<br />
constrictum lobulum subquadratum retusum formans; discus<br />
basi medio cum callo conspicuo apice tridentato ornatus. Columna<br />
brevis, utrinque ala lata transverse oblonga praedita.<br />
Plant epiphytic, graceful. Rhizome apparently abbreviated. Roots<br />
fibrous, filiform, glabrous, numerous. Pseudobulbs crowded, ovoid<br />
or narrowly ovoid, unifoliate at the apex, apparently strongly complanate,<br />
about 3.7 cm. or less long, surrounded at base by one or<br />
more pairs of distichous leaf-bearing sheaths which are evanescent<br />
as the plant develops. Leaf petioled; lamina lanceolate-elliptic,<br />
acute, cuneate below, membranaceous, about 13 cm. or less long and<br />
2.6 cm. or less wide; petiole conduplicate, about 2 cm. or less long.<br />
Inflorescence lateral, elongate, very loosely paniculate, diffuse,<br />
pendent (detached in our specimen), apparently over 70 cm. long;<br />
branches short, about 5-8 cm. apart, loosely few-flowered, with<br />
slender fractiflex rachis. Bracts ovate, concave, acuminate with<br />
prominent mid-nerve. Flowers small for the genus, with widely<br />
spreading segments. Dorsal sepal oblanceolate-spatulate, subacute<br />
at the recurved apex, long-narrowed to a very slender base, about<br />
9.2 mm. long and 3*4 mm. wide above. Lateral sepals similar, entirely<br />
free, obliquely spatula te, subacute with a recurved thickened<br />
apex, gradually narrowed to a long sulcate claw, about 11 mm. long<br />
and 3.9 mm. wide above. Petals obovate-spatulate, broadly rounded<br />
at the apex (sometimes with a short acute tip),<br />
narrowed to a short<br />
claw, about 7.9 mm. long and 5 mm. wide above. Lip suborbicularovate<br />
in outline, cordate at base, convex or reduplicate in natural<br />
position rather abruptly constricted in front to form a relatively small<br />
subquadrate terminal lobe which is bilobulate and apiculate, about<br />
7.8 mm. long in greatest length (from either side of the base to the<br />
apex) and 8 mm. wide below; disc provided through the basal central<br />
half with a conspicuous callus which is irregularly toothed above and<br />
terminates in three teeth of which the middle one is longest. Column
200 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
short, about 4 mm. high at the back, with a conspicuously beaked<br />
rosteUar process, provided above with a pair of broadly and transversely<br />
oblong petaloid wings and below with a pair of small refuse<br />
subquadrate plates (Fig. 40).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1204664, wooded quebrada<br />
in Montana of Ri'o Tachira at base of Paramo de Tama, between<br />
Betania and Tama, by Colombian-Venezuelan boundary, state of<br />
Bolivar, alt. 2430 m., July 13, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57180,<br />
"sepals and petals pafe yellow above, pale brown near base, lip<br />
pale yellow with pale brown blotches, crest of lip pale creamy<br />
yellow".<br />
This species seems to be allied to Oncidium pyramid ale Lindl.,<br />
but has a lax open panicle, a much narrower mid-lobe of the lip and<br />
very dissimilar column-wings.<br />
Lockhartia latilabris C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov.<br />
Herba epiphytica, caespitosa. Caules rigidi, simplices, foliorum<br />
basibus irabricatis oranino tecti. Folia numerosa, disticha, equitantia,<br />
triangulari-oblonga, breviter acuta, valde adscendentia. Inf<br />
lore scent iae perbreves, pauciflorae. F lores pro genere grandes,<br />
flavi. Sepala elliptico-ovata. P eta la majora, elliptic o-obovata,<br />
antice late rotundata. Labellum simplex, suborbiculari-reniforme,<br />
leviter retusum, marginibus irregulariter denticulatis; discus medio<br />
calloso-incrassatus. Columna perbrevis, crassa.<br />
Plant epiphytic, caespitose, medium-sized for the genus. Roots<br />
numerous, fibrous, glabrous, filiform, more or less branched. Stems<br />
straight, up to 17 cm. high, entirely concealed by the imbricating<br />
bases of the leaves. Leaves very numerous, distichous, equitant,<br />
triangular-oblong or triangular-lanceolate, strongly ascending, shortly<br />
acute, often slightly incurved above, up to 2.3 cm. long on the<br />
outer margin and 5.5 mm. wide across the base. Inflorescences<br />
apparently solitary in several of the upper leaf-axils, subequaling<br />
the leaves. Floral bracts broadly ovate, acuminate, amplexicaul<br />
below. Flowers large for the genus, raembranaceous, pale yellow,<br />
the lip being spotted with orange-brown toward the center. Dorsal<br />
sepal elliptic-ovate, subacute at the rounded apex, 3-nerved, about<br />
8.8 mm. long and 5 mm. wide. Lateral sepals similar but slightly<br />
broader, acute, concave below, slightly oblique. Petals larger than<br />
the sepals, elliptic-obovate, broadly rounded above, with slightly<br />
irregular margins, 3-nerved with the lateral nerves branching, about<br />
10.8 mm. long and 7 mm. wide. Lip simple, noticeably broader than<br />
long, suborbicular-reniform, concave, lightly refuse, with irregularly<br />
denticulate margins (except near the truncate basal portion), about<br />
10 mm. long on either side of the refuse center and 15 mm. wide;<br />
disc callose-thickened throughout the basal and central portions,<br />
the thickening appearing bilobed in the center and with lacerate<br />
margins. Column very short and stout with a semiovate wing having<br />
irregular margins on each side (Fig. 41).
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 201<br />
FIGURE 40<br />
Oncidium diffusum. 1, Plant (X 3/5); 2, Flower, three-quarter view<br />
(X 1-1/2); 3, Dorsal sepal (X 2>, 4, Petal (X 2); 5, Lateral sepal<br />
(X 2); 6, Column from the front, with wings expanded (X 2); 7, Lip<br />
from above (X 2).
202 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
LOCKHARXIA<br />
Caiifafrris (3. Oc<br />
FIGURE 41<br />
Lockhartia latilabris. 1, Plant (X 4/5); 2, Flower expanded, from<br />
the front (X J>\
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 203<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1203732, isotype in Herb.<br />
Ames no. 64848, at western end of Sororopan-tepui, Salto de Iwaracaru-meru,<br />
state of Bolivar, alt. 1615 m., November 15,1944, Julian A.<br />
Steyermark 60222, "epiphyte on tree trunk along stream above waterfall".<br />
The simple and unlobed lip of this species is distinctive from that<br />
of most Lockhartias, while the shape and the lack of any distinct<br />
keel appears to be unique.
204 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
PIPERACEAE 13<br />
Peperomia Steyermarkii Yuncker, sp. nov.<br />
stigmate apicali.<br />
A small delicate tufted glabrous terrestrial herb; stem com- or<br />
Herba parva glabra terrestris; caule tuberose; foliis suborbicularibus,<br />
8-10 mm. diametientibus, peltatis 5-nerviis; petiolo filiform! ad<br />
3.5 cm. longo; spicis 1 mm. crassis, 15-20 mm. longis; pedunculo<br />
filiformi 2-2.5 cm. longo; drupa globoso-ovoidea, stylo brevi subulaco;<br />
tuber-like, 3-4 mm. thick; leaves when living fleshy-membranous,<br />
deep green above, suffused with purplish with a pale green spot near<br />
the base in center and with pale green areolate veins radiating from<br />
this spot, silvery pale green or suffused with lavender beneath, suborbicular,<br />
8-10 mm. in diameter, peltate 2-4 mm. from the margin, with<br />
5 delicate anastomosing nerves from the petiole, drying very membranous,<br />
subpellucid; petioles filiform, up to 3.5 cm. long, pale<br />
greenish-white when living; spikes<br />
1 mm. thick x 15-20 mm. long<br />
when dry; peduncle filiform, often rose-lilac when growing, 2-2.5 cm.<br />
long, sometimes with a leaf about 1 cm. below the spike; bracts<br />
round-peltate; fruit globose-ovoid, black, verrucpse, about 0.8 mm.<br />
long, with a short subulate style; stigma apical.<br />
Type in herb. Chil Nat. Hist. Mus., collected at edge of cafetal,<br />
below limestone bluffs, Cerro de la Cueva de Dona Anita, south of<br />
and bordering valley of Caripe, state of Monagas, alt. 1200 m., April<br />
7, 1945, Julian A. Steyermark 61874.<br />
Piper Arbelaezii Trel. & Yun.,var. subglabrirameum Yuncker, var.nov.<br />
Frutex 3-4 m. altus; internodiis innovationum laeviter hirtulis mox<br />
glabrescentibus; spicis 12 mm. crassis, 70 cm. vel ultra longis;<br />
pedunculo 8-9 cm. longo, glabro; bracteis sub margine fimbriatis,<br />
dorso longe pilosis.<br />
Shrub 3-4 m. tall, planted at times for ornament; young internodes<br />
thinly hirtellous, quickly glabrescent; leaves subcoriaceous, deep<br />
green above, silvery green beneath; spikes creamy-white, recurveddro<br />
oping, 5-6 mm. thick in anthesis, 12 mm. in fruit, up to 70 cm. or<br />
more long; peduncle 8-9 cm. long, glabrous; bracts submarginally<br />
fringed, dorsally long-pilose. Otherwise as in the species.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected along Rio Zumbador<br />
and tributary, near base of Piedra Blanca, northeast of Bergantfn,<br />
state of Anzoategui, alt. 800-1000 m., March 1-2, 1945, Julian A.<br />
Steyermark 61298.<br />
13<br />
By T. G. Yuncker
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 205<br />
Piper bolivaranum Yuncker, sp. nov.<br />
Planta glabra vix pedalis; foliis anguste lance olatis, 10-17 mm.<br />
latis, 6-8 cm. longis, apice sensira acuminatis basi acutis, a tertio<br />
supero deorsum pinnatim venosis; petiole 2-10 mm. longo; spiels 3<br />
mm. crassis, 25 mm. longis; pedunculo filifonni, 10-12 mm. longo;<br />
bracteis trianguiari-subpeltatis anguste fimbriatis; drupa truncatotrigona;<br />
stigmatibus sessilibus.<br />
A small glabrous soft-wooded branching plant scarcely 30 cm. tall;<br />
internodes 1-3 cm. long; leaves membranous, deep green above, paler<br />
beneath, narrowly lanceolate, 10-17 mm. wide x 6-8 cm. long, apex<br />
gradually acuminate, base equilaterally acute, pinnate ly nerved below<br />
the upper third with about 3 ascending nerves on each side,<br />
loop-connected and joined to the midrib with numerous horizontal<br />
nervules, drying membranous, translucent, minutely pellucid-dotted;<br />
petiole 2-10 mm. long; peduncle filiform, 10-12 mm. long; bracts<br />
triangular-subpeltate, narrowly marginally fringed; fruit truncatetrigonous,<br />
granulate; stigmas 3, small, sessile.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on mossy-covered<br />
banks of streamlet on plateau near "Misia Kathy Camp", Ptari-tepui,<br />
state of Bolivar, alt. 1585 m., October 28, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
59468.<br />
Piper el-paramoense Yuncker, sp. nov.<br />
Frutex 2-3 m. altus; intemodiis superis parcius hirtulis; foliis<br />
ova to-elliptic is, 7-8 cm. latis, 14-15 cm. longis, apice acutis, basi<br />
oblique inaequilatera liter cordatis, iobis rotundatis quam petiole<br />
brevioribus, ad tertium superum pinnatim venosis, supra glabris,<br />
subtus ad venas hirtulis; petiolo 2-4 cm. longo subvilloso ad laminam<br />
vaginato-alato; spicis 4-5 mm. crassis, 11 cm. longis; pedunculo 2<br />
cm. longo pubescente; bracteis concavo-subcucullatis, margine brevifimbriatis;<br />
ovario ovoideo; stigmatibus sessilibus.<br />
A shrub 2-3 m. tall, upper internodes short and slender, sparingly<br />
hirtellous glabrescent; leaves when living spicy-fragrant, membra-^<br />
nous, dull green above, greenish-silvery beneath, elliptic -ovate, 7-8<br />
cm. wide x 14-15 cm. long, apex acute, base obliquely inequilaterally<br />
cordate with rounded lobes shorter than the petiole, sinus narrowly<br />
acute or closed with the lobes slightly overlapping, pinnate ly<br />
nerved to the upper third, the nerves 5 or 6 on each side, prominent<br />
beneath, slightly impressed above, with rather prominent crossconnecting<br />
and anastomosing nervules, drying somewhat membranous,<br />
translucent; petiole 2-4 cm. long, subvillous, vaginate-winged to the<br />
blade; spikes 4-5 mm. thick x 11 cm. long, nodding; peduncle slender,<br />
2 cm. long, pubescent; bracts concave-subcucullate, marginally<br />
short-fringed; ovary ovoid; stigmas 3, sessile.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected at El Paramo, northeast<br />
of Las Delicias, northeast of Caripe, state of Monagas, alt.<br />
1200-1450 m., April 13, 1945, Julian A. Steyermark 62038.
