New taxa of Lauraceae from South America

21 Pages·2003·12.8 MB·

by  H Van Der Werff

New Taxa of Lauraceae from South America
Henk van der Werjf
Missouri Botanical Garden, P.0. Box 299, St. Louis, Missouri 63166—0299, U.S.A.
[email protected]
ABSTRACT. In this contribution the following from any of the known species in Peru and Ecua¬
new species of Lauraceae are described: Cinna- dor. Cinnamomum includes about 350 species,
momurn Jloccosum from Peru; five species of Li- mostly in tropical Asia; Lorea Hernandez recog¬
caria, L. exserta from Ecuador and /.. subsessilis nized 47 species in the Neotropics.
from Peru and Ecuador, L. filiformis from Peru, L.
sessiliflora from Venezuela, and L. rufotomentosa 1. Cinnamomum floccosum van der Werff, sp.
from French Guiana; two species of Mezilaurus, M. nov. TYPE: Peru. Dept. Cajamarca: prov. San
campaucola from Peru, and M. manausensis from Ignacio, Santuario Nacional Tabaconas-Nam-
Brazil; one species of Nectandra, N. tomentosa balle, Camino al Cerro Coyona, 2500—2600 m.
from Ecuador and Peru; five species of Ocotea, 0. 20 Nov. 1998. C. Diaz, J. Sembrera & L. Ad-
arenaria and 0. multinervis from Peru, 0. brevi- rianzen 10087 (holotvpe. MO 5593925; iso-
petiolata, (). hirtostyla and 0. scalariformis from lypes, HBG, K, NY). Figure 1.
Ecuador; and one species of Pleurothyrium, P. ar-
cuatum from Peru. A eongeneris foliis basi cordatis vel rotundatis, vena-
tione pagina superiori foliorum iinpressa et indumento
Key words: Cinnamomum, Lauraceae, Licaria,
ffoccoso valde recedit.
Mezilaurus, Nectandra, Ocotea, Pleurothyrium,
South America. Trees, to 16 m. Twigs angular, solid, when young
with a dense cover of straw-colored hairs, the hairs
Among Lauraceae specimens received as gift for mostly ascending, the indument wearing off and be¬
coming darker with age; terminal buds densely ap-
identification or collected by staff of the Missouri
Botanical Garden, several novelties were encoun¬ pressed pubescent. Leaves 5—11 X 3—6.5 cm, co¬
tered. In this contribution 15 of these new species riaceous, broadly elliptic to obovate, alternate and
are published. More are certain to follow. None of somewhat clustered toward the tips of the branches,
the species described here are based on old col¬ the base obtuse to cordate, the margin flat, the apex
lections, the oldest having been eolleeted in 1982. obtuse or acute, the upper surface moderately floc-
cose pubescent when young, becoming glabrous
Although most of the new species were collected in
the Andes of Ecuador and Peru, it seems that new with age, the lower surface densely floccose pubes¬
species of Lauraceae can be expected w herever in¬ cent, the hairs matted, the indument less dense
tensive collecting takes place in the wet Neotropics. with age and eventually becoming glabrous; dom-
atia lacking; midrib and lateral veins and to a lesser
degree tertiary venation impressed on the upper
I. Cinnamomum Schaeffer, Botanica Expeditor
surface, raised on the lower surface; the basal 2 or
74. 1760.
