Conostegia bracteata
A Monograph of Conostegia (Melastomataceae, Miconieae)
Kriebel, Ricardo
PhytoKeys
2016
2016-07-20
67
1
326
882D01B6-1C92-C3B0-30E2-48D1EB9C4C6F
Triana
Triana
1867
Magnoliopsida
Melastomataceae
Conostegia
CoL
Plantae
Conostegia bracteata
Myrtales
51
52
Tracheophyta
species
bracteata
Conostegia bracteataTriana, Jour. Bot. 4: 209. 1867. Type: Nicaragua. Chontales: 12 September 1867, B. Seemann 36 (holotype: K!; isotypes: BM!, EM, LE; BR).
Description. Shrub to small tree 1.75-4.6 m tall with terete or nearly terete stems that are moderately to densely covered with an indument of simple or little branched hairs; the nodal line present but usually covered by indument. Leaves at a node equal to unequal in length. Petiole 0.4-2.1 cm. Leaf blades 5.5-18.5 x2-7.2 cm, 3-5 nerved or slightly plinerved, narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate or narrowly obovate, the base attenuate to obtuse, the apex acuminate, margin entire to dentate, adaxially setose with spreading smooth hairs 1-2 mm long, abaxially moderately setose on the actual surface below with a mixture of smooth, barbed and stellulate hairs on the elevated primaries. Inflorescence a terminal panicle 3.5-9 cm long branched above the base, accessory branches present, the inflorescence rachis moderately to densely covered with an indument of simple or little branched hairs, elliptic to oblong, bracteoles 6-8 x2-2.5 mm, persistent. Flowers sessile, (5-) 6 (-7) merous, calyptrate, buds 6-8 mm long, pyriform to ovoid or broadly ellipsoid, rounded at the base, short apiculate at the apex, the calyptra and hypanthium little differentiated, the hypanthium 3.5-3.75 x3.5-4 mm moderately to densely covered with an indument of simple or little branched hairs. Petals 6-7 x4-5 mm, white or pink, obtriangular, spreading, emarginate apically, glabrous on both surfaces, spreading. Stamens (12-)14-18, 5-6.5 mm, slightly zygomorphic, the filament 2.5-2.75 mm, white, anthers 2.5-2.75 x0.5-0.75 mm, linear and somewhat laterally compressed, yellow, the base sagittate, the pore 0.1-0.16 mm, subterminal to ventral. Ovary 6-7 locular, inferior, fluted into a glabrous collar around the style. Style 3.5-4.25 mm, slightly curving upward, vertical distance between the anther and stigma ca. -1 mm, horizontal distance absent; stigma capitate, 1-1.5 mm wide. Berry 6-8 x6-8 mm, dark purple-black. Seeds 0.4-0.6 mm, pyramidal, smooth. Figure 69. Conostegia bracteata. AHabit BLeaf abaxial surface CFlowers at anthesis DInfuctescence EPickled flowers at anthesis FLomgitudinal section of hypanthia of flowers at anthesis GBract HPetal IStamen JStyle. Photos of specimen vouchered R. Kriebel 5806.
Distribution (Fig. 70). Nicaragua to Colombia, 0-1150 m in elevation. Figure 70.Distribution of Conostegia bracteata. Conostegia bracteatais one of the most distinctive species in the genus based on the presence of a hirsute indument on most parts of the plant including adaxial leaf surface, and large, persistent bracts subtending the sessile flowers. Flowers have been observed to be buzzed by several types of bees including Euglossines (Fig. 4). Specimens of this species dry red when treated with ethanol. Schnell (1996)argued that Conostegia bracteataprovided an excellent example of convergent evolution between this species and Miconia barbinervisand Miconia cuneatain their "pubescence, foliage, and the general aspectof flowers, bracts and inflorescences". These species look a lot alike in their leaf shape and pubescence but not in their flowers. Conostegia bracteataoccurs sympatrically with Miconia barbinervisin some localities like at La Selva Biological Statation. They can easily be distinguished on the basis of the stipitate stellate trichomes present in Miconia barbinervisand simple trichomes in Conostegia bracteata.
Specimens examined. NICARAGUA. Chontales: Jinotega(fide Schnell): Cerro San Pedro, Comarca Kilambe, Sandino 183 (MO). COSTA RICA. Limon: R.B. Hitoy Cerere, siguiendo el sendero el Espavelhasta la cima de un cerro innominado, Gonzalezet al. 3309 (INB, NY). Heredia: La Selva, OTS field station, La Suratrail at 1070 m, Hopkins 22 (NY); Sarapiqui, sendero Tres riosy lindero el Peje, Kriebel et al. 3606 (INB, NY). Puntarenas: Osa, Sierpe, Reserva Forestal Golfo Dulce, Rancho Quemado, camino a Chiqueron en la parte mas alta de la fila al Sur de Rancho Quemado, Aguilar 6704 (NY); Golfito, P. N. Corcovado, EstacionAgujas, Cerro Rincon, Mora et al. 721 (INB, MO, NY). PANAMA. Bocas del Toro: Duwebdulup Peak No. of RioTeribeacross from Quebrada Huron, Kirkbride and Duke 585 (MO, NY); Above ChiriquiGrande 10 road-miles from continental divide and c. 2 milesalong road to east, McPherson 12837 (MO, NY). Canal Zone: Zetek trail 550, Croat 6628 (MO, NY); Madden Forest, Las Cruces Trail, Gentry 1380 (NY). Darien: 0-2 mi.E. of Tres Bocas along shortest headwater of RioCoasi, Kirkbride and Duke 1194 (MO, NY); Coasi-Cana Trail on Cerro Campamiento E.of Tres Bocas headwater of RioCoasi, Kirkbride and Duke 1252 (MO, NY); Vicinity of Cana, Stern et al. 514 (NY). Panama: 2.5 mN of Goofy Lakeon road to Cerro Azul, Croat11533 (MO, NY); Alonghighway near top of Cerro Campana, Croat12089 (MO, NY); 10 milesfrom highway on road to Cerro Jefe, Croat15186 (MO, NY); Cerro Azul, Dwyer2083 (MO, NY); Trailinto forest 4.8 milesnorth of highway just west of El Llano, Gentry5077 (MO, NY); Between Frijolesand Monte Lirio, Killip12158 (NY); Parque Nacional Chagres, Senderohacia Cerro Jefeque sale de la urbanizacion Altos de Cerro Azul, Kriebeland Burke5683 (PMA, NY). COLOMBIA. Antioquia: vicinity of Planta Providencia, 26 kmS & 23 kmW of Zaragoza, in valley of Rio Anoribetween Anoriand Dos Bocas, Denslow 2312 (US-not seen).
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NICARAGUA
Chontales
1
Chontales
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R. B. Hitoy Cerere, el Espavel
COSTA RICA
Limon
1
Limon
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La Selva, La Sura, el Peje
Costa Rica
1070
La Sura
La Selva
1
Heredia
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Golfito, P. N
Costa Rica
Sur de Rancho Quemado
1
Puntarenas
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PANAMA
Madden Forest
Duwebdulup Peak No. of Rio Teribe
1
Bocas del Toro
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Cerro Campamiento E.
Panama
Rio Coasi
Rio Coasi
Coasi-Cana Trail on Cerro Campamiento
1
Darien
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Panama
Goofy Lake
3
Croat
Cerro Azul
1
Panama