206 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Piper monagasense Yuncker, sp. nov.<br />
Frutex 5-6 m. altus; internodi is indumento conferto brunneo intertexto<br />
vestitis; foliis ovatis 13-16 cm. latis, 27-30 cm. longis, apice<br />
acutis, basi cordatis, lobis basalibus rotundatis approximatis<br />
obtegentibusve, supra secus venas villosis, subtus dense crispe<br />
villosis, a tertio supero deorsum pinnatim venosis; petiolo 4 cm.<br />
longo, indumento brunneo intertexto praedito, ad laminam vaginatoalato;<br />
spicis 7-8 mm. crassis, 35 cm. vel ultra longis; pedunculo<br />
3.5 cm. longo, pubescentia intertexta vestito; bracteis triangularisubpeltatis,<br />
conferte ad marginem firabriatis; ovario ovoideo, stigmatibus<br />
sessilibus.<br />
A shrub 5-6 m. tall; upper intemodes comparatively slender and<br />
elongated, densely matted brown-villous; leaves when living dark<br />
green with sulcate loose areolate nerves above, silvery-gray green<br />
beneath with raised nerves, ovate, 13-16 cm. wide x 27-30 cm. long,<br />
apex acute, base cordate, lobes rounded, approximate or overlapping,<br />
nearly equal or one lobe somewhat longer, pinnately nerved below<br />
the upper third, the nerves 6 or 7 on each side, submarginally loopconnected,<br />
with rather prominent cross-connecting and anastomosing<br />
nervules, villous above along the nerves, densely crisp-villous beneath,<br />
the hairs brown, drying coriaceous, opaque; petiole 4 cm.<br />
long, matted brown-villous, vaginate-winged to the blade; spikes<br />
pendent, 7-8 mm. thick x 35 cm. or more long in fruit; peduncle 3.5<br />
cm. long, matted-villous; bracts triangular-subpeltate, densely<br />
marginally fringed with brown hairs, the pedicel villous; ovary<br />
ovoid; stigmas 3, sessile.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on forested southwest-facing<br />
slopes of Cerro Negro, above La Sabana de Las Piedras,<br />
northwest of Caripe, state of Monagas, alt. 1500 m., April 5, 1945,<br />
Julian A, Steyermark 61853.<br />
Piper oparumaense Yuncker, sp. nov.<br />
Suffrutex 2-3 m. altus; intern odiis superis lenticulato-verrucosis,<br />
glabris; foliis ovatis, 17 cm. latis, 28-30 cm. longis, apice obtusis,<br />
basi inaequilatera liter cordatis, sinu obliquo clauso, venis subtus<br />
puberulis, ad quartum superum pinnatim venosis; petiolo 3 '5 cm.<br />
longo ad laminam vagina to-alato, lenticulato-verrucoso; spicis 1 x<br />
30 cm. magnis; pedunculo 2-3 cm. longis; bracteis rotundato- vel<br />
subtriangulari-subpeltatis; drupa oblonga subtetragona, apice paullo<br />
papillose; stigmatibus sessilibus.<br />
A soft-wooded subshrub 2-3 m. tall; upper intemodes moderately<br />
short and slender, lenticular-warty, glabrous; leaves when living<br />
subcoriaceous, deep green above, paler beneath, ovate, 17 cm. wide<br />
x 28-30 cm. long, apex obtuse, base inequilate rally cordate with<br />
oblique closed sinus, lobes rounded, the larger longer than and<br />
covering the petiole, pinnately nerved to the upper fourth, the nerves<br />
about 6 on eech side with 3 additional recurved nerves in the longer<br />
lobe, submarginally loop-connected in two series, with rather strong
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 207<br />
cross-connecting and anastomosing nervules, glabrous above, the<br />
nerves beneath puberulent, drying coriaceous, opaque; petiole 3-5<br />
cm. long, glabrous, vaginate-winged to the blade, lenticular-warty;<br />
spikes 1 cm. thick x 30 cm. or more long when mature; peduncle 2-3<br />
cm. long, glabrous; bracts rounded- or subtriangular-subpeltate,<br />
somewhat inflexed ventrally, papillate and brown-hairy on the ventral<br />
margin and pedicel; fruit oblong-subtetragonous, somewhat papillate<br />
at the apex; stigmas 3, sessile.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in lower portion of<br />
Quebrada O-paru-ma', tributary of Rio Pacairao, below Santa Teresita<br />
de Kavanayen, state of Bolivar, alt, 915-1065 m., November 25, 1944,<br />
Julian A, Steyermark 60548%<br />
Piper perlongivillosum Yuncker, sp. nov.<br />
Frutex nodosus 1 m. altus; internodiis superis indumento hirtulo<br />
cum pilis longioribus intermixto vestitis; foliis elliptico-subovatis,<br />
6-8 cm. latis, 18-21 cm. longis, apice subcaudatim acuminatis, basi<br />
subaequilatera liter rotundatis cordulatisve, venis subtus hirtulis,<br />
fere totis pinnatim venosis; petiolo ca. 5 mm. longo hirtulo-villoso;<br />
spicis 4 mm. crass is, 6 cm. vel ultra longis; pedunculo 2 cm. vel<br />
ultra longo; bracteis parvis subcucullatis apice triangulari-truncatis;<br />
fructu obovoideo bene angulato subalatove; stigmatibus sessilibus.<br />
A nodose shrub about 1 m. tall; upper intern odes short and slender,<br />
hirtellous intermixed with rather stiff hairs up to 3-4 mm. long;<br />
leaves when living rugose on both sides, dark dull green above,<br />
paler beneath, firmly membranous, elliptic-subovate, 6-8 cm. wide x<br />
18-21 cm. long, apex subcaudately acuminate, base subequilaterally<br />
rounded, cordulate, pinnate ly nerved throughout, the nerves 10-12 or<br />
more on each side, submarginally loop-connected, wkh shorter intermediates<br />
and cross-connecting anastomosing nervules, glabrous and<br />
somewhat depressed-punctate above, the nerves beneath staring<br />
hirtellous, the midrib with scattered long hairs, drying chartaceous,<br />
translucent, narrowly revolute; petiole stout, about 5 mm. long,<br />
hirtellous-villous; spikes 4 mm. thick x 6 cm. or more long, dull<br />
green when living, rather loosely flowered; peduncle slender, 2 cm:<br />
or more long, hirtellous-villous; bracts small, subcucullate wkh<br />
triangular-truncate apex, hispidulous; fruit obovoid, strongly angled<br />
or subalate, glabrous; stigmas small, sessile.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on southeasternfacing<br />
slopes along Cano Negro (tributary of Cano Iguapo), Cerro<br />
Duida, Territories Federal Amazonas, alt. 305-1095 m., August 25-26,<br />
1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57953.<br />
The rugose leaves, dimorphic hairs and strongly angular or somewhat<br />
winged fruit are distinctive characters of this species.<br />
Piper Steyermarkii Yuncker, sp. nov.<br />
Frutex scandens glaber epiphyticus; foliis ellipticis 3.5-6 cm.<br />
latis, 10-15 cm. longis, apice sensim acute acuminatis, basi aequi-
208 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
lateraliter acutis, a medio infero pinnatim venosis; petiolo ad 25 mm.<br />
longo ad medium et ultra vaginato; spiels 5 mm. crassis, 5 cm.<br />
longis; pedunculo viz 5 mm. longo; bracteis parvis rotundato-subpeltatis,<br />
conferte longeque pallido-fimbriatis; fructu subgloboso, brevistyloso.<br />
A climbing epiphytic glabrous nodose shrub; internodes slender,<br />
elongate; leaves subcoriaceous, deep glossy-green above, paler<br />
beneath, elliptic, 3.5-6 cm. wide x 10-15 cm. long, apex attenuately<br />
sharp-acuminate, base equilaterally acute, pinnate ly nerved from the<br />
lower half, the nerves 2-4 on each side or in large leaves with a<br />
faint fifth nerve near the base, the innermost pair connected with the<br />
midrib with shorter nerves upward, drying coriaceous, opaque, narrowly<br />
revolute; petioles up to 25 mm. long below, reduced upward,<br />
vaginate and narrowly winged to above the middle, drying somewhat<br />
corrugated; spikes white when in flower, pale green and 6-7 mm.<br />
thick in fruit when growing, 5 mm. thick x 5 cm. long when dry; peduncle<br />
scant 5 mm. long; bracts small, round-subpeltate, densely<br />
long pale-fringed; ovary ovoid, tapering into a short stout style;<br />
stigmas 3, small; fruit subglobose, somewhat granulate, glabrous.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on southeast-facing,<br />
steep wooded slopes just below dry ridge and shrubby growth, Ptaritepui,<br />
state of Bolivar, alt. 1585-1600 m., November 10-11, 1944,<br />
Julian A. Steyermark 59996.<br />
Piper subalpinum Yuncker, sp. nov.<br />
Suffrutex 1-2 m. altus; internodiis superis conferte retrorseque<br />
bmnnco-hirtulis; foliis lanceolato-ovatis, 5-7 cm. lads, 12-19 cm.<br />
longis, apice sensim acuminatis, basi aequilatera liter rotundatis,<br />
supra gkbris, venis subtus adpresse hirtulis, a medio deorsum<br />
pinnatim venosis; petiolo 5-15 mm. longo conferte hirtulo, ad laminam<br />
vaginato-alato; spicis 5 mm. crassis, 5 cm. longis; pedunculo 15 mm.<br />
longo hirtulo; bracteis triangulari-subpeltatis, margine fimbriatis;<br />
fructu subgloboso; stigmatibus sessilibus.<br />
A branching soft-wooded subshrub 1-2 m. tall; upper internodes<br />
slender and rather short, densely retrorsely brown-hirtellous; leaves<br />
when living subcoriaceous to firmly membranous, rugose, dark green<br />
above, dull paler green beneath, lance-ovate, 5-7 cm. wide x 12-19<br />
cm. long, apex gradually acuminate, base equilaterally rounded,<br />
pinnately nerved from below the middle, the nerves 4 on each side,<br />
impressed above, salient beneath, with prominent cross-connecting<br />
and anastomosing nervules, glabrous above, the nerves beneath<br />
appressed-hirtellous, drying coriaceous, subopaque, narrowly revolute;<br />
petiole from 5 mm. long above to 15 mm. long below, densely<br />
hirtellous, vaginate-winged to the blade; spikes erect-ascending, 5<br />
mm. thick x 5 cm. long; peduncle 15 mm. long, hirtellous; bracts<br />
triangular-subpeltate, marginally fringed; fruit subglobose; stigmas<br />
3, short, sessile.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 209<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on densely wooded<br />
slopes of narrow ridge between quebrada and summit, Sororopantepui',<br />
state of Bolivar, alt. 2130-2250 m., November 15, 1944, Julian<br />
A. Steyermark 60172.
210 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
MORACEAE l 4<br />
Cecropia kavanayensis Cuatr., sp. nov.<br />
Arbor ramulis scabris copiose hamato-pilosis. Folia mediocria<br />
coriacea peltata petiolata. Petiolus robustus striatus albicans adpresse<br />
villosus et minute arachnoideus, basi subtus pulvinum brunneum<br />
dense tomentosura incrassatus. Lamina palmata profunde (2/3)<br />
7-lobata, lobis subobovato-oblongis apice obtusis basi angustatis,<br />
margine incegra vel levissime sinuata; lobo maximo ab insertione<br />
petioli usque ad apicem 28 cm. longo et 15.5 cm. lato, lobo minimo<br />
12 cm. longo et 6.5 cm. lato, parte central! concrescenti 7-8 cm.<br />
radii; supra atroviridis conspectu glabra sed sparsissimis tenuissimis<br />
pilis araneosis munita, nervis primariis et secundariis conspicuis<br />
tertiariis transversis obsoletis superficie sub lente minutissime<br />
irreguliterque reticulato-alveolata vel rugulosa; subtus sericeocinerea<br />
nervis primariis crasso-eminentibus roseis laxe strigosis vel<br />
araneosis, nervis secundariis prominentibus roseis ascendentibus<br />
circa 1.5 cm. distantibus, laxe araneosis, tertiis transversis 2-3 mm.<br />
distantibus bene conspicuis, inter eos superficie dense cinereoarachnoideo-tomentosa.<br />
Inflorescentiae masculae geminatae. Pedunculus rigidus crassus<br />
valde brevis, dense tomentoso-hirsutus, 1-2 cm. longus. Spatha 8.5<br />
cm. longa, cylindrico-oblonga apice abrupte acutata breviter apiculata,<br />
extus dense albido-villosa intus glabra sed sparsissimis pilis<br />
arachnoideis visibilis. Amenta masculina circa 10 pedicellata, 4-6<br />
cm. longa maturitate in sicco 4-5 mm. crassa. Perianthium prismaticopyramidatum<br />
6 farium striatum 1.5 mm. longura, costis apiceque<br />
minute hirsutulum. Pedicelli robusti rigidi basi in ad modum annulum<br />
crassum 3-5 mm. ahum coaliti, parte libera crassa 3-7 mm. longa,<br />
breviter tomentulosi et hirsutuli.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on wooded slopes of<br />
Quebrada Oparu-ma', between Santa Teresita de Kavanayen and Rio<br />
Pacairo (tributary of Rio Mouak), state of Bolivar, alt. 1065-1220 m.,<br />
November 20-21, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 62754.<br />
This interesting species is related to C. obtusa Trecul., but differs<br />
from it chiefly by the smooth upper side of the leaves. The same<br />
character differentiates if from C. solanoensis Pitt. Other very<br />
typical features of C. kavanayensis are the short peduncles of the<br />
male inflorescences, the thick pedicels which are concrescent at the<br />
base, and the rigid, coriaceous leaves.<br />
Pourouma Steyerinarkii Standley et Cuatr., sp. nov.<br />
Arbor 14 m. alta. Ramuli subteretes pallido-virides cicatricibus<br />
stipularum annularis parum obliquis, cicatricibus foliorum depresso-<br />
14<br />
By Jose'Cuatrecasas
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 211<br />
ovatis 3-4 mm. lads, internodiis 1-1.5 cm. longis striolulatis hirsutis.<br />
Stipulae terminates caducae 3-4 cm. longa oblongo-lanceolata, subvilloso-hirsuta,<br />
subnitida.<br />
Folia integra parva alterna coriacea pet io lata. Petiolus 5-6 cm.<br />
longus angustus sed robustus basi apiceque subite incrassatus<br />
breviter denseque hirsutus patulus. Lamina ovato-acuminata basi<br />
obtuse cuneata apice breviter cuspidata, 8-12 cm. longa, 4-6.5 cm.<br />
lata, margine brevissime sinuata vel conspectu integra; supra viridis,<br />
in sicco viridi-grisea, scabra pilis cornicis acutis basi callosis<br />
copiosis et pilis simplicibus tenuis longioribus sparsissimis munita,<br />
costa conspicua hirsutula, nervis secundariis ascendentibus minus<br />
conspicuis, tertiariis obsoletis; subtus costa crassiuscule eminent!<br />
subsericeo-hirsuta, nervis secundariis 6-7 utroque latere ascendentibus<br />
angulo acuto prominentibus subsericeo-hirsutis submarginem<br />
angustioribus arcuato-anastomosatis, venulis transversis crebris<br />
prominulis subsericeis cum alteris venulis tenuioribus obsoletum<br />
reticulum formantibus, costa nervis venulisque subsericeo-hirsutis<br />
inter hos reliqua superficie pilis tenuibus arachnoideis tomentum<br />
cinereum formantibus tecta.<br />
Inflorescentiae femineae cymosae ad terminationes ramorum axillares<br />
longe pedunculatae pauciflorae. Pedunculi graciles sed ridigi<br />
dense hirsuti 4-5 cm. longi. Saepe 3 ramulis centrale unifloro lateralibus<br />
5-15 mm. longis crassiusculis hirsutis 3-4 flores ferentibus.<br />
Pedicelli crassi hirsuti breves 2 mm. longi. Perianthium femineum<br />
ova to-elliptic urn utriculosum 4 mm. longum, dense velutinum. Stigma<br />
peltato capitatum tomentosum. Capsula ovata apice acuta circa 12<br />
mm. longa, et 6 mm. lata, pericarpio coriaceo-lignoso, perianthio<br />
carnoso griseo-viridi eduli inclusa.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in the lower southfacing<br />
slopes of Mount Ptari-tepuf between Rio Karuai and first ridge<br />
above Rib Karuai, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., November 28, 1944,<br />
Julian A. Steyermark 60665, "tree 40 feet tall, leaves firmly membranaceous,<br />
deep green above, ,gray below, fruit gray green, edible".<br />
Local name:<br />
"caibari-cai-yek".<br />
This new species is well characterized by its small, entire, thinly<br />
coriaceous leaves which are cuneate at the base and acuminate at the<br />
apex; they are rough, scabrous on the upper side and cinereous beneath.<br />
P ourouma Steyermarkii is similar to P. Mildbraediana St. and<br />
P. umbellate St. of the Amazonian basin, but the above eked characters<br />
differentiate it from them. P ourouma Mildbraediana has larger,<br />
thicker, stronger nerved leaves which are cordate or rotundate at the<br />
base, and P. umbellata has smooth leaves on the upper side, which<br />
are larger and thicker with more numerous, a cute angled, and stronger,<br />
sericeous nerves beneath.<br />
Pourouma Cucura Standley and Cuatr., sp. nov.<br />
Arbor mediocris.<br />
Caulis 30 cm. diam. cortice badi vel grisei, sub-
212 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
laevi, ligno pallldo. Ramuli terminal! subteretes internodiis brevibus<br />
dense hispidis pilis longis rigidis patentibus siccitate flavis copiose<br />
obtectis. Folia simplicia alterna coriacea petiolata. Petiolus longus<br />
mediocriter robustus patulis leviter striatus copiosis pilis longis<br />
flavis patulis munitis, basi subite incrassatus, 4.5-8 cm. longus.<br />
Lamina ovata basi rotundata vel subtruncata vel obtusissime cuneata,<br />
apice late obtusa, margine leviter repando-crenata, 10-15 cm. longa,<br />
6.5-11.5 cm. lata, supra pallide viridis sublaevis longis pilis tenuis<br />
rectis basi minute callosulis sparsis munita, costa magis villosa et<br />
nervis secundariis conspicuis tertiariis obsoletis; subtus cinerea<br />
costa crasse elevata hirsute, nervis secundariis prominentibus 7-9<br />
utroque latere ascendentibus angulo acuto flavo-hirsutis prope marginem<br />