3 pairs of lateral veins crowded near the base of
The Neotropical species of Cinnamomum were the lamina; lateral veins 5 to 8 on each side of the
recently revised by Lorea Hernandez (1996). He leaf; petioles to 5 mm long, w ith a similar indument
recognized three species from Peru: C. heteranth- to the twigs, shallowly canaliculate above. Inflores¬
erum (Ruiz & Pavon) Kostermans, only known from cences 5—10 cm, paniculate-cymose, in the axils of
the type and characterized by its six 4-celled and leaves, densely to moderately densely gray pubes¬
three 2-celled stamens; the widespread C. tripli- cent, the hairs ascending, the indument becoming
nerve (Ruiz & Pavon) Kostermans; and C. subsessile sparser with age. Flowers yellow-green, 3—4 mm
(Meissner) Kostermans, characterized by its sub- diam.; pedicels ea. 3 mm, less densely pubescent
sessile leaves with a rounded to cordate base. The than the inflorescence axes; tepals 6, equal, 2 mm
last species was until recently only known from the long, elliptic, glabrous or nearly so on the outer
type collected by Mathews in the 1830s but was surface, sparsely pubescent on the inner surface,
re-collected in 2000 not far from the type locality. half-erect at anthesis; stamens 9, glabrous,
The new species described belowr differs markedly 4-celled, the upper pair of cells sometimes much
Novon 13: 337-357. 2003.
338 Novon
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aiitlLi...Li.... a
Volume 13, Number 3 van der Werff 339
2003 Lauraceae from South America
smaller and the anther appearing 2-celled, espe¬ flaps instead of two. This species also has the tepals
cially the inner 3 anthers, or inner 3 anthers united at the base and falling off as a unit in older
2-celled, stamens ca. 1.5 mm, the outer 6 with the flowers. Most species of Licaria have persistent te¬
cells opening introrsely, inner 3 opening extrorsely; pals, ari<I the position of L. exserta in Licaria is still
filaments of the inner 3 stamens with 2 globose provisional. Licaria is endemic to the Neotropics
glands near the base, staminodia three, 1 mm. the and includes about 50 species.
apex triangular, the filament as wide as the tip, pu¬
bescent; pistil glabrous, 2.5 mm long, the ovary 1.5
I. Licaria exserta van der Werff, sp. nov. TYPE:
mm, the style distinct; receptacle cup-shaped, pu¬
Ecuador. Napo Prov.: Jatun Sacha Biological
bescent inside. Tepals persisting and becoming en¬
Station, 400 m, 13 May 1990, W. Palacios &
larged, to 3 mm long, in old flowers and not de¬
E. Freire 5111 (holotype, QCNE 38693; iso¬
hiscing; fruits unknown.
types, AAU, B, CANB, HBG, K. MO, NY, P,
Flowers in November. TI, US, XAL). Figure 2.
Vegetatively, Cinnamomum floccosum is rather
Licariae polyphyllae similis, sed antheris longe exsertis,
similar to Aiouea dubia (HBK) Mez, an Andean
quadri-valvibus, tepalis patentibus recedit.
species known from southern Ecuador. Both species
have somewhat tripliveined, obovate leaves; the Trees, to 30 m. Twigs terete, initially densely ap¬
major veins on the upper leaf surface can be im¬ pressed pubescent, glabrescent, the indument in¬
pressed in A. dubia, although the tertiary venation conspicuous; terminal buds densely and finely ap¬
is not impressed in the latter. Aiouea dubia has pressed pubescent. Leaves 8—14 X 3—5 cm,
2-celled anthers, although occasionally its anthers elliptic, firmly chartaceous, alternate; base shortly
have a strongly reduced upper pair of locelli. The decurrent on the petiole, reflexed, the margin oth¬
two species can be separated as follows: C. floccos¬ erwise plane, the apex acute; upper surface gla¬
um has 4-celled anthers (rarely anthers of the inner brous, lower surface very sparsely appressed pu¬
3 stamens are 2-celled), floccose indument on bescent or glabrous, midrib slightly raised or
leaves and twigs, mostly rounded to cordate leaf immersed, lateral veins and tertiary venation im¬
bases, and bullate leaves, while A. dubia has mersed on the upper surface, midrib raised, lateral
2-celled anthers (rarely with rudiments of an upper veins slightly raised or immersed, tertian' venation
pair of anther cells), glabrous or sparsely appressed immersed on lower surface; lateral veins 5 to 7 on
pubescent twigs and leaves, acute to obtuse leaf each side; petioles 0.8-11.4 cm, glabrous, deeply
bases, and the upper leaf surface flat or with im¬ canaliculate. Inflorescences 4—10 cm, paniculate-
pressed major veins. cymose, moderately densely appressed pubescent,
in the axils of bracts near the tips of the branches.