tenuioribus arcuatis anastomosatis, venulis transversis copiosis<br />
prominulis cum alteris tenuioribus in reticulo anastomosatis, pilos<br />
longos rigidos sparsos ferentibus et dense tomento lanato-araneoso<br />
reliquam laminam obtecto velatis. Stipulae subcoriaceae 3.5 cm.<br />
longa obtusiusculae densissime hirsuta.<br />
Inflorescentiae femineae paniculatae pluriforae axillares ad terminationes<br />
ramorum quam folia valde breviores. Pedunculus 4.5 cm.<br />
longus rigidus rectis patentibus dense longis sime hispid us. Ramuli<br />
1.5-5 mm. longi crassiusculi plus minusve flexuosi hirtuli. Pedicelli<br />
breviter hirsutuli crassiusculi recti vel arcuati, 2-4 mm. longi.<br />
Perianth ium femineum ovatum utriculosum breviter hirsutulum. Stigma<br />
capitatum tomentulosum subsessile. Capsula ovato-elliptica apice<br />
obtusa circa 9-10 mm. longa, 5-6 mm. lata, pericarpio coriaceolignoso,<br />
perianthio carnoso nigrescenti sapido inclusa.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected at Capihuara Casiquiare,<br />
Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 118 m., May 6, 1942,<br />
Llewelyn Williams 15812, "nom. vulg. Cucura. Arbol de tamano<br />
mediano o moderadamento alto con corona abierta; el tronco con<br />
varias raices superficiales o adventicias y el tronco cilindrico,<br />
erecto, 30 cm. diam., sin ramas por la mitad de la altura; la corteza<br />
de color castanb claro o grisaceo, algo lisa y el liber Colorado a<br />
obscuro; la madera tambie'n de color claro, moderadamente blanda y<br />
facil de cortar, el fruto ovoideo, de color oscuro, casi negro, contiene<br />
una pulpa comible y de sabor dulce; el liber exsuda resina de color<br />
oscuro o negruzco; hojas de color verde pa lido tirando a gris por<br />
debajo; en la selva de tierra firme en los chiquichiquiales".<br />
Pourouma Cucura is a well marked species distinguished chiefly<br />
by its long shaggy branchlets, petioles, and inflorescences.<br />
Coussapoa Steyermarkii Cuatr., sp. nov.<br />
Arbor epiphytica trunco circa 30 cm. diam. Ramuli brunnei-grisei<br />
juveniles dense tomentoso ferrugineo-hirsuti.<br />
Folia simplicia Integra alterna petiolata crasse coriacea. Petiolus<br />
robustus 10-15 mm. longus dense hirsutus, supra planiusculus subtus<br />
striatus apice subarticulatus. Lamina obovata basi obtuse cuneata
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 213<br />
apice obtusa vel rotundata margine laevis leviter revoluta, 4.5-9 cm.<br />
longa, 2.8-6.5 cm. lata; supra atro-viridis nitida, siccitate ochraceoviridula<br />
opaca, nervis raedio secundariisque argute impressis reliquis<br />
obsoletis; subtus luteolo-viridis nervis ferrugineis, in sicco ochraceo-ferruginea,<br />
nervo medio secundariisque 3-4 utroque latere, acute<br />
ascendentibus prope marginem arcuato anastomosatis valde crasse<br />
prominentibus, subsericeo-hirsutis ferrugineis, nervulis trans vers is<br />
satis crebris horizontalibus valde elevatis cum venulis minus prominulis<br />
reticulato-anastomosatis, copies is pilis longis simplicibus vel<br />
furcatis plus minusve patentibus et intricatis tecta. Stipula crassiuscula,<br />
acutiuscula 10 mm. longe densissime subsericeo-hirsuta.<br />
Inflorescentiae femineae 1-2-cephalae axillares, pedunculo 10-12<br />
mm. longo. Capitulis ad 4 mm. diametro globosis. Perianthium<br />
obovoideo-angulatum glabrum. Semina nitida.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on the southeastfacing<br />
slopes of Mount Ptari-tepui, state of Bolivar, ak. 1585-1600<br />
m., November 10-11, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60002a, "warembayek.<br />
Epiphytic tree with trunk 1 foot in diameter growing attached to<br />
trunk of 59999; leaves coriaceous, dark green and shining above with<br />
sulcate nerves, yellow green below with ferruginous nerves prominent<br />
below; stems, buds, petioles, and rachis ferruginous; flowers<br />
greenish."<br />
Number 60679 collected at Rio Karuai, 1220 m., alt., is sterile and<br />
probably represents the same species in spite of its leaves rotundate<br />
at the base.<br />
Number 60364 of Santa Teresita de Kavanayen is another form with<br />
larger and acute leaves, but also sterile.<br />
This species is typified by the hirsute-ferruginous branchlets and<br />
petioles and by its thick, coriaceous leaves which are hirsuteferruginous<br />
below.<br />
Coussapoa viridifolia Cuatr., sp. nov.<br />
Kami cortice griseo rugoso, valde juve-<br />
Arbor parva, 8 met. alta.<br />
niles ferrugineo-hirsuti.<br />
Folia simplicia Integra alterna petiolata coriacea. Petiolus 10-22<br />
mm. longus, rigidus pubescens subtus leviter striatus supra sulcatus.<br />
Lamina obovato-oblonga basi paulo angustata obtusissima, apice<br />
obtusa vel rotundata, margine laevis plana vel, in sicco, leviter revoluta,<br />
6-9 cm. longa, 3-5 cm. lata; supra viridis glabra, siccitate<br />
tabacinea, nervis medio secundariisque leviter impressis reliquis<br />
nervulis minutum reticulum prominulum formantibus; subtus costa<br />
crasse elevata, nervis secundariis prominentibus 5 utroque latere,<br />
angulo acuto ascendentibus prope marginem tenuioribus arcuatoanastomosatis,<br />
nervulis transversis prominulis, venulis minus<br />
elevatis reticulum minutum gracilem formantibus, nervs parce pubescentibus<br />
reliqua glabra. Stipulae breves villoso-hirsutae 4-7<br />
mm. longae.
214 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Inflorescentiae masculae axillares subterminales cymoso-paniculatae<br />
2.5-4 cm. longae pluriflorae, pedunculis tenuibus rigidis paculis<br />
15-25 mm. longis tomentuloso-puberuli, ramulis elongatis brachiatis<br />
graciles saepe 2-fvircatis, 8-5 mm. longis, coraentellis. Pedicelli 2-7<br />
mm. longi graciles tomentelli. Capitula globosa 2.5-3 mm. diam.<br />
fulva. Sepala facie glabra margine ciliata. Antherae maturicate<br />
subezsertae.<br />
Type in herb. ChL Nat. Hist. Mus., collected along mesa escarpment<br />
between Santa Teresita de Kavanaye'n and wooded quebrada<br />
about 8 kms. northwest of Kavanayen, alt. 1220 m. f November 23,<br />
1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60456, "small tree 25 feet tall; leaves<br />
subcoriaceous, rich deep green above, pale green below; flowers<br />
buff-brownish, sap slightly milky".<br />
This species is well characterized by its small obovate-oblong,<br />
subcoriaceous leaves which are obtuse at both ends, and glabrous<br />
except on the slightly hirtellous principal nerves beneath.<br />
The most similar species, C. orthoneura St., and C, cuneata Miq.,<br />
have thicker, larger, more or less acuminate leaves, not reticulate<br />
nerved; in this last species the male capitules are smaller too.<br />
Coussapoa viridifolia var.<br />
tenuifolia Cuatr., var. nov.<br />
Lamina foliorum membranacea obovato-oblonga basi obtusa apice<br />
rotundata breviter emarginata, 4-8 cm. longa, 2-4 cm. lata pallide<br />
viridis, nervis principalibus subtus parce hirtulis reliqua glabra, non<br />
elevato-reticulata.<br />
Inflorescentiae femineae cymulis 1-2-cephalis, pedunculis 6-10<br />
mm. longis, capitulis 2 mm. lads, perianthio glabro, stigmate penicillati<br />
exserto.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on Cerro Duida, on<br />
the southeastern-facing slopes along Cano Negro (tributary of Cano<br />
Iguapo), alt. 305-1095 m., August 25-26, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
57955, "tree 40 feet tall; leaves firmly membranaceous, pale grass<br />
green above, pale green below; inflorescence pale green*'.<br />
This variety of C. viridifolia substantially differs by its slightly<br />
smaller, more slender leaves which do not have an elevated venosereticulum,<br />
and by the shorter inflorescences; these, being feminine,<br />
cannot be compared with those of the typical species.<br />
Coussapoa Williams!! Cuatr., sp. nov.<br />
Arbor parva terrestris vel epiphytica. Ramuli subteretes virides,<br />
in sicco brunnescenti.<br />
Folia simplicia integra alterna petiolata coriacea. Petiolus 3*5-5<br />
cm. longus glaber striatus. Lamina subobovato-oblonga basi attenuata<br />
obtusa apice angustata cuspidata, margine levissime crenatosinuata<br />
vel laevis leviter revoluta, 10-13 cm. longa, 4-7 cm. lata;<br />
supra in sicco luteolo-viridula vel brunnescens, glabra costa promi-
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 215<br />
nula nervis secundariis notatis, superficie minutissime rugulosoreticulata<br />
punctate depressa vel adultioribus sublaevi; subtus costa<br />
crassa elevata striata parce puberula, nervis secundariis 5-7 utroque<br />
latere prominentibus ascendentibus ad marginem curvato anastomosatis,<br />
parce puberulis vel in adultis glabris, nervulis transversis<br />
subimmersis depressis tenuiter conspicuis inter eos venulis minutum<br />
reticulum subtus microscopium visibilera formantibus , epiderrao inter<br />
lineas reticulorum minute bullato-elevato et praecipue in statu juvenile<br />
minutissime hirtula adultiore glabra. Stipulae cylindraceolanceolatae<br />
2.5 cm. longae acutae pubescentes.<br />
Inflorescentiae masculae cymoso-paniculatae pluriflorae, axillares<br />
subterminales 3-4 mm. longae, pedunculo tenui puberulo ramulis<br />
divaricatis plus minusve flexuosis puberulis vel tomentellis, pedicellis<br />
teneribus 1-4 mm. longis. Capitula subglobosa 2-3 mm. lata.<br />
Perianthium glabrescente apice minute sparseque puberulum. Antherae<br />
subexsertae.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in the Upper Orinoco<br />
river at Esmeralda, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 143 m., May<br />
14, 1942, Llewelyn Williams 15240 & 15363.<br />
Closely related to C. cuneata Miq., which has thicker, coriaceous<br />
leaves, toraentulose or arachnoid beneath, smaller male capitules,<br />
longer pedicels, and long exserted anthers. Coussapoa cornifolia<br />
Standl. has the under side of the ovate acute leaves tomentulose,<br />
somewhat smaller capitules, and exserted anthers. Coussapoa<br />
orthoneura Standl. has more acute ascending nerves of the leaves,<br />
smaller male capitules, and different structure of the epidermis of<br />
the lower side of the leaf, which is more or less tomentulose and<br />
arachnoid, although in the old state can be nearly glabrous, but, by<br />
means of a microscope, the epidermis is seen to consist of minute<br />
spreading hairs with rather depressed alveoles between the reticulum.<br />
The more lanceolate stipules, which are only slightly pubescent,<br />
differentiate C.Williamsii from the above cited species.<br />
Pseudolmedia rigida (Kl. & Karst.) Cuatr., comb. nov.<br />
Olmedia rig id a Klotsch & Karsten. Linnaea 20: 524. 1847.<br />
MONAGAS: forested southwest-facing slopes of Cerro Negro,<br />
above La Sabana de las Piedras, northwest of Caripe, alt. 1500 m.,<br />
April 5, 1945, Julian A Steyermark 61846, "tree 80 feet tall; wood<br />
very hard; latex creamy-yellow; leaves chartaceous-subcoriaceous,<br />
dark green and shining above, dull green below". ANZOATEGUI:<br />
forested slopes of Montana de las Palomas, tributary of Rio Never/,<br />
between "Carmelita" and "Natalia", northeast of Bergantin, alt.<br />
900-1000 m., March 23, 1945, Steyermark 61447, "tree 25 feet tall;<br />
leaves chartaceous-firmly membra naceous, dark green above, dull<br />
green below; flowers dull green". Headwaters of Rio Maravilla,<br />
slopes of Fila Grande between Los Chorros and Cerro Negro, east of<br />
Bergantin, alt. 900-1400 m., March 23, 1945, Steyermark 61714, "tree
216 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
30 feet tall, slender with oblong shape; leaves firmly membranaceouschartaceous,<br />
deep green above, dull pale green below".<br />
Local name:<br />
"chara".<br />
Pile a venosa Killip, nom. nov.<br />
URTICACEAE 15<br />
Pilea succulenta Wedd. Arch. Mus. Hist. Nat. [jParis ] 9: 256.<br />
1856, not Hook, f., 1847.<br />
MoNAGAS: Cerro de la Cueva de Dona Anita, valley of Caripe, alt.<br />
1100 m., Julian A. Steyermark 61896. ANZOATEGUI: confluence of<br />
Rio Leon with Ri'o Zumbador, northeast of Berganti'n, alt. 400-500 m.,<br />
Steyermark 61215 ("guritoto Colorado").<br />
This species was based upon Funck's 145, and in my revision of<br />
the Andean species of Pilea (Contr. U.S. Nat. Herb. 26: 509. 1939)<br />
was tentatively treated as a synonym of P. mollis Wedd., a plant of<br />
north-central Venezuela. The type locality was given by Weddell as<br />
"In terras caracasanis, prope Gucharosa" in the "Archives" and as<br />
"In ditione Caracas, prope Guacharos" in DC. Prodromus 16, pt. 1:<br />
150. In all probability this is Guacharo, situated in Monagas, between<br />
the Cerro Turumiquire and Caripe. Steyermark's material<br />
shows that this species is clearly distinct from P. mollis. The<br />
stipules are larger and more persistent than in P. mollis; the cystoliths,<br />
though slenderer, are far more numerous; and the pedicels of<br />
the staminate flowers are proportionately shorter.<br />
15<br />
By E. P. Killip
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 217<br />
PROTEACEAE<br />
Euplassa Glaziovii (Mez) Steyerm., comb. nov.<br />
Adenostephanus Glaziovii Mez, in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. 30, Beibl. 27:<br />
10. 1890.<br />
Euplassa obversiflora (Mez) Steyerm., comb. nov.<br />
Adenostephanus obversiflorus Mez, in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. 30, Beibl.<br />
27: 9-10. 1890.<br />
Euplassa saxicola (Schultes) Steyerm., comb. nov.<br />
Roupala saxicola Schultes, Leafl. Bot. Mus. Harv. Univ. 13: no.<br />
10: 300-301. 1949.<br />
The pinnately compound alternate leaves with opposite leaflets,<br />
and the flower structure definitely place this in the genus Euplassa.<br />
Euplassa venezuelana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Arbor 9 m. alta; ramulis tenuiter adpresso-pubescentibus; petiolis<br />
cum rhachibus 17-19 cm. longis, adpresso-fulvo-pubescentibus;<br />
foliolis 2-4-jugis, oppositis, coriaceis, ovali-oblongis vel obovatis,<br />
basi obtusis, apice tenuiter vel profunde obcordatis vel emarginatis,<br />
integerrimis, supra nitidis glabris grosse reticulatis, subtus pal lid o-<br />
viridibus parce minute adpresso-pilosulis tenuiter reticulatis, pilis<br />
pallidis, 5.5-10 cm. longis, 3.5-6 cm. latis; petiolulis 9-10 mm.<br />
longis, adpresso-fulvo-pubescentibus; racemis terminalibus et axillaribus<br />
simplicibus, 15-25 cm. longis, 2-3 mm. crassis, rhachi dense<br />
adpresso-ferrugineo-tomentosis; pedicellis 1.5-3 mm. longis, dense<br />
adpresso-ferrugineo-tomentulosis; calyce subirregulari subclavatocylindrico<br />
curvato; sepalis 4 apice concavo staminiferis, 9-11 mm.<br />
longis, extus parce adpresso-fulvo-tomentulosis, intus glabris; a heris<br />
subsessilibus ovatis, 1.8-2 mm. longis; glandulis hypogynis<br />
connatis, marginibus paullo lobatis vel undulatis, 1.5 mm. altis,<br />
glabris, uno latere lobato profundiori; ovario parce tomentoso, 2.5<br />
mm. longo, ad glandulam adnato; stylo erecto robusto glabro, 4-5 mm.<br />
longo; stigmate clavato compresso 2 mm. longo (Fig. 42, a-b-c).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected along Rio Karuai,<br />
northwest of Santa Teresita de Kavanaye'n, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220<br />
m., November 30, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60824, "tree 30 feet<br />
tall; leaves coriaceous, deep green and shining above, pale green<br />
below; rachis and peduncle ferruginous-brown; corolla buds brownish<br />
or olive green without".<br />
This species is related to E. Glaziovii (Mez) Steyerm. and E.<br />
obversiflora (Mez) Steyerm. From the former it differs in having 4<br />
pairs of leaflets deeply emarginate at apex, the lower leaf surface<br />
pilosulous instead of glabrous, and the relatively shorter pedicels in<br />
proportion to the length of the flowers. From the latter, E. venezuelana<br />
differs in the more densely ferruginous appressed tomentum
218 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
of the rachis of the petiole, peduncles, and branchlets, and the entire<br />
margins of the leaflets.<br />
Panopsis pUriana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Frutex 1.1-1.8 m. alms; ramulis junioribus cum petiolis parce<br />
FIGURE 42<br />
A, Euplassa venezuelana. Pistil (X 5)", B, Euplassa venezuelana.<br />
Perianth segment, ventral view, showing anther (X 5); C, Euplassa<br />
venezuelana. Single flower, unopened (X 5); D, Phthirusa ptariana.<br />
Petal with attached stamen, lateral view (X 3); E, Phthirusa ptariana.<br />
Petal with attached stamen, ventral view (X 3); F, Phthirusa<br />
ptariana. Petal with attached stamen, ventral view, filament more<br />
elongate (X 3>, G, Ranunculus limoselloides. Petal (X 4); H, Ranunculus<br />
limoselloides. Sepal (X 4); I, Ranunculus limoselloides.<br />
Achene (X 3 ).
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 219<br />
addresso-pilosulis; foliis oppositis subcoriaceis subtus pallidoviridibus<br />
in sicco flavido-vel olivaceo-viridibus utrinque prominente<br />
pulchre areolatp-reticulatis obovato-oblongis basi obtusis apice<br />
rotundatis, laminis 4-6 cm. long is, 1.7-3 cm. latis, specie glabris sed<br />
cum microscope pilis pallidis adpressis obtectis, petiolis 2-3 mm.<br />
longis parce adpresso-pilosulis; racemis terminalibus 3-fasciculatis<br />
simplicibus 4-6 cm. longis, 12-15 mm. latis; rhachi 4-6 cm. longo,<br />
ferrugineo-tomentoso; pedicellis divaricate patentibus 4-5 mm. longis,<br />
ferrugineo-pubescentibus; sepalis 4.5-5 mm. longis planis revolutis<br />
intus glabris extus pilosulis ferrugineis; filamentis 3.5-4 mm. longis<br />
glabris sepalis brevioribus; squamulis hypogynis 0.6-0.7 mm. longis<br />
in urceolum quadridentatum connatis, dentibus 0.2 mm. longis; ovario<br />
ovato superne angustato ferrugineo-hksutulo; stylo et stigmate<br />
flavido.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on dry sandy and<br />
rocky sandstone exposures on level ground adjacent to swamp on<br />
plateau-portion of southeast-facing slopes, Ptari-tepuf, state of<br />
Bolivar, alt. 1600 m., November 1, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59677,<br />
"shrub 4-6 feet tall; leaves subcoriaceous, deep green above, pale<br />
green below, areolate-reticulate-veined; pedicels and calyx and ovary<br />
ferruginous; style and stigma yellow".<br />
This species is closely related to P. multiflora (Schott) Taub.<br />
(Andripetalum multiflorum Schott and Andripetalum reticulatum Pohl),<br />
but differs from that in having more slender, unbranched racemes with<br />
simple or temate peduncles, shorter, more rigidly divaricate-spreading<br />
pedicels, more finely areolate-reticulate and paler green leaves,<br />
hairs on the ovary longer, hairs on the leaf surface longer and of a<br />
paler buff color instead of white, and in the hypogynous squaraellae,<br />
which in P. multiflora have longer teeth 0.5 mm. long and longer<br />
glands 0.9-1 mm. long.<br />
Panopsis tepuiana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Arbor 19-22 m. aha; ramulis novellis ferrugineo-tomentellis; foliis<br />
alternatis vel oppositis coriaceis, supra nitidis viridibus, adultis<br />
subtus pallidioribus, junioribus subtus pallido-ferrugineis, oblanceolatis<br />
vel elliptico-oblanceolatis, basi angustatis, apice subobtusis<br />
apiculatis, supra minute reticulatis, subtus tenuiter reticulatis et<br />
dense minute rubentibus vel ferrugineo-pilosulis ad nervum medium<br />
praecipue, laminis 8.5-15 cm. longis, 2-5 cm. latis; petiolis 8-15 mm.<br />
longis, rubentibus vel ferrugineo-tomentellis; racemis terminalibus<br />
simplicibus vel ramosis, 6.5-8 cm. longis, dense ferrugineo-tomentosis;<br />
pedicellis 1.5-3 mm. longis dense rubentibus vel ferrugineotomentosis;<br />
sepalis rubentibus linear i-spatulatis obtusis recurvatis<br />
intus glabris extus ferrugineo-tomentosis, 3.5-5 mm. longis, 0.5 mm.<br />
latis; antheris oblongis abrupte appendiculatis; filamentis plerumque<br />
liberis, parte liberi 1.5-2 mm. longo, glabris; squamellis hypogynis<br />
0.5 mm. altis, tenuiter lobatis rotato-connatis; ovario dense ferrugineo-hirsutulo;<br />
stylo glabro erecto, 2-2.2 mm. longo; stigmate<br />
clavato.
220 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on southeast-facing<br />
slopes, Ptari-tepui, state of Bolivar, alt. 1585-1600 m., November<br />
10-11, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59988 (2 sheets), "tree 60-70 feet<br />
tall; leaves coriaceous, deep green and shining above, dull paler<br />
green below on older leaves, pale ferruginous below on young leaves;<br />
rachis, pedicels, and sepals orange-ferruginous; petals recurved,<br />
creamy-yellowish within; style and stigma pale green; fruit edible".<br />
Local name:<br />
This species is<br />
"para-raa-yek".<br />
similar to P. rubescens (Schott) Ducke, from which<br />
it differs in the shorter inflorescence, shorter pedicels, more densely<br />
ferruginous tomentum of the stems, flowers, and lower leaf surface,<br />
shorter styles, and in the hypogynous gland which is shorter and not<br />
4-dentate.<br />
Roupala minima Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Frutex 0.8-1.1 m. altus; ramis solitariis infra simplicibus glabris;<br />
foliis adscendentibus, utrinque caeruleo-viridibus, coriaceis subsessilibus<br />
elliptico-oblongis vel suborbicularibus, basi angustatis<br />
vel rotundatis, apice obtusis vel rotundatis, integerrimis, marginibus<br />
incrassatis, omnino glabris, subtus nervo medio et nervis lateralibus<br />
paullo prominentibus vel inconspicuis, supra plus minus ve inconspicuis,<br />
laminis 13-30 mm. longis, 7-25 mm. lads; petiolis glabris,<br />
1-2 mm. longis, racemis axillaribus vel terminalibus solitariis simplicibus,<br />
5.5-9 cm. longis; rhachi glabro; floribus juvenilibus extus<br />
glabris; bracteis ovato-triangularibus subito longe attenuatis glabris,<br />
1 ram. longis, 1 mm. latis; pedicellis glabris divaricate patentibus 1-3<br />
mm. longis; ovario glabro; stylo tenui glabro in fructu ad 4 mm. longo;<br />
folliculis (maturis) coriaceis oblique oblongo-ellipticis basi substipitatis<br />
vel prominente attenuatis 20-28 mm. longis, 8-10 mm. latis.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in savana, vicinity<br />
of "Misia Kathy Camp", on mesa between Ptari-tepui and Sororopa'ntepui,<br />
state of Bolivar, alt. 1615 m., November 15-17, 1944, Julian A.<br />
Steyermark 60234 (2 sheets), "shrub, single-stemmed, 2-4 feet tall;<br />
leaves ascending, coriaceous, blue-green both sides; rachis bluegreen".<br />
An unusually well-marked species, characterized by the low<br />
stature and stems simple and unbranched for three-fourths their<br />
length, and by the markedly small, crowded, ascending leaves, all of<br />
which combined impart a peculiar aspect to the plant.<br />
Roupala sororopana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Frutex 1.2 m. altus; ramis in stato sicco purpureis glabris vel<br />
furfuraceis; foliis alternates coriaceis supra glabris viridibus, subtus<br />
furfuraceis femigineo-suffusis (in sicco specie purpureis) glabrescentibus<br />
elliptico- vel ovato-oblongis basi obtusis, apice obtusis vel<br />
rotundatis, larainis 6-11.5 cm. longis, 2.5-7 cm. latis; petiolis 1.5-3<br />
cm. longis, ferrugineo-furfuraceis (in sicco purpureis) obtectis vel
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 221<br />
glabris; racemis axillaribus simplicibus 12.5-13 cm. longis, 1-2 mm.<br />
latis, rhachi minute ferrugineo vel partim glabrato; pedicellis patent!-<br />
bus 2.5-4 mm. longis, ferrugineo-tomentosis; sepalis 7-9 mm. longis,<br />
extus minute furfuraceis; staminibus 4; antheris lineari-oblongis 3<br />
mm. longis cum appendiculo rotundato; filamentis 3/4 longitudine ad<br />
calycem adnatis, in parte superiori quadrans liberis, pane liberi 1<br />
mm. longo; squamellis hypogynis 4 suborbicularibus, 0.2-0.3 mm.<br />
longis; ovario breviter ferrugineo-hirsutulo, 1.5-1.6 mm. longo; stylo<br />
erecto glabro, 4.6 mm. longo; stigmate clavato parum incrassato.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on rocky hematite<br />
exposures at west end, on summit, Sororopa'n-tepui, state of Bolivar,<br />
alt. 2225-2255 m., November 13, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60089.<br />
This is related to R. obtusata Kl. of Brazil and British Guiana,<br />
from which it<br />
may be distinguished by the tomentose pedicels and<br />
rachis of the inflorescence, the ferruginous scurfy tomentum on the<br />
lower leaf surface, as well as on some of the stems, petioles, and<br />
larger flowers.<br />
LORANTHACEAE<br />
Gaiodendron punctatum (Ruiz & Pavon) G. Don, var. puracense<br />
(H.B.K.) Steyermark, comb. nov.<br />
Loranthus puracensis H.B.K. Nov. Gen. & Sp. 3: 437. 1820;<br />
Gaiodendron puracensis (H.B.K.) G. Don, Gen. Syst. 3: 432. 1834.<br />
In his Flora of Peru, vol. 13, part II, no. 2, p. 397, Macbride states<br />
for G. puracense, "Perhaps only a variety of G. punctatum, but<br />
slenderer and smaller in all its parts".<br />
I am in agreement with this<br />
statement, and therefore a reduction of this entity to varietal rank is<br />
necessary.<br />
Knuth (Ink. Fl. Venez., in Rep. Sp. Nov. Veg. 43: 301. 1928)<br />
refers an Vie collection from Roraima to G. punctatum, but it is<br />
probable that it belongs to this variety puracense which the present<br />
author collected on Ptari-tepuf in the same general region. Pittier et<br />
al in the Catalogo de la Flora Venezolana, vol. 1, p. 268, under<br />
G. punctatum, state that "el material que poseemos en el herbario<br />
bajo esto nombre, parece ser referible a la siguiente especie" (G,<br />
Tagua). Thus, outside of the Vie collection above cited, the following<br />
collection is the only Venezuelan material with deep yellow<br />
flowers that can be referred correctly to the G. punctatum group:<br />
"Growing 35 feet up on bluffs, along base of south-facing high sandstone<br />
bluffs, Ptari-tepui, state of Bolivar, alt. 2410 m., November 6,<br />
1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59912, flowers very fragrant, like exotic<br />
perfume; floral buds orange-yellow; style, filaments, and petals deep<br />
yellow, calyx pale green; leaves coriaceous or subcoriaceous, deep<br />
green above, pale green below; petals recurved in upper half; shrub<br />
3 feet tall".