Paratype. I'KR l. Cajamarca: Prov. San Ignacio, Flowers 3—4 X 1.5 mm, yellow, cylindrical, densely
Santuario Nacional Tabaconas-Namballe, Camino al Cerro
appressed pubescent; tepals 6, equal, 1.5 mm long,
Coyona, 20 Nov. 1998, Diaz el al. 10116 (MO).
the basal I mm fused into a tube, the free lobes
0.5 mm long, tepals dehiscing in old flowers and
II. Licaria Aublet, Hist. PI. Guiane fr. I: 313.
falling off as a unit together with the stamens; te¬
1775.
pals initially erect, but spreading in older flowers;
The revision of Licaria (Kurz, 2000) has greatly stamens 3, 1.5 mm long, free, pressed together in
increased our understanding of this genus and young flowers but diverging in older flowers, the
made a critical examination and identification of inner surface densely pubescent, the outer surface
the many recent collections possible. It was a sur¬ less so, the filaments as wide as the anthers, 1 mm
prise to find two new species of the subgenus Can- long, the anthers ca. 0.5 mm exserted. each anther
nella, thus almost doubling the number of species with 2 anther cells, these narrow, ca. 0.4 mm long,
in this subgenus. Licaria is typically characterized extrorse, opening upward, each cell with 2 valves,
by the presence of three 2-celled stamens. One of one attached at the tip of the cell, the other at the
the species described here, L. exserta van der middle; staminodia not seen; no glands visible at
Werff, differs in having two flaps on each of the the base of the filaments; pistil 2.5 mm, glabrous,
anther locelli, thus having stamens with four anther the ovary 1 mm, turbinate, the style slender, stigma
figures 1, 2. —1 (left). Holotype of Cinnamomum floccosum van der Werff. —2 (right). Isotype (MO) of Licaria
exserta van der Werff. Insert: Detail of flowers.
340 Novon
very small and inconspicuous, receptacle deep, 2. Licaria filiformis van der Werff, sp. nov.
densely pubescent inside. Fruits and cupules un¬ TYPE: Peru. Amazonas; Prov. Bagua, Comu-
known. nidad Aguaruna Putuim, 600 m, 25 Sep. 1994,
C. Diaz, A. Pena A' P. Atamain 7238 (holotype,
Flowers in February, May, and June. MO 5593922; isotypes, HBG, MO. NY). Fig¬
Licaria exserta can be readily recognized by its ure 3.
flowers to 4 mm long, with exserted anthers, the
dehiscing tepals in old flowers, the anther cells with A congeneris floribus parvis infloreseentiisque filifor-
mibus et cupulis laevibus recedit.