222 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Phoradendron karuaianum Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Frutex paras<br />
it icus furcatus, ramis oppositis pseud odichotomis vel<br />
cymosis teretibus, ad omnes nodos cataphyllis suffultis; internodiis<br />
3-4 cm. longis; cataphyllis late deltoideo-triangularibus supra nodos<br />
0.5-2 cm. insertis; foliis oppositis paullo falcatis vel symmetricis<br />
la nee ola to-elliptic is vel elliptico-ovatis basim versus et ad apicem<br />
sensim attenuatis, laminis 5-8 cm. longis, 1-3.5 cm. latis, in stato<br />
sicco minute ruguloso-verruculosis, palmatim 3-nervosis basinerviis;<br />
nervis inconspicuis non elevatis; petiolis 2-4 mm. longis alatis;<br />
spicis axillaribus ad nodos plerumque solitariis tenuibus 2-3 cm.<br />
longis, 1.5-2 mm. crassis cataphyllorum, jugis 3 et articulis 3 tenuibus<br />
gerentibus; pedunculis 2-3 mm. longis; articulis 3 et 5-8 mm.<br />
longis, 12-16-floris, prophyllis superne minute papillatis; floribus<br />
2-seriatis: masculis minoribus, in diametro 1-1.1 mm. ad quoquem<br />
articulura infra flores foe rain ineas; foemineis raajoribus, in diametro<br />
1.5-1.7 mm.; baccis oblongis laevibus 4 mm. longis, 2.5 mm. latis.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in dense forest at<br />
base of Cerro along Rio Karuai, Ptari-tepuT, state of Bolivar, alt.<br />
1220 m., November 27, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60659.<br />
Local name:<br />
"atapi".<br />
This is an exceptional species, belonging to the Dichotomae<br />
group, and apparently related to P laxiflorum Ule of Amazonas,<br />
Brazil, from which it differs in its thicker, longer, less-pointed<br />
leaves and more densely-flowered spikes. From P. Jenmani Trel. it<br />
differs in the pointed leaves and more densely many-flowered<br />
spikes. Furthermore, from some members of section Chrysocarpae it<br />
differs from P. haitense Urban in the broader, shorter blades, oblong<br />
fruits, and more densely-flowered spikes.<br />
It is well characterized<br />
by the combination of densely-flowered slender spikes, the flowers in<br />
two ranks, the oblong fruits, and the palmate ly-nerved thickish<br />
leaves.<br />
Phoradendron ptarianum Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Frutez parasiticus, ramis oppositis dichotomis teretibus dioicis;<br />
cataphyllis tantum ad nodos basales ramulorum 1-jugis sterilibus late<br />
deltoideo-triangularibus, 1.5 mm. longis, supra nodos 1.5-4 cm. insertis;<br />
foliis oppositis crasso-coriaceis paullo falcatis ellipticolanceolatis<br />
vel oblanceolato-oblongis basi angustatis, apice rotundatis<br />
vel obtusis, laminis 7-10 cm. longis, 1.5-4 cm. latis, in sicco<br />
minute ruguloso-verruculosis aereo- vel olivaceo-viridibus, marginibus<br />
plerumque albicantibus, penninerviis, nervis lateralibus inconspicuis;<br />
petiolis 12-25 mm. longis; spicis axillaribus ad nodos<br />
nonnullis olivaceo-viridibus, 1.2 cm. longis, 2-2.5 mm. crassis, cataphyllorum<br />
jugis 3-4 et articulis 4-5 gerentibus; pedunculis 2-3 mm.<br />
longis; articulis 4-5 et 5-6 mm. longis, 3 mm. latis, clavatis, 24-30-<br />
floris, floribus masculis (tantum visis) verticillatis 6-seriatis trimeris.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 223<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on forested southfacing<br />
slopes overlying sandstone, on "Cave Rock" above "Cave<br />
Camp", Ptari-tepui, state of Bolivar, alt. 1810 m., October 29, 1944,<br />
Julian A t<br />
Steyermark 59483, "parasite on shrub; leaves coriaceous,<br />
bronze to olive green both sides; spikes or rachis dull olive green;<br />
stem terete, dull green".<br />
From P. undulatum (Pohl) Eichler this species differs in its dioecious<br />
habit, longer petioles, prevailingly obtuse blades, and in the<br />
minutely papillate or suberose, instead of ciliolate, margins of the<br />
cataphylls. From P. Uleanum Steyerm. (P. macrophyllum Ule, not<br />
Cockerell)* of Mount Roraima, it differs in the obtuse, usually narrower<br />
blades, longer petioles, and crowded staminate flower spikes.<br />
Phoradendron tepuianum Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Frutex parasiticus furcatus, ramis oppositis dichotomis teretibus<br />
dioicis; internodiis 4-7 cm. longis; cataphyllis tantum ad nodos<br />
basales ramulorum 1- jugis sterilibus late deltoideo-triangularibus,<br />
1 mm. longis, supra nodos 9-12 mm. insert is; foliis oppositis crassocoriaceis<br />
late obovatis vel elliptic o-obovatis basi subito attenuatis,<br />
apice rotundatis, laminis 3-6 cm. longis, 3-5 cm. latis, in sicco<br />
minute ruguloso-verruculosis aereo-olivaceo-viridibus novellis apicalibus<br />
leviter penninerviis adultis costa tantum basi manifesta,<br />
costae residuo et nervis lateralibus plerumque obsoletis; petiolis<br />
7-10 mm. longis; spicis axillaribus ad nodos nonnullis lutescentiviridibus<br />
2.5-5 cm. longis, 4-5 mm. crassis cataphyllorum jugis 4-5<br />
et articulis 5 gerentibus; pedunculis 1-3 mm. longis; articulis 5 et<br />
3-10 mm. longis, 2.5-5 mm. latis, clavatis, 10-16-floris, prophyllis<br />
3-4 mm. longis apice papilla to-cilio latis, floribus foemineis (tantum<br />
visis)4- vel 4+2-seriatis; baccis oblongo-ovoideis 5 mm. longis.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on dry sandy and<br />
rocky sandstone exposures on level ground adjacent to swamp on<br />
plateau-portion of south east- facing slopes, Ptari-tepui', state of<br />
Bolivar, alt. 1600 m., November 1, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59688,<br />
"parasitic on shrubs; leaves coriaceous, bronze olive-green; rachis<br />
and flowers yellow-green".<br />
Apparently a member of section Penninerviae and related to P.<br />
Northropiae Urban of the Bahamas and to P. Warmingii Eichl. of<br />
Brazil. From the latter it differs in the terete stems and more numerous<br />
joints of the flowering spikes, while from the former it differs in<br />
the stouter, longer spikes and stouter branches. In some respects<br />
this new species resembles P. Macbridei Standl. of Peru, but that<br />
'Phoradendron Uleanum Steyermark,<br />
nom. nov.<br />
Phoradendron macrophyllum Ule, Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berl. 6: 291.<br />
1915, not Phoradendron macrophyllum Cockerell, Am. Nat. 34: 293.<br />
1900.
224 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
has only 4-seriate flowers and the leaves are smaller and of a<br />
different shape.<br />
Phthirusa adunca (Meyer) Maguire, var. orinocensis (Spreng.) Steyerm.,<br />
comb. nov.<br />
Loranthus orinocensis Spreng. Syst. 2: 129. 1828; Phthirusa<br />
orinocensis Eichl., in Mart. Fl. Bras. 5 2 : 60. 1868.<br />
Phthirusa ptariana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Scandens parasiticus lignosus glaberrimus; rarnis subangulatis<br />
cortice in adultis cinereo; foliis coriaceis supra oliveo-viridibus<br />
subtus pallido-viridibus, elliptico-ovatis vel late ellipticis, basi<br />
angustatis vel rotundatis, apice acuminatis, 7-12 cm. longis, 2-5.5<br />
mm. latis, nervo medio prominenti; petiolis 1.5-2.5 cm. longis; spicis<br />
in paniculam terminalem dense ramosam dispositis, 3-3.5 cm. longis,<br />
3-3.5 cm. latis; pedunculis 3-4 mm. longis, ad 2.5 mm. crassis; floribus<br />
polygamo-dioicis aut hermaphroditis, 6-meris; calyce pallidoviridi<br />
2 mm. alto, 2 mm. lato, leviter 2-3-dentatis, dentibus deltoideis<br />
minutis; petalis 6, pallido-viridibus, lineari-oblongis, 7 mm. longis,<br />
1.5 mm. latis, intus papillosis, extus laevibus, anthesi aperte patentibus;<br />
staminibus 6, alternatim diversis; filamentis subalbidis superne<br />
liberis, pane liberi 1-1.5 mm. longa; antheris pallido-brunneis,<br />
late oblongis, ca. 2 mm. longis, eis staminium longiorum<br />
superne paullo rotundatis, staminium breviorum apiculatis; stylo 4.5<br />
mm. longo; bacco oblongo, 13 mm. longo, 8 mm. lato (Fig. 42, d-e-f).<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on densely forested<br />
steep south-facing slopes overlying sandstone, between "Cave<br />
Rock" and base of high sandstone bluffs, Ptari-tepui, state of<br />
Bolivar, alt. 2100-2285 m., October 30, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark<br />
59549 (2 sheets), "parasitic, branching ligneous clinber; leaves<br />
coriaceous, olive green above, pale green below; perianth segments<br />
spreading horizontally in upper half, pale green; filaments whitish;<br />
anthers pale brown; calyx pale green".<br />
This species is characterized by its large petals, congested short<br />
inflorescences, large fruit, and long petioles. It is apparently related<br />
to P adunca (Meyer) Maguire.<br />
Phthirusa rora linens is Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Frutex parasiticus; ramis fuscis teretibus glabris lenticellosis et<br />
long hrors urn rimulosis; internodiis 1-2 cm. longis; foliis coriaceis<br />
utrinque olivaceo- aut aereo-viridibus, elliptico-oblongis vel late<br />
obcuneatis, basi angustatis, apice rotundatis aut subtruncatis vel<br />
emarginatis, saepe mucronatis, 2.5-5 cm. longis, 1-3.2 cm. latis,<br />
subtus nervis obsoletis, supra aut haud evidentibus aut 3-5 inconspicuis;<br />
petiolis 8-12 mm. longis; spicis axillaribus brevibus, 4-5<br />
mm. longis (fructiferis 12 mm. longis), 6-8-floris; rhachi 12 mm. longo<br />
et in diametro 1 mm.; bracteis brunneis ovatis 2 mm. longis, 1 mm.<br />
latis; floribus lacteo-lutescentibus dioicis, calyce 1.8 mm. alto, 1.8
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 225<br />
mm. lato, glabro, 2-dentatis, dentibus late deltoideo-triangularibus,<br />
acutis, marginibus irregulariter undulatis vel erosis; petalis 5-6,<br />
lineari-oblongis, 6 mm. longis, 1 mm. latis; staminibus 5-6 alternatim<br />
diversis; filamentis 0.3-0.4 mm. longis, glabris prope apicem petalorura<br />
insertis; antheris suborbiculari-oblongis, 1 mm. longis, ad- extremitates<br />
utrasque rotundatis; baccis caeruleo-viridibus, oblongoovoideis,<br />
7 mm. longis, in diametro 5 mm.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on southwest-facing<br />
forested slopes between Rondo'n Camp and base of sandstone bluffs,<br />
Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 2040-2255 m., September 30,<br />
1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58943, "parasite on 58944; leaves<br />
coriaceous, olive green to bronze both sides; perianth creamy<br />
yellow"; same locality, Steyermark 58965, "fruiting plant of same<br />
species as 58943; fruit dull blue-green".<br />
This species is perhaps related to P clandestina Mart., from which<br />
it differs in the shape and size of the leaves, size of flowers and<br />
stamens, and terete rather than angulate branchlets. From the group<br />
to which P. micrantha Eichl. belongs, it differs in its 5-6-merous,<br />
instead of 4-merous, flowers, while from P guyanensis (Kl.) Eich. it<br />
may be distinguished by the glabrous branchlets, and non-furfuraceous<br />
leaves and branches.<br />
SANTALACEAE<br />
Thesium tepuiense Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Herba annua, 25-30 cm. alta; caulibus simplicibus vel infeme<br />
raraosis, ramis paucis angulosis rigidis, in diametro 1.5-2 mm.; foliis<br />
ovato-lanceolatis, acuminatis, adpressis, minutis, ad 2 mm. longis;<br />
spicis congestis simplicibus, bifurcatis, vel cymoso-paniculatis dispositis;<br />
floribus luteo-albidis, proximis, congestis, sessilibus;<br />
bracteis et bracteolis ovatis acuminatis, ad margines inferiores<br />
minute denticulatis, 1.5 mm. longis; perigonio in anthesi subcylindrico,<br />
3.8-3.9 mm. longo, tubo 1.8-1.9 mm. longo ovoideo angulato,<br />
laciniis 5 anguste oblongis vel lineari-oblongis, obtusis, 2 mm.<br />
longis, 0.5 mm. latis, margine inflexo, apice subcucullato, minute<br />
obtuse appendiculato, intus et ad margines pubescentibus, pilis<br />
papillatis brevibus et longis; staminibus 5 laciniis oppositis, filamentis<br />
ca. 1 mm. longis, subulatis arete adpressis quam antheris<br />
paullo longioribus; antheris ovato-oblongis vel ovatis, 0.5 mm. longis;<br />
ovario in fundo tubi globoso; stylo quara perigonio paullo breviori;<br />
stigmate capitate obtuso simplice; nuce ovoidea, 3.5 mm. longa, 2.25<br />
mm. lata, angulatis, nerviis 5-9 validis, nervulis obliquis transversisque.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on savanna, vicinity<br />
of "Misia Kathy Camp", on mesa between Ptari-tepui' and Sororopa'ntepui,<br />
state of Bolivar, alt. 1615 m., November 15-17, 1944, Julian A.<br />
Steyermark 60237.
226 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
This remarkable species is the first of the family Santalaceae to<br />
be discovered in the area of the table-mountains of Venezuela. In<br />
its annual habit it resembles T, bras Hie nse DC., but differs from that<br />
species in its more robust, but shorter, simple or sparsely branched<br />
angulate stems, closely crowded inflorescences with larger, more<br />
conspicuous bracts, and somewhat larger fruits. From the only other<br />
known South American species T. aphyllum Mart., it is at once distinguished<br />
by the annual roots, smaller flowers with shorter perianth<br />
lobes, and smaller fruits.<br />
CARYOPHYLLACEAE<br />
Arenaria venezuelana Briq. Ann. Conserv. Jard. Bot. Geneve XIII and<br />
XIV: 383. 1911.<br />
This name must replace A. humifusa Linden & Planch., 1863, not<br />
Wahlenberg, 1812. Arenaria humifusa Lind. & PI., even if considered<br />
to have been effectively published (See Sprague in Kew Bull. 1926:<br />
32-44. 1926), still remains a later homonym, and cannot be used,<br />
since it is antedated by Arenaria humifusa Wahlenberg, Fl. Lapp.<br />
129. 1812. This latter name was legitimately published, and is discussed<br />
by Nordhagen in Bergens Museum Arb. 1: 24. 1935.<br />
In publishing his A. venezuelana, Briquet uses the same type<br />
number (Linden 393) as was used by Linden & Planch, for their A<br />
humifusa. If Briquet had been aware of this situation, one would<br />
have supposed that he would have mentioned something about his<br />
species replacing that of Linden & Planch. Typical A, venezuelana<br />
has elongated stems with the leaves either all linear-lanceolate and<br />
crowded, or these mixed with broader elliptical-lanceolate ones. It<br />
varies in pubescence of stems, leaves, sepals, length and width of<br />
leaves, and in length of internodes.<br />
The extreme depressed cespitose form of this species is Arenaria<br />
venezuelana, forma jahnii (Blake) Steyermark, comb. nov.<br />
Arenaria humifusa B Linden & Planchon, Trois. Voy. Linden 1:<br />
35. 1863; Arenaria Jahnii Blake, Contr. U.S. Nat. Herb. 20: 35. 1863.<br />
In die Catalogo Flora Venezolana, vol. 1, p. 294, Pittier publishes<br />
A. humifusa var. nana Lind & Planch., but actually this name was<br />
never originally published by the authors as such. Linden & Planchon<br />
described (p. 35) under their Arenaria humifusa a certain "Forma B<br />
Nana, caulibus vix 2 centim. longis" and cite the collection of 3 as<br />
from "Alto del Paramo de Mucuchies. Alt. 3250-3900 metres. Linden,<br />
no. 1486". This latter form actually has never been taken up nomenclatorially,<br />
and Pittier merely adopted the first word of Linden &<br />
Planchon's description, misusing<br />
it as a name of their unnamed forma<br />
B. From an examination of the type specimen of A. Jahnii Blake, it<br />
is apparent that it is identical with and represents the A. humifusa<br />
forma B described above by Linden & Planchon. Moreover, when the<br />
type of A. Jahnii is compared with additional material from the
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 227<br />
paramos in the state of Merida, it is found to represent but a cespitose<br />
extreme form, grading by various degrees into A, Venezuelans<br />
For example, Steyermark 57518 from Laguna Mucubajf, above Los<br />
Apartaderos, state of Merfda, matches well the type collection of<br />
A. Jahnii. Other collections (Steyermark 55669 and 55738) similarly<br />
relate themselves to this depressed paramo-inhabiting form. The type<br />
collection of A. Jahnii has small, detached portions of clumps with<br />
the pedicels protruding well above the tips of the leafy shoots. In<br />
Steyermark 57518 similarly extended pedicels may be found when the<br />
clumps are broken into smaller portions. In other collections, such<br />
as Steyermark 55669, the pedicels are not as obviously extended and<br />
the leaves and stem appear more congested, but represent only a form<br />
of variation present in these cespitose matted growth forms. The<br />
minute puberulence near the apex of the pedicels, the glandular*<br />
papillosity in the grooves of the stem, and the sparsely ciliate base<br />
of the leaves can be found in varying degrees. In some cases, the<br />
leaves are more obviously ciliate at the base, while in others they<br />
are glabrate.<br />
The description of forma Jahnii may be emended as follows: A<br />
typo (A. venezuelana) differt habitu caespitoso, caulibus brevissimis<br />
confertis plerumque glabris, foliis confertis rigidis brevioribus ovatis<br />
vel lanceolatis glabris vel basim versus minute ciliatis, sepalis<br />
plerumque glabris. Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., collected on Paramo de<br />
la Sal, state of Merida, alt. 3400 m., September 2, 1921, Alfredo<br />
Jahn 625.<br />
Other specimens examined are: MERIDA: Alto del Paramo de<br />
Mucuchies, ak. 3250-3900 m., Linden I486', Alto de Mucuchies, La<br />
Tapa, cabeceras del Mifafi, entre Barro Negro y Torondoy, alt. 4500-<br />
4600 m., April, 1930, Gehriger 106\ in dense clumps, on other side<br />
of paramo between El Aguila (top) and Apartaderos, along headwaters<br />
of Rio Chama, paramo along upper headwaters of Rio Tormero, below<br />
El Aguila and above Chachopo, alt. 3650-3965 m., March 13, 1944,<br />
Steyermark 55669; dense clumps, dry rocky gneis sic-granitic slopes,<br />
between Timotes and Paramito, alt. 2285-3500 m., March 24, 1944,<br />
Steyermark 55738; mats, flowers, white, Laguna Mucubajf above L*os<br />
Apartaderos, alt. 3525-2655 m., July 21, 1944, Steyermark 57518.<br />
In general, this form is distinguished by its dense, compact, more<br />
cespitose habit, with more crowded and shorter stems, shorter and<br />
more crowded leaves, and shorter internodes. Usually its leaves are<br />
more glabrate than in typical A. venezuelana the latter t varying from<br />
sparsely to densely ciliate leaves, glabrate to densely ciliate and<br />
puberulent sepals, and glabrate to puberulent stems. The forma<br />
Jahnii represents an extreme variation of the species, growing in exposed<br />
situations, and marked by its habit of forming dense clumps.<br />
Drymaria firmula Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Herba, caulibus purpureis, rigid o-adscendentibus glabris; inter-
228 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
nodiis quam foliis longioribus; laminis firmiter membranaceis, supra<br />
atroviridibus, infra valde nervatis, glabris, late ovatis, apice suba<br />
cut is apiculatis, basi subcordatis vel cordatis, 3-8.5 mm. longis,<br />
3-7 mm. latis; petiolis 1-1.5 mm. longis, glabris; stipulis conspicuis<br />
setaceis albis; floribus 3-6 in cymulas sat densas terminales dispositis;<br />
.pedicellis erectis vel adscendentibus, 2-4 mm. longis, minute<br />
glandulosis; bracteis ovatis acutis glabris, 2.25-2.5 mm. longis;<br />
sepalis oblongo-lanceolatis acutis apiculatis conspicue 3-nerviis<br />
scariosis, 4.5 mm. longis, 1.5-2 mm. latis, glabris; petalis albis unguiculatis,<br />
ultra medium profunde bipartitis, 5 mm. longis, infra<br />
medium 0.75 mm. latis, lobis anguste ligulatis, 3-3.5 mm. longis, 0.8<br />
mm. latis; staminibus 5; filamentis 3 mm. longis; antheris oblongis,<br />
O.Tmm. longis, 0.3 mm. latis; ovario ovoideo, 1.9-2 mm. longo; stylo<br />
supra medium 3-partito; ovulis 6-7.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on Paramo de^ Los<br />
Colorados, between El Molino and San Isidro Alto, state of Merida,<br />
alt. 2745-2955 m., May 14, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 56536, "stems<br />
stiff-ascending, purple; leaves firm-membranaceous, dark green above;<br />
petals white".<br />
This species is characterized by the short-petiolate, firmly membranaceous,<br />
glabrous, broadly ovate subcordate leaves, which are<br />
strongly nerved beneath, the stiff-ascending, glabrous, purple stems,<br />
the conspicuously setaceous white stipules, the glabrous strongly<br />
3-nerved, acute sepals, and cymosely disposed flowers on short,<br />
erect, minutely glandular pedicels. It<br />
apparently is related to D.<br />
nitida Ball of Peru and D. cordata (L.) Willd., but differs from them<br />
in the combination of characters above given.<br />
Stellaria ovata Willd., forma paradoxa Steyermark, forma nova.<br />
Herba pro strata vel procumbens, caulibus plerumque pilosis, pilis<br />
multi eel lulls 1 mm. longis instruct is; internodiis plerumque quam<br />
foliis longioribus; laminis firmiter membranaceis, late ovatis subiter<br />
acutis apiculatis, basi truncatis vel rotundatis ciliatis utrinque valde<br />
pilosis, 7-12 mm. longis, 5-10 mm. latis; petiolisnl-2 mm. longis,<br />
pilosis; floribus solitariis, axillaribus vel terminalibus; pedicellis<br />
5-20 mm. longis, valde pilosis; sepalis 5, ovatis, obtusiusculis,<br />
3-3.5 mm. longis, 1.5-2 mm. latis, extus parce pilosis; petalis 5, unguiculatis,<br />
bilobatis, sepala excedentibus, 5 mm. longis, in mediam<br />
2 mm. latis, lobis ovato-oblongis obtusis 1.5 mm. longis 0.75-0.8 mm.<br />
latis; staminibus 10; filamentis 3.5 mm. longis; antheris suborbicularibus,<br />
0.5 mm. longis; stylis 3-4, 1.8-2 mm. longis; ovario ovoideo,<br />
2.5 mm. alto; ovulis pluribus.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in moist cloud forest,<br />
on southwest-facing slopes at Los Aposentos, above Las Sabanetas,<br />
above Humocaro Bajo, state of Lara, alt. 2500-2530 m., February 3,<br />
1944, Julian A. Steyermark 55217, "sprawling on ground".<br />
From typical S. ovata this differs in having all the vegetative parts
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 229<br />
of the plant abundantly pilose with several-celled hairs up to 1 mm.<br />
in length. The leaves, stems, and pedicels are especially pilose,<br />
while the sepals are sparsely so without.<br />
Stellaria venezuelana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Herba perennis, caulibus diffuso-patentibus vel erectis, ramosis,<br />
plerumque glabris; internodiis elongatis, inferioribus quam folia<br />
longioribus vel ea aequantibus, superioribus quam folia brevioribus<br />
vel longioribus; laminis membranaceis magnis, late ovatis vel cordatis<br />
apice longe acuminatis, basi cordatis vel subcordatis, supra<br />
praeter pauces pilos per costam glabris, infra parce pilosis secundum<br />
costam ceterum glabris, 15-45 mm. longis, 10-30 mm. latis, longe<br />
petiolatis; petiolis prominenter longe ciliatis praesertim basim versus,<br />
plerumque 12-37 mm. longis; floribus pluribus minimis in dichasiis<br />
valde compositis longissime pedunculatis; pedunculis<br />
gracillimis, 3.5-9 cm. longis, glabratis vel glandulari-puberulis,<br />
praesertim superne; bracteis late lanceolatis vel elliptico-ovatis,<br />
acuminatis, 3-5 mm. longis, 1.5-2.5 mm. latis; pedicellis tenuissimis,<br />
5-10 mm. longis, dense glandulari-puberulis; sepalis 4, liberis, membranaceis,<br />
late ovatis, obtusiusculis scariosis 1-nerviis glabris, 1.5-<br />
2.5 mm. longis, 1 mm. latis; petalis 4, alb is ligulato-oblongis obtusis,<br />
bilobatis, quam sepalis longioribus, 2-3.5 mm. longis, 1-1.5<br />
mm. latis, lobis 1 mm. longis, 0.5 mm. latis; staminibus 5-6 quam<br />
petala brevioribus vel ea aequantibus; filamentis glabris; antheris<br />
suborbicularibus, 0.3 mm. longis; stylis 2, filiformibus, ad apicem<br />
recurvatis, 1 mm. longis; ovario 1-2 mm. longo; ovulis 4; semine<br />
maturo 1, fusco, lenticulari-reniformi, papillato-verrucoso* 1.5 mm.<br />
longo,<br />
1.5 mm. lato.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in forest along<br />
stream at base of Cerro de Diablo (western extension of southern<br />
peak of Cerro Turumiquire), state of Sucre, alt. 2000-2100 m., May<br />
11, 1945, Julian A. Steyermark 62739; also collected on Cerro<br />
Turumiquire, north-facing slopes above La Trinidad in cloud forest<br />
zone, southwest of Cocollar, state of Sucre, alt. 2100-2200 m., May<br />
5, 1945, Steyermark 62557, "stems erect, sprangling and branching;<br />
leaves membranaceous, pale green below, dull green above; petals<br />
white"; and, in wet thickets, between El Cobre and Cordero, state of<br />
Ta'chira, alt. 1520-1820 m., July 8, 1944, Steyermark 57121, "sprawling<br />
on floor of dwarfed forest in shade; leaves thin; petals small,<br />
white"; also ad vias regionis subalpine prope coloniam Tovar,<br />
Fendlcr46, Moritz 1903.<br />
This distinctive species, characterized by its 2 styles, 4 sepals,<br />
4 petals, 5-6 stamens, minute flowers arranged in a branched dichasial<br />
cyme, and long-p etiolate large, cordate-ovate leaves, was at<br />
first believed to be conspecific with S. micrantha Spruce (in Rohrbach,<br />
Linnaea 37: 280. 1871-73). That species, the type of which<br />
must be based upon the first-mentioned collection cited in the list of<br />
exsiccatae examined, namely, "in Andibus Ecuadorensibus (Spruce
230 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
6023! )", is described as having a 5-parted calyx, petals divided<br />
nearly to the base, and 10 stamens. Moreover, the blades of the<br />
leaves are either long-ciliate towards the apex or glabrate, whereas<br />
in S. venezuelana the blades are not ciliate. Other differences are<br />
found in the relative length of the sepals and petals, which are longer<br />
in the Ecuadorian S. micrantha, and in the pedicels, which are<br />
glandular-puberulent in S venezuelana, whereas in S micrantha they<br />
are described as being "pilosis". The Fendler and Moritz collections,<br />
from Colonia Tovar, Venezuela, cited by Spruce, are probably<br />
conspecific with the other three Venezuelan collections above cited,<br />
and to have included them, along with the Ecuador plant collected by<br />
Spruce, was an erroneous assumption.<br />
While the usual condition within the genus is a flower with 5<br />
sepals, 5 petals, 10 stamens, and 3 t 4, or 5 styles, apparently the<br />
new species, together with S. micrantha, show greater affinity to<br />
Section Pseudalsine Boiss. (as treated by Pax & Hoffmann in Die<br />
Nat. Pflanzenf. 2, 16c: 322. 1934) delimited by the Persian S.<br />
alsinoides and characterized by 4-merous flowers, 2 styles, and<br />
ovary with 4-6 ovules, and to Section Oligosperma Boiss., characterized<br />
by 5-merous flowers, 2 styles, and ovary with 4-6 ovules, and<br />
represented by three species of Asia.<br />
RANUNCULACEAE<br />
Ranunculus limoselloides Turcz., var. Mandonianus (Wedd.) Steyermark,<br />
comb. nov.<br />
Ranunculus Mandonianus Wedd. Chi. And. 2: 299. 1857.<br />
Knuth, in his Initia Florae venezuelensis, lists R. limoselloides<br />
Turcz. for Venezuela (p. 329) with the note "Locus natalis ignotus".<br />
Pittier et al, on the other hand, in the Catalogo de la Flora Venezolana,<br />
do not mention this species. After a careful study of Turczaninow's<br />
original description (Bull. Soc. Imp. Nat. Moscou 27: 275-276.<br />
1854), it is evident that the plant described (based on Linden 1441<br />
from Venezuela) is identical with Steyermark 57473 from the state of<br />
Merlda (aquatic; leaves floating; in still pools in valley above<br />
Laguna Mucubajf, above Los Apartaderos, alt. 3625-3655 m., July 21,<br />
1944). It is well known that Linden made collections in the paramos<br />
and higher parts of the mountains in the state of Merida on his<br />
journey from Caracas to Colombia, and it is very probable that he<br />
collected this Ranunculus near or in the same locality in which the<br />
Steyermark collection was obtained. The significant parts of Turczaninow's<br />
description which are matched by the Steyermark collection<br />
are "foliis longissime petiolatis (natantibus ?) ovalibus vel subovato-oblongis<br />
integerrimis subtrinerviis, venoso-reticulatis;<br />
petala obovata (alba) staminibus circiter 8 1 ! In the Steyermark<br />
collection 10 stamens are present, but, as will be seen in the following<br />
paragraphs, the number of stamens is apparently variable in this<br />
particular complex. The same entity is found in an adjacent region
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 231<br />
of Colombia (Cuatrecasas 1556 from Pianos del Toldadero, Dept. of<br />
Boyaca'), where the stamens are also 10 in number.<br />
Proceeding southward in the Andes, there is encountered in Bolivia,<br />
under the name R. Mandonianus Wedd., a Ranunculus Which<br />
superficially resembles greatly the one from Venezuela and Colombia.<br />
In the original description of R, Mandonianus, based upon Mandon's<br />
collection from the Cordillera de Sorata, Bolivia, it was stated that<br />
the "staminibus sub-5". However, an examination of what is apparently<br />
an isotype specimen, preserved in the Herbarium of the Chicago<br />
Natural History Museum (sent originally as a duplicate from the<br />
Botanical Conservatory of Geneva, Switzerland), shows 15 stamens.<br />
Moreover, both this specimen, as well as a photograph of the supposed<br />
type (same collection as referred to above), exhibit much<br />
larger flowers than those found in the Venezuelan collection. In the<br />
Venezuelan (and Colombian) plants the stamens are actually less<br />
numerous (10-8) than in the Mandon collection cited, but are more<br />
than is given ("staminibus sub-5") in the original description. One<br />
wonders whether a typographical error of "5" instead of "15" may<br />
not have been made by Weddell in his original description. Be that<br />
as it<br />
may, the Venezuelan (and Colombian) collections have petals<br />
with a much broader but shorter blade, shorter ovate instead of broadly<br />
oblong sepals, shorter filaments, and smaller achenes than are<br />
found in the Mandon collection from Bolivia. Nothing is mentioned in<br />
Weddell's description to indicate the size of the flower, but both the<br />
photograph of the supposed type specimen and a specimen of the type<br />
collection exhibit the larger flowers. Complications arise with an examination<br />
of Peruvian material referred to R. Mandonianus. In Macbride<br />
& Feathers tone 2474 the stamens are 5-6 in number and the<br />
petals have the narrow shape of those of the Bolivian plant, but in<br />
Mac bride 3355 the stamens are about 10 and the petals resemble the<br />
obovate-rounded type of typical R. limoselloides of Venezuela and<br />
Colombia.<br />
Such modifications and variations indicate that the Venezuelan and<br />
Colombian plants are closely related and not distinct specifically<br />
from the Bolivian entity, the latter, therefore, more logically treated<br />
as a variety. The plant Turczaninow described precedes by at least<br />
three years that which Weddell published*, and, therefore, has<br />
priority.<br />
*An apparent discrepancy would seem to exist between the date of<br />
Weddell's publication and that of Mandon's collection, for the date<br />
appearing in the second volume of Weddell's work is given as 1857,<br />
whereas the Mandon collection examined is dated "1859-Jan., I860".<br />
Evidently, the publication of the last part of this second volume<br />
(p. 299 is near the end of the volume) was deferred until 1861 (as<br />
is suggested by a reference to this work in the Catalogue of the<br />
<strong>Library</strong> of the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard <strong>University</strong>, vol.1, p. 737).