two valves each, the spreading tepals, and the
slightly decurrent leaf bases with an inrolled mar¬ Shrub or small tree, to 6 m. Twigs terete, solid,
gin. Although this species can be identified without slender, glabrous or with a few appressed hairs near
difficulties, its generic placement is not certain. the tip; terminal buds slender, finely appressed pu¬
The new species is described in Licaria, based on bescent. Leaves 6-16 X 2—5 cm, elliptic, narrowly
the shape of the flowers and its three fertile stamens elliptic or oblong, chartaeeous, alternate, the base
with exserted anthers. However, the anther cells acute, obtuse or rounded, the apex acute or acu¬
with two valves each and the dehiscing tepals are minate, the acumen to 1 cm long, glabrous on both
not found in other species of Licaria. The genus surfaces, midrib, lateral veins, and tertiary venation
Williamodendron Kubitzki & H. G. Richter has immersed on the upper surface, midrib raised, lat¬
three stamens with four locelli and four valves eral veins and tertiary venation weakly raised on
each; however, Licaria exserta differs from Willia¬ the lower surface, lateral veins 5 to 7 on each side,
modendron in its evenly distributed (not clustered) petioles 10—15 mm, glabrous, canaliculate. Inflo¬
leaves, its deep (not shallow) receptacle, its cylin¬ rescences 5-8 cm, in the axils of bracts near the
drical flowers with exserted anthers (not rounded tips of the twigs, racemose or with a few cymose
with included anthers), and the extrorse (not apical) branches, glabrous. Flowers 1-1.2 mm diam.,
locelli. I do not think that Licaria exserta is closely green, pedicels 5—9 mm long, threadlike, glabrous;
related to Williamodendron, although it has three tepals 6, equal, glabrous, 0.8 mm long, broadly
stamens with four valves each. Williamodendron is ovate, the outer 3 erect, the inner 3 incurved; sta¬
closely related to Mezilaurus and differs from that mens 3, 2-celled, the locelli apical and opening
genus only in its anthers with four, rather than two, outward, the tips of the stamens pressed together
locelli. and with papillose margins, leaving only a small
Kurz (2000) recognized three subgenera in Li¬ central pore for the stigma; old staminodia some¬
caria; the new species belongs in the subgenus Li¬ times present on the cupule, 0.7 mm long, 0.5 mm
caria because the locelli are extrorse and open up¬ wide near the tip, with some hairs near the base;
ward. The partly fused tepals and the cylindrical pistil not studied for lack of sufficient flowers.
flowers indicate a similarity with /,. quirirafuina Fruits ellipsoid, 2.2 X 1.4 cm, cupule deeply cup¬
Kostermans and L. oppositifolia (Nees) Kostermans, shaped, 1 cm high, 1.4 cm diam., smooth, seem¬
but L. exserta has larger flowers (3-4 mm vs. 1-2 ingly with a single margin, but a small, inner mar¬
mm) with long-exserted anthers, spreading tepals gin present; tepals sometimes persisting as small
that dehisce in old flowers, and recurved leaf bases. teeth on the cupule.
The new species is ordy known from the Jatun Sa¬
Flowers in August and September; fruits in Sep¬
cha Biological Station in Ecuador. Three of the four
tember.
collections came from the same, tagged tree, and it
Licaria filiformis is an inconspicuous and poorly
is possible that the fourth collection also came from
known species. It is readily recognized by its small
that tree. One collector mentioned that all parts of
flowers, slender inflorescences, often obtuse or
the plant were very fragrant.
rounded leaf bases, and the smooth cupule, which
appears to have a single margin. It belongs to sub¬
Paratypes. ECUADOR. Napo: Jatun Sacha Biological
genus Licaria (Kurz, 2000); in Kurz’s treatment it
Station, 16 Feb. 1999, Neill & QCNE Botany Interns
12301, 17 Feb. 1999, Neill 11865, 28 June 1994, Tirado will key to L. misantlae (Brandegee) Kostermans, a
995 (all MO. QCNE). Central American species, with which it shares the
Figures 3, 4. —3 (left). Holotype of Licaria filiformis van der Werff. Insert: Cupule and fruit. —4 (right). Holotype
of Licaria rufotomentosa van der Werff. Insert: Cupnle and fruit.
Volume 13, Number 3 van der Werff 341
2003 Lauraceae from South America
8
2
2
8
8
5
5

N?
342 No von
long (to 9 mm) pedicels. Licaria misantlae differs anther cells 2 longitudinal slits, introrse-Iatrorse,
in its double-margined cupules, larger flowers (to not opening with valves, glands, if present, fused
2.5 mm diam.), and distribution. The two collec¬ with the broadened base of the stamens and diffi¬
tions of L. filiformis both came from a vegetation cult to discern; inner staminodia (whorl IV) not
type locally called campau, forest on sandstone seen; pistil glabrous, 1.3 mm long, the ovary glo¬
covered by a thick layer of leal debris, but without bose, 0.4 mm diam., style slender, stigma not dis¬
a soil layer. tinct; receptacle deep, brown-pubescent inside. In-
fmetescences short, excluding fruit to 5 cm, cupule
Paratype. PFIHJ. Amazonas: Prov. Bagua, km 92
2.5—3 cm long, 3—3.5 cm diam., 1.5 cm deep, the
Carretera Bagua—Imacita, Cerros Chinim, 25 Aug. 1996,
C. Diaz, A. Pena <& M. Roca 7952 (MO). outer margin spreading, fruit ellipsoid, ca. 3 cm
long.
3. Licaria rufotomentosa van der Werff, s|>. nov.
Flowers and fruits in March.
TYPE: French Guiana. Carbet Grillon, 80 m.
Licaria rufotomentosa is easily recognized by the
9 Mar. 1999. B. Dutreve & F. Crazier 7 (ho-
ferruginous indument on the lower leaf surface,
lotype, MO; isotypes, CAY, K, NY, P, US). Fig¬
young twigs, and inflorescences. The clustered
ure 4.
leaves, the introrse-lateral anther cells, and the
A ceteris speciebus Licariae subgeneris Cannellae foliis large (to 3.5 cm diam.) cupules place the new spe¬
subtus rufo-tomentosis, obovatis et ramulis juvenalibus cies in Licaria subg. Cannella. It is closely related
rufo-tomentosis recedit.
to L. cannella (Meissner) Kostermans, a variable
Trees. 25 m. Twigs terete or ridged, seasonal species with three varieties (Kurz. 2000). In leaf
growth densely dark red-brown tomentose. the sur¬ characters (short petioles, leaf bases obtuse or
face completely covered; older twigs becoming gla¬ rounded) the new species resembles the variety ten-
brous; terminal buds densely tomentose. Leaves 8— uicarpa (Kostermans) Kurz, but the tomentose in¬
18 X 3.5—7 cm, elliptic-obovate to obovate, coria¬ dument on leaves anti twigs is not known from any
ceous, grouped near the lips of the branches, al¬ species of the subgenus Cannella.
ternate, the base obtuse or cordate, the margin often fhe basionym of Licaria cannella is Aydendron
bent downward, the apex shortly acuminate, the up¬ cannella Meissner (Meissner, 1864). Later, Meis¬
per surface glabrous except for some tomentose in- sner (1866) used the spelling “canella” instead of
dument on the basal part of the midrib, the lower "cannella” in the Flora Brasiliensis treatment, and
surface reddish tomentose, completely covered by this spelling has been used by all later authors. The
the indument, the indument darker along the mid¬ spelling cannella in Meissner (1864) was probably
rib; midrib, lateral veins, and tertiary venation based on the common name (Bois cannelle) cited
slightly raised on the upper surface, midrib and in the original publication. Because cannella does
lateral veins raised, tertiary venation not visible on not seem to be a typographical or orthographical
the lower surface; lateral veins 7 to 10 on each side; error, article 60.1 of the Code (Greater et al., 2000)
petioles T)— 10 mm, with a similar indument to the requires that the original spelling be retained.
twigs, ± terete. Inflorescences 2 cm long, panicu-
late-cymose, densely tomentose, the surface com¬ 4, Licaria sessiliflora van der Vie iff, sp. nov.
pletely covered by the indument, in the axils of TYPE; Venezuela. Estado Amazonas: Rio Pas-
leaves or bracts. Flowers ea. 2 mm long, globose or imoni, 4 Nov. 1994, B. Stergios, M. Nino, /.
ellipsoid, densely tomentellous, the hairs shorter Sikoura, A. Piven, P. iMartinez & N. Friederich
than those on the inflorescence axes, pedicels as 16276 (holotype, PORT; isotype, MO). Fig¬
long as or slightly longer than the (lowers; tepals ure 5.
six, ea. 0.5 mm long, triangular or broadly trian¬
gular, equal or the outer 3 slightly larger, much A congeneris floribus sessilibus tubulosisque, foliis re-
ticulatis differt.
shorter than the receptacle, densely tomentellous
outside, glabrous inside, outer 6 stamens stamino- Tree, 8 m. Twigs terete, glabrous; terminal buds
dial, tepaloid, a little smaller than the tepals, fertile glabrous. Leaves 9—12 X 3—4 cm, elliptic or ob-
stamens 3, representing whorl III. ca. I mm long, ovate-elliptie, glabrous on both surfaces, alternate
the basal part pubescent, the distal part glabrous. or the two distal leaves subopposite, coriaceous, the
—>
figures 5, 6. —5 (left). Isotype of Licaria sessiliflora van der Werff. —-6 (right). Holotype of Licaria subsessilis van
rler Werff.
Volume 13, Number 3 van der Werff 343
2003 Lauraceae from South America
344 Novon
base acute or cuneate, the apex bluntly acute or frees, 15 m. Twigs terete or angular, glabrous,
obtuse, tertiary venation raised on both surfaces, solid, terminal buds glabrous or nearly so. Leaves
midrib and lateral veins slightly raised on both sur¬ 5—17 X 3—6.5 cm, coriaceous, alternate and clus¬
faces; lateral veins 3 to 5 pairs; petioles 1.3—1.8 tered near the tips of the twigs, broadly elliptic to
cm, strongly canaliculate. Inflorescences in the ax¬ elliptic-obovate, the base rounded, rarely obtuse or
ils of bracts near the terminal buds, to 6 cm long, cordate, to attenuate, the margins flat or slightly
paniculate-cymose, toward the flowers minutely incurved, the apex obtuse or very shortly acumi¬
brown-puberulous. Flowers pink, sessile, the per¬ nate; glabrous on both surfaces, the lower surface
sistent bracts clasping the base of the flowers, tu¬ densely gland-dotted; midrib slightly raised, lateral
bular. 3—4 mm long; tepals 6, erect, much shorter veins and tertiary venation immersed on tin* upper
than the floral tube, ca. 0.5 mm long; stamens 3, surface, midrib, lateral veins, and tertiary venation
2-celled, exserted at anthesis, the anther cells lat¬ raised on the lower surface; lateral veins 6 to 10
eral or lateral-apical, opening sideways; staminodia on each side; petioles to 1 cm long, thick, flat
6, representing the outer 2 whorls, lanceolate, frag- above, glabrous. Inflorescences 2-12 cm long, pa¬
ile. 1 mm long or more, just visible inside the flower niculate-cymose, in the axils of leaves, densely red-
and reaching the tips of the tepals; staminodia of brown tomentose, the surfaces completely covered.
whorl IV and glands at the base of the filaments of Flowers globose or a little longer than wide, ca. 3
the stamens not seen; pistil glabrous, ca. 2 mm mm diam., pedicels at anthesis about as long as the
long, receptacle glabrous inside. Fruit unknown. flowers or slightly shorter, the flowers often nod¬
ding; tepals 6, ca. 1.5 mm long, difficult to separate
Flowers in November.
from the receptacle because of the dense indument,
Licaria sessiliflora is a distinct species due to its
equal or nearly so. triangular, tomentose on the out¬
sessile flowers, persistent bracts, and leaves with
er surface, glabous on the inner surface, outer 6
raised reticulation. Kurz (2000) recognized three
stamens staminodial, tepaloid, slightly smaller than
subgenera in his revision of Licaria, primarily
the tepals; functional stamens 3, representing whorl
based on the opening of llie anther cells. In the
III. 1.5 mm long, the anther cells appearing as lon¬
subgenus Cannella Kurz the anther cells open by
gitudinal slits on the inner surface of the anthers,
slits and do not have flaps; in subgenus Armeniaca
glands of the inner stamens lacking or completely
Kurz the anther cells open by flaps attached at the
fused with the filaments, staminodes of whorl IV
base of the anther cells, while in subgenus Licaria
not seen; pistil glabrous, 2 mm long, the receptacle
the anther cells open by flaps attached at the top
deep, pubescent inside. Cupules with coarse warts,
of the anther cells. This new species does not fit in
ca. 3 cm high. 4 cm diam., the margin 8 mm thick,
any of his subgenera: the flaps are attached later¬
fruits 3—4 X 3 cm.
ally rather than at the top or bottom of the anther
cells. Only one other species has anther cells open¬ Flowers in December and March; fruits in
ing in the same way: L. debilis (Mez) Kostermans, March.
but this species has opposite, chartaceous leaves, The anther cells opening as introrse slits and the
lacks the raised reticulation, and has globose to clustered leaves place Licaria subsessilis in subge¬
ellipsoid flowers. The raised reticulation is shared
nus Cannella. It differs from the other species in
with L. puchury-major (Martins) Kostermans, but
this subgenus in its tomentose inflorescences and
the latter species has the anther cells opening by
flowers and its glabrous leaves. The lower leaf sur¬
slits and lacks the flaps present in nearly all other
face is densely gland-dotted. Its high-altitude hab¬
species. Thus, the relationships of the new species
itat is also uncommon in Licaria. Three collections
are not clear.
from southern Ecuador (Prov. Zamora Chinchipe,
Estacion Cienlifiea San Francisco, 2100 m alt.) dif¬
5. Licaria snhsessilis van der Werff, sp. nov. fer from typical L. subsessilis in having an attenuate
TYPE: Peru. Depto. Cajamarea: Prov. San Ig¬ or acute leaf base, obovate-elliptic leaves, and pet¬
nacio, Distr. San Jose de Lourdes, Cerro Pi- ioles 5—10 mm long. At first I considered these
corana, 2250—2300 m. 2 Dec. 1998, ,/. Cam¬ specimens to represent a distinct species closely
pos, L. Zurita & M. Camizan 5H74 (holotype, related to L. subsessilis. However, a very recent col¬
MO 5593919; isotypes, HBG, MO. NY, US). lection from this locality fits typical L. subsessilis
Figure 6. perfectly. Because I think it highly unlikely that
two closely related species, differing only in leaf
A ceteris speciebus subgeneris Cannellae inflorescen-
tiis floribusque tomentosis, foliis subsessilibus, basi ro- characters, occur in the same locality, and because
tundatis recedit. L. cannella, a lowland species closely related to L.
Volume 13, Number 3 van der Werff 345
2003 Lauraceae from South America
subsessilis, is quite variable in leaf characters, I cm long, glabrous, flat. Inflorescences 3-8 cm, in
provisionally place the specimens with attenuate the axils of bracts near the tips ol the branches,
leaf bases, obovate-elliptic- leaves, and distinct pet¬ paniculate, the flowers clustered at the tips of the
ioles in L. subsessilis. Additional collections may secondary axes or a few racemose along the sec¬
well show that two species are involved, but as long ondary axes; glabrous or with a few appressed
as these collections are not at hand, it seems better hairs. Flowers yellow, ca. 1.5 mm wide, I mm long
to accept that L. subsessilis is variable in leaf char¬ (excluding the exserted anthers), pedicels 2—3 mm
acters. long, glabrous; tepals 6, broadly triangular, 0.5 mm
wide, wider than long, glabrous on the outer sur¬
Paratypes. ECUADOR. Zamora Chinchipe: Esta-
face, pubescent on the inner surface, erect or
cidn Cientfflca San Francisco, 30 km E of Loja on road
to Zamora, 2100 m, (fl. fr), Chimbo & Chamba 95 (E()JA. slightly incurved at anthesis; stamens 3, ca. 1 mm
MO, QCNE). (fl). Homeier & Scheffer 303 (MO. OCNE). long, lree. the densely pubescent filaments as wide
(fr), Neill & QCNE Botany Interns 12619. 12620 (MO. as tbe glabrous anthers, anthers 2-celled, the cells
OCNE).
extrorse, opening back to back, staminodia and
glands not seen, pistil glabrous, 1.5 mm, the ovary
III. Mezilaurus Taubert. Hot. Centralbl. 50: 21. ca. 1 mm, distinct from the slender style, stigma
1892.
inconspicuous; receptacle bowl-shaped, glabrous
Mezilaurus is a small Neotropical genus with ea. inside. Fruits ± round, 2 cm diam., the tepals per¬
20 species. It was revised by van der Werff ( 1987) sisting and forming a disc with the receptacle, 5
who accepted 18 species; however, 2 species were mm diam.; pedicel not swollen in fruit.
later transferred to the new genus Williamoden- Flowers in June, September, October, and No¬
clron (Kubitzki & Richter, 1987). The latter genus vember; fruits in June and October.
differed from Mezilaurus in its three 4-celled rath¬ In the most recent revision of Mezilaurus (van
er than 2-celled stamens. The androecium of Me¬ der Werff, 1987). Mezilaurus campaucola would key
zilaurus is thus similar to that of Licaria, but Me¬ to M. navalium (Allemao) Taubert ex M ez because
zilaurus differs from that genus in its clustered of its glabrous leaves with rounded apices and its
(not alternate) leaves and in its fruit, subtended pedicellate, glabrous flowers. Mezilaurus navalium
by a small disc and not seated in a deep cupule is only known from the Atlantic rain forests in
as in Licaria.
southern Brazil and differs from tbe new species in
its narrow' leaves (to 3.5 cm wide vs. 4—7 cm wide
1. Mezilaurus campaucola van der Werff, sp. in M. campaucola), and the shape of its flowers
nov. TAPE: Peru. Depto. Amazonas: Prov. (longer than wide vs. wider than long in M. cam¬
Condorcanqui, Distr. El Cenepa, Cerro Tutino, paucola). It also has chartaceous leaves, while M.
600 m, 24 June 1997. R. Vasquez, A. Pena, E. campaucola has coriaceous leaves. The epithet
Chavez, E. Quiaco & A. Ampam 24170 (holo- campaucola is derived from campau. the Aguaruna
type. MO 5593918; isotypes, HBG, K, NY, name for the soil type to which this species is re¬
US). Figure 7. stricted. Campau indicates soils not suitable for
cultivation; these are mostly shallow soils on sand¬
Foiiis apice obtusis, floribus glabris, pedieellatis Mezi-
stone, covered with a thick, spongy humus laver.
lauri navalii similis, sed foiiis latioribus, staminibus
dense pubescentibus et floribus latioribus quam longiori- The vegetation on these soils is generally a low
bus recedit. forest. Several species found on sandstone outcrops
in the campau show a relationship with the flora of
Trees to 20 m. Twigs terete, glabrous, with con¬
the sandstone mountains in the Venezuelan Gua-
spicuous scars of fallen leaves near the tips, ter¬
yana, such as Euceraea nitida Martius (Flacourti-
minal buds appressed pubescent. Leaves 8—16 X
aceae) and Aratitiyopea Steyermark & P. E. Berry
4—7 cm, obovate or obovate-elliptic, coriaceous,
(Xyridaceae).
clustered near the tips of the branches, the base
The epithet is the deliberate choice of the author
attenuate, gradually narrowed into the petiole, the
(Art. 23.2. St. Louis Code, Greuter et al.. 2000) and
margin flat, the apex obtuse, rounded or emargin-
is not to be regarded as a correctable error.
ate; glabrous on both surfaces; midrib, lateral veins,
and tertiary venation weakly raised on the upper Paratypes. PERU. Amazonas: Prov. Bagua, Comu-
surface, midrib raised, lateral veins and tertiary ve¬ nidad de Kampaenza, 25 Sep. 1994. Jaramillo et al. 502
(MO); Comunidad Agauruna de Kusu-Listra, Cerro Apag.
nation weakly raised on the lower surface; lateral
18 Nov. 1996, Diaz et al. B5I3 (MO): Comunidad de Wa-
veins 7 to 10 on each side; petioles poorly distin¬
was, Tayu Mujaji. 25 Oct. 1997, Rojas et al. 473. 496
guishable due to the decurrent leaf bases, 1—2.5 (MO).
346 Novon