232 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Although Benoist (Bull. Soc. Bot. Fr. 87: 125. 1940) described R.<br />
Mandonianus forma minor from Ecuador, based upon a plant characterized<br />
by the following description "/4 speciminibus typicis differt<br />
statura et foliis minoribus. Le limbe des feuilles est long de 5-12<br />
mm. et large de 2-4,5 mm", it<br />
appears to represent only a smallleaved<br />
and short-stemmed form of R. limoselloides. Although<br />
Benoist states in the data accompanying his collection label, "fleurs<br />
blanches tres petites" (Ibid.), he does not indicate how small the<br />
flowers are in comparison with those of R. Mandonianus, but rather<br />
gives the smaller stature of the plant and leaves as the only distinguishing<br />
characters used. Since the Venezuelan plants do not<br />
correspond in small leaf size to that described by Benoist, and<br />
further differ in the characters mentioned, they cannot be considered<br />
identical. Therefore, it becomes necessary to make the combination,<br />
Ranunculus limoselloides, forma minor (Benoist) Steyermark, comb,<br />
nov.<br />
R. Mandonianus f. minor Benoist, Bull. Soc. Bot. Fr
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 233<br />
along stream above Laguna Mucubaji towards Laguna Negra, above<br />
Los Apartaderos, state of Merfda, alt. 3625-3655 ra., July 21, 1944,<br />
Julian A Steyermark 57487.<br />
Also referred to this form are the following Colombian collections:<br />
moist gully, bushy lower mountain slope, San Cristobal, Bogota,<br />
Dept. of Cundinamarca, alt. 2700-2800 m., September 30, 1917, F. W.<br />
Pennell 2326; hierba reptante, acuatico semis umergida, verde clara,<br />
pecalos amarillos, cabeceras del rio Otun, bajando del Nevado de<br />
Santa Isabel, paramos de la Laguna del Mosquito, Cordillera Central,<br />
Dept. Caldas, alt. 3820 m., November 26, 1946, Cuatrecasas 23250.<br />
Typical R nubigenus H.B.K. was described (ex DC. Syst. 1: 253.<br />
1818) as having leaves "suborbiculatis 7-dentatis", scapes "apice<br />
pubescente" and later (Nov. Gen. 5: 42. 1821) as having stems<br />
"superne puberuli" and petioles "pubescente", while in the latter<br />
publication the leaves are described as "5-7-crenata". Various<br />
collections from Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela have the appressed<br />
pubescence, especially on the petioles, base of the stems,<br />
sheaths, and upper part of the peduncles, characteristic of typical<br />
K. nubigenus. The leaves may vary in shape from suborbicular to<br />
ovate, and from shallowly to prominently 5-9-crenate.<br />
In forma subintegrus the blades of the leaves are often much larger<br />
and only obscurely crenulate to subentire. The appressed pubescence<br />
in this form, while sometimes present, is frequently lacking so that<br />
the plant is almost glabrous.<br />
MAGNOLIACEAE<br />
Magnolia ptaritepuiana Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Arbor 10-13 m. alta; cortice albicanti vel pallido-cinereo; foliis<br />
coriaceis vel chartaceo-coriaceis, subtus dense cinereo-tomentosis,<br />
13-19 cm. longis, 9-15 cm. latis, late ovalis vel suborbicularibus,<br />
basi obtusis, apice rotundatis, nervis lateralibus 8-10-jugis adscendentibus;<br />
petiolis 1.2-1.7 cm. longis, in diametro 2-3.5 m., glabris vel<br />
interdum novellis apice et parte superiori costae villosis; stipulis<br />
undique glabris, marginibus ciliatis, 9 cm. longis, 7 mm. latis, subcoriaceis;<br />
floribus odoratis; sepalis 3, oblanceolato-oblongis, cuneatis,<br />
apice obtusis vel rotundatis, 4-4.5 cm. longis, 2 cm. latis; petalis<br />
6, albidis, arcuato-adscendentibus, oblanceolatis, cuneatis, apice<br />
subacutis vel obtusis, 4.2 cm. longis, 1.5-2 cm. latis; gynaeceo e<br />
carpidiis glabris, stylis apice recurvatis.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on densely forested<br />
steep south-facing slopes overlying sandstone, between "Cave<br />
Rock" and base of high sandstone bluffs, Ptari-tepui, state of Bolivar,<br />
alt. 2100-2285 m., October 30, 1944, Julian A. Ste Yermark 59547<br />
(2 sheets), "tree 30-40 feet tall with whitish or pale gray bark; leaves;<br />
coriaceous-chartaceous, deep green above, gray-scurfy below, paler<br />
green below; petals white, arched-ascending; flowers fragrant".
234 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Magnolia roraimae Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Arbor 13 m. aha; foliis coriaceis vel chartaceo-coriaceis supra<br />
nitidis eleganter tenuiter reticulato-venosis, subtus pallido-flavidoviridibus<br />
molliter flavido-villosis, 15-20 cm. longis, 12-17 cm. latis,<br />
late suborbicularibus vel suborbiculari-obovatis, basi obtusis, apice<br />
rotundatis, nervis lateralibus 9-11-jugis adscendentibus prope marginem<br />
1-2 cm. arcuato-conjungentibus; petiolis 2.7-3 cm. longis, 5-6<br />
mm. latis, undique dense villosis; stipulis intus glabris, extus dense<br />
pannoso-villosis, 7.3 cm. longis, 12 mm. latis, subcoriaceis; alabastro<br />
ovoideo 4 cm. longo, in diametro 2.7 cm.; floribus odoratis;<br />
sepalis 3, late oblongo-obovatis, cuneatis, infra medium angustatis,<br />
apice rotundatis, 5 cm. longis, 2 cm. latis; petalis 6, lute o-a Ibid is,<br />
cucullatis, subcoriaceis, oblongo-obovatis, cuneatis, apice rotundatis,<br />
4-4.7 cm. longis, 2 cm. latis; gynaeceo e carpidiis glabris,<br />
stylis apice recurvatis.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on southwest-facing<br />
forested slopes between Rondon Camp and base of sandstone bluffs,<br />
Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 2155 m., September 30, 1944,<br />
Julian A. Steyermark 59000 (3 sheets), "tree 40 feet tall; leaves<br />
coriaceous-chartaceous, deep green and shining above, buff green<br />
below; petals creamy white, infolded, subcoriaceous, fragrant; pistils<br />
creamy white; rare; one tree seen".<br />
Local name:<br />
"iura-ta-na-ca-ta" (Spanish: cabeza de aurauata).<br />
The pubescent buds of this species are reminiscent of the cultivated<br />
X M. Soulangeana, and of certain North American species.<br />
This species and the preceding one, because of the free stipules,<br />
are placed in the genus Magnolia, rather than Talauma. Specimens of<br />
Talauma from South America all show an elongate scar on the upper<br />
surface of the petiole to which the stipule has been adnate. Both<br />
Magnolia roraimae and M. ptaripetuiana differ from all South American<br />
species of Talauma in the broadly obovate to suborbicular-obovate<br />
leaves rounded above, which are densely villous on the lower surface,<br />
and in similar characters from all the known species of Magnolia<br />
from Central America. In pubescence these two new species<br />
somewhat approach M. grandiflora L., but that has much smaller<br />
leaves and larger flowers.<br />
Magnolia roraimae differs from M, ptaritepuiana in several respects:<br />
the outer surface of the stipules is densely velvety-pubescent, the<br />
petioles are densely villous and stouter, the sepals and petals are<br />
larger, the upper part of the branches are densely villous, the pubescence<br />
of the lower surface of the leaves consists of much longer<br />
hairs, and the areolar network of the upper leaf surface is more prominent<br />
and the upper ends of the lateral nerves more conspicuously<br />
ananas tomos ing.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 235<br />
WINTERACEAE<br />
Drimys brasiliensis Miers, var. ptaritepuiensis Steyermark, var.<br />
nov.<br />
A var. roraimensis differt inflorescentia 3-5-floris, pedunculis<br />
brevioribus 8-23 mm. longis; staminibus 31-35; filamentis 1.5-1.75<br />
mm. longis; carpellis 8-9, stigraate sessili subterminalique.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on densely forested<br />
steep south-facing slopes overlying sandstone, between "Cave<br />
Rock" and base of high sandstone bluffs, Ptari-tepui, state of Bolivar,<br />
alt. 2100-2285 m.> October 30, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59537,<br />
"small tree 20-30 feet tall; trunk slender; leaves subcoriaceouschartaceous,<br />
deep green above, silvery blue-white below; petals<br />
white; peduncles salmon-rose; flower very fragrant".<br />
This variety differs from var. roraimensis A. C. Smith principally<br />
in the usually 3-flowered inflorescence with shorter peduncles, those<br />
in var. roraimensis averaging longer. The connective at the tip of<br />
the anther is apiculate and densely glandular as in var. roraimensis.<br />
MONIMIACEAE<br />
Mollified ia ptariensis Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Frutex, ramis subteretibus, no veil is puberulis, adultis glabrescentibus;<br />
foliis oppositis petiolatis ovatis vel elliptico-ovatis, basi<br />
obtusis vel subacutis, apice acutis vel subacuminatis, integris vel<br />
subintegris, coriaceis, 10-14 cm. longis, 5-6.5 cm. latis, supra glabris<br />
nervis subimpressis inconspicuis, subtus minute adpressopubescentibus,<br />
nervis circiter 5 jugis prominentibus suboppositis vel<br />
alternates; petiolis 12-15 mm. longis, novellis dense adpressopuberulis,<br />
adultis parce puberulis vel glabratis; floribus masculis:<br />
3-5 mm. longis, in diametro 5 mm.; receptaculo crasso, intus glabro;<br />
pedicellis 4-5 mm. longis dense adpresso-pubescentibus; perigonii<br />
phyllis 4, extus dense adpresso-pubescentibus, 2 exterioribus late<br />
suborbiculari-ovatis, apice obtusis vel rotundatis, 4.5 mm. longis,<br />
3.5-4 mm. latis quam 2 interioribus latioribus, 2 interioribus late<br />
oblongis, apice obtusis, 3 mm. longis, 2.5-3 mm. latis, appendice<br />
crassa inaequa liter denticulata instructis; staminibus 13-14; antheris<br />
suborbicularibus, 1-1.5 mm. longis, 1.25-1.5 mm. latis; filamentis<br />
glabris, 1 mm. longis; floribus foemineis solitaries: 6 mm. diam., extrinsecus<br />
adpresso-pubescentibus; receptaculo crasso cupuliformi,<br />
intus dense hispidulo, paullo aspero; pedicellis 10 mm. longis, dense<br />
adpresso-pubescentibus; perigonii phyllis<br />
2 exterioribus suborbicularibus,<br />
apice rotundatis, 2 mm. longis, 2.8-3 mm. latis quam 2<br />
interioribus latioribus, 2 interioribus 1.5 mm. longis, 2 mm. latis;<br />
ovariis 20, dense adpresso-hispidulis, 2-2.5 mm. longis; stylo glahro,<br />
0.5-1 mm. longo.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on steep wooded<br />
slopes just below dry ridge and shrubby growth of southeast-facing
236 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
slopes, Ptari-tepui, state of Bolivar, alt. 1585-1600 m., November<br />
10-11, 1944, Julian A, Steyermark 60014 (2 sheets, staminate and<br />
pistillate), "shrub 10 feet tall; leaves coriaceous, dull green above,<br />
pale green below; perianth dull yellow".<br />
In the staminate flowers the 2 inner divisions of the perianth are<br />
thickened within, and have more or less three irregularly toothed and<br />
denticulate-thickened callosities running lengthwise along the inner<br />
margins and irregularly denticulate at the apex. The appendages of<br />
the inner divisions of the staminate flowers are thinner than the rest<br />
of the perianth but not conspicuously elongated.<br />
This species is apparently a member of Sect. Appendiculatae Perk,<br />
and is related to M. LowtherianaPerk. of Brazil. From that species<br />
it<br />
may be distinguished by the 20 densely hispidulous carpels, the<br />
rounded tips of the pistillate perianth divisions, larger pistillate<br />
flowers, 13-14 stamens, more coriaceous broader subentire leaf<br />
blades which are minutely appressed-pubescent on the lower surface,<br />
and longer petioles.<br />
Mollinedia roraimensis Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Frutex, ramis subteretibus, novellis fulvo-tomentosis; foliis oppositis<br />
petiolatis ovatis vel elliptico-ovatis, basi subacutis, apice<br />
abrupte acuminatis, remote denticulatis, coriaceis, 15-18 cm. longis,<br />
6-9 cm. latis, supra glabris, subtus subtomentosis, nervis 5-6 jugis;<br />
petiolis 12-15 mm. longis, plus minusve subtomentellis; floribus<br />
non visis.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on southwest-facing<br />
forested slopes of Mount Roraima, between Rondon Camp and base of<br />
sandstone bluffs, state of Bolivar, alt. 2040-2255 m., September 30,<br />
1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59004, "shrub 8 feet tall; leaves coriaceous,<br />
dark green above, pale green and velvety below; stems<br />
purple-brown pubescent".<br />
Although this plant was found in only sterile condition, it apparently<br />
represents an undescribed species that may be distinguished from<br />
the closely related and above described A/, ptariensis by the denticulate<br />
leaves, which are more densely pubescent on the lower surface<br />
with longer trichomes.<br />
Siparuna Pittieri Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Frutex dioecus, 3 m. akus; ramis tomentulosis, pilis stellatis<br />
luteo-fulvis; foliis elliptico-obovatis, 15-32 cm. longis, 7-13 cm.<br />
latis, apice subito acutis vel acuminatis, basi rotundatis vel obtusis,<br />
minute et remote denticulatis, utrinque stellato-tomentosis; petiolis<br />
1.5-6 cm. longis, dense fulvo-tomentosis; inflorescentia tomentulosa,<br />
gracili, foeminea 1.5-2 cm. longa; receptaculo foemineo globosourceolato<br />
fulvo-tomentoso in diametro 3.5; stylis 4 exsertis, inferne<br />
in columnam coalitis.
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 237<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in Parque Nacional,<br />
between Rancho Grande and Maracay, state of Aragua, alt. 240-455<br />
m., December 9, 1943, Julian A. Steyermark 54967.<br />
Apparently there belong here two other collections from the same<br />
or nearby area: Killip 37120 from the same locality, and Pittier 8804<br />
(in guaremales, Urama, between Puerto Cabello and San Felipe, state<br />
of Carabobo, 1920.<br />
The Pittier 8804 collection was cited by Knuth in his Initia Florae<br />
Venezuelensis (Beihefte Report. Sp. Nov. 43: 335. 1927) as the type<br />
of a new species, S. Pittieri R. Knuth "in schedis herb. Pittier".<br />
Unfortunately, that name as such can be treated only as a nomen<br />
nudum. Since the plant of the Parque Nacional collected by Killip<br />
and the writer constitute an undescribed species, previously erroneously<br />
referred to S. gesnerioides (H.B.K.) A. DC., it is fitting that<br />
Dr. Pittier's name be preserved by a validly published description,<br />
instead of lapsing into obscurity as a nomen nudum. Although I have<br />
not seen the Pittier 8804 collection, it is most probable that it is conspecific<br />
with the plant here described. This new species from the<br />
Parque Nacional superficially resembles S. gesnerioides ,<br />
but differs<br />
in having 4 styles in the pistillate flower and shorter and less abundant<br />
tomentum of stems and petioles.<br />
CRUCIFERAE<br />
Cardamine ovata Bench., forma Lehmanii (Hieronymus) Steyermark,<br />
comb. nov.<br />
Cardamine ovata subsp. Lehmannii (Hieronymus) O. .<br />
Schulz, in<br />
Engl. Jahrb. 27: 412. 1903; C. Alberti O. E. Schulz, Notiz. 10: 341.<br />
1928.<br />
This entity, with leaflets averaging smaller than those of typical<br />
C. ovata, appears to be only an ecological form prevalent on the<br />
paramos and higher elevations scattered throughout the range of the<br />
species. It varies in glabrity of stems and leaves.<br />
Steyermark 55754 from the state of Merida (between Los Corales<br />
and Las Cuadras) is practically glabrate, while Lehmann 4759 from<br />
Colombia (Paramo de Guanacas), and Steyermark 55450 from Venezuela<br />
(between Buenos Aires and Paramo de las Rosas, state of<br />
Lara) are more pubescent.<br />
Some specimens, such as Steyermark 62743, from the state of Sucre<br />
in eastern Venezuela (forest along stream at base of Cerro de Diablo<br />
[western extension of southern peak of Cerro TurumiquireJ) are intermediate<br />
in leaf size between typical C. ovata and f. Lehmannii.<br />
An examination of isotypic material of C. Alberti O. E. Schulz at<br />
once identifies it with C. ovata f. Lehmannii. The obtuse crenately<br />
toothed, rather small leaflets whichare sparsely pilose, together with
238 FIFLDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
the scattered pubescence of the sepals, pedicels,<br />
matched by some of the collections cited above.<br />
and stems can be<br />
CAPPARIDACEAE<br />
Capparis guaguaensis Steyermark, sp. nov.<br />
Arbor 19-25-metralis; ramulis subteretibus glabris, cortice cinereobrunneo;<br />
foliis alternis simplicibus integerrimis, firrae membranaceis,<br />
longe petiolatis, petiolis glabris 2-11.5 cm. longis; laminis late<br />
ovatis vel elliptico-ovatis, 9-26 cm. longis, 5-13 cm. latis, apice<br />
acutis vel breviter acuminatis, supra glabris atroviridibus, nervis<br />
lateralibus 8-9-jugis prominulis pallid is, subtus glabris argenteoviridibus,<br />
costa elevata, nervis venisque prominentibus; floribus non<br />
vis is; pedicellis fructiferis glabris 2-2.2 cm. longis, 2-3 mm. crassis;<br />
bacco pallide flavido pendulo ovoideo molli, 5-6 cm. longo, 3-4 cm.<br />
lato, pericarpio laevi, in sicco ca. 2 mm. crasso; pulpa esculenta<br />
dulci cinereo-alba; seminibus circa 6, nigrescentibus nitidis, 15*20<br />
mm. longis, 10-12 mm. latis, testa firmiter Crustacea.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected along Rio Guagua,<br />
tributary to Rio Manzanares, above valley of Cumanacoa, above<br />
Cuchivano, state of Sucre, alt. 230-300 m., May 18, 1945, Julian A.<br />
Steyermark 62800 (2 sheets), "tree 60-80 feet tall; leaves firmly<br />
membra naceous, deep dark green above, silvery green below; fruit<br />
edible, pendent, ovoid, 5-6 cm. long, 3-4 cm. broad, pale yellow,<br />
soft; pulp edible, sweetish, gray white; seeds blackish, shining".<br />
Local name:<br />
"toco".<br />
The name "toco" in Venezuela is usually applied to Crataeva<br />
Tapia L. (C. gynandra L.), but in parts of the Venezuelan Oriente,<br />
such as northeast of Bergantfn in the state of Anzoategui, the name<br />
is applied, at least in part, to another tree, Capparis Baducca L., of<br />
the same family. A collection of C. Baducca (Steyermark 61088) from<br />
Cerro La Danta, in this region, was so named by the inhabitants.<br />
Near the type locality along the Rio Guagua another collection of C.<br />
Baducca (Steyermark 62788) was made.<br />
This new species is striking in that the fruit somewhat resembles<br />
that of a Crataeva, but the leaves are simple throughout and resemble<br />
those of Capparis Baducca. At first, it<br />
might be wondered whether<br />
the fruit and the leaves might not have been collected from separate<br />
trees, and therefore comprise a mixture, but such is not the case. The<br />
leaves of this collection are much broader and of a thinner texture<br />
than those of C. Baducca, and the fruit is ovoid and large similar to<br />
that of a Crataeva. However, it differs from other fruiting specimens<br />
of Crataeva Tapia sensu latu in its much larger, smooth seeds, much<br />
shorter gynophore, and much thinner and softer mature pericarp of 2-3<br />
mm. thickness, whereas that of Crataeva is much firmer, more rigid,<br />
and has a thickness of 5-7 mm. The pulp of the new species is
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 239<br />
sweetish and edible, a fact which has not been recorded for either<br />
Crataeva Tapia sensu latu or for Capparis Baducca.<br />
Steriphoma paradoxum f venezuelanum .<br />
(Briquet) Steyermark,comb.nov.<br />
Steriphoma venezuelanum Briq. in Ann. Conserv. et Jard. Bot.<br />
Geneve XVD: 394. 1914.<br />
Although Briquet compares his species with S. elliptic a Spreng.,<br />
actually it is related to 5. paradoxum, of which it can be considered<br />
only a form separated from the species by the elliptic or oblongelliptic<br />
leaf blades, which are relatively broader in proportion to<br />
their length (2-2 1/2 times broader than long) than in typical S.<br />
paradoxum, in which the leaf blades are much more elongated, lanceolate,<br />
or oblong- lanceolate and usually 4-5 times longer than broad.<br />
The blades of 5. paradoxum f. venezuelanum are slightly more obtuse<br />
at the base and more abruptly acuminate with somewhat shorter tips<br />
than those of typical 5. paradoxum. The petioles are also somewhat<br />
shorter in f. venezuelanum.<br />
Apparently there are only two valid species of this genus thus far<br />
known in Venezuela, S, ellipticum Spreng. and S. paradoxum (Jacq.)<br />
Endl. In the Catalog de la Flora Venezolana i: 321. 1945, Pittier<br />
et al list four species of this genus as occurring within Venezuela.<br />
A comparison of the description of Steriphoma cleomoides based on<br />
Stephania cleomoides Willd. from the region of Caracas, and study of<br />
herbarium material from that area, show that it is not different from<br />
Steriphoma paradoxum, based on Capparis paradoxa Jacq. from the<br />
same region. As the latter validly published name is the oldest one<br />
congeneric with Steriphoma, it must be used over any others subsequently<br />
placed in that genus.<br />
The synonymy is as follows:<br />
Steriphoma paradoxum (Jacq.) Endl. in Flora XV: 396. 1832. Capparts<br />
paradoxa Jacq. PI. Har. Hort. Schoenbr. 1: 58. pU 111. 1797.<br />
Stephania cleomoides Willd. Sp. PI. II: 239. 1799.<br />
Steriphoma cleomoides Spreng. Syst. IV: 139. 1827.<br />
SARRACENIACEAE<br />
Heliamphora heterodox* Steyennark, sp. nov.<br />
Folia radicalia, plerumque 12-25 cm. (ad 40 cm.) longa; amphoris<br />
in medio expansis, intus dense strigosis pilis albis reflexis, appendice<br />
apicali cucullata suborbiculari, 0.6-2.5 cm. longa; scapo 3-7 dm.<br />
alto plerumque 2-4-(ad 7-) floris, omnino glabro; bracteis sessilibus<br />
amplexicaulibus, late ovatis obtusis vel cuspidato-acuminatis, infimis<br />
3.5-7 cm. longis, 1.6-4.2 cm. latis, superioribus minoribus reductis,<br />
supremis 0.9-2 cm. longis, plerumque glabris vel partim<br />
puberulis; floribus nutantibus; perianthii segmentis anguste vel late<br />
ovatis vel oblongo-ellipticis acutis vel subobtusis in anthesi 20-50<br />
mm. longis, 10-20 mm. latis, in fructu ad 80 mm. longis et 37mm.
240 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
latis glabris; antheris anguste oblongis, 5.5-8 mm. longis; ovario<br />
pubescent! pallido viridi; capsulis ovoideis, 1.5-2 cm. longis; seminibus<br />
alatis, late ovatis vel suborbicularibus pallido brunneis, 3-3.5<br />
mm. longis, a la ca. 1 mm. lata.<br />
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in Bonne tia roraimae<br />
forest on southwest-facing shoulder, Ptari-tepu/, state of Bolivar,<br />
alt. 2000-2200 m., November 2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59766 (2<br />
sheets), "matted on mossy exposed top of big shoulder; flowers faintly<br />
fragrant, arising near base of plant; 2 outer sepals rose-pink at<br />
base, otherwise greenish-white; a midline of pink or rose on outer<br />
sepals; 2 inner sepals white within; rachis wine red as is scape; leaf<br />
pale green with suffusion of wine purple-red, either one color massed<br />
or in splotches; leaf tip with incurved purple-red appendage".<br />
Additional collections are: in swamp on open level portion of<br />
plateau on southeast-facing slopes, Ptari-tepuf, alt. 1600 m., November<br />
1, 1944, Steyermark 59657; vicinity of "Misia Kathy Camp", on<br />
mesa between Ptari-tepuT and Sororopan-tepuf, alt. 1615 m., November<br />
15-17, 1944, Steyermark 60242', and along moist base of east-facing<br />
high sandstone bluffs, Ptari-tepui, alt. 2410-2450 m., November 7,<br />
1944, Steyermark 59934.<br />
It may be noted that considerable variation occurs within this<br />
species. For example, Steyermark 60242 has the pedicels slightly<br />
puberulous on one side and glabrous on the other, whereas in the<br />
other collections cited the pedicels are glabrous throughout. Moreover,<br />
the size of the sepals varies in length and width, depending in<br />
part on their age or development. The bracts subtending the pedicels<br />
may be obtuse, but usually have a short or elongated cuspidate apex.<br />
The appendages of the lids also vary in size, as do the pitchers<br />
themselves. The Steyermark 59934 collection is a good example of<br />
how robust this species may become under certain favorable growing<br />
conditions induced by a combination of abundant moisture and shade.<br />
In every way it is larger and more luxuriant than the other collections<br />
cited. It was found on moist bluffs where seepage occurred, growing<br />
in mats of Sphagnum oxyphyllum moss. It has larger more elongated<br />
pitchers with longer hairs within, longer peduncles with larger and<br />
more numerous flowers, and larger sepals. Despite these differences<br />
it cannot be considered more than a vigorous individual likely to be<br />
found in any group of plants where moisture affects more vigorous<br />
growth and enlarged parts. In details of morphological characters<br />
this luxuriant specimen, in all respects, is identical with that of<br />
typical H. heterodoxa.<br />
In the living condition H. heterodoxa is a very striking and colorful<br />
plant. The pitchers are usually pale green with a suffusion of winepurple-red<br />
color, either the one color massed or occurring in splotches,<br />
or the lower part of the pitchers may be purple-red with the upper<br />
portion pale green. The inner surface may be pale green within, but<br />
also may have a dark brown-purple coloring within in the cup portion
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 241<br />
at the base, while the margin and keel of the pitchers on the outside<br />
are red. The lid appendage is red or purple-red. The flowering<br />
stalks arise at the base of the plant, the scapes and flowering pedicels<br />
being dark red or wine red. The outer sepals vary from pale<br />
green or greenish-white with rose-pink at the base to a rosy color in<br />
age; there may be a midline of pink or rose color on the outer sepals.<br />
The inner sepals are usually white within, or may be whitish-pink on<br />
both sides. They are usually paler green in age. The pubescent<br />
ovary is generally pale green in color.<br />
It is interesting to record another new species in this genus to the<br />
five previously known. From a genus originally considered as monotypic,<br />
six Species are at present known, three (H. Maedonaldae, H.<br />
Tatei, and //.<br />
Tyleri) known only from Mount Duida, and each of the<br />
others (H. nutans, H. minor, and H. heterodoxa) known only respectively<br />
from Mount Roraima, Mount Auyan-tepui, and Mount Ptari-tepui'.<br />
Undoubtedly, several more will eventually be discovered when all of<br />
the tepuis have been carefully explored. Heliamphora heterodoxa is<br />
most closely related to H. nutans Benth. of Mount Roraima and to<br />
H. minor Gleason of Mount Auyan-tepuu It differs from them in having<br />
longer anthers (5.5-8 mm. instead of 3-4 mm. long) and in the<br />
extent of pubescence of the upper pubescent zone on the inside of<br />
the upper pubescent zone on the inside of the pitcher, the zone of<br />
pubescence in H. heterodoxa occupying the upper half of the pitcher,<br />
whereas in H. minor and H. nutans this zone covers the upper onethird.<br />
A key to the species at present known is here given:<br />
Pitchers expanded in the middle and constricted above and below<br />
the middle; pedicels slender, drooping<br />
Anthers 5.5-8 mm. long; upper pubescent zone on inside covering<br />
about the upper half of the pitcher<br />
H. heterodoxa.<br />
Anthers 3-4 mm. long; upper pubescent zone on inside covering<br />
the upper one-third of the pitcher<br />
Pedicels pubescent; sepals 2-3.2 cm. long; pitchers scarcely<br />
expanded in middle; wings of pitchers more or less<br />
equally broad from base to apex; lid appendage abruptly<br />
narrowed at base, suborbicular; pitcher 10-12 cm. long.<br />
//. minor.<br />
Pedicels glabrous; sepals 3.5-5 cm. long; pitchers conspicuously<br />
expanded at middle into a flared bell-like form;<br />
wings of pitchers abruptly narrowed below the middle and<br />
again appearing above the middle; lip appendage inconspicuous<br />
and passing directly into the upper part of die<br />
pitcher, or conspicuous and suborbicular to orbicular with<br />
abrupt constriction at base or not all at constricted;<br />
pitcher 13-30 cm. long<br />
H. nutans.<br />
Pitchers barely or not at all expanded in the middle, with an elongated<br />
tubular form; pedicels stout, erect
242 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28<br />
Pitchers glabrous within, except for a few scattered hairs at<br />
the very margin; sepals obtuse //. Macdonaldae.<br />
Pitchers pubescent within; sepals" acuminate<br />
Lid cuspidate at the summit; pedicels very sparsely pubescent<br />
H. Tatei.<br />
Lid rounded at the summit; pedicels densely pubescent<br />
H. Tyleri.<br />
Having had an opportunity of observing in the field four of these<br />
six entities, and having witnessed the great variability within //.<br />
heterodoxa of Ptari-tepui, especially in regard to the size of the<br />
pitcher and the shape and size of the appendage on the lid, it may be<br />
stated that observations on the other species of Heliamphora have<br />
revealed a great amount of variation in shape and size (length and<br />
breadth) of the lid and appendage of the pitcher, and in shape and<br />
size (length and breadth) of the sepals. For example, in H. Macdonaldae<br />
of Mount Duida, there is variation in sepal width, the<br />
sepals in the type (Tate 1022) being about 40 mm. wide, but Gleason<br />
notes (Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 58: 367. 1931) that in Tate 1023 "The<br />
perianth segments are much narrower, ranging from 14 to 23 mm."<br />
Although they are described by Gleason as being "obtuse", they<br />
actually vary from obtuse to subacute.<br />
Furthermore, when more material is available for study, it is quite<br />
possible that H. Tyleri may have to be reduced to a variety of H<br />
Tatei, and H. minor to a variety of H nutans. The differences of<br />
pubescence of pedicel and smaller size of sepals separating H*<br />
minor from //. nutans have been found to be variable and inconstant<br />
characters. Similarly in H. Tatei the tip of the lid is slightly cuspidate,<br />
while in H. Tyleri it is rounded. Moreover, the characters of<br />
pubescence in H Tatei and H. Tyleri are relative and the same variations<br />
in shape of lids and pubescence of pedicels is found in these<br />
two species from Mount Duida as are found in the material of H.<br />
heterodoxa from Ptari-tepui.<br />
In his work on carnivorous plants (p. 11), F. E. Lloyd states, for<br />
H. minor of Mount Auyan-tepui', that "the bell is densely hairy only<br />
along the marginal zone, with a few scattered hairs on the general<br />
surface". But while this is true for older pitchers,<br />
it does not hold<br />
true for young to middle mature ones which are densely hairy with<br />
fine short hairs throughout the upper one-third of the bell. The hairs<br />
either appear to fall off or weather off eventually, thus causing a<br />
deception of observation on this character.<br />
With more extensive collecting of this genus over a wide area,<br />
more variations will probably be found eventually within given<br />
species than are at present known to occur. It is quite probable,<br />
therefore, that some of the species may have to be reduced to varieties<br />
or forms.
Publication 667
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA