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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 

L161 O-1096

FIELDIANA: BOTANY 

A Continuation of the 

BOTANICAL SERIES 

of 

FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 

VOLUME 28 

NUMBERS 1 AND 2 

CHICAGO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM 

CHICAGO, U.S.A. 

1951-1952

^v 

>U>, !-*- 

CONTENTS 

BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA I, II 

By Julian A. Steyermark and Collaborators. 

PAGES 

Number 1. From Musci through Sarraceniaceae 1-242 

Number 2. From Droseraceae through Umbelliferae 243-447 

111

NUMBER 1 

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

TEXT FIGURES 

1. Paspalum aureolatum 23 

2. Paspalum piligerum 25 

3. Arthrostylidium Sleyermarkti 32 

4. Myriocladus virgatus 35 

5. Achenes of Bulbostylis Svensoniana, Fimbristylis tamaensis, Rhynchospora 

denlinux, R. sanariapensis, R. tepuiana, R. Trichochaeta var. 

venezuelensis, R. Trichochaeta, R. bolivarana, R. karuaiana 38 

6. Rhynchospora ptaritepuiana, R. culmenicola, R. paramora, R. tamana, 

R. tomentosa, Hypolytrum lepuianum, Exochogyne Steyermarkii 

. ... 42 

7. Carex roraimensis, C. culmenicola, C. turumiquirensis, Uncinia meridensis 

62 

8. Vesicarex collumanthus, Carex larensis, C. tachirensis 64 

9. Baciris duidae 74 

10. Bactris ptariana 79 

11. Dahlgrenia ptariana 83 

12. Anthurium ptarianum 95 

13. Philodendron duidae 97 

14. Philonotion Williamsii 100 

15. Urospatha savannarum 103 

16. Xyris albescens, X. esmeraldae, X. lanulobractea, X. ptariana, X. steno- 106 

stachya 106 

17. Stegolepis ptaritepuiana, S. Gleasoniana, S. parvipetala 132 

18. Brocchinia melanacra 136 

19. Brocchinia Steyermarkii, B. vestita 137 

20. Connellia caricifolia, C. nutans 140 

21. Navia aurea, N. glauca, N. Steyermarkii, N. xyridiflora 142 

22. Guzmania confinis, Pitcairnia tuberculata, Tillandsia lacera 144 

23. Guzmania retusa, Pitcairnia cinerea, Tillandsia stenoglossa 146 

24. Burmannia sanariapoana 166 

25. Pogonia stricta 168 

26. Pogonia triflora 170 

27. Pogonia unifoliata 172 

28. Prescottia carnosa. . 175 

PAGE

PAGE 

29. Erylhrodes confusa 176 

30. Stelis dispar 179 

31. Lepanthes exilis 181 

32. Pleurothallis callifera 182 

33. Pleurothallis exilis, P. humilis 184 

34. Pleurothallis Steyermarkii 187 

35. Pleurothallis subtilis 189 

36. Octomeria rhizomatosa 191 

37. Acineta alticola 193 

38. Maxillaria condensata 195 

39. Maxillaria patula 198 

40. Oncidium diffusum 201 

41. Lockhartia latilabris 202 

42. Euplassa venezuelana 218 

43. Weinmannia roraimensis. . 248 

NUMBER 2 

44. Weinmannia Steyermarkii 250 

45. Swartzia parvifolia 264 

46. Taralea rigida 267 

47. Taralea Steyermarkii 269 

48. Burdachia Duckei 284 

49. Burdachia Williamsii 286 

50. Glandonia Williamsii 290 

51. Heteropterys quetepensis 291 

52. Polygala appressa var. kavanayen 297 

53. Polygala Blakeana 299 

54. Polygala sanariapoana 302 

55. Polygala santanderensis 303 

56. Chaetocarpus Williamsii 307 

57A. Croizatia neotropica 310 

57B-F. Croizatia neotropica, Actephila dispersa 311 

58. Phyllanthus majus 319 

59. Ilex ptariana 326 

60. Ilex ptariana 327 

61. Ilex subrotundifolia 329 

62. Ilex venezuelensis 331 

63. Ilex vesparum 333 

64. Maytenus apiculata 335 

65. Maytenus coriacea 336 

66. Maytenus Pittieriana. . 339

PAGE 

67. Emmotum ptarianum 342 

68. Cupania kukenanica 345 

69. Cupania roraimae 345 

70. Dipterodendron venezuelense 348 

71. Matayba ptariana 349 

72. Matayba reducta 351 

73. Matayba sororopaniana 352 

74. Quararibea Steyermarkti 364 

75. Poecilandra pumila 373 

76. Sauvagesia duidae 375 

77. Sauvagesia longipes 377 

78. Sauvagesia miniata 379 

79. Clusia imbricata 388 

80. Clusia pusilla 389 

81. Mahurea sororopantepuiana 396 

82. Tovomita angustata 401 

83. Elatine Fassettiana 402 

84. Cinnamodendron venezuelense 405 

85. Viola venezuelensis 408, 409 

86. Cajophora larensis 413 

87. Cajophora venezuelensis 415 

88. Begonia laxa 416 

89. Begonia otophylla 419 

90. Begonia sucrensis 421 

91. Farringtonia fasdculata 427 

92. Macrocentrum minus 433 

93. Miconia larensis 437 

94. Azorella Julianii . . 446 

vn

CONTRIBUTIONS TO 

THE FLORA OF VENEZUELA 

JULIAN A. STEYERMARK 

AND COLLABORATORS 


VOLUME 28, NUMBER 1 

Published by 


MAY 18, 1951

CONTRIBUTIONS TO 

THE FLORA OF VENEZUELA 

JULIAN A. STEYERMARK 

Curator of the Herbarium 

AND COLLABORATORS 


VOLUME 28, NUMBER 1 

Published by 


MAY 18, 1951 

lt UMAKY Of TKF

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

BY CHICAGO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM PRESS

BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - 

I 

From December, 1943, to September, 1944, the author explored 

portions of the Venezuelan Andes, Coastal Range (Cordillera de la 

Costa), Duida, and Roraima on behalf of the United States government 

as Senior Botanist under the auspices of the Foreign Economic 

Administration, in connection with the Cinchona survey of that 

country. From October to December, 1944, under the auspices of the 

Chicago Natural History Museum, he made a botanical exploration of 

Ptari-tepui', Sororopan-tepui, Carrao-tepuT, and mesa region of Santa 

Teresita de Kavanayen. From February to June, 1945, sponsored by 

the Ministerio de Agriculture y Cria and the Servicio Botanico at 

Caracas, he explored the eastern section of the Cordillera de la 

Costa in the states of Sucre, Anzoategui, and Monagas, including the 

high peaks of Cerro Turumiquire. 

The identification of these collections was started at the beginning 

of the year 1946, and has continued since. The total number of 

plants collected amounted to 8,550 numbers, divided as follows: 

Andes, 2,048; eastern part of the Cordillera de la Costa, in the 

states of Sucre, Anzoategui, and Monagas, 1,947; western and central 

part of the Cordillera de la Costa, 1,261; Ptari-tepui, Sororopantepui^ 

and Carrao-tepui' 1,644; Roraima and adjacent Gran Sabana, 

841; Duida and adjacent Orinoco area, 809. 

Apart from the numerous encountered species previously unrecorded 

for Venezuela, a very large number of species new to science, 

as well as a number of new genera, have been found. The present 

publication, therefore, is the first installment, to be followed in 

systematic order by succeeding ones, consisting of descriptions of 

all the new entities and new combinations made necessary as a 

result of the taxonomic studies. The last installment, which will 

follow the publication of all new species, will contain a comprehensive 

summary of the species collected in the various regions, with 

critical taxonomic and phytogeographical notes wherever necessary. 

This final summary of the flora will be published together with a 

more detailed account of the geology, topography, floral zones, and 

ecological aspects of Ptari-tepuf and surrounding area, and the 

surrounding area, and the eastern part of the Cordillera de la Costa 

in the states of Sucre, Anzoategui, and Monagas, including Cerro 

Turumiquire, as well as some special notes on the ascent and vegetation 

of Duida and Roraima and adjacent areas explored. 

For this final treatment the flora will be separated into the following 

regions (with the exception of the Algae, Mosses, and Podocarpaceae): 

(1) additions to the flora of Duida, (2) additions to the

2 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28 

flora of Roraima, (3) flora of Ptari-tepui' and adjacent Sororopa'ntepui'and 

Carrao-tepui' which are extensions of Ptari-tepui^ (4) flora 

of Cerro Turumiquire and adjacent Oriente region, which includes 

the Cordillera de la Costa in the states of Sucre, Anzoategui, and 

Monagas, and (5) miscellaneous species of the Andes of Venezuela 

in the states of Lara, Trujillo, Merida, and Tachira. The families 

of cryptogams and phanerogams (with the exception of Algae, Lichens, 

mosses, and Podocarpaceae) have been arranged in this order. 

The style of treatment has been made to conform as much as possible 

with that found in the report by Gleason and collaborators on 

the "Botanical Results of the Tyler-Duida Expedition," published 

in The Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 58: 277-506 (193D, and 

in that by Maguire and collaborators on "Plant Explorations in 

Guiana in 1944, Chiefly to the Tafelberg and the Kaieteur Plateau, " 

in the same journal, 75: 56-115, 189-230, 286-323 (1948). In order 

to facilitate the assembling and correlation of data from Duida, the 

same subdivisions of "lowland species" and "species of Mount 

Duida" have been continued. In the present treatment "lowland 

species" refer to all collections made in the Territorio Federal 

Amazonas between Puerto Ayacucho and the base of Mount Duida by 

Steyermark, and those made along the Rio Negro and Rio Guainia by 

Mr. Llewelyn Williams, while "species of Mount Duida" include all 

those made on the slopes or summit of that cerro. As regards locality 

names, the same ones have been followed as were used by Tate 

for Mount Roraima, by Tate and Hitchcock for Mount Duida, and by 

the Phelps expedition for Ptari-tepui' This has been done mainly in 

order to conform to existing published locality names, in the interest 

of clarity. Mount Ptari-tepuf lies in the southeastern portion of 

Venezuela in the state of Bolivar, 130 kilometers northwest of Mount 

Roraima and 65 kilometers to the east of Mount Auyan-tepuf, and in 

5 45 T N. Lat., 6l45 T W. Long. Its extensions include Sororopantepuf" 

and Carrao-tepui' in the same latitude and longitude, all of 

them situated on that part of the mesa of the Gran Sabana in the 

vicinity of the Mission of Santa Teresita de Kavanaye'n. Ptari-tepu/ 

and its extensions represent one of the "northernmost extensions of 

the Guiana highlands in the watersheds of the Carom' and Paragua 

rivers." 1 

The author is greatly indebted to the various collaborators for their 

contributions of the particular groups or families which they studied 

in connection with this report. To the curators of the New York 

Botanical Garden, Gray Herbarium, and United States National Herbarium 

the author is greatly indebted for the loan of critical material 

used in connection with the study of specimens. 

Finally, I wish to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation 

to the many persons in Venezuela who have helped to facilitate my 

Dimmer, J. T. and Phelps, W. H., Am. Mus. Nov., no. 1270: 9. 1944, 

and no. 1274: 1-9. 1945.

BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 3 

botanical exploration made in that country: Dr. Henry Pittier, Dr. 

Tobias Lasser, Dr. L.Schnee, Capitan Felix Cardona P., and Zoraida 

Luces of the Servicio Bota'nico of the Ministerio de Agricultura y 

Cria, Caracas; Dr. V. M. Lo'pez and associates of the Servicio Te'cnico 

de Miner/a y Geologia of the Ministerio de Forr.ento, Caracas; 

Mr. William H. Phelps, Mr. William Phelps, Jr., 

and Mrs. Kathleen 

Phelps, of Caracas; Mr. Victor M. Badillo, of Caracas; Dr. Delbert 

Langham of the Ministerio de Agricultura y Cria, Maracay; Dr. James 

H. Kempton, American Embassy, Caracas; to the many officials of 

the Ministerio de Agricultura y Cria throughout Venezuela; Padre 

Victor de Carbajal and his staff at Santa Teresita de Kavanayn: 

members of the staff of Institute Biblico "Las Delicias", at Caripe; 

officials of the Mene Grande Oil Company; to the governors and their 

subordinates in the states of Ta'chira, Me"rida, Lara, Sucre, Anzoa'- 

tegui, Monagas, BoliVar, and Territorio Federal Amazonas; Mr. 

Eulogio Mago of Cocollar; and Mr. Fernando Pena of Santa Elena. 

To the members of the staff of the Foreign Economic Administration 

of the American Embassy at Caracas, and to my associate of the 

Cinchona Mission, Dr. H. Arthur Meyer of the Department of Forestry, 

Pennsylvania State College, Pa., I wish to express my sincere thanks 

for their co-operation in facilitating the botanical surveys. 

A complete set of specimens is deposited in the herbarium of the 

Chicago Natural History Museum. Unless otherwise indicated, the 

types of the new species are deposited in that institution. Also, unless 

otherwise stated, all numbers cited have been collected by the 

author. 

The abbreviations used in citing specimens are as follows: 

A 

F 

G 

- Arnold Arboretum 

- 

Chicago Natural History Museum (Field Museum) 

- Gray Herbarium 

- 

I University of Illinois 

MBG- Missouri Botanical Garden 

NY - New York Botanical Garden 

PH - Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 

US - United States National Herbarium 

Ven - Servicio Botanico, Caracas 

YU Yale University


MUSCI 2 

Campy lopus (Eucampylopus) bolivarensis Bartr., sp. nov. 

Robustus, laxe caespitosus, caespites nigricantes, superne lutescentes, 

nitidi. Caulis submersus, 6-10 cm. longus, simplex vel parce 

ramosus. Folia rigida, erecto-patentis, sicca immutata, 7-8 mm. 

longa, anguste ovato-lanceolata, tubuloso-concava, sensim setaceoacuminata, 

saepe in pilum hyalinum parce denticulatum producta; 

costa excurrente; cellulae basilares angusce rectangulares, incrassacae, 

arete porosae, marginales angustiores, alares nuraerosae, fuscescentes, 

cellulae superiores lineares. Caetera ignota. 

Type in herb. Bartram, isotype in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected 

on summit of Mount Roraima, on southern half of the summit 

between Summit Camp, Great Central Rift, Central Swamp, and pond 

at southern end, state of Bolivar, alt. 2700-2740 m., September 28, 

1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58895; same locality, Steyermark 58915. 

The submerged habit is a very unusual one for Campylopus, and 

the species appears to be sharply distinct. The strongly porose 

basal areolation and the linear upper leaf cells are characters in 

common shared by no other species of the Eucampylopus group that 

I am familiar with. 

Didymodon angustifolius Bartr., 

sp. nov. 

Caespites densi, inferne fusci, superne virides, ad 1 cm. alti. 

Folia humida late patentia, flexuosa, sicca arete circinato-contorta, 

3-4.5 cm. longa, e basi erecta, breviter oblonga, concava angustissime 

lineari-ligulata, subulato-acuminata; margines plani, integri; 

costa breviter excurrente; cellulae superiores rotundatae, incrassatae, 

diam. circa 8 m. papillosae, margines versus 2-3 stratosae, 

basilares rectangulares, tenerae, hyalinae. Caetera ignota. 

Type in herb. Bartram, isotype in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected 

on north-facing slopes above La Trinidad in cloud forest zone, 

southwest of Cocollar, Cerro Turumiquire, state of Sucre, alt. 2100- 

2200 m., May 5, 1945, Julian A. Steyermark 62544. MONAGAS: 

Guacharo Cave, 6 kms. northwest of Gua'charo, alt. 950 m., Steyermark 

62293a. ANZOA'TEGUI: cloud forest of fila Grande, ^headwaters 

of Quebrada La Tigra, Cerro San Jose', between Bergantm and 

Cerro Peonia (Cerro Los Pajaritos), alt. 1800-1850 m., Steyermark 

61550a. 

Without fruit the generic position of this species must remain uncertain. 

The long, exceedingly narrow, plane margined leaves with 

the upper cells in two or three layers toward the margins, together 

with the thin-walled rectangular cells of the leaf base is an unusual 

combination of characters comparable to no other species familiar to 

me. As the costa in cross section shows stereid bands on both 

2 

By E. B. Bartram


sides of the median arc of guide cells, it seems logical to include 

the species in Didymodon rather than in Trichostomopsis. 

Meteoriopsis remotifolia (Hornsch.) Broth, var. robusta Bartr., 

var. nov. 

Caulis ad 20 cm. longus, dense et regulariter pinnatim ramosus. 

Folia ad 3 mm. longa, 1.3 mm. lata. 

Type in herb. Bartram, isotype in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., 

collected in cloud forest on wooded summit of Cerro Peonia (Cerro 

Los Pajaritos), above Santa Cruz, headwaters of Rib Manantiales, 

east of Berganti'n, state of Anzoa'tegui, alt. 2350 m., March 21, 1945, 

Julian A. Steyermark 6l683a. 

Superficially these plants bear little resemblance to the customary 

forms of M. remotifolia with slender, irregularly branched stems, but 

structurally the plants are identical. The densely set branches form 

a compact frond. This unusual habit in connection with the larger 

leaves distinguishes the new variety from any form of typical plants 

that have come under my observation. 

Ilookeriopsis Steyermarkii Bartr., sp. nov. 

Caespites densi, sordide virides. Caulis ad 5-6 cm. longus, prostratus, 

irregulariter pinnatim ramosus. Folia erecto-patentia, 2 mm. 

longa, ovato-lanceolata, tenuiter acuminata, haud undulata, leviter 

concava; margines erecti, superne minute serrulati; nervis dorso 

laevibus, ultra medium evanidis; cellulae angustae lineares, laevissiraae, 

infimae laxiores. Caetera ignota. 

Type in herb. Bartram, isotype in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., 

collected along base of east-facing high sandstone bluffs, Ptaritepui', 

state of Bolivar, alt. 2410-2450 m., Nov. 7, 1944, Julian A. 

Steyermark 59942; same locality, Steyermark 59942a. 

These plants resemble H. diffusa (Wils.) Jaeg. in habit and appearance 

but differ widely in the slenderly acuminate leaves weakly 

toothed above, the linear lamina cells and the more slender costae, 

smooth on the back and ending well below the base of the leaf 

acumen. 

Ilookeriopsis ptari-tepuiensis Bartr., sp. nov. 

Caespites depressi, densi, sordide virides. Caulis circa 4 cm. 

longus, subpinnatim ramosus. Folia erecto-patentia, 1.5 ram. longa, 

oblongo-lanceolata, plicata, breviter acuminata, haud undulata; 

margines erecti, inferne integri, supeme serrati; nervis dorso laevibus, 

infra apicem evanidio, apice dorso prominulis; cellulae lineares, 

incrassatae, vermiculares, infimae laxiores. Caetera ignota. 

Type in herb. Bartram, isotype in herb. Chi. Nat. His. Mus.. 

collected on steep forested slopes at base of first line of sandstone 

bluffs, on south-facing part, west of "Cave Rock", P tar i -tepui', state 

of Bolivar, alt. 2130 m., Nov. 4, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59846.


Compared with H. Steyermarkii the leaves here are of a different 

shape, more bluntly pointed, and coarsely serrate above and plicate, 

the costae are stouter, longer, and end in a minute prickle on the 

back. These distinctions are not impressive but definite and well 

maintained, so I feel convinced that //. 

ptari-tepuiensis will prove 

to be a valid species. 

Lepidopilum Steyermarkii Bartr., sp. nov. 

Dioicum? Gracile, lutescenti-viride. Caulis secundarius ad 2 cm. 

longus, laxe foliosus. Folia sicca contorta, humida patentia, laterialia 

asymmetrica, late ovata, abrupte breviter acuminata, superne 

remote denticulata; nervis infra medium evanidis; cellulis ovatohexagonis, 

marginalibus 3-5 seriatis angustioribus, limbum distincturn 

efformantibus. Seta 3-3.5 mm. longa, superne grosse pappillosa, 

infeme parce scaberula vel laevis; iheca inclinata, oblongo-ovato; 

operculum longe et tenuiter rostratum; calyptra (immatura) ramentis 

paucis praedita. 

Type in herb. Bartrarn, isotype in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., 

collected between Hacienda Agua Blanca above La Azulita and Rib 

Capaz, state of Merida, alt. 975 m., April 26, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

56138. 

This species differs from L. tortifolium Mitt, in the broader more 

abruptly pointed leaves and shorter setae which are papillose above 

and nearly smooth below.

BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 

Cyathea purpurea Morton, sp. nov. 

PTERIDOPHYTA 3 

CYATHEACEAE 

Caudex 1.5 m. altus, 7.5 cm. diam.; folia ca. 1 m. longa; stipites 

inerraes, ca. 55 cm. longi, medio ca. 7 mm. diam., atropurpurei, glabri, 

basi dense appresso-paleacei, paleis firmis, lanceolatis, longe 

attenuatis, brunneis, concoloribus, usque ad 20 mm. longis et 3 mm. 

lacis, minute erosis; laminae ovatae, bipinnato-pinnatifidae, rhachi 

atropurpurea, supra incurvo-pilosa, subtus glabra, inermi, epaleacea; 

pinnae patentes (infimae deflexae), lanceolatae, usque ad 27 cm. 

longae et 12 mm. latae, breviter petiolulatae, acuminatae, rhachi 

purpurea, supra incurvo-pilosa, subtus glabra, epaleacea, pinnulis 

ca. 15-jugis, brevissime petiolulatis (1 mm.), lanceolatis, breviter 

acuminatis, maximis 6 cm. longis et 1.6 cm. latis, basalibus paullo 

reductis, alte pinnatifidis, costa supra substrigosa, ala costali ca. 

0.5 mm. lata, segmentis 12-14-jugis, oblongis, 8-10 mm. longis, 

2.8-3.3 mm. latis, crenulatis, utrinque glabris, in costulis subtus 

paleis pallidis, minutis, cucullatis, sparse onustis; venae 5-7-jugae, 

omnes basin versus furcatae; sori 3-5-jugi, in venae furcationem siti; 

indusia primo completum, mox irregulariter fissum, brunneum, glabrum; 

receptaculum magnum; paraphyses breves, numerosae. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., nos. 1,204,683-4, collected 

between Aguita and summit of Cerro Duida, Territorio Federal Amazonas, 

alt. 1800 m., Sept. 5, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58395; isotype 

in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,915,061. 

The present species is characterized by its dark brown, rigid, 

concolorous rhizome and stipe scales, its unarmed stipe, glabrous 

segments, and especially by its dark purple, shining, scaleless 

rhachises and costae. 

Alsophila demissa Morton, sp. nov. 

Caudex erectus, verisimiliter parvus gracilisque, paleis brunneis, 

concoloribus, ovatis, 5-9 mm. longis, 2-2.5 mm. latis, erosis, basi 

cordata affixis, lobis basalibus excedentibus; folia 30-90 cm. longa; 

stipites inermes, 24-34 cm. longi, medio 2.5-3.5 mm. diam., basi 

atroviolacei, sursum brunnei, subglabri, basi paleacei; laminae 

coriaceae, nitentes, ovatae, usque ad 45 cm. longae et 40 cm. latae, 

bipinnatae, basi vix reductae, apice pinnatifidae, rhachi supra 

incurvo-hispida, subtus glabra, sparse paleacea, paleis ovatis vel 

subrotundis, cordatis; pinnae sub apice pinnatifido 8-12-jugae, 

patentes, petiolulatae, oblongo-lanceolatae, basi non articulatae, 

apice pinnatifidae, acuminatae, costa supra strigosa, subtus glabra, 

epaleacea; pinnulae variabiles, in plantis parvis (depauperatis ?) 

3 

By C. V. Morton


9-12 mm. longae et 4.5-5.5 mm. latae, jugae 3 vel 4 basales sessiles, 

alterae adnacae, subintegrae vel levissime lobatae, apice rotundae, 

pinnulae in plantis majoribus usque ad 14-jugae, infimae petiolulatae 

(2 mm.), usque ad 3.5 cm. longae et 1.2 cm. latae, obtusae, basi sub* 

cordatae, pinnatifidae, ala costal! ca. 1 mm. lata, segmentis. sub 

apice pinnatifido 6-8-jugis, late oblongis, 5-6 ram. longis, 3.5-4 mm. 

lads, rotundis, crenulatis, parenchymate et costulis glabris, epaleaceis; 

venae simplices vel in pinnulis majoribus infra medium furcatae; 

sori pauci, supramediales, saepe tantura in vena anteriore 

basali; indusium nullum; receptaculum mediocre; paraphyses breves. 

Type in the U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,498,535, collected on summit of 

Cerro Duida, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 1650-1800 m., Nov. 

26, 1928, G.H.H.Tate 402. Additional collections from the same 

locality are Tate 626 and Steyermark 58308, both representing small, 

possibly depauperate, forms. 

It is somewhat venturesome to describe new species in the vast 

genus Alsophila, for many of the species are imperfectly known, but 

a search of the literature does not reveal any that seem to be the 

same as this, or even closely allied. None of the three collections 

are quite alike, each differing in the degree of dissection of the 

pinnules, which vary from sessile and subentire to petiolulate and 

deeply pinnatifid. 

Hemitelia dissimilis Morton, sp. nov. 

Caudez 15 cm. altus, dense paleaceus, paleis firrais, brunneis, 

concoloribus, lineari-subulatis, 7-9 mm. longis, 1-1.5 mm. latis, 

longe attenuatis, basi subtruncata affixis; folia ca. 1.2 m. longa; 

stipites ca. 55 cm. longi, 5.5-6 mm. diam., brunnei, inermes, sparse 

verrucosi, glabri, fere epaleacei, bisulcati; laminae ovatae, usque 

ad 50 cm. latae, basi vix reductae, imparipinnata, rhachi glabra, 

epaleacea; pinnae coriaceae, basi articulatae, petiolulatae (1-1.8 

cm.), majores 25-27 cm. longae, 7 cm. latae, pinnatae, pinna terminalis 

conformis, pinnulis sessilibus, 14-17-jugis basi articulatis, 

rhachi angustissime alata, fere glabra, sterilibus oblongis, 3-3.5 cm. 

longis, 1-1.4 cm. latis, breviter acuminatis, basi truncatis, margine 

remote crenulatis, fertilibus similibus sed leviter sublobatis, omnibus 

fere glabris, pilis paucis articulatis et paleis linearibus perpaucis 

in costulis dissitis; venae liberae, 10- vel 11-jugae, bis 

furcatae, marginem attingentes; sori submarginales, sub apice 

venarum omnium; indusia magna, concava, fere 1 mm. lata, brunnea, 

firma, persistentia, glabra; receptaculum magnum, globosum; paraphyses 

numerosae, piliformes, septatae. 

Type in the U.S. Nat. Herb., nos. 1,915,240-2, collected on Ptaritepuf, 

south-facing densely forested slopes between Rfo Karuai and 

ridge below "Misia Kathy Camp", state of Boh'var, alt. 1250-1520 

m., Oct. 27, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59442; isotype in herb. 

Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus.


Dr. Cope land (Gen. Fil. 94-99. 1947) reduces the large genera 

Hemitelia and ALsophila to Cyathea, and since the distinctions 

between the genera are artificial, there is much to be said for such 

a course, although I prefer to retain the traditional genera for the 

time being. There is less merit in his attempt to recognize a number 

of small genera, such as Cnemidaria, Trichopteris, and Schizocaena, 

split off from Cyathea (sens. J.at.). Cnemidaria is typically rather 

easily recognized by its merely pinnate-pinnatifid blades with subentire 

pinnules and often anastomosing veins. However, C. petiolata 

(Hook.) Copel. shows a transition to true Hemitelia by reason of its 

bipinnate blades and sometimes subpinnatifid pinnules, although it 

has the anastomosing veins of Cnemidaria. The present species is 

obviously allied to H. petiolata, but has all the veins free. It shows 

the generic character assigned to Schizocaena, confined to the Old 

World by Copeland, of articulate pinnae. Not only the pinnae but 

also the pinnules are strongly and functionally articulate in H. dissimilis 

(they are apparently articulate also in //. petiolata, although 

less obviously). 

The present species differs from H. petiolata as follows: 

Frond not reduced upwardly, ending in an articulate terminal pinna 

conform with the lateral; veins all free; rhizome scales concolorous; 

stipe unarmed; pinnules up to 3.5 cm. long and 1.4 cm. wide 

//. dissimilis. 

Frond reduced and pinnatifid at apex; veins often anastomosing; 

rhizome scales bicolorous, with a narrow white border; stipe 

prickly; pinnules up to 8.5 cm. long and 2.2 cm. wide. 

//. petiolata. 

Hemitelia minima Morton, sp. nov. 

Caudex ca. 10 cm. longus, erectus, ca. 3 cm. diam., paleis firmis, 

ovato-lanceolatis, ca. 10 mm. longis et 3 mm. latis, brunneis, concoloribus; 

folia ca. 60 cm. longa et 20 en-., lata; stipites ca. 30 cm. 

longi, 3-3.5 mm. diam., inermes, basi subpurpurei, sursum straminei, 

basi paleacei, paleis ovatis, brunneis, margine pallidioribus, supra 

incurvo-strigosi, subtus glabri; laminae steriles ovatae, bipinnatopinnatifidae, 

rhachi inermi, epaleacea, supra incurvo-strigosa, subtus 

glabra; pinnae breviter petiolulatae, paucijugae, patentes, usque 

ad 12 cm. longae et 6 cm. latae, costa utrinque inter pinnas angustissime 

alata, supra strigosa, subtus plus minusve paleacea, paleis 

subfiliformibus persistentibus; pinnulis oblongo-lanceolatis, 10-14- 

jugis, usque ad 3 cm. longis et 1 cm. lads, sessilibus, acutis, 

costula supra pilosula, segmentis 8-10-jugis, late oblongis, ca. 4 

mm. longis et 2.5 mm. latis, glabris, crenulatis, obtusis, ala costulari 

ca. 0.5 mm. lata; venae 3-vel-4-jugae, infra medium furcatae; 

laminae fertiles similes sed plus minusve contracta, segmentis 

incurvis et concavis; sori in lobis unijugi; indusium pallidum, 

magnum, semicirculare, extrorsum, glabrum; receptaculum magnum; 

paraphyses multae, elongatae, persistentes.


Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1,205,046, collected on 

forested south-facing slopes overlying sandstone, on "Cave Rock" 

above "Cave Camp", Ptari-tepui' state of Bolfvar, alt. 1810 m., 

Oct. 29, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59481. 

In its small size and contracted fertile blades //. minima is unlike 

any species with which am I acquainted. The large and conspicuous 

indusium suggests that of Cyathea, but it is incomplete. Seemingly 

the inflexed concave margin of the segments functions somewhat as 

an indusium, protecting the sori while they are young. The type 

specimen is a unicate. It may represent a somewhat depauperate 

phase due to exposed conditions. 

ilemitelia amabilis Morton, sp. nov. 

Caudex 0.9 m. altus, 5-7.5 cm. diam.; folia erecta, ca. 1 m. longa; 

stipites inermes, breves, ca. 20 cm. longi, 5-8 mm. diam., canaliculati 

juventute puberuli, demum subglabri, perspicue paleacei, paleis 

lucidis, albidis, chartaceis, peltatis, anguste triangularibus, 6-10 

mm. longis, 3-4 mm. latis, erosis; laminae lanceolatae, subabrupte 

acuminatae, medio ca. 30 cm. latae, pinnato-pinnatifidae, rhachi 

incurvo-puberulae, subtus paleis albidis, ovatis, 4-7 mm. longis 

praedita; pinnae ca. 20-jugae, patentes, lanceolato-ligulatae, longe 

acuminatae, maximae 17 cm. longae et 3.2 cm. latae (inferiores 

minores et deflexae), pinnatifidae, ala costalis ca. 2 mm. lata, costis 

costulisque supra glabra (basi excepta), subtus strigillosis, paleis 

albidis, subbullatis sparse praeditis; segmenta 15-20-juga, late oblonga, 

subfalcata, 14-18 mm. longa, 5-6 mm. late, rotundata, integra, 

margine paullo revoluta, utrinque subglabra; venae liberae, 9- vel 

10-jugae, omnes sub medio furcatae; sori saepe 6-jugi, basi rami 

anterioris venae positi, rotundi; indusia ampla, tenera, semicupuliforrnia, 

brunnea, ca. 0.9 mm. lata, glabra, suberosa; receptaculum 

magnum, ca. 0.25 mm. latum, globosum; paraphyses nullae. 

Type in the U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,915,330, collected at El Paramo, 

northeast of Las Delicias, northeast of Caripe, state of Monagas, 

alt. 1200-1450 m., April 13, 1945, Julian A. Steyemark 62042; isotype 

in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus. 

The most nearly related species is evidently H. chiricana Maxon 

(sect. Cnemidaria) of Panama, which is closely similar in cutting and 

venation, but the scales of stipe and rhachis are quite different, 

those of //. chiricana being dark castaneous or blackish with paler 

borders, whereas those of the present species are white throughout. 

POLYPODIACEAE 

Thelypteris brachypoda (Baker) Morton, comb. nov. 

Nephrodium brachypodum Baker, Timehri 5: 213. 1886; Trans. 

Linn. Soc. London II. Dot. 2: 290. 1887. 

"Ene-bi-gi-yek tinmnga-teng (remedies chiquitos para bichos)".


On rocks along stream tributary to Rio Kukenan, Gran Sabana, in 

woods at base of Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 1185-1280 

m., Steyermark 58588. This characteristic species has apparently 

been known from the original collection (Mt. Roraima, 1m Thurn 275, 

isotype US). 

It is with a good deal of regret that I have finally decided to recognize 

some of the segregates from Dryopteris. It seems to be generally 

conceded that the comprehensive genus as currently maintained 

is composed of several diverse elements, and Holttum in his recent 

paper "A Revised Classification of Leptosporangiate Ferns" (Journ. 

Linn. Soc. London 53: 123-158. 1947) goes so far as to put Thelypteris 

in a different family from Dryopteris. Such a drastic procedure 

does not seem necessary to me; in fact, I find it hard to believe 

that these two groups are not at least somewhat related. However, 

it does seem possible to define them adequately, and since the inclusive 

Dryopteris is uncomfortably large, there is a definite advantage 

in segregating it. Cope land, in his useful Genera Filicum 

(1947), recognizes several genera, such as Cyclodium, Stigmatopteris, 

Ctenitis, Lastrea, Currania, Meniscium, Goniopteris, and 

Cyclosorus. At the present time I 

prefer to recognize one small 

aberrent group as Gymnocarpium and three large genera: Dryopteris 

(including Cyclodium, Stigmatopteris, arid Polys tichopsis), Ctenitis 

(including P arapolystichum), and Thelypteris (including Goniopteris, 

Meniscium, Cyclosorus, Glaphyropteris, Steiropteris, and I.eptogramma). 

Cope land's adoption of the later name Lastrea instead of Thelypteris 

is unfortunate. He rejected Thelypteris because the publishing 

author, Schmidel, did not adopt the Linnean system of binary nomenclature, 

but that provision of the International Rules (Article 68, 

sect. 4) affects only specific epkhets and not at all generic names. 

Thelypteris Engelii (Hieron.) Morton, comb. nov. 

Dryopteris Engelii Hieron. Hedwigia 46: 339. pi. 6. fig. 

12. 1907. 

Terrestrial, fronds 3 or 4, ascending; southwest-facing forested 

slopes between Rondrfn Camp and base of sandstone bluffs, Mount 

Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 2040-2255 m., Steyermark 58992. 

The identification is not certain. The original collection, of which 

no material is available for consultation, was from Menda, Venezuela 

(Engel 90). 

Thelypteris pilossissima Morton, sp. nov. 

Rhizoma breviter repens, crassiusculum, paleaceum, paleis brunneis, 

lanceolatis, usque ad 6 mm. longis et 1.5 mm. latis, attenuates, 

concoloribus, integris, margine pilis paucis simplicibus gerentibus; 

folia pauca, 18-20 cm. longa, breviter stipitata, stipitibus curvatis, 

5-7 cm. longis, ca. 1 mm. diam., paleis minutis hinc inde praeditis,


valde pilosa, pills rectis, patentibus, simplicibus, unicellularibus, 

1-2 mm. longis; laminae herbaceae, lanceolatae, 15-23 cm. longae, 

4.5-6 cm. latae, basi gradatim reductae, apicem versus acuminatae, 

apice ipso obtuso, pinnato-pinnatifidae, rhachi valde pilosa, fere 

epaleacea; pinna 20-25-jugae, mediales oblongae, 2-3-2 cm. longae, 

9-13 mm. latae, basales (4-vel 5-jugae) gradatim minores, infimae 

subdeltoideae, ca. 12 mm. longae, 10 mm. latae, omnes sessiles, 

obtusae, altae pinnatifidae, ala costali ca. 1.5 mm. lata, segmentis 

5-8-jugis, 4-6.5 ram. longis, 3-5-4.5 mm. latis, obtusis, integris, 

epaleaceis, basalibus alteris aequalibus, utrinque in mesophyllo et 

venis longe pilosa, pilis hyalinis, simplicibus, unicellularibus, 

patentibus, 1-2 mm. longis; venae 3-jugae, simplices, marginem attingentes; 

sori dorsales, l-vel-2-jugae, inframediales, rotundi; indusium 

persistens, subreniforme, minutum, membranaceum, raargine 

longissime ciliatum; sporangia stipitata, non setosa, annulo 14- 

articulato; sporae brunneae, bilaterales, ca. 40 p longae et 25 u 

latae, tuberculatae. 

Type in the U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,915,091, collected on ascent of 

ledge along southwest-facing side, from beginning of sandstone 

bluffs to summit, Mt. Roraima, alt. 2255-2620 m., Sept. 27, 1944, 

Julian A. Steyermark 58772; isotype in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus. 

In Posthumus' Ferns of Surinam this species will key to T opposite, 

which it in no way resembles, differing in the few reduced 

lower pinnae, few veins, obtuse pinnae and segments, and longpilose 

indument on both surfaces of the frond. In the indument the 

present species suggests the little-known Dryopteris longipilosa 

(Sodiro) C. Chr. 

Thelypteris reptans (Gmel.) Morton, comb. nov. 

Poly podium reptans Gmel. Syst. Nat. 22: 1309. 1791. 

Monagas: in crevices within cave entrance, Guacharo Cave, 6 kms. 

northwest of Guacharo, alt. 950 m., Steyermark 62305. 

Ctenitis catocarpa (Kunze) Morton, comb. nov. 

Aspidium catocarpum Kunze, Linnaea 9: ,95. 1834. 

ANZOA'TEGU!: along Rib Zumbador and tributary, near base of 

Piedra Blanca, northeast of Bergantin, alt. 800-1000 m., 61279. 

Kunze described two species, Aspidium catocarpum and A . nemophilum, 

at the same time and place. Mettenius regarded these as 

synonyms, doubtless correctly, and adopted the name A. catocarpum. 

Christensen had a similar viewpoint, but adopted the name Dryopteris 

nemophila, because this species was a larger, better developed 

form and because it had page priority. These considerations, however, 

have nothing to do with the choice of name. Since Mettenius 

was the first to unite the two species, his choice of the epithet 

catocarpum must stand.


Ctenitis platyloba (Baker) Morton, comb. nov. 

Poly podium platylobum Baker in Hook. & Baker, Syn. Fil. 307. 1867. 

SUCRE: terrestrial, fronds membranaceous, Cerro Turumiquire, 

north-facing slopes between La Trinidad and Quebrada El Boquero'n, 

southwest of Cocollar, alt. 1700-1840 m., 62438. Identified from 

description. Possibly known previously only from the original description 

from Tarapoto, Peru. 

Polj botrya crassa Morton, sp. nov. 

Rhizoma crassum, elongatum, repens, 1-1.5 cm. diam., paleis exclusis, 

densissime paleaceum, paleis lineari-lanceolatis, 1-2 cm. 

longis, 1-2.5 mm. latis, brunneis, patentibus, longe attenuatis, 

glabris, integris; folia deformia, sterilia ca. 1.5 m. longa, stipitibus 

ca. 35 cm. longis, 7 mm. diam., plus minusve praecipue basin versus 

paleaceis, supra trisulcatis; lamina lanceolata, medio ca. 50 cm. 

lata, basi paullo angustata, apice acuminata, pinnata, apice pinnatifida, 

rhachi parce paleacea, inconspicue appresso-pilosa; pinnae ca. 

18-jugae, inferiores et mediales petiolulatae (usque ad 5 mm.), 

superiores adnatae, lineari-lanceolatae, maximae 26 cm. longae et 

5 cm. latae, basi truncatae, apice longe attenuatae, majores sub 

medio dentato-lobatae, sursum denticulatae, lobis infimis superioribus 

(et saepe etiam inferioribus) fere liberis, ovatis, basi angustatis, 

superiores basi superiori auriculatae, omnes subcoriaceae, fere epaleaceae, 

subtus parcissime appresso-pilosae, pilis brunneis, multicellularibus, 

flaccid is; venae primariae ca. 35-jugae (in pinnis 

majoribus), fere horizontaliter patentes, pinnato-ramosae, ramis 3-5- 

jugis, in vena excurrente inter venas primarias acute anastomosantibus; 

folia fertilia 80-90 cm. longa, stipitibus 27 cm. longis, dense 

paleaceis; lamina ca. 30 cm. lata, ovato-lanceolata, bipinnatopinnatifida, 

rhachi paleacea; pinnae patentes, ca. 15 cm. longae et 

3.5 cm. latae, petiolulatae, attenuatae, pinnulis multijugis, subremotis, 

linearibus, 1.5-1.8 cm. longis, 2-2.5 mm. latis, segmentis parvis, 

5-7-jugis, alternis, remotis, semicircularibus, ca. 1 mm. longis, 1.5 

mm. latis, utrinque sporangiferis; annulus ca. 14-cellularis; sporae 

bilaterales, laeves, 50-56 u longae, 40-50 u latae. 

Type in the U.S. Nat. Herb., nos. 1,915,221-2, collected on southfacing 

forested slopes above limestone bluffs, northeast of Guacharo, 

state of Monagas, alt. 1300-1400 ra., April 11, 1945, Julian A. 

Steyermark 6 1 991, "climbing, with elongate rhizome appressed tightly 

to small tree trunk; sterile fronds chartaceous, dull green above, pale 

green below"; isotype in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus. Differs from 

P. suberecta (Baker) C. Chr., P. polybotryoides (Baker) Christ, and 

related species in the lobate, basally auricled sterile pinnae and the 

more divided (bipinnate-pinnatifid) fertile fronds. 

Paesia acclivis (Kunze) Kuhn var. polystichoides Morton, var. nov. 

Rhizoma deest; folia scandentia, 1.6-2.6 m. longa (t. Steyerraark); 

lamina tripinnato-pinnatifida, rhachi 3-4 mm. diam., valde flexuosa,

U FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28 

tereti, brunnea, nitente, decidue pilosa, pills brunneis, septatis; 

demum aspera, internodiis 7-8 cm. longis; pinnae lanceolatae, nuraerosae, 

alternae, angulo acute adscendentes, maximae ca. 50 cm. 

longae et 22 cm. latae, petiolulatae (2-2.5 cm.), basi vix reductae, 

apice attenuatae, rhachi subrecta; plnnulae usque ad 30-jugae, horizonta 

liter patentes, alternae, inferiores petiolulatae, superiores sessiles, 

maximae 11 cm. longae et 2.3 cm. latae, rhachilla angustissime 

alata, pinnulis tertiariis usque ad 20-jugis alternis, anadromicis, 

oblongo-lanceolatis, 1-1.3 cm. longis, 6-8 mm. basi latis, sessilibus, 

basi truncatis, apice acutis, infra medium alte pinnatifidis, sursum 

crenatis, lobis vel crenaturis 5-8-jugis, obtusis, saepe crenulatis, 

subcoriaceae, supra ubique glabrae, subtus in costa et costulis 

parce septato-pilosae, epaleaceae; venae liberae, furcatae, marginem 

attingentes; sori marginales continui, indusiis extrorsis et introrsis 

magnis, ca. 6 mm. latis, brunneis, membranaceis, glabris, erosis; 

sporangia magna, breviter stipitata, annulo 1 5-articulato; paraphyses 

nullae; sporae bilaterales, laeves, 50-60 u longae, ca. 45 u latae. 

Type in the U.S. Nat. Herb., nos. 1,915,278-9, collected at base 

of and on main south-facing sandstone bluffs of Ptari-tepuf, state of 

Bolivar, alt. 2400-2410 m., October 30, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

59600, "fronds pale green beneath; stipes dark purple"; isotype in 

herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus. 

I have described this variety at length, because it may prove to be 

a distinct species. Mettenius* illustration (Abh. Senckenb. Naturf. 

Ges. Frankfurt 2: pL, 16, fig. 9-12. 1858) of plants of the original 

collection from Merida, Venezuela, Funck & Schlim 1222) shows the 

tertiary pinnules rounded, a character sufficient to give the plant an 

entirely different aspect from the present variety, in which the tertiary 

pinnules are acute and deeply parted, a single pinna rather suggesting 

a whole frond of a Polystichum, such as P. murieatum. 

GLEICHENIACEAE 

Sticherus penniger (Man.) Morton, comb. nov. 

Mertensia pennigera Mart. Icon. Crypt. Bras. 130. pi. 59, f. 

1834. 

1. 

"itif-yek". Southwest-facing slopes bordered by hilly savana, 

Mount Roraima, alt. 1030-1155 m., Steyermark 58605. I have not seen 

any authentic material (the type was collected by Martius in Minas 

Gerais, Brazil), but from the description and illustration there seems 

little doubt that Martius's species is identical with the widespread 

South American plant described as Mertensia lanuginosa Moric., of 

which an isotype (Blanchet 3706 from Bahia, Brazil) is in the New 

York Botanical Garden. The species has passed under a variety of 

names, including Gleichenia bifida, G, furcata, and C. pubescens. 

It was collected long ago on Roraima by Schomburgk (specimen in 

U.S. Nat. Herb.) and probably others. However, the plant reported by


Baker (im Thurn 343, specimen in U.S. Nat. Herb.) as Gleichenia 

pubescens is not this species, but Sticherus velatus (Kunze) Morton, 

comb. nov. (Mertensia velata Kunze, Linnaea 9: 15. 1834), the type of 

which was collected at Pampayacu, Peru, by Poeppig. A fragment of 

it is in the U.S. Nat. Herb. Synonyms are Gleichenia Buchtienii 

Christ & Rosenst. and G. blepharolepis Sodiro. Although S. velatus 

has a wide range in South America, it is not common. It is a huge 

species with very broad pinnae, and may be distinguished readily 

from both S. bifidus and S. penniger by the segments being scalytomentose 

above when young and by the blackish scales of the axes 

and buds. It is likely that the Roraima specimens reported by Posthumus 

as G. longipinnata belong to S. velatus. I know the true Sticherus 

longipinnatus (Hook.) Ching only from Surinam (Hostmann 238, photograph 

and fragment of the type in U.S. Nat. Herb.). 

Sticherus rubiginosus (Mett.) Morton, comb. nov. 

Gleichenia rubiginosa Mett. Ann. Sci. Nat. Paris V. 2: 267. 1864. 

SUCRE: Cerro Turumiquire, north-facing slopes above La Trinidad 

in cloud forest zone, southwest of Cocollar, alt. 2100-2200 m., 

Steyermark 62521. MONAGAS: Cerro Negro, above La Sabana de las 

Piedras, northwest of Caripe, alt. 1500-2180 m. 62103. These specimens, 

due probably to the method of drying, have lost the glaucous 

tinge characteristic of the lower surfaces. The species was collected 

in 1925 in Cerro Turumiquire (2900 m.) by Tate (no. 277). 

Fragments of the type collection (Lindig 71 from Puente Nacional, 

Colombia) have been examined in the U.S. National Herbarium and 

New York Botanical Garden. The range of the species includes 

Venezuela, Colombia, and Peru, and a single specimen was found 

some years ago in Puerto Rico. 

It is with some regret that I have decided to recognize the genus 

Sticherus as distinct from Dicranopteris, following Chris tensen, 

Ching, Cope land, and St. John, because of the habital similarity of 

the two groups. However, it is obvious that the peculiar nature of 

the branching in this family renders a habital similarity inevitable. 

The technical distinctions between the genera have been pointed out 

clearly by M. A. Chrysler (Amer. Journ. Bot. 31: 483-491. 1944) in 

his study of the vascular anatomy of the petiolar bundles. The 

fundamental distinction is that Dicranopteris (sens, strict.) has only 

hairs on the rhizomes and fronds, whereas Sticherus has ciliate 

scales on the rhizomes and usually on the fronds also. A simple 

method of distinguishing the genera is by the veins of the segments, 

those of Sticherus being all once-forked (or rarely the basal pair 

twice-forked) whereas those of Dicranopteris are all twice- or thriceforked. 

The character of numerous sporangia to a sorus, attributed 

to Dicranopteris, is not uniformly true in all species, nor is the 

development of accessory pinnae apparently of fundamental importance, 

for D. pectinata has none.


Dicranopteris Schomburgkiana (Sturm) Morton, comb. nov. 

\ 

Mertensia Schomburgkiana Sturm in Mart. Fl. Bras. 1 : 233. 1859. 

Fronds with branches horizontally spreading, the segments gray 

on older fronds below, ferruginous on younger ones and on young 

stems; ascent of ledge along southwest-facing side, Mount Roraima, 

alt. 2100-2255 m., Steyermark 58778. The type came from Mt. Roraima 

(Schomburgk 1671, fragments in U.S. Nat. Herb, and N.Y. Bot. Gard.), 

and the species has probably not been found since, so the present 

collection is noteworthy. This species has been considered the 

same as Dicranopteris rufinervis (Mart.) Ching of Minas Gerais, 

Brazil, which Posthumus calls Gleichenia linearis var. rufinervis. 

Martius* description is too brief to be conclusive, but Gleichenia 

Klotzschii Hook., which is considered to be the same as rufinervis, 

is obviously distinct from D. Schomburgkiana. A comparison of 

fragments of the type of G. Klotzschii with the new specimens collected 

by Steyermark shows that the differences enumerated by Sturm 

hold true.


Thrasya setosa Swallen, sp. nov. 

SPERMATOPHYTA 

GRAMINEAE 4 

Perennis; culrai graciles erecti, raraosi, glabr-i, 

nodis inferioribus 

barbatis; vaginae internodia aequans, carinatae, pilosae vel papilloso-pilosae, 

suprema elongata, glabra, marginibus papilloso-ciliata; 

ligula raembranacea, erosa, 1.5 mm. longa; laminae planae, 10-30 

cm. longae, 2-3 mm. latae, attenuatae, pilosae, marginibus papillosohispidis; 

racemi terminales et axillares, solitarii, 8-12 cm. longi 

basi dense pilosi, rachi 1.8 mm. lata, papilloso-ciliata, pilis 2-5 

mm. longis; spiculae 3 mm. longae; gluma prima obsoleta, gluma 

secunda plana, 5-nervis, acuta, scabra, summo marginibus hispida; 

lemma sterile gluma secunda paulo brevior summo 2-carinatum, carinis 

hispido-ciliatis; fructus 2.4 mm. longus, 0.7 mm. latus, summo dense 

pilosus pilis 0.5 mm. longis. 

Perennial; culms slender, erect or somewhat geniculate, branching 

at the lower nodes, glabrous, smooth and shining, the nodes retrorsely 

bearded; sheaths about as long as the internodes, keeled, 

at least toward the summit, pilose or papillose-pilose with spreading 

hairs, the uppermost elongate, glabrous on the back, the margins 

papillose-ciliate; ligule membranaceous, erose, 1.5 mm. long; blades 

flat, 10-30 cm. long, 2-3 mm. wide, the uppermost greatly reduced, 

attenuate, pilose, the margins and underside of the mid-nerve papillose-hispid; 

inflorescences terminal and axillary, the axillary entirely 

enclosed in the sheath, of one arcuate raceme 8-12 cm. long, densely 

pilose at the base, the rachis 1.8 mm. wide, papillose-ciliate, the 

hairs 2-5 mm. long? spikelets 3 mm. long; first glume obsolete; 

second glume flat, 5-nerved, acute, scabrous, the margins hispid at 

the tip; sterile lemma a little shorter than the second glume enclosing 

a well-developed palea and staminate flower, early splitting down 

the middle, the margins incurved partly enclosing the fruit, 2-keeled 

toward the summit, the keels hispid-ciliate, each with a rather stout 

yellowish seta about 2 mm. long near the tip; fruit 2.4 mm. long, 

0.7 mm. wide, the margins of the lemma densely pilose at the tip, 

the hairs about 0.5 mm. long. 

Type in the U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,654, collected in 

vicinity of Sanariapo, near Rio Sanariapo, tributary of Orinoco 

river, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 100 m., September 8, 

1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58502; isotype in herb. Chi. Nat. 

Hist. Mus. 

Thrasya setosa is related to T. paspaloides which differs in 

having shorter racemes, mostly 4-5 cm. long, the axillary ones 

By Jason R. Swallen. Bambuseae, except Myriocladus, by 

McClure 

F. A.


long exserted, wider rachis (2.5 mm.) and the second glume 

densely papillose-hispid all over the back, the hairs long. 

Eragrostis fragilis Swallen, sp. nov. 

Perennis; culmi caespitosi, 20-30 cm. alti, glabri; vaginae 

internodiis longiores, dense pilosae, pilis adscendentibus vel 

patentibus; ligula ciliata 0.3 ram. longa; laminae 8-12 cm. 

longae, 1-3 mm. latae, planae, firmae, attenuatae, dense pilosae 

vel papilloso-pilosae; paniculae 12-18 cm. longae, 6-9 cm. 

latae, ramis fragilibus adscendentibus, simplicibus vel infra 

medium sparse ramosis, ramulis divergentibus, in axillis longe 

pilosis; spiculae 3.5-4.5 mm. longae, 1.5 mm. latae, 4-6-florae, 

pedicellibus 5-10 mm. longis; glumae subaequales, 1-1.3 nun. 

longae, 1-nerves, acutae; lemma infimum 1.5-1.8 mm. longum, 

acutum; rachilla sparse pilosae; caryopsis 0.5-0.6 mm. longa 

rectangularis, reticulata, sulcata. 

Perennial; culms in small tufts, 20-30 cm. high, erect, glabrous; 

sheaths all longer than the internodes, rather densely 

pilose with ascending or spreading hairs; ligule ciliate, 0.3 

mm. long; blades mostly 8-12 cm. long, 1-3 mm. wide, firm, 

flat, attenuate, densely pilose or papillose-pilose on both surfaces; 

panicles 12-18 cm. long, as much as 6-9 cm. wide, the 

branches fragile, ascending, simple or sometimes branching 

from below the middle, the branchlets divergent, long-pilose in 

all the axils; spikelets 3.5-4.5 mm. long, 1.5 mm. wide, 4-6- 

flowered, the pedicels mostly 5-10 mm. long; glumes subequal, 

1-1.3 mm. long, 1-nerved, acute; first lemma 1.5-1.8 mm. long, 

acute; rachilla sparsely pilose, at least below the floret; 

caryopsis 0.5-0.6 mm. long, rectangular, reticulate, rather deeply 

sulcate on one edge. 

Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,657, collected on Gran 

Sabana^ 

between Kun and Uaduara-paru, in valley of Rio 

Kukenan, south of Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 1065- 

1220 m., October 1, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59062. 

Digitaria glabriculmis Swallen, sp. nov. 

Perennis; culmi erecti, 63 cm. aki, glabri, summo sparse 

pilosi; vaginae hirsutae, suprema 24 cm. longa, glabra; ligula 

membranacea 0.5-1 mm. longa; laminae planae, erectae, ad 25 

cm. longae, subtus glabrae, supra dense villosae; racemi 3 

9-11 cm. longi, rachi 0.5 mm. lata, marginibus scabris; spiculae 

1.5-1.7 mm. longae, dense pubescentes pilis capitatis; 

glunia prima obsoleta; gluma secunda angusta, 3-nervis, obtusa, 

fructo 1/3 brevier; lemma sterile fructura aequams subacutum 

8-nerve; fructus 1.7 mm. longus, ellipticus, acutus, fuscescens, 

perspicue striatus. 

Perennial; culms erect, 65 cm. high, glabrous, with a few


scattered hairs toward the summit; basal sheaths crowded, 

sparsely to densely hirsute with ascending hairs, the uppermost 

24 cm. long, bladeless, glabrous; ligule membra nac ecus, 

0.5-1 mm. long; blades flat, sub-attenuate, erect, as much as 

25 cm. long, 4 mm. wide, glabrous below, very densely villous 

above; racemes 3, 9-11 cm. long, erect or narrowly ascending, 

the rachis 0.5 mm. wide, scabrous on the margins; spikelets 

in threes, crowded, 1.5-1.7 mm. long, densely pubescent with 

capitate hairs; first glume wanting; second glume narrow, 3- 

nerved, obtuse, 2/3 as long as the fruit; sterile lemma as 

long as or slightly longer than the fruit, subacute, 7-nerved, 

the lateral and intermediate nerves obscure, thus appearing 3- 

nerved; fruit 1.7 mm. long, elliptic, acute, very dark reddishbrown, 

rather prominently striate. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1.206,512, collected 

on Gran Sabana, between waterfall at Rue-meru (tributary 

of Rio Kukenan) and Divina Pastora on Rio Kukena'n 

north of Santa Elena, south of Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, 

alt. 1065 m., October 3, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

59226. 

Digitaria glabriculmis is similar to D. villicubnis Henr. 

which differs in having culms conspicuously villous throughout, 

blades villous on both surfaces, usually not more than 12 cm. 

long, and larger spikelets 1.8-2 mm. long. 

Axonopua erectus Swallen, sp. nov. 

Perennis; culmi 145 cm. alti, erecti rigidi compressi, infra 

inflorescentiam scaberuli, nodo dense antrorse pilosae; vaginae 

latae, compressae, basi papilloso-hispidae, collo dense pubescentes, 

supreraa ad 45 cm. longa; ligula dense ciliata 0.5 

mm. longa; laminae lineares, 23-33 cm. longae, 12 mm. latae, 

planae, basi conduplicatae, marginibus scaberrimis; inflorescentiae 

terminales et axillares, 12-27 cm. longae, densae, 

erectae, racemis adscendentibus usque ad 13 cm. longis; 

spiculae 2.5-2.6 mm. longae; gluma secunda et lemma sterile 

aequalia, obtusa, 5-nervia, inter nervos dense pubescentia; 

fructus 2.3 mm. longus, subacutus, minute papillosus, summo 

sparse 

pubescens. 

Perennial; culms stiffly erect, 145 cm. high, hard, flattened, 

appearing triangular toward the base, 1-noded, the node densely 

antrorsely appressed-pilose, scaberulous below the inflorescence, 

otherwise glabrous; sheaths broad, conspicuously compressed, 

densely pubescent on the collar, papillose or papillose-hispid 

near the base, otherwise glabrous or nearly so, 

the lower ones relatively short, the uppermost as much as 45 

cm. long; ligule densely ciliate, 0.5 mm. long; blades linear, 

conduplicate toward the base, becoming flat, strongly nerved,


glabrous, the margins very scabrous, the tip obtuse, 23-33 cm. 

long, 12 mm. wide, the uppermost greatly reduced; panicles 

terminal and axillary, long-exserted, 12-27 cm. long, erect, 

dense, the compound branches narrowly ascending, as much as 

13 cm. long, densely pubescent or pilose in the axils, the 

rachis very scabrous; spikelets 2.4-2.6 mm. long, the second 

glume and sterile lemma equal, covering the fruit, 5-nerved, 

obtuse, rather densely pubescent between the nerves; fruit 2.3 

mm. long, oblong, acutish, minutely papillose-roughened, somewhat 

pubescent at the tip. 

Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,664, collected on Gran 

Sabana, between Mission of Santa Teresita de Kavanayen northwest 

of Rio Karuai, on large mesa, state of Bolivar, alt. 

1220 m., October 26, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59400. Also 

collected between Kun and Uaduara-paru, in valley of Rio 

Kukenan, south of Mount Roraima, 59050. 

This species is probably most closely related to Axonopus 

scoparius Flugge, but easily distinguished by the prominent 

conduplicate sheaths pubescent on the collar, the firmer and 

narrower obtuse blades, and the narrow, dense inflorescences. 

Axonopus Steyermarkii Swallen, sp. nov. 

Perennis; culmi ca. 45 cm. aki glabri uninodi; vaginae 

equitantes 10 cm. longae, compressae, glabrae, suprema elongata 

lamina reducta; ligula ciliata 0.5 mm. longa; laminae 

planae, 10-24 cm. longae, 2.5-6 mm. latae, glabrae, marginibus 

scabris; inflorescentiae terminales et axillares, racemis 3-4, 

adscendentibus approximates infirao remote; rachis 0.4 mm. 

lata; spiculae 2.8-3 mm. longae, pedicellis 1 mm. longis pilosis; 

gluma secunda et lemma sterile aequalia, angusta, obtusa, 

5-nervia, nervis lateralibus approximates, inter nervos 

sparse pilosa; fructus 2.5 longus, elliptic us, lemmate summo 

villoso. 

Perennial; culms about 45 cm. high, glabrous, with a single 

culm node; sheaths equitant, about 10 cm. long, compressed, 

gradually narrowed from the base to the summit, glabrous, the 

culm sheath elongate with a reduced blade; ligule ciliate, 0.5 

mm. long; blades flat, 10-24 cm. long, narrower at the base 

than the mouth of the sheath, glabrous, the margins scabrous 

at the tip; inflorescences terminal and axillary with 3-4 ascending 

racemes, the upper ones approximate, the lowest somewhat 

remote, pubescent or pilose at the base, the rachis 

triangular, about 0.4 mm. wide; spikelets 2.8-3 mm. long, 

blunt, rather distant, not reaching the one above on the same 

side, pedicellate, the pedicel round, about 1 mm. long, more 

or less pilose; second glume and sterile lemma equal, exceeding 

the fruit, thin, narrow, exposing the fruit on the sides,

BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 

21 

obtuse, 5-nerved, the lateral nerves approximate near the 

margins, irregularly pilose between the lateral nerves or sometimes 

nearly glabrous, with a tuft of hairs at the tip; fruit 

2.5 mm. long, elliptic with a dense tuft of hairs on the tip 

of the lemma. 

Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,649, collected jan 

Cerro 

Duida, southeastern-facing sandstone bluffs near Cano Negro 

(tributary of Cano Iguapo), ak. 1095-1520 m., August 26, 

1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58001. 

Axonopus Steyermarkii is closely related to A. Fockei (Mez) 

Swallen, comb. nov. (Paspalum Fockei Mez) which differs in having 

sessile spikelets, blades wider at the base than the mouth of the 

sheath, densely bearded nodes, and ciliate sheaths. 

Axonopus villosus Swallen, sp. nov. 

Perennis; culmi erecti, ca. 70 cm. alti, nodis antrorse barbatis; 

vaginae compressae, dense villosae, inferiores equitantes, basi 

glabrae; ligula ciliata ca. 0.3 mm. longa; laminae ca. 50 cm. longae, 

7 mm. latae, conduplicatae, subtus dense villosae supra basi glabrae; 

inflorescentiae terminales et axillares; racemi 3-7 , erecti, 

rachi scabra; spiculae 3.5-4 mm. longae; gluma secunda et lemma 

sterile aequalia fructo paulo longiora, summo sparse pilosa, 5-nervia, 

nervis lateralibus approximatis, inter nervos sparse pubescentia; 

fructus 3 mm. longus, subacutus, minute papillosus, lemmate summo 

villoso. 

Perennial; culms erect, about 70 cm. high, the nodes antrorsely 

appressed-bearded; sheaths conduplicate, very densely villous with 

tawny hairs, especially at the summit, the lower equitant, glabrous 

toward the base; ligule ciliate, about 0.3 mm. long; blades overtopping 

the inflorescence, the lower surface densely appressed 

villous, the upper less so, becoming glabrous at the base, tightly 

folded, becoming flat with age, about 50 cm. long, 7 mm. wide unfolded; 

inflorescences terminal and axillary, composed of 3-7 erect 

racemes, the axis 2-5 cm. long, the rachis scabrous; spikelets 3.5-4 

mm. long, rather distant; second glume and sterile lemma equal, 

extending a little beyond the fruit, sparsely pilose at the tip, 5- 

nerved, the lateral nerves of the glume approximate, usually sparsely 

pubescent between the nerves; fruit 3 mm. long, acutish, minutely 

papillose roughened, the lemma villous at the tip. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1,206,470, on summit of 

Cerro Duida, Savanna Hills, alt. 1025-1200 m., September 2, 1944, 

Julian A, Steyermark 58226. 

Axonopus villosus is similar to A. comatus (Mez) Swallen, comb, 

nov. (Paspalum comatum Mez) described from Brazil, the definite 

locality unknown, which differs in having the second glume 9-nerved, 

the nerves evenly spaced, and the culms densely villous below the 

nodes.


Paspalum aureolatum Swallen, sp. nov. 

Perenne; culmi erecti, 75 cm. aki, glabri; vaginae elongatae, 

glabrae vel summo sparse papilloso-hispidae, superiores internodiis 

breviores; ligula 3.5-4 mm. longae; laminae 20-30 cm. longae, usque 

ad 7 mm. latae, scaberulae, marginibus basi sparse hispido-ciliatis; 

racemi 4, 7.5-8 cm. longi, patentes, basi barbati; rachis 5-5.5 ram. 

lata, supra spiculas producto; gluma secunda 5.3 mm. longa, ovata, 

truncata, hyalina, 3-5-nervis, scaberula, basi pilosa, summo hispidula; 

lemma sterile glumam secundam aequans, 3-nerve, dorso 

glabrum, marginibus papilloso-hispido-ciliatis; fructus 3.8-4.2 mm. 

longus, scipitatus, marginibus hispidis, summo hispidulus; palea 

g la bra. 

Perennial; culms erect, 75 cm. high, glabrous; sheaths elongate, 

glabrous or sparsely papillose-hispid near the summit, the lower 

much longer than the internodes, the upper shorter; ligule conspicuous, 

reddish brown, the lower ones 3.5-4 mm. long; blades 20-30 cm. 

long, as much as 7 mm. wide, scaberulous, the margins sparsely 

hispid-ciliate toward the base; racemes 4, crowded on a short axis, 

7.5-8 cm. long spreading, bearded at the base, the rachis 5-5.5 mm. 

wide, extending beyond the spikelets; second glume 5.3 mm. long, 

ovate, thin, 3-5-nerved, the nerves fine, more or less transversely 

nerved, scaberulous, hairy across the back at the base, shortly 

hispid near the truncate tip; sterile lemma as long as the second 

glume, 3-nerved, glabrous on the back, the margins papillose-hispid - 

ciliate, sparsely so above the middle; fruit 3.8-4.2 mm. long, stipitate, 

the margins hispid at the middle, the hairs rather long, the tip 

shortly hispid; palea glabrous (Fig. 1). 

Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,652, collected on summit of 

Cerro Duida, Savanna Hills, alt. 1025-1200 m., September 2, 1944, 

Julian A. Steyermark 58234. 

The hispid fertile lemma distinguishes P. aureolatum from the 

other species of the Dissecta group. 

It is similar to P. contractual 

which has bearded nodes, hispid foliage, a shorter ligule, about 

1.5 mm. long, and usually only two racemes. The fruit is not more 

than 3.4 mm. long, and lacks the long hairs on the margins of the 

le mma. 

Paspalum erectifolium Swallen, sp. nov. 

Perenne; culmi erecti, 55-70 cm. alti, glabri vel scaberuli; vaginae 

inferiores internodiis multo longiores, dense papilloso-hispidae, 

superiores internodiis longiores vel breviores, glabrae vel marginibus 

sparse pilosae; ligula membranacea, 1-1.5 mm. longa; laminae firmae, 

appressae vel adscendentes, acutae, pungentes, pubescentes et 

dense hispidae, marginibus papilloso-ciliatis, inferiores 5-7 cm. 

longae, 7-12 mm. latae; racemi 2, approximati, 5-6 cm. longi, basi 

dense pilosi, rachi 3-3.5 mm. lata, alata, glabra supra spiculas procurrente; 

spiculae compressae, appressae; gluma secunda 5.6 mm.


FIGURE 1 

Paspalum aureolatum Swallen, sp. nov. (Steyermark 58234) 

A, Spikelet, X 10; B, Fruit, X 10; C, Second Glume, X 10 

longa, 3 mm. lata, alata, cordata, obtusa, 5-nervis, nervis lateralibus 

approximatis, marginibus his pido-c ilia tis; lemma sterile 5 mm. 

longum, 2.5 mm. latum, 3-nerve, scabrum, marginibus his pido-c ilia tis, 

sumrao seta 2.5-3.5 mm. longa praeditum; lemma fertile 4.5 mm. 

longum, lanceolatum, stipitatum, summo hispidum, marginibus angustis 

sparse hirsutis; palea striata, sparse pubescens. 

Perennial; culms strictly erect, 55-70 cm. high, glabrous or more 

or less scabrous; lower sheaths much longer than the internodes, 

densely papillose-hispid, the upper three bladeless, elongate, longer 

or shorter than the internodes, glabrous or sparsely long-pilose near 

the margins; ligule a reddish-brown membrane 1-1.5 ram. long, irregularly 

dentate; blades thick, firm, usually appressed, or the lower 

ones somewhat spreading, the lowermost 5-7 cm. long, 7-12 mm. wide, 

the others gradually smaller upwards, acute, pungently pointed, 

pubescent and densely hispid, the margins strongly papillose-hispidciliate; 

racemes 2, approximate, somewhat spreading, 5-7 cm. long, 

densely hairy at the base, the rachis extending beyond the spikelets, 

glabrous, 3-3.5 mm. wide, winged, the center green and purple


striped, the wings brownish; spikelets very flat, closely appressed; 

second glume 5.6 mm. long, 3 mm. wide at the base, winged, prominently 

cordate, obtuse, 5-nerved, the lateral nerves approximate, 

transversely veined, the margins hispid-ciliate; sterile lemma 5 mm. 

long, 2.5 mm. wide, oval, somewhat cordate at the base, 3-nerved, 

scabrous, the margins hispid-ciliate, the hairs shorter than those of 

the second glume, with a prominent seta at the summit 2.5-3.5 mm. 

long; fertile lemma 4.5 mm. long, lanceolate, somewhat stipitate, 

with a tuft of hispid hairs at the summit, the margins narrow, sparsely 

hirsute; palea thin, seriate, sparsely pubescent above the middle. 

Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,668, collected on savanna and 

shrubby growth bordering forest of Rio Karuai, between Santa Teresita 

de Kavanayen and base of Ptari-tepui, state of Bolivar, alt. 

1220 m., November 18, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60302. 

Paspalum erectifolium is related to P. setiglume Chase, described 

from Auyan-tepui, which differs in being much taller, more than 1 

meter with six racemes 10-12 cm. long, and much longer, linear 

blades which are only sparsely hispid. Both are distinguished from 

all other known species of Paspalum by the long terminal seta of the 

sterile lemma. 

Paspalum piligerum Swallen, sp. nov. 

Perenne; culmi erecti, 70 cm. alti; vaginae internodiis longiores, 

inferiores breves dense papilloso-hispidae, superiores elongatae 

sparse papilloso-hispidae, 2 supremae efoliatae, scabrae; ligula 

membranacea 2 mm. longa; laminae firmae, acuminatae, pungentes, 

valde papilloso-hispidae, infima 17 cm. longa, 12 mm. lata; racemi 4, 

approximate, 11-14 cm. longi, in axillis dense pilosi; rachis 8 mm. 

lata, glabra; spiculae appressae basi barbatae; gluma secunda 7 mm. 

longa, ovato-lanceolata, 3-nervis, dorso basi dense pilosa, summo 

marginibus hispida; lemma sterile 5.7 mm. longum, lanceolatum, 

sparse papilloso-hispidum, marginibus in pane inferiore dense 

papilloso-ciliatis, in parte superiore scabris; fructus 4 mm. longus, 

stipitatus, lemma lanceolate minute scabro, summo hispido; palea 

glabra obtusa. 

Perennial; culms erect, 70 cm. high; leaves mostly crowded toward 

the base; sheaths all longer than the intern odes, the lower ones 

short, very densely papillose-hispid, the upper ones elongate, less 

densely papillose-hispid, the two uppermost bladeless, scabrous 

only; ligule membranaceous, about 3 mm. long; blades thick, firm, 

acuminate, pungently pointed, very densely papillose-hispid on both 

surfaces, the hairs on the upper surface interlacing on either side of 

the midnerve, the lower ones 17 cm. long, 12 ram. wide, becoming 

smaller upward; racemes 4, ascending, approximate on a short axis, 

11-14 cm. long, with dense tufts of white hairs in the axils, the 

rachis extended beyond the spikelets, broadly winged, 8 mm. wide, 

glabrous, the midrib green, the wings straw-colored; spikelets 

crowded, appressed, bearded at the base; second glume 7 mm. long,


ovate-lanceolate, 3-nerved, rather densely hairy across the back at 

the base, hispid on the margins near and at the tip, otherwise glabrous; 

sterile lemma 5.7 mm. long, lanceolate, very sparsely papillose-hispid 

above, the margins very densely papillose-ciliate in the 

lower half, scabrous above; fruit 4 m.m. long, stipitate, the stipe 

about 0.4 mm. long, the lemma lanceolate, minutely scabrous, hispid 

at the tip, the palea glabrous, rounded at the tip (Fig. 2). 

FIGURE 2 

P aspalum piligerum Swallen, sp. nov. (Steyermark 59090) 

A, Spikelet, X 10; B, Fruit, X 10; C, Second glume, X 10 

Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,660, collected on Gran Sabana, 

between Kun and Uaduara-paru, in valley of Rio Kukenan, south of 

Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 1065-1220 m., October 1, 


Paspalum piligerum is unusual in the extremely dense interlacing 

hairs on the upper jsuiiace of the blades. It is allied to P landflorum 

Trin. which has only 2, or rarely more, short conjugate 

racemes, and narrower, linear, sparsely hispid blades. 

Panicum densifolinm Swallen, sp. nov. 

Perenne; culmi gracillimi, dense caespitosi, 10-19 cm. alti, erecti, 

ramosissimi; vaginae internodiis longiores, glabrae; ligula membra-


nacea ca. 1 mm. longa; laminae 7-25 mm. longae, 0.8-1 mm. latae, 

planae, firmae, erectae vel arcuatae, sparse longe pilosae; paniculae 

1.5-3 cm. longae, ramis patentibus, gracilibus, paucifloris; spiculae 

1-1.2 mm. longae, glabrae, pedicellis longis filiformibus divergentibus; 

gluma prima 0.5-0.6 mm. longa, acuta, 1-nervis; gluma secunda 

ca. 0.7 mm. longa, 5-nervis, obtusa; lemma sterile fructum aequans, 

5-nerve, obcusum, flore masculo; fructus 0.9 mm. long us, ovatus, 

acutus, glaber. 

Very slender perennial; culms 10-19 cm. high, very densely tufted, 

erect, usually branching from all but the uppermost nodes, obscured 

by the many crowded blades; sheaths mostly longer than the internodes, 

glabrous; ligule membra naceous, about 1 mm. long; blades 

0.7-25 mm. long, 0.8-1 mm. wide, flat, firm, erect or becoming arcuate, 

sparsely long-pilose, with thick white cartilaginous margins; 

panicles 1.5-3 cm. long, nearly as wide, the slender few-flowered 

branches spreading; spikelets 1-1.2 mm. long, glabrous, on long 

filiform divergent pedicels; first glume 0.5-0.6 mm. long, acute, 

1-nerved; second glume about 0.7 mm. long, 5-nerved, obtuse; sterile 

lemma as long as the fruit, 5-nerved, obtuse, enclosing a well developed 

staminate flower; fruit 0.9 mm. long, ovate, strongly convex, 

acute, glabrous. 

Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,642, collected in dry rocky open 

places, Esmeralda Ridge, between Esmeralda and base of Cerro 

Duida, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 150 no., August 21, 1944, 

Julian A t 

Steyermark 57755. 

P anicum densifolium is similar to P> obovatum Doell, which has 

smaller, sub-spherical, pubescent spikelets 0.8 mm. long, and the 

second glume and sterile lemma are equal, covering the fruit. 

Panicum Mauryi Swallen, nom. nov. 

P anicum micro nth us var. hirtum Maury. 

Territorio Federal Amazonas: Sabana Grande, alt. 200 m., Steyermark 

57863; between Esmeralda Ridge and Sabana de Arboles, alt. 

200 m., 57780. 

Panicum pilatum Swallen, sp. nov. 

Perenne; culmi dense caespitose, 15-25 cm. alti, erecti, glabri vel 

intemodiis inferioribus dense pilosi; vaginae internodiis longiores, 

glabrae vel summo marginibus pilosae, ligula ciliata 1.5-2 mm. longa; 

laminae 3-4 cm. longae, 3-4 mm. latae, lanceolatae, acutae, glabrae 

vel marginibus basi sparse pilosae; paniculae 3-5 cm. longae, 1-2 

cm. latae, ramis adscendentibus, glabris; spiculae 1.6 mm. longae, 

acutae, nervosae, glabrae, purpurascentes; gluma prima 0.7 mm. 

longa, angusta, subacuta; gluma secunda et lemma sterile aequalia, 

fructam aequantia; culmi auturanales ex nodis inferioribus et intermediis 

sparse ramosi, ramis et laminis pauloreductis.


Culms densely tufted, 15-25 cm. high, erect, glabrous, or sparsely 

pilose on the lower internodes; sheaths mostly longer than the internodes, 

glabrous or sparsely pilose on the margins near the summit; 

ligule ciliate, 1.5-2 mm. long; blades 3-4 cm. long, 3-4 mm. wide, 

lanceolate, acute, glabrous on both surfaces, the margins sometimes 

sparsely pilose toward the base; panicles 3-5 cm. long, 1-2 cm. wide, 

the branches ascending, glabrous; spikelets 1.6 mm. long, acute, 

strongly nerved, glabrous, tinged with purple; first glume 0.7 mm. 

long, narrow, subacute; second glume and sterile lemma equal, covering 

the fruit. Autumnal phase sparingly branching from the lower and 

middle nodes, the blades and panicles not much reduced. 

Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,673, collected on rocky sandstone 

summit of eastern peak, Cerro Tururaiquire, state of Sucre, 

alt. 2500 m., May 6, 1945, Julian A. Steyermark 62606. 

Panicum pilatum belongs in the subgenus Dicanthelium and most 

closely resembles P. caerulescens which differs in having subglobose 

pubescent spikelets and a very short ligule. 

Panicum vinaceum Swallen, sp. nov. 

Perenne; culmi erecti, 45 cm. alti, infra nodos pilosi adscendentibus; 

vaginae dense pilosae pilis adscendentibus; ligula ciliata, ca. 

0.5 mm. longa; laminae 12-20 cm. longae, 4-7 mm. latae, lineares, 

acuminatae, adscendentes vel appressae, glabrae vel pilosae pilis 

divergentibus; panicula 12 cm. longa, 5 cm. lata, ramis solitariis 

adscendentibus, basi villosis; spiculae 6-6.5 mm. longae, purpurascentes; 

gluma prima 3 mm. longa, 3-nervis, abrupte acuta; gluma 

secunda et lemma sterile aequalia, 7-nervia, acuta vel subacuminata; 

fructus 3 mm. longus, 1.4 mm. latus, glaber, minute striatus. 

Perennial; culms stiffly erect, 45 cm. high, ascending-pilose below 

the nodes, otherwise glabrous; lower sheaths longer, the upper 

shorter than the internodes, densely ascending pilose, the hairs 

rather stiff; blades J2-20 cm. .long, 4-7 mm. wide, linear, acuminate, 

narrowly ascending or appressed, stiff, firm, nearly glabrous, or 

pilose on both surfaces with spreading hairs; panicle 12 cm. long, 

5 cm. wide, the few solitary branches narrowly ascending, villous 

at the base, with a rather large pulvinus in the axils; spikelets 

6-6.5 mm. long, purple, mostly in pairs at the ends of the branchlets, 

obliquely placed on the pedicels, the pedicels of the lateral spikelets 

short; first glume 3 mm. long, 3-nerved, rather distant, somewhat 

abruptly acute; second glume and sterile lemma equal, or the glume 

slightly longer, 7-nerved, acute or subacuminate, gaping; fruit 3 mm. 

long, 1.4 mm. wide, minutely striate, glabrous, raised on the thickened 

winged rachilla joint about 0.8 mm. long. 

Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,91 1661, collected on Gran Sabana, 

between Kun and waterfall at Rue-meru (tributary of Rio Kukenan), 

south of Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 1065 m., October 2, 

1944 Julian A. Steyermark 59173.


Panicum vinaceum is related to P. cervicatum Chase, which has 

very large, diffuse panicles as much as 40 cm. long, the branches 

glabrous or nearly so at the base, and larger spikelets, 7-8 mm. long. 

Ichnanthus acuminatus Swallen, sp. nov. 

Perennis; culmi robusti, 170 cm. alti, basi decumbentes, infra 

nodos dense pubescentes; vaginae internodiis longiores summum 

versus carinata, hirsutae, collo dense pubescentes; ligula membranacea 

3 mm. longa; laminae 15-20 cm. longae, usque ad 2 cm. 

latae, lanceolato-acuminatae, pubescentes vel pilosae; paniculae 

ca. 30 cm. longae, 10-20 cm. latae, oblongae vel pyramidatae, ramis 

adscendentibus basi dense pubescentibus vel pilosis; spiculae 3.4- 

3.5 mm. longae; gluma prima 2-3 mm. longa, acuta vel subacuminata, 

3-nervis, carina scabra; gluma secunda et lemma sterile aequalia, 

5-nervia, scaberula; fructus 2.8 mm. longus, glaber, alls angustis, 

obtusis, 0.5-0.7 mm. longis. 

Perennial; culms rather coarse, erect from a decumbent base, as 

much as 170 cm. high, densely pubescent below the nodes; sheaths 

mostly longer than the internodes, somewhat keeled toward the summit, 

densely pubescent on the collar, hirsute to nearly glabrous on 

the back; ligule membranaceous, about 3 mm. long; blades 15-20 

cm. long, as much as 2 cm. wide, firm, lanceolate-acuminate, usually 

pubescent or pilose on both surfaces; panicle about 30 cm. long, 

10-20 cm. wide, oblong or pyramidal, the branches verticillate, 

ascending or the lower spreading, densely pubescent or pilose in the 

axils; spikelets 3.4-3.5 mm. long, the lateral ones short-pediceled, 

appressed; first glume 2-3 mm. long, broadly triangular, acute or 

sub-acuminate, 3-nerved, scabrous on the keel; second glume and 

sterile lemma equal, sub-acute, 5-nerved, scaberulous; fruit 2.8-3 

mm. long, slender, glabrous, the wings 0.5-0.7 mm. long, narrow, 

rounded above. 

Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,659, collected along stream in 

Gran Sabana, between Kun and L'aduara-paru', in valley of Rio 

Kukena'n, south of Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 1065-1220 

m., October 1, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59086. Also collected on 

Gran Sabana, between Santa Teresita de Kavanayen northwest of 

Rib Karuai, on large mesa, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., 59371; 

savanna bordering forest of Rib Karuai, between Santa Teresita de 

Kavanayen and base of Ptari-tepui', state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., 

60335. 

Ichnanthus acuminatus is related to/, verticillatus and /. ichnodes, 

both of which have smaller spikelets; the former has broad thin 

blades as much as 5 cm. wide, and the latter has narrower elongate 

blades. True /. ichnodes is known only from Trinidad. 

Ichnanthus duidensis Swallen, sp. nov. 

Annuus; culmi decumbentes, 110 cm. longi, glabri; vaginae carinatae, 

glabrae, internodiis breviores; ligula membranacea, ca. 0.5


mm. longa; laminae oblongo-lanceolatae, subacurainacae, 20-35 cm. 

longae, 4-5.5 cm. latae, supra hispidae, superiores basi cordatae, 

inferiores basi attenuatae; paniculae ca. 25 cm. longae, 15 cm. 

latae, ramis adscendentibus vel patentibus, inferioribus usque ad 

15 cm. longis, spicularum pedicellis divergentibus; spiculae 4.5-5.2 

mm. longae, sparse pilosae, usque ad 2 mm. longae; gluma prima 

3-4 mm. longa, angusta, 3-nervis; gluma secunda et lemma sterile 

aequalia, acuta, 3-5-nervia; fructus 4-4.2 mm. longus, ellipticus, 

glaber, alis duplo brevier ibus, minute erosis. 

Annual; culms rather stout, semi-decumbent, 110 cm. long, glabrous; 

sheaths keeled, glabrous, usually shorter than the interncxies; 

ligule membranaceous, less than 0.5 mm. long; blades oblonglanceolate, 

20-35 cm. long, 4-5.5 cm. wide, usually asymmetrical, 

hispid on the upper surface near the base, otherwise glabrous, rather 

abruptly narrowed to the sub-acuminate tip, the upper ones narrowed 

to a rounded or cordate base, the lower narrowed to an elongate base 

about as wide as the sheath; panicle about 25 cm. long, 15 cm. wide, 

the branchlets ascending to spreading, the lower as much as 15 cm. 

long, the branchlets and pedicels divergent; spikelets 4.5-5.2 mm. 

long, sparsely pilose with hairs as much as 2 mm. long; first glume 

3-4 mm. long, narrow, 3-nerved; second glume and sterile glume and 

sterile lemma equal or nearly so, 3- or weakly 5-nerved, acute; fruit 

4-4.2 mm. long, elliptic, glabrous, the wings about half as long, thin, 

narrow, minutely erose. 

Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,648, collected on Cerro Duida, 

southeastern-facing slopes along Cano Negro (tributary of Cano 

Iguapo), Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 305-1095 m., August 

25-26, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57988. 

Ichnanthus longifolius Swallen, sp. nov. 

Perennis; culmi erecti ca. 75 cm. alti, glabri; vaginae internodiis 

longiores, glabrae, marginibus sparse papilloso-pilosae; ligula 

ciliata, 1 mm. longa, laminae ca. 65 cm. longae, 11-12 mm. latae, 

lineares, acuminatae, basi attenuatae, glabrae, marginibus scaberulis, 

suprema reducta; paniculae ca. 10 cm. longae, 2 cm. latae, ramis 

adscendentibus; spiculae 3.4-3*6 mm. longae; gluma prima 2.5-3 mm. 

longa, obtusa, 3-nervis, scabra; gluma secunda et lemma sterile 

aequalia, obtusa, scabra; fructus 3 mm. longus, acutus, glaber, alis 

1 mm. longis, angustis, obtusis. 

Perennial; culms about 75 cm. high, erect, glabrous; sheaths, except 

the upper one, longer than the internodes, glabrous on the back, 

the margins very sparsely papillose-pilose; ligule ciliate, 1 mm. 

long; blades mostly about 65 cm. long, 11-12 mm. wide, linear, 

acuminate, long-attenuate to a narrow base, except for the ligule, 

not differentiated from the sheath, glabrous, the margins scaberulous, 

the uppermost blade reduced, about 12 cm. long, not attenuate toward 

the base; panicle about 10 cm. long (immature), about 7 cm. wide, 

the branches ascending; spikelets 3.4-3.6 mm. long, blunt; first


glume 2.5-3.5 mm. long, usually obtuse, 3-nerved, scabrous; second 

glume and sterile lemma equal, obtuse, 5-nerved, scabrous; fruit 3 

mm. long, acute, glabrous, the wings 1 ram. long, narrow, the tip 

rounded. 

Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,9.11,650, collected on Cerro Duida, 

southeastern-facing sandstone bluffs near Cano Negro (tributary of 

Cano Iguapo), Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 1095-1520 m. t 

August 26, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58020. 

Related to the preceding, but readily distinguished by the elongate 

blades, long attenuate to the base. 

Ichnanthus serratus Swallen, sp. nov. 

Perennis; culmi erecti, 55 cm. alti, scabri; vaginae carinatae, 

pilosae; ligula ciliata, ca. 1 mm. longa; laminae 30 cm. longae, 4-5 

mm. latae, acuminatae, pungentes, basi attenuatae, supra basi sparse 

pilosae, marginibus scabris, hispidis; paniculae 13 cm. longae, 8 cm. 

latae, ramis fasciculatis scabris, adscendentibus vel patentibus; 

spiculae 3-3*2 mm. longae, pedicellis gracilibus appressis; gluma 

prima 2-2.5 mm. longa, 1-3-nervis, scabra; gluma secunda et lemma 

sterile aequalia, scabra, subobtusa; fructus 2.8 mm. longus, minute 

acutus, glaber, lucidus, alis 1.2 mm. longis, hyalinis, angustis, 

obtusis. 

Perennial; culms erect, 55 cm. high, scabrous; leaves mostly 

crowded toward the base, the culm leaves 2, the upper one much reduced; 

sheaths keeled, rather densely pilose on the margins, sparsely 

so on the back; ligule ciliate about 1 mm. long; blades about 30 

cm. long, 4-5 mm. wide, thick, firm, erect, long attenuate to a narrow 

base as wide as the mouth of the sheath, acuminate to a stiff rounded 

point, sparsely pilose on the upper surface toward the base, otherwise 

glabrous or nearly so on the surfaces, the margins thickened, 

scabrous with small irregular antrorsely hispid protuberances; panicle 

13 cm. long, about 8 cm. wide, the scabrous branches fascicled, 

ascending or spreading; spikelets 3-3.2 mm. long on rather long 

slender appressed pedicels; first glume 2-2.5 mm. long, 1-3-nerved, 

scabrous; second glume and sterile lemma equal or the glume a little 

longer, scabrous, subobtuse, tinged with purple; fruit 2.8 mm. long, 

minutely pointed, glabrous, shining, the wings about 1.2 ram. long, 

thin, narrow, obtuse. 

Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,653, collected on summit of 

Cerro Duida, Savanna Hills, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 1025- 

1200 ra., September 2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58298. 

This species can be distinguished from all others known by the 

stiff firm leaves and peculiar serrate margins of the blades.


Arthrostylidium effusum (Hack.) McClure, comb. nov. 

Arundinaria effusa Hack. Oesterr. Bot. Zeit. 53: 71. 1903. Brazil. 

Duplicate of Glaziou 16627, and fragment of Glaziou 17449 from herb. 

Hack., seen at US. Common on upper steep slopes between 1830 m. 

and summit, Cerro Duida, Steyermark 58396; sterile, no culm 

sheaths. 

Arthrostylidium Steyermarkii McClure, sp. nov. 

Kami (floriferi foliiferi tantum adsunt) solitarii, longitudinem usque 

ca. 1.5 m. attingentes, sublignosi, intemodiis glabris, fistulosis, 

ligno parietario parum crasso, nodis inflatis, glabris. Foliorum 

vaginae nervis eras sis valde striatae, dorso apicem versus pleruraque 

manifeste carinatae, dorso et margin ibus glabrae, auriculis obsoletis, 

setis oralibus crassis, glabris, plerumque paucis, interduro obsoletis, 

ligula externa (collario) brevi, margin e glabra vel subtiliter ciliolata, 

ligula interna perbrevi, fusca, dorso glabra, apice plerumque concava, 

margine integra vel erosa vel sublaciniata, petiolo crasso utrinque 

glabro. Foliorum laminae lanceolatae, alia usque ad 177 cm. longa 

alia usque ad 38 mm. lata (pleraeque in specimine apice fractae 

quamobrem incompletae), basi rotundatae vel cuneatae, supra sensim 

(interdum acuminatim) angustatae, utrinque glabrae vel subglabrae, 

supra nitidae, subtus pallidiores (subglaucae), marginibus 

cartilagineae et obsolete serrulatae vel subleves, costa basin 

laminae versus tantum utrinque straminea, alibi vix manifesta, venis 

primariis secundariis vix distinguendis, venulis trans vers is inconspicuis 

vel rarius conspicuis. 

Inflorescentiae paniculae effusae ramos vel ramulos foliiferos 

terminantes, usque (pedunculo incluso) ad 55 cm. longae, demptis 

spiculis oranino glabrae, pedunculo usque ad 28.5 cm. longo, rhachi 

valde angulata vel sulcata, radiis tenuis rigidulis, primariis usque 

ad 25 cm. longis, basi pulvinatis, pedicellis (radiis ordinis 2-4), 

6-60 ram. longis, spiculae fusco-straraineae, lanceolatae, subcorapressae, 

subpatentes, vulgo 1.5-2 cm. longae, 3-5-florae (dempta 

floscula suprema inchoata). Glumae (vacuae) 2, rarius 3, vulgo approximatae, 

inaequales, oblongo-ovatae, obtusae, submucronatae, 

dorso glabrae, marginibus glabrae vel obsolete ciliolatae, I: 1.5-3 

mm. longa, 1-3-nervis; II: 2.5-3.5 mm. longa, 3-5-nervis; lit 3-4.5 

mm. longa, 5-7-nervis. Lemmata glumae supremae similia sed 

longiora, basi latiora, et plerumque in zona secus margines scabra, 

I (interdum vacuum, saepius paleam inchoatam subtendens): 4-5.5 

mm.; II: 5-5.5 mm.; Ill: 5-5.5 mm.; IV: ca. 5 mm.; supremum (flosculam 

inchoatam subtendens): ca. 4 mm. longum. Palea lemmate 

suo plerumque longior (saepe in floscula infima et semper in suprema


parum evoluta), oblonga, apice obtusa et late rotundata, dorso 2- 

carinata et late sulcata, inter carinas dense pubescens, extra carinas 

praecipue apicem versus pilis subtilibus adpressis dense pubescens, 

nervis inter carinas solitariis, alibi (demptis carinis) obscuris. 

Rhachilla segmenta infra lemmata articulata, apice suboblique ubi 

margine subtiliter ciliolata, idem inter flosculas compressa, clavata, 

curvata, utrinque pilulis albidis antrorse strigosa vel latere uno 

glabra alio strigosa, I (infra lemma infimum; parum compressum vel 

parum sulcatum): 0.5-1 mm.; II: 1.5-2 mm.; Ill: ca. 2.5 m.; IV: ca. 

FIGURE 3 

Arthrostylidium Steyermarkii McClure, sp. nov. (Steyermark 59926) 

A, Summit of leaf sheath, X 2.5; B, Spikelet, X 5; C, Floret, X 10; 

D, Lemma, X 10; E-G, Glumes, I-HI, X 10. 

The author's pencil sketches were inVed by Mrs. Agnes Chase.


3 ram.; V: ca. 3 ram. longum; supremum 3 ram. vel ultra. Lodiculae 

3, vulgo badiae et vix translucidae, vix manifeste nervosae, utrinque 

glabrae, marglne ciliatae, anteriores duae usque ad 2 mm. longae, 

lanceolatae vel subsemiovatae, apice plerumque acutae, posterior 

1-1.5 mm. longa, anguste lanceolata, apice acuta. Antherae luteae. 

Ovariura subgibbose ovoideum vel subfusiforme, fusco-badium, glabrura. 

Stylus albidus, pubescens. Stigmata levia apice obtusa 

(forsan in speciminibus nostris imperfecta). Fructus maturus incognitus 

(Fig. 3). 

Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., no. 1,911,667, isotype in herb. Chi. Nat. 

Hist. Mus., no. 1,189,856, collected in open places at base of eastfacing 

high sandstone bluffs on Ptari-tepui, state of Bolivar, November 

7, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59926, "forming dense thickets"; 

all specimens in a flowering state, culm sheaths lacking. Steyermark 

59927 (same place and date), sterile only, culm sheaths lacking, "in 

dense thickets in more shaded places than 59926" is believed to be 

conspecific. 

The flowering specimens of this species resemble those of Arthrostylidium 

amplissimum (Nees) McClure 5 in general appearance, but, 

on closer comparison, the new species is seen to differ in the following 

respects: smaller leaf blades, longer spikelets and longer 

florets: glumes obtuse; lemmas broadly rounded at the apex, ciliate 

on the margins and somewhat pubescent or scabrous near the margins; 

paleas more prominently exserted and more prominently pubescent. 

5 

Arthrostjlidium amplissimum (Nees) McClure, comb. nov. 

Arundinaria amplissima Nees, Linnaea 9: 479. 1834. Brazil. 

Bellow 875. Type in Berlin; isotype, with the name inscribed in 

Nees' hand, seen at U.S. Nat. Herb.


Myriocladus Swallen, gen. nov. 

Spiculae alternae, in racemis unilateralibus dispositae, 4-florae, 

flosculo infimo abortive, supremo reducto; rhachilla inter flosculum 

abortivum et flosculum primum hermaphroditum articulata; glumae et 

lemma sterile spicula breviora, 1-nervis, breve aristata; flosculorum 

hermaphroditum lemma coriaceum, obscure 5-7-nerve, exaristatum; 

palea sulcata, marginibus latis hyalinis; gramen perenne (?), laminis 

elongatis, latis, subcordatis , 

basi vix articulatis, racemis numerosis 

paniculatis. 

Spikelets alternate on one side of an angled rachis, 4-flowered, 

the lowest lemma empty, the uppermost floret rudimentary, the rachilla 

readily disarticulating between the sterile and fertile florets, 

the two fertile florets and the rudiment falling entire; glumes and 

sterile lemma shorter than the spikelet, 1-nerved, awned; fertile 

lemmas coriaceous, weakly 5-7-nerved, awnless; palea deeply sulcate, 

the margins broad, thin, overlapping; perennial grass with long 

broad flat blades, gradually narrowed to a broad subcordate base, 

plainly differentiated from the sheath, probably tardily disarticulating, 

and elongate panicles of numerous racemes. 

Myriocladus resembles, and is probably closely related, to Neurolepis 

which differs in having two sterile lemmas, only one perfect 

floret, no rudiment, and the blades are long attenuate to the base and 

continuous with the sheath without any definite line of separation. 

Myriocladus virgatus Swallen, sp. nov. 

Culmi 1.5 m. alti, robusti, erecti, glabri, panicula folio multo 

superante; vaginae latae, intemodiis brevibus multo longiores, compressae, 

glabrae; ligula ca. 1 mm. longa, minute ciliata; laminae 

35-55 cm. longae, 1.5-4.0 cm. latae, lineari-lanceolatae, subcordatae, 

firmae, glabrae, marginibus valde scabris; panicula 85 cm. longa, 

racemis + 200, brevibus, adscendentibus vel patentibus, axe crasso 

pubescenti; spiculae 3 mm. longae; gluma prima 1.5 mm. longa, arista 

0.5 mm. longa; gluma secunda obovata, 1.5 mm. longa, arista glumam 

aequante; lemma sterile obtusum, 2 mm. longum, arista quam gluma 

duplo breviore; floris inferioris hermaphroditi lemma 3 mm. longum, 

5-7-nerve, glabrum; palea lemma aequans, sulcata, carinata, marginibus 

latis hyalinis. 

Culms 1.5 ra. high, robust, stiffly erect, somewhat compressed, 

glabrous, the elongate inflorescence much exceeding the leaves, 

these mostly crowded toward the base; sheaths broad, all much longer 

than the short internodes, somewhat compressed but not keeled, 

more or less inflated, glabrous, the juncture with the blade marked 

by a well defined line or ridge but the blades not readily deciduous; 

ligule about 0.1 mm. longi minutely ciliate; blade 35-55 cm. long, 

1.5-4.0 cm. wide, linear- lanceolate, somewhat cordate, the base about 

as wide as the mouth of the sheath, firm, flat, glabrous, the margins 

strongly scabrous; inflorescence about 85 cm. long with approximately 

200 short ascending to spreading racemes, these paniculate on the


stout pubescent axis; racemes mostly 2-2.5 cm. long, subsessile, 

with a prominent pubescent pulvinus in the axils, the lower ones 

rather distant, often with poorly developed spikelets, the upper ones 

crowded; spikelets 3 mm. long; first glume 1.5 mm. long, narrow, the 

awn about 0.5 mm. long; second glume obovate, 1.5 mm. long with a 

stout awn as long as the body; sterile lemma obtuse, 2 mm. long, 

the awn 1/2 as long as the body; lower floret 3 mm. long, the lemma 

faintly 5-7-nerved, smooth, awnless; palea as long as or a little longer 

than the lemma, rather deeply sulcate, sharply keeled, the margins 

broad, thin, overlapping, enclosing the flower; rudiment 1.5 mm. 

long (Fig. 4). 

FIGURE 4 

Myriocladus virgatus Swallen, sp. nov. (Steyermark 58293) 

A, Inflorescence X 1: B, Lower fertile floret, X 10; C, Upper fertile 

floret with rudiment, X 10: D, Glumes and sterile lemma, X 10; 

E, Spikelet with glumes and sterile lemma removed, X 10; F, Ligule 

and upper part of sheath, X 1 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1,189,825, collected on 

summit of Cerro Duida, Savanna Hills, Territorio Federal Amazonas, 

alt. 1025-1200 m., September 2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58293. 

Myriocladus Cardonae Swallen, sp. nov. 

Perennis; culmi usque ad 3 m. alti, ramosi, ca. 1 cm. crassi; 

vaginae condensatae, distichae, crassae, glabrae, summo ligula


exteriore brevi membranacea; ligula ex pilis longis implicatis, in ore 

vaginarum inferiorum conspicuis, constituta; laminae articulatae, 

inferiores suque ad 34 cm. longae, 5.5 cm. latae, acuminatae, tessellatae, 

glabrae, marginibus scaberrimis, eae ramorum minores, 6-14 

cm. longae, 2-2.5 cm. latae; inflorescentiae 10-30 cm. longae, 1-1.5 

cm. latae, densae, attenuatae, racemis brevibus, condensatis, appressis, 

axe dense pubescente; glumae floribus fere longiores, secunda 

quam prima longior, acuminatae, in parte superiore marginibus involutis; 

lemma sterile 3 mm. longum, obtusum, apiculatum; lemmata 

fertilia 3.5 mm. longa, obtusa, glabra; palea quam lemmate 0.5-1.0 

mm. longior, inter carinas sulcata; flos supremus reductus obsoletus, 

rachilla manifesta. 

Perennial; culms woody, branching and rebranching, apparently 

from the lower nodes, the main culm as much as 3 m. tall, about 1 

cm. thick; sheaths very crowded, distichous, the back thickened, becoming 

spongy and fibrous with age, glabrous, extending beyond the 

articulation with the blade as a short membrane; ligule a dense line 

of long tangled hairs, the lateral hairs conspicuous at mouth of the 

sheath; lower blades as much as 34 cm. long, 5.5 cm. wide, acuminate, 

rather broadly rounded at the base, tessellate, glabrous on both 

surfaces, the margins strongly scabrous, disarticulating from the 

sheath with age, the blades of the branches much smaller, 6-14 cm. 

long, 2-2.5 cm. wide; inflorescences terminal on all the branches, 

10-30 cm. long, 1-1.5 cm. wide, dense, spikelike, attenuate toward 

the tip, the short crowded racemes closely appressed, the axis 

densely pubescent; spikelets 5-7 mm. long; glumes about equaling or 

exceeding the florets, the second longer than the first, broad at the 

base, acuminate, the margins inrolled from the middle upward, the 

tip thus appearing as a stout awn; sterile lemma 3 mm. long, obtuse, 

apiculate; fertile lemma 3.5 mm. long, obtuse, glabrous, the midnerve 

thickened toward the tip but not excurrent; palea 0.5-1.0 mm. 

longer than the lemma, deeply sulcate; upper rudimentary floret 

reduced to the rachilla joint. 

Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., nos. 1,914,812-4, collected on Cumbre 

del Cerro Acopan, Carom', Guayana, alt. 2150 m., October, 1947, 

Felix Cardona 2307.


Bulbostylis junciformis var. 

CYPERACEAE 

CYPEREAE 

Tribe 

ambigua (Nees) Steyermark, comb. nov. 

Isolepis ambigua Nees, in Herb. Lindl. et in Linn. IX: 291. 1834; 

Kunth, Enum. II: 219. 1837; Isolepis junciformis B Kunth, Enum. II. 

I.e. 

This variety is distinguished by its shorter leaves and culms, even 

shorter than in the following var. congesta, the culms "semipedali 

aut breviori", and in the simple terminal head of flowers. The 

leaves are noticeably more scabrid-ciliate on the margins than in any 

of the other varieties. Dry sandy upland, Gran Sabana, between 

waterfall at Rue-meru and Divina Pastora on Rio Kukenan north of- 

Santa Elena, south of Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 1065 m., 


Bulbostylis junciformis var. congesta (Schrad.) Steyermark, comb. nov. 

Scirpus congestus Reichenb. in Weigelt. Herb. Surinam; Isolepis 

congesta Schrad. in Schult. Mant. II: 70. 1822; Kunth, Enum. II: 

218. 1837; Oncostylis junciformis 6 congesta Nees, in Mart. Fl. 

Bras. 21: 86. 1842. 

This variety may be distinguished by the shorter culms, the shorter 

leaves which are about hah* the length of the culm, and by the more 

contracted umbels on fewer and shorter rays. Gran Sabana, between 

Kun and Uaduara-paru^ in valley of Rib Kukena'n, south of Mount 

Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 1065-1220 m., Steyermark 59080. 

Bulbostylis Svensoniana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Perennis; culmis caespitosis angulosis striatis glabris, 5-5.5 dm. 

altis, 1.25-1.5 mm. latis, basi foliatis; foliis filiformi-setaceis 

erectis vel curvatis, supra glabris vel glabratis, infra pilosis, 10-25 

cm. longis, 0.5 mm. latis, culmo brevioribus; vaginis ore dorsoque 

sericeo-lanatis; involucre 5-6-phyllo setaceo scabridulo, 2.5-5 cm. 

longo, 0.5 mm. lato quam urabella breviore vel aequali; capitulis 

elongatis polystachyis; spicis oblongo-lanceolatis acutis, 3.5 mm. 

longis; squamis ovatis acutis, 2.25-2.5 mm. longis; stylo 3-fido; 

achaenio trigono obovoideo, 0.6-0.8 mm. longo, subtilissime 

punctulato. 

Inflorescence many-rayed, 5-8 cm. long, 1-2.5 cm. wide, the rays 

erect-ascending; spikelets densely clustered or fascicled, terminating 

many branches, about 4-flowered; scales 7-8, lower empty, 

castaneous or ferruginous-brown, ovate, acute or shortly arista te 

with exserted midrib, glabrous or very minutely ciliolate on margins; 

achene buff or pale greenish-white, about 1 mm. wide around summit. 

(Fig. 5, a). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on dry flat savanna 

with Curatella, between Upata and Rio Caroni^ state of Bolivar, alt.


FIGURE 5 

A, Bulb Of ty lit Svensoniana. Achene (X 17); B, Fimbristylis tamaensis. 

Achene (X 18); C, Fimbristylis tamaensis. Achene with style 

still attached (X 8); D, Rhynchospora dentinux. Achene (X 13); 

E, Rhynchospora sanariapensis. Achene, lateral view (X 12); 

F, Rhynchospora sanariapensis. Achene, face view (X 12); G, 

Rhynchospora tepuiana. Achene (X 15); H, Rhynchospora Trichochaeta 

var. venezuelensis. Achene (X 10); I, Rhynchospora Trichochaeta. 

Achene (X 10); J, Rhynchospora bolivarana. Achene 

(X 8); K, Rhynchospora bolivarana. Surface of achene highly 

magnified; L, Rhynchospora karuaiana. Achene (X 5);


400 ra., August 2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57629. 

In some respects this presents an intermediate position between 

B. junciformis with its many-flowered inflorescence and some of the 

monocephalous species having dense hairiness around the orifice of 

the leaves at the base of the culms. In a note received from Dr. 

Svenson, regarding his opinion of the species, he writes as follows: 

"This is close in appearance to B. papillosa Kiikenthal, but I think 

it is a distinct species, differing from B. papillosa in the fuzzy culm 

bases, pale spikelets, and especially in the nearly smooth, small 

pale achenes (0.6 mm. long), approximately half the size of those of 

B. papillosa. 

It is probably the same as Pittier 9009 (except in 

fuzzy base) from vicinity of Valencia, Carabobo, alt. 400-800 m., 

which is noted by N. E. Brown as 'not matched at Kew'." 

Fimbristylis tamaensis Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Culmi compressi, marginibus scabridulis, 40-55 cm. alti, 2-3 mm. 

lati, basi foliati; foliis basalibus planis, marginibus scabris, 30 

cm. longis, 3-3.5 mm. latis, culmo brevioribus; involucre 1-2 umbella 

breviore, 3.5-5 cm. longo; umbella composita pluriradiata; spicis 

pluribus ovato-vel oblongo-lanceolatis, 4-4.5 mm. longis, 1.25-1.5 

mm. latis; squamis castaneis ovatis, 1.5-2.25 mm. longis, carina 

pallida breviter excurrente; stylo 3-fido; achaenio pallido vel stramineo, 

trigono obovoideo, transversim lineato-reticulato, tuberculis 

prominentibus, 0.75-1 mm. longo, 1.25-1.5 mm. lato. 

Culms thickened at margins, ancipital, slightly winged; leaves 

thickened on the margins, linear, subacute or obtusish; bracts of 

involucre 1.75-2 mm. wide; umbel with usually 3-4 longer rays with 

a few shorter ones at base, 7.5-8 cm. long, 3-3.5 cm. wide; spikelets 

numerous, 50-100 in an inflorescence; scales chestnut-brown with 

narrow pale hyaline margins, about 10-11 to a spikelet, all the 

flowers fertile (Fig. 5, b, c). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected between Las Delicias 

and Paraguita, along Rio Tachira, by Colombian-Venezuelan boundary, 

state of Ta'chira, alt. 1675-1980 m., July 17, 1944, Julian A. 


This species is at once distinguished by its tuberculate achene, 

and is further well-marked by its relatively broad, flattened, ancipital 

culm and 3-fid style. It is apparently related to F. tenuis and F. 

autumnalis, which have only reticulate and not tuberculate achenes. 

Tribe 

Rhynchospora aristata Boeckeler 

RHYNCHOSPOREAE 

Rhynchospora immensa Kuk. Engl. Bot. Jahrb. 56: Beibl. 125: 

17-18. 1921. 

Forested southwest-facing quebrada near Rondo'n Camp, Mount 

Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 2040 m., Steyermark 58665. This


plant matches Kiikenthal's description of R. immense, based on 

Vie 8541 from the forests of Mount Roraima at an elevation of 1400 

meters. The present collection was taken at 2040 meters near the 

base of the high line of sandstone bluffs. Apparently R. immense is 

synonymous with R. aristata, since the two do not appear to be 

separable. 

Since the leaves of R. immensa were not adequately described in 

the original description, an emended description of them, based upon 

Steyermark 58665 is given: culmus 1 m. altus, foliatus; foliis 

anguste lineari-lanceolatis; vaginis 8-8.5 cm. longis, 8 mm. latis, 

glabris praeter pilos adpressos paucos prope ore concavo. 

Rhynchospora bolivarana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Perennis caespitosa; culmis 30-35 cm. altis; foliis marginibus 

scabris, 15-30 cm. longis, 1.7-2 cm. latis; corymbis 2-3 axillaribus 

terminalibusque, 1.5-2 cm. longis, 1.2-5 cm. latis; pedunculis tenuibus, 

2-5.5 cm. longis; spiculis 3-6, fusiformi-lanceolatis, 1 cm. 

longis, 2 mm. latis, 6-floris, 6-carpis; squamis ovatis vel lanceolatis 

breve aristatis pallido-stramineis; setis 6 antrorse hispidulis, fructu 

longioribus 7-8 mm. longis; achaenio obovoideo longe stipitato, 2.25- 

2.5 mm. longo, 

1 mm. lato, subtilissime puncticulato; tuberculo anguste 

conico, 1.5 mm. longo, glabro foveolato; stylo bifido, ramis 

brevibus. 

Leaves plane, crowded at base of culm; bracts foliaceous, the 

lowest up to 15 cm. long, the uppermost 2-10 cm. long, equaling or 

exceeding the inflorescence; spikelets with 10 scales; lowest scales 

ovate, the upper lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, 4-8 mm. long; 

stipitate part of achene 0.6-1 mm. long, stramineous or pale brown 

on body of achene, superficially marked with numerous, small, subquadrate 

puncticulations; beak long-conic, 2/3 width of achene, 

conspicuously foveolate with rather large, elongate foveolae; short 

branches of style shorter than or equaling the style proper 

(Fig. 5, j, k). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected by edge of waterfall, 

Salto de Iwaracaru-meru', at western end of Sororopan-tepiu, state of 

Bolivar, alt. 1615 m., November 15, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60206. 

Also collected along rocky stream bank, Ptari-tepuf, of forested 

slopes along fast-running stream of "Large Lunch River" below 

"Misia Kathy Camp", alt. 1500 m., October 27, 1944, Steyermark 

59448. 

This is a member of Series Diplostyleae, Div. E u-Rhynchospora, 

Sect. Fuscae (as defined by Clarke), and is probably most closely 

related to R. comata Schultes. It is characterized by the pale buff 

10- or more-scaled spikelets in 2-3 slender-peduncled inflorescences, 

long-stipitate achenes, the elongate bristles greatly surpassing the 

achene, and the slender, glabrous, tufted leaves.


Rhynchospora culmenicola Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Perennis caespitosa; culmis supra foliatis, 25-30 cm. altis, 0.75- 

1 mm. latis; foliis erecto-adscendentibus, supra aggregatis, infra 

fere glabris vel parce adpresso-pilosulis, supra magis pubescent! bus, 

pilis rainutis adpressis, marginibus incurvatis, costa manifesta carinata; 

vaginis puberulis vel glabrescentibus; paniculis 4-8, laxe 

racemosis, 0.5-1.5 cm. longis, axillaribus terminalibusque; pedunculis 

filiformibus flexuosis, 3-5-5 cm. longis, 1.5-4.5 cm. longis; spiculis 

1-3 fusiformi-ellipticis, 5.5-6 mm. longis, 1-1.2 mm. latis, 2-floris, 

2-carpis, subsessilibus, pedicellis glabris, 0.5-1.5 mm. longis; 

squamis ovatis vel ovato-lanceolatis breve aristatis castaneis; setis 

nullis vel 2-3 rudimentariis; achaenio subrhomboideo-oblongo, 

1 mm. 

longo, subtilissime areolato, transversim striolulato stramineo; tuberculo 

triangular i-lanceolato, fructu longiore 1.6 mm. longo; stylo 

ramis brevibus. 

Leaves more prominently pubescent with minute appressed hairs on 

upper surface, these lying on surface enclosed by incurved margins, 

midrib prominent and keeled on one side, 12-15 cm. long, 1-1.5 mm. 

wide; panicles loosely racemosely scattered in the upper half of the 

culm; uppermost bract exceeding inflorescence; spikelets with 5-6 

scales; scales 1-6 mm. long; bristles none, or 2-3 short processes 

at very base of achene with or without serrulations; achene biconvex, 

stramineous, abruptly narrowed below, rounded or subtruncate above, 

finely and shallowly areolate with transverse reticulations, the cells 

broader than high (Fig. 6, b). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected around summit of 

Cerro Negro, above La Sabana de las Piedras, northwest of Caripe, 

state of Monagas, alt. 2180 m., April 15 f 1945, Julian A. Steyermark 

62110. Also collected in shady, moist, bamboo thickets, Cerro 

Tururaiquire, between headwaters of Rio Colorado and summit of 

southern peak, state of Sucre, alt. 2200-2400 m., May 7, 1945, 


This species belongs to Series Haplostyleae, Div. Calyptrostylis, 

Sect. Racemosae (following Clark's divisions). It is related to /?. 

cryptantha C. B. Clarke, R. Edwalliana Boeckl., R. racemosa C., 

Wright, R. elongata Boeckl., R. Lechleri Steud., R. uniflora Boeckl., 

and R. Gollmeri Boeckl. From all of these it differs in its combination 

of the following characters: ferruginous or castaneous spikelets, 

relatively smooth achenes, long beak, no setae or with 2-3 rudiments, 

foliose culms 30 cm. or less tall, several sparsely simple racemose 

inflorescences, glabrous pedicels, elongate flexuous peduncles, 

leaves 1-1.5 mm. wide, and appressed-pilosulous blades and sheaths. 

Rhynchospora dentinux C. B. Clarke 

Open savanna and igneous rock outcrops, Puerto Ayacucho, Territorio 

Federal Amazonas, alt. 200 m., Steyermark 58512, This is 

apparently the first recorded collection of the species since its


FIGURE 6 

A, Rhynchospora ptaritepuiana. Achene (X 5); B, Rhynchospora 

culmenicola. Achene (X 17); C, Rhynchospora paramora. Achene 

(X 9); D, Rhynchospora tamana, Achene (X 12); E, Rhynchospora 

tomentosa. Achene (X 13); F, Rhynchospora tomentosa. Lower 

scale (X 5); G, Rhynchospora tomentosa. Upper scale (X 5); H, Rhynchospora 

tomentosa. Lowest scale (X 2); I, Hypolytrum tepuianum. 

Achene (X 8); J, Hypolytrum tepuianum. Scale (X 3); K, Hypolytrum 

tepuianum. Floral glume (X 2); L, Hypolytrum tepuianum. 

Floral glumes (X 4); M, Exochogyne Steyermarkii. Achene (X 6);


original publication by Clarke 6 who 

, 

based his description on Spruce 

3614 from "Maypures; in Upper Orinoco", a locality on the Colombian 

side just south of the present collection, which is the first record for 

Venezuela. 

Clarke's original description of the achene as "levi, papillosa, 

fusca" is both inadequate and misleading, especially as regards the 

use of the word "levi". The rows of tooth-like projections or 

papillae on one face certainly belie this part of Clark's description. 

As far as the achene is concerned, this species is one of the most 

distinct in the entire genus. There is no doubt, however, what 

Clarke had in mind about the peculiar markings, since, near the end 

of his description, he states that the achene is "praesertim in parte 

superiore a papillis erecta ornata. Ceteroquin fere ut R. Trichochaeta". 

Both R. Trichochaeta and the Mexican R. mexicana have 

markings on the achene similar to those found in R. den tin ux. 

The following is a description of the achene based on the present 

collection: body blackish, 3 mm. long, both surfaces minutely 

granulose-puncticulate, but marked on the inner surface with 2 rows 

of 10-12 ridges and depressions, the ridges curved, a longitudinal 

ridge running down the center between these ridges; beak prominent, 

tawny, bidentate, 2 mm. long, 0.5 mm. wide, antrorsely setulose; 

awns 5-6, buff-tawny, antrorsely scabrous, surrounded at base by 5 

buff-stramineous tufts of hispidulous hairs, 4.5-5 mm. long (Fig. 5, d). 

Rhynchospora duidae Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Perennis caespitosa; foliis 15-50 cm. longis, 6-7 mm. latis, planis 

laevibus, marginibus serratis; culmis erectis trigonis laevibus, 6-7 

dm. altis; corymbis pallido-stramineis axillaribus terminalibusque 

contractis, 2-2.5 cm. longis, 1-2.5 cm. latis; involucri bracteis 1-2, 

2-3 cm. longis, 1.5-2 mm. latis; spiculis lanceolatis (immaturis) 

6.5 mm. longis, 3-4-carpis; setis 6 antrorse hispidulis, 4.5-5 mm. 

longis (immaturis ?); stylo profunde diviso, ramis longis; tuberculo 

lanceolate. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on summit of Cerro 

Duida, Savanna Hills, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 1065-1220 

m., September 2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58254. 

Rhynchospora karuaiana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Perennis; culmis trigonis glabris, foliis excedentibus, 10.5 dm. 

altis vel altioribus; foliis paucis glabris, 60-70 cm. longis, 2.5-3.5 

ram. latis; fasciculis 4, subcapitatis, remotis longe-pedunculatis 

axillaribus terminalibusque, 1-2 cm. longis, 1.5-2 cm. latis; pedunculis 

usque ad 7.5 cm. longis; bracteis infimis erectis scabridulis, 

10 cm. longis, 1-2 mm. latis; spiculis 3-6 lanceolato-ellipticis, 

6 

Clarke, C. B. New Gen. & Sp. Cyp., Kew Bull. Add. Ser. VHI: 

33. 1908.


7.5-9 mm. longis, 1.5 mm. latis, 2-floris, 1-carpis; squamis ovatis 

vel oblongo-lanceolatis, breve mucronatis vel aristatis, pallide brunneis; 

setis 6, antrorse hispidulis, fruccu longioribus, 5.5-6 mm. 

longis; achaenio elliptico-ovato, 4 mm. longo, 2 mm. lato, manifeste 

transversim profunde sulcato; tuberculo tenui quam achaenio longiore, 

5.5-5.75 mm. longo, antrorse hispidulo; stylo parce vel non diviso. 

Leaves mostly at base, 2-3 on culm, canaliculate above, midrib 

prominent below, gradually passing into the glabrous, striatulate, 

pale hyaline-margined sheath; inflorescence elongated, 13-18 cm. 

long; peduncles erect, slender, the lowest more elongated; spikelets 

with 4 scales; scales 3-8 mm. long, pale or ashy brown; achene 

fulvous-brown, conspicuously transversely wrinkled with deep sulcations, 

these connected by vertical striations; beak slender elongated, 

with longer hairs at base and at apex of achene, dark brown 

(Fig. 5, 1). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected by fast water, bordering 

forest of Rio Karuai, between Santa Teresita de Kavanayen and 

base of Ptari-tepui^ state of Bohvar, alt. 1220 m. November 

f 18, 


Related to R. amazonica Poepp. & Kunth, from which it 

may be 

distinguished by the transversely wrinkled achene, more elongated 

inflorescence, less foliose and less conspicuous bracts, taller, less 

leafy glabrous culms, and glabrous leaves. From R. corymbosa (L.) 

Hitchc. it differs in the color of the spikelets, different type of inflorescence, 

and less leafy development of bracts and leaves. From 

R. viridi-lutea C. B. Clarke of British Guiana it differs in the type of 

inflorescence, color of spikelets, markings of achene, and width of 

leaves. Finally, from R. trispicata Steud. it is distinguished by its 

less branched inflorescence, more fasciculate heads of spikelets, and 

different achene. 

Khynchospora paramora Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Perennis caespitosa; culmis foliatis glabris, 27-45 cm. altis, 1.5 

mm. latis; foliis planis glabris culmo brevioribus, 12-20 cm. longis, 

1.5-2.5 mm. latis; paniculis 3-4 subfasciculatis, 1-1.5 cm. longis, 

0.5-1 cm. latis, axillaribus terminalibusque; pedunculis tenuibus, 

2.5-4.5 cm. longis; bracteis 8-15 cm. longis, inferioribus foliaceis, 

inflorescentiam excedentibus; spiculis anguste fusiformibus, 7.5-8 

mm. longis, 1 mm. latis, 1-carpis; squamis ovatis vel lanceolatis, 

breve vel manifeste aristatis, castaneis vel brunneis; setis nullis; 

achaenio ovoideo, 2.1-2.5 mm. longo, 1.8 mm. lato, fere laevi subtilissime 

puncticulato, pallide stramineo; tuberculo conic o-triangu- 

1.1 mm. longo, superficie squamosa; stylo indiviso. 

lari, 

Cespitose perennial with thick, scaly, stoloniferous off-shoots; 

culms striatulate; panicles dense; spikelets mostly 3-4 in a cluster, 

with 5-6 scales; achenes buff to stramineous; tubercle about 1/2


width of achene, the surface whitish crustaceous-squamose, these 

scales deciduous in age (Fig. 6, c). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on Paramo de los 

Colorados, between El Molino and San Isidro Alto, state of Meri'da, 

alt. 2745-2955 m., May 14, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 56550. 

From R. racemosa C. Wright, which it resembles, this species 

differs in the subfasciculate instead of racemose inflorescences, 

and paler, less rugulose achenes with smaller superficial cells. 

From R. cryptantha C. B. Clarke it 

may be distinguished by the less 

foliose culms, different type of inflorescence, which is not concealed 

among the leaves or bracts. 

Rhynchospora ptaritepuiana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Perennis; culmis infra foliatis, 6-7 dm. altis; foliis erectis, supra 

glabris, infra costa glabra vel breve pilosa, aliter glabris, 25-45 cm. 

longis, 3-3.5 mm. lads; paniculis 2-6, brevibus, 2-4 cm. longis, 

1.5-3.5 cm. latis, axillaribus terminalibusque; pedunculis tenuibus, 

3.5-8.5 cm. longis; bracteis infimis foliaceis, usque ad 17 cm. 

longis; spiculis fusiformi-ellipticis, 4.5-5 mm. longis, 1.5 mm. latis, 

5-floris, 5-carpis; squamis ovatis breviter aristatis vel mucronatis 

ferrugineis; setis 6, antrorse hispidulis, quam tuberculo aequantibus 

vel longioribus, 2-2.2 mm. longis; achaenio ovoideo, basi substipitato, 

superne rotundato, 1.5 mm. longo, 1 mm. lato, nitido, subtilissime 

puncticulato; tuberculo late conico, basi bilobato, 1.1-1.2 

mm. longo, glabro; stylo indiviso vel parce diviso. 

Culms glabrous, usually taller than the leaves; spikelets with 

7-9 scales, on short pedicels 1.5 mm. long; scales glabrous, the 

lower short-aristate, the upper aristate or merely acute and mucronate, 

ferruginous; achene abruptly narrowed to a substipitate base 0.3 mm. 

long, rounded above, rufous- or dark brown, shining and appearing 

smooth, but the surface superficially cellular with reticulations 

broader than high; tubercle about 3/4 width of achene, loosely cellular 

with depressed cells (Fig. 6, a). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on dripping sandstone 

bluffs, Ptari-tepui', at base of first line of bluffs, on southfacing 

part, east of "Cave Rock", state of Bolivar, alt. 2130 m., 

November 4, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59830. Also collected on 

moist bluff, Ptari-tepui, at base of and on main south-facing high 

sandstone bluffs, alt. 2400-2410 m., October 30, 1944, Steyermark 

59599. 

A member of Series Haplostyleae, Div. Calyptrostylis, Sect. 

Paniculatae (following Clarke's subdivisions), this species is apparently 

related to R. polyphylla Vahl, from which it differs in the 

more elongated, erect, narrower leaves, which are more crowded 

towards the base of the culm and not so uniformly scattered along the 

length of the culm, in the shorter inflorescences of brown spikelets,


and the longer-beaked, larger, and more shining achenes which are 

less prominently reticulate with cells broader than high, while from 

R. Lechleri Steud. of Peru it differs in the broader leaves which are 

not scabrid-serrulate on margins, and in various floral characters. 

The distinguishing characteristics of R. ptaritepuiana are the 

elongate, narrow leaves, clustered more at the base of the culm, and 

not conspicuously scattered on the culm, the short brown panicles, 

the shining achene marked with transversely broader than high superficial 

cells, the elongate bilobed tubercle, and the 6 bristles which 

equal or are longer than the achene. 

Rhynchospora sanariapensis Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Annua caespitosa; foliis setaceis, glabris, 2.5-5 cm. longis; culmis 

filiformi-setaceis, glabris, 7-10 cm. altis; corymbis terminalibus, 

glomerulis, 8-12 mm. altis, 5-12 mm. latis; floribus 6 vel pluribus; 

spiculis lance olato-subulatis, 2-floris, 1-carpis, 3-3.5 mm. longis; 

squamis 4, ovatis vel lanceolatis, acutis; stylo diviso; setis nullis; 

achaenio oblongo-obovoideo, 0.9-1 mm. longo, 0.5 mm. lato, transversim 

profunde 4-5-sulcato et prominente gibbo elevato, inter gibbo 

subtilissime longitudinaliter stria to; tuberculo breve depresso, 

0.05-0.1 mm. alto. 

Corymbs with central cluster subsessile, the 2 lateral clusters 

with 6 or more spikelets; bract shorter or longer than corymbs, 1-1.6 

cm. long, scabridulous on margins; lower scales 0.5-1.5 mm. long, the 

upper 2.25-3.5 mm. long; style divided into 2 slender branches; 

achene somewhat narrowed below, rounded or subrruncate above, 

tawny-brown, each face deeply 4-5 transversely sulcate with prominent 

suba cutely angled ridges with fine striae running lengthwise 

between the ridges, narrowly ridged lengthwise on each side 

(Fig. 5, e, f). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in vicinity of Sanariapo, 

near Rio Sanariapo, tributary of Orinoco river, Territorio 

Federal Amazonas, alt. 100 m., September 8, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

58469. Also collected among rock outcrops below mouth of Rio 

Sanariapo, along Orinoco river, alt. 100 m., September 8, 1944, 


Related to R. pluricarpa Gilg of the Matto Grosso-Parana' portion of 

Brazil, but differs in its larger, oblong achene of different color, 

prominent sulcations and ridges, and in the single fruit of the spikelets 

instead of 4-5. From R. tenuis it is distinguished by the oblong, 

instead of subglobose or turbinate, achene with more prominent sulcations, 

narrower and less prominent tubercle, shorter spikelets, 

and shorter culms, leaves, and bracts, while from R. lenella it is 

separated by the shape of the achene, absence of the long scabrous 

awn of the scales, and denser clusters of spikelets. 

Rhynchospora sororopana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Perennis caespitosa; culmis tenuibus foliatis, 15-50 cm. altis,


0.2-0.5 mm. latis, plerumque quam foliis excedentibus; foliis 15-25 

cm. longis, 1.5 mm. latis; fasciculis 3-7, confertis racemoso-subcapitatis, 

6-8 mm. longis, 3-4 mm. latis, axillaribus terminalibusque; 

pedunculis tenuibus, 0.5-5 cm. longis; bracteis setaceis, 2-7.5 cm. 

longis, 0.5-1 mm. latis; spiculis ovato-lanceolatis, 3.5-4 mm. longis, 

1-carpis; squamis ovatis vel ovato-lanceolatis, aristatis vel acuminatis, 

pallidis; setis nullis; achaenio elliptico-ovoideo, basi angustato, 

superne nonnihil angustato, 2 mm. longo, 1.2 mm. lato, subtilissime 

puncticulato; tuberculo conico, 1 mm. longo; stylo breviter 

diviso, ramis brevibus. 

Culms glabrous; leaves glabrous, several; fascicles of the inflorescence 

scattered along the middle and upper portion of the culms; 

spikelets with 4 scales; scales pale buff or grayish-green to greenishstramineous; 

achene greenish or pale stramineous, minutely puncticulate 

with cells slightly higher than broad; beak about half the width 

of the achene. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected^ along Quebrada 

Sororopan, between Santa Teresita de Kavanaye'n and Rio Tek- 

Yunsen, state of Bolivar, alt. 1375 m., December 3, 1944, Julian 

A, Steyermark 60831. 

A member of Series Diplostyleae, Div. Psilocarya, Sect. Paucinucigerae 

(following Clarke's divisions), this is related to R. biflora, 

R. brevirostris, R longispicata, and R. nardiflora. It is distinguished 

by its pale greenish, gray-green, or greenish-white spikelets, 

small inflorescences, width of leaves, and details of achene andbeak. 

Rhynochospora tamana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Perennis caespitosa; culmis glabris, 7-55 cm. altis, 1.5-2 mm. 

latis; foliis plerumque basilaribus, linearibus, rigidis, supra paullo 

scabridulis, marginibus scabris, 7-30 cm. longis, 3-3.5 mm. latis; 

paniculis plus minusve 4, anguste ellipsoidalibus contractis, 3-3.5 

cm. longis, 0.7-1.2 cm. latis, axillaribus terminalibusque; rhachibus 

angulatis, angulis scabris; pedunculis tenuibus, glabris, angulatis, 

4-13 cm. longis; bracteis 8-13 cm. longis, 2-3 mm. latis; vaginis 

bractearura nitidis, fulvo-brunneis; spiculis confertis, fusiformibus, 

9-10 mm. longis, 1.5-2 mm. latis, subsessilibus vel breviter pedicellatis, 

2-carpis; squamis ovatis vel lanceolatis, breve aristatis, 

4-9.5 mm. longis, castaneis; setis 6, antrorse hispidulis, tuberculum 

excedentibus, 8-8.5 mm. longis; achaenio fusiformi-elliptico, basi 

manifeste stipitato, 3.5 mm. longo, 1 mm. lato, subtilissime puncticulato; 

tuberculo conico-subulato, quam achaenio paullo breviore, 

1.5-2 mm. longo, basi parce hispidulo; stylo bifido, ramis 3 mm. 

longis, stylo brevioribus. 

Culms leafy below, exceeding the leaves; lower leaf surface 

covered with gray-white stomata between the raised nerves; bracts 

somewhat foliaceous; spikelets with 5 scales; achene stramineous


minutely puncticulate with numerous narrow reticulations much 

higher than broad (Fig. 6, d). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on limestone outcrops 

of Pa'ramo de Tama', near Colombian-Venezuelan boundary, state of 

Tachira, alt. 3045-3475 m., July 15, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

57404. Also collected in same locality, Steyermark 57398. 

Related to ft. macrochaeta Steud., from which it differs in the more 

elongated achene which is stipitate-based, shorter narrower panicles, 

longer scales and spikelets, narrower, more rigid, and more scabrid 

leaves, and the generally smaller stature. 

Rhynchospora tepuiana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Perennis caespitosa; culrais setaceis foliatis, 10-25 cm. altis, 

0.5 mm. latis; foliis setaceis, glabris, 8-13 cm. longis, 0.2-0.3 mm. 

lads; vaginis membranaceis, glabris, quam laminis latioribus, ore 

subtruncato; inflores centia corymbosa vel subcorymbosa, 6-10 mm. 

alta, 5-8 mm. lata; bracteis 2.5 cm. longis, quam inflorescentia 

longioribus; spiculis 2-10, anguste ellipticis, 3-4 mm. longis, 5-floris, 

5-carpis vel paucioribus; squamis late ovatis, mucronatis, 1.6-2.7 

mm. longis, castaneis; setis 1-6 vel nullis, rudimentariis , 

antrorse 

serrulatis, 0.5-0.9 mm. longis; achaenio elliptico-obovoideo, substipitato, 

lenticulari, 1.5 mm. longo, 0.6-0.7 mm. lato, breviter 

trans versim ruguloso, inter rugas leviter reticulato-puncticulato; 

tuberculo deltoideo; stylo profunde diviso, ramis longis. 

Orifice of sheath with 2 lateral processes; bracts setaceous; 

spikelets about 1 mm. wide, with 9 scales; scales mucronate or 

short-awned, the lowest 2 empty scales 1.6-1.8 mm. long, the others 

2.5-2.7 mm. long; bristles ferruginous-brown; achene abruptly narrowed 

and substipitate at base, gradually narrowed above, pale buff 

or stramineous, pilosulous at summit just below tubercle, shallowly 

cross-wrinkled with rows in between the wrinkles of faint puncticulations 

higher than broad, the cells in the lower fourth longer, broader, 

and nearly as broad as high; tubercle inconspicuous, deltoid or conic, 

about half the width of achene, pale brown; branches of style much 

longer than the style proper (Fig. 5, 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on forested southwest-facing 

quebrada near Rondo'n Camp, Mount Roraima, state of 

Bolivar, alt. 2040 m., September 25, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

58652. Also collected on rocky hematite exposures on open slopes 

on summit at west end of Sororopan-tepui', alt. 2225-2255 m., November 

13, 1944, Steyermark 60061. 

This species is related to /?. Sellowiana Steud., 1855, not R. 

Sellowiana Boeckl., 1873, to R. Gollmeri Boeckl., and to R. roraimae 

Kuk. From R. Sellowiana Steud, it differs in its castaneous, not 

stramineous spikelets with much shorter setae. From R. Gollmeri of 

the Caracas and Cordillera de la Costa area, it differs in the shorter 

spikelets, long-cleft style, shorter tubercle of achene, much shorter 

g).


bristles, and more conspicuously rugulose or reticulate instead of 

almost smooth achene. From P. roraimae it differs in the greater 

number of spikelets, longer, less rigid culms and leaves, shorter 

tubercle, presence of setae, and more rugulose-reticulate achene. 

Rhynchospora tomentosa Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Perennis; culmis foliatis, 7.5 dm. altis; foliis basilaribus et culmis 

subcoriaceis, rigidis, undique velutino-tomentosis, 25-30 cm. 

longis, 9-10.5 mm. latis; paniculis 5-6, oblongo-lanceolatis, densifloris, 

4-4.5 cm. longis, 1.3-1.5 cm. latis, axillaribus terminalibusque; 

rhachibus hispidulis; pedunculis 1.5-6 cm. longis, tomentosis; 

bracteis foliaceis, paniculas excedentibus, 6.5-12 cm. longis, 

3-6.5 mm. latis, adpresso-villosulis infra praesertim; vaginis bractearum 

foliorumque velutino-tomentosis vel tomentosis; spiculis 

confertis anguste lanceolatis vel fusiformi-ellipticis, 5-5.5 mm. 

longis, 1.5 mm. latis, breviter pedicellatis, 1-carpis; squamis ovatis 

vel ovato-oblongis manifeste aristatis, 2-4.5 mm. longis, fuscocastaneis, 

arista 1-10 mm. longa, hispid ula; setis 2-3, antrorse 

hispidulis, achaenio longioribus; achaenio oblongo-obovoideo, 

biconvexo, 1.8 mm. longo, 

1 mm. lato, subtilissime transversim 

lineolato; tuberculo conico, 1 mm. longo; stylo parce diviso. 

Lower side of leaves especially velutinous-tomentose, deeply 

sulcate or canaliculate above, midrib prominent below; panicles 

erect; lower spikelet scales 2-2.5 mm. long, with an awn 1-1.25 mm. 

long, the upper 3.5-4.5 mm. long with awns 9-10 mm. long; achene 

stramineous, finely transversely lineolate with many vertical rows, 

the lineolations broader than high; tubercle 3/4 width of achene 

(Fig. 6, e-h). 


of Paramo de Tama, near Colombian-Venezuelan boundary, 

state of Tachira, alt. 3045-3475 m., July 15, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

57391. 

This unusual species. is well-marked by its velutinous-tomentose 

leaves, bracts, and sheaths, and conspicuously aristate scales. It 

is related to R. macrochaeta Steud. 

Rhynchospora Trichochaeta C. B. Clarke, var. venezuelensis 

Steyermark, var. nov. 

A typo differt bracteis quam capitulo longioribus, 6-15 mm. longis, 

marginibus breviter ciliato-pilosis; tuberculo longiore angustioreque 

acutiore, pilis scabris longioribus. 

Achene dark brown or blackish-brown (Fig. 5, h ). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on rocky savanna 

slopes between Ciudad Bolivar and Rio Carom, state of Bolivar, 

alt. 100 m., August 1, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57587.


In R. Trichochaeta of Brazil (Gardner 2385, type), (Fig. 5, i), the 

bracts are only 4 mm. long, densely and long-ciliate on the margins, 

and the tubercle is short, broad, and obtuse at apex. Clarke describes 

the achene as "fusee straminea", but examination of type 

material found in the herbaria of the New York Botanical Garden and 

in the United States National Herbarium shows the achenes to vary 

from fuscous-stramineous to dark brown. 

Cladium costatum Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Radix repens; culmo triquetro, 25 cm. longo, 3-3.5 mm. lato, glabro; 

foliis subxiphoideis, basilaribus numerosis, planis, 35-50 cm. 

longis, 7-8.5 mm. latis, multo-nervatis, costa prominenti, glabris; 

caulinis brevioribus erectis, supremis s pa thaef omnibus; spicularum 

fasciculis paniculatis numerosis, atro-vinaceis vel castaneo-rubris; 

spiculis 3-5-5 mm. longis, ovoideis, 2-3-nuciferis; squamis ovatis, 

apice obtusis vel rotundatis, 2.5-3 mm. longis, 1.5-2 mm. latis, glabris; 

staminibus 2; stylo longo, ramis 2, linearibus; setis hypogynis, 

nullis; achaenio fulvo, biconvexo, ovato-elliptico, 3.2-3.8 mm. longo, 

1.5-2 mm. lato, marginibus conspicue costatis angulatis, glabro, 

sensim in rostrum contracto. 

Plant growing in colonies, with creeping rootstock; inflorescence 

elongate-paniculate, 20-23 cm. long, the 12-15 spikes fascicled; 

rachis of inflorescence more or less compressed, ancipital, mostly 

scabridulous on angles; peduncular branches of spikes ancipital, 

2-angled, more densely scabridulous on margins; spikelets 3-4- 

flowered; bracts subtending spikelets 3, ovate, aristate, 2.5-3.5 mm. 

long; scales 3, the fruiting ones especially with prominent midrib; 

anthers 1.5 mm. long, linear- lanceolate, appendiculate, filaments 

elongating to 4 mm.; achene dull brown, subturgid, conspicuously 

ribbed and wing-angled on two lateral margins, gradually tapering 

into a slender beak blackish-brown at tip. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected along Quebrada 

Sororopan between Santa Teresita de Kavanaye'n and RioTek-Yunse'n, 

state of Bolivar, alt. 1375 m., December 3, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

60829. Collected also at Salto de Iwaracaru-meru, at western 

end of Sororopa'n-tepur, alt. 1615 m., November 15, 1944, Julian A. 


This species is characterized by the creeping rootstocks, elongate 

inflorescence with fasciculate panicles, numerous subdistichous 

leaves with prominent midrib, 2 stamens, bifid style, and especially 

the biconvex achenes with prominently ribbed and angled margins. 

According to Dr. Svenson, who greatly assisted in a critical study of 

this plant, "it has a general appearance to C. restioides (Sw.) 

Benth. of the west Indies, but the possession of achenes without 

bristles resembles more such species as C. jamaicense than those of 

the Machaerina and Vincentia groups."


Tribe 

HYPOLYTREAE 

Hypolytrum tepuianum Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Viridis; culmis rig id is, erectis, subacute trigonis, glabris, 1.3-1.6 

m. altis, 4.5-5.5 mm. latis; foliis rigidis, subcoriaceis, viridibus, 

anguste linear!- lanceolatis, undique pluristriatis, marginibus parte 

superiore et costa inferiore valide scabrido-serrulatis, raarginibus 

parte inferiore glabris, 90-100 cm. longis, 18-21 mm. latis; inflorescentia 

subumbellate decomposita vel subcorymbifere-umbellata 

10-16-ramosa; ramis simplicibus monostachyis, striatis, angulatis, 

minute hispidulis, 1-3-5 cm. longis, 2-2.5 mm. latis, foliaceobracteatis; 

bracteis 4-5, inaequalibus, rigidis, subcoriaceis, def 

lexis, linear i-lanceolatis, undique pluristriatis, marginibus manifeste 

serrulatis, costa infra manifeste serrulata prominenti, 6-24 cm. 

longis, 4-15 mm. latis; spicis densifloris, confertis, subglobosocapitatis, 

1-1.5 cm. longis, 1.2-1.4 cm. latis; spiculis ovoideis, 6 

mm. longis, 3.5 mm. latis; squamis suborbicularibus apice rotundatis 

ferrugineis, 3.5-4 mm. longis, 3.5-4 mm. latis; squamulis oblong is 

vel elliptico-oblongis, obtusis,liberis, glabris; staminibus 2; achaenio 

paullo compresso, subtereti-lenticulari, infra medium paullo 

constricto elliptic o-oblongo, nitido, glabro, fulvo-castaneo, superne 

vinaceo-maculato, 5-6 mm. longo, 1.2-1.3 mm. lato; rostro tenui, 

achaenio aequale, 1.5-3 mm. longo, glabro. 

Culms nodulose; leaves deep green above, dull green below; 

inflorescence with 10-16 stout, simple branches; spikelets subobtuse, 

rufescent; scales subtending spikelets suborbicular, rounded 

at apex, membranaceous, rufous-brown with numerous orange-brown 

splotches, the margins hyaline; floral glumes 4, free to base, 2 of 

them subtending stamens, glabrous, oblong to elliptic-oblong, obtuse 

and entire or with hyaline-suberose apex, 4.5 mm. long, 1.2-2 mm. 

wide, rufous-streaked below; achene fulvous to dark chestnut brown, 

the lower half usually darker brown than the upper half, the upper 

half dull purplish-red spotted; stigmatic branches 2 (Fig. 6, 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in savanna, vicinity 

of "Misia Kathy Camp", on mesa between Ptari-tepui and Sororopantepui, 

state of Bolivar, alt. 1615 m., November 15-17, 1944, Julian 

A. Steyermark 60238. 

Very well marked by the tall culms, broad, stiff, elongated leaves 

and bracts subtending the subumbellate inflorescence with simple 

thick branches, large smooth achenes with long beak, and glabrous 

floral scales. 

i-1).


Tribe 

SCLERIAE 

Scleria tepuiensis Core, sp. nov. 7 

Rhizomate ligneo, squamis atro-rubris intecto; culmo 1-2 m. alto, 

triquetro; foliis 30 era. longis, 5-12 ram. latis, glabris, rigidis, costa 

subtus et margintbus scabris; vaginis glabris, triquetris; ligula 

abbreviata, rotundata; paniculis 5-15 cm. longis, purpurascentibus, 

densis; bracteis foliaceis; spiculis masculis longe pedicellatis, 

numerosis; spiculis foemineis paucis, in ramorum basi subsessilibus; 

squamis masculis anguste mucronatis; squamis foemineis lanceolatis; 

hypogynio sine lob is; achaenio albo, 2-3 mm. longo, hirtello, 

obtuse trigono. Scleriae cyperinae proxime affinis. 

Rhizome thick, hard, nodose; culms slender, shining, the angles 

smooth or somewhat roughened; leaves chartaceous, scabrous on the 

margins and main veins beneath; sheaths smooth or somewhat roughened 

on the angles, wingless or very narrowly winged; ligule rotundtriangular, 

with a thin, scarious margin (not appendaged); panicles 

terminal, single, or with additional smaller ones in the upper axils, 

ovate to ovate-rotund, dense, much-branched, brown-purple, rachis 

scabrous, the branches short, divergent; bracts about 3, exceeding 

the inflorescence; bractlets linear-setaceous; staminate spikelets 

numerous, linear, 5-6 mm. long, on slender peduncles 5-6 mm. long; 

pistillate spikelets solitary at the bases of the branches; staminate 

scales narrow, purplish; pistillate scales glabrous, purplish; hypogynium 

rigid, wrinkled, white, the lobes none or very obscure; 

achene white or sometimes purplish-tinged. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., isotype in herb. West Virginia 

University, collected on summit of Cerro Duida, Savanna Hills, 

Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 1025-1200 m., September 2, 1944, 

Julian A. Steyermarh 58232. Also collected in same locality, Tate 

738 (NY). BRITISH GUIANA: Paulo, near Mt. Roraima, alt. 4000 

Tate 152 (NY). 

ft., 

This species is closely related to S. cyperina, to which the Tate 

specimens had been doubtfully referred. It differs in lacking the 

pronounced lobes of the hypogyniura characteristic of that species, 

and also in the nature of the ligule, which is chartaceous throughout 

in S. cyperina, but membranaceous-margined in S. tepuiensis. The 

leaves in the latter species also average somewhat narrower, at 

least in the specimens observed. Only two other known members of 

the section Hymenolytrum, in addition to S. tepuiensis, lack the 

large, conspicuous, scarious appendage to the ligule found in most 

members of that section. The third species, S. grandis, is a very 

robust plant with leaves 18-35 mm. wide. 

The specific epithet refers to its occurrence on sandstone mesas 

of Venezuela and British Guiana, which are known locally as tepuis. 

tj 

By Earl L. Core


Tribe CRYPTANGIEAE (LA GENOCARPEAE) 8 

Exochogyne amazonica C.B.Clarke, var. esmeraldensis Gilly, var.nov. 

Perennis, rhizome brevissime repens; folia basalia 4-6, vaginae 

ad 6 cm. longae dense et minute pilosulae, lamina linear! ad 20 cm. 

longa et 1.5 mm. lata, glabra marginibus inferioribus sparse hirsutulociliolatis 

excepte; culmi floriferi glabri erecti graciles, cum inflorescentia 

ad 12 cm. alti; inflorescentia ad 3 cm. longa, bractea 

subfoliacea acuminata, inferioribus ad 4 cm. longis, medioribus ad 

1.2 cm. longis, glabra, marginibus inferioribus dense albo-ciliatis 

excepte; spicae bisexualae, cum spiculae masculae 2-4 et foemineae 

2 vel 3; spiculae masculae 7-9 mm. longae et 0.5-0.7 mm. latae, 

glumis vacuis 2 ovatis vel lanceolato-ovatis glabris, ad 2 mm. 

longis, glumis fertilibus 2 vel 3 lineari-lanceolatis glabris vel 

sparse pubescentibus ad apicem; stamina a gluma fertile subtenta 2, 

filamentis persistentibus; spiculae foemineae ad 2 mm. longae, 

glumis 3-5 ovatis glabris, 1-2 mm. longis; achaenium breviter stipitatum 

glabrum laeve bisulcatum oblongo-quadrangulatum sublenticulare, 

cum rostro laevi et inflato-clavato ad 2 mm. longum; rostro 

quam corpore achaenii dimidio breviore; squamellae hypogynae 

nullae; stylus bifidus, stigmatibus brunneis ad 3 mm. longis. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., isotype in herb. Iowa State 

College, collected on dry savanna between Esmeralda Savanna and 

southeastern base of Cerro Duida, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 

200 m., August 22, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57805. 

The typical phase of the species is a more robust plant with 

longer leaves, larger inflorescences, and with 6 or more staminate 

spikelets in each spike, originally collected from a tributary of the 

Rio Madeira in the southwestern part of the Amazon basin. The 

several previously described "species" of this genus which is thus 

far known only from 6 or 7 collections from isolated Amazonian 

savannas appear to represent minor variants of a single species. 

Exochogyne Steyermarkii Gilly, sp. nov. 

Perennis, subrhizomatis vel caespitosis; folia basalia 4-6, vaginae 

ad 10 cm. longae sparse et minute adpresso-pilosulae, laminis 

linearibus ad 40 cm. longis et 1 mm. latis, glabris vel subtus sparse 

strigillosis; inflorescentia ad 10 cm. longa, bractea inferiore foliacea 

ad 18 cm. longa et 1 mm. lata, bracteis medioribus ad 1.5 cm. longis 

et 1 mm. latis, glabra e vagina minute strigillosa excepta; spicae 

bisexualae, cum spiculae masculae 2 vel 3 et spiculae foemineae 

2 vel 3; spiculae masculae 4-5.5 mm. longae et 0.3-0.5 ram. latae, 

glumis vacuis 1 vel 2 lanceolatis vel ellipticis glabris, ad 2 mm. 

longis, glumis fertilibus 2 vel 3 linearibus vel lineari-lanceolatis 

glabris, ad 5.5 mm. longis; stamina a gluma fertile subtenta 2, 

8 

By Charles L. Gilly


filaraentis persistentibus; spiculae foemineae ex vagina protrudens 

ad 2 mm. longae, glumis 2-4 ovatis glabris, 1-2 ram. longis; achaenium 

glabruro laeve marginatura sublenticulare oblongo-quadrangulatum 

vel cum rostro laevi et inflate ellipsoideum, ad 2.5 mm. longum; 

squamellae hypogynae nullae; stylus bifidus, stigmatibus brunneis 

ad 2 mm. longis (Fig. 6, m). 


College, collected in swampy woods, between Esmeralda Savanna 

and southeastern base of Cerro Duida, Territorio Federal Amazonas, 

alt. 200 m., August 22, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57820. 

This species differs from all the other known species of the genus 

in the narrowness and small size of the inflorescence bracts. With 

regard to the small number of pistillate spikelets, this species is 

most nearly like E. megalorrhyncha Tutin, but in glabrity and cespitose 

habit it is more nearly like E. amazonica C. B. Clarke. 

Cephalocarpus Steyermarkii Gilly, sp. nov. 

Caulis gracilis ramosus, ad 10 cm. altus; folia linearia acuta 

bicarinata sparse pilosa, 8-20 cm. longa et 1.5-2 mm. lata; culmi 

floriferi solitarii in axillibus foliorum, 4-8 cm. alti; inflorescentia 

capitata multispiculata; bracteae inferiores inflorescentiam subtendentes 

ad 2 cm. longae, dense vel sparse pilosae; spiculae 

masculae 4-5 mm. longae, ad 1 mm. diam.; glumis vacuis 3-5, lanceolatis 

mucronatis glabris vel mucrone sparse pilosis, glumis sta minibus 

2-3, lanceolatis acutis hyalinis glabris; antherae 2.75-3 mm. 

longae; spiculae foemineae 4-5 mm. longae, glumis 5-8, lanceolatis 

acuminato-mucronatis glabris vel mucrone sparse pilosis; achaenium 

subteretium obovoideum glabrum stramineum, 1.75-2 mm. longum, ad 

1 mm. diam., rostro 1-1.5 mm. longo persistenti sparse pubescente; 

squamellae hypogynae ovato-orbiculares, ciliis subcopiosis quam 

corpore achaenii 4- vel 3-plo brevioribus. 


College, collected in shaded spots in scrubby forest on rocky open 

portion of plateau on south east- facing slopes, Ptari-tepui' state of 

Bolivar, alt. 1600 m., November 1, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

59640', south-facing slopes, Ptari-tepui', alt. 1800-1900 m., Steyermark 

59800. 

A member of the subgenus Neocephalocarpus, most closely related 

to C. longibracteatus Gilly, but approaching C. lineariifolius Gilly 

in length and narrowness of leaves. The several specimens examined 

vary considerably in the length to which the branched stem 

has developed. 

Everardia montata Ridley, var. pilosa Gilly, var. 

nov. 

A plantae typicae differt marginibus foliorum albo-pilosis copiosis; 

culmis floriferis dense albo-pilosis; bracteis paniculis secundariis 

subtendentibus cum vaginae dense et minute pubescentibus; achaenio


cum corpore 3 mm. iongo et 1 mm. lato et cum rostro minute pubescent! 

2.5 mm. Iongo. 


College, collected on summit of Cerro Duida, on high moist ridge top, 


Julian A. Steyermark 58318, 

The typical phase of the species 

the series of cerros. 

is known from the eastern end of 

I 

verardia ptariensis Gilly, sp. nov. 

Caulis brevis; folia ad 10.5 cm. longa, ad basim 8-10 mm. lata, 

glabra, margine et costa scabridulo-ciliolata excepta, margine 

revoluta; culmi floriferi laxe adscendentes, cum inflorescentia ad 

6 dm. alti; vagina vacua ad basim 1.5 mm. longa, vaginae floriferae 

atro-brunneae vel rubro-brunneae glabrae lamina subaequantae; 

spiculae masculae 4-5.2 mm. longae, glumis vacuis 3-5, ovatis 

mucronulatis ciliolatis ad apicem, glumis staminibus 2-4, oblongis 

vel oblongo-lanceolatis glabris acutis vel truncatis et erosis ad 

apicem; spiculae foemineae 3-4 mm. longae, glumis 4-6 ovatis ciliolatis 

mucronulatis vel mucronatis; achaenium glabrum stramineum 

vel pallid o-brunneum ellipsoideum, 0.8-1 mm. diam. cum rostro 3.5 

mm. longum; rostro conico glabro, quam corpore achaenii 3-plo brevioribus; 

squamellae hypogynae minute suborbiculares, ciliis copiosis 

quam corpore achaenii 3-vel 4-plo brevioribus; stigmata gracilia 

atrobrunnea. 


College, collected on forested south-facing slopes overlying sandstone 

on "Cave Rock" above "Cave Camp", Ptari-tepui, state of 

Bolivar, alt. 1810 m., October 29, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59496. 

Allied to E. montana Ridley in vegetative habit, but differing 

markedly in the very slender, much elongated flowering culms and in 

the structure of the achene. 

Everardia Steyertnarkii Gilly, sp. nov. 

Caulis robustus ramosus, ad 2.8 dm. altus, vaginis persistentibus 

fibrilosis tecta; folia ad 4.3 dm. longa et 3-3.5 mm. lata, plana vel 

bicarinata ad apicem linearia dense albo-pilosa vel albo-lanata et 

tarde glabrata; culmi floriferi erecti lanati, cum inflorescentia ad 

3.5 dm. alti, vagina vacua ad basim 2.5-3 cm. longa, vaginae floriferae 

atrobrunneae albo-pilosae lamina subaequantae; spiculae 

raasculae 5-6.5 mm. longae, glumis vacuis 4-7, ovatis vel lanceolatoovatis 

mucronatis glabris, glumis staminibus 2-4, lanceolatis vel 

oblongo-lanceolatis acutis glabris; antherae ad 3.5 mm. longae; 

spiculae foemineae, omnes ad apicem inflorescentiae dispositae, 

jam deficientes; achaenium ignotum. 


College, in Brocchinia-Stegolepis-H eliamphora swamp on southwest-


facing shoulder, Ptari-tepui^ state of Bolivar, alt. 2200 m., November 

2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59781. 

So far as vegetative habit is concerned, this is the most distinctive 

species in the genus. It is most closely allied with E. angusta 

N. E. Brown and . 

gracilis Gilly, two species known only from 

Mount Roraima. 

Lagenocarpus bifidus Gilly, sp. nov. 

Caulis ignotus; folia lanceolato-linearia plana glabra glauca 

rigido-coriacea ad 9 dm. longa, ad basim 2 cm. lata et ad medium 

1-1.3 cm. lata, marginibus antrorse hispido-serratis; culmi floriferi 

triangulares glabri, cum inflorescentia ad 1.2 m. alti; inflores cent ia 

interrupta e paniculis secundariis pluribus composita; spiculae 

masculae ad 2.8 mm. longae in paniculis inferioribus laxe aggregatis, 

glumis vacuis 4-6, lanceolatis acutis vel mucronatis glabris, glumis 

staminibus 4-8, lanceolatis vel oblongo- lanceolatis subacutis vel 

erosis ad apicem; spiculae foemineae uniflorae ad 4.5 mm. longae 

paucae in paniculis superioribus rigidioribus congestae, glumis 6-8, 

ovatis vel orbiculato-ovatis bifidis et aristatis ad apicem, aristae 

ad 1.5 mm. longae hispidae; achaenium rubro-brunneum ovoideum 

glabrum lucidum et subrugosum tricostatum, cum rostro conico 3.5 

mm. longum; rostro quam corpore achaenii subaequantes; squamellae 

hypogynae deltoideae minute ciliolatae ad 0.2 mm. longae; stylo 

trifido. 


College, collected on Gran Sabana, between Divina Pastora on Rio 

Kukena'n and Santa Elena, south of Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, 

ak. 915-1005 m., October 3, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59302. 

Resembles L. diffusus Gilly in the bifid and aristate pistillate 

glumes, but near L. tremulus Nees in characters of the achenes. 

Lagenocarpus diffusus Gilly, sp. nov. 

Caulis brevis lignosus ad 2 cm. diam., vaginis persistentibus 

laceratis tecta; folia grisea lanceolato-linearia plana glabra rigidocoriacea 

acuta, ad 9.5 dm. longa, ad basim 1.8 cm. lata et ad medium 

1 cm. lata, marginibus antrorse hispido-serratis; culmi floriferi 

robusti glabri, cum inflorescentia ad 1.4 dm. alti; inflorescentia 

interrupta e paniculis secundariis pluribus composita; spiculae 

masculae ad 3.5 mm. longae numerosae in paniculis inferioribus 

laxe diffusis aggregatis, glumis vacuis 3-5, lanceolatis vel oblongolanceolatis 

minute bifidis ad apicem mucronatis vel mucronulatis 

ciliolatis, glumis staminibus 4-8, lanceolatis acutis erosis et ciliolatis; 

antherae 1.7 mm. longae; spiculae foemineae uniflorae ad 3.5 

mm. longae, paucae in paniculis superioribus rigidioribus confertis, 

glumis 4-6 ciliolatis ovatis vel orbiculato-ovatis, ad apicem bifidis 

et aristatis, aristis ad 1.5 mm. longis; achaenium glabrum laeve 

conico-ellipsoideum trisulcatum ad basim, cum rostro laevi truncate


ad 2.5 ram. longum et ad 1.5 mm. diam.; squamellae hypogynae triangulares, 

ad 0.5 mm. longae, marginibus laevibus nee ciliolatis; 

stylo crifido. 


College, collected on summit of Cerro Duida, Savanna Hills, Territorio 

Federal Amazonas, alt. 1025-1200 m., September 2, 1944, 


Allied to L. Spruce* H. Pfeiffer and L. guianensis Nees, but 

differing from them in the bifid and aristate glumes and in the characters 

of the achene. 

Lagenocarpus glomerulatus Gilly, sp. nov. 

Subcaespitosa,caulibus brevibus, vaginis persistentibus reticulatofibratis 

tecta; folia 6.5 dm. longa et ad 7 mm. lata linearia plana vel 

bicarinata ad apicem glabra vel hispidulosa; culmi floriferi triangulari 

glabri, cum inflorescentia ad 6 dm. alti; inflorescentia interrupta, 

bracteae paniculis secundarius subtendentes cum vaginae breves et 

laminae vaginorum 10- a 30-plo longioribus; spiculae masculae 2.5 

mm. longae glomerulatae, 7-15 aggregatae conjunctim in paniculis 

inferioribus laxe confertae, glumis vacuis 2-4, ovatis vel lanceolatoovatis 

mucronatis glabris, margine ciliolatis exceptis, glumis staminibus 

6-15, lanceolatis vel lineato-lanceolatis acutis vel erosis et 

ciliolatis ad apicem; antherae ad 1.2 mm. longae; spiculae foemineae 

uniflorae ad 3.5 mm. longae, solitariae vel geminae in paniculis 

superioribus paucifloris rigidis in struct is, glumis 5-8, ovatis oblongoovatis 

vel late ellipticis ciliolatis truncatis vel minute bifidis et 

mucronatis ad apicem; achaenium late ellipsoideum subteretium 

rubro-brunneum vadose trisulcatum subrugulosum et alveolarum, 2 

mm. diara. et cum rostro laevi stramineo 3.5 mm. longum; rostro 

minute pubescente ad apicem, quam corpore achaenii 3-plo brevioribus; 

squamellae hypogynae late orbiculares vel quadrangulares ad 

0.5 mm. longae ciliolatae et albo-pilosae; cilii quam squamellae 

subaequantes; stylo trifido, stigmata rosea vel rubro-brunnea. 


College, collected on rocks along Rio Karuai between Santa Teresita 

de Kavanayen and base of Ptari-tepuf, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., 

November 18, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60340. 

A very distinctive species apparently related, at least in the 

characters of the achene and the staminate spikelets, to L. rigidus 

Nees of eastern Brazil, but differing markedly from that species in 

foliage and type of inflorescence. 

Lagenocarpus sabanensis Gilly, sp. nov. 

Subcaespitosa, caulibus brevibus lignosis, vaginis persistentibus 

laceratis tecta; folia linearia plana ad 4 dm. longa et 5 mm. lata, 

dense minute pubescentia supra et infra, marginibus minute hispiduloscabratis; 

culmi floriferi canaliculati dense adpresso-villosuli, cum


inflorescentia ad 1.2 m. alti; inflorescentia interrupta, bracteis 

paniculis secundariis subtendentibus cum vaginae minute hispidopubescentiae 

et laminae adpresso-villosulae; spiculae masculae ad 

4.5 mm. longae in paniculis inferioribus laxe aggregatis, glumis 

vacuis 5-8 minute pubescentibus oblongo-ovatis vel ovatis ad apicem 

truncatis vel subtruncatis aristatis, glumis staminibus 4-6 glabris 

lanceolatis vel lineari-lanceolatis acutis; spiculae foemineae uniflorae 

ad 4 mm. longae, paucae in paniculis superioribus rigidioribus 

dispositis, glumis 6-9 minute pubescentibus ovatis vel quadrangulato-ovatis 

ad apicem truncatis vel sub-bifidis et aristatis; 

achaenium flavo-brunneura ovoideura glabrum laeve trisulcatum, cum 

rostro conico laevi ad 4 mm. longum; rostro quam corpore achaenii 

subaequantes; squamellae hypogynae lanceolatae vel lanceolatodeltoideae 

ad marginern minute erosae, 0.8-0.9 mm. longae; stylo 

trifido atrobrunneo vel rubro-brunneo. 


College, collected on Sabana Grande, at southeastern base of Cerro 

Duida, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 200 m., August 23, 1944, 

Julian A. Steyermark 57855. Apparently most closely related to 

L guianensis Lindl. & Nees, but differing in the more slender habit, 

narrower leaves, general distribution of pubescence, and details of 

the spikelets and achenes. 

Lagenocarpus Steyermarkii Gilly, sp. nov. 

Caulis brevis lignosus ad 1 cm. diam., vaginis persistentibus 

reticulato-fibratis tecta; folia argenteo-grisea scabro-hispidae supra 

linearia rigida ad 5.5 dm. longa et 1 cm. lata, marginibus antrorse 

hispido-serratis; culmi floriferi obtuse triangulares, cum inflorescentia 

interrupta ad 9 dm. alti; spiculae masculae 3.5 mm. longae 

numerosae in paniculis inferioribus dense congestis, glumis vacuis 

2-4, ovatis vel oblongo-ovatis hispid ulo-puberulentibus acutis et 

mucronatis vel mucronulatis, glumis staminibus 3-6, lanceolatis 

vel oblongo-lanceolatis pube rule nti bus acutis vel erosis ad apicem; 

antherae 1.5 mm. longae, filamentis persistentibus; spiculae foemineae 

uniflorae ad 3.5 mm. longae, paucae in paniculis parvis superioribus 

rigidioribus congestis, glumis 5-8, hispidulo-puberulentibus 

ovatis subacutis et subemarginatis et mucronulatis; achaenium 

ellipsoideum stramineum glabrum subrugulosum et trisulcatum ad 

basira, 1.8 mm. diam. cum rostro lacunoso laevi 3.5 mm. longum; 

rostro quam corpore achaenii subaequantes; squamellae hypogynae 

triangulares ad 0.3 ram. longae, ciliis paucis et minutissimis; 

stylo trifido. 


College, collected in sandy wet ground with Stegolepis and Brocchinia 

on large mesa, between Mission of Santa Teresita de Kavanaye'n 

and RYo Karuai, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., October 26, 

1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59363.


Allied to L. guianensis Nees in characters of the glumes and 

inflorescence bracts, and to L. tremulus Nees in characters of the 

achenes; amply differing from both of these species in the short and 

narrow leaves and the congested secondary panicles of the inflorescence. 

Pseudoeverardia Gilly, gen. nov. 

Herba perennis terrestris vel epiphytica dioica; folia tristichoimbricata 

persistentia; culmi solitarii in axillibus foliorum; inflorescentia 

mascula multispiculata, spiculis confertis; spiculae masculae 

aggregatae, glumis exterioribus vacuis 4-6, glumis interioribus 

staminibus 3-8; stamina a gluma fertile subtenta 1-3, filamentis 

persistentibus, antheris apiculato-mucronatis; inflorescentia foerainea 

elongata verticillata; spiculae foemineae solitariae vel geminae, 

glumis 6-8; achaenium subteretium tricostatum, rostro brevi; periantho 

trifido, lobis membranaceis ad marginem laceratis; stylo 

trifido. 

Type species: Pseudoeverardia flexifolia (Gilly) Gilly. 

Most closely related to the genera Everardia Ridley and Cephalocarpus 

Nees, but differing from both in being dioecious and in the 

type of achene, achene beak, and perianth scales; also differing 

from Everardia (but not from Cephalocarpus) in having only 1-3 

stamens in each starainate flower. 

Pseudoeverardia flexifolia (Gilly) Gilly, comb. nov. et descr. ampl. 

Didymiandrum flexifolium Gilly, 

1941. 

Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 68: 331. 

Planta mascula: caulibus ad 3 mm. latis et 3 dm. altis, vaginis 

persistentibus tarde fibrillosis tecta; folia 1.5-6.5 dm. longa, 1.5-2.2 

mm. lata, linearia acute plana ad basim et bicarinata supra medium, 

dense villoso-pubescentia vel tarde glabrata; culmi floriferi rigidi 

erecti minute pubescentes, cum inflorescentia ad 3 dm. alti; spiculae 

masculae 5 mm. longae, glabrae aggregatae, glumis vacuis 4-6, 

ovatis acutis vel sub-bifidis mucronatis, mucrone ad 1 mm. longo, 

glumis staminibus 6-8, lanceolatis; antherae 2-2.5 mm. longae. 

Planta foeminea: caulibus et foliis planta mascula simulans; culmi 

floriferi rigidi erecti, cum inflorescentia ad 1.5 dm. alti; spiculae 

foemineae solitarii vel geminae ad apicem pedicellorum, verticillatae, 

3.5-5 mm. longae et ad 1 mm. diam., glumis 6-8, glabris exterioribus 

ovatis vel triangulo-ovatis mucronatis, interioribus lanceolatis 

vel lanceolato-ovatis acutis vel mucronulatis; achaenium brunneum 

tricostatum obovoideum minute pubescentium supra medium, ad 1 mm. 

diam., cum rostro 2.8 mm. longum; rostro obtuso-conico stramineo 

dense et minute pubescenti, 0.5 mm. longo; squamellae hypogynae 

3, membranaceae hyalinae ad apicem lacerato-erosae, ad 0.7 mm. 

longae; stylo trifido, stigmatibus gracilibus brunneis vel rubrobrunneis.


Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, isotype in U.S. National 

Herbarium, collected on summit of Cerro Duida, epiphyte on bark of 

tree, flat near stream at Central Camp, alt. 4800 ft., December 20-28, 

1928, Tate 542, staminate plants; common as ground cover on dry 

slopes throughout Brocchinia Hills, alt. 1700-1980 m., September 1, 

1944, Steyermark 58194b. (F), staminate plants; growing with the 

preceding, Steyermark 581 94a. (F), pistillate plants. 

At the time when I described the genus Didymiandrum y 

based on 

D. stellatum (Boeckl.) Gilly, I reluctantly placed this species (then 

known only from staminate plants) in that genus for lack of any other 

suitable place. 

It is peculiarly satisfying to be able to dispose of 

this species in a satisfactory manner at the present time, now that 

both staminate and pistillate plants are available.


Tribe 

CARICEAE 

Uncinia meridensis Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Stolonifera; culmis 1-7 cm. altis, 1-1.5 mm. lads, obscure trigonis 

glabris; foliis patentibus quam culmis multo brevioribus, rigidis 

subcoriaceis, 3-5.5 cm. longis, 1.5-3-5 mm. lads, marginibus et 

costa infedore superioreque scabrido-serrulatis; spicis lanceolatoellipdcis 

vel clavato-ellipdcis androgynis densifloris, 12-20 mm. 

longis, 2-2.5 mm. lads, parte mascula brevissima; squamis foemineis 

ovatis subacuds vel subobtusis, plerumque glabris, marginibus 

brunneis aliter pallido-viridibus, 5.5-7 mm. longis, 3.5-4 mm. latis; 

squamis inferioribus adstatis, adsta 6.5 mm. longa, scabrido-ciliata ; 

utriculis ellipdcis, basi et apice angustads, infra glabris, superne 

scabrido-hispidulis stramineis vel pallidis, 5-5.5 mm. longis, 1.5 

mm. latis, tenuiter et obscure pauce nervatis; stylo basi paullo incrassato; 

achaenio quam utriculo multo breviore, 2.5 mm. longo; 

rhachilla secundada utriculo subduplo superante uncinata glabra 

recta. 

Leaves grass green, conspicuously scabdd-serrulate on margins 

and midrib of lower surface, minutely and inconspicuously scabridulous 

on midnerve of upper surface, complicate at base, otherwise 

plane; spikes 10-flowered, glabrous except for minutely eroseciliolate 

margins about apex, subcoriaceous, closely appressed, 

imbricate, persistent, 3-nerved, mostly exceeding the perigynia; 

rachilla 7.5-8 mm. long, the exserted portion 4-4.5 mm. long; stigmas 

3, exserted, reddish-brown (Fig. 7, k-m). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on margin of alpine 

lake at El Aguila above Pa'ramo de Mucuchies, state of Me'rida, 

alt. 4025 m., July 6, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57039. Also collected 

along rocky lake shore, near upper limit of paramo, between 

Chachopo and Los Apartaderos, state of Merida, alt. 3930 m., 


Easily distinguished by the dwarf habit, very short culms, leaves, 

and spikes. Most closely related to /. brevicaulis var. macloviana 

f. montana (Phil.) Kuk. ((/. macloviana var. montana) of Chile and 

Patagonia, from which it is distinguished by the practically nonciliate 

scales, shorter culms and leaves, scales longer than or 

equaling the perigynia, and margins of the perigynia not hispidulous 

in the lower 2/3. 

This is a most remarkable plant, there being no locality previously 

recorded between Venezuela and Chile for a species of the I, 

brevicaulis affinity. This is a similar case to that of the composite 

Lagenophora, originally known in South America from Chile and 

Argentina, and later discovered on the paramos of Venezuela (Steyermark 

57507), described by Badillo as L. andina. It also simulates 

the distribution of another cyperaceous genus, Oreobolus, in which 

a new species has been found recently in Venezuela (Steyermark


57198), which is related to one originally described from Chile and 

Argentina, and more recently collected in Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. 

Remaining species of Lagenophora, Oreobolus, and some species 

of i ncinia are encountered in Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, 

the Sandwich Islands, Borneo, New Guinea, and (or) the 

Hawaiian Islands. Such distributions reveal ancient geological 

connections, and indicate that these isolated paramo-inhabiting 

FIGURE 7 

A, Carex roraimensis. Achene (X 6); B, Carex roraimensis. Perigynium, 

ventral view (X 7); C, Carex roraimensis. Perigynium, dorsal 

view (X 7); D, Carex culmenicola. Achene (X 9); E, Carex culmenicola. 

Perigynium (X 7); F, Carex culmenicola. Pistillate scale (X 5); 

G, Carex culmenicola. Pistillate scale (X 5); H, Carex turumiquirensis. 

Achene (X 7); I, Carex turumiquirensis. Perigynium, ventral 

view (X 7); J, Carex turumiquirensis. Perigynium, dorsal view (X 7); 

K, Uncinia meridensis. Perigynium (X 7); L, i ncinia meridensis. 

Achene with perigynium removed (X 7); M, i ncinia meridensis. 

Pistillate scale (X 4).


species may go back a long time in geological history 

original segregation and ancestral home. 

for their 

Vesicarex Steyermark, gen. nov. 

Folia evaginantia, ligulo marginibus cartilagineis. Flores dioicae. 

Stigmata 2. Stylus rectus. Squamae cucullatae incurvatae, infra 

apicem coalescentes, hyalinae. Flores foemineae cacumene appendiculata 

carnosa. Perigynia 2-parietina. 

Leaves sheathless, ligules grass-like with cartilaginous margins. 

Flowers dioecious. Stigmas 2. Style straight, persistent at base. 

Scales cucullate-incurved, margins joined below apex, hyaline. 

Pistillate flowers subsessile, the summit of perigynium crowned by a 

whitish fleshy somewhat lobed appendage. Perigynia with the pericarp 

apparently 2-layered, separating at maturity into a whitish 

somewhat thickened inner membrane, surrounding the achene, and a 

firmer outer layer. 

The generic name, from vesiculus or vesica, refers to the extra 

sac-like membrane or inner layer of the pericarp which encloses the 

achene. 

Vesicarex collumanthus Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Planta caespitosa acaulescens vel subacaulescens; foliis glaucis 

caeruleo-viridibus patentibus, supra sulcatis, subtus prominente 

costatis, 1.3 cm. longis, 1-2.5 mm. latis, glabris vel marginibus et 

costa inferiore scabridis; ligulo ore brunneo obtuso; floribus foemineis 

subsessilibus; spiculis capitulis ovoideis 4-floris, 4 mm. longis, 

2 mm. latis; squamis flores subtendentibus hyalinis, 3.75-5.5 mm. 

longis, 3 ram. latis, ovatis cuspidatis; appendice 0.5 mm. longo; perigyniis 

subcapitatis congestis terminalibus, 4.5-5.5 mm. longis, 1.5- 

2.25 mm. latis, plano-convex is, biconvexis, vel obscure trigonis, 

2-angulatis, elliptico-oblongis, glabris basi rotundatis, sensira in 

rostrum attenuatis, ore bidentato; achaenio lenticulari-subtereti vel 

trigono, ovato- vel late oblongo-elliptico, 2-3 mm. longo, 1.2-1.5 mm. 

lato, superne et infeme angustato, minute puncticulato. 

Plant in dense rosettes; leaves subcoriaceous, complicate, the 

lower crowded portions of the sheathless leaves subimbricate, 

membranaceous, whitish, 10-nerved; orifice conspicuously protruded 

upward; pistillate flowers subsessile or shortly pedicellate, the 

pedicels about 0.5 mm. long; spikelets terminal; pistillate scales 

with central midrib prominent, the other 2 lateral nerves scarcely 

prominent, shorter than the perigynia, but as broad as and clasping 

the perigynia at the base; perigynia firmly membranaceous, congested, 

fulvous- or olivaceous-brown, somewhat shining, faintly 

3-4-nerved on one side, rather obscurely or not nerved elsewhere; 

achene about half filling the perigynium, lenticular-subterete when 

immature, trigonous when mature, dark brown (Fig. 8, a-f).


Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on margin of alpine 

lake at El Aguila, above Paramo de Mucuchies, state of Merida, alt. 

4025 m., July 6, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57040. Also collected 

near upper limit of paramo, around small lake, between Chachopo 

and Los Apartaderos, near El Aguila, state of Merida, alt. 3930 m., 

April 16, 1944, Steyermark 55875a. Also collected on limestone 

outcrops of Paramo de Tama, near Colombian-Venezuelan boundary, 

FIGURE 8 

A, Vesicarex collumanthus. Pistillate scale (X 6); B, Vesicarex 

collumanthus. Perigynium (X 5); C, Vesicarex collumanthus. 

Achene (X 9); D, Vesicarex collumanthus. Pistillate flower (X 13); 

E, Vesicarex collumanthus. Appendage at summit of perigynium 

(X 30); F, Vesicarex collumanthus. Leaf with ligule and sheath 

(X 1.5); G, Carex larensis. Perigynium (X 9); H, Carex larensis. 

Achene (X 9); I, Carex tachirensis. Tip of leaf (highly magnified). 

J, Carex tachirensis. Margin of leaf (highly magnified; K, Carex 

tachirensis. Pistillate scale (X 8); L, Carex tachirensis; Perigynium 

(X 8), M, Carex tachirensis. Achene (X 8);


state of Ta'chira, alt. 3045-3475 m., July 15, 1944, Steyermark 57370, 

fruiting specimen. 

The specific name refers to the collar-like apical appendage of 

the perigynium. 

This genus may be separated from Carex and related segregates, 

such as Cymophyllus (if that is considered generic), by the combination 

of sheathless leaves, the peculiar grass-like ligule with cartilaginous 

margin, cucullate-incurved scales with the margins joined 

below apex, apparently dioecious flowers, the peculiar whitish fleshy 

lobed appendage at the summit of the young perigynium, and the 

double-layered pericarp, which separates into an inner whitish membranous 

layer surrounding the achene, and the outer firm part of the 

pericarp proper. This inner layer becomes separated and stands 

between the achene and the perigynium proper at maturity, but in the 

younger flowers appears to be part of the inner part of the pericarp. 

The peculiar appendage crowning the perigynium appears to be 

separated from the perigynium proper, and not a direct continuation 

of it, such as the beak in Core*. In Carex I have not found this 

2-layered type of perigynium or the peculiar collar-like appendage 

which appears to be separate from the perigynium. 

Carex culmenicola Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Planta subcaespitosa; culmis 30-45 cm. altis, foliaceis, trigonis, 

glabris; foliis 15-30 cm. longis, 3-5 mm. latis, marginibus scabriduloserrulatis; 

spicis pluribus, superioribus masculinis, inferioribus 

foemineis, 4-8 cm. longis; bracteis foliaceis, erectis, 9-15 cm. longis, 

4 mm. latis, longe vaginatis, vagina 8-20 mm. longa; glumis masculis 

ovatis vel late oblongis, abrupte aristatis, 2.5-3.5 mm. longis, 1-1.5 

mm. latis; glumis foemineis late ovatis vel suborbiculari-ovatis, 

aristatis, 2.7-3 mm. longis, 1.5-1.8 ram. latis; stigmatibus 3; perigyniis 

trigonis, elliptic is, sensim in rostrum brevem scabridulum 

attenuatis, 3.25-3.5 mm. longis, 1 mm. latis, marginibus scabris, ore 

bidentato; achaenio trigono, elliptic o-oblongo, stipitato, 2 mm. 

longo, 0.75 mm. lato. 

Leaves erect, prominently sulcate on upper side along center; 

pistillate spikes on stout, erect peduncles, 4-8 cm. long, the rachis 

scabrid-serrulate; lowest bracts shorter or nearly equaling the upper 

spikes; sheaths tight, the truncate ligule up to 5 mm. long; staminate 

scales pale to stramineous-brown, with elongate streaks, the aristae 

serrulate-scabrid; pistillate scales 10-12-striate with pale striations, 

rufous-brown with whitish hyaline margins and pale midrib, speckled 

and streaked with reddish-brown; perigynia firm, closely enveloping 

the achene, not inflated, conspicuously thickened along margins, one 

side concave, the other two more or less plane, olivaceous-brown, 

longer than the subtending scales, 3-nerved ventrally, two of the 

margins scabrid from below the middle to apex of beak; beak about 

1 mm. long, nearly as long as or more than half as long as body;


style jointed to achene; achene long-stipitate, castaneous-brown, the 

sides concave (Fig. 7, d-g). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on rocky sandstone 

summit of eastern peak, Cerro Turumiquire, state of Sucre, alt. 2500 

m., May 6, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 62605. 

Apparently a member of the section E latae, and the second species 

of this section known from the western hemisphere, the other being 

C. Bermudiana Hemsl. From the latter this new species differs in 

the rootstocks not elongated, narrower and more branched pistillate 

spikes, shorter and fewer-ribbed perigynia scabrid on two of the 

margins from below the middle to the apex of the beak, smaller 

pistillate and staminate scales, and shorter achenes. Another related 

species is C. Dianas Steud. of the Island of St. Helena. 

Mackenzie 9 states that the group is "represented by numerous 

species in Africa and the islands adjacent. One Australian, one 

Asiatic, and two species in the temperate and warmer parts of 

Europe are also referred here. Represented in the western hemisphere 

by one very local species in Bermuda." The occurrence of 

this new species on a remote peak in eastern Venezuela adds another 

endemic, allied most closely to the two species, C. Bermudiana of 

Bermuda, and C. Dianae of St. Helena. It 

may possibly represent a 

survivor pointing to a former geological relationship between Europe, 

Africa, and South America. 

Carex larensis Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Planta caespitosa; culmis 3-3.5 mm. altis, 1.5 mm. latis, glabris; 

foliis 4-15 cm. longis, 3 mm. latis, marginibus scabrido-serrulatis; 

spicis 4-5, terminalibus masculis, ceteris foemineis; bracteis foliaceis, 

4-11 cm. longis, 2.5 mm. latis, longe vaginatis, vagina ventrali 

saepe paullo transverso-rugulosa et albo-hyalina; spiculis masculis 

solitariis anguste oblongis, 1 cm. longis; spiculis foemineis approximatis 

vel inferioribus remotis, late oblongis, 6-12 mm. longis, 5-6 

mm. latis, erectis; glumis foemineis late ovatis, obtusis vel acutis, 

2 mm. longis; stigmatibus 3; perigyniis obscure trigonis, ovatis vel 

elliptic o-ovoideis, 2-angulatis, paullo abrupte in rostrum sparse 

scabridulum contractis, 3 mm. longis, 1.5 mm. latis, glabris, patentoadscendentibus, 

ore bidentato; achaenio trigono obovato, substipitato, 

1.25-1.5 mm. longo, 

1 

mm. lato. 

Culms stiff, much exceeding the leaves; leaves more or less 

bunched at base, the well-developed blades many to a culm, not 

septate-nodulose, rather stiff; inflorescence 1.5-5.5 cm. long, of 

4-5 spikes, sessile, except for the lowest which is pedunculate; 

bracts exceeding the culms, the lowest the longest; sheaths smooth, 

concave at orifice with short ligule; pistillate spikes closely 30-45- 

flowered; pistillate scales shorter than the perigynium but about as 

'Mackenzie, K. K. N. Am. Fl. 18, part 5: 309. 1935.


wide, pale or ferruginous-brown, margins narrowly hyaline, the 

central portion broad, 3-nerved; perigynia firmly membra naceous, 

pale brown, olivaceous, or pale brownish-green below, prominently 

several-nerved, narrowed below to an obtuse or rounded base; beak 

1 mm. long and 1/2-3/8 length of perigynium, 1/2 or slightly over 

1/2 length of body; achene rounded and broadest above the middle, 

convex above, concave below, gray- or purplish-brown (Fig. 8, g-h). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in swampy meadow, 

between Buenos Aires and Paramo de las Rosas, state of Lara, alt. 

2285-3290 m., February 11, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 55470; also 

same locality, 55467. Vernacular name: "pajilla de montana". 

A member of Kukenthal's section Spirostachyae Drejer and treated 

by Mackenzie under section Extensae Fries, this species is related 

to C. extensa Good, and C. fuscula D'urv. From C. extensa it differs 

in the smaller achenes which are more conspicuously broadened 

above the middle, while from C. fuscula and varieties of southern 

South America it differs in the obtuse non-ciliate pistillate scales, 

and the smaller, obovate, upwardly broadened achenes. The achenes 

of C. extensa are described as being yellow-brown, and of C. fuscula 

as yellow-green, but ones with purple-brown color may also be found 

in those species. 

Steyermark 55467 is apparently a dwarfed plant of this species, 

but with shorter culms and leaves, shorter inflorescence, and smaller 

pistillate spikes. 

Carex roraimensis Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Planta caespitosa; culmis 70-80 cm. altis, trigonis, infra capitulum 

scabridulis, folia excedentibus; foliis 12-25 cm. longis, 2.5-3 mm. 

lads, marginibus minute serrulatis, vaginis ore productis; spicis 

gynaecandris subglobosis vel breve oblongis, 7-8 mm. longis, 4-5 

mm. latis; bractea erecta, 2.5-4 cm. longa, 0.5-1 mm. lata; glumis 

ovatis acutis, 2.8-3 mm. longis, pallide viridibus, perigyniis brevioribus; 

stigmatibus 2; perigyniis oblongo-lanceolatis, basi substipitatis, 

sensim in rostrum scabridulum attenuatis, marginibus paullo 

alatis, 3.5 mm. longis, 1.25-1.5 mm. latis, undique moderatim vel 

valde nervatis, pallide viridibus, ore bidentato; achaenio lenticular!, 

obovoideo-oblongi, substipitato, 2 mm. longo, 1 mm. la to. 

Sterile culms absent or poorly developed; fertile culms triquetrous; 

leaves erect-ascending, becoming foliose about 25 cm. above base, 

well-developed blades 5-6 to fertile culm; sheaths pale brown around 

orifice, rather tight and white-hyaline ventrally; inflorescence erect 

or slightly flexuous, 2-2.5 cm. long, 0.8-0.9 cm. wide; spikes 5-6, 

approximate, subclavate at base, rounded above, the basal staminate 

flowers few and inconspicuous; perigynia 12-20 in a spikelet, ascending; 

bract stiff, prolonged, equaling or longer than the inflorescence; 

scales pale greenish-white with a pale green center, narrowed above, 

exposing the upper part of the perigynia; perigynia concavo-convex,


the body widest just below the middle, membranaceous, pale to 

silvery green, tapering into a beak about equaling the length of the 

body, the beak flat, scabrid from middle to apex; style straight, 

slender, jointed with achene, at length deciduous; achene somewhat 

narrowed above, yellow-brown (Fig. 7, a-c). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in spongy soil with 

dense mats of vegetation in depression of morro, summit of Mount 

Roraima, on southern half of the summit between Summit Camp, 

Great Central Rift, Central Swamp, and pond at southern end, state 

of Bolivar, alt. 2700-2740 m., September 28, 1944, Julian A. Steycrmark 

58870. 

This species is characterized by the greenish-white perigynia and 

scales, perigynia broadest in lower half and relatively narrow 

achenes 2 mm. long, culms scabridulous below the heads, poorly 

developed sterile culms, and elongated bract of inflorescence. It is 

placed here in section Ovales, because of the wing-margined perigynium, 

which is not spongy-thickened at base. 

This is the second member of the group O vales to be recorded 

from South America, C. Longii Mack. (C. albolutescens) being the 

other. It is the first of the group belonging to the sections Festucaceae 

or Fetae, as treated by Mackenzie in the North American Flora, 

to be recorded from South America, since Mackenzie placed C. Longii 

in section Alatae. 

Although I have not seen the specimen, this is apparently the 

plant from the summit of Roraima (lie 8536) reported by Kukenthal, 

in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. 56. Beibl. 125: 25 (1921), as C. Bonplandii 

Kunth. However, careful study of our material shows that it is not 

C. Bonplandii, not even in the section to which that species belongs. 

From C. Longii this new species may be distinguished by the narrower 

perigynium, not broadest above the middle, the longer beak 

and achene. Its elongate bract, together with other characters of the 

perigynium, distinguishes it from C. tenera, C normalis, C, moles ta, 

and C. feta, all of which it resembles. From the members of the 

Athrostachyae and Cyperoideae, in which the bracts are either leaflike 

or conspicuously exceed the head, this species differs in the 

heads not congested, and either paler-colored scales, or different 

shape and size of perigynium. From C. foenea, which has an elongated 

bract of the inflorescence, this species differs in having the 

sterile culms poorly developed, narrower perigynia, larger achenes, 

and beak larger in proportion to the rest of the perigynium. 

Carex tachirensis Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Plarita caespitosa; culmis in anthesi 3*5-8 cm. altis, in fructu 

15 cm. altis, angulis scabridulis 2-bracteatis; foliis erectis, coriaceis, 

basi aggregates, linearibus, obtusis, 3-5 cm. longis, 1-1.5 mm. latis, 

marginibus et superne per margines partis canaliculatae subtilissime 

denseque setulosis evaginantibus; spica simplici androgyna, apice


mascula anguste linear!, 11-17 mm. longa, 

1 mm. lata; bracteis 2, 

longe aristatis, bractea superiore 18 mm. longa, breve vaginata, 

bractea inferiore 17-25 mm. longa, vagina 6.5 mm. longa; glumis 

masculis ovatis, acumlnatis, 3 mm. longis, 1.2-2 mm. latis; glumis 

foemineis late ovatis vel lanceolatis, breve acuminatis vel longe 

aristatis, 3.5-7 mm. longis, 1.5 mm. latis, apice et marginibus superioribus 

parce setulosis, a liter glabris; stigmatibus 3; perigyniis 

obscure trigonis, lanceolato-ellipticis, breve stipitatis, 2-angulatis, 

14-nervatis, longe rostratis, 3.75 mm. longis, 1 mm. latis, glabris, 

ore bidentato; achaenio (immature) ellipcico-oblongo, longe stipitato. 

Leaves finely many-nerved, bases of the blades many-nerved and 

becoming fibrillose in age; spike pseudolateral, the staminate portion 

small, densely flowered, 5 mm. long, pistillate portion rather laxly 

flowered, 8-11 mm. long; staminate scales purplish-castaneous on 

outer margins, yellowish-green along midrib and central part, the 

margins incurved; lowest pistillate scales long-ari state, the awn 

3-3.5 mm. long and setulose on margins, all the scales 3-nerved, castaneous 

on outer margins, pale green along midrib and central part; 

stigmas short, about 1.5 mm. long; perigynia firmly membranaceous, 

with nerves raised on surface; achene (immature) about filling the 

perigynium, laterally compressed (Fig. 8, i-m). 


of Paramo de Tama', near Colombian-Venezuelan boundary, 

state of Ta'chira, alt. 3045-3475 m., July 15, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

57367. 

A member of the subgenus Primocarex, as defined by Kukenthal, 

on account of the single terminal spike. 

It is a member of either 

section Circinatae or section Unciniae formes, but it is difficult to 

state whether the pistillate scales are quickly caducous or not. 

From C. anthoxanthea Presl and C. circinata C. A. Mey., of northern 

North America, this is distinguished by the cespitose rhizomes, 

acuminate pistillate and staminate scales, and short rigid leaves, 

while among the members of the section Unciniae formes its relationship 

would be closest to the bracteate-spiked subsection Aciculares, 

as defined by Kukenthal, and especially close to C. vallis pulchrae 

Phil, of Chile and Argentina because of the 3 stigmas. From this 

last species it differs in its narrowly linear, longer spike, and 

straight, not curved, culms. 

The outstanding characters of this new species are the combination 

of the narrowly linear, single, terminal, androgynous spike, 2- 

bracteate erect culms, short, erect, rigid, canaliculate, setulosemargined 

and channelled leaves, relatively long, bidentate beaks, 

glabrous, prominently nerved perigynia, short acuminate scales 

which are minutely setulose on upper margins and tips, and densely 

cespitose habit.


Carex tamana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Stolonifera; culmis 10-50 cm. altis, foliaceis, glabris; foliis erectis, 

anguste linearibus, 10-40 cm. longis, 2-4.5 mm. latis, supra 

saepe scabridulis; spicis 4-5, terminalibus masculis, ceteris foemineis 

approximatis, erectis, sessilibus vel subsessilibus, confertis, 

1-3 cm. longis, 2-5 mm. latis; bracteis foliaceis, erectis, inflorescentiam 

excedentibus, 5-15 cm. longis, 2-3.5 mm. latis, evaginantibus; 

glumis masculis lanceolatis, acuminatis, carinatis, 5.5 mm. 

longis, 1 mm. latis; glumis foemineis ovatis vel lanceolatis, acutis 

vel acuminatis, carinatis, 4-4.5 mm. longis, 2-2.5 mm. latis, glabris; 

stigmatibus 3; perigyniis paullo biconvexis, erectis, anguste 

elliptico-fusiformibus, 2 nervis marginalibus abrupte anguste rostratis, 

6 mm. longis, 1.5 mm. latis, rostro 1.5 mm. longo, ore bidentato; 

achaenio trigono, elliptic o-oblongo, 2.25 mm. longo 

1 mm. lato. 

Leaves rigid, equaling or longer than the culms, glabrous, or the 

upper surface often scabridulous; staminate scales with narrowly 

hyaline margins; pistillate scales membranaceous, the prominent 

raidnerve bordered on each side by a cellular portion; perigynia exceeding 

the scales, membranaceous, dull brown-olivaceous, tapering 

gradually below to a narrow base, shining; achene not filling the 

perigynium, with concave sides; style bent at base, continuous with 

achene. 


of Paramo de Tama, near Colombian-Venezuelan boundary, 

state of Tachira, alt. 3045-3475 m., July 15, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

57401; also same locality, Steyermark 57369. 

A member of the subgenus E ucarex, section Hymenochlaenae, as 

treated by Kukenthal, this species is characterized by its glabrous 

leaves, culms, and perigynia, the single terminal, staminate spike, 

subsessile, lateral pistillate spikes, sheathless, foliaceous bracts, 

and bidentate, erect, nerveless, 2-raargined perigynia. 

Carex turumiquirensis Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Planta caespitosa; culmis 15-30 cm. altis, triquetris, angulis 

scabridulis; foliis 10-20 cm. longis, 1-2 mm. latis, plerumque culmis 

brevioribus, marginibus scabrido-serrulatis; spicis 2-5, gynaecandris , 

subglobosis vel breve oblongis, 4-8 mm. longis, 3-5 mm. latis; glumis 

foemineis ovatis, acutis vel breve aristatis, 1.75-2 mm. longis, ca. 

1.25 mm. latis; perigyniis planis, ovato-oblongis, dorso prominente 

nervatis, antice paullo prope basem, abrupte in rostrum angustatis, 

2.75 mm. longis, 1 mm. latis, rostro 1-1.25 mm. longo, ore bidentato, 

marginibus ventralibus incurvatis; achaenio lenticular!, ovatosuborbiculari, 

paullo longiore quam latiore, 1.3-1*4 mm. longo, 

1 mm. lato. 

Inflorescence 1.5-2.5 cm. long; spikes interrupted; pistillate 

scales yellow to dull brown with white-hyaline margins and a pale


green or darker brown midrib, often short-excurrent; stigmas 2; perigynia 

squarrose at maturity, brownish or yellow-brown or brownishrufous, 

prominently nerved dorsally and somewhat ventrally near 

base; beak 1/2-3/4 length of perigynium body (Fig. 7, h- j). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in swampy meadow, 

on ridge dividing headwaters of Rio Manzanares and Rio de Amana, 

Cerro Turumiquire, state of Sucre, alt. 1900-2000 m., May 10, 1945, 


This is the first South American record of a species that might 

be referred to C. angustior Mack, or the related C. interior L. H. 

Bailey. Carex Bonplandii, previously known from South America, is, 

of course, related to both of these species. The nearest locality to 

which the related C. angustior has been collected is in Santo Domingo, 

cited by Mackenzie in North American Flora, and in Chihuahua, 

Mexico, for C. interior. However, in C. angustior the beak 

is "more than half to about length of body", measuring longer than 

in our collection, and the achenes in that species are longer, being 

1.75 mm. long and "ovate or oblong-ovate" (Mackenzie, N. Am. 

Fl. p. 113). 

In C. interior, which Mackenzie cites as occurring as far south as 

the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, the beak is "about one third or one 

fourth the length of the body" and the achene is "broadly ovateorbicular, 

1.5 mm. wide." Our species is, therefore, somewhat intermediate 

between C. interior and C. angustior, if these can be considered 

as distinct species, and agrees more closely with the relative 

length of the beak in its relation to the body of the perigynium and 

to the shape and size of the achene of C. angustior than wkh C. 

interior. 

To summarize, C turumiquirensis 

differs from C. interior in its 

longer beak which is more conspicuously bidentate, acute to shortaristate 

scales, and narrower perigynium body with more incurved 

margins, while from C. angustior it differs in the shorter, somewhat 

more ovate-suborbicular achenes, and more prominently ventrally 

and dorsally nerved perigynia. 

PALMAE 

Bactris bergantina Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Palma 5 m. alta, caespites formans, caudice 7.5 cm. crasso, 

aculeis nigris armata; petiolo 52-55 cm. longo, 1.3 cm. crasso, infra 

convexo rotundatoque, bicanaliculato carina acri, parte infima dense 

stramineo-furfuracea, partibus medianis et superioribus stramineo- vel 

fusco-furfuraceis squamis parvis et pilis fuscis, plerumque utrinque 

aculeis nigris; aculeis applanatis, nigris 7-30 mm. longis fasciculis 

flabellatis; rhachi aculeis minoribus et paucioribus; fronde 2.37 m. 

longa; pinnis utroque latere circ.40 circ. 4-5 per greges nonnihil confertis, 

lanceolatis subfalcatis apice bidenticulatis supra glabris infra


per cos tarn mediam et 1-2 nervos laterales linea squaraorura fuscarum 

vestitis aliter glabris, inferioribus 55-65 cm. longis, 2.5-4 cm. latis, 

supremis 30-35 cm. longis, 2-3 cm. latis, ad marginem setoso-ciliata 

nigra; spatha 40 cm. longa cylindrica angusta extus fusco-tomentulosa, 

aculeis pluribus acicularibus subteretibus nigris 12-37 mm. 

longis dense confertis; spadice multiramoso tomentuloso; rhachi 21 

cm. longa; pedunculo 13 cm. longo, 2 cm. crasso, robusto declinato 

aculeato, setis brevibus tenuibus; ramis numerosis 4-12 cm. longis, 2 

mm. crassis; calyce fructifero annuliforme adpresso, margine subintegio, 

4-4.5 mm. alto, 1 cm. diametro; drupa oblato-globulari vel 

turbinata, 18-19 mm. alta, 18-20 mm. lata, apice subtruncata ad 

basim subito angustata glabra. 

Petiole 52-55 cm. long from base to lowermost pinnae, 1.3 cm. 

thick, convex and rounded below, bicanaliculate above with sharp 

keel, densely buff-furfuraceous in lowermost part, middle and upper 

parts less closely but conspicuously buff- or brown furfuraceous with 

minute scales mixed with brown hairs, densely black-spiny over most 

of length; spines on lower convex surface more prominent, arranged 

in fan-like clusters, black, those near base of rachis white-pubescent 

in lower part, those in upper and middle portions less noticeably 

pubescent below or glabrescent; spines on lower side in upper part 

of rachis smaller, 7-10 mm. long, less numerous, absent from uppermost 

portion of rachis; pinnae membranaceous, dull green both sides, 

in groups of 4-5, rather closely crowded, the uppermost alternate, 

narrowed above into a bidenticulate apex, with one side longer than 

the other, glabrous above except for black slender sparse setae 3-6 

mm. long on midrib of uppermost ones, below midrib and 1-2 main 

lateral nerves covered with a line of brownish scales especially 

prominent at base of pinna, otherwise glabrous, lower pinnae 55-65 

cm. long, 2.5-4 cm. wide, middle pinnae 65 cm. long, 4 cm. wide, 

uppermost pinnae 30-45 cm. long, 2-3 cm. wide; spathe longcylindric, 

shortly exceeding the spadix, the brown-tomentulose 

surface thickly covered by numerous slender black spines; axis of 

rachis continued through most of length of spadix; fruiting clusters 

pendent, arising on old wood at base of leaf clusters; drupe at first 

dark green, turning purple, the edible white interior with coconUtlike 

flavor. 

xxType in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in woods along Ru> 

Leon by Quebrada Danta, tributary to RK> Neverf, northeast of 

Bergantin, state of Anzoategui, alt. 500 m., February 20, 1945, 


Local name: "Maquenilla". The woody part of the trunk serves 

for frames used in connection with hand-made Venezuelan sandals 

(alpargata). The alpargatas are woven with various colors of cotton 

thread, and started on a wooden support, which is derived in this 

section of Venezuela from the woody trunk of this species of Bactris. 

In its combination of concolorous setulose-margined pinnae, which 

have 1 or 2 lines or nerves minutely buff-brown furfuraceous on the


lower surface, the rachis of the frond buff-to me ntulose in the lower 

part to minutely brown-scurfy in the upper half, the upper surface of 

the uppermost pinnae with black setae on the midrib, the flattened 

spines, the bifurcation of the leaf tips into an equally bifid apex, 

and the many-branched spadix with its slender elongated densely 

spiny spathe, this species differs from fl. Sworderiana Becc., 5. 

Cues a Crueger, B. Lindmaniana Drude, B. littoralis Barb., B. setulosa 

Karst., and B. setosa Mart. The flattened or nearly flattened 

spines on the rachis of the petiole, 

if this character is to be relied 

upon, separates B. bergantina from the closely related B. Cuesa of 

Trinidad and B. Sworderiana of Tobago. The pinnae in B. Cuesa are 

described as "glabrescent", and in B. Sworderiana as "utrinque 

glabris", but in B. bergantina there are 1 or more lines of furfuraceous 

or buff-brown or brown scales on the lower surface of the 

pinnae. 

Bactris duidae Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caudex 3 m. altus, 1.5-2.5 cm. crassus, solitarius; fronde 0.7-0.8 

m. longa; petiolo 33 cm. longo usque ad 5 mm. crasso prope basim 

fusco-furfuraceo vel tomentoso, inferne aculeis nigro-fuscis applanatis 

3-18 mm. longis armato; lamina ultra medium (ad 2/3) simplice 

bifida, oblanceolato-obovata utrinque nervis primariis 10-12 percursa, 

72-83 cm. longa, usque ad 17 cm. lata, infra glabra, ad margines 

setis tenuibus nigris 2-5 mm. longis dense ciliata; costa media 

glabra; laminae lob is late triangulari-lanceolatis, apice falcatocurvatis, 

39-41 cm. longis, usque ad 11 cm. latis; spatha interiore 

elliptico-lanceolata acuta 13-15 cm. longa, 4.5 cm. lata, extus pallide 

fusco-tomentosa aculeis 6-9 mm. longis pallido-fuscis tenuibus 

subapplanatis dense vestita; spathae pedunculo 6-7 cm. longo supra 

dense fusco-tomentoso parce setuloso, infra saepe inermi; spadice 

multiramoso, 9 cm. longo, 7.5 cm. lato, ramis 9-11 tenuibus 5-7 cm. 

longis, circ. 1 mm. crassis, dense scrobiculatis minute parceque 

fusco-tomentosis, rhachi breviter producta 2.5 cm. longa; spadicis 

pedunculo 5 cm. longo, 4 mm. lato, dense tomentosonpilis castaneis 

et moderatim vel parce aculeatis aculeis applanatis nigris 4-4.5 mm. 

longis; floribus foemineis: calyce tubulosa quam corolla longiore 

circ. 5 mm. longa, 2 mm. lata pluristriata glabra 3-denticulata, lobis 

late subtriangularibus; corolla 3.5-4 mm. longa apice truncata ad 

margines ciliata, intus pubescenti extus parce adpresso-setulosa 

setis pallido-brunneis; gynaeceo pyriformi, 8-9 mm. longo apice basi 

attenuate. 

Petiole glabrous and unarmed in upper 2/3; lamina dull green both 

sides, broader above the middle and narrowed below, conspicuously 

nerved, the 6-7 secondary nerves occurring between the 10-12 primary 

nerves on each side; inner spathe often pubescent in lower part; axis 

of spadix produced only a short distance, not continued throughout 

inflorescence; peduncle of spadix moderately to sparsely aculeate 

with flattened spines black at base and brown above; branches of 

spadix densely scrobiculate where the flowers occur; staminate


flowers fallen, but occupying most of the sunken depressions of the 

rachis; pistillate flowers scattered on the branches: calyx longer 

and enveloping the corolla, tubular, the short broadly subtriangular 

lobes minutely apiculate; corolla scaly-pubescent within, sparsely 

short-appressed setulose without, many-striate; bract suborbicularovate, 

acuminate, 0.5 mm. long, 0.8-0.9 mm. wide, glabrous; young 

fruit or ovary pyriform, 8-9 mm. long, attenuate at apex and base 

(Fig. 9). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in forest near Base 

FIGURE 9 

Bactris duidae Steyermark 

A. Frond (X1/10);B, Inflorescence with spathe (Xl/10); C, Pistillate 

flower (X 3); D, Pistillate perianth opened (X 3);


River (Cano Negro), at southeastern base of Cerro Duida, Territorio 

Federal Amazonas, alt. 215 m., August 23, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

57908. 

r_ 

This species is 

characterized by the bifid elongate leaves, which 

are glabrous on the lower surface, the petiole aculeate near base, 

the densely brown-spiny spathe, and the many-branched spadix. 

It is apparently related to B. chaetospatha Man. of Amazonas, 

Brazil, from which it differs in the glabrous rachis and lower leaf 

surface, the aculeate base of the petiole, and the densely spiny 

spathe. From B. armata Barb, it differs in the much shorter spines 

of the petiole, which are confined near its base instead of scattered 

along the length. From other species of similar type, such as B. 

longipes Poepp., B. fissifrons Mart., B. Luetzelburgii Burret, and 

several others, it differs in the combination of characters mentioned 

above. 

Bactris duidae is somewhat intermediate between Bactris proper 

and the group of species sometimes referred to Pyrenoglyphis (which 

is now considered by Bailey, Dahlgren, and others as a section of 

Bactris), forming a transition between B. chaetospatha and B. bifida 

Mart. The latter has a simple spadix, while the former has a manybranched 

inflorescence. Because of the lack of a staminodial ring 

in the pistillate flowers and the calyx not duplicate on the interior, 

this species should be placed with the section of Bactris relegated 

to 

Pyrenoglyphis. 

Bactris Kamarupa Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caudex 3-3.75 m. altus, 5 cm. crassus, solitarius, aculeis canis 

applanatis 20-30 mm. longis 2-3 mm. latis armatus; frondibus 1.75 m. 

longis membranaceis; petiolo 70 cm. longo, 6 mm. crasso, supra 

canaliculate, fusco-furfuraceo, parte inferiore aculeis inaequalibus 

applanatis pallido-brunneis praeter apicem nigrum 0.9-3.5 cm. longis, 

0.5-2.5 mm. latis armata; rhachi 1 m. longa, 2-6 mm. crassa, utrinque 

dense brunneo-furfuracea inermi; pinnis undique 10 vel 12 per greges 

2-4 inaequaliter dispositis, falcato- vel sigmoideo-lanceolatis, ad 

apicem longi-acuminatis, terminalibus 27 cm. longis, 6-6.5 cm. latis, 

prope apicem dense setulosis, ceteris 30-48 cm. longis, 2.5-6 cm. 

latis, costa media prope apices asymmetrica, nervis primariis 6, 

supra glabris subtus basi costae mediae et ad nervos primaries et 

basi pinnae pallido-furfuraceis; spatha 11-12 cm. longa dense pubescenti 

setisnigro-fuscisetpilis atrofuscis et aculeis basi fuscis applanatis 

lanceolatis velovato-lanceolatis 7-13 mm. longis intermixtis; 

spadicis fructiferae pedunculo pendenti curvato, 14 cm. longo, 7-8 

mm. crasso, parte superiore dense atrofusco-setuloso-hispidulo pilis 

adpressis tenuibus; spadicis rhachi brevi, 1.5 cm. longa, ramis 9, 5- 

7.5 cm. longis, 2.5-3 mm. crassis, brunneo-furfuraceo-pubescentibus 

scrobiculatis; calyce fructifera duplico, exteriore minore 3-4 mm.


longa, 7.5 mm. lata, 3-lobata, lobis 3-4 mm. latis rotundatis sparse 

hispidulis, supra pilis fusco-nigris pluristriatis ad margines scariosis, 

interiore 5-6 mm. longa, 11-12 mm. lata, irregulariter 5-7-lobata, 

lobis 2.5-3 mm. longis, 2-3 mm. latis, rotundatis moderatim vel 

tenuiter hispidulis, pilis nigris vel fuscis ad margines scariosis; 

drupa subgloboso-oblata vel late turbinata, apice subtruncata, 15-16 

mm. alta, 18-21 mm. lata, glabra tenuiter pluristriata. 

Stems armed with pale spines arranged in fan-like groups; fronds 

dark green above, dull green below; pexiole moderately armed in 

lower half with flattened unequal spines, pale brown except black 

at base and these tip, densely scattered over the basal 30 cm., but 

sparse and irregular in the next 30 cm., absent beyond this, all parts 

of the rachis densely dark brown scurfy- furfuraceous; pinnae 10 pair 

on one side, 12 on the other, unequally arranged and interrupted with 

gaps of 10-20 cm. along rachis, the pinnae arranged in groups of 2-4; 

terminal pinnae widely divergent at a 60 angle, densely setulose 

near apex; middle pinnae 37-47 cm. long, 4.5-6 cm. wide, conspicuously 

narrowed and curved to the base, lower pinnae 30-48 cm. long, 

2.5-6 cm. wide, the main midrib mostly in center of pinna, but becoming 

asymmetric or towards one side near either end of the pinnae; 

primary nerves 6, glabrous above, below buff-furfuraceous at base of 

and (or) on main midrib and on some of primary nerves at base of 

pinnae, otherwise glabrous below, sometimes portions of the surface 

minutely scurfy, the margins of the apices and upper portion black 

setulose with slender setae 1.5-2.5 mm. long; spathe densely pubescent 

with dark brown hairs and black-brown setae mixed with flattened 

membranaceous spines which are long-attenuate at apex, brown 

and buff-scarious on margins, dark brown at base; axis of rachis of 

spadix not produced through the inflorescence, but terminating shortly, 

the branches of the spadix scrobiculately marked by the locations 

of the flowers; fruiting calyx double, the outer smaller; fruit purpleblack, 

edible, with sweetish-acid juice, subtruncate at apex, abruptly 

tapering to a slightly raised central mound, apiculately tipped, the 

central mound about 8 mm. in diameter and marked by a circular depression, 

gradually attenuate at base, the body of the fruit 18-21 

mm. broad. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in lower portion of 

Quebrada O-paru-ma', tributary of Rio Pacairao, below Santa Teresita 

de Kavanayen, state of Bolivar, alt. 915-1065 m., November 25, 1944, 


Local name: "Kamar-ba-yek". The trunk of this palm is used 

locally by the Indian inhabitants for the terminal portion of the arrow 

(Kamarba), the other part of the arrow being known as " purau". 

The specific name is taken from the Pemo'n language of the 

Taurepan Indians of Ptari-tepui, the word "kamarupa" signifying a 

spiny tree used for making arrows. Although the name for the tree 

was given apparently as "kamarba", it seems preferable to employ 

the more generally known word "kamarupa".


This species somewhat approaches Bactris Gastoniana Barb., 

but differs in the leaf rachis, which is smooth except at the basal 

part, shape of the drupe, greater number of pairs of pinnae, long 

spiny stem, pale spines of the stem, and other differences. From 

B. arista ta Mart, it differs in its many-branched spadix and rachis 

armed at base; from B. rivularis Barb, it differs in the shape and 

number of the pinnae, and other particulars, while from B. maraja 

Mart, it differs in the fuscous-pubescent rachis which is aculeate 

only at base, in the larger number of pinnae, and the shorter spadix. 

It is characterized by the scurfy-furfuraceous leaf rachis which is 

unarmed except at base, the sigmoid oblanceolate long-falcate pinnae 

acuminate at apex, the long pale-colored spines arranged in fan-like 

groups on the stems, the densely spinose spathe, and the short 

several-branched spadix. 

Bactris ptariana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caudex 6-9 m. altus, 5-10 cm. crassus, solitarius, ad annulos 

aculeis nigris 4-32 mm. longis dense aggregatis armatus; fronde 

1.91 m. longa; vagina fusco-tomentosa aculeis brevibus 0.6-2 cm. 

longis applanatis; petiolo 55-60 cm. longo basi 4 cm. lato; rhachi 

infra prope basem aculeis nigris dense aggregatis annulatis minoribus 

et majoribus; pinnis inermibus utrinque 40 plus minusve regulariter 

dispositis suboppositis concoloribus lineari-lanceolatis tenuiter 

acuminatis, 55-85 cm. longis, 1-3 cm. latis, supra glabris infra 

omnibus nervis hispidulis; spadice 15-22 cm. longo, usque ad 10 cm. 

lato, ramulis 20-25, 13-17 cm. longis, 2-3 cm. crassis dense hirtellis; 

pedunculo 18 cm. longo, 15 mm. lato, supra inermi dense pallidovelutino 

infra setis brevibus nigro-fuscis dense vestito; spatha fusiforrai 

clavato-acuta, 40-48 cm. longa, parte inferiore usque ad 7 cm. 

lata, aculeis densis brevioribus fuscis vel castaneis et longioribus 

intermixtis nigris patentibus obtecta, dense velutina; floribus masculinis 

cum foemineis intermixtis ad ramorum apices aggregatis, 

breviter pedicellatis, pedicellis 0.8 mm. longis glabris: calyce 1 mm. 

longa, 3 lobis late triangularibus obtusis 0.8 mm. longis, 0.6-0.7 mm. 

latis, glabris fusco-maculatis lineolatis; corolla ultra medium divisa, 

3 lobis ovatis superne subito angustata 2 mm. longis, 1.5 mm. latis, 

apice fusco-maculatis; staminibus 6, filamentis tenuibus glabris, 

1.2 mm. longis; antheris oblongis, 0.8-0.9 mm. longis; floribus foemineis: 

calyce 0.8-1.1 mm. longa, 3.5 mm. lata, 3 lobis fere obsoletis; 

corolla 3 mm. longa, 3 mm. lata, 3 lobis late triangularibus subcuculatis 

obtuse apiculatis, parce stipitato-glandularibus obtecta; 

drupa obovoidea, 11 mm. longa, 11 mm. lata, glabra plerumque calva 

apice apiculata. 

Spines on trunk densely clustered in annulate arrangement, the 

trunk annulate about 3 cm. between the spines; frond subcoriaceous 

to firmly membranaceous, deep green above, dull green below; rachis 

of frond concave above at very base, convex below, in lower and 

middle parts convex below, carinate and bifacial above, the lower


portion armed on both surfaces with flattened black spines 2-6 cm. 

long, 1 mm. wide, these more or less furfuraceous at or near the base, 

middle part of rachis with the lower convex side spinose with aggregations 

of black spines 1.5-3.5 cm. long, mixed at the base with 

small, slender, black or gray scales and (or) hairs, the upper carinate 

side without spines, the upper part of rachis with shorter black 

spines 0.4-1.1 cm. long on the lower surface mixed with short, blackbrown 

hairs and scales, spineless on the upper side, the uppermost 

part of rachis spineless on the lower side with only small clusters of 

blackish scales; spines at base of rachis on lower surface arranged 

in fan-like aggregations; pinnae 2-ranked, the uppermost ones with 

6 primary nerves on each side, the lower and middle ones with 8-10 

on each side, all the nerves on lower surface hispidulous with tiny 

brown appressed scales at base of hairs, lower pinnae 78-85 cm. long, 

1.5-2 cm. wide, middle ones 75-85 cm. long, 2-3 cm. wide, uppermost 

ones 55-60 cm. long, 1-2 cm. wide, some pinnae sparsely and remotely 

setulose-ciliate, otherwise entirely unarmed; inflorescence erect, 

arising at base of leaf sheath; rachis creamy white; flowers yellow 

(Fig. 10). 

Type in herb., Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in forest near 

"Misia Kathy" camp, on southeast-facing slopes of Ptari-tepm, 

state of Bolivar, alt. 1585-1600 m., November 10-11, 1944, Julian A. 

Steyermark 60046. Also collected on lower southeastern slopes of 

Carrao-tepxu, state of Bolfvar, alt. 1675-1980 m., December 5-6, 

1944, Steyermark 60869. 

Local name: "Moi-ye-kai-yek". 

This species shows a relationship to B, longisecta Burret, B. 

balanophora Spruce, B. littoralis Barb., B. glaucescens Drude, B. 

bidentula Spruce, B. megistocarpa Burret, B. setosa Mart., and 

B. vulgaris Barb., but differs from them by its combination of solitary 

trunk, dense fan-like clusters of long, black spines on lower surface 

of rachis and petiole, the long, black spines densely covering the 

spathe, the unarmed rachis of the inflorescence which is much 

branched and densely hirsutulous, the regularly many-pinnate frond 

with narrowly linear-lanceolate, concolorous pinnae which are 

densely hispidulous on the nerves of the lower surface, the glabrous 

fruit, and the minutely stipitate-glandular, otherwise glabrous, 

pistillate corolla. 

Bactris sororopanae Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caudex 1.7-1.9 m. altus, 9-10 mm. crassus, solitarius, aculeis 

brevibus tenuibus nigris, 3-4 mm. longis; frondis vagina fuscotomentosa 

aculeis brevibus tenuibus 3-5 mm. longis apice fuscosetosa; 

lamina 25-27 cm. longa, 18 cm. lata; petiole 10-15 cm. longo, 

3 mm. crasso, inermi ancipitali costato pallido-brunneo tomentosoleproso; 

rhachi fusco-leprosa 10-12 cm. longa; pinnis utrinque 5-6 

irregulariter proxime dispositis alternatis vel suboppositis sigmoideis 

lanceolatis apice longi-acuminatis superne curvatis, 12-16 cm.


longis, 1.7-4.5 cm. lads, utrinque glabris vel infimis infra saepe 

fusco-leprosis ad margines prope apicem aculeis nigris tenuibus; 

spadice 3 cm. longa, in axillis, mox pendenti; rhachi unica et simplice 

glabra, floribus et fructibus spissis; spatha inermi 3-3.3 cm. 

longa furfuracea glabrescenti mox in partes longitudinales divisa; 

calyce quam corolla breviore persistenti, 3 lobis late ovatis apice 

rotundatis, 2.5 mm. longis, 2-2.5 mm. latis pluristriatis, extus glabra 

scariosa; corolla persistenti, 3 lobis ovato-suborbicularibus apice 

obtusis 3.5-4 mm. longis, 3.5-4 mm. latis, pluristriatis, extus glabra 

scariosa; drupa subgloboso-ovata, rostro brevi, glabra, 1 cm. longa, 

9 mm. lata. 

FIGURE 10 

Bactris ptariana Steyermark 

A, Portion of middle section of frond (X 1/3); B, Portion of trunk 

(X 1/3); C, Inflorescence with spathe (X 1/6); D, Fruit (X 4>, E, 

Pistillate flower (X 4); F, Pistillate corolla (X 4); G, Pistil (X 4); 

H, Staminate flower (X 4); I, Stamen (X 4).


Pinnae chartaceous, deep green above, dull green below, irregularly 

but closely disposed, proximate, sigmoid, the apex upwardly 

curved and long-acuminate, the terminal pair, and sometimes the 

lowest pair, the longest, the midrib prominent, but shifting from 

central to the other side near the ends of the pinnae, primary ribs 

1-2 on each side; spathe furfuraceous, becoming glabrescent; drupe 

green, filled with a homogeneous seed. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in woods bordering 

savanna, along Rio Karuai, at base of Sororopan-tepui, west of La 

Laja, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., November 29, 1944, Julian A. 


Local name: "Moy-ye-ki-yek". A game 

is sometimes played with 

the stems of this species. An Indian that can pull the tough stem 

from the ground thereby gives proof of his strength or force. 

This species is related to Yuyba Maguirei Bailey (Bailey, L. H. 

Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 75: 106. 1948.) = Bactris Maguirei (Bailey) 

Steyermark, comb. nov. I cannot agree with Bailey that these diminutive 

palms should constitute a genus distinct from Bactris. The 

dwarfing of general stature, together with its associated smaller size 

of spathe, peduncle, and reduction of spines on the trunk, should not 

be regarded as generic characters. They might, on the other hand, be 

considered as setting off a distinct section within the genus. Both 

Yuyba and Bactris have 6 stamens, and Bactris may have even 9 

or 12. 

From B, Maguirei this new species differs in its more densely 

brown-scurfy leaf rachis, the tips and upper margins of the pinnae 

more closely black-setulose, the shorter spathe and spadix, the 

more closely crowded pinnae, and the somewhat shorter spines of the 

stem and leaf sheath. 

From B. microspadix Burret, it may be distinguished by the smaller 

peduncle of the inflorescence, the shorter petiole not spiny at base, 

and the shorter spathe and pinnae, while the simple spadix, brownfurfuraceous 

leaf rachis, and the number of pairs of pinnae differentiates 

it from B. microspatha Barb. It is closely related to B. 

mitis, which, however, has a 2-3-fid spadix with glabrous rachis, an 

unarmed leaf sheath and rachis, and 6,8-10 pairs of pinnae not as 

closely set together as in, fi. sororopanae. From the closely related 

B. paucisecta Burret of British Guiana, the new species differs in 

the tomentose or furfuraceous rachis, shorter spadix, narrower and 

shorter apical leaf segment, and less number of primary nerves. 

Bactris venezuelensis Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caudex 3 m. altus, supra 1.5 cm. crassus; frondis vagina fuscotomentosa 

furfuracea, aculeis brevibus tenuibus nigris instructa; 

petiolo 20-27 cm. longo infra pallido-tomentoso-furfuraceo, aculeis 

nigris supra longioribus 3-4 cm. longis, infra brevioribus numerosis 

0.6-2.2 cm. longis armato; rhachi 28 cm. longa, 4-5 mm. crassa,


pallid o-fusca furfuracea mox glabrescenti, prope basim aculeis nigris 

2-3.5 cm. longis armata; lamina 55-75 cm. longa, 30 cm. lata, apice 

profunde bifida, paucisecta, segmentis utroque latere infra 2-4 irregulariter 

et inaequaliter dispositis lanceolatis sigmoideis supra glabris 

subtus pilis pallidis dissitis minute adpressis et ad nervos inconspicue 

furfuraceis, ad margines setis brevibus tenuibus nigris 1.5-2 

mm. longis; segmenta terminal! magna cuneato-oblanceolato-obovata, 

parte indivisa 13-16 cm. longa, 12-18.5 cm. lata, lobis oblongolanceolatis, 

20-35 cm. longis, 7-10 cm. latis, nervis primariis utroque 

latere 8-9; segmentis lateralibus altermatis aut suboppositis, 30-50 

cm. longis, 1.5-4.5 cm. latis, nervis primariis utroque latere 2-3, 

nervis secundariis 7-10; spatha exteriore 5 cm. longa, interiore 

fusiformi 11-12 cm. longa, setis fuscis pilosis vel glabrescentibus 

5-6 mm. longis vel brevioribus dense obtecta, fusco-tomentosa; 

spadice patenti demum pendenti, ramulis 8 gracilibus, 7.5-9.5 cm. 

longis, 1-1.5 mm. latis, crassis conspicue scrobiculatis paullo toraentosis; 

rhachi 1 cm. longa dense fusco-tomentosa, pedunculo 4-4.5 cm. 

longo, 4 mm. crasso, inermi dense pallido-fusco-tomentosa furfuracea; 

floribus masculinis ignods; floribus foemineis: calyce 

urceolata, 3-3.5 mm. longa, 2.5-3 mm. lata, 3-denticulata glabra 

pluristriata; corolla quam calyce longiore tubulosa 5-5.5 mm. longa, 

apice subtruncata ciliato-setulosa, pluristriata, superficie setulosa 

setis brevibus paucis nigris, mox deciduis. 

Petiole spiny, the spines above longer and more scattered, shorter 

and more numerous in lower part; sheathing base of petiole shredding 

at sides; lamina deeply bifurcate at apex into a large terminal segment 

with 2-4 pairs of lanceolate sigmoid segments irregularly and 

unequally distant below, glabrous above, minutely appressedpubescent 

below with scattered pale hairs and furfuraceous on the 

lower surface of some of nerves; lateral segments tapering to an 

elongate apex, often remotely separated from the terminal bifurcate 

segment; axis of spadix not continued throughout its length, branches 

conspicuously scrobiculate from the insertions of the flowers; pistillate 

calyx slightly 3-denticulate with shallow lobes. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in forest along Base 



57933. 

This species is closely related to B. corosilla Karst., B. geonomoides 

Drude, B. incommoda Trail, and B. penicillata Barb. From 

the last one it differs in the shorter spathe and spadix, shorter 

lamina, and black instead of brown petiolar spines. From B. geonomoides 

and B. incommoda it differs in the broadly lanceolate-falcate 

instead of linear lowermost pair of pinnae, in shorter brown instead 

of longer black spines covering the outer surface of the spathe, and 

in the somewhat shorter spathe.


Dahlgrenia Steyermark, gen. nov. 

Monoeca, spadicibus distinctis unisezualibus. Spadis utriusque 

sexus ramosus, ramis masculinis tenuibus. Flores masculi minutuli: 

calyx parvus, sepalls 3 imbricatis late subrhoraboideo-subglobosis; 

corolla petalis 3 valvatis liberis non patentibus basi non-dilatatis 

nee gibbosis oblongis; sta minibus 6. Flores foeminei parvi: calyx 

sepalis 3 imbricatis suborbicularibus; corolla petalis 3 valvatis late 

ovatis; staminodia 6 ad basim ovarii adhaerentibus; ovario integro 

glabro, loculis 3, ovulo in loculo solitario, stigmatibus apicalibus. 

Palmae inermes, frondibus paripinnatis. Pinnae apice praemorsae 

et erosae. 

Type species: 

Dahlgrenia ptariana Steyermark. 

This genus is dedicated to and named in honor of Dr. B. E. 

Dahlgren, Curator Emeritus of the Department of Botany at the 

Chicago Natural History Museum. Students of palms owe Dr. 

Dahlgren a debt of gratitude for his contributions to the study of 

tropical American palms, for the excellent series of palm exhibits 

and palm herbarium which he has organized and developed at the 

Museum, and especially for his monumental work "Index of American 

Palms" published in 1936. 

Dahlgrenia ptariana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caudex 11-14 m. altus, 9.5-10 cm. crassus, solitarius; frondibus 

2.2 m. longis 4-seriatis subcoriaceis supra viridibus infra argillaceis 

lineis latis fuscis ad margines exteriores et squamis fuscis sessilibus 

microscopic is obtectis; rhachi usque ad 4.5 cm. lata tomentosa 

cinereo-fusca praedita supra carinata infra convexa; pinnis utroque 

latere 28 valide sulcatis, pinna terminali cuneata praemorsa 50 cm. 

longa, ceteris angustate ligulatis apice oblique praemorsis et erosis, 

86-115 cm. longis, 7 cm. latis, infra usque ad 16 nervis, lineo lato 

marginali 4-8 mm. lato; spathis elongatis; spadice masculina alba 

ramis numerosis tenuibus 9-12 cm. longis, 2 mm. eras sis, glabris; 

floribus masculinis confertis glabris; sepalis supra rotundatis 0.5 

mm. altis, 0.7-0.8 mm. latis, petalis ovatis vel elliptico-oblongis, 

0.7 mm. longis, 0.5 mm. latis, obtusis; antheris sessilibus vel fere 

0.5-0.6 mm. longis; spadice foeminea alba tomentella pilis brevibus 

albidis, rhachi 60 cm. longa, 1-2.5 cm. crassa, ramis numerosis 60 

cm. longis, 2 mm. crassis; bracteis late ovatis acutis vel acuminatis, 

2.5-3 cm. longis, basi 2 cm. latis, extus fulvo-tomentosis, intus 

basi nigris; sepalis rotundatis 1.5 mm. altis, 2.5 mm. latis ad margines 

ciliatis; petalis obtusis 2 mm. latis, 2 mm. altis, striatis; 

staminodiis 0.2 mm. longis dentiformibus; ovario 1.2 mm. longo. 

Fronds 4-ranked; rachis covered with a fine dull gray-brown 

tomentum which wears off in age, but persists in places as a dark 

brown tomentum; pinnae subcoriaceous, deep rich green above, 

silvery below with a broad, dark brown, tomentose band extending 

along outer margin on lower surface of each segment, sometimes


FIGURE 11 

Dahlgrenia ptariana Steyerraark 

A, Leaf segment from lower portion of frond (X 1/7); B, Terminal 

portion of frond (X 1/5); C, Pistillate flower, from above (X 5.5); 

D, Pistillate sepal (X 5.5); E, Pistillate petal (X 6); F, Pistil 

(X 10); G, Pistil, from above (X 10>, H, Staminate sepal (X 9); 

I, Staminate petal (X 5); J, Stamen (X 10>.


other narrower, dark brown bands occur elsewhere on the segment, 

the lower surface covered with numerous, microscopic, sessile, 

deep brown scales, strongly sulcate above and conspicuously ribbed 

below; terminal segment cuneate, shallowly and irregularly erose 

at apex, 50 cm. long; middle and lower pinnae narrowly ligulate, 

obliquely praemorse and shallowly erose along apex, up to 16- nerved 

on lower surface, but often with only 3-5 strong nerves, the dark 

brown, tomentose, marginal band 4-8 mm. wide; spadices unisexual, 

arising on trunk at base of leafy shoot, white; staminate spadix with 

numerous branches, the branches slender with crowded staminate 

flowers; staminate sepals broadly depressed-rounded; staminate 

petals separate and free to the base, the margins pale; pistillate 

spadix covered minutely with short whitish tomentum; pistillate 

sepals depressed-suborbicular; staminodia attached at base of 

ovary (Fig. 11). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on southeast-facing 

slopes of Ptari-tepuT, state of Bolivar, alt. 1585-1600 m., November 


Local name: "Puru-a-yek". This is one of the dominants of the 

understory of the moist forest covering the southeast-facing slopes 

of Ptari-tepuT. The inside of the shoot is not edible. 

The characteristics of this new genus are the occurrence of the 

pistillate and staminate flowers in separate spadices, the pistillate 

flowers much smaller than in Socratea, Iriartea, Dictyocaryum, 

Catostigma, or Catoblastus, the entire glabrous ovary with apical 

stigmas, the very small staminate flowers with separate petals not 

spreading and not dilated or gibbous at base, and the 6 stamens. 

In Dugand's key to the Iriarteae (Caldasia 1: 33-34. 1940), this 

plant does not fall either section. into^ 

He has "Flores de ambos 

sexos en el mismo espa'dice; ovario entero, de estigmas apicules o 

excentricos", which includes Socratea, Iriartea, Iriartella, Dictyocaryum, 

and Cuatrecasea, as opposed to "Flores de cada sexo en 

espadices, separados", which includes Catoblastus, Catostigma, 

Wettiniicarpus, and Wettinia. Our collection would fall in the latter 

group. However, that group has the "ovario casi siempre trilobulado 

(1 o 2 lobulos mas pequenbs abortivos) a menudo pubescente o 

velludo, con estilo o estigmas basilares o sobre los lobulos basales; 

palmeras medianas o elevadas", whereas our collection has "ovario 

entero, de estigmas apicales o excentricos" which would place 

it 

wkh Socratea, Iriartea, and Dictyocaryum. 

Like Dictyocaryum our collection has 6 stamens, entire ovary with 

apical stigmas, 6 staminodia, and the segments of the leaves quite 

laciniate in different directions; however, unlike that genus, the 

staminate and pistillate flowers are in separate spadices, the pistillate 

flowers are much smaller, and the staminate sepals are not 

dilated or gibbous at the base, and are much broader than long. In


Dictyocaryum the staminate sepals are narrower and much longer 

than broad. 

It will be observed that the segments of the fronds in Dahlgrenia 

are narrow, because they have become split at maturity apparently 

into five narrow divisions, whereas actually 

it 

may represent just 

one leaf segment up to 21 cm. wide that has become split into portions 

from 3-5 cm. wide. On such a wide leaf the brown bands may 

number as many as nine, but when each segment splits lengthwise 

of the whole of which it is a part, these brown bands then appear 

marginal, with the result that there may be up to twenty-five main 

nerves extending lengthwise, these becoming fewer in number as the 

segment becomes split. 

Desmoncus duidensis Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Scandens vel subscandens; frondis vagina inermi fusco-furfuracea; 

fronde 0.78 m. longa; flagello tenui 20 cm. longo, foliolis hamatis 

4-jugis rectis 12-25 mm. longis, 1-1.5 mm. latis, aculeis brevibus 

retrorsis curvatis 1.5 mm. longis fusco-furfuraceis; rhachi tenui 2-3 

mm. crassa fusco-furfuracea aculeis retrorsis brevibus viridibus vel 

stramineis praedita; pinnis oppositis 4-jugis sessilibus oblongoellipticis 

ad apicem acuminatis ad basim nonnihil angustatis 12.5-16 

cm. longis, 3.5-6 cm. latis, supra glabris, infra minute fuscomaculatis 

vel punctatis, ad margines fusco-furfuraceis 2 mm., firme 

membra naceis. 

Low climbing or sprawling plant; frond dark green above, dull 

paler green below. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in forest along Base 



57944. 

Desmoncus duidensis is distinguished by the few pairs of oblongelliptic 

sessile opposite pinnae, the slender, short, few pairs of 

straight barbs of the cirrhus, the unarmed leaf sheaths and leaflets, 

the minutely aculeate rachis, and the brown-furfuraceous margins. 

From D. nemorosus Barb, it differs in the unarmed leaf sheath, 

shorter more slender barbs of the cirrhus, and the fewer leaflets, 

which are not aculeate on the lower surface of the midrib. From 

D. aereus Drude it 

may be distinguished by the shorter, more slender, 

fewer barbs of the cirrhus, and by the short-aculeate rachis. 

Desmoncus maltijugus Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Scandens; frondis vagina pallido-viridi, tomento flavo-cinereo, 

setis fuscis confertis 2-15 mm. longis; fronde 1.7 m. longa brevipetiolata; 

petiolo 1 cm. longo; flagello 50 cm. longo, foliolis hamatis 

6-jugis oppositis rectis robustis, 1.3-5 cm. longis, 3-4 mm. latis, 

rhachi inermi; infra foliola hamata 2 foliolis aliis longioribus 

retrorso-patentibus 7.5-10 cm. longis; frondis rhachi utrinque fusco-


furfuracea, parte inferiore pubescente, aculeis fuscis 11-40 mm. 

longis abundanter instructa; pinnis plerumque alternatis vel suboppositis, 

utrinque 23-25, sessilibus anguste lanceolatis ad apicera 

acuminatis, ad basim angustatis, 20-30 cm. longis, 2-3 cm. latis, 

glabris praeter utrinque lineas fusco-furfuraceas aut tomentosas per 

nervos, supra omnino glabrescentibus, utrinque in costa media 

aculeis 2-6 fuscis, 13-32 mm. longis armatis, aculeis praesertim 

basi et parte inferiore saepe pubescentibus; spatha superiore aut 

interiore elliptica, 30 cm. longa, 8-10.5 cm. lata, tomentosa fusca, 

aculeis brevibus tenuibus nigro-fuscis basi straminea bulbosocrassiuscula 

oriundus; spadice simpliciter ramoso 15 cm. longo 

fusco vel purpureo-fusco-furfuraceo; spadicis ramis 37 angulatis 

undulatis 10-15 cm. longis, 2 mm. crassis, prope basim atro-fuscofurfuraceis 

aliter glabris; floribus foemineis: calyce cupulare gamosepala 

0.5 mm. alta margine 3-apiculata; corolla gamopetala pluristriata 

3-lobata, 1.5 mm. alta, lobis suborbicularibus, late rotunda tis, 

per margines obscures, 1.5 mm. alta, 2 mm. lata; spadicis pedunculo 

compresso, parte superiore 5 cm. longa, 1 cm. crassa, purpureofusco-furfuracea 

aculeis brevibus nigris 3-5 mm. longis praedita, 

parte inferiore 11 cm. longa, inermi; drupa novella ovoideo-oblonga 

superne subito angustata, 8.5-9 mm. longa, 5 mm. crassa. 

Pinnae closely but unequally distributed along the rachis, membranaceous, 

grass dull green above, dull paler green below, narrowly 

lanceolate, tapering to an acuminate apex, gradually narrowed to 

base, armed on midnerve and lower and upper leaf surfaces with 2-6 

dark brown spines 13-32 mm. long, the spines often pubescent, 

especially at base and lower half, the leaf surface glabrous except 

for brown-furfuraceous or tomentose lines along one or more nerves 

above and below, becoming entirely glabrescent above; rachis 

fuscous-furfuraceous throughout; upper spathe moderately armed with 

short slender black-brown spines 6-11 mm. long, arising from a 

bulbous-thickened buff-colored base; drupe becoming scarlet. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in vicinity of 

Tumeremo, between south of town and airport, state of Bolivar, alt. 

305 m., December 18, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60968. 

Known locally as "Camuari". The stems are stripped of their 

spines and split into lengths which are woven into various types of 

baskets (cana ate) and back carriers (guayare). 

This species is characterized by its numerous closely and unequally 

spaced pinnae, elongate black spines of the brown-furfuraceous 

leaf rachis, the spiny leaves, and the spiny broadly ovate 

inner spathe. 

It is most closely related to D. rudentum Mart., D. 

horrid us Splitgerb., D. palustris Trail, and D. angustisectus Burret, 

to which group 

it 

belongs by reason of the broad ovate inner spathe, 

and, following Burret's establishment of the section Orthacanthium, 

by the straight instead of recurved pairs of hooks, but from all these


it is distinguished by the greater number of pinnae, combined with 

the other characters stated above. 

Euterpe ptariana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caudez 8-9.5 m. altus, 5-7.5 cm. crass us; frondibus magnis 2.2 m. 

longis, in parte media 1.4 m. latis, pinnis utrinsecus 32, petiolo 

30-32 cm. longo, 2-2.5 cm. lato, supra concavo, subtus convezo 

utrinque atro-leproso, ad vaginam dilatato; frondis 

coriacea vagina elongata 

glauca cano-viridi maculis purpureo-fuscis, rhachi triangulari, 

2.5-20 mm. crassa, subtus squamis nigris aut purpureo-fuscis 

persistentibus obtecta, lateribus squamis paucioribus; pinnis subcoriaceis 

suboppositis vel alternatis ligulato-lanceolatis acuminatis 

vel filiformi-caudatis, usque ad 80 cm. longis et 5 cm. latis, 2 

infimis angustissimis 0.4-0.8 cm. latis, plerumque 5-nervatis, subtus 

costa media et nervis primariis squamis elongatis persistentibus 

purpureo-fuscis obtectis, inter nervos maculis fuscis parvissimis; 

spatha coriacea squamis purpureo- vel nigro-fuscis partim vel oranino 

obtecta, moz glabrescenti; spadice immatura 15 cm. longa, pedunculo 

brevissimo 2-3 cm. longo, ramis circ. 30, 20-25 cm. longis, 1.5-2 

mm. eras sis, minute puberulis pilis pallidis vel stramineis, bracteis 

3.5-4 mm. longis ovatis acuminatis; floribus immaturis. 

Pinnae subcoriaceous, deep green above, dull green below, upper 

surface (in dried state) covered with a "bloom", middle pinnae falcate 

with a long acuminate or filiform-caudate tip, 58-61 cm. long, 

4.5-5 cm. wide, the caudate part up to 5.5 cm. long, the upper pinnae 

short, abruptly acuminate, the uppermost ones 20-37 cm. long, 2.5-3.5 

cm. wide, the 2 lowermost pinnae much narrower than the others, 

63-80 cm. long, 0.4-0.8 cm. wide, the pinnae mostly 5-nerved (including 

the midnerve and 2 strong nerves on each side), the principal 

nerves and especially the midrib on lower surface covered with 

elongated purplish-brown persistent scales attenuate at each end 

and darker black-brown in the center, minutely dotted with dull 

brown spots on the leaf surface between the nerves. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in forest near 

"Misia Kathy" camp, southeast-facing slopes of Ptari-tepuij state 

of Bolivar, alt. 1585-1600 m., November 10-11, 1944, Julian A. 


Local name: "Manaca-si-yek". The interior of the shoot of this 

palm is edible. It is a common species of the forest at the elevation 

noted. 

This species is characterized by the purplish-brown or blackish 

scales attached to the nerves of the lower leaf surface, the blackishbrown 

scurfiness on the lower part and sides of the leaf rachis, the 

glaucous gray-green leaf sheath wkh purple-brown specks, the 

minutely puberulous branches of the rachis of the inflorescence with 

pale buff pubescence, and the very narrow lowermost leaf segments.


It differs from E. roraimae Dammer, which also possesses peculiar, 

large, colored scales, in that the scales of the lower leaf 

surface of E. roraimae are rich brown, whereas those of E. ptariana 

are much darker brown, being purple- or blackish-brown and darker in 

the center. Furthermore, in E. ptariana there is an abundance of persistent 

dark purplish-brown or blackish scales on the lower side of 

the leaf rachis, whereas in E. roraimae these are either absent, 

relatively sparse, or deciduous in mature leaves. Moreover, the 

branches of the spadiz in E. roraimae are fuscous-brown tomentose, 

whereas in E. ptariana they are minutely puberulous with buff or 

light-colored hairs. Another characteristic of E. ptariana is the 

glaucous gray-green leaf sheath speckled purple-brown. In addition, 

the peduncle of the spadix in E, ptariana appears, by comparison 

with the rachis, to be much shorter and the branches more slender 

than in E. roraimae. Finally, the lowermost pinnae are much narrower 

in E. ptariana than in . roraimae. 

Geonoma karuaiana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caudez 1.75-2.75 m. altus; frondibus usque ad 7.5 dm. longis 

pinnatisectis; pinnis utroque latere 4; petiolo 30-33 cm. longo plus 

minusve partim fusco-leproso, moz partim glabrescenti; pinnis firme 

membranaceis, 35-50 cm. longis, 4-12 cm. latis, apice falcatoacuminato 

filiform!, nervis primariis 4-11, subtus ad nervos squamis 

fuscis persistentibus seriatis dispositis; spatha 10-11 cm. longa, 

1.5-2.5 cm. lata, extus fusco-leprosa; spadice 11-20 cm. longo, 

10-20 cm. crasso; pedunculo tenuiter granuloso-tuberculato squamis 

fuscis; spadicis ramis 7-11, simplicibus 7 vel 2 infimis furcatis ad 

apicem spinosis, 9-15 cm. longis, 3 mm. crass is, dense vel brevker 

piles is, tenuiter granulosotuberculatis; floribus in foveis spiraliter 

dispositis, 40 e basi ad apicem 2-4 mm. dissitis non bilabiatis, 

labio inferio truncate fere recto, labio superio curvato-rotundato; 

floribus masculinis: sepalis elliptico-oblongis obtusis, 2.5 mm. 

longis, 1.75 mm. latis ad margines denticulatis; petalis 2.5 mm. 

longis, 1.75 mm. latis, oblanceolato-oblongis obtusis usque ad 2/3 

longitudinem connatis; urceolo staminali 0.5 mm. longo; filamentis 

0.5 mm. longis; antheris 1.25-1*5 mm. longis; floribus foe mine is sub 

anthesi: sepalis 2-2.5 mm. longis oblongo-lanceolatis; fructu 

elliptic o-ovato 7 mm. longo, 6 mm. crasso, nigro (sicco) stria tula to 

(sicco). 

Frond dark green above, dull green below; petiole with patches of 

brown scurfiness, becoming glabrescent in places; pinnae widely 

separated, 7.5 cm. separating the first pair from the second, 7.5-8.5 

cm. separating the second pair from the third, and 6-7.5 cm. separating 

the third pair from the fourth pair, the lower 3 pairs of pinnae 

35-45 cm. long, 4-4.5 cm. wide, 7-11-nerved, narrowly lanceolate, 

falcate -acuminate, the apez prolonged into a long filiform tip 3-4.5 

cm. long; uppermost pairs of pinnae 45-50 cm. long, 11-12 cm. wide, 

broadly lanceolate, with 4 primary nerves, the falcate-acmoinate


apex prolonged into a slender filiform tip about 3-4 cm. long, asymmetric 

at base, the lower surface of the main nerves with lines of 

persistent brown scales, which also tend to persist in patches along 

the leaf rachis, on the lower surface, and on the sides; spadix 11 cm. 

long in anthesis, 15-20 cm. in fruit, 5-20 cm. in diameter, the peduncle 

finely granule se-tuberculate with dark brown scales interspersed 

along the axis, the branches of the spadix 7-11, the simple 

ones 7, the two lowest sometimes forked, spinose at apex, 9-15 cm. 

long, densely or sparsely short-pubescent, finely granulose-tuberculate, 

the hairs darkening in age; flowers with foveolae 3-4 mm. apart 

on the same side, but only 2 mm. apart between those nearest each 

other; fruit small, blackish when dried, deep olive green in life. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected along Rio Karuai, at 

base of Sororopan-tepui^ west of La Laja, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 

m., November 29, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60789. 

This species is characterized by having few (4) pairs of broad 

leaf segments which on the nerves of the lower leaf surface and 

along the lower surface of the leaf rachis have lines of brown scurfiness, 

relatively small fruits, minutely pilose rachillae of the flowering 

branches, spinose tips of the branches, and relatively small 

spathes. 

Hyospathe maculata Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caudex solitarius, 1.3 m. altus, 8 mm. crassus; lamina 55-65 cm. 

longa, 4-6-juga fere concolori firme membranacea; petiolo 12.5 cm. 

longo, 4 mm. crasso; rhachi 19-28 cm. longa utrinque irregulariter 

fusco-maculata; segmentis falcatis inaequalibus, late lanceolatis 

anguste acuminatis, 35-43 longis, jugis infimis 1.5-3 cm. latis, 

mediis 3.5-4.5 cm. latis, supremis 4.5-6 cm. latis, infra glabratis, 

nervis pluribus; segmentis intermediis angustioribus linearibus vel 

lineari-lanceolatis, 35-38 cm. longis, 1-1.5 cm. latis, anguste acuminatis, 

apicibus filiformibus; vagina fusco-maculata leprosa; spadice 

parvo; spatha non visa; pedunculo 3*9-4 cm. longo, 3 mm. lato; 

inflorescentiae rhachi pallid o-viridi, parte florifera 9 cm. longa, 18 

cm. lata, ramis 12, simplicibus, 5.5-10 cm. longis, 1.5-2 mm. crassis; 

floribus masculinis sessilibus: calyce 1.25 mm. longo, 1 mm. lato, 

lobis 4 parce inaequalibus late triangularibus, 0.3-0.4 mm. longis, 

apice 0.2 mm. latis; petalis 4, 2.8-3 mm. longis, 0.9-1 mm. latis, 

oblongis vel lanceolaco-oblongis, obtusis, tenuiter pluristriatis; 

staminibus 4-7; antheris 0.8-0.9 mm. longis; filamentis 1 mm. longis; 

fructu non viso. 

Rachis of frond irregularly dotted or splotched on all sides, especially 

prominent on lower side, with dark brown scales or masses 

of scales; segments of frond glabrate on the lower surface or somewhat 

brown-scaly near base, deep green above, dull green below; 

leaf sheath dark brown, mottled with tiny patches of persistent 

scales, less densely so on older spathes; flowering rachis arising 

on trunk just below leafy shoot, divergent; flowers dull yellow.


Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on wooded slopes 

of Quebrada O-paru-ma, between Santa Teresita de Kavanayen and 

Rio Pacairao (tributary of Rio Mouak), state of Bolivar, alt. 1065- 

1220 m., Nov. 20-21, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60406. 

Known locally as "Kricha-yu-yek". The fruit is said to be edible, 

and has an acidulous watery quality. 

This species is characterized by the small spadix and spadix 

branches, the 4-6 pairs of leaf segments, and by the maculate leaf 

sheath and base of the leaf stipe. It is most closely related to 

H. Ulei Dammer of Peru, from which it differs in the sessile staminate 

flowers with 4 instead of 3 petals, 4 instead of 3 calyx lobes, 

and shorter anthers. 

Mauritia flexuosa L., var. venezuelana Steyermark, var. nov. 

A typo differt fructu minore, squamis fructiferis minoribus, et 

lobis calycis fructifera minoribus. 

Outer pistillate lobes suborbicular, 6-7 mm. long, 7-8 mm. wide, 

the inner ones ovate, acute, 8 mm. long, 6.5 mm. wide; fruit 3.5-4 cm. 

broad; scales of the fruit relatively small, 3.5 mm. long, 4-4.25 

mm. wide. 

Local name: 

"Moriche". 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected along a small stream 

with running water in morichales in savanna between Rio Carom' and 

Ciudad Boli'var, state of Boli'var, alt. 200 m., August 2, 1944, Julian 


According to Pittier et al, the common species of Mauritia in the 

morichales of the llano in Venezuela is M. minor Burret (Catalogo de 

la Flora Venezolana, vol. 1: 143. 1945), and M. flexuosa is not even 

credited to the country. But, Pittier was following the results of 

Dugand's studies when he adopted the name M. minor, since Dugand 

showed what was passing in Colombia as M. flexuosa was really 

M. minor, the material common to the eastern llanos in Colombia 

having elliptical rather than globose fruit. According to his communication 

from Pittier, it is stated (Dugand, A. Caldasia 3: 18. 

1941) that "El Profesor H. Pittier, a quien comunique recientemente 

mis dudas respecto a la identidad del moriche del Meta, me ha 

escrito confirmando mis punto de vista y diciendome que los ejemplares 

del moriche venezolano que e'l posee tampoco pertecen a M. 

flexuosa puesto que sus frutos son elipticos y no globosos." 

However, this statement by Pittier is not borne out by the present 

collection (Steyermark 57649), which comes from the llanos around 

Ciudad Bolivar, and which has globose mature fruits. Those collected 

by Williams (his no. 14802) from the Upper Rib Negro (cited 

as M. Carana Wallace) are described by Williams as "globose". 

Apparently, Pittier's observations communicated to Dugand are either


inexact or too general. Thus far, all the material examined by me 

from the Venezuelan llanos has globose fruit. 

The size of the scales of the fruit, the fruit itself, and the length 

of the calyx lobes in Steyermark 57649 are all smaller than stated in 

the description of M. flexuosa given by Drude in Mart. Fl. Bras, 

(pp. 290-291), but agree with that species better than for any other. 

In the absence of typical material of M flexuosa from Surinam, and 

from the lack of identifying criteria in Linnaeus *s description, this 

Venezuelan collection is probably best treated as a small-fruited 

variety of that species, having the same type of globular fruit as is 

characteristic of M. flexuosa. From M Minor if differs in its smaller 

globose rather than elliptic fruit, smaller fruiting scales, and smaller 

calyx lobes, while from M. Corona it differs principally, if Wallace's 

description is to be followed literally, in the shape of the fruits, 

described in Af. Corona as "slightly ovate". 

Dugand (Caldasia 3: 18. 1941) further states that "las informaciones 

del Profesor Pittier son suficientemente significativas y 

deben aceptarse como terminantes en el sentido de que el moriche 

venezolano no corresponde a la descripcion de M. flexuosa*" Since 

I have shown above that the globose fruits of my 57649 do correspond, 

it is proper to refer them to M. flexuosa as agreeing with the 

description for globose fruits. 

Socratea albolineata Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caudex solitarius, gracilis, 9-12 m. altus, 7.5-12.5 cm. crassus; 

frondibus 2.7 cm. longis, segmentis utrinque 18; rhachi dense pallida 

flavido-tomentosa, prope basim 3 cm. crassa; frondibus apice furcatis 

paripinnatis, segmentis cuneatis transversim praemorsis; segmentis 

majoribus cuneatis, apice oblique maximis 70-90 cm. longis, 

10-17 cm. latis, circ. 15-nervatis, infra 10-13 lineis tomentosis 

albidis aliter glabris; spadice fructifero 50 cm. longo, basi 5-10 cm. 

lato, parte media 2-3 cm. lata, supra 0.5-1 cm. lato et glabriusculo 

vel tenuiter parce adpresso-piloso, infra tenuker strigoso; ramis 

fructiferis patento-curvatis, 15-35 cm. longis, 5-6 mm. crassis, ad 

basim fulvo-tomentosis; vaginis fructiferis indumento tenui cinereo 

vestitis, praesertim infimis pilis fuscis brevibus adpressis; perianthio 

fructifero glabro; sepalis fructiferis late triangularibus, supra 

rotundatis, 4 mm. longis, 7 mm. latis; petalis fructiferis late 

depresso-suborbicularibus, 3-5 mm. longis, 11 mm. latis; bacca oblonga 

calva glabra pallido-fusca, 2.5 cm. longa, 2 cm. crassa; pericarpio 

1 mm. crasso; semine oblongo, 17-18 mm. longo, 13 mm. lato; 

embryone apicali vel subapicali; mesocarpio albido furfuraceo, lineis 

irregularibus castaneis radiato; endocarpio extus fusco lineis irregularibus 

pallido-vel flavido-fuscis anastomosantibus ramificatis. 

Frond forked and praemorse at apex with shallow irregular teeth; 

larger segments cuneate, obliquely praemorse at apex with irregular 

coarse teeth, the margin extended into 6-8 laciniate portions slender-


ly elongated, the lower surface glabrous except for 10-13 dull white, 

tomentose, longitudinal bands, deep green on upper surface, dull 

green on lower surface; fruking spadix arising at base of (below) 

leaf sheath, 5-10 era. wide at base, 2-3 era. wide in middle portion, 

0.5-1 cm. wide in the upper half, glabrescent or finely sparsely 

appressed-pilose above or finely strigose below; fruking sheaths 

covered with a dull gray, fine coating, which is covered over, especially 

on the lowermost sheath, with brown appressed short hairs; 

mesocarp whitish, dry-scaly, with irregular, castaneous, thread-like 

parts running lengthwise through tissue; outside of endocarp dark 

brown with irregular buff or pale brown longitudinal lines anastomosing 

or branching on surface. 


Quebrada O-paru-ma, tributary of Rio Pacairao, below Santa Teresita 


Julian A Steyermark 60541* 

Known locally as "Capai-chan-yek" ("Cola de Pescado"). The 

bark and wood are used locally by the inhabitants for making into 

roofs. 

This species is distinguished by the longitudinal lines of white 

tomentum on the lower surface of the leaf segments, which are otherwise 

glabrous, by the concolorous leaf surfaces, and by the dense 

tomentum over the surface of the leaf rachis, especially in its lower 

portion. From S. elegans Karst., described as having the lower side 

of the leaf segments with "lineis albo-tomentosulis notatas", this 

new species differs in the concolorous rather than glaucous lower 

leaf surface, and in the segments with longer, more erose tips. 

ARACEAE 

Anthurium duidae Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Planta terrestris glabra; caudice paullo elongato, 5 mm. crasso, 

internodiis 1.5-3 cm. longis; cataphyllis ovatis vel lanceolatis, 

obtusis, nervatis, 1.5-5 cm. longis, 1-1.3 cm. latis; petiolis lamina 

longioribus, 19-28 cm. longis, 2.5-3 mm. crassis; lamina in sicco 

subcoriacea, late ovato-oblonga, 13-16 cm. longa, 8-11 cm. lata, 

supra obscure viridi, subtus pallida, apice rotundata, basi subcordata, 

nervis primariis utrinque 1, basi nascentibus, 1-1.3 cm. a 

margine remotis, utrinque distincte prominentibus. 

Blades deep green above, pale below. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on summit of Cerro 

Duida, along valley forest between Central Camp and Brocchinia 

Hills, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 1675 m., August 31, 1944, 


In leaf shape this species somewhat resembles A. marense Krause, 

but that species has the primary nerves more remote from the margin


and a more deeply cordate or subcordate leaf. From A. glanduligerum 

Engl. it differs in having 3 instead of 5 prominent nerves (1 instead 

of 2 main primary nerves on each side of the midnerve), the lowest 

pair evident in A. glanduligerum, but not in A. duidae. It is unfortunate 

that the material upon which this new species is based is sterile, 

but it resembles no other described species. 

Anthurium Krauseanum Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Herba epiphytica, caudice elongate, 5-10 mm. crasso, internodiis 

2-2.5 cm. long is, caulibus radices paucas elongatas emittentibus; 

cataphyllis ovato-oblongis, obtusis, 2-2.5 cm. longis; foliorum 

petiolis 21-23 cm. longis, 3 mm. crassis, supra sulcatis teretiusculis; 

lamina coriacea, supra atro-viridi nitente, ovato-oblonga, basi subtruncata 

vel rotundata, apice obtusa, 17-19 cm. longa, 7-8.5 cm. lata, 

nervis primaries utrinque 2 basi nascentibus, infimis leviter arcuatis 

in ima quarta parte marginibus exeuntibus, intimis validioribus 

adscendentibus medium a margine 1.3-15 cm. remotis, utrinque distincte 

prominentibus; spatha 2.3 cm. longa, 5 mm. lata; spadice 

stipite 4 mm. longo suffulto,10 mm. longo, 4 mm. crasso. 

Leaves dark green and shining above, dull paler green below; 

spadix dull lavender. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in woods on southeastern 

portion of base of Carrao-tepui, state of Bolivar, alt. 1460- 

1615 m., December 4-5, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60847. 

This species is related to A. crassifolium N. E. Brown, differing 

from that in its smaller spathe and spadix, stipitate instead of sessile 

spadix, and subtruncate to broad, instead of cuneate, leaf base. 

In its shorter stipe and spadix, and narrower spathe, 

it differs from 

A, microphyllum (Hook.) Don. 

Anthurium monsterioides Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caudex epiphyticus; foliorum petiolo 45 cm. longo, 1-2 cm. crasso, 

semitereti; lamina 9-H-secta, segmentis subpetiolatis, basi longe 

cuneatis liberis, apice abrupte acuminatis, 35-60 cm. longis, 10-25 

cm. lads, nervis primariis 3-4 utrinque; lobis 4 utrinque vel paucioribus 

remotis, apice abrupte acuminatis et sursum curvatis, 8-12 cm. 

longis, 5.5-8.5 cm. latis; pedunculo quam petiolo breviore, 25 cm. 

longo, 8 mm. crasso; spatha subcoriacea, viridi, 10-24 cm. longa, 

1.5-3 cm. lata, lanceolata, acuminata reflexa; spadice sessili 

pallid o-purpurascente, 8-23 cm. longo, inferne 0.7-1.3 cm. crasso; 

tepalis 2 mm. longis, 1-1.3 mm. latis; pistillo 2-2.3 mm. longo; 

ovario oblongo-ovoideo; stigmate sessile coronato. 

Leaf blade dark green above, dull green below, the 9-11 segments 

cuneate ly tapering and decurrent to the substipitate base, the stipi- 

'tate portion up to 1.5 cm. long, midnerve prominent especially below; 

inflorescence arising from base of leaf sheath.


Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on rich forested 

slopes along Rio Onia, near Bolero, north of Mesa Bolivar, state of 

Merida, alt. 545-915 m., May 23, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 56727. 

Apparently a member of sect. Semaeophy Ilium Schott, this species 

is related to A. Holtonianum Schott, A, Burchellianum (Engl.) Macbr., 

and A clavigerum Poepp. & Endl. in its deeply lobed, laciniate 

leaves, but differs from all of them in the acuminate lobes of the 

segments, each segment deeply cut in the manner of Monstera dilacerata. 

The lobing most closely approaches that of /4. clavigerum, 

but that species has most of the lobes rounded at the apex, and the 

spaces between the lobes are larger. To add to the resemblance 

between this species and Monstera dilacerata, it will be noted that 

some of the leaflets of the segments have large holes, which appear 

as natural as those in the Monstera, although in the single specimen 

at hand, it is not possible to state definitely whether some of the 

holes may not have been caused by insect damage. None of the 

other lobate-laciniate species of Anthurium have long acuminate, upwardly 

curved tips to the lobes of the segments, nor have as deeply 

cut lobes as has this species. 

Anthurium ptarianum Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Planta terrestris, caudice erecto elongate, 1.5 cm. alto, circ. 1 cm. 

crasso; cataphyllis lanceolatis, elongatis; foliorum petiole 53-60 cm. 

longo, 4-6 mm. crasso; lamina coriacea erecta late ovato-hastata, 

25-30 cm. longa, 15-16 cm. lata, apice obtusis, basi late subcordata, 

lobis posticis brevibus vel semi-orb icularibus, 8-8.5 cm. longis, 

8-8.5 cm. lads, exitu rotundatis, sinu amplo semicircular], lobo 

antico inferne 15-16 cm., superne 7-8 cm. lato, nervis primariis e 

basi nascentibus utrinque 4, interlobaribus et proximis liberis, nervis 

secundariis confertis; spatha subcoriacea reflexa, lanceolata, apice 

acuminata, basi decurrenti, 6.5 cm. longa, infeme 1.5 cm. lata; 

spadice 9-15 cm. longo, 4-15 mm. crasso, tenuiter fusiformi, stipite 

suffulto; tepalis in anthesi 1.8-3.5 mm. longis, 1.8-2.5 mm. latis; 

ovario 1.5-2 mm. longo. 

Lamina of leaf rich deep green above, paler below; spathe dull 

green; spadix dull lavender; fruiting parts blood red (Fig. 12). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on forested southfacing 

slopes overlying sandstone, on "Cave Rock" above "Cave 

Camp", Ptari-tepui, state of Bolivar, alt. 1810 m., October 29, 1944, 

Julian A. Steyermark 59509 (2 sheets). 

Apparently a member of section Belolonchium Schott, it is nearest 

A. conjunctum K. Krause of Bolivia and A. Lechlerianum Schott of 

Peru in leaf shape. The spathe and spadix, however, are longer than 


It is characterized by the lavender spadix, dull 

green elongated spathe, blades with 5 main nerves on each side and 

closely secondary nerves.


FIGURE 12 

Anthurium ptarianum Steyermark 

Blade and upper part of petiole (X 1/2).


Philodendron duidae Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Planta terrestris; caudice crasso brevissimo; foliis basallbus; 

foliorum petiole erecto tereti, 40 cm.longo, 4-10 mm. crasso, deorsum 

dilatato; lamina coriacea perfoliata ovato-semiorbiculari vel cordatoovata, 

apice abrupte cuspidulata, basi cordata, 24-25 cm. longa, 

16.5-18 cm. lata; lobo antico late ovato, inferne 16-17 cm., superne 

7-10 cm. lato; lobis posticis paullo retrorsis rotundatis obtusis, 4-6 

cm. longis, 5-6 cm. latis, ad 1/3-1/2 longitudinis connatis, nervis 

lateralibus numerosissimis aequaliter prominentibus tenuibus confertis; 

pedunculo 1.3 cm. longo, 1.2 cm. crasso; spatha subcoriacea 

ovato-lanceolata, apice acuta, infra medium constricta, 15.5 cm. 

longa, media 4.3 cm., basi 7 cm., prope apicem 2 cm. lata; spadice 

cylindrico, 10.8 cm. longo, 1.6-1.7 cm. crasso; inflorescentia foeminea 

quam mascula breviore, 3 cm. longa, 1.6 cm. crassa; pistillo 

depresso-cylindrico vel late oblongo, 1.5 mm. longo, stigmate 1.5 

mm. lato rotundato paullo convexo coronata, 4-6-loculari, loculis 

pluribus tota longitudine loculorum insert is; inflorescentia mascula 

7.8 cm. longa, 1.7 cm. crassa, parte superiore 2/3 sterili. 

Leaves basal, deep green above, dull green below, the numerous 

fine nerves equally prominent, subhorizontally spreading to ascending 

in middle portion, retrorse to descending in postical lobes, 

ascending towards apex, marginal nerve prominent, more strongly 

developed than others; inflorescence arising from center of plant; 

spathe yellow green, suffused with salmon at base, longer than 

spadix; spadix whitish; staminate inflorescence sterile above in 

upper 2/3, the parts of the sterile portion irregularly 4-6-angled, 

some of the margins somewhat crenate, fleshy, 1.5-2 mm. high, those 

in the upper half 1.2-1.5 mm. wide, those in lower part 2-3 mm. wide 

across the top (Fig. 13). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected among rock outcrops, 

Savanna Hills, summit of Cerro Duida, Territorio Federal Amazonas, 

alt. 1025-1200 m., September 2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58225 

(2 sheets). Same locality, Tate 830 (NY). 

Evidently a member of sect. Baursia, since all the nerves of the 

leaf blade are equal, dense, and close together. This species is 

remarkable in possessing perfoliate leaves, the basal lobes of the 

blade completely surrounding the petiole. The completely sterile 

upper 2/3 of the staminate inflorescence is also noteworthy. At the 

time this species was collected by Tate from the Savanna Hills, 

Krause indicated (Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 58: 321. 1931) that it would 

prove to be a new species, but did not describe it, because only the 

sterile specimen was available. It is fortunate that flowering material 

has been obtained subsequently. 

Philodendron Englereanum Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Planta terrestris et epiphytica; caudice crasso; foliorum petiolo 

erecto tereti, 38-44 cm. longo, 3-8 mm. crasso; lamina coriacea,


subtus glauco cordato-ovata, apice abrupte cuspidulata, basi profunde 

cordata, 28-30 cm. longa, 16-17 cm. lata; lobo antico late 

ovato, inferne 16.5-17 cm., superne 8.5-9 cm. lato; lobis posticis 

paullo retrorsis rotundatis obtusis, 5.5 cm. longis, 6.5-7 cm. latis, 

nervis lateralibus numerosissimis, omnibus subaequalibus confertis 

subarcuatis percursatis. 

FIGURE 13 

Philodendron duidae Steyermark 

Blade and upper portion of petiole (X 1/2).


Lamina of leaf deep green above, glaucous-silvery below. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in dwarf wet woods, 

lower southeastern slopes of Carrao-tepui, state of Bolivar, December 

5-6, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60863. Another collection, 

with more juvenile foliage, is same locality, Steyermark 60864. 

This species, its leaves with numerous, closely spaced, subeqttal 

nerves, is related to P. duidae Steyerm., described above, from 

which it differs in the glaucous-silvery lower leaf surface of the 

blades, which in a mature stage (Steyermark 60863) have the postical 

lobes divided all the way to the petiole. In juvenile leaves (Steyermark 

60864) a subpeltate condition is found. In addition, the blades 

are relatively narrower, being ovate-oblong instead of ovate-sub-, 

orbicular, as in P duidae, and more abruptly acuminate at apex. 

Philodendron Krauseanum Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caudex scandens, teres, internodiis superioribus 8-12 mm. longis; 

foliorum petiolo 6-11 cm. longo, vagina persistenti latiuscula, ad 17 

mm. lata. apice obtusa, laminae basin haud attingenti instructo; 

lamina coriacea, oblongo-elliptica, apice cuspidato-acuminata, basi 

obtusa vel rotundata, 15-22 cm. longa, 6-8 cm. lata, nervis primariis 

utrinque 8, supra conspicuoribus arcuatim adscendentibus; pedunculo 

ca. 3.5 cm. longo; spatha extus viridi, 11-12.5 cm. longa, tubo 

ovoideo-oblongo, 2.5-3 cm. lato, quam lamina oblonga apice abrupte 

cuspidata paullum breviore; spadice cylindrico sursum paullum 

attenuate obtuso quam spatha breviore vel longiore, 10.5-16.5 cm. 

longo, 1-1.5 cm. crasso; inflorescentia foeminea, 5-7.5 cm. longa, 

ca. 1.5 cm. crassa; pistillo prismatico, 5 mm. longo, plerumque 

4-loculari, ovulis pro loculo numerosissimis biseriatis, stigmate 

majusculo rotundato corona to; inflorescentia mascula 8-9 cm. longa, 

1 cm. crassa; floribus masculis prismaticis. 

Leaf sheath broad on both sides of petiole and extending to within 

7-8 mm. of junction with blade and petiole, slightly produced beyond 

the insertion; leaf blades deep or rich green above, dull paler green 

below, midnerve prominent, especially below, 1.5 mm. wide, the 8 

primary nerves on each side on lower surface of blade much more 

conspicuous than the fine, closely spaced, arcuate-ascending 

secondary and tertiary nerves. 


Quebrada O-paru-ma', tributary of Rib Pacairao, below Santa Tereska 


Julian A. Steyermark 60567. Also collected along wooded quebrada, 

Gran Sabana, between waterfall at Rue'-meru (tributary of Rio Kukena'n) 

and Divina Pastora on Rio Kukenan north of Santa Elena, south 

of Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 1065 m., October 3, 1944, 


In the broad petiolar sheath this species approaches P. lingulatum 

(L.) C. Koch of the West Indies, but that has the leaf blades more


obtuse at base and a narrower petiolar sheath. In P. lingulatum the 

leaf blade is ovate, whereas in P. Krauseanum it is oblong-elliptic. 

Philodendron ptarianum Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Planta terrestris, caudice epigaeo, internodiis brevibus; cataphyllis 

lanceolatis, 24 cm. long is; foliorum petiolo verrucoso, supra 

2-angulato, dorsaliter convexo, 6-7 cm. longo, 3.5-4.5 mm. crasso; 

lamina erecta coriacea, supra nitida, lanceolata, apice breviter 

cuspidata, basi obtusa, 23-25 cm. longa, 4.6-5.1 cm. lata, paullo 

inaequilaterali, costa media crassissima, supra verrucosa, basi 3-4 

mm. lata, nervis lateralibus numerosissimis densissimis, omnibus 

subaequalibus parallelis, 1-1.25 mm. remotis, leviter arcuatim 

adscendentibus. 

Petiole verrucose, 2-angled above, convex below, leaf blade erect, 

dark green and shining above, yellow green below, midnerve above 

verrucose, pale green. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on dry, sandy and 

rocky sandstone exposures on level ground adjacent to swamp on 

plateau-portion of southeast-facing slopes, Ptari-tepui, state of 

Bolivar, alt. 1600 m., November 1, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59682. 

Apparently a member of sect. Baursia, and although in sterile 

condition, this species is well-marked by its distinctive vegetative 

characters of verrucose petiole and upper surface of midrib, as well 

as by the relatively small lanceolate leaf blades, which are shining 

on the upper surface, and by the elongated petioles. It is related to 

P macro gloss urn Schott, P, stenophyllum Krause, P* calophyllum 

Brongn., and P. insigne Schott. 

Philonotion Williams!! Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Planta herbacea; foliorum petiolo 6-7 cm. longo; vagina 3.5-5 

longa, 5-8 mm. lata, inferne dilatata; lamina anguste lanceolata, 

apice 8-10 mm. longe filiformi-caudata, basi obtusa repentino contracta, 

6-12 cm. longa, 13-15 mm. lata, nervis lateralibus numerosis 

subaequalibus tenuibus valde adscendentibus; pedunculo cataphyllo 

longo vaginante, subtus incluso, 19 cm. longo, 2-4 mm. lato; spatha 

8 cm. longa, fauce 3.5 cm. longa, 1.5 cm. ampla, lamina cylindrica 

vel anguste cyrabiformi, 4 cm. longa, 8 mm. lata, cuspide 8 mm. longa 

instructa; spadice 7 cm. longo; inflorescentia foeminea 1.5 cm. longa, 

5 mm. crassa, sursum attenuata; pistillo 1.6 mm. longo, ovario 

elliptico-oblongo uniloculari, ovulo unico funiculo longo infra medium 

parietis lateraliter affixo, stigmate hemispherico-discoideo; inflorescentia 

mascula sterili 2-2.5 cm. longa, inferne 4 mm. crassa, mascula 

fertili subfusiformi, 3.5 cm. longa, medio 4.5 mm. crassa. 

Petiolar sheath 1/2-3/4 length of petiole, obtuse at apex; lamina 

of leaf narrowly lanceolate, abruptly tipped with a filiform-caudate 

appendage 8-10 mm. long, midnerve somewhat prominent below, 

broadened near base to 1.5-2 mm. wide, the lateral nerves faint or 

cm.


FIGURE 14 

Philonotion Williamsii Steyermark 

A, Habit (X 1/2); B, Spadix (X 1); C, Pistil, showing ovule and 

attachment (X 8.5).


apparently none on upper surface, faintly numerous, dense, and 

strongly ascending on lower surface (Fig. 14). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected "en los sitios 

sorabreados, humedos, a lo largo de la margen de la selva, Yavita, 

Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 128 m., January 23, 1942, Llewelyn 

Williams 13922. 

Philonotion has been known hitherto as an obscure monotypic 

genus, based upon the single species P. Spruceanum Schott, collected 

by Spruce along the Rio Panure' in the Upper Amazonas region 

of Brazil. It is remarkable, therefore, to encounter a second species 

of this genus, occurring in the Amazonian drainage of Venezuela. 

This new species differs from P. Spruceanum in the much narrower, 

smaller, linear-lanceolate leaves with a pronounced filiform-caudate 

tip, a larger spathe with long filiform tip, the peduncles and inflorescence 

exceeding the leaves, and shorter petioles, which in P 

Williamsii are sheathed 1/2-3/4 their length, whereas in P. Spruceanum 

the petiole is sheathed only in its lower portion. 

Spathicarpa duidae Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Herbe terrestris e rhizoma crassiuscula; caule adscendenti vel 

decumbenti, 6-9 dm. alto; foliorum petiolo 20 cm. longo, longe vaginato; 

lamina elliptico-ovata, apice acuminata, basi acuta, 30-35 cm. 

longa, medio 16-17.5 cm. lata, nervis primariis utrinque 14-15 angulo 

circ. 30 adscendentibus, nervis secundariis tenuibus; spatha viridi 

anguste lanceolata, 8 cm. longa, paullo infra mediam constricta, 

lamina expansa circ. 2.2 cm. lata; spadice lineari, 4 cm. longo, quam 

spatha breviore, tota longitudine spathae adnato; inflorescentia 

foeminea 3 cm. longa; pistillo subgloboso, 1.5 mm. longo, apice 

1 

mm. lato, stigmate disco umbonato; ovario uniloculari; ovulo orthotropo, 

unico. 

Leaf blades coriaceous, deep green above, pale green beneath. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on Cerro Duida, 

southeastern-facing slopes along Cano Negro (tributary to CarTo 

Iguapo), Terriotrio Federal Amazonas, alt. 970-1150 ra., August 


Local name: 

"picaton". 

This species is a common one at this elevation on Mount Duida. 

It 

appears to be referable to Spathicarpa in possessing a spadix 

adnate on one side for its entire length with the spathe, and in its 

unilocular ovary with an apparently single orthotropous ovule. It is 

readily distinguished from other species of the genus by the large 

Dieffenbachia-like leaves. The flowering part of the specimen 

is in 

poor condition. 

Stenospermatium Pittieri Steyermark, sp. nov, 

Planta terrestris vel subepiphytica; caudice erecto tereti, 9 dm.


alto; foliorum petiolo modice valido, 12-25 cm. longo, supra mediam 

vagina 1-1.5 cm. lata sursum angustata apice obtusa inferne dilatata 

instructo; lamina coriacea, elliptic o-oblonga, apice abrupte breviter 

cuspidata, basin versus subcuneatim contracta, 16.5-32 cm. longa, 

7.5-12 cm. lata, nervis primariis numerosis angulo 40 -45 a costa 

valida adscendentibus; pedunculo 8.5 cm. longo; spatha pallidoviridi 

ovata, apice abrupte acuminata, 7.5 cm. longa, 5.5 cm. lata; 

spadice lineari-cylindrico 4.5 cm. longo, 8 mm. crasso, stipite 8 mm. 

longo suffulto; pistillo 2.5 mm. longo, prismatoideo-hexagono, vertice 

truncato, 2.5 mm. lato; ovario uniloculari; ovulis 12-14. 

Leaves dark green and shining above, silvery pale green below; 

spathe pale green. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on rich steep wooded 

slopes, Alto de Lirio, between Bramon and Las Delicias, state of 

Tachira, alt. 1890-2285 m., July 18, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

57455 (2 sheets). 

This species 

is related to S maximum Engl. and S. multiovulatum 

(Engl.) N. E. Brown, but has a shorter spadix than S. maximum, and 

a shorter spathe and spadix than S. multiovulatum. It is further distinguished 

by the large leaves, the petiole vaginate only to above 

the middle, and a long peduncle. 

I 

rospatha savannarum Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Planta terrestris; foliis basalibus; foliorum petiolo 58-63 cm. 

longo; lamina hastato-sagittata, 17-20 cm. longa, lobo antico lanceolata 

9.5-11 cm. longa, 2.3-3 cm. lata, lobis posticis anguste lanceolatis 

vel oblanceolatis, 8-10.5 cm. longis, 1.5-1.7 cm. latis, sinu 

angusto parabolico sejunctis, nervis primariis lobi antici infimis adscendentibus 

marginem patentibus, superioribus adscendentibus in 

apice exeundibus, nervis primariis loborum posticorum utrinque 3 

adscendentibus, in latere interiore in margine exeuntibus, latere 

interiore in margine exeuntibus, latere exteriore dichotomis; pedunculo 

7 dm. longo; spatha lanceolata longe caudata, 18.5 cm. longa, 

inferne expansa circ. 2 cm. lata, superne recurvata, intus purpureoviridi, 

extus brunneo-viridi; spadice lineari-cylindrico, 3.5 cm. longo, 

4 mm. crasso; floris tepalis 4, spatulatis, 2.5 mm. longis, apice 

rotundatis 1.8 mm. latis; pistillo oblongo-cylindrico, 2 mm. longo; 

ovario uniloculari; ovulo unico; staminibus 4; filamentis latiusculis 

1 mm. longis, 1 mm. latis. 

Leaves grass green above, dull green below; inflorescence erect; 

spathe recurved above, lavender-green within, bronze green without; 

spadix pale gray-green above, pale gray-lilac below with brownlavender 

spots; ovary 1-celled, the single ovule arising from the 

base at one side (Fig. 15). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected along rill in savanna, 

Sabana Grande, at southeastern base of Cerro Duida, Territorio



57853. 

This remarkable plant is distinguished from all other members of 

the genus by the unilocular 1-ovulate ovary, the usual condition 

being incompletely 2-locular with 2 or more ovules. It is further 

distinguished by the 4 perianth segments and 4 stamens of each 

flower, the short slender spadix, relatively narrow long-caudate 

spathe, and the narrow lanceolate to oblanceolate postical lobes and 

the relatively small antical lobe of the leaf blade. The spathe and 

spadix are shorter than in (/, caudata (Poepp. & Endl.) Schott and 

{/. sagittifolia (Rodsch.) Schott, and the leaf blades are shorter than 


It 

appears most closely related to (/. decipiens 

FIGURE 15 

Urospatha savannarum Steyermark 

A, Spathe and part of spadix, lateral view (X 1/2); B, Perianth segment 

(X 9), upper half, from above, lower half, from side; C, Flower, 

from above (X 10>, D, Staminate cluster (X 15); E, Ovule (highly 

magnified; F, Pistil, showing ovule in position (X 6); G, Blade and 

upper portion of petiole (X 1/2).


Schott and i. dubia Schott, which have the cells of the ovary 2- 

ovulate. Vrospatha savannarum may represent a stage towards reduction 

in the evolutionary trend from species, such as U dubia and 

U. decipiens, having 2 ovules. 

So far as the single-celled, 1-ovulate ovary is concerned, U. 

savannarum is anomalous as a member of the genus Vrospatha. But 

in features of the stamens and morphology of the perianth segments, 

and in the structure of the elongated spathe, it agrees with other 

members of this genus. 

It resembles the genus Dracontioides in 

having the ovary 1-ovulate, but that has a spathe which is shortly 

convolute below and fomiculate above, features altogether lacking 

in U. savannarum. It is probable that a special section of the genus 

should be set aside for this new species. 

XYRIDACEAE 

Abolboda macrostachya Spruce, var. robustior Steyermark, var. nov. 

Planta caespitosa; foliis rigidis coriaceis pungentibus, 18-42 cm. 

cm. longis, 9-23 ram. lads, marginibus involutis; scapo 50-60 cm. 

longo, 5-6 mm. lato; spicis elliptic o-oblongis vel fusiformibus, 

usque ad 5.5 cm. longis, 1.3 cm. crassis; bracteis ovatis vel late 

oblongis, acuminatis vel mucronatis, subcoriaceis, marginibus 

scariosis integerrimis, 13-15 mm. longis, 6-7 mm. latis. 

Leaves in rosette, rich green; floral bracts brown-lavender with 

scarious margins; corolla deep blue. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in sandy wet meadow, 

Gran Sabana, between Mission of Santa Teresita de Kavanaye'n, 

northwest to Rio Karuai, on large mesa, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 

m., October 26, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59349 (2 sheets). Also 

collected in swamp, vicinity of "Misia Kathy Camp", on mesa between 

P tari-tepuT and Sororopan-tepui, alt. 1615 m., November 15-17, 


From typical A. macrostachya spruce, this differs in the much 

larger leaves, longer bracts of the scape, more elongated scapes, 

and thicker heads of flowers. 

Abolboda ptaritepuiana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caules adscendentes foliati, steriles usque ad 1.2 m. alti; foliorum 

vaginis membranaceis fuscis, vetustis squamosis praesecantibus; 

foliis erectis firme membranaceis planis lineari-lanceolatis, 12-15 

cm. longis, 10-12 mm. latis, acuminatis, glaberrimis, supra viridibus, 

subtus argenteis, basi purpureis, marginibus fuscis; scapo tereti, 

39 cm. longo, 5-7 mm. crasso, glaberrimo; floribus capitatis, capitulis 

floriferis, 6 cm. longis, 8 cm. crassis; bracteis ovatis vel late 

lanceolatis, 3.2-4.2 cm. longis, 5-12 mm. latis, marginibus integerrimis.


Sterile stems leafy above, the sheaths in age shredding into 

brown scaly segments; leaves of sterile stems firmly membranaceous, 

those of fertile stems somewhat more rigidly pointed and slightly 

broader at base. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in dense thickets, 

Ptari-tepui, Bonnetia roraimae forest on southwest-facing shoulder, 

state of Bolivar, alt. 2000-2200 m., November 2, 1944, Julian A. 

Steyermark 59760 (2 

sheets). 

This species, although closely related to A. seeptrum Oliver, 

differs from that species in the elongated leafy stem, the prominent, 

brown-scaly shredding leaf sheaths, leaves less rigid and not as 

prominently pungent-tipped, green instead of silvery-blue on the 

upper leaf surface, entire or subentire margins of the floral bracts, 

which in the fruiting condition are shorter and erect-ascending, instead 

of divaricately spreading as in A. seeptrum, and much more 

slender peduncles. 

Abolboda rig Ida (Malme) Steyermark, comb. nov. 

A bolboda grandis Griseb. var. rigida Malme, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 

58: 326. 1931. 

This appears distinct from A. grandis in the broader, pungent, 

stiff leaves of coriaceous instead of subcoriaceous texture, and 

larger heads with larger bracts and flowers. 

The leaves are described by Malme as 12-17 cm. long and 8-10 

mm. wide, but Steyermark 58181 from the summit of Mount Duida has 

leaves measuring 23-24 cm. long and 15-19 mm. wide, and has bracts 

measuring normally 14-15 mm. long. Malme describes the bracts as 

"circiter 10 mm. longae, usque 5 mm. latae". The^ variety was 

originally described from Mount Duida (late 586), and later collected 

also on Mount Auyan-tepui (Tate 1208, Cardona 116, 203). 

Xyrls albescens Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caespitosa satis robusta; foliis erectis subcoriaceis ensiformilinearibus, 

apice valde falcato-incurvatis et obtusis subtiliter 

nervoso-striatis, marginibus dense cilia tis pilis albidis instructis, 

40-75 cm. longis, 4-6 mm. latis; vagina tertiam vel quartam partem 

folii occupante, basin versus ferrugineo-castanea vel atro-castanea, 

nitida, eciliata; scapo recto ancipiti, marginibus dense ciliatis pilis 

albidis instructis, 60-75 cm. longis, 2-3 mm. latis; spicis subglobosis,multifloris, 

1.2-1.5 cm. longis, 1.2-1.7 cm.crassis; bracteis subcoriaceis 

nigris vel fusco-nigris (vivis), decussatis, confertim erectoadpressis 

velpaullo patentibus, infimis sterilibus, late ovato-oblongis 

vel late oblongis, ceteris late oblongis, integerrimis, apice rotundatis, 

8-10 mm. longis, 5-6 mm. latis, area dorsali nulla; sepalis 

lateralibus liberis paullo inaequilateris, anguste lanceolatis, acutis, 

8 mm. longis, 1-1.2 mm. latis, fuscis, ala carinali in pane tertia 

superiore cilia to-scabridula.


ff 

FIGURE 16 

Xyris albescens Steyerraark. A, Tip of blade, showing recurved portion 

(X 1/3 >, B, Petal (X 1.5). 

Xyris esmeraldae Steyermark. 

spike (X 1.5). 

C, Upper part of flowering scape with 

Xyris lanulobractea Steyermark. D, Stamen (X 6); E, Portion of hairs 

at base of filament (highly magnified); F, Bract, showing dorsal area 

and pubescence at summit (X 3); G, Petal (X 1.5); H, Staminodium 

(X6). 

Xyris ptariana Steyermark. I, Petal (X 1); J, Cluster of uppermost 

leaves in position, showing recurved ligule (X 2/3). 

Xyris stenostachya Steyermark. K, Uppermost part of scape with 

spike (X 1); L, Middle part of blade (X 3).


Petals 8.5 mm. long, the blade 6 ram. long, 4 mm. wide, broadly 

elliptic-ovoid, subobtuse, margins erase from tip to near base, claw 

3 mm. long; anther linear, 2.5 mm. long; filament 1 mm. long; staminodium 

long penicillate-plumose at apex with hairs 2 mm. long; 

style branches 3, 3 mm. long, slightly penicillate and truncate at 

tip (Fig. 16, a-b). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on Ptari-tepui^ 

Bonnetia roraimae forest on southwest-facing shoulder, state of 

Bolivar, alt. 2000-2200 m., November 2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

59734. Also collected in swamp, Ptari-tepuf, on plateau portion of 

southeast-facing slopes, alt. 1600 m., November 1, 1944, Steyermark 

59683. 

Apparently a member of Sect. XII (X. spe eta biles Malme) [published 

as Stirps X. spectabilis, but undoubtedly intended as plural, as all 

other sections are so designated by Malme with plural endingsj, and 

most closely related to X. decussata Gleason of Mount Roraima, 

which it resembles in the falcate-incurved rounded or obtuse leaf 

tips, pubescent margins of leaves and scapes, and decussate darkcolored 

bracts lacking a definite dorsal area. It differs from that 

species in the white instead of dark brown hairs of the margins of 

scapes and leaves, recurved-falcate inequilateral leaf tip, much 

longer leaves and scapes, more robust habit, larger heads, bracts, 

and lateral sepals, and longer sheaths of an orange-brown to dark 

castaneous brown color. 

In its strongly flattened, broad scape with pubescent margins of 

the leaves and scapes, 

it is reminescent of X, eriophylla Reichenb., 

but that has a definite dorsal area on die bracts, densely villous 

upper part of the lateral sepal, and transversely rugose leaves. 

Xyris c a pillar is Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caespitosa; foliis rubrescentibus planis setaceis, acutis, 0.5-3 

cm. longis, 0.1-0.2 mm. latis, omnino glaberrimis; vagina circiter 

tertiara vel feredimidium partemfolii occupante, basin versus pallidobrunnea, 

scariosa, eciliata; scapo subtereti tenuissimo, glabro, 

1.5-1.9 cm. alto; spicis anguste ellipticis, 1-floris, 3-4 mm. longis, 

0.8-1 ram. latis; bracteis membranaceis brunneis, 2 infimis brevissimis, 

anguste lanceolatis, 2-2.1 mm. longis, glabris, bracteis intermediis 

et superioribus lanceolatis, 3-4 ram. longis, albido-maculatis, 

marginibus scariosis; ovario et capsula uniloculari; seminibus 

plerumque 2. 

Leaves copper-colored; placentae basal-central, ovules numerous, 

attached to long, ascending funicles; seeds 2 or more, minute, 

ellipsoid, reddish-brown. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected between Esmeralda 

Savanna and southeastern base of Cerro Duida, Territorio Federal 

Amazonas, alt. 200 m., August 22, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57835.


Also collected in savanna and shrubby growth bordering forest of Rio 

Karuai, between Santa Teresita de Kavanaye'n and base of Ptariteput, 

state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., November 18, 1944, Steyermark 

60306. 

So far as known, this is the species having the most delicate and 

slender leaves and flowers in the genus. 

It is most closely related 

to X. filiscapa Malme of Manaos, Brazil, from which it differs in the 

shorter, narrower, entirely glabrous leaves, shorter and more slender 

scapes or culms, and 1-flowered inflorescence. 

At first, it was thought that this species might represent a reduced, 

starved, or dwarf state of X filiscapa, but, in addition to the more 

slender and shorter leaves, scapes, and spikes, the leaves themselves 

are completely glabrous, lacking the ciliation characteristic 

of X. filiscapa, as exhibited, for example, in Williams 13996. Since 

our material possesses mature capsules and seeds, 

it cannot be 

considered as representing immature or dwarfed plants. 

Xyris culmenicola Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caespitosa; foliis subcoriaceis ensiformi-linearibus, apice acutis 

vel pauilo falcato-incurvatis, valde nervoso-striatis, margin ibus 

dense ciliatis pilis alb id is instructis, 15-30 cm. longis, 2-3.5 mm. 

latis; vagina quartam vel quintam partem folii occupante, inferne 

atro-castanea nitida, eciliata; scapo erecto ancipiti, ecostato, omnino 

glabro, 35-45 cm. longo, 1.5-2 mm. lato, aciebus obtusis; spicis 

elliptic o-ovatis, basi pauilo contractis, multifloris, 14 mm. longis, 

7-11 mm. crassis; bracteis coriaceis, nigricantibus vel fusco-nigris, 

concoloribus, opacis, ovalibus vel late oblongis apice pauilo laceratis, 

inferioribus et intermediis apice emarginatis, sub apice rotundatis 

et pauilo carinatis, 7-8 mm. longis, 3.8-4.5 mm. latis, area 

dorsali nulla; sepalis lateralibus liberis, lineari-oblanceolatis, 

acutis, 7 mm. longis, 1.1-1.2 mm. latis, dorso castanea, ala carinali 

angusta, in parte dimidia superiore ciliato-scabrida. 

Heads somewhat thicker in dried state; carinal wing of lateral 

sepals ciliolate in upper half, the cilia longer near the tip; ovules 

on basal placentae; seeds few (2-9), elongated, tailed at one end 

wkh whitish appendages 0.5 mm. long; body of seed linear-oblong, 

2.25 mm. long. 0.4 mm. wide, pale brown, the surface smoothish. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected around small stream 

on dry rocky slopes, summit of Cerro Duida, Brocchinia Hills, 


Julian A. Steyermark 58798; also collected in Savanna Hills, summit 

of Cerro Duida, alt. 1025-1200 m., September 2, 1944, Steyermark 

58233. 

Closely related to A", lugubris Malme, also from the summit of 

Duida, but differing from that species in having the margins of the 

leaves conspicuously densely white-ciliate, the leaves strongly


longitudinally nerved, whereas in X, lugubris they are impressednerved 

with numerous conspicuous pale puncticulate stomata, the 

ligules of the sheaths not lacerate, and the bracts of the heads less 

conspicuously lacerate on the margins. 

Xyris esmeraldae Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caespitosa subbulbosa, aphylla vel folia obsoleta; scapis numerosis 

tenuibus, subteretibus, valde spiraliter tortis, 12-20 cm. altis, 

0.5 mm. latis, omnino glabris; spicis ellipticis vel fusiformibus, 

4-4.5 mm. longis, 1-1.5 mm. latis; bracteis 2 infimis late oblongis 

vel ovato-oblongis, obtusis, 2 mm. longis, 1 mm. latis, marginibus 

scariosis, ceteris ad 3.5 mm. longis, ad 4 mm. latis; sepalis lateralibus 

lance olatis, 3 mm. longis, 1 mm. latis, apice denudatis, ala 

carinali parce denticulata; capsula uniloculari, 3-valva. 

Plant semi-bulbous at base; leaves reduced to short bracts at base 

or absent; seeds at base of capsule on long erect funicles (Fig. I6,c). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in swampy woods 

between Esmeralda Savanna and southeastern base of Cerro Duida, 

Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 200 m., August 22, 1944, Julian 


The fact that the specimen is not in flowering condition makes its 

exact position in the genus somewhat uncertain, but there is no doubt 

but that it 

pertains to the subgenus Nematopus Seubert. The possession 

of lateral sepals naked at the apex and denticulate on the 

keel would place 

it 

probably in Sect. V. of Malme (X, Hymenachnes) 

and, because of its spirally twisted scapes, near X. tortula Mart, and 

X. simulans Alb. Nilsson var. subtortula Malme. From these species, 

X, esmeraldae may be distinguished by the smaller, narrower spikes, 

smaller lateral sepals, conspicuously spirally twisted narrow scapes, 

and leafless condition. 

Xyris lanulobractea Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caespitosa; foliis erectis subteretibus coriaceis subsetaceis, 

apice subulatis, subtiliter striatu latis, omnino glabris, 18-44 cm. 

longis, 0.5-1 mm. latis; vagina sextam vel nonam partem folii occupante, 

inferne castanea, nitida, eciliata; scapo erecto vel basin 

versus paullo torto subtereti subtiliter striatulato, omnino glabro, 

40-50 cm. longo, 

1 mm. lato; spicis ovato-ellipsoideis vel ovoideis 

multifloris, 9-11 mm. longis, 6-7 mm. crassis; bracteis coriaceis, 

brunneis praeter apices, infimis parvissimis sterilibus, late oblongis 

vel oblongo-suborbicularibus, apice rotundatis, 3-5 mm. longis, 2.5- 

3.5 mm. latis, intermediis superioribusque fertilibus, late oblongis 

vel rhomboideo-oblongis, 5 mm. longis, 4-4.5 mm. latis, area dorsali 

distincta oblonga sub apice obtusa et irregulariter reticulata, supremis 

dense longe ciliatis, ceteris pane superiore et apice dense 

albido-lanuginosis; sepalis lateralibus liberis, paullo inaequilateris, 

obla nee olatis, 5 mm. longis, 0.9-1 mm. latis, apice villosis, ala 

carinali in parte quarta superiore dense fimbriato-villosis pilis


albidis; petalis 8 mm. longis, lamina 4 mm. longa, 5 mm. lata, apice 

grosse erosa; filamentis 1 mm. longis, basi pilosis pilis ad 2 ram. 

longis instructis; antheris 1.3 mm. longis; staminodiis longe 

penicillatis. 

Petals longer than the bracts and sepals, obovoid-cuneate, the 

blade abruptly narrowed to a long slender claw 4 mm. long and 0.5 

mm. wide, lamina erose or toothed at apex with relatively coarse 

broad projections; ovary 2 mm. long; style filiform, 3 mm. long; style 

branches 3, filiform, 2 mm. long, tipped by slightly fimbrillate 

stigmas (Fig. 16, d-h). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on swampy ground 

following streamlet, Gran Sabana, between Mission of Santa Teresita 

de Kavanayen northwest to Rio Karuai, on large mesa, state of 

Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., October 26, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59336. 

This is a member of Sect. XXL of Malme (X. pilosae), and most 

closely related to X. globosa Alb. Nilsson of the upper Orinoco 

(Spruce 3244), near Esmeralda, Venezuela. It differs from X. globosa 

in the larger and more broadly ovoid heads with denser and longer 

hairs on the upper part of the bracts, in X globosa being shorter and 

more scattered, the dorsal area of the bracts less pointed at tip and 

relatively wider, the anthers exserted on conspicuous filaments, and 

the conspicuously long-penicillate staminodia. 

Xyris ptariana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caespitosa, robusta, elata; foliis manifeste distichis rigidis 

coriaceis, ensiformi-linearibus, quam scapo brevioribus, laevibus, 

aciebus acutis, apice falcato-incurvatis et obtusiusculis vel acutiusculis, 

valde nervoso-striatis, 12-20 cm. longis, 3-5 mm. lads, omnino 

glabris; vagina circiter dimidiam partem folii occupante, ligula distincte 

limitata, saepe recurvato-revoluta, eciliata, inferne castanea, 

nitida, 9-12 cm. longa, deorsum sensim dilatata; scapis rectis, 

superne ancipitibus et bicostatis, inferne unicostatis, laevibus, 

omnino glabris, 30-38 cm. longis, 1-1.2 mm. latis; spicis 

obovoideo-subglobosis, multifloris, 11-13 mm. longis, 5-10 mm. latis; 

bracteis subcoriaceis integerrimis, fuscis concoloribus praeter 

margines scariosos, nitidis, glabris, 5-8 infimis et exterioribus 

sterilibus parvisque oblongo-obovatis, 4-5 mm. longis, apice rotundatis 

vel obtusis, 6-7 intermediis superioribusque fertilibus late 

oblongis, 8-9 mm. longis, 4-5 mm. latis, sub apice rotundatis vel 

obtusis, emarginatis vel retusis; sepalis lateralibus liberis, inaequilateris, 

oblanceolatis, 6.5-7 mm. longis, supra medium 1.2-1.5 

mm. latis, aia carinali in parte superiore minute papillato-scabridula; 

petalis rhomboideo-cuneatis, 9 mm. longis, supra medium 6 mm. latis; 

filamentis 1 mm. longis, 0.5 mm. latis; antheris 1.3 mm. longis; 

staminodiis 3, 4.5 mm. longis, superne dilatatis et penicillatis. 

Forming dense tufts; leaves dark green with brown at base; ligule 

typically recurved-revolute or spreading and becoming squarrose;


spike 5-6 mm. wide in fresh condition, up to 10 mm. wide in dried 

state with loosely spreading bracts; petals faintly many-nerved, 

slightly wavy-margined on top, the rhomboid blade narrowed below 

the middle to a cuneate claw; filament inserted somewhat below the 

middle near the junction of the claw and the blade of the petal; 

staminodia penicillate-plumose above with pale yellow hairs; placentae 

basal; ovules numerous (Fig. 16, i-j). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on wet bluffs under 

constant spray of swinging waterfall, Ptari-tepuf, along base of eastfacing 

high sandstone bluffs, state of Bolivar, alt. 2410-2450 m., 

November 7, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59919. 

Xyris ptariana belongs to the same group of species as X. Tatei 

Malme and X. witsenioides Oliver and is intermediate between these 

two. At one end of the series stands X. witsenioides, while at the 

other end is X. Tatei, By broadening the leaves and enlarging and 

elongating the sheaths and scapes of X. witsenioides, a condition, 

more or less like that found in X. ptariana is reached, and, by continuing 

one step further, again widening the leaves and scapes of 

X. ptariana, the state of X. Tatei is reached. Xyris ptariana has 

somewhat larger heads and broader leaves and scapes than has 

X. witsenioides, but narrower leaves and scapes than X. Tatei* 

Like X. Tatei, to which X. ptariana is most closely related, the 

tip of the leaf is prominently incurved-falcate and obtusish, whereas 

in X. witsenioides it is scarcely or not at all falcate and more gradually 

narrowed to an acute or acuminate apex. In X. ptariana, however, 

the lower part of the scape is angled on one side, as in X. witsenioides, 

rather than bicostate and biangulate throughout, as in X. Tatei. 

In A!, ptariana the keel of the lateral sepal is somewhat less scabrid 

than in X. witsenioides. The most conspicuous characteristic of 

X. ptariana, however, is the ligule, which is typically recurvedrevolute; 

in X. witsenioides the ligule is produced upwards and erect 

or straight or protrudes slightly as a small or elongated structure, 

whereas in X. Tatei it is spreading-squarrose at the tip. This is 

seen best developed, in the species mentioned, on the sheaths of the 

uppermost and youngest leaves. 

Xyris scabridula Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caespitosa; foliis rigid is coriaceis, flexuosis vel nonnihil laxe 

spiraliter tortulis, subcomplanatis vel subteretibus, profunde sulcatis, 

glabris, quara scapis multo brevioribus, 6-12 cm. longis, 1-1.5 mm. 

latis, aciebus subobtusis; vagina scabridula, inferne fusca nitida; 

scapis atro-viridibus rectis vel nonnihil flexuosis laxe tortulis, subteretibus, 

subtiliter sulcato-nervatis, 19-26 cm. longis, 0.75-1 mm. 

latis; vagina basali purpurea, 6-7 cm. longa, nitida; spicis paucifloris, 

ovoideis, 6-7 mm. longis, 3.5-4 mm. crassis; bracteis coriaceis, 

integerrimis, adpressis fuscis concoloribus, infimis sterilibus 

late oblongis, 3 mm. longis, apice rotundatis, intermediis superioribusque 

late oblongis, 5-6 mm. longis, 3-4 mm. latis, apice rotundatis,


omnibus glabris, area dorsal! nulla; sepalis late rail bus fere aequilateris, 

late lanceolatis, ala carinali e basi ad apicem manifeste 

s cabrid ulo-c ilia ta. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected around rills on rocky 

dry ridge top, summit of Cerro Duida, Brocchinia Hills, Territorio 

Federal Amazonas, alt. 1700-1980 ni., September 1, 1944, Julian A. 

Steyermark 58168; same locality, but in slightly more moist places, 

Steyermark 58178. The last collection, although sterile, is undoubtedly 

referable to this new species. It has leaves up to 40 cm. 

long, and the sheaths at the base are much more conspicuously 

scabridulous than in the type specimen. 

This species is related to X. stenophylloides Malme, also from the 

summit of Duida, and to X, stenophylla Alb. Nils son. It is characterized 

by the scabridulous-ciliolate keel of the lateral sepals, the 

torulose leaves and scapes, small few-flowered heads with dark 

brown bracts without a dorsal area, the purple sheaths of the flowering 

scapes, and the strongly sulcate-nerved leaves and scapes. 

From X. stenophylloides 

it 

may be distinguished by the scabridciliolate, 

instead of entire eciliate keel of the lateral sepal, purlish 

instead of brown sheaths of the scape, and scabridulous instead 

of glabrous leaf sheaths. From X. stenophylla 

it differs in the 

shorter, more rigid, and more prolonged leaf sheaths, scabrid instead 

of ciliate leaf sheaths, and shorter differently shaped lower bracts of 

the heads. 

Xyris setigera Oliver, var. elongata Steyermark, var. nov. 

A typo differt foliis longioribus et marginibus ciliatis brevioribus 

remotioribus. 

Leaves 15-30 cm. long, the margins with shorter and less crowded 

cilia than in the species. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on dry sandy and 


plateau portion of southeast-facing slopes, Ptari-tepui' state of 

Bolivar, alt. 1600 m., November 1, 1944, Julian A, Steyermark 

59660; Ptari-tepui, Brocchinia-Stegolepis-Heliamphora swamp on 

southwest-facing shoulder, alt. 2200 m., November 2, 1944, Steyermark 

59782; swampy ground following streamlet, Gran Sabana, between 

Mission of Santa Teresita de Kavanayen northwest to Rio 

Karuai, on large mesa, alt. 1220 m., October 26, 1944, Steyermark 

59336a; and savanna, vicinity of "Misia Kathy Camp", on mesa 

between Ptari-tepui and Sororopan-tepui, alt. 1615 m., November 

15-17, 1944, Steyermark 60239. 

From typical X. setigera Oliver of Mount Roraima, this variety 

has become differentiated by elongating the leaves and in reducing 

the size and number of the cilia on the leaf margins.


Xyris stenostachya Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caespitosa; foliis ensiformi-linearibus complanatis valde transverse 

rugulosis, glabris, 10-15 cm. longis, 2-3 mm. latis, marginibus 

incrassatis; vagina membranacea, brevi, glabra; scapis tenuibus 

subteretibus transverse rugulosis, 17-30 cm. longis, 0.5-0.6 mm. 

crass is; spicis lineari-cylindricis, acutis vel subacutis, 20-26-floris, 

16-34 mm. longis, 2.5-3 mm. latis; bracteis firme membranaceis, 

pallido-viridibus, marginibus pallid o-brunne is subscariosis, integerrimis, 

ovato- vel elliptic o-oblongis, apice obtusis vel rotundatis, 7 

mm. longis, 3 mm. latis, area dors all bene evoluta; sepalis lateralibus 

liberis, lanceolatis, acutis, 5.25-5.5 mm. longis, 0.8-1 mm. latis, 

ala carinali parce et minute ciliolata, aliter glabra; petalis oblongis, 

apice irregulariter eroso-dentatis, 3 mm. longis, circiter 1 mm. latis; 

filamentis 1 mm. longis, glabris; antheris 0.7 mm. longis; staminodii 

ramis penicillatis (Fig. 16, k-1). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected among rock outcrops 

below mouth of Rio Sanariapo, along Orinoco river, Territorio Federal 

Amazonas, alt. 100 m., September 8, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

58437. 

A member of subgenus Nematopus Seubert, Sect. IV. of Malme 

(X. para en sis), this species is closely related to X. longiceps 

Malme, from which it differs in the transversely rugulose leaves and 

scapes, and longer and more slender spikes. 

It is also related to X. 

savannensis Miquel, differing from that species in the more elongated 

narrow spikes.


Carptotepala Moldenke, gen. nov. 

ERIOCAULACEAE l 

Flores trimeri androgyni. Bracteae involucrati paucae imbricatae 

squarrosae. Receptaculum dense longeque villosum. Bracteae receptaculi 

nullae. Flores masculi central!; sepala 3 libera glabra; 

receptaculum ultra calycem in stipitem angustum production corollam 

staminaque gerens; petala 3 libera firma adscendentes glabra; stamina 

3 libera; filamenta elongata. Flores femini peripherati; sepala 

3 libera glabra; petala 3 libera elongata erecta in medio constricta, 

ad apicem saepe appendiculata; stylus brevissimus, appendicibus 3 

ornatis; stigmata 3 brevissima recurvata. 

Flowers trimerous, androgynous; involucral bracelets rather few, 

imbricate, squarrose; receptacle densely long-villous; receptacular 

bracelets absent; staminate florets central in the head, easily detached, 

their sepals 3, separate, glabrous; the remainder of the floret 

inserted at the apex of a prolongation of the receptacle; their petals 

3, separate, firm, ascending, glabrous; stamens 3, inserted alternate 

to the petals, free; filaments elongate; anthers sagittate, versatile, 

composed of 2 thecae, each dehiscing by means of a longitudinal 

slit; rudimentary ovary present at the base of the stamens; pistillate 

florets peripheral, firmly attached to the receptacle, with all the 

floral parts inserted at one level; their sepals 3, separate, glabrous; 

their petals 3, separate, elongate, erect, narrowed in the middle, 

often appendaged at the apex; style very short; stigmas 3, very short, 

recurved; style-appendages 3, issuing from the same level as the 

stigmas, elongate, erect, fimbriate; ovary large, 3-angulate or 3- 

alate, 3-celled, 3-ovulate. 

This genus is known thus far only from the type species C. insolita 

Moldenke, which exhibits most remarkable floral characters. Among 

its distinctive characters are the definitely central and loosely 

attached staminate florets and the distinctly peripheral firmly attached 

pistillate florets; the prolongation of the floral receptacle 

(regarded as such in the absence of detailed morphological examination) 

above the calyx in the staminate florets; the free elongate 

stamens; the completely separate sepals and petals in flowers of 

both sexes; the elongated exserted petals of the pistillate florets, 

with their narrowed mid-portion and caudate appendage; and the 3- 

alate ovary. The generic name is compounded from the Latin word 

"carptim", meaning in separate parts, and the latinized French word 

"tepal", meaning a division of the perianth. 

Carptotepala insolita Moldenke, sp. nov. 

Herba parva caulescens; caulibus gracilibus 4-6 cm. longis rectis 

simplicibus ad apicem longe villosis; foliis numerosissimis rectis 

1 

By Harold N. Moldenke


linearibus 4.5-8 cm. longis raultistriatis non fenestratis utrinque 

glabris vel ad basin plusminusve longe villosis; vaginis cylindricis 

angustis arete adpressis glabris ca. 3.5 cm. longis; pedunculis 

stramineis vel flavis 15-25 cm. longis 3-costatis tortis glabris. 

Small caulescent herb; stems slender, 4-6 cm. long, completely 

hidden by the sheathing leaf-bases, erect, apparently unbranched, 

long-villous at the summit; leaves very numerous, erect, linear, 

grass-green, thin-membranous, 4.5-8 cm. long, rather regularly attenuate 

from the acute apex to the ampliate and sheathing base, about 

1.5 mm. wide at the mid-point, many-striate, not fenestrate, glabrous 

on both surfaces or more or less long-villous on the subhyaline 

margins of the top of the sheathing base; sheaths cylindric, narrow, 

closely appressed to the peduncles, shorter than the leaves, about 

3.5 cm. long, glabrous, many-striate, slightly twisted, obliquely 

split at the apex, the blade ovate-lanceolate, appressed to the 

peduncle, about 7 mm. long, acute, glabrous; peduncles about 3 per 

plant, slender, stramineous or yellow, 15-25 cm. long, 3-costate, 

twisted, glabrous, shiny; heads solitary, turbinate, 4-5 mm. long, 

3-4 mm. wide; involucral bractlets rather few, closely imbricate in 

several series, oblanceolate-spatulate, about 1.9 mm. long and 0.8 

mm. wide, firm, stramineous or light-brown, rounded at the apex, more 

or less squarrose, glabrous on both surfaces, shiny, concave on the 

inner, convex on the outer surface; receptacle long-villous; receptacular 

bractlets absent; staminate florets central in the head, loosely 

attached; sepals 3, separate to the base, inserted about 0.4 mm. below 

the remainder of the floret, narrowly elliptic, yellowish, about 

1.9 mm. long and 0.4 mm. wide, subacute at the apex, glabrous 

throughout, not bearded, not glanduliferous, firm, erect or spreading; 

petals 3, separate to the base, elliptic, about 2.1 mm. long and 0.8 

mm. wide, obtuse at the apex, yellowish, thin-textured, firm, ascending, 

glabrous throughout, not bearded, not glanduliferous, not involute; 

stamens 3, separate and free to the base, alternate with the 

petals; filaments flattened, about 1.8 mm. long, glabrous; anthers 

sagittate, versatile, about 0.4 mm. long, 0.2-0.3 mm. wide, the 2 

thecae separate and opening by longitudinal slits; ovary rudimentary, 

at the base of the stamens and petals, dark-brown, about 0.2 mm. 

long and wide, 3-angled, 3-celled, sometimes surmounted by a very 

abbreviated 3-parted style; pistillate florets peripheral in the head, 

all its parts borne at one level: sepals 3, separate to the base, 

oblong, firm, brownish, ascending, about 1.6 mm. long and 0.3 mm. 

wide, acute at the apex, glabrous on both surfaces, not bearded, not 

glanduliferous; petals 3, separate to the base, elongate-linear, erect, 

narrowed in the mid-portion, to 4.2 mm. long, about 0.2 mm. wide for 

the lowest 1.2 mm. above the base and there hyaline, then narrowed 

to about half that diameter for about 0.4 mm., then expanded to 0.15 

mm. and somewhat involute and brownish for about 0.8 mm. or more, 

acute at the apex, the apex often surmounted by a terminal caudate 

erect of spreading appendage to 0.8 mm. in length, the lowest expanded 

hyaline portion of the petal long-hirsute on the back, the


remainder glabrous, not bearded, not glanduliferous: style very 

short, about 0.1 mm. long, glabrous, terminated by 3 recurvedspreading 

stigmas of about similar length and 3 elongated erect 

fimbciate appendages about 0.8 mm. long and dark-brown at the apex; 

ovary large, elliptic, about 0.8 mm. long and 0.4 mm. wide, broadly 

3-angulate or-alate, glabrous, 3-celled. 

Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected by a waterfall 

in a swampy savanna between Rio Karuai and Salto de Iraba-naima 

along the Rio Karuai, at the southwestern base of Ptari-tepui, state 

of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., November 28, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

60703. 

Eriocaulon dimorphopetalum Moldenke, sp. nov. 

Herba; foliis caespitosis tenuiter membranaceis saepe pellucidis 

patentibus 2-6 cm. longis longe attenuates fenestratis glabris; vaginis 

laxis 3-5.5 cm. longis pellucidis fenestratis glabris, ad apicem subtruncatis 

fissisque; pedunculis paucis erectis stramineis vel brunneis 

5-9 cm. longis 3-costatis glabris tortis; capitulis brunnescentibus 

glabris hemisphaericis 5 mm. diam.; floribus dimeris. 

Herb; stems very abbreviated; leaves cespitose, thin-membranous, 

often pellucid, wide-spreading, 2-6 cm. long, 1-2 cm. wide at the 

mid-point, long-attenuate, fenestrate, glabrous on both surfaces; 

sheaths loose, 3-5.5 cm. long, pellucid, fenestrate, glabrous, subtruncate 

and split at the apex; peduncles 5 or more per plant, erect, 

stramineous or brownish, 5-9 cm. long, 3-costate, glabrous, slightly 

twisted; heads light brown (at least, when dry), hemispheric, about 

5 mm. in diameter, smooth; involucral bractlets few, stramineous or 

light-brown, broadly elliptic, about 2 mm. long and 1.8 mm. wide, 

rounded at the apex, glabrous; receptacle glabrous; receptacular 

bractlets elliptic-obovate, about 2 mm. long and 0.9 mm. wide, obtuse 

or subacute at the apex, stramineous on the upper half, subhyaline 

toward the base, glabrous; staminate florets few, central: sepals 2, 

separate, subhyaline, obovate, about 1.3 mm. long and 0.6 mm. wide, 

apparently cucullate at the apex, not keeled, glabrous throughout; 

petals 2, linear-oblong, separate almost to the base, about 1 mm. 

long and 0.1 mm. wide, acute at the apex, glabrous, not glanduliferous; 

stamens 4, borne at the apex of a club-like stramineous 1- 

inch-long prolongation of the receptacle, the filaments divergent, 

about 0.2 mm. long; anthers black, about 0.3 mm. long, 2 often 

aborted; pistillate florets very numerous, peripheral, in many series: 

sepals 2, elliptic-falcate, stramineous or light-brown throughout, 

about 2.3 ram. long and 0.8 mm. wide, apiculate at the apex, glabrous 

throughout, very broadly keeled on the back, conduplicate; petals 2, 

1 

usually reduced, the outer developed and stramineous throughout, 

oblong, about 1.7 mm. long and 0.3 mm. wide, obtuse at the apex, 

with a small black gland at the center of the apex, glabrous throughout, 

the reduced one about 0.4 mm. long and 0.2 mm. wide and hyaline; 

style capillary, about 0.4 mm. long, glabrous; stigmas 2, 0.4-0.5


mm. long, erect; ovary black or dark-brown, globose, about 0.6 mm. 

long and wide, glabrous, 2-celled, 2-ovulate. 

Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected in swampy 

meadow south of Divina Pastora, Gran Sabana, between Divina 

Pastora on the Rio Kukenan and Santa Elena, south of Mount Roraima, 

state of Bolivar, alt. 915-1005 m., October 3, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

59264, The collector notes "leaves soft, rich green; heads 

white". The dried material, however, does not exhibit any whiteness 

on the heads. 

Eriocaulon Steyermarkii Moldenke, sp. nov. 

Herba; foliis caespitosis erectis vel divergentibus tenuibus 6-7 

cm. longis longe attenuatis glabris basin versus plusminusve fenestratis; 

vaginis arete adpressis 4-6 cm. longis pertenuis valde fenestratis 

glabris, ad apicem oblique fissis; pedunculis 1 vel 2, 18-20 

cm. longis erectis stramineis 5-costatis glabris; capitulis albis 

hemisphaericis 8 mm. diam.; floribus dimeris. 

Herb; stems much abbreviated; leaves cespitose, erect or spreading, 

thin-textured, 6-7 cm. long, about 3 mm. wide at the mid-point, 

long-attenuate, glabrous, more or less fenestrate toward the expanded 

base; sheaths 4-6 cm. long, very thin-textured, closely 

appressed to the peduncle, conspicuously fenestrate, glabrous, 

obliquely split at the apex, the blade attenuate-acute, erect, and 

closely appressed; peduncles 1 or 2 per plant, 18-20 cm. long, 

erect, stramineous, 5-costate, glabrous; heads white, hemispheric, 

about 8 mm. in diameter; involucral bractlets black, elliptic or 

elliptic-obovate, concave on the inner and convex on the outer surface, 

about 3 mm. long, 1.6-2 mm. wide, obtuse at the apex, more or 

less pilose-pubescent with short white hairs toward the apex on the 

outer surface, the hairs easily rubbed off; receptacle glabrous; receptacular 

bractlets obovate, blackish, about 2.5 mm. long and 1.5 

mm. wide, acute at the apex, pilose on the back at the apex; staminate 

florets: sepals 2, blackish on the upper half, separate to the 

base, falcate-conduplicate, about 2.5 mm. long and 1 mm. wide, somewhat 

cucullate at the apex, pilose-pubescent toward the apex on the 

outer surface with erect white easily broken-off hairs; petals 2, unequal, 

connate into a slender glabrous hyaline tube for 1.5 mm., the 

free terminal part Ungulate, one about 2 mm. long, the other 1 mm. 

long, both about 1 mm. wide and densely white-pilose on the back 

and bearded at the apex, each with a small black gland at the middle 

below the apex, widely divergent, subhyaline; stamens 4, 2 usually 

anantherous; filaments capillary, about 0.4 mm. long, glabrous, borne 

at the apex of the corolla-tube, adnate at base to the corolla; anthers 

black; pistillate florets: sepals 2, conduplicate , slightly falcate, 

oblanceolate, about 2.5 mm. long and 1 mm. wide, acute or apiculate 

at the apex, pilose-bearded at the apex on the outer surface; petals 

2, equal, subhyaline, spatulate -obovate, about 2.5 mm. long and 1.5 

mm. wide, separate practically to the short-clawed base, acute at


the apex, ciliate-raargined and more or less pilose on the inner surface 

near the margins and apex, bearded at the apex, with a small 

black gland in the center near the apex; ovary very small; style very 

short; stigmas 2, erect-recurved. 

Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected in water of 

swamp on the summit of Mount Roraima, on southern half of the summit 

between Summit Camp, Great Central Rift, Central Swamp, and 

pond at southern end, state of Bolivar, alt. 2700-2740 m., September 

28, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58868. The collector notes: "heads 

dull white; bracts dull blackish." 

Leiothrix Steyermarkii Moldenke, sp. nov. 

Herba perennis caulescens; caulibus usque ad 15 cm. longis, 1 

crassis, furcatis dense foliosis, ad apicem dense longeque villosis; 

foliis linearibus 4-5 cm. longis recurvato-patentibus ca. 1 mm. latis 

obtusis utrinque sparse pilosulis vel glabrescentibus; vaginis gracilibus 

arete adpressis 4-6 cm. longis sparse pilosulis multis triads 

tortis; pedunculis 1 vel paucis 35-46 cm. longis glabris 3-costatis 

tort is, ad apicem adpresso-pilosis. 

Caulescent perennial herb, growing in dense tufts; stems to about 

15 cm. long, about 1 cm. thick, usually only once forked near the 

base, very densely leafy and entirely hidden by the sheathing and 

closely imbricate leaf-bases, densely long-pilose with white villous 

hairs at the apex; leaves pale green, very numerous, linear, 4-5 cm. 

long, recurved-spreading, about 1 mm. wide, blunt, sparsely and irregularly 

pilosulous on both surfaces or glabrescent, thin-textured 

but not fenestrate, the midrib rather prominulous beneath, the margins 

sometimes slightly revolute; sheaths very slender, closely 

appressed to the peduncles, usually slightly surpassing the leaves, 

4-o cm. long, rather sparsely pilosulous with simple whitish or capitate 

gland-tipped rather spreading hairs, many-striate, somewhat 

twisted, the apex obliquely split, the blades lanceolate-Ungulate, 

appressed-pilosulous and often somewhat cilia te, about 5 mm. long, 

erect, blunt; peduncles slender, 1 or a few at the apex of each 

branch, 35-46 cm. long, glabrous or practically so, 3-costate, twisted, 

more or less appressed-pilose just beneath the head; heads hemispheric, 

7-8 mm. wide, creamy-white; involucral bractlets lightstramineous 

or buff, oblanceolate, usually very concave on the inner 

and convex on the outer surface, about 2.5 mm. long and 1.5 mm. 

wide, readily splitting at the very abruptly rounded apex, glabrous 

throughout, shiny; receptacle densely long-pilose; receptacular bractlets 

none; staminate florets: sepals 3, separate almost to the base, 

hyaline, narrowly elliptic-falcate, 2.3-2.6 mm. long, about 0.6 mm. 

wide, more or less conduplicate-navicular, glabrous throughout, not 

bearded, not glanduliferous; petals 3, united into a slender tube about 

1.5 mm. long, glabrous, stramineous, the free terminal lobes hyaline, 

about 0.6 mm. long, involute, glabrous, not glanduliferous; stamens 3, 

included; anthers white; pistillate florets: sepals 3, separate practi- 

cm.


cally to the base, hyaline, elliptic-falcate, more or less navicular, 

2.6-2.8 mm. long, about 0.6 mm. wide, acute, rather densely appressed-pilose 

on the back, not bearded, not glanduliferous; petals 3, 

separate to the base, narrow-elliptic, hyaline, about 1.8 mm. long, 

long-attenuate at the apex, the attenuate subcaudate apex involute, 

glabrous throughout, not bearded, not glanduliferous; style about 

0.5 mm. long, glabrous; ovary oblong, 3-celled, about 0.4 mm. long; 

style-appendages 3, about 1 mm. long, erect, arising from a lower 

level than the 3 much shorter papillose stigmas. 

Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected in 

Brocchinia-Stegolepis-Heliamphora swamp, on southwest-facing 

shoulder of Ptari-tepui' state of Bolivar, alt. 2200 m., November 

2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59779. This handsome species does 

not closely resemble any other species of this genus from northern 

South America. 

Leiothrix umbratilis Moldenke, sp. nov. 

Herba; caulibus valde abbreviatis; foliis rosulatis rectis 19-22 

cm. longis, 10-13 mm. latis utrinque plusminusve pilosis obtusis, in 

statu senectute glabrescentibus; vaginis laxis 14-15 cm. longis 

dense patenteque villosis, laminis irregulariter lobatis; pedunculis 

7-10, 35-40 cm. longis, sparse pilosulis dein glabrescentibus, ad 

apicem persistenter patento-puberulis, 2-costatis compressis tortis. 

Herb; stems greatly abbreviated; leaves all basal, cespitose, erect, 

thin-chartaceous, grass-green, 19-22 cm. long, 10-13 mm. wide at the 

mid-point, rather firm-textured, not fenestrate, more or less pilose on 

both surfaces, glabrescent in age, blunt at apex; sheath slightly 

shorter than the leaves, cylindric, rather loose, 14-15 cm. long, 

densely spreading-villous, obliquely split at the apex, the blade 

elongate, erect, usually about 2 cm. long, more or less appressed to 

the peduncle, irregularly lobed at the apex; peduncles 7-10 per plant, 

35-40 cm. long, very sparsely pilosulous when young, soon glabrescent 

except for the very apex which is persistently spreadingpuberulent, 

2-costate, flattened, twisted; heads hemispheric, about 

1 cm. wide, white, very hairy; involucral bractlets stramineous, 

densely imbricate, in many series, variable in shape, oblong or 

oblanceolate or elliptic, about 4 mm. long, blunt, about 1 mm. wide, 

more or less sparsely pilose on the back, more densely so on the 

margins and at the apex; receptacle densely long-villous; receptacular 

bractlets hyaline, spatulate, about 5 mm. long and 1 mm. wide, 

obtuse, very sparsely pilose near the margins and apex; staminate 

florets pedicellate: sepals 3, hyaline, narrow-elliptic, 2.1-2.3 mm. 

long, about 0.6 mm. wide, subacute, glabrous throughout or very 

sparsely pilosulous at the apex, not bearded, not glanduliferous; 

petals 3, hyaline, united into a slender tube about 2.1 mm. long, 

glabrous, the free lobes narrow-oblong, hyaline, erect, about 2.1 mm. 

l n g glabrous, not bearded, not glanduliferous, somewhat involute 

at the apex; stamens 3, included; filaments about 0.4 mm. long;


pistillate florets pedicellate: sepals 3, separate to the base, hyaline, 

elliptic, erect, about 3 mm. long and 0.8 mm. wide, usually navicular, 

subacute, ciliate-margined toward and at the apex; petals 3, 

separate to the base, hyaline, erect, narrowly elliptic or oblong, 

about 1.7 mm. long and 0.4 mm. wide, ciliate-margined toward and at 

the apex; style about 1.4 mm. long, glabrous, with 3 slender erect 

appendages issuing at about 1/3 its height, 1 mm. long; stigmas 3, 

terminal, very small, about 0.2 mm. long; ovary 3-lobed, 3-celled, 

glabrous, but surrounded by a tuft of very long erect villous hairs 

issuing from the receptacle within the perianth. 

Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected in shaded 

places at the edge of a forest in scrubby Stegole pis-shrub growth on 

mesa between Ptari-tepui and Sororopan-tepui', in vicinity of "Misia 

Kathy Camp", state of Bolivar, alt. 1615 m., November 15-17, 1944, 

Julian A. Steyermark 60280. The species is obviously related to 

L. flavescens (Bong.) Ruhl., but differs in its longer and broader 

leaves, the peduncles not surpassing the leaves, and in floral 

characters. 

Paepalanthus perplexans Moldenke, sp. nov. 

^Herba caulescens; caulibus elongatis ca. 30 cm. longis gracilibus 

valde foliosis furcatis; foliis lanceolatis 3.5-4 cm. longis, ca. 1 cm. 

latis, firme membra naceis multistriatis patentibus acutis utrinque 

irregulariter albido-pilosis dein punctulato-puberulis; vaginis anguste 

cylindricis ca. 5 cm. longis sparse irregulariterque pubescentibus vel 

pilosulis, ad apicem dense villosis ciliatisque; pedunculis gracilibus 

usque ad 30 cm. longis 3-costatis non tortis sparse irregulariterque 

pilosulis. 

Caulescent herb; stems elongate, about 30 cm. long, slender, very 

leafy, branched; leaves sheathing, the bases closely imbricate, 

lanceolate, 3.5-4 cm. long, about 1 cm. wide at the base, firmly 

membranous, rich grass-green on both surfaces, many-striate, not 

fenestrate, spreading, acute at the apex, the base s carious-margined 

(the opaque portion of the blade uniformly 5 mm. wide to the base, the 

scarious margin becoming regularly narrower from the base to about 

1.5-2 cm. above the base), both surfaces more or less irregularly 

whitish long-pilose, less so or only punctulate-puberulent in age, the 

scarious margins more or less long-ciliate; inflorescences about 4 

per branch per season, but those of the previous season usually 

persisting in blackened form lower down the branches; sheaths 

narrow-cylindric, surpassing the leaves, about 5 cm. long, sparsely 

and irregularly short-pubescent or pilosulous,its apex obliquely split, 

densely villous and ciliate.the blade lanceolate and acute, erect; peduncles 

slender, to about 30 cm. long, sparsely and irregularly pilosulous, 

3-costate, not twisted; heads hemispheric, 5-7 mm. wide; 

involucral bracelets in many closely imbricate series, ovate, 2-2.5 

mm. long, 1-1.5 mm. wide at the base, dark-brown, shiny, acute at the 

apex, glabrous except for the ciliolate margins; receptacle long-vil-


lous; receptacular bracelets spatulate, about 2 ram. long, about 0.8 

mm. wide at the widest point, brown on the upper 1/3, stramineous on 

the lower 2/3, densely bearded at and just below the apex on the 

back, the remainder glabrous on both surfaces; staminate florets apparently 

of 2 types: the fertile type with 3 sepals, separate practically 

to the base, oblanceolate, about 1.7 mm. long, 0.4-0.6 mm. wide at 

the widest point, navicular, dark-brown, rounded and densely bearded 

on the back at the apex, otherwise glabrous and shiny; petals 3, deepbrown, 

about 1.3 mm. long, united for 1/2 their length into a narrow 

tube, glabrous throughout, the free lobes oblong, involute at the apex; 

stamens 3, filaments brown, about 0.6 mm. long, glabrous; anthers 

brown, elliptic -oblong, about 0.6 mm. long; the sterile type with 3 

obovate -elliptic sepals separate practically to the base, about 1.7 

mm. long and 0.8 mm. wide, brownish, long-pilose throughout on the 

outer surface, densely bearded at the rounded apex; petals 3, united 

into a slender tube about 1.6 mm. long, the free lobes about 0.6 mm. 

long, narrow-lanceolate, recurved, thin; filaments 3, erect, heavy, 

subspatulate, anantherous; pistillate florets not observed. 

Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected in Bonnetia 

roraimae forest on the southwest-facing shoulder of Ptari-tepui, state 

of Boh'var, alt. 2 000-2200 m., November 2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

59748. This puzzling species resembles P. Killipii Moldenke in 

general habit and appearance. The collector describes the plant as 

having "scapes pale green below, pale salmon above; bracts brownish; 

heads white with blackish." It is most remarkable in exhibiting 

no pistillate florets in the several heads examined, but having apparently 

two types of morphologically staminate florets instead, one 

type fertile and the other type anantherous. The species is probably 

either dioecious or polygamo-dioecious. 

Paepalanthus roraimensis Moldenke, sp. nov. 

Herba caulescens; caulibus elongatis 50 cm. longis dense filiosis, 

ad apicem dense longeque villosis dein glabrescentibus; foliis subcoriaceis 

lanceolatis patentibus ca. 6 cm. longis, 1.3-1.4 cm. latis, 

utrinque glabris vel sparsissime pilosis, ad basin longe villosis 

multistriatis non fenestratis attenuato-acutis; vaginis anguste cylindricis 

ca. 6.5 cjn. longis arete adpressis multistriatis non tortis 

sparsissime pilosis; pedunculis ca. 30, 15-20 cm. longis 5-7-costatis 

sparse pilosulis vel glabrescentibus tortulis. 

Caulescent herb; stems elongated, 50 cm. long or longer, densely 

leafy, completely hidden by the leaves except at the base, 5-6 mm. 

wide, densely long-villous at the apex, glabrous in age; leaves dullgreen, 

subcoriaceous, spreading, lanceolate, about 6 cm. long, 1.3- 

1.4 cm. wide near the base, clasping the stem at base, glabrous or 

very sparsely pilose on both surfaces except at the long-villous 

base, completely glabrous and shiny when mature (except for the 

base), many-seriate, not fenestrate, attenuate to the acute apex; 

sheaths about equaling the upper leaves, about 6.5 cm. long, narrow-


cylindric, closely appressed to the peduncles, many-striate, not 

twisted, very sparsely pilose, obliquely split at the apex, the blade 

about 1.5 cm. long, lanceolate, erect, appressed, sparsely and irregulraly 

ciliate, apiculate at the apex; peduncles numerous, about 

30 per plant, 15-20 cm. long, sparsely pilosulous or glabrescent, 

5-7-costate, slightly twisted; heads hemispheric, about 1 cm. in 

diameter, gray; involucral bractlets blackish toward the apex, paler 

toward the base, numerous, closely imbricate, broadly ovate, about 

2.5 mm. long and wide, acute or subapiculate at the apex, glabrous, 

shiny; receptacle very sparsely and obscurely long-villous or glabrescent; 

receptacular bractlets narrowly oblong, 2.6-2.8 mm. long, 

about 0.5 mm. wide, black at the apex, brown below, hyaline at the 

base, villous on the back toward the apex, densely bearded at the 

apex; staminate florets: sepals 3, connate at the base, the free portions 

elliptic, about 1.9 mm. long and 0.6 mm. wide, obtuse, shortvillous 

toward and at the apex on the back; petals 3, connate into a 

hyaline tube about 1 mm. long, glabrous, ampliate at the apex into a 

cupuliform rim which is about 0.6 mm. in height and 1 mm. in diameter, 

hyaline, glabrous, and 3-toothed, the teeth ovate, about 0.4 mm. 

long or less, often more or less ciliolate between the teeth; stamens 

3, opposite the petal-teeth, inserted at the apex of the corolla-tube; 

filaments about 0.6 mm. long, glabrous; anthers white, versatile, 

each of the 2 separate thecae about 0.4 mm. long, opening by longitudinal 

slits; 3 rudimentary style-appendages inserted at the apex of 

the corolla-tube, about 0.4 mm. long, papillose; pistillate florets: 

sepals 3, connate only at the very base, elliptic, dark-brown toward 

the apex, hyaline at the base, about 2.1 mm. long and 0.8 mm. wide, 

more or less navicular, appressed-villous on the back, densely 

bearded at the apex; petals 3, hyaline, separate, narrowly oblongelliptic, 

about 2.1 mm. long and 0.4 mm. wide, acute, very densely 

long-villous on the back with erect or spreading hairs equaling or 

slightly surpassing the petals, not bearded, not glanduliferous; style 

about 0.8 mm. long, glabrous, terminated by 3 erect stigmas and 3 

erect style-appendages, all about 0.6 mm. long; ovary subglobose, 

about 0.4 mm. long and wide, glabrous, 3-lobed, 3-celled. 

Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected below waterfall 

spray among boulders or talus, on ascent of ledge along southwest-facing 

side, from beginning of sandstone bluffs to summit, 

Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 2255-2620 m., September 27, 

1944, Julian A. Stcyermark 58768. 

Paepalanthus scopulorum Moldenke, sp. nov. 

Herba caulescens; caulibus gracilibus elongatis furcatis foliosis; 

foliis duris firmis elongato-lanceolatis 2.5-4 cm. longis 3-7 mm. latis 

acutis multistriatis non fenestratis patentibus, in senectute subfa 

Icato-conduplicatis, supra in statu juventute dense albido-villosis 

dein glabrescentibus, subtus obscure subadpresso-pilosis; vaginis 

cylindric is laxiusculis 1.5-2 cm. longis densiuscule breviterque 

pubescentibus, ad apicem longe ciliatis; pedunculis gracilibus, 5-15,


6-7 cm. longis, 4- vel 5-costatis,. tortis, dense breviterque pubescentibus 

dein praeter apicera glabrescentibus. 

Caulescent herb; stems slender, to about 10 cm. long, branched, 

very leafy; leaves firm and tough, elongate lanceolate, somewhat 

twisted or falcate-conduplicate in age, 2.5-4 cm. long, 3-7 mm. wide 

at the mid-point, acute at the apex, many-striate, not fenestrate, 

spreading, sheathing the stem at the base, densely white-villous with 

tangled white hair when young on the upper surface, glabrescent in 

age, obscurely subappressed-pilose on the lower surface (densely so 

when very young, sparsely so in age); sheaths cylindric, rather loose, 

about equaling the uppermost leaves, 1.5-2 cm. long, rather densely 

short-pubescent with appressed antrorse hairs, less so in age, obliquely 

split at the apex, the blade lanceolate, erect or the tip 

spreading or recurved, 5-7 mm. long, more or less long-ciliate on the 

margins; peduncles slender, 5-15 per plant, 6-7 cm. long, 4- or 5- 

c estate, twisted, densely short-pubescent with subappressed antrorse 

hairs, glabrescent in age except for the very tip; heads hemispheric, 

6-7 mm. in diameter; involucral bractlets broadly triangular- ovate, 

dark-brown, about 2 mm. long, about 1.5 mm. wide at the base, shortacuminate 

at the apex, ciliolate-margined, otherwise glabrous; receptacle 

densely long-villous; receptacular bractlets absent; staminate 

florets: sepals 3, separate to the base, firm, erect, brownish, 

darkest toward the apex, oblanceolate, about 1.4 mm. long and 0.5 

mm. wide, acute, the margins more or less involute, densely bearded 

at the apex on the back, otherwise glabrous, not glanduliferous; 

petals 3i united into a hyaline infundibular tube about 1.7 mm. long, 

glabrous, narrow-cylindric for about the lower half of its length, 

abruptly ampliate to 0.8 mm. at the apex, its rim 3-apiculate; stamens 

3, opposite the corolla-apiculations, inserted on the corolla-tube 

about 0.4 mm. below its apex; filaments slender, about 0.4 mm. long, 

glabrous, equaling the corolla-apiculations; anthers white, versatile, 

oblong, about 0.3 mm. long, composed of 2 separate thecae, each 

dehiscing by means of a longitudinal slit; style about 1.3 mm. long, 

the upper 0.4 mm. trifid; ovary absent; pistillate florets few: sepals 

3, lingulate, firm, erect, about 1.2 mm. long, rather uniformly about 

0.6 mm. wide throughout, obtuse at the apex, light-brown toward the 

apex and in a median band to the base, hyaline-margined toward the 

base, more or less densely long-villous on the back and shortbearded 

at the apex, or only densely bearded, not glanduliferous; 

petals 3, separate almost to the base, subhyaline, erect, ellipticoblong, 

about 13 mm. long and 0.4 mm. wide, subacute at apex, 

glabrous on the back, very densely long-villous on the inner surface 

with white hairs surpassing the petals in length, not bearded, not 

glanduliferous; style about 0.6 mm. long, glabrous, terminated by 3 

clavate style -appendages and 3 bifid stigmas, all 0.4-0.5 mm. long; 

ovary small, subglobose, about 0.4 mm. long and wide, glabrous, 

3-celled. 

Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected in dense


colonies and masses on wet bluffs, along base of south-facing sandstone 

bluffs, Ptari-tepul, state of Bolivar, alt. 2410 m., November 6, 

1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59914. The collector notes that it is one 

of the commonest species on the bluffs. It resembles P Killipii 

Moldenke, from Colombia, in habit, but is abundantly distinct in 

characters of the leaves, peduncles, and flowers. 

Paepalanthus squamiliferus Moldenke, sp. nov. 

Herba caulescens; caulibus usque ad 9 cm. longis dense foliosis; 

foliis firme membranaceis erecto-patentibus 3.5-4 cm. longis, 2.5-4 

mm. latis, acutis multistriatis non fenestratis utrinque glabris; 

vaginis anguste cylindricis adpressis tortis ca. 6 cm. longis multistriatis 

glabris, apice piloso-ciliato; pedunculis solitariis usque ad 

40 cm. longis 5-costatis, parce pilosis, pilis irregulariter patentibus 

vel reflexis. 

Caulescent herb; stems to about 9 cm. long, very leafy, completely 

hidden by the leaf-bases; leaves firmly membranous, grass-green, 

erect-spreading, grass-like, 3.5-4 cm. long-, 2.5-4 ram. wide at the 

mid-point, acute, many-striate, not fenestrate, glabrous on both surfaces; 

sheath greatly surpassing the leaves, narrowly cylindric, appressed 

to the peduncles, twisted, about 6 cm. long, many-striate, 

glabrous except for the more or less pilose-ciliate apex, obliquely 

split at the apex, the blade erect, closely appressed, ovate, 0.5-1.5 

cm. long, ciliate-margined when young, glabrous in age; peduncles 

solitary at the apex of each stem, to about 40 cm. long, sparsely 

pilose with irregularly spreading or retrorse white hairs, 5-costate; 

heads hemispheric or almost spherical, about 1.5 cm. in diameter, 

gray; involucral bractlets variable in size and shape, the outermost 

very dark brown or blackish, broadly elliptic, about 4.5 mm. long and 

3 mm. wide, the inner ones oblong, slightly wider near the apex, 

dark-brownish, lighter toward the margins, about 4 mm. long and 1.5 

mm. wide, acute at the apex, all rather sparsely long-villous in a 

central band on the back with more or less appressed antrorse hairs; 

receptacle long-villous; receptacular bractlets oblong or elliptic, 

about 34 mm. long and 0.8 mm. wide, usually more or less conduplicate-navicular, 

acute, long-villous in a median band on the back; 

staminate florets: sepals 3, connate only at the very base, erect, 

light-brownish, elliptic, about 3.5 mm. long and 1 mm. wide, obtuse 

at the apex, densely villous toward the apex on the back, not bearded, 

not glanduliferous; petals 3, connate into a slender tube about 4 mm. 

l n gi glabrous, not ampliate above, the separate lobes narrowly 

oblong, erect, 3-3.5 mm. long and 0.5 mm. wide, short-bearded at the 

apex, not involute, not glanduliferous; stamens 3, inserted at the 

mouth of the corolla-tube; filaments about 2.5 mm. long, black, 

glabrous; anthers not seen; pistillate florets: sepals 3, separate to 

the base, brown, broadly elliptic, about 3.4 mm. long and 1.9 mm. 

wide, acute, brownish, long-villous in a median band on the back, the 

margins lighter and usually conduplicate, not bearded, subtending a 

great mass of long, erect, villous hair; petals 3, separate to the base,


linear-lanceolate, 2.1-2.8 ram. long, about 0.3 mm. wide, more or less 

attenuate to the sharply acute apex, very densely long-villous on the 

back with wide-spreading hairs that far exceed the petals; style 

about 1 mm. long, glabrous, terminated by 3 erect flat styleappendages 

about 1 mm. long and 3 erect simple or bifid stigmas 

1.9-2 mm. long; ovary small, with 3 erect scales about 0.3 mm. long 

at its base. 

Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected in Brocchinia- 

Stegolepis-Heliamphora swamp on southwest-facing shoulder of Ptaritepuf, 

state of Bolivar, alt. 2200 m., November 2, 1944, Julian A. 

Steyermark 59777. The species is most remarkable because of the 3 

erect scales subtending the base of the ovary. Apparently these 

represent the very much reduced corollas. 

Paepalanthus Steyermarkii Moldenke, sp. nov. 

Herba pumila; caulibus valde gracilibus 1-2 cm. longis foliosis 

plerumque furcatis; foliis numerosis linearibus 5*10 mm. longis 

subrectis vel recurvato-patentibus, 0.5-1 mm. latis obtusis utrinque 

densiuscule albido-pilosis; vaginis gracile cylindricis arete adpressis 

ca. 1 cm. longis dense albido-pilosis pedunculis paucis 

2.5-3.5 cm. longis densiuscule albido-pilosis 3-costatis non tortis. 

Dwarf herb; stems very slender, 1-2 cm. long, leafy, often branched; 

leaves numerous, usually densely clustered at the apex of the stems 

or branches, 5-10 mm. long, linear above the sheathing base, suberect 

or recurved-spreading, 0.5-1 mm. wide, blunt, gray-green, not fenestrate, 

rather densely white-pilose on both surfaces; sheath slendercylindric, 

closely appressed to the peduncle, equaling the leaves, 

about 1 cm. long, densely white-pilose like the leaves, obliquely 

split at the apex, the blade linear, spreading, about 4 mm. long, 

blunt, white-pilose; peduncles slender, 1 or several per branch, 2.5- 

3.5 cm. long, rather densely white-pilose with spreading or (more 

rarely) appressed hairs, 3-costate, not twisted; heads hemispheric, 

about 5 mm. in diameter, gray-white; involucral bractlets oblanceolate, 

1.7-1.9 mm. long, about 0.8 mm. wide, light-brownish in a 

median band almost to the apex, translucent along the margins and at 

the apex, acute at the apex, glabrous throughout; receptacle longpilose; 

receptacular bractlets oblanceolate, about 1 mm. long and 

0.5 mm. wide, very light-stramineous, obtuse at the apex, glabrous 

except for the densely bearded apex; staminate florets: sepals 3, 

separate practically to the base, oblanceolate, about 1.1 mm. long 

and 0.4 mm. wide, light-brownish or stramineous, obtuse, glabrous 

except for the densely bearded apex, not glanduliferous; petals 3, 

united into a slender glabrous subhyaline tube about 0.8-1 mm. long, 

the free terminal lobes about 0.3 mm. long, subhyaline or stramineous, 

erect, glabrous, involute at the apex, not glanduliferous; stamens 3, 

about equaling the petals; pistillate florets: sepals 3, separate 

practically to the base, elongate-oblong, about 1.8 mm. long and 0.4 

mm. wide, attenuate to an acute apex, light-stramineous or trans-


lucent, glabrous throughout, not bearded, not glanduliferous; petals 

3, separate, elliptic-sublanceolate, hyaline, about 1.2 mm. long and 

0.3 mm. wide, subacute, glabrous throughout, not glanduliferous; 

ovary 3-celled, oblong-elliptic, about 0.7 mm. long and 0.4 mm. wide, 

glabrous, 3-ovulate; style stout, about 0.4 mm. long, glabrous; stigmas 

3; style -appendages 3, issuing from the same level as the 

stigmas. 

Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected in sandy wet 

ground with Stegolepis and Brocchinia on large mesa, Gran Sabana, 

between Mission of Santa Teresita de Kavanayen northwest of Rio 

Karuai, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., October 26, 1944, Julian A. 

Steyermark 59369. The species is apparently closely related to P. 

cristatus Moldenke, which differs in its blunt brunneous involucral 

bractlets, larger receptacular bractlets which are long-villous over 

the entire back, larger cuneate sepals in the staminate florets, 

smaller and bearded sepals and bearded petals in the pistillate 

florets, the glabrescent leaves and peduncles, and other characters. 

Rondonanthus micrope talus Moldenke, sp. nov. 

Herba dense caespitosa; caulibus valde abbreviatis dense villosis; 

foliis numerosis firmis rectis vel patentibus lanceolatis 2-4 cm. 

longis, 2-4 mm. latis, acutis vel attenuatis, in statu juventute 

utrinque sparse longeque pilosis, dein glabrescentibus, obscure 

multistriatis non fenestratis nkidis, ad basin dense villosis; vaginis 

cylindricis, ad basin inflatis, ad apicem arete adpressis, ca. 1.4 cm. 

longis, multistriatis non tortis glabris, ad apicem cilia tis; pedunculis 

paucis abbreviatis 2-3 cm. longis non tortis sulcatis obscure puberulis 

nitidis, ad apicem ampliatis. 

Densely tufted herbs; stems much abbreviated, densely villous, 

hidden by the leaves; leaves numerous, in dense rosettes, rather 

firm, erect or spreading, lanceolate, 2-4 cm. long, 2-4 mm. wide at 

the mid-point, acute or attenuate at the apex, sparsely long-pilose 

on both surfaces when young, glabrescent in age, rather obscurely 

many-stria te, not fenestrate, shiny, ampliate and clasping the stem 

at the base and usually densely villous there; sheath cylindric, 

somewhat inflated toward the base, closely appressed to the peduncle 

at the apex, about 1.4 cm. long, many-striate, not twisted, glabrous 

except for the apex, obliquely split at the apex, the blade lanceolate, 

about 5 mm. long, erect, appressed to the peduncle, acute, cilia teraargined; 

peduncles few, all abbreviated, 2-3 cm. long, not twisted, 

several-sulcate, very obscurely puberulent in the s ideations, otherwise 

glabrous, shiny, brownish, ampliate at die apex; heads hemispheric, 

3-9 cm. in diameter, white; plants apparently dioecious, 

only staminate florets seen; involucral bractlets broadly ovate, 

blackish, closely imbricate, about 2.3 mm. long and 3 mm. wide, more 

or less acuminate at the apex, glabrous and shiny except for the 

more or less ciliate margins toward the apex; receptacle longvillous; 

receptacular bractlets oblong-elliptic, blackish toward the


apex, lighter or even subhyaline toward the base, closely appressed 

to the staminate florets, 1.5-2.1 mm. long, 0.4-0.6 mm. wide, obtuse 

at the apex, densely villous on the back from about the middle to the 

apex and on the margins often to the base, densely bearded at the 

apex, or glabrous except for the bearded apex; staminate florets: 

sepals 3, separate to the base, subhyaline or stramineous, narrowly 

elliptic-oblanceolate, sometimes brownish toward the apex, 0.7-1.5 

mm. long, 0.2-0.4 mm. wide, acute at the apex, densely bearded at 

and near the apex; petals 3, reduced to tiny suborbicular scales about 

0.2 mm. long or less, hyaline, separate to the base, opposite the 

filaments and barely reaching the base of the anthers, appressed; 

stamens 3, tiny erect, included; filaments about 0.3 mm. long, glabrous; 

anthers oblong, white, about 0.3 mm. long, dorsifixed, composed 

of 2 parallel more or less versatile thecae, each opening by 

longitudinal slits; among the staminate florets are similar ones with 

more or less effete anthers, but otherwise identical; pistillate 

florets not seen. 

Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected on ascent of 

ledge along southwest-facing side of Mount Roraima, from beginning 

of sandstone bluffs to summit, state of Bolivar, alt. 2255-2620 m., 

September 27, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58777. In the absence of 

pistillate florets the generic position of this curious species is 

uncertain. It is placed tentatively in Rondonanthus because of its 

separate petals in the staminate florets and its apparently dioecious 

habit. It differs pronouncedly from the only other known species of 

the genus, R. roraimae (Oliv.) Herzog, which has the petals of the 

staminate florets as long as the sepals and very different involucres. 

It 

may possibly represent an undescribed genus. 

Syngonanthus duidae Moldenke, sp. nov. 

Herba acaulescens; foliis rosulatis recurvis usque ad 1 cm. longis 

non fenestratis glabratis, ca. 0.5 mm. latis, obtusis; vaginis arete 

adpressis ca. 1.5 cm. longis glabris, apice ciliato; pedunculis 

solitariis gracillimis 8-15 cm. longis 3-costatis tortis basin versus 

breviter pilosis, apicem versus glabris. 

Acaulescent herb, or with extremely abbreviated stems; leaves 

basal, rosulate, recurved, firm-textured, dull-green, tinted with brickred 

or brown, 1 cm. long or less, not fenes trace, the venation indiscernible, 

essentially glabrous, 0.5 mm. wide or less, blunt at the 

apex; sheaths surpassing the leaves, closely appressed to the 

peduncles, about 1.5 cm. long, essentially glabrous except for the 

ciliate apex, obliquely split at the apex; peduncles solitary, very 

slender, 8-15 cm. long, lightly 3-costate, twisted, short-pilose on the 

lower half, glabrous above; heads hemispheric, 3*5-6 mm. in diameter, 

white; involucral bracelets lanceolate, about 3-2 mm. long, about 0.6 

mm. wide at the base, regularly attenuate to the sharply subacuminate 

apex, stramineous or white, glabrous throughout; receptacle densely 

white-pilose with rather long hairs; receptacular bractlets oblong or


oblong-lanceolate, hyaline, about 2.8 mm. long, about 0.4 ram. wide 

at the base, subacute at the apex, slightly appressed-short-pilose on 

the back or glabrate, not bearded; staminate florets: sepals 3, separate 

practically to the base, narrow-lanceolate, about 2.8 mm. long, 

about 0.3 mm. wide at the base, attenuate to the subacute apex, 

sparsely pilose on the back toward the base, not bearded, not glanduliferous; 

petals 3, connate into a hyaline tube about 1.4 mm. .long and 

0.5 mm. wide, glabrous, 3-lobed and involute at the apex, not glanduliferous; 

stamens 3; anthers white, oblong, about 0.2 mm. long; 

pistillate florets: sepals 3, separate to the base, narrowly ellipticlanceolate, 

about 3 mm. long, about 0.4 mm. wide, attenuate to the 

sharply acute apex, rather sparsely or densely pilose on the back and 

margins, not bearded, not gland uliferous; petals 3, connate at the 

middle, hyaline, narrow-ellitpic, about 2.2 mm. long and 0.5 mm. 

wide, acute, somewhat pilose on the back, not bearded, not glanduliferous; 

style short, stout, about 0.4 mm. long, glabrous; stigmas 3, 

about' 0.3 mm. long, densely papillose; style-appendages 3, elongate 

to 1 mm., glabrous, epapillose, arising from the same place as the 

stigmas; ovary ovate, about 0.5 mm. long, glabrous, 3-celled, 3- 

ovulate. 

Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected around a 

small stream on dry rocky slopes, summit of Cerro Duida, Brocchinia 

Hills, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 1700-1980 m., September 1, 


Syngonanthus venezuelensis Moldenke, sp. nov. 

Herba perenna pumila caulescens; caulibus usque ad 3 cm. longis 

gracilibus brachiatis dense foliosis procumbentibus vel adscendentibus, 

ad apicem plusminusve longe pilosis; foliis firmis linearibus 

5-7 mm. longis non fenestratis obtusis parcioscule pilosis in statu 

senectute glabrescentibus; vaginis gracilibus arete adpressis ca- 

7 mm. longis parce pilosulis glabrescentibus; pedunculis gracilibus 

solitariis ca. 1 cm. longis 2-costatis non tortis glabris. 

Dwarf caulescent perennial, forming dense mats; stems about 3 cm. 

long, slender, several-branched, densely leafy, procumbent or ascending, 

more or less long-pilose with soft white hairs on the younger 

parts; leaves firm, gray-green on both surfaces, linear except for the 

sheathing base, spreading or recurved, 5-7 mm. long, less than 1 mm. 

wide, not fenestrate, rounded at apex, rather sparsely and loosely 

pilosulous on both surfaces, g la bre scent in age, the hairs very short, 

white, appressed; sheaths slender, closely appressed to the peduncles, 

about 7 mm. long, subequaling the leaves, sparsely pilosulous 

like the leaves, glabrescent in age, obliquely split and 

more or less ciliolate at the apex, the blade about 2 mm. long, 

narrow-lanceolate, erect, blunt; peduncles slender, about 1 cm. long, 

glabrous (or minutely pilosulous with appressed hairs at the apex), 

2-costate, not twisted, usually one per branch; heads hemispheric, 

about 5 mm. in diamtere; involucral bractlets stramineous, usually


darker brown in the central portion, obovate-oblanceolate, about 1.5 

mm. long and 0.8 mm. wide, acute at apex, the margins at and above 

the widest part subhyaline, glabrous and shiny throughout; receptacle 

long-pilose; receptacular bractlets oblong-oblanceolate or oblong, 

1.3-1.7 mm. long, 0.4-0.6 mm. wide, stramineous in a median band, 

hyaline-margined, often with the margins conduplicate, densely 

bearded at the apex on the back, otherwise glabrous; staminate 

florets: sepals 3, separate almost to the base, brunneous, ellipticobovate 

or obovate, about 1 mm. long, about 0.4 mm. wide, subacute 

or obtuse, glabrous throughout, not glanduliferous; petals 3, united 

into a slender tube about 0.8 mm. long, glabrous, the free lobes about 

0.3 mm. long, involute, glabrous, not glanduliferous; stamens 3, included; 

pistillate florets: sepals 3, separate almost to the base, 

hyaline, narrowly oblong or oblanceolate, 0.8-1.3 mm. long, about 

0.2 mm. wide, acute at apex, glabrous throughout, the free apical 

lobes quite short, hyaline, incurved, glabrous, not glanduliferous; 

style stramineous, about 0.5 mm. long; stigmas 3; ovary oblong, 

3-celled. 

Type in herb. New York Botanical Garden, collected in sandy wet 

meadow on large mesa, Gran Sabana, between Mission of Santa 

Teresita de Kavanaye'n northwest to Rio Karuai, state of Bolivar, alt. 

1220 m., October 26, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59347. Superficially 

this peculiar species greatly resembles some of the very dwarf matted 

species of Paepalanthus.


RAPATEACEAE 

Rapatea Steyermarkii Maguire, sp. nov. 

Herbae terrestres perennantes. Caudex adscendens erectusve, 

10-20 cm. longus. Folia 8-10, 50-65 cm. longa; vaginis equlcantibus 

distichisque, in dispositione paullum helicoideis, 12-15 cm. longis, 

1.5-3.5 cm. e costa ad marginem, 10-15-nervatis, vix brevi-castaneostrigosis, 

scarioso marginatis, paullatim arctatis in petiolum alatum 

ca. 1 cm. longum; laminis 40-50 cm. longis 5-7 cm. latis, supra 

tenuiter celluloso-punctatis, infra similiter punctatis atque conspicue 

glanduloso-papillatis, 70-80-nervatis , 

e costa prominenti nervis 

lateralibus valde adscendentibus, apice fa Ic ato-a eliminate, basi 

inaequilacerali, abrupte constricto. Pedunculi solitarii vel pauci, 

3-5 cm. longi, ca. 1.5 cm. lati, in maturitate valde recurvati; involucri 

bracteis 2, late cordatis ca. 5 cm. latis ad basim, 6-7 cm. 

longis, ad apicem abrupte caudatis; receptaculi bracteis scariosis 

12-18 mm. longis utrinque pubescentibus uninervatis; pedicellis ca. 

1 cm. longis 2 mm. crassis paullum compressis castaneo-pubescentibus; 

spiculis ca. 2 cm. longis sepalis expansis exclusis; bracteolis 

9-11, paullum gradatis, exterioribus 12-13 mm. longis 5 cm. latis, 

interioribus 17-20 cm. longis, 3.5-4.0 mm. latis, acutis brevipungentibus, 

apiculo ca. 1 mm. longo, corpore tr in erva to, utrinque pubescentibus. 

Perianthium non vis urn; ovario triloculari, ovulo uno in loculo. 

Capsula 7-8 mm. longa, basi subscarioso, sursum indurata; semine 5 

mm. longo, cylindrico-oblongo, griseo-brunneo striato, hilo basilari 

obliquo, concavo. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in shaded wet woods 

of a dwarf type, lower southeastern slopes of Carrao-tepui, state of 

Bolivar, alt. 1675-1980 m., Dec. 5-6, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

60868, "leaves arising at base from an elongated caudex or old stem 

several inches to a foot from the ground, then the leaf bases or 

sheaths themselves in a fan-like arrangement, but the blades in a 

spiral or several-ranked arrangement, not in a single rank as in 

Stegolepis; leaves firmly membra naceous, dull green above, silvery 

green-papillate below." 

Rapatea Steyermarkii is most closely related to R. Ulei Ducke, 

which it 

strikingly resembles superficially. Aside from its distinct 

geographic and ecologic isolation, our plant is at once recognized 

by its short peduncle, smaller head, and much larger spikelets, and 

by the conspicuously glandular-papillate leaves, noted in the field 

by the collector. 

Stegolepis Gleasoniana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Foliorura vaginae conduplicatae ovatae, apice rotundatae vel 

obtusae, nitentes membranaceae, nervis manifestos; laminis crassis 

coriaceis rigidis late linearibus erectis, subtus pallido-viridibus, 

90-95 cm. longis, 8-22 ram. latis, in parte media latissimis, ad extremes 

angustatis, inaequilateris, apice acuminatis, uno latere costa


media prominent! incrassata, 7-10nervis uno latere, 10-12 nervis alio 

latere; scapis elongatis tenuissimis, 40-45 cm. longis, 1 mm. crassis, 

glabris, paucisulcato-striatis, apice paullo dilatatis; involucre nullo 

nisi bracteis 3 infimis quam vicinis multo longioribus; floribus 1 vel 

2 infrequente 4; bracteis brunneis, extimis 3 vel 4 membranaceis 

majoribus inaequalibus anguste lanceolatis longe acuminatis, 14-18 

mm. longis, 3 mm. latis, intermediis 11 brevioribus anguste lanceolatis, 

longe acuminatis (exterioribus) vel late lanceolatis vel ovatis, 

breve- vel longe-acuminatis ( interiorib us), 6.5-7 mm. longis, 2.5-3 

mm. latis (interioribus) ad 8-9 mm. longis, 2-3 mm. latis (exterioribus); 

sepalis unguiculatis, laminis in anthesi exsertis erectis lanceolatis 

acutis; petalis unguiculatis, laminis suborbicularibus, apice subacutis; 

filamentis lineari-subulatis, 6 mm. longis, in parte inferiore 

paullo latioribus; antheris lineari-subulatis, 10 mm. longis, poro 

terminali introrso dehiscentibus; ovario late ovoideo, 2 mm. longo; 

stylo filiformi, 11 mm. longo; ovulis in quoque loculo 8-10; capsula 

4-5 mm. longa; seminibus rhomboideo-oblongis, purpureo-brunneis, 

1.5 mm. longis, circiter 20-costatis, striis reticulatis. 

Sheaths thin, membra naceous, finely nerved, rounded or obtuse at 

summit; leaves somewhat asymmetric, broader in middle part, narrowed 

at each end, deep green above, pale green below, midrib prominent 

and thickened on one side, the nerves on either side of midrib prominent 

only on one surface (lower), unequal in number; scapes very 

slender and elongated; the three outermost bracts foliaceous, unequal 

and elongated, equaling the flower; sepals brown, the blades rigid, 

chartaceous, cucullate-incurved, 12-13 mm. long, 4.5-5 mm. wide, the 

claw membranaceous, oblong-rhomboid, slightly enlarged at junction 

with blade, 4 mm. long, 3 mm. wide, 7-nerved; petals deep yellow, 

the blade suborbicular, abruptly narrowed to subacute tip, 16 mm. 

long, 14 mm. wide, the claw 5 mm. long, 2 mm. wide; fertile stamens 

3-5, one to three of them becoming partly or completely petaloid; 

filaments slightly broader in lower half, 6 mm. long, 1.1 mm. wide 

near base;ovary with 3 cells, 8-10 ovules in each cell (Fig. 17, c-e). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on moist fluffs 

of 

Cerro Duida, southeastern-facing sandstone bluffs near Cano Negro 

(tributary of Cano Iguapo), Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 1095- 

1520 m., August 26, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58040. 

This species is remarkable for the elongated foliaceous outer 

bracts of the heads. In its slender filiform it 

peduncles resembles 

S. Allenii Steyermark of Panama, but that has the leaf sheaths tapering 

rather than abruptly rounded at the summit, while, moreover, in 

S. Allenii the flowers are much smaller and the bracts are strongly 

imbricate. 

Stegolepis Gleasoniana appears to be related to S. pauciflora 

Gleason, from which it differs in the shorter sepals and petals, more 

slender, almost filiform scapes, which are much narrower- below the 

heads than in 5. pauciflora, elongated membranaceous outermost 3-4


bracts, much narrower leaf blades throughout the length, acuminate 

instead of obtuse or subacute bracts, and the delicate, membranaceous 

instead of rigid and thick leaf sheaths, the nerves being evident 

in the thin sheaths of 5. Gleasoniana and not evident in 5. 

pauciflora* 

A-AA 

FIGURE 17 

Stegolepis ptarite puiana Steyerraark. A, Uppermost part of scape 

with flower heads (X 1); B, Uppermost part of blade (X 1/2). 

Stegolepis Gleasoniana Steyermark. C, Petal (X 1 >, D, Stamen 

(X2); E,Seed(X5). 

Stegolepis parvipetala Steyermark. F, Petal (X 2.5); G, Three of 

filaments joined at base with one another (highly magnified).


This distinct species is named in honor of Dr. H. A. Gleason of 

the New York Botanical Garden, who has done much to advance our 

knowledge of the genus Stegolepis and other genera of the 

Rapateaceae. 

Stegolepis parvipetala Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Foliorum vaginae conduplicatae, incrassatae coriaceae, superne 

graduatim angustatae; laminis erectis crass is rigidis coriaceis, uno 

latere argenteo-viridibus, late linearibus, ad extremes angustatis, 

90-100 cm. longis, 1-4.5 cm. latis, in parte media latissimis, pluristriatis, 

subtus costa media prominenti; scapis elongatis erectis, 

glabris, pluricostatis, 60-85 cm. longis, 4-6 mm. crassis, apice 

paullo dilatatis; involucre nullo; floribus 32-35 sessilibus, 14-15 

mm. longis; bracteis castaneo-aureis, circiter 22, ovato-triangularibus, 

obtusis, 3-5 (extimis) ad 10 mm. (intimis) longis, 3-4 mm. latis; 

sepalis 14 mm. longis, laminis 10 mm. longis, 4.5-5 mm. latis; 

petalis parvis, 11 mm. longis, laminis ovato-oblongis, subacutis vel 

obtusis, basi subito obtusis vel cordatis, 8 mm. longis, 4.5-5 mm. 

latis, unguiculis amplis, 3 mm. longis, 4 mm. latis; filamentis 2.5-3 

mm. longis, ad basin corollae adnatis, basi connatis; antheris 

lineari-lanceolatis, basi valde cordatis; ovulis 27, in quoque loculo 

9; stylo 13 mm. longo. 

Leaves grass green on one side, silvery side on other; bracts dull 

orange; claw of sepals 4 mm. long; petals dull yellow, small, recurved 

or spreading back, connate at base; filaments attached at 

base of petals, joined to each other at base; anthers 7-8 mm. long 

(Fig. 17, 

f-g). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on Ptari-tepui, on 

forested south-facing slopes overlying sandstone, on "Cave Rock" 

above "Cave Camp", state of Bolivar, alt. 1810 m., October 29, 

1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59514 (2 sheets). 

This species is distinguished by the small petals with a broad 

claw and broadly ovate blade, dull orange-castaneous bracts, and the 

filaments united at base. It resembles S, angustata Gleason in the 

leaf blades cuneate or narrowed at base and in the leaf sheaths 

gradually narrowed to the summit, but differs in the smaller petals, 

with a broader claw and differently shaped blade, and in the orangecastaneous 

instead of pale brown bracts. From S, guianensis 

Klotzsch it differs in the leaf sheath gradually narrowed to the 

summit, smaller petals with broad claw and ovate blade, and color 

of bracts. 

Stegolepis ptaritepuiensis Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Foliorum vaginae conduplicatae incrassatae coriaceae late ovatis, 

6.5-8 cm. longis, 4-10 cm. latis, nitentibus, supeme rotundatis, 

marginibus membranaceis fere scariosis; laminis erectis crassis 

rigidis coriaceis, late linearibus, 25-41 cm. longis, 10-30 mm. latis, 

apice acutis et angustatis, tenuiter plurinervatis; scapis elongatis,


60-75 cm. altis, 2-3 mm. crassis, subteretibus, apice dilatatis complanatis 

rotundatis, 5-14 mm. latis, pluricostatis; involucre nullo; 

floribus fuscis, firme chartaceis, 9-18, sessilibus, 17-20 mm. longis, 

5-7 mm. crassis; bracteis 27-28, valde imbricatis, extimis brevissirais 

late triangularibus vel ovatis, 4-5 mm. longis, 4-5 mm. latis, 

intermediis late ovatis vel ovato-lanceolatis, 6-8 mm. longis, 3-4 

mm. latis, intimis lanceolatis vel oblongo-lanceolatis, 14-17 mm. 

longis, 4.5-5 mm. latis, omnibus apice abrupte apiculatis vel breve 

acuminatis; sepalis 18 mm. longis, unguiculatis, laminis oblongolanceolatis; 

petalis lute is, 14 mm. longis, longe unguiculatis, 

laminis rhomboideo-subrotundatis", apice abrupte acuminatis; filamentis 

2 mm. longis; antheris 7.5-8 mm. longis; stylo filiformi, 10.5 

mm. longo; ovario 3-loculari, ovulis in quoque loculo 4-5. 

Scapes subterete except at the top which is flattened and ends in 

a rounded tip; sepals with blade 15 mm. long and claw 3 mm. long; 

petals with blade 10 mm. long, 10 mm. wide, and claw 5 mm. long, 

2.5 mm. wide; stamens 6, all fertile; filaments papilla te-areolate 

(Fig. 17, a-b). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on Ptari-tepui, in 

swamp on open level portion of plateau on southeast-facing slopes, 

state of Bolivar, alt. 1600 ra.. November 1, 1944, Julian A* Steyermark 

59655; also collected in sandy wet ground with Brocchinia, 

Gran Sabana, between Mission of Santa Teresita de Kavanaye'n northwest 

to Rio Karuai, on large mesa, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., 

October 26, 1944, Steyermark 59365. 

This species is the common one found at the base of and on the 

slopes of Ptari-tepuf. It is related to S. pungens Gleason of Mount 

Duida, from which it differs in the narrower, more falcate-ens iform 

leaves, which are acute instead of obtuse at apex, the heads with 

more numerous flowers, which are smaller, narrower, and in usually 

two rows instead of one, as in S. pungens, the smaller petals, shorter 

filaments, smaller bracts, and more slender, subterete instead of 

flattened scapes.


BROMELIACEAE 11 

Brocchinia melanacra L. B. Smith, sp. nov. 

Verisimiliter acaulis, florifera ultra 8 dm. alta; foliis ad 6 dm. 

longis, integerrimis, utrinque obscure punctulato-lepidotis, vaginis 

ellipticis, 7-8 cm. longis, membranaceo-marginatis, basi atrocastaneis 

lucidisque, laminis strictis, anguste triangularibus, ca. 2 

cm. latis, parte apicali ca. 5 cm. longa, involuta, incrassata, laevi, 

subtus atro-castanea, reliqua parte margine revoluta, utrinque viridi, 

ex sicco rugosa; scapo recto, 5 mm. diametro, glabro; scapi bracteis 

e late ovato longe acuminatis, eorum laminis cum apicibus foliorum 

similibus, quam internodiis multo brevioribus; inflorescentia laxe tripinnatim 

paniculata, ca. 5 dm. longa, oranino glabra; bracteis primariis 

eis scapi similibus, quam basibus sterilibus ramorum multo brevioribus; 

ram is strictis, gracilibus; bracteis florigeris ovato-lanceolatis, 

acutis, ovaria aequantibus vel quam eis brevioribus; lioribus breviter 

sed graciliter pedicellatis, paulo divergentibus; sepalis lanceolatis, 

acutis, 4.5 mm. longis; petalis anguste panduratis, cucullatis, 

sepala subaequantibus, albis; staminibus inclusis, filamentis serei 

secundae cum petalis paulo connatis; ovario obovoideo, trigono, 4 

mm. longo, omnino infero; stylis coalitis (Fig. 18, a-e). 

Type collected on summit of Cerro Duida, on high moist ridge top, 


Julian A. Steyermark 58352. Tate 671, a very immature specimen 

that came from the summit of Duida and that I could not place previously, 

is undoubtedly this same species. For comparison with other 

species see the key below. 

Brocchinia secunda L. B. Smith, sp. nov. 

Caulescens, florifera verisimiliter sesquimetralis vel ultra; caule 

reclinato, ultra 3 dm. longo, 7 mm. diametro, foliaceo; foliis ad 23 

cm. longis, integerrimis, supra glabris, subtus dense punctulatolepidotis, 

vaginis ellipticis, ca. 5 cm. longis, quam laminis haud 

latioribus, laminis anguste subtriangularibus, acuminatis sed apice 

ipse acutis apiculatisque, 35 mm. latis, planis, margine angusto* 

albido excepto utrinque viridibus, areolatis; scapo ignoto; inflorescentia 

laxissime tripinnatim paniculata, fere metralis, sparse minute 

que albido-furfuracea; bracteis primariis ex ovato acuminatis, 

parvis, quam basibus sterilibus ramorum multo brevioribus, punctulato-lepidotis; 

ramis divergentibus, gracillimis, ultimis saepe 

secundis; bracteis florigeris ovatis, acutis, 2-3.5 mm. longis, 

pedicellos graciles superantibus, membranaceis; floribus secundis, 

patentibus; sepalis lanceolatis, obtusis, 6 mm. longis, basi incrassatis, 

ecarinatis; petalis late ovatis, cucullatis, basi breviter 

unguiculatis, sepala subaequantibus, albis; staminibus inclusis; 

ovario gracillime cylindrico, ad 18 mm. longo, paulo supero; stylis 

liberis (Fig. 18, f-j). 

By Lyman B. Smith


Type collected on moist face of dripping sandstone bluffs, Ptaritepuf, 

steep forested slopes at base of first line of sandstone bluffs, 

on south-facing part, east of "Cave Rock", state of Bolivar, alt. 


Brocchinia Steyermarkii L. B. Smith, sp. nov. 

Florifera 6 dm. alta (ISteyermark); foliis ad 7 dm. longis, strictis, 

utrinque subdense punctulato-lepidotis, vaginis late ovatis, ca. 8 

cm. longis, basi castaneis, la minis anguste subtriangularibus, 

pungentibus, ca. 35 cm. latis, ex sicco involutis, reticulatis; scapo 

erecto, 1 cm. diametro; scapi bracteis foliaceis, infimis dense 

imbricatis; inflorescentia ample 3- vel 4-pinnatim paniculata, minute 

denseque brunneo-flocculosa; bracteis primariis subfoliaceis, parvis, 

supremis quam basibus sterilibus ramorum multo brevioribus; ramis 

FIGURE 18 

Brocchinia melanacra. A, Apex of branch (X 1); B, Apex of leaf 

(X 1>, C, Sepal (X 5); D, Petal (X 5); E, Apical section of ovary 

(X10X 

Brocchinia secunda. F, Apex of leaf (X 1); G, Branch (X 1).


divergentibus, gracilibus, ultimis plerumque subfasciculatis; bracteis 

florigeris late ovatis, acutis, quam ovariis multo brevioribus; 

floribus sessilibus, divergentibus; sepalis subtriangularibus, 4 mm. 

longis, haud carinatis; petalis ellipticis, obtusis, nullo modo cucullatis, 

sepala subaequantibus, aurantiacis; staminibus inclusis, 

filamentis latis, basi cum sepalis petalisque connatis; ovario 

oblongo-ellipsoideo, triangulate, 8 mm. longo, omnino infero; stylis 

coalitis (Fig. 19, a-e). 

Type collected in swampy savanna, bordering forest of Rio Karuai, 

between Santa Teresita de Kavanaye'n and base of Ptari-tepui', state 

of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., November 18, 1944, Julian A t 

Steyermark 

60347. 

FIGURE 19 

Brocchinia Steyermarkii. A, Flower (X 1); B, Apex of leaf (X 1); 

C, Sepal (X 5>, D, Petal (X 5>, E, Apical section of ovary (X 5). 

Brocchinia vestita. F, Flower (X 1>, G, Apex of leaf (X 1); H, 

Sepal (X 5); I, Petal (X 5); J, Stamen (X 5); K, Apical section of 

ovary (X 5X


Brocchinia vestita L. B. Smith, sp. nov. 

Parva, e fragmentis solum cognita; foliis ca. 2 dm. longis, vaginis 

brevibus, quam laminis viz latioribus, atro-castaneis , 

laminis 

anguste triangularibus, acuminacis, pungentibus, planis, ad 28 mm. 

latis, integerrimis, supra glabris lucidisque, subtus subdense 

punctulato-lepidotis, utrinque viridibus; scapo erecto, 6 mm. diametro, 

dense brunneo-puberulo; scapi vaginis anguste triangularibus, 

acuminatis, glabris, ad apicem versus incrassatis, supremis quam 

internodiis bene brevioribus; inflorescentia subdense tripinnatim 

paniculata, 25 cm. longa, 15 cm. diametro, bracteis primariis exceptis 

dense puberula; bracteis primariis eis scapi similibus, ad 18 mm. 

longis; ramis gracilibus, sublaxifloris; bracteis florigeris e late 

ovato acuminatis, quam ovariis subduplo brevioribus, tenuibus; 

floribus sessilibus, divergentibus vel patentibus; sepalis oblongoellipticis, 

obtuse carinatis cucullatisque, 4 mm. longis; petalis 

oblongo-ellipticis, obtusis, sepala subaequantibus, albis; staminibus 

liberis, inclusis; ovario 5-6 mm. longo, tereti, paulo supero; stylis 

liberis (Fig. 19, f-k). 

Type collected on ridge top, summit of Cerro Duida, Savanna 

Hills, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 1025-1200 m., September 

2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58279. For comparison with other 

species see the key below. 

The following key will serve to relate the new species of Brocchinia, 

proposed in this paper, to my treatment in the Contributions 

from the Gray Herbarium 161: 30. 1946. 

1. Ovary only one-third inferior; leaves and scape-bracts serrate. 

1. Ovary wholly or almost wholly inferior. 

B, s errata. 

2. Leaf-blades narrowly triangular or subtriangular, acute or 

acuminate. 

3. Capsule trigonous. 

4. Flowers sessile; petals orange B. Steyermarkii, 

4. Flowers slenderly pedicellate. 

5. Leaf-blades, scape-bracts and primary bracts of 

uniform texture; inflorescence bipinnate 

B, prismatic a. 

5. Leaf-blades, scape-bracts and primary bracts with 

dark castaneous indurate involute apices; inflorescence 

tripinnate fl, melanacra, 

3. Capsule terete. 

6. Leaf-sheaths prominent, 20-25 cm. long, dark castaneous; 

inflorescence narrow B. ocuminata. 

6. Leaf-sheaths inconspicuous, much smaller; inflorescence 

broad.


7. Flowers secund; ovary slender, 18 mm. long 

B, secunda. 

7. Flowers not secund; ovary stout, 5-6 ram. long 

fl. 

vestita. 

2. Leaf-blades ligulate, rounded and apiculate (no new species 

under this heading). 

Connellia caricifolia L. B. Smith, sp. nov. 

Caulescens, ramosa, florifera 17 cm. alta; caule ultra 1 dm. longo, 

2-3 mm. diametro; foliis dense quaquaversis, 6 cm. longis, omnino 

inermibus, vaginis late ovatis, 2 cm. longis, glabris, sulcatis, 

laminis linearibus, 4 mm. latis, supra glabris, subtus perobscure 

punctulato-lepidotis, marginibus albis cartilagineis except is utrinque 

viridibus; scapo erecto, 2-2.5 mm. diametro, brunneo, lucido; scapi 

bracteis internodia superantibus sed scapum baud obtengentibus, 

late ovatis, lucidis, infimis caudatis; inflorescentia simplicissima, 

laxe perpauciflora, glabra; bracteis florigeris late ellipticis, apiculatis, 

ad 14 mm. longis, pedicellos graciles superantibus; floribus 

erectis; sepalis ellipticis, ca. 12 mm. longis, tenuibus; petalis 2 cm. 

longis, unguiculatis , roseis, lamina suborbiculari; staminibus styloque 

inclusis; ovario supero (Fig. 20, a-b). 

Type collected on exposed surface of morros, summit of Mount 

Roraima, on northwest portion north and northwest of Summit Camp, 

state of Boh'var, alt. 2620-2740 m., September 27, 1944, Julian A. 

Steyermark 58846. The flowers are very similar to those of C f 

Quelchii, also from Mount Roraima, but the leaves are weak, glabrous 

above and prominently white -margined where those of C. 

Quelchii are stiff, densely lanate above and essentially uniform 

in texture. 

With considerable misgiving 

I am restoring the genus Connellia, 

because it 

represents the least objectionable of several awkward 

choices. To include C. Augustae, C Quelchii and the two new 

species here proposed, in Puya, involves too much contradiction in 

the key to genera. The technical characters of capsule-dehiscence 

and seed-appendages place Connellia much closer to Lindmania than 

to P uya which it more closely resembles in habit. 

To reduce Connellia to Lindmania would be logical, especially in 

view of the intermediate position of Lindmania guianensis, but I 

hesitate to do so until it is possible to establish the validity of 

Lindmania as distinct from the earlier Cottendorfia. Lindmania 

guianensis has the placentae practically as reduced as in Cottendorfia, 

and the discovery of fruit of the latter may show that the 

rather doubtful distinction on ovule-appendage is equally untenable. 

Phylogenetically, Connellia appears to link Puya to Lindmania 

but to be closer to the latter.


FIGURE 20 

Connellia caricifolio. A, Scape and inflorescence (X 1); B, Leaf 

(X IX 

Connellia nutans. C, Base of leaf (X 1); D, Branch of inflorescence 

(X 1); E, Flower (X 1); F, Petal and stamen (X 1).


The following key summarizes the distinctions discussed above: 

1. Seeds broad, a late; capsule primarily loculicidal; petals 

strongly spirally twisted together after anthesis 

Puya 

1. Seeds narrow, caudate or apiculate; capsule septicidal (unknown 

in Cottendorfia) or sometimes about equally both; petals 

not twisted together after anthesis. 

2. Seeds or ovules merely apiculate; placentae basal. 

Cottendorfia 

2. Seeds long-caudate; placentae usually extending almost the 

height of the cell. 

3. Petals white, colorless, separate after anthesis; sepals 

not over 5 mm. long, thin, flat; plants slender. 

Lindmania 

3. Petals brightly colored, more or less massed together 

after anthesis but not twisted; sepals larger and firmer; 

plants relatively robust 

Connellia 

Connellia nutans L. B. Smith, sp. nov. 

Dense aggregata, plus minusve caulescens (?), planta fructifera 

metralis vel ultra; foliis multis, caulem quaquaverse denseque vestientibus, 

ca. 3 dm. longis, vaginis amplis, basi medioque integris, 

dissite perobscureque punctulatis, brunneis, lucidis, laminis anguste 

triangularibus, a cumin at is, ad 3 cm. latis, basi extrema dentibus ad 

2 mm. longis dense armatis alibi integris, infimis delapsis; scapo 

decurvato, 14 mm. diametro, scapi bracteis erectis, dense imbricatis, 

subfoliaceis sed omnino inermibus; inflorescentia bipinnatim paniculata, 

2-7 dm. longa, 8-12 cm. diametro, subthyrsoidea, glabra; bracteis 

primariis e late ovato acuminatis; ramis strictis, gracilibus, 

floriferis brevibus sed fructiferis ad 18 cm. longis et bracteas multo 

superantibus; bracteis florigeris oblongo-lanceolatis, 17 mm. longis f 

brunneis, tenuibus; pedicellis gracillimis, 10 mm. longis; sepalis 

ellipticis, obtusis, 14 mm. longis, carinatis, brunneis, lucidis; 

petalis bene unguiculatis roseis, lamina suborbiculari; staminibus 

styloque inclusis; ovario supero; seminibus caudatis (Fig. 20c-f). 

Type collected along base of east-facing high sandstone bluffs, 

Ptari-tepuf, state of Bolivar, alt. 2410-2450 m., November 7, 1944, 

Julian A. Steyermark 59933', common type on bluffs, in dense mats. 

The flower and seed of Connellia nutans closely resemble those of 

C Augustae, but the deflexed inflorescence of the former quickly 

distinguishes it. Also even in fruit the branches of C.Augustae are 

very short. Steyermark 59611, from south-facing high sandstone 

bluffs, Ptari-tepui, October 30, 1944, alt. 2400-2410 m.. is sterile, 

but so closely resembles the type of C. nutans that it seems very 

likely that it is the same species.


FIGURE 21 

Navia aurea. A, Floral bract (X 1); B, Leaf (X 1). 

Navia glauca. C, Leaf (X 1); D, Flower (X 1>, E, Floral bract (X 1). 

Navia Steyermarkii. F, Leaf-blade (X 1); G, Flower (X 1); H, Floral 

bract (X 1). 

Navia xyridiflora. I, Flower (X 1); J, Leaf-blade (X 1).


Guzmania confinis L. B. Smith, sp. nov. 

Acaulis, florifera ad 5 dm. alta; foliis strictis, dense rosulatis, 

ad 23 cm. longis, viridibus (ISteyermark), vaginis ellipticis, lamina 

fere aequantibus, utrinque punctulato-lepidotis, laminis anguste 

triangularibus, 23 mm. latis, subtus obscure punctulato-lepidotis, 

supra densissime cinereo-lepidotis, margine revolutis; scapo erecto, 

gracili; scapi vaginis subfoliaceis, densissime imbricatis, purpureis; 

inflorescentia dense bipinnatim paniculata, cylindrica; bracteis 

primariis eis scapi similibus sed gradatim brevioribus, infimis flores 

multo superantibus; ramis subabortivis, flores 3 subfasciculatim 

gerentibus; bracteis florigeris suborbicularibus, 5 mm. longis, quam 

sepala multo brevioribus, membranaceis, sparse lepidotis; sepalis 

oblongis, late obtusis, 10 mm. longis, ad 6 mm. connatis, membranaceis, 

sparse lepidotis; petalis 20 mm. longis, alte conglutinatis, 

nudis, albis, laminis ellipticis; staminibus styloque inclusis; 

capsula cylindrica, rostrata, 2 cm. longa (Fig. 22, a-b). 

Type collected on limestone outcrops of Paramo de Tama, near 

Colombian-Venezuelan boundary, state of Tachira, alt. 3045-3475 m., 

July 15, 1944 , Julian A. Steyermark 57380; terrestrial, the common 

dominant type, forming dense colonies. Guzmania confinis is much 

more conspicuously lepidote on the upper surface of its leaves and 

bracts than on the lower, a character shared by G. palustris, but not 

by its other near relatives, G. Mosquerae and G. crypto nth a. Guzmania 

palustris has a much stouter habit and broader leaves and 

bracts than G. confinis and its flowers are about twice as large. 

Mez has placed such species with highly connate sepals in Thecophyllum, 

but in every instance that I have been able to check, the 

corolla proves them to be typical of Guzmania. 

Guzmania retusa L. B. Smith, sp. nov. 

Acaulis; foliis suberectis, 5 dm. longis, inflorescentiam superantibus, 

utrinque minute obscureque punctulato-lepidotis, vaginis 

magnis sed baud distinctis, laminis lingulatis, 6 cm. latis, apice 

late rotundatis et retuso-apiculatis, subtus pallide purpureis, supra 

purpureo-maculatis, margine anguste purpureis; scapo erecto, gracili; 

scapi bracteis erectis, dense imbricatis, ellipticis, apiculatis, 

punctulato-lepidotis; inflorescentia simplicissima, dense ellipsoidea, 

4.5 cm. longa, 2 cm. diametro, apicem usque fertili; bracteis florigeris 

orbicularibus, leviter convexis, 2 cm. diametro, sepala superantibus, 

coriaceis, lucidis, punctulato-lepidotis, nervatis vel fere 

laevibus; floribus subsessilibus; sepalis ellipticis, 13 mm. longis, 

aequaliter ad 5 mm. connatis, carinatis, coriaceis, apice sparse 

lepidotis; petalis 23 mm. longis, flavis, laminis late ellipticis; 

staminibus styloque inclusis (Fig. 23, a-c). 

Type collected on lower south-facing slopes between Rio Karuai 

and first ridge above Rio Karuai, Ptari-tepuT, state of Bolivar, alt. 

1220 m., November 28, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60677; terrestrial. 

I hesitate to describe a species from two specimens coming from


FIGURE 22 

Guz mania confinis. A, Branch (X 1); B, Inflorescence (X 1). 

Pitcairnia tuberculata. C, Branch of inflorescence (X 1). 

Tillandsia lacera. D, Petal (X 1); E, Branch of inflorescence (X 1>, 

F , Sepal (X 1 ).

I BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 145 

localities some seventeen hundred miles apart, so the above description 

is wholly from the type. However, I can find no significant 

difference in Steinbach 9623 which comes from the department of 

Cochabamba in Bolivia. 

Navia aurea L. B. Smith, sp. nov. 

Breviter caulescens; caule baud ultra 

10 cm. longo, 8 mm. dia metro; 

foliis multiseriatis, persistentibus, caulem omnino obtegentibus, 

vaginis late obovatis, 12 mm. longis, tenuibus, nervatis, ad apicem 

versus subdense serrulatis, laminis linearibus, acuminatis pungentibusque, 

8 cm. longis, 2-3 mm. lads, laxe minuteque serrulatis, 

coriaceis, viridibus (ISteyermark), juvenilibus ad basin versus 

laxissime albido-floccosis, per aetate glabris lucidisque; inflorescentia 

dense capituliforme, sessile; bracteis florigeris anguste 

lanceolatis, sepala subaequantibus, apice minute serrulatis; floribus 

imperfecte cognitis, sessilibus; sepalis liberis, lineari-lanceolatis, 

longe acuminatis, ca. 12 mm. longis, tenuibus, glabris, lateralibus 

carinatis; petalis aureis, ca. 25 mm. longis (Fig. 21, a* bX 

Type collected in dry rock crevices of bluff along Cano Negro, 

summit of Cerro Duida, Savanna Hills, Territorio Federal Amazonas, 

alt. 1025-1200 m., September 2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58219. 

Its bright yellow flowers immediately separate Navia aurea from all 

other known members of the genus, yet its very fine many-ranked 

leaves with their delicate cobwebby indument distinguish 

it even 

when sterile. 

Navia duidae L. B. Smith var. glabrior L. B. Smith, var. nov. 

Differt foliis subtus minute punctulato-lepidotis, glaucis, haud 

cinereis. 

Type collected along rocky banks of Cano Negro, summit of Cerro 

Duida, between Brocchinia Hills and Savanna Hills, Territorio 

Federal Amazonas, alt. 1050-1600 m., September 2, 1944, Julian A, 

Steyermark 58210; terrestrial among rocks. 

Navia glauca L. B. Smith, sp. nov. 

Caulescens; caule ad 15 cm. longo, 

1 cm. diametro; foliis caulem 

dense quaquaverse vestientibus, patentibus, vaginis brevibus, 

omnino occultatis, laminis anguste triangularibus, acuminatis, 

pungentibus, infra 7 cm. longis, ad 9 mm. latis, laxe minuteque serrulatis, 

coriaceis, supra glabris viridibusque, subtus minute pilosolepidotis 

et glaucis; inflorescentia dense capituliforme, in foliorum 

centre nidulante, pauciflora; bracteis florigeris lanceolatis, sepala 

superantibus, glabris; floribus sessilibus; sepalis liberis, 14 mm. 

longis, oblongo-lanceolatis, acutis, glabris, posticis carinatis; 

petalis ad 23 mm. longis, albis; staminibus styloque inclusis (Fig. 

21, c-e).


Type collected on summit of Cetro Duida, on high moist ridge top, 


Julian A Steyermark 58320* 

FIGURE 23 

Guzmania retusa. A, Flower (X 2/3); B, Inflorescence (X 2/3>, 

C, Apex of leaf (X 2/3). 

Pitcairnia cinerea. D, Sepal (X 2/3 >, E, Leaf (X 2/3); F, Branch of 

inflorescence (X 2/3). 

TiLlands ia stenoglossa. G, Apez of leaf (X 2/3); H, Branch of inflorescence 

(X 2/3). 

Navia Steyermarkii L. B. Smith, sp. nov. 

Caulescens; caule ultra 2 dm. longo; foliis caulem dense quaquaverse 

vestientibus, patentibus, vaginis brevibus, omoino occultatis, 

la minis linearibus, acuminatis, ca. 20 cm. longis, 8 mm. latis, laze


minuteque serrulatis, supra glabris, subtus dissite piloso-lepidotis 

mox glabris, utrinque viridibus; inflorescentia dense capituliforme, 

in foliorum centre nidulante, 15 mm. diametro; bracteis florigeris 

lanceolatis, sepala superantibus, ad apicem versus serrulatis; floribus 

sessilibus; sepalis liberis, 13 mm. longis, oblongo-lanceolatis, 

acutis, glabris, posticis carinatis; petalis ad 21 mm. longis, albis; 

staminibus styloque inclusis (Fig. 21,f-h). 

Type collected on moist southeastern-facing sandstone bluffs near 

Cano Negro (tributary of Canb Iguapo), Cerro Duida, Territorio 

Federal Amazonas, alt. 1095-1520 m., August 26, 1944, Julian A. 


Navia xy rid iflore L. B. Smith, sp. nov. 

Aggregata, caulescens; caule robusto, ukra 1 dm. longo; foliis 

caulem dense quaquaverse vestientibus, persistentibus, patentibus, 

vaginis brevibus, omnino occultatis, laminis linearibus, acuminatis, 

ad 19 cm. longis, 16 mm. latis, dense minuteque serrulatis, supra 

glabris viridibusque, subtus griseis, dissite minuteque punctulatolepidotis; 

inflorescentia dense capituliforme, in foliorum centro nidulante, 

pauciflora; bracteis florigeris ellipticis, apiculatis, sepala 

superantibus, coriaceis, brunneis, apice lepidotis; floribus sessilibus; 

sepalis liberis, posticis spathulatis, 11 mm. longis, ad apicem 

versus valde alatis et lepidotis; petalis albis, delapsis solum 

cognitis (Fig. 21, i-j). 

Type collected on dry slopes, Brocchinia Hills, Cerro Duida, 

Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 1700-1980 m., September l f 1944, 

Julian A t 

Steyermark 58152. In habk, Navia xyridiflora appears 

practically identical with N. angustifolia except for a slightly more 

even upper leaf-surface, yet the sepals show die strongest contrast 

in the genus. In N. xyridiflora they are strongly heteromorphic with 

the posterior ones spatulate and broadly alate, while in N. angustifolia 

they are all lance-oblong and not at all alate. 

The following key shows how the above novelties are distinguished 

from previously known members of Navia: 

1. Inflorescence elongate, interrupted N caulescens. 

1. Inflorescence densely capitate or glomerate. 

2. Leaf-blades 12-19 mm. broad, densely serrulate. 

3. Inflorescence distinctly scapose, glomerate from several heads; 

leaf-blades densely white-lanate beneath; sepals 5.5 mm. long. 

N. bicolor. 

3. Inflorescence sessile, capitate; leaf-blades glabrous or sparsely 

and obscurely punctulate-lepidote beneath; sepals 11-19 

mm. long. 

4. Sepals to 19 mm. long, lance-oblong, subsimilar, not dilated 

toward apex 

N. angustifolia.


4. Sepals not over 11 mm. long, the posterior ones much dilated 

toward apex, alate-carinate N xyridiflora. 

2. Leaf-blades less than 10 mm. wide. 

5. Sepals not over 6 mm. long. 

6. Leaf-blades 6 mm. broad .V. acaulis. 

6. Leaf-blades less than 3 mm. broad. 

7. Leaf-blades soon deciduous and exposing the branched 

stem, 3 cm. long. 

A'. Schultesiana. 

7. Leaf-blades persistent and concealing the stem, 10 cm. 

long A', 

graminifolia. 

5. Sepals 10-1 9 mm. long. 

8. Leaf-blades tapering evenly from base to apex; sepals free. 

9. Leaf-blades not over 9 cm. long. 

10. Petals bright yellow; leaf-blades laxly serrulate, 2-3 

mm. wide, 8 cm. long; floral bracts serrulate. ..A. aurea. 

10. Petals white or flavous; 

floral bracts entire. 

11. Leaf-blades densely serrulate, 4.5 mm. wide, 5 cm. 

long N brachyphylla. 

11. Leaf-blades laxly serrulate, to 9 cm. long. 

12. Leaf-blades pruinose-lepidote beneath with linear 

scales, less than 7 cm. long but 9 mm. wide. 

12. Leaf-blades appressed-lepidote beneath. 

A', 

glauca. 

13. Scales of the lower surface of the leaf-blade 

with distinct free margins, making the surface 

appear cinereous-scurfy. 

N duidae. 

13. Scales of the lower surface of the leaf-blade 

punctiform, immersed, making the surface appear 

glabrous A. duidae var. glabrior. 

9. Leaf-blades about 20 cm. long, 8 mm. wide; floral bracts 

serrulate toward apex 

N* Steyermarkii. 

8. Leaf-blades narrowed or inrolled toward base, 13-22 cm. 

long; sepals much connate. 

14. Leaf-blades subentire with only a few teeth near the 

base A'. Gleasonii. 

14. Leaf-blades sparsely serrulate throughout. 

15. Stem 22 cm. or longer; leaf-blades to 25 cm. long, 9.5 

mm. wide; sepals 16 mm. long N. Maguirei.


15. Stem 6-10 cm. long; leaf-blades less than 20 cm. long, 

5 mm. wide; sepals 10 ram. long. 

A'. 

Maguirei 

var. minor. 

Pitcairnia cinerea L. B. Smith, sp. nov. 

E fragmentis solum cognita, verisimiliter acaulis, florifera ultra 

3-4.5 dm. alta (ISteyermark); foliis homomorphis, bulbose rosulatis, 

ca. 3 dm. long is, vaginis late ovatis, 15 mm. longis, crasse coriaceis, 

inflatis, laminis arcuato-recurvatis, linearibus, longe acuminatis, 

10 mm. latis, coriaceis, margine spinis patentibus gracilibus 

ad 3 mm. longis laxe armatis, supra dissite lepidotis, mox glabris, 

subtus densissime adpresseque cinereo-lepidotis; scapo erecto, 3.5 

mm. diametro, cinereo-lepidoto, mox glabro; scapi bracteis in finals 

foliaceis, internodia multo superantibus, supremis angustissime 

triangularibus, parvis, quam internodia multo brevioribus, integris; 

inflorescentia laxe bipinnatim paniculata, spars issime lepidota; 

bracteis primariis supremis scapi similibus, quam ramis multo 

brevioribus; ramis divaricatis, subdense florigeris, ad 6 era. longis; 

bracteis florigeris late ellipticis, apiculatis, 3-4 mm. longis, tenuibus; 

floribus divergentibus, sessilibus; sepalis anguste subtriangularibus, 

apice asymmetrice acutis, 15-18 mm. longis, coriaceis, 

basi alato-carinatis; petalis angustis, 25 mm. longis, nudis, margine 

minutissime denticulatis , pallide viridibus; staminibus styloque inclusis; 

ovario 2/3 supero, parte infero obconico, 6-alato; ovulis 

alatis (Fig. 23, d-f). 

Type collected on igneous rock outcrops, Puerto Ayacucho, Territorio 

Federal Amazonas, alt. 200 m., September 11, 1944, Julian A. 

Steyermark 58514. Because of its alate ovules, Pitcairnia cinerea, 

along with P. armata, P. ctenophylla, P. heliophylla and P. patentiflora, 

would seem to belong in section Schweideleria. It is interesting 

to note that all these species agree in their very narrow spiny 

leaf-blades, while all the species previously grouped in the section 

have distinctly petiolate broad-bladed leaves with few or no spines. 

Pitcairnia cinerea is very unusual in the genus for its 6-winged 

ovary. 

Pitcairnia tuberculata L. B. Smith, sp. nov. 

E fragmentis fructiferis solum cognita, verisimiliter acaulis et 

florifera ultra metralis; foliis rosulatis, ultra 7 dm. longis, vaginis 

suborbicularibus, 3 cm. longis, integris, atro-castaneis, extus ad 

apicem versus densissime brunneo-lepidotis , 

laminis sublinearibus, 

acuminatis, basi paulo angustatis sed baud petiolatis, ad 2 cm. 

latis, his vetustis glabris, toto margine spinis gracilibus atris ad 2 

mm. longis laxe armatis; scapo erecto, 8 mm. diametro, scapi bracteis 

foliaceis, internodia superantibus sed scapum nullo modo 

occulta ntibus; inflorescentia ampla, laxe bivel tripinnatim paniculata; 

bracteis primariis angustissime triangularibus, ad 3 cm. longis, 

quam basibus sterilibus ramorum multo brevioribus; ramis gracilibus,


ad 25 cm. longis, ad apicera versus minute tuberculatis; bracteis 

florigeris elliptic is, apiculatis, 5 mm. longis, quam pedicellis multo 

brevioribus; floribus patentibus, saepe secundis; pedicellis 1 cm. 

longis, gracilibus, tuberculatis; sepalis anguste triangularibus, ad 

27 mm. longis, ecarinatis, subcoriaceis, densissime grosseque 

tuberculatis; petalis delapsis solum cognitis, linearibus, 5 cm. 

longis, nudis; staminibus verisirailiter inclusis; ovario 4/5 supero; 

ovulis caudatis (Fig. 22, c). 

Type collected along dry grassy slopes following quebrada, between 

Beguilla and Mucuchachi', state of Me'rida, alt. 1065-2430 m., 

May 4, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 56297. Pitcairnia tuberculata is 

strongly reminiscent of P. echinata but has naked petals, much 

smaller sepals and floral bracts and much more complex indument 

on the sepals. The indument of P. tuberculata consists of rods so 

sculptured as to be dendritic in form. On account of the naked 

petals, P. tuberculata would fall close to P. ferruginea in the key in 

the Pflanzenreich, but the latter has merely stellate indument and 

poorly demarcated leaf-sheaths. 

Tillandsia lacera L. B. Smith, sp. nov. 

Acaulis, florifera 27 cm. alta; foliis mukis, dense rosulatis, 

erectis, 12-20 cm. longis, utrinque dense adpresseque lepidotis, 

vaginis late ovatis vel suborbicularibus, atro-castaneis, laminis 

anguste triangularibus, long acuminatis, 2-3 cm. latis, cinereolepidotis; 

scapo erecto, gracili; scapi vaginis dense imbricatis, 

ellipticis, dense lepidotis, infimis foliaceo-laminatis, alteris late 

rotundatis dein abrupte lineari-caudatis vel apiculatis, ex sicco 

chartaceis; inflorescentia dense bipinnatim paniculata, breviter 

cylindrica, 7 cm. longa, 3.5 cm. diametro; bracteis primariis eis 

supremis scapi similibus, erectis, bases steriles spicarum subaequantibus, 

spicis e basi sterili nuda erecta divergentibus, dense 

4-6-floris, oblongis, acutis, complanatis, 20 mm. longis, 8 mm. latis; 

bracteis florigeris dense imbricatis, lanceolatis, subcucullatis, 9 

mm. longis, sepala paulo superantibus, obtuse carinatis, chartaceis, 

nervatis, dense adpresseque cinereo-lepidotis; floribus subsessilibus; 

sepalis liberis, lanceolatis, late acutis, 8 mm. longis, carinatis, 

nervatis, glabris; petalis 13 mm. longis, auriculis binis praeditis, 

laminis oblongis, late rotundatis, valde laceratis, fulgide lilacinis, 

stamina styloque superantibus (Fig. 22, d-f). 

collected in^thickets along quebrada, above Betania, at base 

of Paramo de Tama', state of Tachira, alt. 2285-2430 m., July 14, 


On account of its lacerate auricled petals, Tillandsia lacera is 

obviously related to T. heterandra, but it differs in its abruptly 

caudate upper scape-bracts, denser inflorescence, and short spikes 

with naked sterile bases.


Tillandsia rubra R. & P. var. reducta L. B. Smith, var. nov. 

Differt planta minore, 6-10 dm. alta; inflorescentia simplex vel e 

spica terminal! normal! et lateralibus abortivis formata. 

Type collected on southeastern portion of base of Carrao-tepui, 

state of Bolivar, alt. 1460-1615 m., December 4-5, 1944, Julian A. 

Steyermark 60851 (inflorescence simple); epiphyte on lower part of 

tree trunk. Also collected on ridge shoulder between Quebrada de 

Morro and Quebrada Cortijo, by boundary line Lara-Trujillo, above 

Humocaro Bajo, state of Trujillo, alt. 2600-2800 m., February 6, 

1944, Steyermark 55334 (cotype, with inflorescence with aborted 

lateral branches); epiphyte in crotches of shrub. 

Tillandsia (Pseudo-Catopsis) stenoglossa L. B. Smith, sp. nov. 

Acaulis, florifera 3 dm. alta; foliis paucis, subbulbose rosulatis, 

26 cm. longis, scapum superantibus, utrinque dense punctulatolepidotis, 

vivo omnino roseis (ISteyermark), exterioribus valde reductis, 

vaginis late ovatis, ad 10 cm. longis, laminis anguste lingulatis, 

16 mm. latis, apice late acutis apiculatisque, planis; scapo 

erecto, gracillimo, mox glabro; scapi bracteis oblongis, parvis, 

remotis, cinereo-lepidotis; inflorescentia erecta, laxe bipinnatim 

paniculata, 10 cm. longa, spars 

is sime cinereo-lepidota; bracteis 

primariis eis scapi similibus, bases breves steriles ramorum paulo 

superantibus; spicis secunde patentibus, laxe florigeris, 5 cm. 

longis, 1 cm. latis; rhachi flexuosa, gracili, angulata; bracteis florigeris 

ovatis, acutis, ecarinatis, quam sepalis distincte brevioribus, 

fere laevibus; floribus valde divergentibus, nullo modo secundis; 

sepalis liberis, obovatis, asymmetricis, 5 mm. longis, laevibus 

(Fig. 23, g-h). 

Type collected in Bonne tia roraimae forest on southwest-facing 

shoulder, Ptari-tepui', bordering swamp, state of Bolivar, alt. 2000- 

2200 m., November 2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59775. In my key 

in the Contributions from the Gray Herbarium, 89: 16, this species 

would fall next to Tillandsia parviflora and T guana eas tens is. It 

differs from both of them in its ligulate leaf-blades and from 7. 

guanacastensis in its lax spikes.


COMME LINAGEAE 

Aneilema gracilis (H.B.K.) Steyermark, comb. nov. 

Tradescantia gracilis H.B.K. Nov. Gen. & Sp. 7: 261. pL 672. 

1825. 

Aneilema gracilis, forma bicolor (Kunth) Steyermark, comb. nov. 

Tradescantia gracilis 

Phan. 3: 298. 1881. 

p bicolor (Kunth) C. B. Clarke in DC. Mono. 

Tradescantia b ico lor Kunth, Enum. 4: 88. 1843. 

South-facing slopes of Cordillera del Avila, just above Caracas, 

along trail towards Los Venados, Distrito Federal, alt. 1520-1675 m., 


The stamens in this collection are 6 in number, all fertile, equal 

and similar, and barbate in the lower third. So far as the 6 equal 

stamens are concerned, the collection matches H.B.K's plate 672 of 

Tradescantia gracilis. 

Phaeosphaerion pseudomonosperma (O. Ktze.) Steyermark, comb. nov. 

Athyrocarpus Pseudomonosperma O. Ktze. Rev. Gen. PI. 3, pt. 2: 

319. 1898. 

Monagas: Montana de Aguacate, along Quebrada de Pajarral, 

tributary to Rio Caripe, northeast of Alto de Aguacate, between 

Caripe and Caripito, alt. 600-900 m., Steyermark 62217. 

Tradescantia venezuelensis Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Perennis, caulibus erecto-adscendentibus, basi decumbentibus, 

glabris, 40 cm. longis; foliis membranaceis, oblongo- vel ovatolanceolatis, 

acutis, basi obtusis vel rotundatis valde asymmetricis, 

supra viridibus, subtus argenteo-viridibus, 3-5- 7 cm. longis, 1.5- 

2.5 cm. latis, utrinque pilosis; vaginis 5-8 mm. longis, 3-5 mm. latis, 

marginibus apicibusque ciliatis, apice oblique truncatis; pedunculis 

1.5-3.5 cm. longis uno latere dense pilosulis; bracteis 2, subaequalibus, 

cordato-ovatis, obtusis, 12-13 mm. longis, 12 mm. latis, marginibus 

dense ciliatis; sepalis ovato-oblongis, obtusis, falcato-asymmetricis, 

3 mm. longis, sepalorum 2 tenuibus glabris, tertio uno 

latere carinato, carina ciliata; petalis albis, 2 mm. longis, obtusis 

vel rotundatis; staminibus 6, 3 brevioribus; filamentis glabris, ad 

2 mm. longis; stylo filiform!, in fructu persistenti, glabro, 1-2 mm. 

longo; se minibus 4, oblongis vel quadrato-rhomboidalibus, griseobrunneis, 

1.25-1.5 mm. longis, 0.75- 1 mm. latis, uno latere plus 

minusve 12-scrobiculato, e contrario reticulate cicatrice hilari 

elongata. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected between La Trinidad 

and headwaters of Rio de Amana, Cerro Tururaiquire, state of Sucre, 

alt. 1300-1800 m., May 10, 1945, Julian A. Steyermark 62688.


Known locally as "Suelda con sue Ida". 

Characterized by the glabrous filaments, small white petals, tiny 

sparsely pilosulous sepals, small size of seeds, strongly inequilateral 

base of leaves, small bracts subtended on one side by a leaf, 

and short pedicels, this species is related to Tradescantia commelinoides 

Roem. & Sch. of Central America and Mexico. From this 

species, it differs, among other respects, in its white petals. 

It is 

related to T cymbispatha Clarke, from which it differs in the much 

smaller seeds, more densely pubescent bracts, smaller petals and 

sepals, inequilateral leaves, shorter pedicels, and filaments all 

glabrous. From T. anagallidea Seub. and T. fluminensis Veil, it may 

be distinguished by the asymmetric narrowed leaf base, smaller 

flowers, shorter pedicels, and glabrous filaments. 

LILIACEAE 

Excremis coarctata (R. & P.) Baker, forma alba Steyermark, 

f. nov. 

A typo recedit petalis alb is. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on ascent of Pico de 

Naiguata, above Los Chorros, state of Miranda, alt. 2200-2765 m., 

June 16-17, 1945, Julian A. Steyermark 62963. 

This differs from typical E. coarctata in the white, instead of blue, 

petals. 

Nietneria paniculate Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Herba perennis; foliis erectis, caeruleo-viridibus, linearibus, 

falcatis, angustate acuminatis, firmiter 10-costulatis, 7-17 cm. 

longis, 1.5-3.5 mm. latis, vaginis equitantibus; inflorescentia paniculata, 

1.5-7.5 cm. longa, 1.5-2 cm. lata, pedicellis 8-13 mm. longis, 

erectis; bracteis infimis 4.5-6 mm. longis; perianthio superne flavo, 

parte inferiore olivaceo-viridi, hypanthio late conico, 2 mm. longo, 

segmentis 5 mm. longis, exterioribus 1.5 mm. latis, interioribus 

1.75-2 mm. latis, marginibus scariosis albidis 0.5 mm. latis, subaequalibus, 

lanceolatis, acutis, apice paullo incurvatis, 5-7-nervatis; 

filamentis subulatis, 3 mm. longis; antheris oblongis, 1.1 mm. 

longis; ovario late conico, 3mm. longo sursum sensim angustato. 

Tips of leaves long- or narrowly acuminate; the 2-3 bracts of the 

scape above the lowest folia ceous bract poorly developed and reduced 

in size; inflorescence elongated paniculate, the flowers rather 

remotely separated; perianth segments 6, the inner 5-7-nerved with 

scarious whitish margins, the outer 7-nerved; bracts at base of lowest 

flowering branches 4.5-6 mm. long; stigmas subcapitate; styles 

1 mm. long. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in Gran Sabana, 

between Mission of Santa Teresita de Kavanayen northwest to Rio 

Karuai, on large mesa, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., October 26, 

1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59362.


This is the second species to be described in the genus Nietneria, 

previously represented by the single species /V. corymbosa 

& Klotzsch 

Schomb. of the Roraima region. It differs from that species in 

having a paniculate elongate instead of corymbose or subcorymbose 

inflorescence, the flowers more separated, much shorter bracts at the 

base of the lowest flowering branches, those in TV. 

corymbosa being 

more foliaceous, 7-9 mm. long in anthesis and 16-20 mm. long in 

fruit, the tips of the leaves long- or narrowly acuminate, whereas in 

N. corymbosa they are short-acute to subacuminate, and finally in the 

middle and upper bracts of the scape, which in N, corymbosa are 

more foliose and better developed. 

Smilax duidae Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Frutex scandens ubique glaber; ramulis teretibus laevibus vel 

minute tuberculatis, inermis; petiolis crassis, 30 cm. longis basi 

dilatis; laminis coriaceis elliptico-oblongis, 20-21 cm. longis, 7-9 

cm. latis, obtusis vel acutis, basi subacutis et in petiolum subito 

contractis, basi 5-nervatis, nervis extimis minus prominentibus; 

pedunculis umbellarum mascularum in racemis bracteatis ad 5.5 cm. 

longis dispositis; bracteis oblongis acutis, 5.5-6.5 mm. longis; 

pedunculis 20-23 mm. longis,- paullo compressis; receptaculis masculis 

subglobosis 2 mm. diametro; floribus pallido-viridibus 21-23 

per umbellam; pedicellis pallido-viridibus gracilibus 6-7 mm. longis; 

perianthii segmentis oblongis, 4.5-5 mm. longis, circiter 1.2 mm. 

latis, subacutis; staminibus perianthium aequantibus; filamentis 2.5 

mm. longis; antheris linear! oblongis, 2.2 mm. longis. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on Cerro Duida, 

southeastern-facing forested sandstone slopes along Cano Negro 

(tributary of Cano Iguapo), Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 260- 

610 ra., August 26, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58057. 

This species resembles S. pseudosyphilitica Kunth in appearance, 

but differs in having larger staminate flowers, much longer peduncles, 

and longer pedicels. The general shape and large size of the 

leaves simulate those of 5. graciliflora A. C. Smith and S. grandifolia 

Regel, but those species have aculeate stems. 

From 5. immersa A. C. Smith the new species may be distinguished 

by the larger 5-nerved leaves, longer peduncles and pedicels, and 

longer perianth segments. 

Smilax Lasseriana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caulis fruticosus teres striatus, tenuiter tuberculatus, ramulis 

novellis striato-angu latis minute tuberculatis, inermis, scabridulis; 

petiolis crassis, 5-7 mm. longis, apicem versus incrassatis et rugulosis; 

larainis coriaceis, supra lucidis, ovato-oblongis, 6-9 cm. 

longis, 3-5.5 cm. latis, basi subcordatis in petiolura subito contractis, 

apice obtusis breviter calloso-mucronulatis, e basi conspicue 

3-5-nervatis, venis utrinque prominulis in rete grosso areolatum 

connexis; umbellis foemineis axillaribus; pedunculis foemineis


brevibus, 2-10 mm. longis, striatis; pedicellis foemineis 1 mm. 

longis, 0.6 mm. latis; perianthii segmentis anguste oblongis obtusis, 

exterioribus 1.8-1.9 mm. longis, 0.8-0.9 mm. latis, interioribus 1 .5 

mm. longis, 0.5 mm. latis, apice incurvato-cucullatis; stigmatibus 

brevibus, sessilibus, incrassatis, latioribus quam longioribus, 0.5 

mm. altis; ovario 1.5 mm. longo. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected onSororopan-tepuf, 

crest of cerro between east and west end, state of Bolivar, alt. 2255 

m., Julian A. Steyermark 60121, "sprawling over ground by wooded 

streamlet; stems wiry; leaves coriaceous, deep green both sides; 

flowers pale green." 

This species 

is named in honor of Dr. Tobias Lasser of the Servicio 

Botanico of the Ministerio del Agricultura y Cria in Caracas. 

In the obtusis h, apiculate leaves and scabridulous stems this 

species resembles S. rufescens Griseb., from which it differs chiefly 

in the subsessile, pistillate peduncles and shining upper surface of 

the cordate or subcordate leaves. Smilax viminea Griseb. has subsessile 

peduncles, but much narrower leaves. Smilax Williams it 

Macbr. has obtusish leaves, but non-scabrous, non-verrucose branches, 

and the reticulation of the upper surface of the leaf blades consists 

of smaller areolation. 

Smilax Pittieriana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Frutex scandens ubique glaber; ramulis teretibus laevibus inermis; 

petiolis 1-1.5 cm. longis; laminis coriaceis oblongo-lanceolatis, 

7-14 cm. longis, 1.5-5 cm. latis, acutis vel acuminatis, basi subacutis 

vel obtusis in petiolum contractis decurrentibus, e basi 3-5- 

nervatis, nervis extimis inconspicuis; pedunculis umbellarum mascularum 

axillaribus solitariis c ire her 2.5 cm. longis, paullo compress is; 

receptaculis masculis subglobosis 2 mm. diametro; floribus viridescenti-flavidis, 

ca. 6 per urabellam; pedicellis masculis gracilibus 

9-12 mm. longis, 0.4-0.5 mm. latis; perianthii segmentis linearioblongis 

obtusis subaequalibus, 5.2-5*3 mm. longis, 1.2-1.4 mm. 

latis, extus apicem versus et ad marginem parce et minute papillosotomentulosis, 

1-nervatis; staminibus brevioribus quam segmentis; 

filamentis 2 mm. longis; pedicellis foemineis 6-7 mm. longis, 0.3-0.5 

mm. latis; perianthii foeminei segmentis lineari- oblongis obtusis, 4 

mm. longis, I mm. latis, extus apicem versus parce papillosotomentulosis; 

staminodiis 6, subulatis, 1.2 mm. longis, arcuatoadscendentibus; 

stylis 3, crassis, carnosis, oblongis, parte superiore 

tercero paullo constrictis 1-1.2 mm. longis; ovario 1.5 mm. long. 

Type (staminate plant) in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in 

scrubby forest at margin of swampy meadow, vicinity of "Misia Kathy 

camp", on mesa between Ptari-tepui and Sororopan-tepui, state of 

Bolivar, alt. 1615 m., November 15-17, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

60251; co-type (pistillate plant), same locality, Steyermark 60251a.


The dimorphous leaves of the pistillate and staminate plants are 

noteworthy, those of the staminate plants being broader. The older 

mature leaves of both sexes are non-reticulate and show immersed 

nerves, whereas the younger leaves of both sexes manifest a reticulate 

conspicuously nerved and veined appearance. In age, apparently, 

the leaves become much more coriaceous, and the veins become 

immersed on the upper leaf surface. On these older leaves usually 

just one main nerve stands out, the other lateral ones being only 

slightly evident. 

This species is related to S. immersa A. C. Smith of British 

Guiana, the principal likeness being found in the nerves of the upper 

leaf surface becoming immersed in the leaf tissue of the older 

leaves. From this species it differs in its shorter petioles, smooth 

rather than minutely tuberculate branches, more narrowly lanceolate 

or oblong-lanceolate leaves, longer pedicels of the staminate flower, 

and staminate inflorescence composed of only one umbel. 

Smilax staminea Griseb., f. 

obtusata Steyermark, forma nova. 

A typo differt apice foliorum obtuso vel subobtuso; pedunculis 

foemineis axillaribus solitariis 2-4 mm. longis, 1.5 ram. latis; pedicellis 

bacciferis 5-6 mm. longis. 

Stems striatulate, glabrous, unarmed; petioles thickened, 6-15 mm. 

long; leaf-blades deep green above, dull paler green below, ovateoblong 

(older leaves) to narrowly oblong (those on lateral shoots), 

6.5-H cm. long. 2.5 cm. wide, shining above, conspicuously reticulate-veined 

on both sides, obtuse to rounded at base, obtuse or 

subobtuse at apex, 3-5-nerved from the base; fruiting peduncles 

short, solitary, 2-4 mm. long; fruiting pedicels 5-6 mm. long; berries 

pale green, 7-8 mm. in diameter. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on forested sandstone 

south-facing slopes between pleteau portion and "Cave Camp," 

Ptari-tepuf, state of Bolfvar, alt. 1700-1800 m., November 1, 1944, 


Tofieldia duidae Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Herba caespitosa, foliis elongato-linearibus acicularibus, 5.5-14 

cm. longis, 2-3 mm. latis, glabris, longitudinaliter 6-10-striatis, basi 

distiche vaginantibus; scapo erecto tereti, 13-25 cm. longo, glabro 

foliis longioribus, 2-6-floro; bracteis minutis; floribus strictis racemosis; 

pedicellis erectis, 8-12 mm. longis; involucello bracteolis 

late ovatis acutis 1.5-2 ram. longis; perianthii segmentis oblongolanceolatis 

acutis, 8 ram. longis, 1.75-2 mm. latis, 5-7-striatis; 

filamentis linearibus planis 2.7 mm. longis; antheris lineari-oblongis, 

1.2 ram. longis, 0.5 ram. latis; stylis 3 coalitis, 1.5 ram. longis; 

stigmatibus 3 subcapitatis; ovario 3-lobato conico-oblongo 3.5 mm. 

longo apicera versus acuto, triloculari; ovulis 10 in quoque loculo. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected along stream bank

[ 

BOTANICAL 

EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 157 

above Vegas Falls, Brocchinia Hills, summit of Cerro Duida, Territorio 

Federal Amazonas, alt. 1700-1980 m., September 1, 1944, Julian 

A. Steyermark 58176', co-type in herb. N.Y. Bot. Card., collected on 

rocks in streambed at Central Camp, summit of Mount Duida, alt. 

1550 m., Dec. 20-28, 1928, G. //. H. Tate 546. 

This species differs from T. Schomburgkiana Oliver, described 

from Mount Roraima, and with which it has been confused, by its 

glabrous, long-acicular leaves, smaller perianth, much more slender 

scape and pedicels, and the minute reduced bracts of the scape and 

at the base of the pedicels. 

Tofieldia sessiliflora Hook., var. robustior Steyermark, var. nov. 

A typo differt inflorescentia valde elongata, 20-28 cm. longa; 

seminibus 2-2.5 mm. longis. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in wet meadow at 

Las Sabanetas, above Los Aposentos, west of Humocaro Bajo, state 

of Lara, alt. 2530 m., February 5, 1944, Julian A, Steyermark 55291. 

Known locally as "Barrita de San Jose'". 

This differs from typical T. sessiliflora in its much more elongated 

inflorescence and longer seeds. 

AMARYLLIDACEAE 

Pancratium Moritzianum (Kunth) Steyermark, comb. nov. 

Hymenocallis Moritziana Kunth, Enum. PI. 5: 668. 1850. 

Stem ancipital; filaments green in upper half, white below; style 

dull green; all other parts white; segments recurved, 1/2 curved; 

leaves green above, pale below; cultivated at Mucuchachf, state of 

Merfda, alt. 1065 m., May 4, 1944, Steyermark 56319 (2 sheets). 

VELLOZIACEAE 

Vellozia duidae Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caudex erectus simplex subligneus 1.3-1.8 m. altus, 2.5-5 cm. 

diametro; foliis apicalibus subcoriaceis adscendentibus undique 

viridibus 45-50 cm. longis, 10-11 mm. latis, apicibus pendentibus, 

supra glabris, subtus subglabratis vel inter nervios minute pilosulis, 

marginibus basi adpresso-hirsutis. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on ridge top, Savana 

Hills, summit of Cerro Duida, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 

1025-1200 m., September 2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58270, 

"stems 4-7 feet tall; leaves ascending with drooping tips, subcoriaceous, 

grass green both sides; stems subligneous, soft, 1-2 

inches in diameter. "


It is with hesitancy that a new species in this genus is described 

from a vegetative state only, but the plant from the summit of Duida 

differs vegetatively from other species as follows: the broader and 

longer leaves which are glabrous on the upper surface and only 

subglabrate to minutely pilosulous in the sulcations between the 

nerves on the lower surface, the appressed-hirsute basal margins of 

the leaves, and the relatively tall thick stems which vary from 1.3- 

1 .8 meters in height. 

Vellozia duidae is locally common in the Savana Hills, and forms 

a striking appearance with its tall subligneous stems giving rise at 

the tip to the long leaves. These stems are much taller than in 

V, tubiflora H.B.K. of the lowlands of the Upper Orinoco in Venezuela, 

and have much broader and longer leaves than either V. 

tubiflora or V. Alexandrinae (Schomb.) Goeth. & Henr. of the Gran 

Sabana region bordering Roraima, Auyan-tepui' and Ptari-tepui. In 

those species, moreover, and especially in V. Alexandrinae, the 

leaves are densely appressed-silvery-sericeous-pubescent beneath. 

The chances are great that V. duidae, geographically isolated as it 

is on the summit of Duida, will be found to possess additional 

characters as a distinct species when its flowers are eventually 

collected and described. 

DIOSCOREACEAE 

Dioscorea bolivarensis Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caules teretes, glabri; laminis membranaceis cordato-ovatis acuminatis, 

4-6 cm. longis, 3-3.5 cm. latis, 7-nervatis glabris; petiolis 

1.5-1.8 cm. longis; paniculis masculis paniculato-ramosis, 10-15 cm. 

longis; racemulis 2.5-3.5 cm. longis; floribus plerumque binis vel 

trinis fasciculatis pedicellatis; pedicellis 1-2 mm. longis glabris; 

bracteis ca. 1 mm. longis ovatis acuminatis; perianthio 2 mm. lato 

rotate; segmentis lineari-oblongis 1.5 mm. longis, 0.5-0.8 mm. latis, 

tubo brevi; sta minibus fertilibus 6, perianth ii tubo insert is; fi lame 

mis elongatis. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected along rocky cascades 

of Rio Upaca, west of Upata, state of Bolivar, alt. 500 m., 

July 31, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57551. 

The paniculately branched staminate inflorescence relates this 

species to section Sarcantha Uline, as treated by R. Knuth in Das 

Pflanzenreich (IV. 43: 247. 1924), and to D. amazonum Griseb. in 

that section, but that species has very elongated staminate branches 

of the inflorescence and the flowers are solitary, whereas in D. 

bolivarensis the flowers are in pairs or in cy mules of threes, and 

much smaller. 

Dioscorea Lasaeriana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caules usque 2.5-* mm. crassi, hirtello-pubescentes, pilis patulis 

obsiti; laminis firmiter papyraceis ovato-oblongis, cordato-ovatis


vel subrotundatis, apice subiter cuspidatis, basi sinu latissimo 

cordate, adultis 8.5-10 cm. longis, 5.5-9 cm. lads, subtus villosis, 

supra glabris, 7-9-nervatis venis , prominence reticulatis, praesertim 

subtus; petiolis 3-4 cm. longis hirtellis; racemis masculis fasciculatis 

pluribus in axilla folii, usque 15-20 cm. longis, 1-1.5 mm. crassis, 

villosis, rhachi et floribus et pedicellis villosis; fasciculis subsessilibus 

1-1.5 mm. longis, 2-4-floris; pedicellis 3-6 mm. longis, 

villosis, perianthio 1.8-2 mm. longo, villoso, usque ad 4/5 partito; 

segmentis lanceolato-oblongis, obtusis, extus villosis; staminibus 

6, centralibus; filamentis recurvatis, basi in tubum coalitis; antheris 

suborbicularibus brevioribus quam filamentis. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on meadowy slopes 

between La Sabana de las Piedras and Cerro Negro, northwest of 

Caripe, state of Monagas, alt. 1200-1500 m., April 5, 1949, Julian 

A. Steyermark 61836; also collected in woods above Las Cuadras, 

along Quebrada Molino, north of Torondoy, state of Me'rida, alt. 1820- 

2255 m., March 27, 1944, Steyermark 55802. 

A member of subgenus Helmia (Kunth) Benth., sect. Dematostemon 

Griseb., as treated by R. Knuth in Das Pflanzenreich IV. 43: 50-51. 

1924, this species, because of its staminate flowers villous on the 

outer surface, is related to D. Fendleri R. Knuth of Venezuela, but 

differs from that species in having villous stems and the lower surface 

of the leaves villous. It is also closely related to D. sericea R. 

Knuth of Colombia, from which it differs in the much longer pedicels 

of the staminate flowers, the acuminate or cuspidate leaf-tips, and 

the loosely villous instead of villous-sericeous pubescence of the 

lower surface of the leaves. 

Dioscorea sororopana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Volubilis glabra; caulibus tenuibus subteretibus; foliorum laminis 

firmiter membranaceis vel subcoriaceis late ovatis, subito acuminatis, 

basi sinu latissime cordato, adultis 4-8 cm. longis, 3.5-6 cm. 

latis, glabris, 7-1 3-nervatis nervis 

, 

extremis furcatis, subtus conspicuoribus 

et laxe areolatis; petiolis 1.5-4 cm. longis; inflorescentia 

mascula spicata; spicis masculis simplicibus solitariis vel 

2-fasciculatis, 8-9 cm. longis, glabris angulatis, longioribus quam 

foliis; floribus masculis 2-3-glomerulatis, sessilibus; glomerulis 

1-3 mm. remotis; bracteis ovatis cuspidatis, 2.5 mm. longis; perianthio 

masculo campanulato, 2-2.5 mm. longo, segmentis subaequalibus, 

suborbiculari-ovatis, rotundatis vel obtusis, 1.5 mm. longis, 

0.75-1 mm. latis, paullo longioribus quam tubo; staminibus 3, tubi 

fundo insertis, subcentralibus erectis, 1 mm. longis; filamentis 

0.7-0.8 mm. longis; spicis fructiferis 10 cm. longis, 4 capsulas 

gerentibus; capsulis suborbicularibus vel subreniformibus 17-18 mm. 

longis, 18-19 mm. latis; seminibus undique alis circumcinctis, 9 mm. 

longis, 5-6 mm. latis, late oblongis, semine ipso suborbiculari 3-4 

mm. longo. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected by wooded streamlet,


crest of cerro between east and west end, Sororopan-tepui, state of 

Bolivar, alt. 2255 m., November 14, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

60124 (staminate plant); same locality Steyermark 60143 (pistillate 

plant), co-type. 

By having the seeds winged all around, this species would fall 

into subgenus Eudioscorea, according to R. Knuth's treatment of the 

genus in "Das Pflanzenreich". It is characterized by the 3 short 

fertile stamens without staminodia in the staminate flowers, the 

broadly suborbicular, rounded or obtuse staminate perianth segments, 

the fasciculate, sessile staminate flowers, the capsule as broad as 

or slightly broader than long, and the relatively small, broadly ovate, 

heart-shaped leaves with a conspicuous reticulum of nerves beneath. 

It may be considered a member of the sect. Hemidematostemon 

Griseb., the known species of which are all Brazilian, but does not 

agree with any of the described species of that section. 

IRIDACEAE 

Trimezia Fosteriana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Herba perennis, ex cormum oriunda; scapo erecto subcomplanato 

simplici glabro, 60-75 cm. alto, bivel tri-foliato, bracteis subfoliosis 

remotis, 5 - 13 cm. longis; foliis radicalibus elongatis erectis 

glauco-viridibus subcoriaceis conspicue striatis linearibus, 30-65 

cm. longis, 5-8 mm. latis, apice obtusis et asymmetric is; spatha 

terminali sessili 1-3-flora bivalva; valvis inaequalibus pedicellum 

subaequantibus striatis late lanceolatis carinatis 3.5-4.5 cm. longis, 

8-10 mm. latis, acutis vel acuminatis, exteriore interiorera basi 

amplectenti; floribus aureo-purpureo-maculatis; perigonii laciniis 

2.5 cm. longis, exterioribus patentibus, interioribus minoribus sursum 

arcuatis; stylo 13 mm. longo trigono tripartite, laciniis triangulatis 

aureo-flavidis 4 mm. longis, uno angulo ad duas margines late 

alato; stigmatibus bifidis lobatis vel crenatis, dentibus obtusis; 

staminibus styli ramulis oppositis et adnatis; filamentis liberis 

aureo-flavidis 4 mm. longis; antheris 6 mm. longis, apice apiculatis, 

juxta longitudinem dehiscentes; ovulis in loculis plurimis. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected along Rio Tek- 

Yunsen, between Santa Teresita de Kavanaye'n and Carrao-tepui^ 

state of Bolivar, alt. 1375 m., December 4, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

60834; sandy wet ground with Stegolepis and Brocchinia, Gran 

Sabana, between Mission of Santa Teresita de Kavanayen northwest 

to Rio Karuai, on large mesa, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., October 

26, 1944, Steyermark 59364. 

This species is named in honor of Dr. Robert C. Foster of the 

Gray Herbarium of Harvard University. His studies of tropical 

American Iridaceae in recent years have done much to further our 

taxonomic knowledge of this family.


The long basal, closely ribbed, narrow leaves, foliose flowering 

scapes, and yellow perianth segments, of which the inner ones are 

spotted purple, distinguish this species. According to Dr. Foster, 

who has examined my material, "this species represents a transition 

between the rather broad, flat, thin leaves of T. martinicensis (Jacq.) 

Herb, and its allies, and the rigid, terete, thick leaves of the Lans- 

6erg*o-group, exemplified by T. juncifolia (Klatt) Benth. & Hook." 

MUSACEAE 

Heliconia Schneeana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Planta 3 m. alta; foliorum laminis utrinque pallido-viridibus anguste 

oblongis, apice subito acuminatis; inflorescentia in scapo 

aphyllo foliorum vaginis inferne abscondito terminal!, erecta; rhachidi 

inflorescentiae conspicua, flexuosa; rhachidis internodiis 3-6 cm. 

longis, in sitfco 4-5 mm. crassis, dense brunneo-villosulis; bracteis 

spathaceis rubris 8, e longato-lanceolatis, e basi latioribus, apice 

acutis 12-19 cm. longis, 1-1.5 cm. latis, reclinatis vel reflexis, 

dorso inferne praesertim tomentosis; bractea infima fertili elongata, 

38 cm. longa, lamina parva instructa; floribus in axillis spatharum, 

fasciculatis perpluribus pedicellatis ovario longioribus; bracteis 

membranaceis lanceolatis acuminatis, 4.5-5 cm. longis, 1-1.3 cm. 

latis, glabris; pedicellis flavidis 1.5-3 cm. longis, dense brunneovillosulis; 

tepalis 4-4.5 cm. longis, glabris, basi viridescentiflavidis 

superne pallido-viridibus; filamentis pallid o-f la vid is; ovario 

basi flavido, superne viridi. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in forest above 

Hacienda Agua Blanca, above La Azulita, state of Merida, alt. 1310- 

1340 m., April 25, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 56083 (3 sheets), 

"stems 10 feet tall; flowers among upper leafy shoot pan; bracts 

pointing downward, deep red; pedicel yellow; ovary yellow at base, 

green in upper half; filaments pale yellow; leaves pale dull green 

both sides." 

This species is characterized by the strongly reflexed or downward-pointing, 

narrowly elongated linear-lanceolate bracts of the 

inflorescence, the flexuose densely villosulous rachis, the densely 

villosulous pedicels, and the erect inflorescence. 

It is named in honor of Dr. Ludvig Schnee of Caracas, who', for 

many years, has studied and published on various groups of Venezuelan 

monocotyledons. 

MARANTACEAE 

Calathea acuminate Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Planta 35-40 cm. alta; foliis ad 18 cm. longe petiolatis, petioli 

parte superiore ad 4-5 mm. longa tereti callosa supra minutissime


pilosa; laminis inaequilateralibus elliptic o-lanceolatis vel anguste 

oblongo-ellipticis acuminatis basi acutis membranaceis, utrinque 

glabris, 13-20 cm. longis, 2.7-3.3 cm. latis; vaginis membranaceis 

praesertim supra minute adpresso-puberulis; spiels ellipsoideoovatis, 

3 cm. longis; pedunculis gracilibus striatulis glabris vel 

minute adpresso-puberulis; bracteis 3-4, late ovatis acuminatis, 2.2- 

3.7 cm. longis, 1.2-1.8 cm. latis, praesertim infra minute puberulis; 

sepalis ellipticis 11-12 mm. longis; corolla alba, tubo 15 mm. longo. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected en las sabanetas, a 

lo largo de los caminos en sitios poco humedos, Capihuara, Alto 

Casiquiare, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 120 m., May 24, 1942, 

Llewelyn Williams 15532, "hierba hasta de 40 cm. con flores 

blancas"; en los sitios poco humedo en la selva, San Carlos de Rib 

Negro, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 100 m., February 28, 1942, 

Llewelyn Williams 14515, "hasta de 30 cm. de alto; flores blancas". 

This species apparently is a member of subgenus Microcephalum 

Benth. as treated by K. Schumann in "Das Pflanzenreich" IV. 48: 

111. 1902. It differs from all other members of this subgenus, however, 

in its larger flower with longer corolla tube measuring at least 

15 mm. long. 

It is further characterized by having few (3-4) long, 

acuminate bracts, which are minutely puberulous, especially at the 

base, and the narrowly elliptical, long-acuminate leaves. 

From C. Baraquinii (Verschaff.) Reg. it differs in the much longer 

petioles, which are glabrate or minutely pilosulous, larger spikes, 

glabrate to minutely puberulent peduncles, and longer corolla tube. 

Calathea duidae Steyermark, sp. nov. 

PJanta acaulis; scapis e basi plantae emittentibus a foliis discretis; 

foliis basalibus subcoriaceis inaequilateralibus, late ovatis vel 

suborbiculari-ovatis subito mucronatis, basi truncatis vel rotundatis, 

42 cm. longis, ad 36 cm. latis, glabris; scapis saltern 45 cm. longis, 

in sicco 6-8 mm. crassis, dense adpresso-puberulis, supra velutinis; 

spicis obovoideo-subglobosis, apice rotundatis basi obtusis vel 

rotundatis, 9.5-10 cm. longis, ad 10 cm. latis; bracteis omnino fertilibus 

spiralibus, orbiculatis, apice rotundatis, plerumque fenestralibus 

tenuibus plurimis, 4-5 cm. longis, 3-4 cm. latis, extus puberulis, 

praesertim infra; floribus non vis is; capsulis trilocularibus, apice 

truncato-depressis, extus parce puberulis, 15 mm. longis, 11 mm. 

crassis; seminibus 3, arillosis, uno solum maturescentibus, obtuse 

subtrigonis, seminis corpo nigro 9 mm. longo, 7 mm. crasso, arillo 

btunneo 3 mm. longo, 5 mm. lato. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected between Sabana 

Grande and Base River (Cano Negro), at southeastern base of Cerro 

Duida, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 210 m., August 23 t 1944, 

Julian A. Steyermark 57888, "flowering stems arising from base of 

plant; leaves subcoriaceous, deep green above, dull green below; 

bracts lace-like, dull brown; fruit orange."


Locally known as "Bijau", the leaves of this plant are reported 

to be used in wrapping a type of tamale here called "hallaca". 

The fruiting bracts with their fine lacy network impart to this 

species a most unusual aspect. If they are a normal and natural 

feature, then the species may be considered as the most extraordinary 

one of the genus. Examination by high power microscope 

reveals that the skeletal tissue is a left-over one, originally covered 

by parenchymatous cellular tissue. However, the parenchyma appears 

to be very thin, whereas the fibro-vascular network accounting 

for the unusual lace-like skeleton of the bracts, is exceptionally 

strong and persists in fruit as the characteristic gross morphological 

feature of the bract. 

The species is further distinguished by the densely, fine pubescent 

naked flowering scape arising at the base of the plant, the 

large broadly orbicular bracts, in which at least the lowest ones are 

villosulous on the outer surface, the large inflorescences, and the 

large orbicular-ovate or broadly ovate leaves. 

Calathea Lasseriana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Folia ad 22 cm. longa; petiolis longissime vaginatis fere ad 

articulum, vaginis raerabranaceis infra medium 8 mm. latis, petioli 

parte superiore 5-6 mm. longa, 4-5 mm. crassa, subtereti callosa, 

supra pilosulis; iaminis inaequilateralibus supra viridibus infra 

argenteo-viridibus membranaceis obovato-ellipticis abrupte et breviter 

acuminatis, basi obtusis, 20-30 cm. longis, 8-16 cm. latis, 

glabris; inflorescentia sessili terminal!, inferne foliorum basibus 

cincta; spica anguste ovata, 3.5 cm. longa; bracteis 2.5-3 cm. longis, 

circum apicem minute puberulis, aliter glabris; floribus pallidoflavidis; 

sepalis linearibus obtusis, 11-12 mm. longis, 1.5 mm. latis, 

glabris; corollae tubo cylindrico, 12 mm. longo, 1.5 mm. crasso, 

pubescent! pilis adscendentibus; lobis exterioribus oblanceo latis, 

acutiusculis, 9 mm. longis, 3 mm. latis; ovario glabro. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in forest near Base 



57920, "terrestrial; flowers creamy-yellow; leaves silvery gray 

green below, rich deep green above with sulcate nerves." 

This species is apparently related to C. mishuyacu Macbr., known 

only from near Iquitos, Peru. Our collection differs from the type of 

that species (Klug 416) in its sessile, instead of subsessile inflorescence, 

broader more membranous sheaths of the petioles, the 

sheaths of the petioles extending to the junction of the leaf blade 

instead of ending below the callus as in C. mishuyacu, the shorter 

broader callus at the top of the petiole, the leaf blades more rounded 

at the base, and the shorter bracts. 

It is also related to C. propinqua (Poepp. & Endl.) Koernicke of 

Surinam and Brazil, and to C. exscapa (Poepp. & Endl.) Koernicke


of Peru. From the former it differs in the sheaths of the petioles 

extending all the way to the junction with the blade, the callus portion 

at the base of the blade not pubescent, the more rounded base 

of the leaf blades, the glabrate bracts, and the smaller flowers. 

Ischnosiphon Lasseriana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Herba erecta stricta; caulibus minute verruculoso-tuberculatis, 

supra medium 0.5 cm. crassis; petiolis ad articulum vaginatis, articulo 

7-9 mm. longo plerumque glabro, vaginis 6-6.5 cm. longis, 

glabris; laminis inaequilateralibus utrinque viridibus ovatis acuminatis, 

basi rotundatis, 8.5-13 cm. longis, 2.8-3.8 cm. latis, glabris; 

racemis solitariis. 


Quebrada O-paru-ma, tributary of Rio Pacairao, below Santa Teresita 


Julian A, Steyermark 60557, 

Local name: 

"Curarima-yek". 

This species is related to /. surinamensis (Miq.) Koernicke of the 

Guianas and Brazil, and to / verruculosus Macbr. of Peru. In its 

solitary spikes it resembles the former, but differs from that chiefly 

in the verruculose stems, while from the latter it 

may be distinquished 

by the smaller leaves, and by the more finely verruculose 

stems, the projections being closer together and less conspicuously 

raised above the surface of the stem. 

Monotagma duidae Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Herba erecta metralis; foliis longe petiolatis, articulo subtereti 

0.8-6.5 cm. longo, glabro vel pubescenti; vaginis basi vel interdum 

superne dense strigillosis; laminis infra cinereo-viridibus interdum 

atro-viridibus lineatis, inaequilateralibus ovato-lanceolatis, acuminatis 

basi obtusis, 32-45 cm. longis, 11-15 cm. latis, supra ad 

costam raediam plus minusve dense hirtello-pubescentibus, interdum 

ad superficiam leviter puberulis, aliter glabris; inflorescentia terminal!, 

folio frondoso suffulta; paniculis congestis ovoideis vel ovatoellipticis, 

10-13 cm. longis, 6-8 cm. latis; bracteis subcoriaceis 

pallid o-viridibus vel cupreis suffusis, 2.2-2.4 cm. longis, strigillosis; 

floribus blancis, roseo-suffusis; bracteolis membranaceis ovatolanceolatis 

subacutis, 7 mm. longis; sepalis lineari-spatulatis, 

obtusis 5 mm. longis, 1 mm. latis; corollae tubo 1.5-2 cm. longo; 

lobis 5-6 mm. longis, 3 mm. latis, lobo exteriori anguste spatulato, 

7 mm. longo; staminodio exteriori calloso 4 mm. longo; a nth era late 

obovato-oblonga; 

filamento late linear!. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in second woodland 

after crossing Esmeralda Ridge on way to Duida, between Esmeralda 

Savana and southeastern base of Cerro Duida, Territorio Federal 

Amazonas, alt. 200 m., August 22, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57807, 

"leaves in rosette from cluster on stems; staminodia pale rose at


base, rest of petals white; bracts pale green; leaves grass dull green 

above, gray green below with dull dark green lines"; forest along 

Base River (Cano Negro), at southeastern base of Cerro Duida, alt. 

225 m., August 23, 1944, Steyermark 57927, "herb in dense clump, 

3 feet tall; leaves gray green below, deep green above; bracts brickcolored 

above; flowers white with rose-salmon"; San Carlos, Rio 

Negro, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 100 m., 1942, Lletvelyn 

Williams 14243. 

This species is characterized by the combination of the short, 

dense inflorescence, strigillose bracts, relatively short sepals and 

corolla parts, densely puberulent upper portion of the petioles, and 

minutely puberulent midrib of the upper leaf surface. 

It is related to M. laxum (P. & E.) Schum. and M. exannulatum 

Schum., from which it differs in the shorter sepals, abbreviated, 

shorter inflorescence, strigillose bracts, finely puberulous upper 

portion of the petiole, and puberulous midrib of the upper leaf surface. 

Williams 14243 has the leaf surface and petioles more pubescent 

than the other two collections cited, but is apparently the 

same in all other respects 

ḂURMANNIACEAE 

Burmannia sanariapoana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Caules erectes simplices vel ramosi, 11-23 cm. alti, inferne foliolosi, 

superne parce bracteosi; foliis 5-6, infimis ovato-lanceolatis, 

3-5 mm. longis, caulinis lineari-lanceolatis vel lanceolatis, subulatis 

squamiformibus, caulem vaginantibus, 5-12 mm. longis, 0.5-1*5 mm. 

latis, prominenter uninerviis; bracteis caulinis adpressis remotis 

oblongo-lanceolatis, acutis, 3-5 mm. longis; floribus in racema 

capituliformi vel in cyma dichotoma secundis subsessilibus bracteatis; 

bracteis elliptic o-oblongis, 1 mm. longis, 0.5 mm. latis; ovario 

1.3 mm. longo; perianthio obconico triquetro purpureo, apice pallidiori 

et viridi, superne alato, tubo triangulari 2-3.5 mm. longo, lobis 

exterioribus ovatis 1-1.3 mm. longis erectis alatis vel cristatis, 

supra marginibus inflexis apice cucullatis, lobis interioribus linearispatulatis 

vel anguste oblongo-linearibus, rotundatis, 4 mm. longis; 

staminibus sessilibus, infra bases loborum interiorum insertis, 

connective ellipsoideo, 2 cristis apicalibus sublanceolatis; antheris 

reniformibus; stylo cylindrico-filiformi; stigmatibus divaricatis infundibuliformibus 

cristatis (Fig. 24). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in vicinity of Sanariapo, 

near Rio Sanariapo, tributary of Orinoco river, Territorio Federal 

Amazonas, alt. 100 m., September 8, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

58466, "flowers purple with paler lavender and greenish at tip". 

This species is related to B. dasyantha Mart, of Brazil, but has 

smaller flowers and shorter and more scale-like leaves than that


species. 

It is intermediate between 5. capitata (Walt.) Mart, forma 

brae te os a (Gleason) Jonk. and H. dasyantha. 

FIGURE 24 

Burmannia sanariapoana Steyermark 

A, Portion of inflorescence (X 5); B, Flower and bracts (X 5); 

C, One of inner and outer perianth lobes from within, and attached 

stamen (X 18>, D, Outer perianth lobe with crest, lateral view (X 18); 

E, Stamen (highly magnified); F, Upper part of style with stigmas 

(highly magnified).


ORCHIDACEAE 1 2 

Pogonia stricta C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov. 

Herba terrestris, gracilis. Caulis sparsim ramosus, cum ramis 

strictis paucifloris, sine foliis sed minute bracteatus. Racemi bi-vel 

quadriflori. Flores lateraliter visi arcuati. Sepala carnosa. Sepalum 

dorsale fomicacum, longitudinaliter concavum, lanceolateoblongum. 

Sepala lateralia arcuato-falcata, caetera similia. Petala 

elliptic o-oblonga, leviter falcata, quam sepala paulo breviora sed 

latiora. Labellum tubulari-involutum, simplex, lance olato-oblongum, 

obtusum; discus basi minute bicallosum, cum fascia lata carnosa 

minute multipapillosa per medium. Columna apice dilatala, ala 

conspicua term in a ta. 

Plant terrestrial, very slender, at least 23 cm. high (up to the apex 

of the raceme) in the only complete plant present. Stem with 1 to 

several strict and more or less remote branches, produced below into 

an irregularly flexuous villous portion, leafless, provided remotely 

with minute appressed, triangular-ovate and acute or narrowly 

triangular-lanceolate and acuminate bracts which are 10 mm. or less 

long; branches short, 2- to 4-flowered, rarely up to 7.8 cm. long. 

Floral bracts strict, triangular-ovate, deeply concave, acuminate. 

Flowers small, narrowly campanulate and arcuate when seen from the 

side in natural position. Sepals fleshy, longitudinally concave, 

greenish yellow. Dorsal sepal fornicate, lanceolate-oblong, acute, 

apiculate, up to about 20 mm. long and 4 mm. wide when expanded, 

dorsally lightly carinate. Lateral sepals oblique and falcate, 

lanceolate-oblong, acute, about 20 mm. long and 4.8 mm. wide, 

dorsally carinate. Petals similar to the lateral sepals, ellipticoblong, 

falcate, acute, up to 18 mm. long and 5 mm. wide, 3-nerved 

(or 5-nerved in the middle), with minutely irregular margins, creamy 

yellow. Lip tubular-involute in natural position, simple, lanceolateoblong, 

obtuse, up to about 16.3 mm. long and 6.2 mm. wide below 

when expanded, with the lateral margins toward the apex minutely 

erose and crisped-undulate; disc minutely bicallose at base, with a 

broad central oblong-lanceolate acuminate fleshy band (entirely 

covered by crowded papillose keels) extending from the base nearly 

to the apex. Column small, from a slender base rather abruptly 

dilated above, terminating in a prominent triangular blunt wing which 

is lacerate on each side below, about 8 mm. or less high at the 

back (Fig. 25). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1203783, isotype in Herb. 

Ames, no. 64865, Brocchinia-Stegolepis-Heliamphora swamp on 

southwest-facing shoulder, Ptari-tepui, state of Bolivar, alt. 2200 m., 

November 2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59786, "lateral sepals with 

pale greenish in center, lip creamy white with rose-lavender or 

magenta". 

1 2 

By Charles Schweinfurth


POGONIA 

stricta 

C. Schweinf. 

FIGURE 25 

Pogonia stricta. 1, Plant (X 4/5); 2, Flower from the side (X 2); 

3, Dorsal sepal (X 2); 4, Petal (X 2>, 5, Lateral sepal (X 2>, 6, Lip, 

from above (X 2 X


This species is apparently allied to Pogonia paludosa Reichb. f., 

but is dissimilar in having branched stems, short floral bracts and 

differently colored flowers with a dissimilar lip. 

Pogonia triflora C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov. 

Herba terrestris, gracilis. Caulis basi excepta glaber, parte inferiore 

remote bivaginata, parte superiore remote bifoliata. Folia 

parva, stricta, amplexicaulia; folium basale anguste ellipticum 

et acutum; folium superius linear!- la nceola turn et acuminatum. 

Racemus perlaxe triflorus cum brae te is floralibus conspicuis, strictis, 

lanceolatis vel ovato-lanceolatis, acuminatis. Flores parvi, 

rosei. Sepalum dorsale fornicatum, expansum anguste oblongolanceolatum, 

acutum. Sepala lateralia expansa similia. Petala 

sepalis similia sed paulo breviora et latiora, cum marginibus superioribus 

leviter et irregulariter denticulatis. Labellum expansum 

anguste oblongo-ovatum, prope apicem trilobatum; lobi laterales 

apice abrupte angulati; lobus medius triangulari-ovatus; discus 

fascia mediana lata percursus, basi minute bicallosus. Columna 

gracilis, perianthii segmentis distincte minor. 

Plant terrestrial, slender. Stem glabrous except at the very base 

which is apparently lanuginose, provided in the lower portion with 

two remote ovate or ovate-oblong amplexicaul sheaths and above 

with two remote leaves, about 19 cm. high up to the base of the 

floriferous portion. Leaves two, appressed, amplexicaul, narrowly 

elliptic or linear-lanceolate, 'acute or acuminate, the upper and 

larger blade about 3.6 cm. long and 6 mm. wide. Raceme very loosely 

3-flowered, with the rachis about 5 cm. long. Floral bracts conspicuous, 

strict, lanceolate (lowermost) to ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, 

amplexicaul, deeply concave, the lowermost about 3.2 cm. 

long and 9 mm. wide. Flowers rather small, "rose-orchid", apparently 

nodding in age. Segments membranaceous. Dorsal sepal 

fornicate in natural position, when expanded narrowly oblong-lanceolate, 

acute, about 2.4 cm. long and 5 mm. wide. Lateral sepals 

closely similar. Petals similar to the sepals but slightly shorter and 

broader, about 2.2 cm. long and 6 mm. wide, with the upper margins 

lightly and irregularly denticulate. Lip deep rose, when expanded 

oblong-ovate in outline, distinctly 3-lobed near the apex, about 2.25 

cm. long and 9 mm. wide; lateral lobes with abruptly angulate obtuse, 

spreading tips; mid-lobe small, triangular-ovate; disc traversed by a 

broad median thickened band (with irregular margins) which extends 

from the base about to the middle of the mid-lobe, minutely bicallose 

at the base. Column, slender, slightly dilated upward, about 1.6 cm. 

long (Fig. 26). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1203772, southwest-facing 

slopes between base of mountain at Quebrada Ka-hua-paru and 

Glycon swamp, Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220-1980 m., 

October 1, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59014.


POGONIA 

trijlfora 

(3. o c fiure i nji. 

FIGURE 26 

Pogonia triflora. 1, Plant (X 4/5>, 2. Flower from the side (X 2); 

3, Dorsal sepal (X 2); 4, Petal (X 2>, 5, Lateral sepal (X 2>, 6, Lip, 

from above (X 2).


This species appears to be similar to Pogonia tenuis Reichb. f., 

but differs in having longer floral bracts, larger rose-colored (not 

white) flowers and acute (not acuminate) sepals. 

It seems to be 

allied to P. elegantula Schltr., but has much smaller, narrower 

leaves. 

Pogonia unifoliata C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov. 

Herba terrestris, minor. Caulis gracilis, ima basi dense villosus, 

supra glaber, unifoliatus. Folium anguste ellipticura, acutum, sessile, 

amplectens, erectum. Flos singulus, bracteatus. Sepala 

lanceolato-oblonga, acuta, tubulari-involuta. Petala ellipticooblonga, 

paulo breviora, tenuiora. Labellum ezpansum oblongoellipticum, 

prope apicem profunde trilobatum; lobi laterales involuti, 

cum apice libero brevi rotundato vel obtuso; lobus medius comparate 

parvus, in circuitu natural! triangularis, ezpansus suborbiculariobovatus; 

discus basi minute bicallosus, fascia mediana late percursus. 

Columna brevis, supra sensim dilatata. 

Plant terrestrial, rather small. Stem slender, up to about 20 cm. 

long, densely brown-villous at the base (doubtless where in contact 

with the soil), glabrous above, blue-gray and glaucous, furnished in 

the lower third with a minute ovate-lanceolate amplexicaul sheath 

and in the upper third with a single leaf. Leaf erect, narrowly 

elliptic, acute, sessile, amplexicaul, blue-gray, glaucous, about 2.8 

cm. long and 8 mm. wide. Inflorescence 1-flowered, leafy bracted. 

Bract similar to the leaf, ovate-elliptic, amplexicaul, acute, deeply 

concave and clasping the flower, about 2.5 cm. long, with the tip 

little shorter than the floral segments. Ovary slender, plurisulcate, 

glabrous. Flower small, apparently a bud. Sepals parallel, fleshy, 

pale yellow-green, glaucous, tubular-involute. Dorsal sepal lanceolate-oblong, 

acute, 7 -nerved, about 14.5 mm. long and 4 mm. wide 

when expanded. Lateral sepals similar, slightly shorter and narrower, 

slightly oblique, 5-nerved. Petals elliptic-oblong, acute or subacute, 

about 13 mm. long and 4 mm. wide, thinner than the sepals, 

pale green, 3-nerved through the middle with lateral nerves branching. 

Lip oblong-elliptic in natural poskion, deeply 3-lobed near the 

apex, about 12.5 mm. long and 5.8 mm. wide when expanded, pale 

greenish white with purple lines; lateral lobes inrolled with short 

rounded or obtuse free apex; mid-lobe very small, triangular in 

natural position with involute sides, when expanded suborbicularobovate 

with crenate margins; disc through the middle with a broad 

fleshy band (longitudinally divided above) extending from near the 

base about to the middle of the mid-lobe, minutely bicallose at the 

base. Column short, gradually dilated upward, white at base with 

wine-purple near tip, about 7.1 mm. tall at the back including the 

large erect anther (Fig. 27). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1203948, scrubby forest on 

rocky open portion of plateau on southeast-facing slopes, Ptari-tepui, 

state of Bolivar, alt. 1600 m., November 1, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

59630.


POGONIA 

if n iAo fia ta 

& 

FIGURE 27 

Pogonia unifoliata. 1, Plant (X 4/5); 2, Flower from the side (X 3>, 

3, Dorsal sepal (X 4); 4, Petal (X 4); 5, Lateral sepal (X 4); 6, -Lip, 

from above (X 4).


This species does not appear to have any near ally, but it recalls 

a small form of the North American Pogonia ophio gloss aides (L.) 

Ker-Gawl. 

Prescottia carnosa C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov. 

Herba terrestris, stricta; pro genere mediocris. Folia tria, basalia, 

prominenter petiolata; lamina ovata, acuta, basi rotundata vel subtruncata, 

valde coriacea. Scapus glaber, remote multivaginatus. 

Raceraus subdense multiflorus. F lores parvi. Sepala petalaque 

revoluto-circinnata. Sepala similia, oblonga vel triangulari-oblonga, 

apice abrupte rotundata, lateralia paulo majora et in saccum ovario 

adnatum basi producta. Petala linearia, apice abrupte rotundata. 

Labellum erectum, multo majus, subgloboso-concavum, valde carnosum, 

intus medio unicarinatum, basi utrinque in auriculam adnatam 

eztensum. Columna abbreviata. 

Plant terrestrial, strict, medium-sized for the genus, about 50.5 

cm. high. Roots fascicled, tuberous, densely lanuginose. Stem up 

to the inflorescence glabrous, about 41.5 cm. long, rose-red, provided 

with many (about 13) sheaths which are relatively short imbricating 

and coriaceous at base, scarious longer and remote in the 

middle, and scarious and very short above. Leaves 3, entirely basal 

(i.e. rosulate), long-petioied; lamina ovate, acute, abruptly rounded 

to subtruncate at base, with the margins entire but often appearing 

erose-crenulate in the dried specimen, coriaceous, deep green above, 

silvery beneath with rose-red mid-rib, about 4.7 cm. long and 3 cm. 

wide; petioles fleshy 

and deeply sulcate, abruptly dilated above, 

rose-red, about 5.5-6.5 cm. long. Inflorescence subdensely manyflowered, 

looser below; rachis 8.5 cm. long, rose-red. Floral bracts 

ovate, long-acuminate, scarious, shorter than the ovary. Flowers 

very small, non-res up inate (i.e. with lip uppermost), tawny-yellow 

and salmon, sepals and petals submembranaceous and recurvedcircinnate, 

lip fleshy. Dorsal sepal oblong or lanceolate-oblong, 

abruptly rounded at the apex, 1-nerved, about 3 mm. long and 1.2 mm. 

wide below when expanded. Lateral sepals triangular-oblong, forming 

at base a sac adnate to the ovary; free part similar to the dorsal 

sepal, shortly connate on the inner margins, about 3*5 mm. long and 

nearly 2 mm. wide below. Petals linear, abruptly rounded at the 

apex, 1-nerved, about 2.6 mm. long and 0.9 mm. wide. Lip relatively 

large, subglobose-concave, tapering on each side below into a long 

auricle which is mostly adnate to the sepaline wall but free at the 

apex, very fleshy, about 7-nerved, divided in the middle by a prominent 

but short longitudinal keel, glabrous within but densely minutepapillose 

on the outer surface. Column abbreviated, very stout 

(Fig. 28). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1203753, Brocchinia- 

Stegolepis-Heliamphora swamp on southwest-facing shoulder, Ptaritepui, 

state of Bolivar, alt. 2200 m., November 2, 1944, Julian A. 

Steyermark 59772.


This species is remarkable for its small coriaceous ovate leaves 

and for die medium keel or septum in the center of the fleshy lip. 

It 

appears to be somewhat allied to the widely distributed Prescottia 

stachyodes (Sw.) Lindl. which has larger membranaceous leaves and 

an ecarinate membranaceous lip. 

Erythrodes confusa C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov. 

Herba terrestris, alta. Caulis gracilis, pluriarticulatus cum articulis 

inferioribus radiciferis et superioribus foliiferis. Folia ellipticolanceolata, 

acuminata, basi sensim angustata, petiolata; petiolus in 

vaginam laxam infundibuliformem productus. Racemus erectus, dense 

mukiflorus. Flores parvL Sepalum dorsale lanceolato-ellipticum. 

Sepala lateralia oblongo-lanceolata, leviter falcata, antice late 

decurrentia. Petala oblique lineari-oblanceolata. Labellum in 

calcar pergracile productum; lamina supra medium utrinque constricta, 

cum lobo anteriore suborbiculari-ovato, conspicue apiculato; 

calcar elongatum, supra plusminusve incrassatum. 

Plant terrestrial, tall, about 35 cm. in length to the tip of the 

raceme. Stem rather slender, many-jointed, glabrous except near the 

apex, dark purple, the lower portion producing at the joints pairs of 

long simple lanuginose roots, the upper portion loosely leafy. Leaves 

about eight, shortly petioled; lamina elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, 

gradually narrowed below, membranaceous, many-nerved with three 

prominent sulcate nerves, dull above, silvery gray beneath, up to 10 

cm. long and 2.65 cm. wide (the uppermost and lowermost leaves 

much smaller); petiole indistinct, about 2.7 cm. or less long, sulcate, 

gradually dilated below into a loose infundibuliform sheath. Inflorescence 

a dense, terminal, many-flowered raceme, about 4.3 cm. 

long. Floral bracts lanceolate, long-acuminate, concave, sparingly 

ciliolate. Flowers small, membranaceous, with a few scattered hairs 

without and with a slender glandular-pubescent ovary. Sepals dull 

lavender-brownish without, pale green at base and buff in upper half 

within. Dorsal sepal lanceolate-elliptic, acuminate, concave, 1- 

nerved, (indistinctly 3-nerved near the base), up to 7 mm. long and 

2.2 mm. wide in the middle. Lateral sepals oblong-lanceolate, 

acuminate with inrolled margins, lightly falcate, long-decurrent at the 

base in front, 1-nerved (indistinctly 3-nerved toward the base), a 

little smaller than the dorsal sepal. Petals adherent to the dorsal 

sepal, very obliquely linear-oblanceolate, acute or acuminate, up to 

7 mm. long and 1.1 mm. wide above, 1-nerved, the same color as the 

sepals. Lip produced into an elongate spur; lamina divided by an 

abrupt constriction into two pans; basal part oval, concave, with a 

little fold on each side at the constriction; anterior part suborbicularovate, 

abruptly acute or apiculate, about 2.5 mm. long and 2.6 mm. 

or less wide; spur very slender, more or less dilated above, up to 

1 .4 cm. long, white. Column dilated upward, terminating in an obtuse 

oblong-triangular wing (Fig. 29).


FIGURE 28 

Prescottia carnosa. 1, Plant (X 4/5); 2, Flower and ovary, natural 

position (X 4); 3, Dorsal sepal (X 8>, 4, Petal (X 8>, 5, Lateral 

sepal (X 8); 6, Lip, partially expanded, from above (X 6).


Ocfiureinfi. 

FIGURE 29 

Erythrodes confusa. 1, Plant (X 3/5); 2, Flower from the side (X 2); 

3, Petal (X 5): 4, Column with anther attached, from the side (X 5); 

5, Lip and spur, from above (X 3).


Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1203776, southeasternfacing 

slopes along Cano Negro (tributary of Cano Iguapo), Cerro 

Duida, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 305-1095 m., August 25-26, 


This species appears to be allied to the Brazilian Erythrodes 

commelinoides (Rodr.) Ames, but differs in its narrower leaves and 

much smaller flowers with differently proportioned lip. In vegetative 

appearance it . 

suggests aratanhensis (Rodr.) Ames and E. multifoliata 

C. Schweinf., but the perianth is very different. 

Stelis (1 is par C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov. 

Herba epiphytica, pro genere mediocris, rhizomatosa. Rhizoma 

gracile, vaginis arctis tubulatis omnino juventute velatum. Caules 

secundarii numerosi, rari vel approximati, apice unifoliati. Folium 

conspicue petiolatum; lamina oblongo-elliptica, acuta, infra cuneata. 

Inflorescentiae saepissime solitariae vel duae, diffusae vel suberectae, 

folium subaequantes vel duplo superantes, supra dense 

multiflorae. Flores perparvi, glabri. Sepala valde inaequalia, trinervia. 

Sepalum dorsale late ovatum vel rotundato-ovatum. Sepala 

lateralia similia, multo minora, valde obliqua. P eta la minuta, suborb 

iculari-rhorabica, cum parte anteriore late rotundata et incrassata. 

Labellum subaequale, valde incrassatum, semiorbiculari-ovatum 

antice visum, transverse cuneato-trapeziforme superne visum. Columna 

generis 

. 

Plant epiphytic, medium-sized for the genus, producing an elongate 

rhizome. Roots fibrous, filiform, glabrous, scattered. Rhizome 

slender, irregularly flexuous, entirely concealed by close tubular 

sheaths which waste away in course of development. Secondary 

stems numerous, scattering (about 2.5 cm. apart) to approximate, 

making an acute angle with the rhizome, up to 7.2 cm. long (commonly 

much less), unifoliate at the apex, entirely or mostly concealed by 

two to four close tubular evanescent sheaths. Leaf erect or erectspreading, 

distinctly petioled; lamina oblong-elliptic, acute with a 

minutely tridenticulate apex, cuneate below, coriaceous, about 4-7.5 

cm. long, 9-17 mm. wide; petiole slender, about 2 cm. or more long. 

Inflorescences commonly solitary or two (rarely remnants of a third 

one appears), diffuse to suberect, subequaling to twice surpassing 

the leaf, subdensely to densely many-flowered and racemose above, 

rather loosely flowered toward the base. Floral bracts minute, infundibuliform, 

acute. Flowers very small, glabrous, deep purple or 

dull lavender with mulberry-purple lip. Sepals markedly unequal, 

3-nerved, connate below. Dorsal sepal broadly ovate or round-ovate, 

obtuse to subacute, about 3 mm. long and nearly as wide below. 

Lateral sepals very obliquely round-ovate, about 2 mm. long and 

wide below. Petals minute, suborbicular-rhombic, with the anterior 

portion broadly rounded and fleshy-thickened, about 0.5 mm. long and 

1 mm. wide. Lip subequal to the petals, very fleshy, with a transverse 

thickening across the middle and a small conical tubercle near 

the base, semiorbicular- ovate when viewed from the front, trans-


versely cuneate-trapeziform with a broad truncate-concave apex when 

viewed from above. Column of the genus (Fig. 30). 

Type in Herb. Ames no. 64847, isotype in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. 

Mus., no. 1221980, rich forest on slopes near summit of Cerro San 

Isidro, above La Carbonera, state of Me'rida, alt. 2430-2745 m., April 

22, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 56034, "epiphyte on trunk of Ladenbergia 

undata, leaves fleshy subcoriaceous, dull green above, pale 

below"; same data, Steyermark 56031. 

This species appears to be allied to the Ecuadorian Stelis lancea 

Lindl., but differs in its very unequal sepals and simple lip. 

Lepanthes exilis C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov. 

Herba epiphytica, caespitosa. Caules numerosi, pertenues, apice 

unifoliati, pluriarticulati, vaginis arctis glabris tubulatis omnino 

tecti. Folium lanceolatum vel elliptico-lanceolatum, acuminatum 

cum apice acriter tridenticulato, breviter petiolatum. Inflorescentiae 

axillares, saepissime plures, diffusae, multiflorae, quam folium plusminusve 

longiores. Flores parvi, membranacei, glabri. Sepalum 

dorsale ovatum, acutum, concavum. Sepala lateralia in laminam late 

ovatam profunde bidentatam connata. Petala perparva, transverse 

oblonga cum lobo posteriore subquadrato-oblongo comparate longo et 

lobo anteriore minuto, triangular!. Labellum petala subaequans, 3- 

lobatum; lobi laterales comparate magni, late flabellati; lobus medius 

minutus, villosus. Columna generis. 

Plant epiphytic, caespitose. Roots fibrous, glabrous, filiform, 

numerous. Rhizome abbreviated. Stems numerous, very slender, 

1-leaved at the apex, several- (up to 14-) jointed, entirely concealed 

by close tubular glabrous sheaths which terminate in ovate spreading 

marginate, minutely hispid mouths, about 5 (rarely) -13 cm. long. 

Leaf very shortly petioled; lamina lanceolate to elliptic -lanceolate 

(often narrowly so), coriaceous, acuminate to a sharply tridenticulate 

apex, shortly cuneate below, 3*1-6.5 cm. long, up to 1.3 cm. or less 

wide; petiole about 5 mm. or less long. Inflorescences axillary, 

solitary to about 15, diffuse, laxly or subdensely many-flowered, 

surpassing the leaf (sometimes nearly three times as long). Floral 

bracts minute, infundibuliform. Flowers very small, membranaceous. 

Sepals distinctly connate below, tawny yellow with pale yellow 

margins. Dorsal sepal ovate, acute, concave, 3-nerved, up to 4 mm. 

long and 2.2 mm. wide when expanded. Lateral sepals with their 

inner margins connate to half their length, each sepal very obliquely 

ovate, acute, 2-nerved; lamina of lateral sepals broadly ovate, about 

3.4 mm. long from the outer point of union with the dorsal sepal to 

the tip and 2.9 mm. wide near the base. Petals much smaller than 

the sepals, vermilion-orange, transverse, bilobed, about 0.8 mm. long 

and 1.9 mm. wide; posterior lobe much the larger, oblong-subquadrate 

with a very oblique obtuse apex; anterior lobe very small, triangular, 

obtuse. Lip adnate to the middle of the column, 3-lobed, orchid-rose; 

lateral lobes relatively large, broadly flabellate, the apex broadened


FIGURE 30 

Stelis dispar. 1, Plant (X 3/5>, 2, Flower, from the front (X 8); 

3, Petal (X 16); 4, Lip, from above (X 16); 5, Lip, from die side 

(X 16).


into a transverse peltate plate about 1.6 mm. across; mid-lobe minute, 

oblong-ovate, long-hirsute. Column about 1.4 mm. long, dilated 

above, orchid-rose (Fig. 31) 


Ames no. 64841, on densely forested steep south-facing slopes overlying 

sandstone, between "Cave Rock" and base of high sandstone 

bluffs, Ptari-tepui' state of Bolivar, alt. 2100-2285 m., October 30, 

1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59540 "leaves pale green above and 

paler green beneath". 

This species appears to be allied to Lepanthes cyanoptera Reichb. 

f., but has longer leaves and dissimilar sepals and petals. 

Pleurothallis callifera C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov. 

Herba epiphytica, mediocris, caespitosa. Caules numerosi, graciles, 

variabiles, apice unifoliati. Folia valde variabilia, saepissime 

horizontalia, lanceolata vel saepius ovato-lanceolata vel ovata, 

acuta vel acuminata, basi cordata. Inflorescentiae abbreviatae, 

uniflorae, singulae vel plures. Flores parvi, bilabiati, glabri. 

Sepalum dorsale oblongo-ovatum, concavum, acutum. Sepala lateralia 

in laminam triangulari-ovatam, acutam, concavam omnino connata. 

Petala patentia, lineari-lanceolata, acuminata, basi obliqua. Labellum 

in positu natural! arcuato-recurvum et sulcatum, expansum 

rhombico-ovatum, membranaceum; discus prope basim carina transversa 

crescentiformi ornatus. Columna crassa, perbrevis. 

Plant epiphytic, medium-sized, caespitose. Roots numerous, 

fibrous, glabrous. Rhizome abbreviated. Stems approximate, slender, 

provided below with 2 close separated tubular sheaths of which 

the upper is much the longer, very variable in size, about 9-23.5 cm. 

long, 1-leaved at the apex. Leaf very variable in form and size, 

commonly horizontal or widely spreading, lanceolate (rarely) to 

ovate-lanceolate or ovate, acute or acuminate with a minutely 

tridenticulate 

tip, cordate at the sessile base, 5.8-10.8 cm. long, 1.9- 

4.4 cm. wide. Inflorescences abbreviated, axillary, 1-flowered, 

apparently solitary to several, enclosed in an evanescent conduplicate 

spathe. Flower small, glabrous, bilabiate. Dorsal sepal 

oblong-ovate, acute, 3-nerved, concave, about 7 mm. long and 4 mm. 

wide. Lateral sepals entirely connate into a triangular-ovate concave 

lamina which is acute, 5- to 6-nerved, about 7 mm. long and 

4.4 mm. wide. Petals linear-lanceolate, acuminate, oblique at the 

base, 1 -nerved, about 6 mm. long and 1.1 mm. wide at the base. Lip 

arcuate-recurved and sulcate in natural position, rhombic-ovate when 

expanded, submembranaceous, cuneate below, obtuse at the apex, 

3-nerved with the mid-nerve clavate and thickened near the tip, about 

4 mm. long and 3.2 mm. or more wide when expanded; disc with a 

prominent transverse crecentiform keel or callus near the base. 

Column abbreviated, stout (Fig. 32). 


Ames no. 64844, on densely forested steep south-facing slopes over-


FIGURE 31 

Lepanthes exilis. 1, Plant (X 3/5); 2, Flower, from the front, (X 7); 

3, Petal (X 14); 4, Lip (X 14).


PLEUROTHALLIS 

C, 

FIGURE 32 

Pleurothallis callifera. 1, Plant (X l/2>, 2, Flower from the side 

(X 4>, 3, Petal (X 5); 4, Lip, from above (X 5); 5, Lip and column, 

from the side (X 5).


lying sandstone, between "Cave Rock" and base of high sandstone 

bluffs, Ptari-tepui', state of Bolivar, alt. 2100-2285 m., October 30, 

'1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59541, "leaves coriaceous, dark green 

above and pale green beneath; sepals translucent, dull green with dull 

lavender stripes; petals spreading, dull lavender; lip dorsal, erect, 

purple, depressed along the middle". 

This species appears to resemble Pleurothallis undulata Poepp. 

& Endl., but the membranaceous rhombic-ovate lip is distinctive. 

Pleurothallis exilis C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov. 

Herba perparva, calcicola, caespitosa. Rhizoma abbreviatum. 

Caules secundarii perparvi, approximati, apice unifoliati. Folium 

late spathulatum vel anguste oblanceolatum, apice rotundatum vel 

acutum, infra sensim angustatum. Inflorescentia abbreviatae, bivel 

quadriflorae, flos membranaceus. Sepalum dorsale valde concavum, 

oblongo-lanceolatum, acutum. Sepala lateralia in laminam concavam 

elliptic o-ovatam connata. Petala breviora, late obovata, 

obliqua, abruptius acuta. Labellum quam petala paulo brevius, in positu 

natural! conduplicatum, expansum anguste ovatum, apice rotundatum, 

marginibus anterioribus denticulatis. Columna apice cum ala 

lacerata. 

Plant very small, caespitose. Roots fibrous, glabrous, relatively 

stout. Rhizome abbreviated. Secondary stems numerous, approximate, 

filiform, 1-jointed, mostly concealed by 2 imbricating tubular 

evanescent sheaths, 1-leaved at the apex. Leaf erect or spreading, 

broadly spatulate to narrowly oblanceolate, acute to rounded with a 

minutely tridenticulate apex, gradually narrowed to an indistinct 

petiole, up to 2.5 cm. long and 7 mm. wide, marginate. Inflorescence 

abbreviated, with two to four flowers, the segments (in our specimen) 

on the summit of an ellipsoid ovary. Dorsal sepal strongly concave, 

oblong-lanceolate, acute, 3-nerved, membranaceous, about 3.7 mm. 

long and 2 mm. wide when expanded. Lateral sepals connate into a 

concave elliptic-ovate lamina which is 4-nerved, about as long as 

the dorsal sepal and 3.4 mm. wide when expanded. Petals broadly 

obovate, oblique, rather abruptly acute, 1-nerved, about 2.6 mm. long 

and 1.6 mm. wide. Lip conduplicate and gently recurved in natural 

position, simple, narrowly ovate when expanded, rounded at the apex 

with the anterior margins denticulate, about 2.5 mm. long, finely 

papillose especially on the inner surface. Column shorter than the 

lip, slightly arcuate, terminated by a lacerate wing (Fig. 33). 


Ames no. 64846, base of limestone bluffs, Cerro de la Cueva de 

Dona Anita, south of and bordering valley of Caripe, state of Monagas, 

alt. 1100-1200 m., April 7, 1945, Julian A. Steyermark 61902, 

"common in crevices of lime bluffs, leaves deep green above and 

gray green beneath". 

This little species recalls Pleurothallis barbulata Lindl., but has 

very different petals and lip.


PLEUROTHALLIS 

C, Scfaveinjvrtfi 

P, fiumiKs C,Scfoveinf> 

FIGURE 33 

Pleurothallis exilis. 1, Plant (X 2>, 2, Flower from the side, partially 

expanded (X 5); 3, Petal (X 5); 4, Lip, from the side and from 

above (X 8). 

Pleurothallis humilis. 5, Plant (X 2); 6, Flower from the side, 

partially expanded (X 5>, 7, Petal (X 8>, 8, Lip from above (X 12).


Pleurothallis humilis C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov. 

Herba perparva, caespitosa, epiphytica. Caules secundarii abbreviati, 

vaginis duabus imbricatis tubularibus obtecti. Folium 

singulum, erectum, oblanceolatum vel lineari-oblanceolatum, apice 

abrupte rotundatum, infra longe angustatum. Inflorescentiae filiformes, 

singulae vel tres, saepissime folia superantes, supra univel 

laxe triflorae. Flos parvus, tenuis. Sepalum dorsale valde 

concavum, anguste lanceolatum, acuminatum. Sepala lateralia 

similia sed angustiora, obliqua. Petala oblique linear!- lanceolata, 

longe acuminaca, sepalis paulo breviora. Labellum multo minus, in 

positu natural! oblanceolaco-oblongum, acutum, cum lobulis erectis 

breviter rotundato-rriangulis in parte inferiore. Columna crassa. 

Plant very small, epiphytic, caespitose. Roots fibrous, glabrous, 

as stout as the stems. Stems abbreviated, about 8 mm. or less long, 

entirely or very nearly enveloped by 2 tubular imbricating translucent 

sheaths. Leaf solitary, erect, oblanceolate or linear-oblanceolate, 

abruptly rounded above with a minutely tridenticulate tip, longnarrowed 

below, fleshy-coriaceous and rich green with purple spots 

in natural condition and revolute margins in the dried state, up to 18 

mm. long and 3.5 mm. wide when expanded, the mid-nerve being sulcate 

above and sharply carinate beneath in the dried specimen. 

Inflorescences filiform, 1-3 near the summit of the stem, usually 

more or less surpassing the leaf, 1- or loosely 3-flowered above. 

Flower small but large for the plant, thin and translucent in the 

dried specimen. Sepals and petals dull salmon-orange. Dorsal sepal 

strongly concave, narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, 3-nerved, about 

5 mm. long and 1.5 mm. wide when expanded. Lateral sepals similar 

to the dorsal sepal, obliquely and narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, 

shortly connate at the base, about 5 mm. long and 1 mm. wide. 

Petals obliquely linear- lanceolate, long-acuminate, 1-nerved, slightly 

shorter than the sepals, about 0.75 mm. side. Lip red, much 

smaller than the other segments, oblanceolate-oblong in natural 

position, acute, glabrous, with a pair of incurved triangular-rounded 

lateral lobules near the basal third, about 2.25 mm. long and 0.5 mm. 

wide above. Column stout, about 1.5 mm. long (Fig. 33). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1203736, epiphyte on tree 

on wooded slopes of Quebrada O-paru-ma, between Santa Teresita de 

Kavanaye'n and Rib Pacairao (tributary of Rib Mouak), state of 

Boh'var, alt. 1065-1220 m., November 20-21, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

60383. 

This little plant has several apparent allies. It differs from 

Pleurothallis barbulata Lindl. in having much larger sepals and 

petals and an eciliate lip. It has petals which are markedly unlike 

those of P. pertenuis C. Schweinf. and P. sarcophylla Reichb. f. 

Pleurothallis Steyermarkii C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov. 

Herba terrestris, magna. Caules approximati, longi, apice unifoliati. 

Folium ellipticum, apice abrupte acuminatum, infra longe an-

J86 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28 

gustatum, coriaceum. Inflore scentiae axillares, pendulae vel reflexae, 

pluri-vel multiflorae. Floras comparate parvi, bilabiati, 

atropurpurei. Sepala membranacea. Sepalum dorsale lanceolatum vel 

ovato-lanceolatum, acuminatum. Sepala lateralia in laminam suborbicularem 

profunde concavam connata. Petala oblongo-lanceolata, 

longe acuminata, in positu natural! leviter incurva. Labellum 

parvum, in circuitu triangulari-ovatum, in positu natural! trilobatum 

cum lobis lateralibus basalibus obovato-semiorbicularibus et lobo 

terminal! triangular! acuminate. Columna parva. 

Plant large. Rhizome apparently abbreviated. Roots fibrous, 

pubescent, filiform, numerous. Stems approximate, rather slender, 

clothed in the lower part with about three distant close tubular 

sheaths which are evanescent in course of development, 41.5-65 cm. 

or more long (incomplete in the longest specimen), unifoliate at the 

apex, very rarely superposed. Leaf elliptic, abruptly acuminate with 

a tridenticulate tip and produced mucro, long-narrowed to a more or 

less petioled base, coriaceous, 15 - about 23 cm. long (longest blade 

incomplete), 5-7.1 cm. wide. Inflorescences axillary, one or two, 

nodding or recurved, subdensely several- to many-flowered, much 

shorter than the leaf, about 11 cm. or less in length. Floral bracts 

narrowly infundibuliform, abruptly acute. Flowers relatively small, 

deep wine-purple, bilabiate. Sepals membranaceous. Dorsal sepal 

lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, concave, 3-nerved, about 

11 mm. long (tip incomplete), 4 mm. wide when expanded. Lateral 

sepals entirely connate into a deeply concave suborbicular lamina 

which is 6-nerved, about 10 mm. long and wide when partially expanded, 

subacute at the apex. Petals oblong-lanceolate, longacuminate, 

lightly incurved in natural position, rather fleshy, 3- 

nerved, about 10 mm. long and 2 mm. wide below. Lip relatively 

small, triangular -ovate in outline, abruptly re flexed at the base, 

3-lobed in natural position with obovate-semiorbicular lateral lobes 

and triangular acuminate mid-lobe, subentire when expanded, deeply 

cordate at base, about 4.1 mm. long from the basal margin of a 

lateral lobule to the tip of the lip and subequally wide below; disc 

with a pair of nipple-shaped call! in the center of the base. Column 

short and stout, about 2 mm. high at the back, with a very short foot 

in front (Fig. 34). 


Ames no. 64843, rich woods near and bordering Quebrada de Palmar, 

at foot of Pa'ramo de Tama', 2 kms. above Betania and 7 kms. above 

Villapaez, state of Tachira, alt. 2500 m., July 14, 1944, Julian A. 

Steyermark 57246, "leaves dark green above and dull green beneath, 

stems erect, dull green mottled with dark purple". 

This species appears to be allied to the Ecuadorian Pleurothalli* 

antennifcra Lindl., but lacks the abbreviated upper stem-member, has 

shorter racemes and broader petals.


PLEUROTHALLIS 

Sieyerrruvrkii 

FIGURE 34 

Pleurothallis Steyermarkii. 1, Upper portion of plant (X 3/5); 2, 

Basal portion of plant (X 2/3); 3, Flower, from the side (X 3); 

4, Petal (X 3); 5, Lip from above (X 6); 6, Lip from the side (X 6).


Pleurothallis sub til is C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov. 

Herba mediocris, epiphytica. Rhizoma abbreviatum. Caules 

secundarii approximati, graciles, a basi decumbent! suberecti, apice 

unifoliati. Folium lineare, apice abrupte tridentatum, basi cordatum, 

coriaceura, marginibus revolutis. Inflorescentiae azillares, uniflorae, 

singulae vel plures. Flores perparvi, flavidi, glabri. Sepalum 

dorsale valde concavum, suborbiculari-ovatum, obtusum. Sepala 

lateralia in laminam concavam suborbicularem, apice bidentacam 

connata. Petala falcata, oblongo-lanceolata. Labellum ovatum, 

obtusum, valde incrassatum, basi abrupte reflezum et a latere visum 

sigmoideum. Columna valde arcuata, supra dilatata. 

Plant medium-sized, epiphytic, apparently caespitose. Roots 

fibrous, filiform, glabrous, numerous. Secondary stems very variable 

in size, numerous, slender, rigid, suberect from a decumbent base, 

1-leaved at the apex, enveloped below by one to three close tubular 

evanescent sheaths, up to 19 cm. long. Leaf commonly horizontally 

spreading or reflexed, linear, narrowed above to an abrupt minutely 

tridentate apex of which the middle tooth is produced into a conspicuous 

mucro, cordate at the base, coriaceous with strongly revolute 

margins, very variable in size, up to 12.7 cm. long and about 8 

mm. wide when expanded. Inflorescences axillary, abbreviated, 1- 

flowered, solitary or several (up to 7), enclosed by an evanescent 

concave spathe. Flower very small, bilabiate, glabrous, with sepals, 

petals and column pale yellow and lip deep yellow. Sepals concave. 

Dorsal sepal suborbicular-ovate, obtuse, 3-nerved, about 3.5 mm. 

long and 2.5 mm. wide when forcibly expanded. Lateral sepals 

connate into a suborbicular lamina which is bidentate at the apex, 

4-nerved, and slightly shorter but broader than the dorsal sepal. 

Petals falcate, oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, 1-nerved, with slightly 

irregular margins, about 3*3 mm. long and 1 mm. wide. Lip ovate, 

very fleshy, obtuse, abruptly reflexed at the base and sigmoid in 

natural position when viewed from the side, cordate at the base when 

viewed from the front, about 2 mm. long and 1.5 mm. wide. Column 

strongly arcuate, abruptly dilated above (Fig. 35). 


Ames no. 64845, rich forest on slopes near summit of Cerro San Isidro, 

above La Carbonera, state of Merfda, alt. 2430-2475 m., April 22, 

1944, Julian A. Steyermark 56030, "epiphyte on Ladenbergia undata, 

leaves dull blue green above and paler beneath". 

This species differs from the Bolivian Pleurothallis scleropus 

Schltr. in having smaller flowers with dissimilar sepals. It is ^egetatively 

similar to the narrow-leaved form of the Peruvian P. juninensis 

Schltr. 

Octomeria rhizomatosa C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov. 

Herba epiphytica, pro genere alta et rigida. Rhizoma repens, 

elongatum ut videtur. Caules secundarii graciles, apice unifoliati,


PLEIIROTHALLIS 

a 

suMiis 

FIGURE 35 

Pleurothallis subtilis. 1, Plant (X 3/5>, 2, Flower, three-quarter 

view (X 6); 3, Lip from the side and from above (X 10); 4, Petal 

(X6).


tri- vel quadriarticulati ec vaginis pluribus tubulatis arete omati. 

Folia perangusta, oblongo- vel elliptic o-linearia, apice acuto minute 

tridenticulata, basi breviter petiolata. Inflorescentiae abbreviatae, 

uniflorae, subaxillares, in fascicule utroque flores plures ut videtur. 

Flores parvi, membranacei, flavidi, glabri. Sepala petalaque persimilia, 

elliptico-lanceolata, acuminata, trinervia. Labellum multo 

brevius, infra medium trilobatum, cum lobis lateralibus parvis, 

rotundacis, suberectis et lobo intermedio multo majore, apice acuto 

vel tridentato. Columna parva, leviter arcuata. 

Plant epiphytic, tall for the genus. Rhizome creeping, apparently 

elongate, entirely concealed by close tubular sheaths which waste 

away during development. Roots fibrous, filiform, glabrous, apparently 

growing in scattered clusters. Secundary stems slender, 1- 

leaved at the apex, up to 2 cm. apart on the rhizome, subparallel with 

the rhizome or growing at a right angle from a decumbent base, 3- to 

4-jointed, adorned at intervals with three to five close tubular evanescent 

sheaths, about 8-20 cm. long. Leaf rigidly erect or ascending, 

short-petioled; lamina oblong-linear or elliptic-linear, acute with 

a minutely tridenticulate apex, cuneate below, 11.7-19.5 cm. long, up 

to 1 cm. wide; petiole sulcate, about 7 mm. long. Inflores censes 

subaxillary, abbreviated, 1-flowered, apparently with several flowers 

in each fascicle. Flowers small, membra naceous, glabrous, with 

creamy yellow sepals and petals and pale yellow lip. Dorsal sepal 

elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, 3-nerved, about 8.4 mm. long and 2.5 

mm. wide. Lateral sepals free, very similar to the dorsal sepal but 

slightly narrower (1.5 mm. wide), slightly oblique. Petals ellipticlanceolate, 

acuminate, about 7 mm. long and 2.2 mm. wide, 3-nerved, 

Lip much shorter than the other segments, oblong-obovate in outline 

in natural position, 3-lobed below the middle, about 3*7 mm. long and 

2 mm. across the lateral lobes when expanded, cuneate at base, 

pandurate-constricted on each side in the middle, acute and unequally 

3-angled or tridentate in front; lateral lobes relatively very 

small, erect-incurved in natural position, rounded; disc with a pair 

of short distant keels extending from the middle of the lateral lobes 

to the dilated portion of the middle lobe. Column relatively small, 

gently arcuate, slightly narrowed above, about 2 mm. long at the 

back (Fig. 36). 

Type in herb. Ames no. 64842, isotype in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. 

Mus., no. 1207006, along Quebrada Sororopan, between Santa Teresita 

de Kavanayen and Rio Tek-Yunsen, state of Bolivar, alt. 1375 

m., December 3, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60830; cotype collected 

on forested sandstone south-facing slopes between plateau portion 

and "Cave Camp", Ptari-tepui, alt. 1700-1800 m., November 1, 1944, 

Julian A. Steyermark 59703, "leaves deep green above and paler 

green beneath, flowers (buds) greenish yellow". 

Another collection (Steyermark 59703), while furnishing only young 

buds, apparently represents this species. 

It differs in having some


OCTOMERIA 

FIGURE 36 

Octomeria rhizomatosa. 1, Plant (X 1/3); 2, Flower, from the side 

(X 3); 3, Petal (X 3); 4, Dorsal sepal (X 3); 5, Lateral sepal (X 3); 

6, Lip from above (X 7); 7, Column and lip from the side (X 7).


times greater intervals between the stems (up to nearly 3 cm.) and 

sometimes broader leaves (up to 1.2 cm. wide). 

This species seems to be allied to the Colombian Octomeria longifolia 

Schltr., but has larger flowers with acuminate sepals and petals 

and a differently proportioned lip. 

Acineta alticola C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov. 

Herba robusta, saxicola, caespitosa. Pseudobulbi plusminusve 

ovoidei, apice tri-vel quadrifoliati. Folia elliptico-lanceolata vel 

oblonga, acuta vel saepius acuminata, plica ta. Inflorescentia


ACINETA 

aCticoCa, 

C, 

FIGURE 37 

Acineta alticola. 1, Plant (X 1/6); 2, Flower, from the side (X 2/3 >, 

3, Petal (X 2/3); 4, Column and lip from the side, natural size; 

5, Lip from above, natural size.


triangular with upcurved sides and subacute apex in natural position, 

broadly ovate if forcibly flattened, "pointed with inrolled margins"; 

deep yellow disc between the lateral lobes with a high subquadrate 

fleshy purple callus and a small irregularly subglobose callus just 

in front. Column relatively slender but gradually bialate toward the 

apex, arcuate, whitish above and greenish white and "lightly pubescent" 

below, about 2 cm. high (Fig. 37). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., nos. 1203742, 1203744, isotype 

in Herb. Ames no. 64855, along base of east-facing high sandstone 

bluffs, Ptari-tepui^ state of Bolivar, alt. 2410-2450 m., November 7, 

Julian A. Steyermark 59922, 

This species appears to be quite distinct from all of the other 

Acinetas noted by reason of the relatively shallow sinus between the 

lateral and middle lobes of the lip and by its abbreviated not spatulate 

middle lobe. 

Zygopetalum Tatei X. & S. var. angustilabium C. Schweinfurth, 

var. nov. 

Herba v aria bills, pseudobulbis brevioribus et nunc latioribus unifoliatis 

atque la belli epichilio multo angustiore a specie differt. 

Plant epiphytic, very variable, closely similar to the species. 

Pseudobulbs cylindric (as in the species) to ellipsoid or complanatesubglobose, 

up to 3 cm. long (instead of 3.6-6 cm. long in the 

species), unifoliate (not bifoliate). Scape about 13.5 cm. or less 

long (instead of 35 cm. or more long), 1- (rarely) or loosely 2-flowered 

above. Flowers about as large as those of the species except for 

the epichile of the lip which is ovate or rhombic-ovate and acuminate 

(instead of abruptly apiculate) about 1.9 cm. long and only 1.3 cm. 

wide (instead of 2.3-2.8 cm. wide in the species). 


Ames no. 64861, epiphyte on branch, summit of Carrao-tepui, state of 

Bolivar, alt. 2470-2500 m., December 7, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

60909, "sepals and petals pale yellow or olive green with pale 

brown transverse bands, lip white with purple above and on crest, 

column rich yellow with magenta on margin and magenta streaks 

within"; same locality and date, epiphyte on trunk of Bonnetia 

Roraimae, "leaves coriaceous, dark green above and dull green beneath, 

sepals and petals orange-brown, lip white with dull brown at 

base, column dull orange", Steyermark 60908; same locality and 

date, "leaves dark green, lip creamy yellow, column pale grass 

green", Steyermark 60910. 

Maxillaria condensata C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov. 

Herba epiphytica, ramosa, late patens. Caules graciles, vetustiores 

remote pseudobulbiferi, panes juniores cum vaginarum foliiferarum 

disticharum imbricantium fasciculis. Folia parva, variabilia, 

saepissime elliptica vel oblonga, crassa ut videtur. F lores parparvi, 

e vaginarum axillis exorientes. Sepalum dorsale elliptico-oblongum,

BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA 195 

FIGURE 38 

Maxillaria condensata. 1, Plant (X 3/5); 2, Flower from the front, 

expanded with the lip detached (X 2>, 3, Lip, three-quarter view 

(X4).


acutum. Sepala lateralia falcato-oblonga, acuta. Petala oblanceolato-linearia, 

acuta. Labellum in partes duas divisum; pars basalis 

columnae parallela, tubulari-concava, expansa elliptica; pars anterior 

leviter convexa, ovato-subquadrata, apice profunde bilobata. 

Columna conspicua, in pedem sensim producta. 

Plant epiphytic, sprawling. Stems irregularly much branched, 

slender, bearing pseudobulbs at more or less remote intervals, producing 

scattered fibrous, filiform, glabrous roots mostly beneath or 

in the vicinity of the pseudobulbs or among the remote strobiliform 

clusters of leaves on the younger parts; stem-members adorned with 

several short infundibuliform sheaths which are more or less distant 

and evanescent in age, up to 9.3 cm. long in our specimens. Pseudobulbs 

well-developed only on the older portions of the plant, narrowly 

ovoid to ellipsoid, unifoliate at the apex, about 1.5 cm. or less 

long and apparently surmounting abbreviated stems which are enveloped 

by several pairs of closely imbricating evanescent leafbearing 

sheaths. Upper portions of the stems producing short strobiliform 

clusters of several distichous, closely imbricating leafbearing 

sheaths. Leaves small, apparently fleshy, variable in size 

and shape, elliptic to oblong or linear, subacute to abruptly rounded 

with a minutely tridenticulate more or less oblique apex, up to 4.6 

cm. long, 3.5-8.5 mm. wide, sessile at the narrowed complicate base. 

Inflorescences abbreviated, 1-flowered, in the axils of leaf-bearing 

sheaths on the younger portions of the plant. Flowers very small on 

relatively elongate pedicels, with subfleshy segments. Sepals pale 

greenish yellow. Dorsal sepal elliptic-oblong, acute, 3 -nerved, about 

7 mm. long and 3 mm. wide. Lateral sepals obliquely oblong, lightly 

falcate, acute, 3-nerved or obscurely 5-nerved, about 7 mm. long and 

3 mm. wide. Petals oblanceolate-linear, acute, 3-nerved, about 6 mm. 

long and 1.3 mm. wide, maroon-purple or wine purple-red. Lip about 

as long as the other segments, with the lower half erect and parallel 

to the column and the anterior half recurved in natural position, pale 

yellow with dull lavender spots on anterior lobe; lower portion 

tubular-concave, broadly elliptic when expanded, minutely erose in 

front and extending onto the anterior portion; anterior portion lightly 

convex, ovate-subquadrate, deeply bilobed with overlapping lobules, 

the lateral margins slightly constricted above the middle and irregularly 

denticulate, provided with a conical tubercle beneath the apical 

indentation. Column prominent, arcuate, slightly dilated above, 

cream-colored, about 4 mm. high at the back, extended gradually into 

a conspicuous foot (Fig. 38). 

Type in Herb. Ames no. 64858, isotype 

Mus., no. 1206998, lower southeastern slopes of Carrao-tepuf, state 

of Bolivar, alt. 1675-1980 m., December 5-6, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

60873, "on dead mossy log". 

in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. 

There do not appear to be any near allies of this species. 

The specific name is in allusion to the short crowded branches.


Maxillaria patula C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov. 

Herba robusta, alticola, ramosa. Caules crassi, saepius ramosi, 

plusminusve remote pseudobulbiferi. Pseudobulbi ovoidei vel anguste 

pyriformes, saepissime unifoiiati, basi vaginis foliiferis 

distichis obtecti. Folia oblongo-elliptica vel oblonga, apice rotundata, 

basi conduplicata sessilia. Inflorescenciae abbreviatae, uniflorae, 

ex bractearum axillis exorientes. Flores parvi, carnosi, 

aurantiaci. Sepala similia, concava, ovata, vel oblongo-ovata, acuta 

vel acuminata. Petala late oblonga, acuta. Labellura erectum et 

columnae parallelum, leviter sigmoideum, prope apicem distincte 

trilobatum; lobi laterales erecto- incurvi, semiobovati; lobus terminalis 

parvus, ovato-rotandatus. Columna parva, antice complanata, 

infra incrassata. 

Plant robust, with sprawling stems. Stems stout, usually loosely 

branched, bearing pseudobulbs at varying intervals; stem-members 

between the pseudobulbs 2-10 cm. long, several-jointed, the older 

ones naked, the younger ones more or less entirely concealed by 

approximate or imbricating infundibuliform sheaths, bearing scattering 

fibrous glabrous roots mostly beneath or in the vicinity of the 

pseudobulbs. Pseudobulbs ovoid to narrowly pyriform, 1- or rarely 

2-leaved at the apex, up to 3 cm. high, surrounded below by several 

(usually two or three) pairs of distichous imbricating leaf-bearing 

sheaths, the blades being successively larger upward. Leaves 

elliptic-oblong to oblong, rounded above with a somewhat unequally 

bilobed and apiculate tip, sessile with a cuneate conduplicate base, 

up to 7 (rarely 9.2) cm. long and 1.5 cm. wide, coriaceous. Inflorescences 

rising singly from the axils of the clustered bracts on 

the younger apical portions of the stems, abbreviated, 1-flowered. 

Flowers campanula te in natural position, fleshy, vermilion-orange 

with orange-yellow to golden lip and column. Dorsal sepal concave, 

ovate or oblong-ovate, acute (acuminate in natural position), about 

10 mm. long and 5.6 mm. wide when expanded. Lateral sepals very 

similar but slightly longer and narrower than the dorsal sepal, lightly 

oblique. Petals broadly oblong, acute, about 7.2 mm. long and 3 mm. 

wide. Lip continuous with the column, upcurved and parallel to the 

column in natural position, very fleshy, lightly sigmoid, about 7.1 

mm. long, sharply 3-lobed near the apex, oblong when viewed from 

above; lateral lobes erect-incurved, relatively elongate, semiobovate 

from a cuneate base, with a rounded free terminal portion; mid-lobe 

much smaller, ovate-rotundate , 

rounded above with a conical mucro 

beneath; disc with a broad central thickening extending from the base 

nearly to the apex of the upcurved lateral lobes. Column short, 

stout, about 4 mm. high at the back, with the lower portion gradually 

dilated into a short stout foot (Fig. 39)* 


Ames no. 64859, between headwaters of Rio Colorado and summit of 

southern peak, Cerro Turumiquire, state of Sucre, alt. 2200-2400 m.,


MAXILLARIA 

FIGURE 39 

Maxillaria patula. 1, Plant (X 3/5); 2, Flower from the side, (about 

X 1-1/2); 3, Flower from the front, expanded with the lip detached 

(X 2>, 4, Lip, three-quarter view (X 4).


May 7, 1945, Julian A. Steyermark 62650, "leaves deep olive green 

above and dull green beneath". 

This species is habitally very similar to the West Indian Maxillaria 

croceorubens (Reichb. f.) L. O. Wms. (Ornithidium croceorubens 

Reichb. .) but the petals and lip are very different. 

Oncidium diffusum C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov. 

Herba epiphytica, venusta. Rhizoma abbre via turn. Pseudobulbi 

aggregati, ovoidei vel anguste ovoidei, valde complanati ut videtur, 

apice unifoliati. Folium la nee ola to-elliptic urn, acutum, in petiolum 

brevem sulcatum angustatum, membranaceum. Inflorescentia lateralis, 

pendula, diffusa, perlaxe paniculata cum ramis laxe paucifloris. 

Flores parvi, segmentis patentibus. Sepalum dorsale oblanceolatospathulatum, 

infra longe angustatum. Sepala lateralia similia sed 

majora, omnino libera, oblique spathulata, basi longe et anguste 

unguiculata. P eta la obovato-spathulata, quam sepala breviora sed 

latiora. Labellum suborbiculari-ovatum, basi cord a turn, supra conspicue 

constrictum lobulum subquadratum retusum formans; discus 

basi medio cum callo conspicuo apice tridentato ornatus. Columna 

brevis, utrinque ala lata transverse oblonga praedita. 

Plant epiphytic, graceful. Rhizome apparently abbreviated. Roots 

fibrous, filiform, glabrous, numerous. Pseudobulbs crowded, ovoid 

or narrowly ovoid, unifoliate at the apex, apparently strongly complanate, 

about 3.7 cm. or less long, surrounded at base by one or 

more pairs of distichous leaf-bearing sheaths which are evanescent 

as the plant develops. Leaf petioled; lamina lanceolate-elliptic, 

acute, cuneate below, membranaceous, about 13 cm. or less long and 

2.6 cm. or less wide; petiole conduplicate, about 2 cm. or less long. 

Inflorescence lateral, elongate, very loosely paniculate, diffuse, 

pendent (detached in our specimen), apparently over 70 cm. long; 

branches short, about 5-8 cm. apart, loosely few-flowered, with 

slender fractiflex rachis. Bracts ovate, concave, acuminate with 

prominent mid-nerve. Flowers small for the genus, with widely 

spreading segments. Dorsal sepal oblanceolate-spatulate, subacute 

at the recurved apex, long-narrowed to a very slender base, about 

9.2 mm. long and 3*4 mm. wide above. Lateral sepals similar, entirely 

free, obliquely spatula te, subacute with a recurved thickened 

apex, gradually narrowed to a long sulcate claw, about 11 mm. long 

and 3.9 mm. wide above. Petals obovate-spatulate, broadly rounded 

at the apex (sometimes with a short acute tip), 

narrowed to a short 

claw, about 7.9 mm. long and 5 mm. wide above. Lip suborbicularovate 

in outline, cordate at base, convex or reduplicate in natural 

position rather abruptly constricted in front to form a relatively small 

subquadrate terminal lobe which is bilobulate and apiculate, about 

7.8 mm. long in greatest length (from either side of the base to the 

apex) and 8 mm. wide below; disc provided through the basal central 

half with a conspicuous callus which is irregularly toothed above and 

terminates in three teeth of which the middle one is longest. Column


short, about 4 mm. high at the back, with a conspicuously beaked 

rosteUar process, provided above with a pair of broadly and transversely 

oblong petaloid wings and below with a pair of small refuse 

subquadrate plates (Fig. 40). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1204664, wooded quebrada 

in Montana of Ri'o Tachira at base of Paramo de Tama, between 

Betania and Tama, by Colombian-Venezuelan boundary, state of 

Bolivar, alt. 2430 m., July 13, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 57180, 

"sepals and petals pafe yellow above, pale brown near base, lip 

pale yellow with pale brown blotches, crest of lip pale creamy 

yellow". 

This species seems to be allied to Oncidium pyramid ale Lindl., 

but has a lax open panicle, a much narrower mid-lobe of the lip and 

very dissimilar column-wings. 

Lockhartia latilabris C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov. 

Herba epiphytica, caespitosa. Caules rigidi, simplices, foliorum 

basibus irabricatis oranino tecti. Folia numerosa, disticha, equitantia, 

triangulari-oblonga, breviter acuta, valde adscendentia. Inf 

lore scent iae perbreves, pauciflorae. F lores pro genere grandes, 

flavi. Sepala elliptico-ovata. P eta la majora, elliptic o-obovata, 

antice late rotundata. Labellum simplex, suborbiculari-reniforme, 

leviter retusum, marginibus irregulariter denticulatis; discus medio 

calloso-incrassatus. Columna perbrevis, crassa. 

Plant epiphytic, caespitose, medium-sized for the genus. Roots 

numerous, fibrous, glabrous, filiform, more or less branched. Stems 

straight, up to 17 cm. high, entirely concealed by the imbricating 

bases of the leaves. Leaves very numerous, distichous, equitant, 

triangular-oblong or triangular-lanceolate, strongly ascending, shortly 

acute, often slightly incurved above, up to 2.3 cm. long on the 

outer margin and 5.5 mm. wide across the base. Inflorescences 

apparently solitary in several of the upper leaf-axils, subequaling 

the leaves. Floral bracts broadly ovate, acuminate, amplexicaul 

below. Flowers large for the genus, raembranaceous, pale yellow, 

the lip being spotted with orange-brown toward the center. Dorsal 

sepal elliptic-ovate, subacute at the rounded apex, 3-nerved, about 

8.8 mm. long and 5 mm. wide. Lateral sepals similar but slightly 

broader, acute, concave below, slightly oblique. Petals larger than 

the sepals, elliptic-obovate, broadly rounded above, with slightly 

irregular margins, 3-nerved with the lateral nerves branching, about 

10.8 mm. long and 7 mm. wide. Lip simple, noticeably broader than 

long, suborbicular-reniform, concave, lightly refuse, with irregularly 

denticulate margins (except near the truncate basal portion), about 

10 mm. long on either side of the refuse center and 15 mm. wide; 

disc callose-thickened throughout the basal and central portions, 

the thickening appearing bilobed in the center and with lacerate 

margins. Column very short and stout with a semiovate wing having 

irregular margins on each side (Fig. 41).


FIGURE 40 

Oncidium diffusum. 1, Plant (X 3/5); 2, Flower, three-quarter view 

(X 1-1/2); 3, Dorsal sepal (X 2>, 4, Petal (X 2); 5, Lateral sepal 

(X 2); 6, Column from the front, with wings expanded (X 2); 7, Lip 

from above (X 2).


LOCKHARXIA 

Caiifafrris (3. Oc 

FIGURE 41 

Lockhartia latilabris. 1, Plant (X 4/5); 2, Flower expanded, from 

the front (X J>\



Ames no. 64848, at western end of Sororopan-tepui, Salto de Iwaracaru-meru, 

state of Bolivar, alt. 1615 m., November 15,1944, Julian A. 

Steyermark 60222, "epiphyte on tree trunk along stream above waterfall". 

The simple and unlobed lip of this species is distinctive from that 

of most Lockhartias, while the shape and the lack of any distinct 

keel appears to be unique.


PIPERACEAE 13 

Peperomia Steyermarkii Yuncker, sp. nov. 

stigmate apicali. 

A small delicate tufted glabrous terrestrial herb; stem com- or 

Herba parva glabra terrestris; caule tuberose; foliis suborbicularibus, 

8-10 mm. diametientibus, peltatis 5-nerviis; petiolo filiform! ad 

3.5 cm. longo; spicis 1 mm. crassis, 15-20 mm. longis; pedunculo 

filiformi 2-2.5 cm. longo; drupa globoso-ovoidea, stylo brevi subulaco; 

tuber-like, 3-4 mm. thick; leaves when living fleshy-membranous, 

deep green above, suffused with purplish with a pale green spot near 

the base in center and with pale green areolate veins radiating from 

this spot, silvery pale green or suffused with lavender beneath, suborbicular, 

8-10 mm. in diameter, peltate 2-4 mm. from the margin, with 

5 delicate anastomosing nerves from the petiole, drying very membranous, 

subpellucid; petioles filiform, up to 3.5 cm. long, pale 

greenish-white when living; spikes 

1 mm. thick x 15-20 mm. long 

when dry; peduncle filiform, often rose-lilac when growing, 2-2.5 cm. 

long, sometimes with a leaf about 1 cm. below the spike; bracts 

round-peltate; fruit globose-ovoid, black, verrucpse, about 0.8 mm. 

long, with a short subulate style; stigma apical. 

Type in herb. Chil Nat. Hist. Mus., collected at edge of cafetal, 

below limestone bluffs, Cerro de la Cueva de Dona Anita, south of 

and bordering valley of Caripe, state of Monagas, alt. 1200 m., April 

7, 1945, Julian A. Steyermark 61874. 

Piper Arbelaezii Trel. & Yun.,var. subglabrirameum Yuncker, var.nov. 

Frutex 3-4 m. altus; internodiis innovationum laeviter hirtulis mox 

glabrescentibus; spicis 12 mm. crassis, 70 cm. vel ultra longis; 

pedunculo 8-9 cm. longo, glabro; bracteis sub margine fimbriatis, 

dorso longe pilosis. 

Shrub 3-4 m. tall, planted at times for ornament; young internodes 

thinly hirtellous, quickly glabrescent; leaves subcoriaceous, deep 

green above, silvery green beneath; spikes creamy-white, recurveddro 

oping, 5-6 mm. thick in anthesis, 12 mm. in fruit, up to 70 cm. or 

more long; peduncle 8-9 cm. long, glabrous; bracts submarginally 

fringed, dorsally long-pilose. Otherwise as in the species. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected along Rio Zumbador 

and tributary, near base of Piedra Blanca, northeast of Bergantfn, 

state of Anzoategui, alt. 800-1000 m., March 1-2, 1945, Julian A. 


13 

By T. G. Yuncker


Piper bolivaranum Yuncker, sp. nov. 

Planta glabra vix pedalis; foliis anguste lance olatis, 10-17 mm. 

latis, 6-8 cm. longis, apice sensira acuminatis basi acutis, a tertio 

supero deorsum pinnatim venosis; petiole 2-10 mm. longo; spiels 3 

mm. crassis, 25 mm. longis; pedunculo filifonni, 10-12 mm. longo; 

bracteis trianguiari-subpeltatis anguste fimbriatis; drupa truncatotrigona; 

stigmatibus sessilibus. 

A small glabrous soft-wooded branching plant scarcely 30 cm. tall; 

internodes 1-3 cm. long; leaves membranous, deep green above, paler 

beneath, narrowly lanceolate, 10-17 mm. wide x 6-8 cm. long, apex 

gradually acuminate, base equilaterally acute, pinnate ly nerved below 

the upper third with about 3 ascending nerves on each side, 

loop-connected and joined to the midrib with numerous horizontal 

nervules, drying membranous, translucent, minutely pellucid-dotted; 

petiole 2-10 mm. long; peduncle filiform, 10-12 mm. long; bracts 

triangular-subpeltate, narrowly marginally fringed; fruit truncatetrigonous, 

granulate; stigmas 3, small, sessile. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on mossy-covered 

banks of streamlet on plateau near "Misia Kathy Camp", Ptari-tepui, 

state of Bolivar, alt. 1585 m., October 28, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

59468. 

Piper el-paramoense Yuncker, sp. nov. 

Frutex 2-3 m. altus; intemodiis superis parcius hirtulis; foliis 

ova to-elliptic is, 7-8 cm. latis, 14-15 cm. longis, apice acutis, basi 

oblique inaequilatera liter cordatis, iobis rotundatis quam petiole 

brevioribus, ad tertium superum pinnatim venosis, supra glabris, 

subtus ad venas hirtulis; petiolo 2-4 cm. longo subvilloso ad laminam 

vaginato-alato; spicis 4-5 mm. crassis, 11 cm. longis; pedunculo 2 

cm. longo pubescente; bracteis concavo-subcucullatis, margine brevifimbriatis; 

ovario ovoideo; stigmatibus sessilibus. 

A shrub 2-3 m. tall, upper internodes short and slender, sparingly 

hirtellous glabrescent; leaves when living spicy-fragrant, membra-^ 

nous, dull green above, greenish-silvery beneath, elliptic -ovate, 7-8 

cm. wide x 14-15 cm. long, apex acute, base obliquely inequilaterally 

cordate with rounded lobes shorter than the petiole, sinus narrowly 

acute or closed with the lobes slightly overlapping, pinnate ly 

nerved to the upper third, the nerves 5 or 6 on each side, prominent 

beneath, slightly impressed above, with rather prominent crossconnecting 

and anastomosing nervules, drying somewhat membranous, 

translucent; petiole 2-4 cm. long, subvillous, vaginate-winged to the 

blade; spikes 4-5 mm. thick x 11 cm. long, nodding; peduncle slender, 

2 cm. long, pubescent; bracts concave-subcucullate, marginally 

short-fringed; ovary ovoid; stigmas 3, sessile. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected at El Paramo, northeast 

of Las Delicias, northeast of Caripe, state of Monagas, alt. 

1200-1450 m., April 13, 1945, Julian A. Steyermark 62038.


Piper monagasense Yuncker, sp. nov. 

Frutex 5-6 m. altus; internodi is indumento conferto brunneo intertexto 

vestitis; foliis ovatis 13-16 cm. latis, 27-30 cm. longis, apice 

acutis, basi cordatis, lobis basalibus rotundatis approximatis 

obtegentibusve, supra secus venas villosis, subtus dense crispe 

villosis, a tertio supero deorsum pinnatim venosis; petiolo 4 cm. 

longo, indumento brunneo intertexto praedito, ad laminam vaginatoalato; 

spicis 7-8 mm. crassis, 35 cm. vel ultra longis; pedunculo 

3.5 cm. longo, pubescentia intertexta vestito; bracteis triangularisubpeltatis, 

conferte ad marginem firabriatis; ovario ovoideo, stigmatibus 

sessilibus. 

A shrub 5-6 m. tall; upper intemodes comparatively slender and 

elongated, densely matted brown-villous; leaves when living dark 

green with sulcate loose areolate nerves above, silvery-gray green 

beneath with raised nerves, ovate, 13-16 cm. wide x 27-30 cm. long, 

apex acute, base cordate, lobes rounded, approximate or overlapping, 

nearly equal or one lobe somewhat longer, pinnately nerved below 

the upper third, the nerves 6 or 7 on each side, submarginally loopconnected, 

with rather prominent cross-connecting and anastomosing 

nervules, villous above along the nerves, densely crisp-villous beneath, 

the hairs brown, drying coriaceous, opaque; petiole 4 cm. 

long, matted brown-villous, vaginate-winged to the blade; spikes 

pendent, 7-8 mm. thick x 35 cm. or more long in fruit; peduncle 3.5 

cm. long, matted-villous; bracts triangular-subpeltate, densely 

marginally fringed with brown hairs, the pedicel villous; ovary 

ovoid; stigmas 3, sessile. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on forested southwest-facing 

slopes of Cerro Negro, above La Sabana de Las Piedras, 

northwest of Caripe, state of Monagas, alt. 1500 m., April 5, 1945, 

Julian A, Steyermark 61853. 

Piper oparumaense Yuncker, sp. nov. 

Suffrutex 2-3 m. altus; intern odiis superis lenticulato-verrucosis, 

glabris; foliis ovatis, 17 cm. latis, 28-30 cm. longis, apice obtusis, 

basi inaequilatera liter cordatis, sinu obliquo clauso, venis subtus 

puberulis, ad quartum superum pinnatim venosis; petiolo 3 '5 cm. 

longo ad laminam vagina to-alato, lenticulato-verrucoso; spicis 1 x 

30 cm. magnis; pedunculo 2-3 cm. longis; bracteis rotundato- vel 

subtriangulari-subpeltatis; drupa oblonga subtetragona, apice paullo 

papillose; stigmatibus sessilibus. 

A soft-wooded subshrub 2-3 m. tall; upper intemodes moderately 

short and slender, lenticular-warty, glabrous; leaves when living 

subcoriaceous, deep green above, paler beneath, ovate, 17 cm. wide 

x 28-30 cm. long, apex obtuse, base inequilate rally cordate with 

oblique closed sinus, lobes rounded, the larger longer than and 

covering the petiole, pinnately nerved to the upper fourth, the nerves 

about 6 on eech side with 3 additional recurved nerves in the longer 

lobe, submarginally loop-connected in two series, with rather strong


cross-connecting and anastomosing nervules, glabrous above, the 

nerves beneath puberulent, drying coriaceous, opaque; petiole 3-5 

cm. long, glabrous, vaginate-winged to the blade, lenticular-warty; 

spikes 1 cm. thick x 30 cm. or more long when mature; peduncle 2-3 

cm. long, glabrous; bracts rounded- or subtriangular-subpeltate, 

somewhat inflexed ventrally, papillate and brown-hairy on the ventral 

margin and pedicel; fruit oblong-subtetragonous, somewhat papillate 

at the apex; stigmas 3, sessile. 


Quebrada O-paru-ma', tributary of Rio Pacairao, below Santa Teresita 

de Kavanayen, state of Bolivar, alt, 915-1065 m., November 25, 1944, 

Julian A, Steyermark 60548% 

Piper perlongivillosum Yuncker, sp. nov. 

Frutex nodosus 1 m. altus; internodiis superis indumento hirtulo 

cum pilis longioribus intermixto vestitis; foliis elliptico-subovatis, 

6-8 cm. latis, 18-21 cm. longis, apice subcaudatim acuminatis, basi 

subaequilatera liter rotundatis cordulatisve, venis subtus hirtulis, 

fere totis pinnatim venosis; petiolo ca. 5 mm. longo hirtulo-villoso; 

spicis 4 mm. crass is, 6 cm. vel ultra longis; pedunculo 2 cm. vel 

ultra longo; bracteis parvis subcucullatis apice triangulari-truncatis; 

fructu obovoideo bene angulato subalatove; stigmatibus sessilibus. 

A nodose shrub about 1 m. tall; upper intern odes short and slender, 

hirtellous intermixed with rather stiff hairs up to 3-4 mm. long; 

leaves when living rugose on both sides, dark dull green above, 

paler beneath, firmly membranous, elliptic-subovate, 6-8 cm. wide x 

18-21 cm. long, apex subcaudately acuminate, base subequilaterally 

rounded, cordulate, pinnate ly nerved throughout, the nerves 10-12 or 

more on each side, submarginally loop-connected, wkh shorter intermediates 

and cross-connecting anastomosing nervules, glabrous and 

somewhat depressed-punctate above, the nerves beneath staring 

hirtellous, the midrib with scattered long hairs, drying chartaceous, 

translucent, narrowly revolute; petiole stout, about 5 mm. long, 

hirtellous-villous; spikes 4 mm. thick x 6 cm. or more long, dull 

green when living, rather loosely flowered; peduncle slender, 2 cm: 

or more long, hirtellous-villous; bracts small, subcucullate wkh 

triangular-truncate apex, hispidulous; fruit obovoid, strongly angled 

or subalate, glabrous; stigmas small, sessile. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on southeasternfacing 

slopes along Cano Negro (tributary of Cano Iguapo), Cerro 

Duida, Territories Federal Amazonas, alt. 305-1095 m., August 25-26, 


The rugose leaves, dimorphic hairs and strongly angular or somewhat 

winged fruit are distinctive characters of this species. 

Piper Steyermarkii Yuncker, sp. nov. 

Frutex scandens glaber epiphyticus; foliis ellipticis 3.5-6 cm. 

latis, 10-15 cm. longis, apice sensim acute acuminatis, basi aequi-


lateraliter acutis, a medio infero pinnatim venosis; petiolo ad 25 mm. 

longo ad medium et ultra vaginato; spiels 5 mm. crassis, 5 cm. 

longis; pedunculo viz 5 mm. longo; bracteis parvis rotundato-subpeltatis, 

conferte longeque pallido-fimbriatis; fructu subgloboso, brevistyloso. 

A climbing epiphytic glabrous nodose shrub; internodes slender, 

elongate; leaves subcoriaceous, deep glossy-green above, paler 

beneath, elliptic, 3.5-6 cm. wide x 10-15 cm. long, apex attenuately 

sharp-acuminate, base equilaterally acute, pinnate ly nerved from the 

lower half, the nerves 2-4 on each side or in large leaves with a 

faint fifth nerve near the base, the innermost pair connected with the 

midrib with shorter nerves upward, drying coriaceous, opaque, narrowly 

revolute; petioles up to 25 mm. long below, reduced upward, 

vaginate and narrowly winged to above the middle, drying somewhat 

corrugated; spikes white when in flower, pale green and 6-7 mm. 

thick in fruit when growing, 5 mm. thick x 5 cm. long when dry; peduncle 

scant 5 mm. long; bracts small, round-subpeltate, densely 

long pale-fringed; ovary ovoid, tapering into a short stout style; 

stigmas 3, small; fruit subglobose, somewhat granulate, glabrous. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on southeast-facing, 

steep wooded slopes just below dry ridge and shrubby growth, Ptaritepui, 

state of Bolivar, alt. 1585-1600 m., November 10-11, 1944, 


Piper subalpinum Yuncker, sp. nov. 

Suffrutex 1-2 m. altus; internodiis superis conferte retrorseque 

bmnnco-hirtulis; foliis lanceolato-ovatis, 5-7 cm. lads, 12-19 cm. 

longis, apice sensim acuminatis, basi aequilatera liter rotundatis, 

supra gkbris, venis subtus adpresse hirtulis, a medio deorsum 

pinnatim venosis; petiolo 5-15 mm. longo conferte hirtulo, ad laminam 

vaginato-alato; spicis 5 mm. crassis, 5 cm. longis; pedunculo 15 mm. 

longo hirtulo; bracteis triangulari-subpeltatis, margine fimbriatis; 

fructu subgloboso; stigmatibus sessilibus. 

A branching soft-wooded subshrub 1-2 m. tall; upper internodes 

slender and rather short, densely retrorsely brown-hirtellous; leaves 

when living subcoriaceous to firmly membranous, rugose, dark green 

above, dull paler green beneath, lance-ovate, 5-7 cm. wide x 12-19 

cm. long, apex gradually acuminate, base equilaterally rounded, 

pinnately nerved from below the middle, the nerves 4 on each side, 

impressed above, salient beneath, with prominent cross-connecting 

and anastomosing nervules, glabrous above, the nerves beneath 

appressed-hirtellous, drying coriaceous, subopaque, narrowly revolute; 

petiole from 5 mm. long above to 15 mm. long below, densely 

hirtellous, vaginate-winged to the blade; spikes erect-ascending, 5 

mm. thick x 5 cm. long; peduncle 15 mm. long, hirtellous; bracts 

triangular-subpeltate, marginally fringed; fruit subglobose; stigmas 

3, short, sessile.


Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on densely wooded 

slopes of narrow ridge between quebrada and summit, Sororopantepui', 

state of Bolivar, alt. 2130-2250 m., November 15, 1944, Julian 

A. Steyermark 60172.


MORACEAE l 4 

Cecropia kavanayensis Cuatr., sp. nov. 

Arbor ramulis scabris copiose hamato-pilosis. Folia mediocria 

coriacea peltata petiolata. Petiolus robustus striatus albicans adpresse 

villosus et minute arachnoideus, basi subtus pulvinum brunneum 

dense tomentosura incrassatus. Lamina palmata profunde (2/3) 

7-lobata, lobis subobovato-oblongis apice obtusis basi angustatis, 

margine incegra vel levissime sinuata; lobo maximo ab insertione 

petioli usque ad apicem 28 cm. longo et 15.5 cm. lato, lobo minimo 

12 cm. longo et 6.5 cm. lato, parte central! concrescenti 7-8 cm. 

radii; supra atroviridis conspectu glabra sed sparsissimis tenuissimis 

pilis araneosis munita, nervis primariis et secundariis conspicuis 

tertiariis transversis obsoletis superficie sub lente minutissime 

irreguliterque reticulato-alveolata vel rugulosa; subtus sericeocinerea 

nervis primariis crasso-eminentibus roseis laxe strigosis vel 

araneosis, nervis secundariis prominentibus roseis ascendentibus 

circa 1.5 cm. distantibus, laxe araneosis, tertiis transversis 2-3 mm. 

distantibus bene conspicuis, inter eos superficie dense cinereoarachnoideo-tomentosa. 

Inflorescentiae masculae geminatae. Pedunculus rigidus crassus 

valde brevis, dense tomentoso-hirsutus, 1-2 cm. longus. Spatha 8.5 

cm. longa, cylindrico-oblonga apice abrupte acutata breviter apiculata, 

extus dense albido-villosa intus glabra sed sparsissimis pilis 

arachnoideis visibilis. Amenta masculina circa 10 pedicellata, 4-6 

cm. longa maturitate in sicco 4-5 mm. crassa. Perianthium prismaticopyramidatum 

6 farium striatum 1.5 mm. longura, costis apiceque 

minute hirsutulum. Pedicelli robusti rigidi basi in ad modum annulum 

crassum 3-5 mm. ahum coaliti, parte libera crassa 3-7 mm. longa, 

breviter tomentulosi et hirsutuli. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on wooded slopes of 

Quebrada Oparu-ma', between Santa Teresita de Kavanayen and Rio 

Pacairo (tributary of Rio Mouak), state of Bolivar, alt. 1065-1220 m., 

November 20-21, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 62754. 

This interesting species is related to C. obtusa Trecul., but differs 

from it chiefly by the smooth upper side of the leaves. The same 

character differentiates if from C. solanoensis Pitt. Other very 

typical features of C. kavanayensis are the short peduncles of the 

male inflorescences, the thick pedicels which are concrescent at the 

base, and the rigid, coriaceous leaves. 

Pourouma Steyerinarkii Standley et Cuatr., sp. nov. 

Arbor 14 m. alta. Ramuli subteretes pallido-virides cicatricibus 

stipularum annularis parum obliquis, cicatricibus foliorum depresso- 

14 

By Jose'Cuatrecasas


ovatis 3-4 mm. lads, internodiis 1-1.5 cm. longis striolulatis hirsutis. 

Stipulae terminates caducae 3-4 cm. longa oblongo-lanceolata, subvilloso-hirsuta, 

subnitida. 

Folia integra parva alterna coriacea pet io lata. Petiolus 5-6 cm. 

longus angustus sed robustus basi apiceque subite incrassatus 

breviter denseque hirsutus patulus. Lamina ovato-acuminata basi 

obtuse cuneata apice breviter cuspidata, 8-12 cm. longa, 4-6.5 cm. 

lata, margine brevissime sinuata vel conspectu integra; supra viridis, 

in sicco viridi-grisea, scabra pilis cornicis acutis basi callosis 

copiosis et pilis simplicibus tenuis longioribus sparsissimis munita, 

costa conspicua hirsutula, nervis secundariis ascendentibus minus 

conspicuis, tertiariis obsoletis; subtus costa crassiuscule eminent! 

subsericeo-hirsuta, nervis secundariis 6-7 utroque latere ascendentibus 

angulo acuto prominentibus subsericeo-hirsutis submarginem 

angustioribus arcuato-anastomosatis, venulis transversis crebris 

prominulis subsericeis cum alteris venulis tenuioribus obsoletum 

reticulum formantibus, costa nervis venulisque subsericeo-hirsutis 

inter hos reliqua superficie pilis tenuibus arachnoideis tomentum 

cinereum formantibus tecta. 

Inflorescentiae femineae cymosae ad terminationes ramorum axillares 

longe pedunculatae pauciflorae. Pedunculi graciles sed ridigi 

dense hirsuti 4-5 cm. longi. Saepe 3 ramulis centrale unifloro lateralibus 

5-15 mm. longis crassiusculis hirsutis 3-4 flores ferentibus. 

Pedicelli crassi hirsuti breves 2 mm. longi. Perianthium femineum 

ova to-elliptic urn utriculosum 4 mm. longum, dense velutinum. Stigma 

peltato capitatum tomentosum. Capsula ovata apice acuta circa 12 

mm. longa, et 6 mm. lata, pericarpio coriaceo-lignoso, perianthio 

carnoso griseo-viridi eduli inclusa. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in the lower southfacing 

slopes of Mount Ptari-tepuf between Rio Karuai and first ridge 

above Rib Karuai, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 m., November 28, 1944, 

Julian A. Steyermark 60665, "tree 40 feet tall, leaves firmly membranaceous, 

deep green above, ,gray below, fruit gray green, edible". 

Local name: 

"caibari-cai-yek". 

This new species is well characterized by its small, entire, thinly 

coriaceous leaves which are cuneate at the base and acuminate at the 

apex; they are rough, scabrous on the upper side and cinereous beneath. 

P ourouma Steyermarkii is similar to P. Mildbraediana St. and 

P. umbellate St. of the Amazonian basin, but the above eked characters 

differentiate it from them. P ourouma Mildbraediana has larger, 

thicker, stronger nerved leaves which are cordate or rotundate at the 

base, and P. umbellata has smooth leaves on the upper side, which 

are larger and thicker with more numerous, a cute angled, and stronger, 

sericeous nerves beneath. 

Pourouma Cucura Standley and Cuatr., sp. nov. 

Arbor mediocris. 

Caulis 30 cm. diam. cortice badi vel grisei, sub-


laevi, ligno pallldo. Ramuli terminal! subteretes internodiis brevibus 

dense hispidis pilis longis rigidis patentibus siccitate flavis copiose 

obtectis. Folia simplicia alterna coriacea petiolata. Petiolus longus 

mediocriter robustus patulis leviter striatus copiosis pilis longis 

flavis patulis munitis, basi subite incrassatus, 4.5-8 cm. longus. 

Lamina ovata basi rotundata vel subtruncata vel obtusissime cuneata, 

apice late obtusa, margine leviter repando-crenata, 10-15 cm. longa, 

6.5-11.5 cm. lata, supra pallide viridis sublaevis longis pilis tenuis 

rectis basi minute callosulis sparsis munita, costa magis villosa et 

nervis secundariis conspicuis tertiariis obsoletis; subtus cinerea 

costa crasse elevata hirsute, nervis secundariis prominentibus 7-9 

utroque latere ascendentibus angulo acuto flavo-hirsutis prope marginem 

tenuioribus arcuatis anastomosatis, venulis transversis copiosis 

prominulis cum alteris tenuioribus in reticulo anastomosatis, pilos 

longos rigidos sparsos ferentibus et dense tomento lanato-araneoso 

reliquam laminam obtecto velatis. Stipulae subcoriaceae 3.5 cm. 

longa obtusiusculae densissime hirsuta. 

Inflorescentiae femineae paniculatae pluriforae axillares ad terminationes 

ramorum quam folia valde breviores. Pedunculus 4.5 cm. 

longus rigidus rectis patentibus dense longis sime hispid us. Ramuli 

1.5-5 mm. longi crassiusculi plus minusve flexuosi hirtuli. Pedicelli 

breviter hirsutuli crassiusculi recti vel arcuati, 2-4 mm. longi. 

Perianth ium femineum ovatum utriculosum breviter hirsutulum. Stigma 

capitatum tomentulosum subsessile. Capsula ovato-elliptica apice 

obtusa circa 9-10 mm. longa, 5-6 mm. lata, pericarpio coriaceolignoso, 

perianthio carnoso nigrescenti sapido inclusa. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected at Capihuara Casiquiare, 

Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 118 m., May 6, 1942, 

Llewelyn Williams 15812, "nom. vulg. Cucura. Arbol de tamano 

mediano o moderadamento alto con corona abierta; el tronco con 

varias raices superficiales o adventicias y el tronco cilindrico, 

erecto, 30 cm. diam., sin ramas por la mitad de la altura; la corteza 

de color castanb claro o grisaceo, algo lisa y el liber Colorado a 

obscuro; la madera tambie'n de color claro, moderadamente blanda y 

facil de cortar, el fruto ovoideo, de color oscuro, casi negro, contiene 

una pulpa comible y de sabor dulce; el liber exsuda resina de color 

oscuro o negruzco; hojas de color verde pa lido tirando a gris por 

debajo; en la selva de tierra firme en los chiquichiquiales". 

Pourouma Cucura is a well marked species distinguished chiefly 

by its long shaggy branchlets, petioles, and inflorescences. 

Coussapoa Steyermarkii Cuatr., sp. nov. 

Arbor epiphytica trunco circa 30 cm. diam. Ramuli brunnei-grisei 

juveniles dense tomentoso ferrugineo-hirsuti. 

Folia simplicia Integra alterna petiolata crasse coriacea. Petiolus 

robustus 10-15 mm. longus dense hirsutus, supra planiusculus subtus 

striatus apice subarticulatus. Lamina obovata basi obtuse cuneata


apice obtusa vel rotundata margine laevis leviter revoluta, 4.5-9 cm. 

longa, 2.8-6.5 cm. lata; supra atro-viridis nitida, siccitate ochraceoviridula 

opaca, nervis raedio secundariisque argute impressis reliquis 

obsoletis; subtus luteolo-viridis nervis ferrugineis, in sicco ochraceo-ferruginea, 

nervo medio secundariisque 3-4 utroque latere, acute 

ascendentibus prope marginem arcuato anastomosatis valde crasse 

prominentibus, subsericeo-hirsutis ferrugineis, nervulis trans vers is 

satis crebris horizontalibus valde elevatis cum venulis minus prominulis 

reticulato-anastomosatis, copies is pilis longis simplicibus vel 

furcatis plus minusve patentibus et intricatis tecta. Stipula crassiuscula, 

acutiuscula 10 mm. longe densissime subsericeo-hirsuta. 

Inflorescentiae femineae 1-2-cephalae axillares, pedunculo 10-12 

mm. longo. Capitulis ad 4 mm. diametro globosis. Perianthium 

obovoideo-angulatum glabrum. Semina nitida. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on the southeastfacing 

slopes of Mount Ptari-tepui, state of Bolivar, ak. 1585-1600 

m., November 10-11, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60002a, "warembayek. 

Epiphytic tree with trunk 1 foot in diameter growing attached to 

trunk of 59999; leaves coriaceous, dark green and shining above with 

sulcate nerves, yellow green below with ferruginous nerves prominent 

below; stems, buds, petioles, and rachis ferruginous; flowers 

greenish." 

Number 60679 collected at Rio Karuai, 1220 m., alt., is sterile and 

probably represents the same species in spite of its leaves rotundate 

at the base. 

Number 60364 of Santa Teresita de Kavanayen is another form with 

larger and acute leaves, but also sterile. 

This species is typified by the hirsute-ferruginous branchlets and 

petioles and by its thick, coriaceous leaves which are hirsuteferruginous 

below. 

Coussapoa viridifolia Cuatr., sp. nov. 

Kami cortice griseo rugoso, valde juve- 

Arbor parva, 8 met. alta. 

niles ferrugineo-hirsuti. 

Folia simplicia Integra alterna petiolata coriacea. Petiolus 10-22 

mm. longus, rigidus pubescens subtus leviter striatus supra sulcatus. 

Lamina obovato-oblonga basi paulo angustata obtusissima, apice 

obtusa vel rotundata, margine laevis plana vel, in sicco, leviter revoluta, 

6-9 cm. longa, 3-5 cm. lata; supra viridis glabra, siccitate 

tabacinea, nervis medio secundariisque leviter impressis reliquis 

nervulis minutum reticulum prominulum formantibus; subtus costa 

crasse elevata, nervis secundariis prominentibus 5 utroque latere, 

angulo acuto ascendentibus prope marginem tenuioribus arcuatoanastomosatis, 

nervulis transversis prominulis, venulis minus 

elevatis reticulum minutum gracilem formantibus, nervs parce pubescentibus 

reliqua glabra. Stipulae breves villoso-hirsutae 4-7 

mm. longae.


Inflorescentiae masculae axillares subterminales cymoso-paniculatae 

2.5-4 cm. longae pluriflorae, pedunculis tenuibus rigidis paculis 

15-25 mm. longis tomentuloso-puberuli, ramulis elongatis brachiatis 

graciles saepe 2-fvircatis, 8-5 mm. longis, coraentellis. Pedicelli 2-7 

mm. longi graciles tomentelli. Capitula globosa 2.5-3 mm. diam. 

fulva. Sepala facie glabra margine ciliata. Antherae maturicate 

subezsertae. 

Type in herb. ChL Nat. Hist. Mus., collected along mesa escarpment 

between Santa Teresita de Kavanaye'n and wooded quebrada 

about 8 kms. northwest of Kavanayen, alt. 1220 m. f November 23, 

1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60456, "small tree 25 feet tall; leaves 

subcoriaceous, rich deep green above, pale green below; flowers 

buff-brownish, sap slightly milky". 

This species is well characterized by its small obovate-oblong, 

subcoriaceous leaves which are obtuse at both ends, and glabrous 

except on the slightly hirtellous principal nerves beneath. 

The most similar species, C. orthoneura St., and C, cuneata Miq., 

have thicker, larger, more or less acuminate leaves, not reticulate 

nerved; in this last species the male capitules are smaller too. 

Coussapoa viridifolia var. 

tenuifolia Cuatr., var. nov. 

Lamina foliorum membranacea obovato-oblonga basi obtusa apice 

rotundata breviter emarginata, 4-8 cm. longa, 2-4 cm. lata pallide 

viridis, nervis principalibus subtus parce hirtulis reliqua glabra, non 

elevato-reticulata. 

Inflorescentiae femineae cymulis 1-2-cephalis, pedunculis 6-10 

mm. longis, capitulis 2 mm. lads, perianthio glabro, stigmate penicillati 

exserto. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on Cerro Duida, on 

the southeastern-facing slopes along Cano Negro (tributary of Cano 

Iguapo), alt. 305-1095 m., August 25-26, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

57955, "tree 40 feet tall; leaves firmly membranaceous, pale grass 

green above, pale green below; inflorescence pale green*'. 

This variety of C. viridifolia substantially differs by its slightly 

smaller, more slender leaves which do not have an elevated venosereticulum, 

and by the shorter inflorescences; these, being feminine, 

cannot be compared with those of the typical species. 

Coussapoa Williams!! Cuatr., sp. nov. 

Arbor parva terrestris vel epiphytica. Ramuli subteretes virides, 

in sicco brunnescenti. 

Folia simplicia integra alterna petiolata coriacea. Petiolus 3*5-5 

cm. longus glaber striatus. Lamina subobovato-oblonga basi attenuata 

obtusa apice angustata cuspidata, margine levissime crenatosinuata 

vel laevis leviter revoluta, 10-13 cm. longa, 4-7 cm. lata; 

supra in sicco luteolo-viridula vel brunnescens, glabra costa promi-


nula nervis secundariis notatis, superficie minutissime rugulosoreticulata 

punctate depressa vel adultioribus sublaevi; subtus costa 

crassa elevata striata parce puberula, nervis secundariis 5-7 utroque 

latere prominentibus ascendentibus ad marginem curvato anastomosatis, 

parce puberulis vel in adultis glabris, nervulis transversis 

subimmersis depressis tenuiter conspicuis inter eos venulis minutum 

reticulum subtus microscopium visibilera formantibus , epiderrao inter 

lineas reticulorum minute bullato-elevato et praecipue in statu juvenile 

minutissime hirtula adultiore glabra. Stipulae cylindraceolanceolatae 

2.5 cm. longae acutae pubescentes. 

Inflorescentiae masculae cymoso-paniculatae pluriflorae, axillares 

subterminales 3-4 mm. longae, pedunculo tenui puberulo ramulis 

divaricatis plus minusve flexuosis puberulis vel tomentellis, pedicellis 

teneribus 1-4 mm. longis. Capitula subglobosa 2-3 mm. lata. 

Perianthium glabrescente apice minute sparseque puberulum. Antherae 

subexsertae. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in the Upper Orinoco 

river at Esmeralda, Territorio Federal Amazonas, alt. 143 m., May 

14, 1942, Llewelyn Williams 15240 & 15363. 

Closely related to C. cuneata Miq., which has thicker, coriaceous 

leaves, toraentulose or arachnoid beneath, smaller male capitules, 

longer pedicels, and long exserted anthers. Coussapoa cornifolia 

Standl. has the under side of the ovate acute leaves tomentulose, 

somewhat smaller capitules, and exserted anthers. Coussapoa 

orthoneura Standl. has more acute ascending nerves of the leaves, 

smaller male capitules, and different structure of the epidermis of 

the lower side of the leaf, which is more or less tomentulose and 

arachnoid, although in the old state can be nearly glabrous, but, by 

means of a microscope, the epidermis is seen to consist of minute 

spreading hairs with rather depressed alveoles between the reticulum. 

The more lanceolate stipules, which are only slightly pubescent, 

differentiate C.Williamsii from the above cited species. 

Pseudolmedia rigida (Kl. & Karst.) Cuatr., comb. nov. 

Olmedia rig id a Klotsch & Karsten. Linnaea 20: 524. 1847. 

MONAGAS: forested southwest-facing slopes of Cerro Negro, 

above La Sabana de las Piedras, northwest of Caripe, alt. 1500 m., 

April 5, 1945, Julian A Steyermark 61846, "tree 80 feet tall; wood 

very hard; latex creamy-yellow; leaves chartaceous-subcoriaceous, 

dark green and shining above, dull green below". ANZOATEGUI: 

forested slopes of Montana de las Palomas, tributary of Rio Never/, 

between "Carmelita" and "Natalia", northeast of Bergantin, alt. 

900-1000 m., March 23, 1945, Steyermark 61447, "tree 25 feet tall; 

leaves chartaceous-firmly membra naceous, dark green above, dull 

green below; flowers dull green". Headwaters of Rio Maravilla, 

slopes of Fila Grande between Los Chorros and Cerro Negro, east of 

Bergantin, alt. 900-1400 m., March 23, 1945, Steyermark 61714, "tree


30 feet tall, slender with oblong shape; leaves firmly membranaceouschartaceous, 

deep green above, dull pale green below". 

Local name: 

"chara". 

Pile a venosa Killip, nom. nov. 

URTICACEAE 15 

Pilea succulenta Wedd. Arch. Mus. Hist. Nat. [jParis ] 9: 256. 

1856, not Hook, f., 1847. 

MoNAGAS: Cerro de la Cueva de Dona Anita, valley of Caripe, alt. 

1100 m., Julian A. Steyermark 61896. ANZOATEGUI: confluence of 

Rio Leon with Ri'o Zumbador, northeast of Berganti'n, alt. 400-500 m., 

Steyermark 61215 ("guritoto Colorado"). 

This species was based upon Funck's 145, and in my revision of 

the Andean species of Pilea (Contr. U.S. Nat. Herb. 26: 509. 1939) 

was tentatively treated as a synonym of P. mollis Wedd., a plant of 

north-central Venezuela. The type locality was given by Weddell as 

"In terras caracasanis, prope Gucharosa" in the "Archives" and as 

"In ditione Caracas, prope Guacharos" in DC. Prodromus 16, pt. 1: 

150. In all probability this is Guacharo, situated in Monagas, between 

the Cerro Turumiquire and Caripe. Steyermark's material 

shows that this species is clearly distinct from P. mollis. The 

stipules are larger and more persistent than in P. mollis; the cystoliths, 

though slenderer, are far more numerous; and the pedicels of 

the staminate flowers are proportionately shorter. 

15 

By E. P. Killip


PROTEACEAE 

Euplassa Glaziovii (Mez) Steyerm., comb. nov. 

Adenostephanus Glaziovii Mez, in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. 30, Beibl. 27: 

10. 1890. 

Euplassa obversiflora (Mez) Steyerm., comb. nov. 

Adenostephanus obversiflorus Mez, in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. 30, Beibl. 

27: 9-10. 1890. 

Euplassa saxicola (Schultes) Steyerm., comb. nov. 

Roupala saxicola Schultes, Leafl. Bot. Mus. Harv. Univ. 13: no. 

10: 300-301. 1949. 

The pinnately compound alternate leaves with opposite leaflets, 

and the flower structure definitely place this in the genus Euplassa. 

Euplassa venezuelana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Arbor 9 m. alta; ramulis tenuiter adpresso-pubescentibus; petiolis 

cum rhachibus 17-19 cm. longis, adpresso-fulvo-pubescentibus; 

foliolis 2-4-jugis, oppositis, coriaceis, ovali-oblongis vel obovatis, 

basi obtusis, apice tenuiter vel profunde obcordatis vel emarginatis, 

integerrimis, supra nitidis glabris grosse reticulatis, subtus pal lid o- 

viridibus parce minute adpresso-pilosulis tenuiter reticulatis, pilis 

pallidis, 5.5-10 cm. longis, 3.5-6 cm. latis; petiolulis 9-10 mm. 

longis, adpresso-fulvo-pubescentibus; racemis terminalibus et axillaribus 

simplicibus, 15-25 cm. longis, 2-3 mm. crassis, rhachi dense 

adpresso-ferrugineo-tomentosis; pedicellis 1.5-3 mm. longis, dense 

adpresso-ferrugineo-tomentulosis; calyce subirregulari subclavatocylindrico 

curvato; sepalis 4 apice concavo staminiferis, 9-11 mm. 

longis, extus parce adpresso-fulvo-tomentulosis, intus glabris; a heris 

subsessilibus ovatis, 1.8-2 mm. longis; glandulis hypogynis 

connatis, marginibus paullo lobatis vel undulatis, 1.5 mm. altis, 

glabris, uno latere lobato profundiori; ovario parce tomentoso, 2.5 

mm. longo, ad glandulam adnato; stylo erecto robusto glabro, 4-5 mm. 

longo; stigmate clavato compresso 2 mm. longo (Fig. 42, a-b-c). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected along Rio Karuai, 

northwest of Santa Teresita de Kavanaye'n, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220 

m., November 30, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60824, "tree 30 feet 

tall; leaves coriaceous, deep green and shining above, pale green 

below; rachis and peduncle ferruginous-brown; corolla buds brownish 

or olive green without". 

This species is related to E. Glaziovii (Mez) Steyerm. and E. 

obversiflora (Mez) Steyerm. From the former it differs in having 4 

pairs of leaflets deeply emarginate at apex, the lower leaf surface 

pilosulous instead of glabrous, and the relatively shorter pedicels in 

proportion to the length of the flowers. From the latter, E. venezuelana 

differs in the more densely ferruginous appressed tomentum


of the rachis of the petiole, peduncles, and branchlets, and the entire 

margins of the leaflets. 

Panopsis pUriana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Frutex 1.1-1.8 m. alms; ramulis junioribus cum petiolis parce 

FIGURE 42 

A, Euplassa venezuelana. Pistil (X 5)", B, Euplassa venezuelana. 

Perianth segment, ventral view, showing anther (X 5); C, Euplassa 

venezuelana. Single flower, unopened (X 5); D, Phthirusa ptariana. 

Petal with attached stamen, lateral view (X 3); E, Phthirusa ptariana. 

Petal with attached stamen, ventral view (X 3); F, Phthirusa 

ptariana. Petal with attached stamen, ventral view, filament more 

elongate (X 3>, G, Ranunculus limoselloides. Petal (X 4); H, Ranunculus 

limoselloides. Sepal (X 4); I, Ranunculus limoselloides. 

Achene (X 3 ).


addresso-pilosulis; foliis oppositis subcoriaceis subtus pallidoviridibus 

in sicco flavido-vel olivaceo-viridibus utrinque prominente 

pulchre areolatp-reticulatis obovato-oblongis basi obtusis apice 

rotundatis, laminis 4-6 cm. long is, 1.7-3 cm. latis, specie glabris sed 

cum microscope pilis pallidis adpressis obtectis, petiolis 2-3 mm. 

longis parce adpresso-pilosulis; racemis terminalibus 3-fasciculatis 

simplicibus 4-6 cm. longis, 12-15 mm. latis; rhachi 4-6 cm. longo, 

ferrugineo-tomentoso; pedicellis divaricate patentibus 4-5 mm. longis, 

ferrugineo-pubescentibus; sepalis 4.5-5 mm. longis planis revolutis 

intus glabris extus pilosulis ferrugineis; filamentis 3.5-4 mm. longis 

glabris sepalis brevioribus; squamulis hypogynis 0.6-0.7 mm. longis 

in urceolum quadridentatum connatis, dentibus 0.2 mm. longis; ovario 

ovato superne angustato ferrugineo-hksutulo; stylo et stigmate 

flavido. 



plateau-portion of southeast-facing slopes, Ptari-tepuf, state of 

Bolivar, alt. 1600 m., November 1, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59677, 

"shrub 4-6 feet tall; leaves subcoriaceous, deep green above, pale 

green below, areolate-reticulate-veined; pedicels and calyx and ovary 

ferruginous; style and stigma yellow". 

This species is closely related to P. multiflora (Schott) Taub. 

(Andripetalum multiflorum Schott and Andripetalum reticulatum Pohl), 

but differs from that in having more slender, unbranched racemes with 

simple or temate peduncles, shorter, more rigidly divaricate-spreading 

pedicels, more finely areolate-reticulate and paler green leaves, 

hairs on the ovary longer, hairs on the leaf surface longer and of a 

paler buff color instead of white, and in the hypogynous squaraellae, 

which in P. multiflora have longer teeth 0.5 mm. long and longer 

glands 0.9-1 mm. long. 

Panopsis tepuiana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Arbor 19-22 m. aha; ramulis novellis ferrugineo-tomentellis; foliis 

alternatis vel oppositis coriaceis, supra nitidis viridibus, adultis 

subtus pallidioribus, junioribus subtus pallido-ferrugineis, oblanceolatis 

vel elliptico-oblanceolatis, basi angustatis, apice subobtusis 

apiculatis, supra minute reticulatis, subtus tenuiter reticulatis et 

dense minute rubentibus vel ferrugineo-pilosulis ad nervum medium 

praecipue, laminis 8.5-15 cm. longis, 2-5 cm. latis; petiolis 8-15 mm. 

longis, rubentibus vel ferrugineo-tomentellis; racemis terminalibus 

simplicibus vel ramosis, 6.5-8 cm. longis, dense ferrugineo-tomentosis; 

pedicellis 1.5-3 mm. longis dense rubentibus vel ferrugineotomentosis; 

sepalis rubentibus linear i-spatulatis obtusis recurvatis 

intus glabris extus ferrugineo-tomentosis, 3.5-5 mm. longis, 0.5 mm. 

latis; antheris oblongis abrupte appendiculatis; filamentis plerumque 

liberis, parte liberi 1.5-2 mm. longo, glabris; squamellis hypogynis 

0.5 mm. altis, tenuiter lobatis rotato-connatis; ovario dense ferrugineo-hirsutulo; 

stylo glabro erecto, 2-2.2 mm. longo; stigmate 

clavato.


Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on southeast-facing 

slopes, Ptari-tepui, state of Bolivar, alt. 1585-1600 m., November 

10-11, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59988 (2 sheets), "tree 60-70 feet 

tall; leaves coriaceous, deep green and shining above, dull paler 

green below on older leaves, pale ferruginous below on young leaves; 

rachis, pedicels, and sepals orange-ferruginous; petals recurved, 

creamy-yellowish within; style and stigma pale green; fruit edible". 

Local name: 

This species is 

"para-raa-yek". 

similar to P. rubescens (Schott) Ducke, from which 

it differs in the shorter inflorescence, shorter pedicels, more densely 

ferruginous tomentum of the stems, flowers, and lower leaf surface, 

shorter styles, and in the hypogynous gland which is shorter and not 

4-dentate. 

Roupala minima Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Frutex 0.8-1.1 m. altus; ramis solitariis infra simplicibus glabris; 

foliis adscendentibus, utrinque caeruleo-viridibus, coriaceis subsessilibus 

elliptico-oblongis vel suborbicularibus, basi angustatis 

vel rotundatis, apice obtusis vel rotundatis, integerrimis, marginibus 

incrassatis, omnino glabris, subtus nervo medio et nervis lateralibus 

paullo prominentibus vel inconspicuis, supra plus minus ve inconspicuis, 

laminis 13-30 mm. longis, 7-25 mm. lads; petiolis glabris, 

1-2 mm. longis, racemis axillaribus vel terminalibus solitariis simplicibus, 

5.5-9 cm. longis; rhachi glabro; floribus juvenilibus extus 

glabris; bracteis ovato-triangularibus subito longe attenuatis glabris, 

1 ram. longis, 1 mm. latis; pedicellis glabris divaricate patentibus 1-3 

mm. longis; ovario glabro; stylo tenui glabro in fructu ad 4 mm. longo; 

folliculis (maturis) coriaceis oblique oblongo-ellipticis basi substipitatis 

vel prominente attenuatis 20-28 mm. longis, 8-10 mm. latis. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in savana, vicinity 

of "Misia Kathy Camp", on mesa between Ptari-tepui and Sororopa'ntepui, 

state of Bolivar, alt. 1615 m., November 15-17, 1944, Julian A. 

Steyermark 60234 (2 sheets), "shrub, single-stemmed, 2-4 feet tall; 

leaves ascending, coriaceous, blue-green both sides; rachis bluegreen". 

An unusually well-marked species, characterized by the low 

stature and stems simple and unbranched for three-fourths their 

length, and by the markedly small, crowded, ascending leaves, all of 

which combined impart a peculiar aspect to the plant. 

Roupala sororopana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Frutex 1.2 m. altus; ramis in stato sicco purpureis glabris vel 

furfuraceis; foliis alternates coriaceis supra glabris viridibus, subtus 

furfuraceis femigineo-suffusis (in sicco specie purpureis) glabrescentibus 

elliptico- vel ovato-oblongis basi obtusis, apice obtusis vel 

rotundatis, larainis 6-11.5 cm. longis, 2.5-7 cm. latis; petiolis 1.5-3 

cm. longis, ferrugineo-furfuraceis (in sicco purpureis) obtectis vel


glabris; racemis axillaribus simplicibus 12.5-13 cm. longis, 1-2 mm. 

latis, rhachi minute ferrugineo vel partim glabrato; pedicellis patent!- 

bus 2.5-4 mm. longis, ferrugineo-tomentosis; sepalis 7-9 mm. longis, 

extus minute furfuraceis; staminibus 4; antheris lineari-oblongis 3 

mm. longis cum appendiculo rotundato; filamentis 3/4 longitudine ad 

calycem adnatis, in parte superiori quadrans liberis, pane liberi 1 

mm. longo; squamellis hypogynis 4 suborbicularibus, 0.2-0.3 mm. 

longis; ovario breviter ferrugineo-hirsutulo, 1.5-1.6 mm. longo; stylo 

erecto glabro, 4.6 mm. longo; stigmate clavato parum incrassato. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on rocky hematite 

exposures at west end, on summit, Sororopa'n-tepui, state of Bolivar, 

alt. 2225-2255 m., November 13, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 60089. 

This is related to R. obtusata Kl. of Brazil and British Guiana, 

from which it 

may be distinguished by the tomentose pedicels and 

rachis of the inflorescence, the ferruginous scurfy tomentum on the 

lower leaf surface, as well as on some of the stems, petioles, and 

larger flowers. 

LORANTHACEAE 

Gaiodendron punctatum (Ruiz & Pavon) G. Don, var. puracense 

(H.B.K.) Steyermark, comb. nov. 

Loranthus puracensis H.B.K. Nov. Gen. & Sp. 3: 437. 1820; 

Gaiodendron puracensis (H.B.K.) G. Don, Gen. Syst. 3: 432. 1834. 

In his Flora of Peru, vol. 13, part II, no. 2, p. 397, Macbride states 

for G. puracense, "Perhaps only a variety of G. punctatum, but 

slenderer and smaller in all its parts". 

I am in agreement with this 

statement, and therefore a reduction of this entity to varietal rank is 

necessary. 

Knuth (Ink. Fl. Venez., in Rep. Sp. Nov. Veg. 43: 301. 1928) 

refers an Vie collection from Roraima to G. punctatum, but it is 

probable that it belongs to this variety puracense which the present 

author collected on Ptari-tepuf in the same general region. Pittier et 

al in the Catalogo de la Flora Venezolana, vol. 1, p. 268, under 

G. punctatum, state that "el material que poseemos en el herbario 

bajo esto nombre, parece ser referible a la siguiente especie" (G, 

Tagua). Thus, outside of the Vie collection above cited, the following 

collection is the only Venezuelan material with deep yellow 

flowers that can be referred correctly to the G. punctatum group: 

"Growing 35 feet up on bluffs, along base of south-facing high sandstone 

bluffs, Ptari-tepui, state of Bolivar, alt. 2410 m., November 6, 

1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59912, flowers very fragrant, like exotic 

perfume; floral buds orange-yellow; style, filaments, and petals deep 

yellow, calyx pale green; leaves coriaceous or subcoriaceous, deep 

green above, pale green below; petals recurved in upper half; shrub 

3 feet tall".


Phoradendron karuaianum Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Frutex paras 

it icus furcatus, ramis oppositis pseud odichotomis vel 

cymosis teretibus, ad omnes nodos cataphyllis suffultis; internodiis 

3-4 cm. longis; cataphyllis late deltoideo-triangularibus supra nodos 

0.5-2 cm. insertis; foliis oppositis paullo falcatis vel symmetricis 

la nee ola to-elliptic is vel elliptico-ovatis basim versus et ad apicem 

sensim attenuatis, laminis 5-8 cm. longis, 1-3.5 cm. latis, in stato 

sicco minute ruguloso-verruculosis, palmatim 3-nervosis basinerviis; 

nervis inconspicuis non elevatis; petiolis 2-4 mm. longis alatis; 

spicis axillaribus ad nodos plerumque solitariis tenuibus 2-3 cm. 

longis, 1.5-2 mm. crassis cataphyllorum, jugis 3 et articulis 3 tenuibus 

gerentibus; pedunculis 2-3 mm. longis; articulis 3 et 5-8 mm. 

longis, 12-16-floris, prophyllis superne minute papillatis; floribus 

2-seriatis: masculis minoribus, in diametro 1-1.1 mm. ad quoquem 

articulura infra flores foe rain ineas; foemineis raajoribus, in diametro 

1.5-1.7 mm.; baccis oblongis laevibus 4 mm. longis, 2.5 mm. latis. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in dense forest at 

base of Cerro along Rio Karuai, Ptari-tepuT, state of Bolivar, alt. 


Local name: 

"atapi". 

This is an exceptional species, belonging to the Dichotomae 

group, and apparently related to P laxiflorum Ule of Amazonas, 

Brazil, from which it differs in its thicker, longer, less-pointed 

leaves and more densely-flowered spikes. From P. Jenmani Trel. it 

differs in the pointed leaves and more densely many-flowered 

spikes. Furthermore, from some members of section Chrysocarpae it 

differs from P. haitense Urban in the broader, shorter blades, oblong 

fruits, and more densely-flowered spikes. 

It is well characterized 

by the combination of densely-flowered slender spikes, the flowers in 

two ranks, the oblong fruits, and the palmate ly-nerved thickish 

leaves. 

Phoradendron ptarianum Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Frutez parasiticus, ramis oppositis dichotomis teretibus dioicis; 

cataphyllis tantum ad nodos basales ramulorum 1-jugis sterilibus late 

deltoideo-triangularibus, 1.5 mm. longis, supra nodos 1.5-4 cm. insertis; 

foliis oppositis crasso-coriaceis paullo falcatis ellipticolanceolatis 

vel oblanceolato-oblongis basi angustatis, apice rotundatis 

vel obtusis, laminis 7-10 cm. longis, 1.5-4 cm. latis, in sicco 

minute ruguloso-verruculosis aereo- vel olivaceo-viridibus, marginibus 

plerumque albicantibus, penninerviis, nervis lateralibus inconspicuis; 

petiolis 12-25 mm. longis; spicis axillaribus ad nodos 

nonnullis olivaceo-viridibus, 1.2 cm. longis, 2-2.5 mm. crassis, cataphyllorum 

jugis 3-4 et articulis 4-5 gerentibus; pedunculis 2-3 mm. 

longis; articulis 4-5 et 5-6 mm. longis, 3 mm. latis, clavatis, 24-30- 

floris, floribus masculis (tantum visis) verticillatis 6-seriatis trimeris.


Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on forested southfacing 

slopes overlying sandstone, on "Cave Rock" above "Cave 

Camp", Ptari-tepui, state of Bolivar, alt. 1810 m., October 29, 1944, 

Julian A t 

Steyermark 59483, "parasite on shrub; leaves coriaceous, 

bronze to olive green both sides; spikes or rachis dull olive green; 

stem terete, dull green". 

From P. undulatum (Pohl) Eichler this species differs in its dioecious 

habit, longer petioles, prevailingly obtuse blades, and in the 

minutely papillate or suberose, instead of ciliolate, margins of the 

cataphylls. From P. Uleanum Steyerm. (P. macrophyllum Ule, not 

Cockerell)* of Mount Roraima, it differs in the obtuse, usually narrower 

blades, longer petioles, and crowded staminate flower spikes. 

Phoradendron tepuianum Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Frutex parasiticus furcatus, ramis oppositis dichotomis teretibus 

dioicis; internodiis 4-7 cm. longis; cataphyllis tantum ad nodos 

basales ramulorum 1- jugis sterilibus late deltoideo-triangularibus, 

1 mm. longis, supra nodos 9-12 mm. insert is; foliis oppositis crassocoriaceis 

late obovatis vel elliptic o-obovatis basi subito attenuatis, 

apice rotundatis, laminis 3-6 cm. longis, 3-5 cm. latis, in sicco 

minute ruguloso-verruculosis aereo-olivaceo-viridibus novellis apicalibus 

leviter penninerviis adultis costa tantum basi manifesta, 

costae residuo et nervis lateralibus plerumque obsoletis; petiolis 

7-10 mm. longis; spicis axillaribus ad nodos nonnullis lutescentiviridibus 

2.5-5 cm. longis, 4-5 mm. crassis cataphyllorum jugis 4-5 

et articulis 5 gerentibus; pedunculis 1-3 mm. longis; articulis 5 et 

3-10 mm. longis, 2.5-5 mm. latis, clavatis, 10-16-floris, prophyllis 

3-4 mm. longis apice papilla to-cilio latis, floribus foemineis (tantum 

visis)4- vel 4+2-seriatis; baccis oblongo-ovoideis 5 mm. longis. 



plateau-portion of south east- facing slopes, Ptari-tepui', state of 

Bolivar, alt. 1600 m., November 1, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59688, 

"parasitic on shrubs; leaves coriaceous, bronze olive-green; rachis 

and flowers yellow-green". 

Apparently a member of section Penninerviae and related to P. 

Northropiae Urban of the Bahamas and to P. Warmingii Eichl. of 

Brazil. From the latter it differs in the terete stems and more numerous 

joints of the flowering spikes, while from the former it differs in 

the stouter, longer spikes and stouter branches. In some respects 

this new species resembles P. Macbridei Standl. of Peru, but that 

'Phoradendron Uleanum Steyermark, 

nom. nov. 

Phoradendron macrophyllum Ule, Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berl. 6: 291. 

1915, not Phoradendron macrophyllum Cockerell, Am. Nat. 34: 293. 

1900.


has only 4-seriate flowers and the leaves are smaller and of a 

different shape. 

Phthirusa adunca (Meyer) Maguire, var. orinocensis (Spreng.) Steyerm., 

comb. nov. 

Loranthus orinocensis Spreng. Syst. 2: 129. 1828; Phthirusa 

orinocensis Eichl., in Mart. Fl. Bras. 5 2 : 60. 1868. 

Phthirusa ptariana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Scandens parasiticus lignosus glaberrimus; rarnis subangulatis 

cortice in adultis cinereo; foliis coriaceis supra oliveo-viridibus 

subtus pallido-viridibus, elliptico-ovatis vel late ellipticis, basi 

angustatis vel rotundatis, apice acuminatis, 7-12 cm. longis, 2-5.5 

mm. latis, nervo medio prominenti; petiolis 1.5-2.5 cm. longis; spicis 

in paniculam terminalem dense ramosam dispositis, 3-3.5 cm. longis, 

3-3.5 cm. latis; pedunculis 3-4 mm. longis, ad 2.5 mm. crassis; floribus 

polygamo-dioicis aut hermaphroditis, 6-meris; calyce pallidoviridi 

2 mm. alto, 2 mm. lato, leviter 2-3-dentatis, dentibus deltoideis 

minutis; petalis 6, pallido-viridibus, lineari-oblongis, 7 mm. longis, 

1.5 mm. latis, intus papillosis, extus laevibus, anthesi aperte patentibus; 

staminibus 6, alternatim diversis; filamentis subalbidis superne 

liberis, pane liberi 1-1.5 mm. longa; antheris pallido-brunneis, 

late oblongis, ca. 2 mm. longis, eis staminium longiorum 

superne paullo rotundatis, staminium breviorum apiculatis; stylo 4.5 

mm. longo; bacco oblongo, 13 mm. longo, 8 mm. lato (Fig. 42, d-e-f). 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on densely forested 

steep south-facing slopes overlying sandstone, between "Cave 

Rock" and base of high sandstone bluffs, Ptari-tepui, state of 

Bolivar, alt. 2100-2285 m., October 30, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 

59549 (2 sheets), "parasitic, branching ligneous clinber; leaves 

coriaceous, olive green above, pale green below; perianth segments 

spreading horizontally in upper half, pale green; filaments whitish; 

anthers pale brown; calyx pale green". 

This species is characterized by its large petals, congested short 

inflorescences, large fruit, and long petioles. It is apparently related 

to P adunca (Meyer) Maguire. 

Phthirusa rora linens is Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Frutex parasiticus; ramis fuscis teretibus glabris lenticellosis et 

long hrors urn rimulosis; internodiis 1-2 cm. longis; foliis coriaceis 

utrinque olivaceo- aut aereo-viridibus, elliptico-oblongis vel late 

obcuneatis, basi angustatis, apice rotundatis aut subtruncatis vel 

emarginatis, saepe mucronatis, 2.5-5 cm. longis, 1-3.2 cm. latis, 

subtus nervis obsoletis, supra aut haud evidentibus aut 3-5 inconspicuis; 

petiolis 8-12 mm. longis; spicis axillaribus brevibus, 4-5 

mm. longis (fructiferis 12 mm. longis), 6-8-floris; rhachi 12 mm. longo 

et in diametro 1 mm.; bracteis brunneis ovatis 2 mm. longis, 1 mm. 

latis; floribus lacteo-lutescentibus dioicis, calyce 1.8 mm. alto, 1.8


mm. lato, glabro, 2-dentatis, dentibus late deltoideo-triangularibus, 

acutis, marginibus irregulariter undulatis vel erosis; petalis 5-6, 

lineari-oblongis, 6 mm. longis, 1 mm. latis; staminibus 5-6 alternatim 

diversis; filamentis 0.3-0.4 mm. longis, glabris prope apicem petalorura 

insertis; antheris suborbiculari-oblongis, 1 mm. longis, ad- extremitates 

utrasque rotundatis; baccis caeruleo-viridibus, oblongoovoideis, 

7 mm. longis, in diametro 5 mm. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on southwest-facing 

forested slopes between Rondo'n Camp and base of sandstone bluffs, 

Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 2040-2255 m., September 30, 

1944, Julian A. Steyermark 58943, "parasite on 58944; leaves 

coriaceous, olive green to bronze both sides; perianth creamy 

yellow"; same locality, Steyermark 58965, "fruiting plant of same 

species as 58943; fruit dull blue-green". 

This species is perhaps related to P clandestina Mart., from which 

it differs in the shape and size of the leaves, size of flowers and 

stamens, and terete rather than angulate branchlets. From the group 

to which P. micrantha Eichl. belongs, it differs in its 5-6-merous, 

instead of 4-merous, flowers, while from P guyanensis (Kl.) Eich. it 

may be distinguished by the glabrous branchlets, and non-furfuraceous 

leaves and branches. 

SANTALACEAE 

Thesium tepuiense Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Herba annua, 25-30 cm. alta; caulibus simplicibus vel infeme 

raraosis, ramis paucis angulosis rigidis, in diametro 1.5-2 mm.; foliis 

ovato-lanceolatis, acuminatis, adpressis, minutis, ad 2 mm. longis; 

spicis congestis simplicibus, bifurcatis, vel cymoso-paniculatis dispositis; 

floribus luteo-albidis, proximis, congestis, sessilibus; 

bracteis et bracteolis ovatis acuminatis, ad margines inferiores 

minute denticulatis, 1.5 mm. longis; perigonio in anthesi subcylindrico, 

3.8-3.9 mm. longo, tubo 1.8-1.9 mm. longo ovoideo angulato, 

laciniis 5 anguste oblongis vel lineari-oblongis, obtusis, 2 mm. 

longis, 0.5 mm. latis, margine inflexo, apice subcucullato, minute 

obtuse appendiculato, intus et ad margines pubescentibus, pilis 

papillatis brevibus et longis; staminibus 5 laciniis oppositis, filamentis 

ca. 1 mm. longis, subulatis arete adpressis quam antheris 

paullo longioribus; antheris ovato-oblongis vel ovatis, 0.5 mm. longis; 

ovario in fundo tubi globoso; stylo quara perigonio paullo breviori; 

stigmate capitate obtuso simplice; nuce ovoidea, 3.5 mm. longa, 2.25 

mm. lata, angulatis, nerviis 5-9 validis, nervulis obliquis transversisque. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on savanna, vicinity 

of "Misia Kathy Camp", on mesa between Ptari-tepui' and Sororopa'ntepui, 

state of Bolivar, alt. 1615 m., November 15-17, 1944, Julian A. 

Steyermark 60237.


This remarkable species is the first of the family Santalaceae to 

be discovered in the area of the table-mountains of Venezuela. In 

its annual habit it resembles T, bras Hie nse DC., but differs from that 

species in its more robust, but shorter, simple or sparsely branched 

angulate stems, closely crowded inflorescences with larger, more 

conspicuous bracts, and somewhat larger fruits. From the only other 

known South American species T. aphyllum Mart., it is at once distinguished 

by the annual roots, smaller flowers with shorter perianth 

lobes, and smaller fruits. 

CARYOPHYLLACEAE 

Arenaria venezuelana Briq. Ann. Conserv. Jard. Bot. Geneve XIII and 

XIV: 383. 1911. 

This name must replace A. humifusa Linden & Planch., 1863, not 

Wahlenberg, 1812. Arenaria humifusa Lind. & PI., even if considered 

to have been effectively published (See Sprague in Kew Bull. 1926: 

32-44. 1926), still remains a later homonym, and cannot be used, 

since it is antedated by Arenaria humifusa Wahlenberg, Fl. Lapp. 

129. 1812. This latter name was legitimately published, and is discussed 

by Nordhagen in Bergens Museum Arb. 1: 24. 1935. 

In publishing his A. venezuelana, Briquet uses the same type 

number (Linden 393) as was used by Linden & Planch, for their A 

humifusa. If Briquet had been aware of this situation, one would 

have supposed that he would have mentioned something about his 

species replacing that of Linden & Planch. Typical A, venezuelana 

has elongated stems with the leaves either all linear-lanceolate and 

crowded, or these mixed with broader elliptical-lanceolate ones. It 

varies in pubescence of stems, leaves, sepals, length and width of 

leaves, and in length of internodes. 

The extreme depressed cespitose form of this species is Arenaria 

venezuelana, forma jahnii (Blake) Steyermark, comb. nov. 

Arenaria humifusa B Linden & Planchon, Trois. Voy. Linden 1: 

35. 1863; Arenaria Jahnii Blake, Contr. U.S. Nat. Herb. 20: 35. 1863. 

In die Catalogo Flora Venezolana, vol. 1, p. 294, Pittier publishes 

A. humifusa var. nana Lind & Planch., but actually this name was 

never originally published by the authors as such. Linden & Planchon 

described (p. 35) under their Arenaria humifusa a certain "Forma B 

Nana, caulibus vix 2 centim. longis" and cite the collection of 3 as 

from "Alto del Paramo de Mucuchies. Alt. 3250-3900 metres. Linden, 

no. 1486". This latter form actually has never been taken up nomenclatorially, 

and Pittier merely adopted the first word of Linden & 

Planchon's description, misusing 

it as a name of their unnamed forma 

B. From an examination of the type specimen of A. Jahnii Blake, it 

is apparent that it is identical with and represents the A. humifusa 

forma B described above by Linden & Planchon. Moreover, when the 

type of A. Jahnii is compared with additional material from the


paramos in the state of Merida, it is found to represent but a cespitose 

extreme form, grading by various degrees into A, Venezuelans 

For example, Steyermark 57518 from Laguna Mucubajf, above Los 

Apartaderos, state of Merfda, matches well the type collection of 

A. Jahnii. Other collections (Steyermark 55669 and 55738) similarly 

relate themselves to this depressed paramo-inhabiting form. The type 

collection of A. Jahnii has small, detached portions of clumps with 

the pedicels protruding well above the tips of the leafy shoots. In 

Steyermark 57518 similarly extended pedicels may be found when the 

clumps are broken into smaller portions. In other collections, such 

as Steyermark 55669, the pedicels are not as obviously extended and 

the leaves and stem appear more congested, but represent only a form 

of variation present in these cespitose matted growth forms. The 

minute puberulence near the apex of the pedicels, the glandular* 

papillosity in the grooves of the stem, and the sparsely ciliate base 

of the leaves can be found in varying degrees. In some cases, the 

leaves are more obviously ciliate at the base, while in others they 

are glabrate. 

The description of forma Jahnii may be emended as follows: A 

typo (A. venezuelana) differt habitu caespitoso, caulibus brevissimis 

confertis plerumque glabris, foliis confertis rigidis brevioribus ovatis 

vel lanceolatis glabris vel basim versus minute ciliatis, sepalis 

plerumque glabris. Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., collected on Paramo de 

la Sal, state of Merida, alt. 3400 m., September 2, 1921, Alfredo 

Jahn 625. 

Other specimens examined are: MERIDA: Alto del Paramo de 

Mucuchies, ak. 3250-3900 m., Linden I486', Alto de Mucuchies, La 

Tapa, cabeceras del Mifafi, entre Barro Negro y Torondoy, alt. 4500- 

4600 m., April, 1930, Gehriger 106\ in dense clumps, on other side 

of paramo between El Aguila (top) and Apartaderos, along headwaters 

of Rio Chama, paramo along upper headwaters of Rio Tormero, below 

El Aguila and above Chachopo, alt. 3650-3965 m., March 13, 1944, 

Steyermark 55669; dense clumps, dry rocky gneis sic-granitic slopes, 

between Timotes and Paramito, alt. 2285-3500 m., March 24, 1944, 

Steyermark 55738; mats, flowers, white, Laguna Mucubajf above L*os 

Apartaderos, alt. 3525-2655 m., July 21, 1944, Steyermark 57518. 

In general, this form is distinguished by its dense, compact, more 

cespitose habit, with more crowded and shorter stems, shorter and 

more crowded leaves, and shorter internodes. Usually its leaves are 

more glabrate than in typical A. venezuelana the latter t varying from 

sparsely to densely ciliate leaves, glabrate to densely ciliate and 

puberulent sepals, and glabrate to puberulent stems. The forma 

Jahnii represents an extreme variation of the species, growing in exposed 

situations, and marked by its habit of forming dense clumps. 

Drymaria firmula Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Herba, caulibus purpureis, rigid o-adscendentibus glabris; inter-


nodiis quam foliis longioribus; laminis firmiter membranaceis, supra 

atroviridibus, infra valde nervatis, glabris, late ovatis, apice suba 

cut is apiculatis, basi subcordatis vel cordatis, 3-8.5 mm. longis, 

3-7 mm. latis; petiolis 1-1.5 mm. longis, glabris; stipulis conspicuis 

setaceis albis; floribus 3-6 in cymulas sat densas terminales dispositis; 

.pedicellis erectis vel adscendentibus, 2-4 mm. longis, minute 

glandulosis; bracteis ovatis acutis glabris, 2.25-2.5 mm. longis; 

sepalis oblongo-lanceolatis acutis apiculatis conspicue 3-nerviis 

scariosis, 4.5 mm. longis, 1.5-2 mm. latis, glabris; petalis albis unguiculatis, 

ultra medium profunde bipartitis, 5 mm. longis, infra 

medium 0.75 mm. latis, lobis anguste ligulatis, 3-3.5 mm. longis, 0.8 

mm. latis; staminibus 5; filamentis 3 mm. longis; antheris oblongis, 

O.Tmm. longis, 0.3 mm. latis; ovario ovoideo, 1.9-2 mm. longo; stylo 

supra medium 3-partito; ovulis 6-7. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on Paramo de^ Los 

Colorados, between El Molino and San Isidro Alto, state of Merida, 

alt. 2745-2955 m., May 14, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 56536, "stems 

stiff-ascending, purple; leaves firm-membranaceous, dark green above; 

petals white". 

This species is characterized by the short-petiolate, firmly membranaceous, 

glabrous, broadly ovate subcordate leaves, which are 

strongly nerved beneath, the stiff-ascending, glabrous, purple stems, 

the conspicuously setaceous white stipules, the glabrous strongly 

3-nerved, acute sepals, and cymosely disposed flowers on short, 

erect, minutely glandular pedicels. It 

apparently is related to D. 

nitida Ball of Peru and D. cordata (L.) Willd., but differs from them 

in the combination of characters above given. 

Stellaria ovata Willd., forma paradoxa Steyermark, forma nova. 

Herba pro strata vel procumbens, caulibus plerumque pilosis, pilis 

multi eel lulls 1 mm. longis instruct is; internodiis plerumque quam 

foliis longioribus; laminis firmiter membranaceis, late ovatis subiter 

acutis apiculatis, basi truncatis vel rotundatis ciliatis utrinque valde 

pilosis, 7-12 mm. longis, 5-10 mm. latis; petiolisnl-2 mm. longis, 

pilosis; floribus solitariis, axillaribus vel terminalibus; pedicellis 

5-20 mm. longis, valde pilosis; sepalis 5, ovatis, obtusiusculis, 

3-3.5 mm. longis, 1.5-2 mm. latis, extus parce pilosis; petalis 5, unguiculatis, 

bilobatis, sepala excedentibus, 5 mm. longis, in mediam 

2 mm. latis, lobis ovato-oblongis obtusis 1.5 mm. longis 0.75-0.8 mm. 

latis; staminibus 10; filamentis 3.5 mm. longis; antheris suborbicularibus, 

0.5 mm. longis; stylis 3-4, 1.8-2 mm. longis; ovario ovoideo, 

2.5 mm. alto; ovulis pluribus. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in moist cloud forest, 

on southwest-facing slopes at Los Aposentos, above Las Sabanetas, 

above Humocaro Bajo, state of Lara, alt. 2500-2530 m., February 3, 

1944, Julian A. Steyermark 55217, "sprawling on ground". 

From typical S. ovata this differs in having all the vegetative parts


of the plant abundantly pilose with several-celled hairs up to 1 mm. 

in length. The leaves, stems, and pedicels are especially pilose, 

while the sepals are sparsely so without. 

Stellaria venezuelana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Herba perennis, caulibus diffuso-patentibus vel erectis, ramosis, 

plerumque glabris; internodiis elongatis, inferioribus quam folia 

longioribus vel ea aequantibus, superioribus quam folia brevioribus 

vel longioribus; laminis membranaceis magnis, late ovatis vel cordatis 

apice longe acuminatis, basi cordatis vel subcordatis, supra 

praeter pauces pilos per costam glabris, infra parce pilosis secundum 

costam ceterum glabris, 15-45 mm. longis, 10-30 mm. latis, longe 

petiolatis; petiolis prominenter longe ciliatis praesertim basim versus, 

plerumque 12-37 mm. longis; floribus pluribus minimis in dichasiis 

valde compositis longissime pedunculatis; pedunculis 

gracillimis, 3.5-9 cm. longis, glabratis vel glandulari-puberulis, 

praesertim superne; bracteis late lanceolatis vel elliptico-ovatis, 

acuminatis, 3-5 mm. longis, 1.5-2.5 mm. latis; pedicellis tenuissimis, 

5-10 mm. longis, dense glandulari-puberulis; sepalis 4, liberis, membranaceis, 

late ovatis, obtusiusculis scariosis 1-nerviis glabris, 1.5- 

2.5 mm. longis, 1 mm. latis; petalis 4, alb is ligulato-oblongis obtusis, 

bilobatis, quam sepalis longioribus, 2-3.5 mm. longis, 1-1.5 

mm. latis, lobis 1 mm. longis, 0.5 mm. latis; staminibus 5-6 quam 

petala brevioribus vel ea aequantibus; filamentis glabris; antheris 

suborbicularibus, 0.3 mm. longis; stylis 2, filiformibus, ad apicem 

recurvatis, 1 mm. longis; ovario 1-2 mm. longo; ovulis 4; semine 

maturo 1, fusco, lenticulari-reniformi, papillato-verrucoso* 1.5 mm. 

longo, 

1.5 mm. lato. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in forest along 

stream at base of Cerro de Diablo (western extension of southern 

peak of Cerro Turumiquire), state of Sucre, alt. 2000-2100 m., May 

11, 1945, Julian A. Steyermark 62739; also collected on Cerro 

Turumiquire, north-facing slopes above La Trinidad in cloud forest 

zone, southwest of Cocollar, state of Sucre, alt. 2100-2200 m., May 

5, 1945, Steyermark 62557, "stems erect, sprangling and branching; 

leaves membranaceous, pale green below, dull green above; petals 

white"; and, in wet thickets, between El Cobre and Cordero, state of 

Ta'chira, alt. 1520-1820 m., July 8, 1944, Steyermark 57121, "sprawling 

on floor of dwarfed forest in shade; leaves thin; petals small, 

white"; also ad vias regionis subalpine prope coloniam Tovar, 

Fendlcr46, Moritz 1903. 

This distinctive species, characterized by its 2 styles, 4 sepals, 

4 petals, 5-6 stamens, minute flowers arranged in a branched dichasial 

cyme, and long-p etiolate large, cordate-ovate leaves, was at 

first believed to be conspecific with S. micrantha Spruce (in Rohrbach, 

Linnaea 37: 280. 1871-73). That species, the type of which 

must be based upon the first-mentioned collection cited in the list of 

exsiccatae examined, namely, "in Andibus Ecuadorensibus (Spruce


6023! )", is described as having a 5-parted calyx, petals divided 

nearly to the base, and 10 stamens. Moreover, the blades of the 

leaves are either long-ciliate towards the apex or glabrate, whereas 

in S. venezuelana the blades are not ciliate. Other differences are 

found in the relative length of the sepals and petals, which are longer 

in the Ecuadorian S. micrantha, and in the pedicels, which are 

glandular-puberulent in S venezuelana, whereas in S micrantha they 

are described as being "pilosis". The Fendler and Moritz collections, 

from Colonia Tovar, Venezuela, cited by Spruce, are probably 

conspecific with the other three Venezuelan collections above cited, 

and to have included them, along with the Ecuador plant collected by 

Spruce, was an erroneous assumption. 

While the usual condition within the genus is a flower with 5 

sepals, 5 petals, 10 stamens, and 3 t 4, or 5 styles, apparently the 

new species, together with S. micrantha, show greater affinity to 

Section Pseudalsine Boiss. (as treated by Pax & Hoffmann in Die 

Nat. Pflanzenf. 2, 16c: 322. 1934) delimited by the Persian S. 

alsinoides and characterized by 4-merous flowers, 2 styles, and 

ovary with 4-6 ovules, and to Section Oligosperma Boiss., characterized 

by 5-merous flowers, 2 styles, and ovary with 4-6 ovules, and 

represented by three species of Asia. 

RANUNCULACEAE 

Ranunculus limoselloides Turcz., var. Mandonianus (Wedd.) Steyermark, 

comb. nov. 

Ranunculus Mandonianus Wedd. Chi. And. 2: 299. 1857. 

Knuth, in his Initia Florae venezuelensis, lists R. limoselloides 

Turcz. for Venezuela (p. 329) with the note "Locus natalis ignotus". 

Pittier et al, on the other hand, in the Catalogo de la Flora Venezolana, 

do not mention this species. After a careful study of Turczaninow's 

original description (Bull. Soc. Imp. Nat. Moscou 27: 275-276. 

1854), it is evident that the plant described (based on Linden 1441 

from Venezuela) is identical with Steyermark 57473 from the state of 

Merlda (aquatic; leaves floating; in still pools in valley above 

Laguna Mucubajf, above Los Apartaderos, alt. 3625-3655 m., July 21, 

1944). It is well known that Linden made collections in the paramos 

and higher parts of the mountains in the state of Merida on his 

journey from Caracas to Colombia, and it is very probable that he 

collected this Ranunculus near or in the same locality in which the 

Steyermark collection was obtained. The significant parts of Turczaninow's 

description which are matched by the Steyermark collection 

are "foliis longissime petiolatis (natantibus ?) ovalibus vel subovato-oblongis 

integerrimis subtrinerviis, venoso-reticulatis; 

petala obovata (alba) staminibus circiter 8 1 ! In the Steyermark 

collection 10 stamens are present, but, as will be seen in the following 

paragraphs, the number of stamens is apparently variable in this 

particular complex. The same entity is found in an adjacent region


of Colombia (Cuatrecasas 1556 from Pianos del Toldadero, Dept. of 

Boyaca'), where the stamens are also 10 in number. 

Proceeding southward in the Andes, there is encountered in Bolivia, 

under the name R. Mandonianus Wedd., a Ranunculus Which 

superficially resembles greatly the one from Venezuela and Colombia. 

In the original description of R, Mandonianus, based upon Mandon's 

collection from the Cordillera de Sorata, Bolivia, it was stated that 

the "staminibus sub-5". However, an examination of what is apparently 

an isotype specimen, preserved in the Herbarium of the Chicago 

Natural History Museum (sent originally as a duplicate from the 

Botanical Conservatory of Geneva, Switzerland), shows 15 stamens. 

Moreover, both this specimen, as well as a photograph of the supposed 

type (same collection as referred to above), exhibit much 

larger flowers than those found in the Venezuelan collection. In the 

Venezuelan (and Colombian) plants the stamens are actually less 

numerous (10-8) than in the Mandon collection cited, but are more 

than is given ("staminibus sub-5") in the original description. One 

wonders whether a typographical error of "5" instead of "15" may 

not have been made by Weddell in his original description. Be that 

as it 

may, the Venezuelan (and Colombian) collections have petals 

with a much broader but shorter blade, shorter ovate instead of broadly 

oblong sepals, shorter filaments, and smaller achenes than are 

found in the Mandon collection from Bolivia. Nothing is mentioned in 

Weddell's description to indicate the size of the flower, but both the 

photograph of the supposed type specimen and a specimen of the type 

collection exhibit the larger flowers. Complications arise with an examination 

of Peruvian material referred to R. Mandonianus. In Macbride 

& Feathers tone 2474 the stamens are 5-6 in number and the 

petals have the narrow shape of those of the Bolivian plant, but in 

Mac bride 3355 the stamens are about 10 and the petals resemble the 

obovate-rounded type of typical R. limoselloides of Venezuela and 

Colombia. 

Such modifications and variations indicate that the Venezuelan and 

Colombian plants are closely related and not distinct specifically 

from the Bolivian entity, the latter, therefore, more logically treated 

as a variety. The plant Turczaninow described precedes by at least 

three years that which Weddell published*, and, therefore, has 

priority. 

*An apparent discrepancy would seem to exist between the date of 

Weddell's publication and that of Mandon's collection, for the date 

appearing in the second volume of Weddell's work is given as 1857, 

whereas the Mandon collection examined is dated "1859-Jan., I860". 

Evidently, the publication of the last part of this second volume 

(p. 299 is near the end of the volume) was deferred until 1861 (as 

is suggested by a reference to this work in the Catalogue of the 

Library of the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, vol.1, p. 737).


Although Benoist (Bull. Soc. Bot. Fr. 87: 125. 1940) described R. 

Mandonianus forma minor from Ecuador, based upon a plant characterized 

by the following description "/4 speciminibus typicis differt 

statura et foliis minoribus. Le limbe des feuilles est long de 5-12 

mm. et large de 2-4,5 mm", it 

appears to represent only a smallleaved 

and short-stemmed form of R. limoselloides. Although 

Benoist states in the data accompanying his collection label, "fleurs 

blanches tres petites" (Ibid.), he does not indicate how small the 

flowers are in comparison with those of R. Mandonianus, but rather 

gives the smaller stature of the plant and leaves as the only distinguishing 

characters used. Since the Venezuelan plants do not 

correspond in small leaf size to that described by Benoist, and 

further differ in the characters mentioned, they cannot be considered 

identical. Therefore, it becomes necessary to make the combination, 

Ranunculus limoselloides, forma minor (Benoist) Steyermark, comb, 

nov. 

R. Mandonianus f. minor Benoist, Bull. Soc. Bot. Fr


along stream above Laguna Mucubaji towards Laguna Negra, above 

Los Apartaderos, state of Merfda, alt. 3625-3655 ra., July 21, 1944, 

Julian A Steyermark 57487. 

Also referred to this form are the following Colombian collections: 

moist gully, bushy lower mountain slope, San Cristobal, Bogota, 

Dept. of Cundinamarca, alt. 2700-2800 m., September 30, 1917, F. W. 

Pennell 2326; hierba reptante, acuatico semis umergida, verde clara, 

pecalos amarillos, cabeceras del rio Otun, bajando del Nevado de 

Santa Isabel, paramos de la Laguna del Mosquito, Cordillera Central, 

Dept. Caldas, alt. 3820 m., November 26, 1946, Cuatrecasas 23250. 

Typical R nubigenus H.B.K. was described (ex DC. Syst. 1: 253. 

1818) as having leaves "suborbiculatis 7-dentatis", scapes "apice 

pubescente" and later (Nov. Gen. 5: 42. 1821) as having stems 

"superne puberuli" and petioles "pubescente", while in the latter 

publication the leaves are described as "5-7-crenata". Various 

collections from Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela have the appressed 

pubescence, especially on the petioles, base of the stems, 

sheaths, and upper part of the peduncles, characteristic of typical 

K. nubigenus. The leaves may vary in shape from suborbicular to 

ovate, and from shallowly to prominently 5-9-crenate. 

In forma subintegrus the blades of the leaves are often much larger 

and only obscurely crenulate to subentire. The appressed pubescence 

in this form, while sometimes present, is frequently lacking so that 

the plant is almost glabrous. 

MAGNOLIACEAE 

Magnolia ptaritepuiana Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Arbor 10-13 m. alta; cortice albicanti vel pallido-cinereo; foliis 

coriaceis vel chartaceo-coriaceis, subtus dense cinereo-tomentosis, 

13-19 cm. longis, 9-15 cm. latis, late ovalis vel suborbicularibus, 

basi obtusis, apice rotundatis, nervis lateralibus 8-10-jugis adscendentibus; 

petiolis 1.2-1.7 cm. longis, in diametro 2-3.5 m., glabris vel 

interdum novellis apice et parte superiori costae villosis; stipulis 

undique glabris, marginibus ciliatis, 9 cm. longis, 7 mm. latis, subcoriaceis; 

floribus odoratis; sepalis 3, oblanceolato-oblongis, cuneatis, 

apice obtusis vel rotundatis, 4-4.5 cm. longis, 2 cm. latis; petalis 

6, albidis, arcuato-adscendentibus, oblanceolatis, cuneatis, apice 

subacutis vel obtusis, 4.2 cm. longis, 1.5-2 cm. latis; gynaeceo e 

carpidiis glabris, stylis apice recurvatis. 



Rock" and base of high sandstone bluffs, Ptari-tepui, state of Bolivar, 

alt. 2100-2285 m., October 30, 1944, Julian A. Ste Yermark 59547 

(2 sheets), "tree 30-40 feet tall with whitish or pale gray bark; leaves; 

coriaceous-chartaceous, deep green above, gray-scurfy below, paler 

green below; petals white, arched-ascending; flowers fragrant".


Magnolia roraimae Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Arbor 13 m. aha; foliis coriaceis vel chartaceo-coriaceis supra 

nitidis eleganter tenuiter reticulato-venosis, subtus pallido-flavidoviridibus 

molliter flavido-villosis, 15-20 cm. longis, 12-17 cm. latis, 

late suborbicularibus vel suborbiculari-obovatis, basi obtusis, apice 

rotundatis, nervis lateralibus 9-11-jugis adscendentibus prope marginem 

1-2 cm. arcuato-conjungentibus; petiolis 2.7-3 cm. longis, 5-6 

mm. latis, undique dense villosis; stipulis intus glabris, extus dense 

pannoso-villosis, 7.3 cm. longis, 12 mm. latis, subcoriaceis; alabastro 

ovoideo 4 cm. longo, in diametro 2.7 cm.; floribus odoratis; 

sepalis 3, late oblongo-obovatis, cuneatis, infra medium angustatis, 

apice rotundatis, 5 cm. longis, 2 cm. latis; petalis 6, lute o-a Ibid is, 

cucullatis, subcoriaceis, oblongo-obovatis, cuneatis, apice rotundatis, 

4-4.7 cm. longis, 2 cm. latis; gynaeceo e carpidiis glabris, 

stylis apice recurvatis. 


forested slopes between Rondon Camp and base of sandstone bluffs, 

Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 2155 m., September 30, 1944, 

Julian A. Steyermark 59000 (3 sheets), "tree 40 feet tall; leaves 

coriaceous-chartaceous, deep green and shining above, buff green 

below; petals creamy white, infolded, subcoriaceous, fragrant; pistils 

creamy white; rare; one tree seen". 

Local name: 

"iura-ta-na-ca-ta" (Spanish: cabeza de aurauata). 

The pubescent buds of this species are reminiscent of the cultivated 

X M. Soulangeana, and of certain North American species. 

This species and the preceding one, because of the free stipules, 

are placed in the genus Magnolia, rather than Talauma. Specimens of 

Talauma from South America all show an elongate scar on the upper 

surface of the petiole to which the stipule has been adnate. Both 

Magnolia roraimae and M. ptaripetuiana differ from all South American 

species of Talauma in the broadly obovate to suborbicular-obovate 

leaves rounded above, which are densely villous on the lower surface, 

and in similar characters from all the known species of Magnolia 

from Central America. In pubescence these two new species 

somewhat approach M. grandiflora L., but that has much smaller 

leaves and larger flowers. 

Magnolia roraimae differs from M, ptaritepuiana in several respects: 

the outer surface of the stipules is densely velvety-pubescent, the 

petioles are densely villous and stouter, the sepals and petals are 

larger, the upper part of the branches are densely villous, the pubescence 

of the lower surface of the leaves consists of much longer 

hairs, and the areolar network of the upper leaf surface is more prominent 

and the upper ends of the lateral nerves more conspicuously 

ananas tomos ing.


WINTERACEAE 

Drimys brasiliensis Miers, var. ptaritepuiensis Steyermark, var. 

nov. 

A var. roraimensis differt inflorescentia 3-5-floris, pedunculis 

brevioribus 8-23 mm. longis; staminibus 31-35; filamentis 1.5-1.75 

mm. longis; carpellis 8-9, stigraate sessili subterminalique. 



Rock" and base of high sandstone bluffs, Ptari-tepui, state of Bolivar, 

alt. 2100-2285 m.> October 30, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59537, 

"small tree 20-30 feet tall; trunk slender; leaves subcoriaceouschartaceous, 

deep green above, silvery blue-white below; petals 

white; peduncles salmon-rose; flower very fragrant". 

This variety differs from var. roraimensis A. C. Smith principally 

in the usually 3-flowered inflorescence with shorter peduncles, those 

in var. roraimensis averaging longer. The connective at the tip of 

the anther is apiculate and densely glandular as in var. roraimensis. 

MONIMIACEAE 

Mollified ia ptariensis Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Frutex, ramis subteretibus, no veil is puberulis, adultis glabrescentibus; 

foliis oppositis petiolatis ovatis vel elliptico-ovatis, basi 

obtusis vel subacutis, apice acutis vel subacuminatis, integris vel 

subintegris, coriaceis, 10-14 cm. longis, 5-6.5 cm. latis, supra glabris 

nervis subimpressis inconspicuis, subtus minute adpressopubescentibus, 

nervis circiter 5 jugis prominentibus suboppositis vel 

alternates; petiolis 12-15 mm. longis, novellis dense adpressopuberulis, 

adultis parce puberulis vel glabratis; floribus masculis: 

3-5 mm. longis, in diametro 5 mm.; receptaculo crasso, intus glabro; 

pedicellis 4-5 mm. longis dense adpresso-pubescentibus; perigonii 

phyllis 4, extus dense adpresso-pubescentibus, 2 exterioribus late 

suborbiculari-ovatis, apice obtusis vel rotundatis, 4.5 mm. longis, 

3.5-4 mm. latis quam 2 interioribus latioribus, 2 interioribus late 

oblongis, apice obtusis, 3 mm. longis, 2.5-3 mm. latis, appendice 

crassa inaequa liter denticulata instructis; staminibus 13-14; antheris 

suborbicularibus, 1-1.5 mm. longis, 1.25-1.5 mm. latis; filamentis 

glabris, 1 mm. longis; floribus foemineis solitaries: 6 mm. diam., extrinsecus 

adpresso-pubescentibus; receptaculo crasso cupuliformi, 

intus dense hispidulo, paullo aspero; pedicellis 10 mm. longis, dense 

adpresso-pubescentibus; perigonii phyllis 

2 exterioribus suborbicularibus, 

apice rotundatis, 2 mm. longis, 2.8-3 mm. latis quam 2 

interioribus latioribus, 2 interioribus 1.5 mm. longis, 2 mm. latis; 

ovariis 20, dense adpresso-hispidulis, 2-2.5 mm. longis; stylo glahro, 

0.5-1 mm. longo. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on steep wooded 

slopes just below dry ridge and shrubby growth of southeast-facing


slopes, Ptari-tepui, state of Bolivar, alt. 1585-1600 m., November 

10-11, 1944, Julian A, Steyermark 60014 (2 sheets, staminate and 

pistillate), "shrub 10 feet tall; leaves coriaceous, dull green above, 

pale green below; perianth dull yellow". 

In the staminate flowers the 2 inner divisions of the perianth are 

thickened within, and have more or less three irregularly toothed and 

denticulate-thickened callosities running lengthwise along the inner 

margins and irregularly denticulate at the apex. The appendages of 

the inner divisions of the staminate flowers are thinner than the rest 

of the perianth but not conspicuously elongated. 

This species is apparently a member of Sect. Appendiculatae Perk, 

and is related to M. LowtherianaPerk. of Brazil. From that species 

it 

may be distinguished by the 20 densely hispidulous carpels, the 

rounded tips of the pistillate perianth divisions, larger pistillate 

flowers, 13-14 stamens, more coriaceous broader subentire leaf 

blades which are minutely appressed-pubescent on the lower surface, 

and longer petioles. 

Mollinedia roraimensis Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Frutex, ramis subteretibus, novellis fulvo-tomentosis; foliis oppositis 

petiolatis ovatis vel elliptico-ovatis, basi subacutis, apice 

abrupte acuminatis, remote denticulatis, coriaceis, 15-18 cm. longis, 

6-9 cm. latis, supra glabris, subtus subtomentosis, nervis 5-6 jugis; 

petiolis 12-15 mm. longis, plus minusve subtomentellis; floribus 

non visis. 


forested slopes of Mount Roraima, between Rondon Camp and base of 

sandstone bluffs, state of Bolivar, alt. 2040-2255 m., September 30, 

1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59004, "shrub 8 feet tall; leaves coriaceous, 

dark green above, pale green and velvety below; stems 

purple-brown pubescent". 

Although this plant was found in only sterile condition, it apparently 

represents an undescribed species that may be distinguished from 

the closely related and above described A/, ptariensis by the denticulate 

leaves, which are more densely pubescent on the lower surface 

with longer trichomes. 

Siparuna Pittieri Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Frutex dioecus, 3 m. akus; ramis tomentulosis, pilis stellatis 

luteo-fulvis; foliis elliptico-obovatis, 15-32 cm. longis, 7-13 cm. 

latis, apice subito acutis vel acuminatis, basi rotundatis vel obtusis, 

minute et remote denticulatis, utrinque stellato-tomentosis; petiolis 

1.5-6 cm. longis, dense fulvo-tomentosis; inflorescentia tomentulosa, 

gracili, foeminea 1.5-2 cm. longa; receptaculo foemineo globosourceolato 

fulvo-tomentoso in diametro 3.5; stylis 4 exsertis, inferne 

in columnam coalitis.


Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in Parque Nacional, 

between Rancho Grande and Maracay, state of Aragua, alt. 240-455 

m., December 9, 1943, Julian A. Steyermark 54967. 

Apparently there belong here two other collections from the same 

or nearby area: Killip 37120 from the same locality, and Pittier 8804 

(in guaremales, Urama, between Puerto Cabello and San Felipe, state 

of Carabobo, 1920. 

The Pittier 8804 collection was cited by Knuth in his Initia Florae 

Venezuelensis (Beihefte Report. Sp. Nov. 43: 335. 1927) as the type 

of a new species, S. Pittieri R. Knuth "in schedis herb. Pittier". 

Unfortunately, that name as such can be treated only as a nomen 

nudum. Since the plant of the Parque Nacional collected by Killip 

and the writer constitute an undescribed species, previously erroneously 

referred to S. gesnerioides (H.B.K.) A. DC., it is fitting that 

Dr. Pittier's name be preserved by a validly published description, 

instead of lapsing into obscurity as a nomen nudum. Although I have 

not seen the Pittier 8804 collection, it is most probable that it is conspecific 

with the plant here described. This new species from the 

Parque Nacional superficially resembles S. gesnerioides , 

but differs 

in having 4 styles in the pistillate flower and shorter and less abundant 

tomentum of stems and petioles. 

CRUCIFERAE 

Cardamine ovata Bench., forma Lehmanii (Hieronymus) Steyermark, 

comb. nov. 

Cardamine ovata subsp. Lehmannii (Hieronymus) O. . 

Schulz, in 

Engl. Jahrb. 27: 412. 1903; C. Alberti O. E. Schulz, Notiz. 10: 341. 

1928. 

This entity, with leaflets averaging smaller than those of typical 

C. ovata, appears to be only an ecological form prevalent on the 

paramos and higher elevations scattered throughout the range of the 

species. It varies in glabrity of stems and leaves. 

Steyermark 55754 from the state of Merida (between Los Corales 

and Las Cuadras) is practically glabrate, while Lehmann 4759 from 

Colombia (Paramo de Guanacas), and Steyermark 55450 from Venezuela 

(between Buenos Aires and Paramo de las Rosas, state of 

Lara) are more pubescent. 

Some specimens, such as Steyermark 62743, from the state of Sucre 

in eastern Venezuela (forest along stream at base of Cerro de Diablo 

[western extension of southern peak of Cerro TurumiquireJ) are intermediate 

in leaf size between typical C. ovata and f. Lehmannii. 

An examination of isotypic material of C. Alberti O. E. Schulz at 

once identifies it with C. ovata f. Lehmannii. The obtuse crenately 

toothed, rather small leaflets whichare sparsely pilose, together with

238 FIFLDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 28 

the scattered pubescence of the sepals, pedicels, 

matched by some of the collections cited above. 

and stems can be 

CAPPARIDACEAE 

Capparis guaguaensis Steyermark, sp. nov. 

Arbor 19-25-metralis; ramulis subteretibus glabris, cortice cinereobrunneo; 

foliis alternis simplicibus integerrimis, firrae membranaceis, 

longe petiolatis, petiolis glabris 2-11.5 cm. longis; laminis late 

ovatis vel elliptico-ovatis, 9-26 cm. longis, 5-13 cm. latis, apice 

acutis vel breviter acuminatis, supra glabris atroviridibus, nervis 

lateralibus 8-9-jugis prominulis pallid is, subtus glabris argenteoviridibus, 

costa elevata, nervis venisque prominentibus; floribus non 

vis is; pedicellis fructiferis glabris 2-2.2 cm. longis, 2-3 mm. crassis; 

bacco pallide flavido pendulo ovoideo molli, 5-6 cm. longo, 3-4 cm. 

lato, pericarpio laevi, in sicco ca. 2 mm. crasso; pulpa esculenta 

dulci cinereo-alba; seminibus circa 6, nigrescentibus nitidis, 15*20 

mm. longis, 10-12 mm. latis, testa firmiter Crustacea. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected along Rio Guagua, 

tributary to Rio Manzanares, above valley of Cumanacoa, above 

Cuchivano, state of Sucre, alt. 230-300 m., May 18, 1945, Julian A. 

Steyermark 62800 (2 sheets), "tree 60-80 feet tall; leaves firmly 

membra naceous, deep dark green above, silvery green below; fruit 

edible, pendent, ovoid, 5-6 cm. long, 3-4 cm. broad, pale yellow, 

soft; pulp edible, sweetish, gray white; seeds blackish, shining". 

Local name: 

"toco". 

The name "toco" in Venezuela is usually applied to Crataeva 

Tapia L. (C. gynandra L.), but in parts of the Venezuelan Oriente, 

such as northeast of Bergantfn in the state of Anzoategui, the name 

is applied, at least in part, to another tree, Capparis Baducca L., of 

the same family. A collection of C. Baducca (Steyermark 61088) from 

Cerro La Danta, in this region, was so named by the inhabitants. 

Near the type locality along the Rio Guagua another collection of C. 

Baducca (Steyermark 62788) was made. 

This new species is striking in that the fruit somewhat resembles 

that of a Crataeva, but the leaves are simple throughout and resemble 

those of Capparis Baducca. At first, it 

might be wondered whether 

the fruit and the leaves might not have been collected from separate 

trees, and therefore comprise a mixture, but such is not the case. The 

leaves of this collection are much broader and of a thinner texture 

than those of C. Baducca, and the fruit is ovoid and large similar to 

that of a Crataeva. However, it differs from other fruiting specimens 

of Crataeva Tapia sensu latu in its much larger, smooth seeds, much 

shorter gynophore, and much thinner and softer mature pericarp of 2-3 

mm. thickness, whereas that of Crataeva is much firmer, more rigid, 

and has a thickness of 5-7 mm. The pulp of the new species is


sweetish and edible, a fact which has not been recorded for either 

Crataeva Tapia sensu latu or for Capparis Baducca. 

Steriphoma paradoxum f venezuelanum . 

(Briquet) Steyermark,comb.nov. 

Steriphoma venezuelanum Briq. in Ann. Conserv. et Jard. Bot. 

Geneve XVD: 394. 1914. 

Although Briquet compares his species with S. elliptic a Spreng., 

actually it is related to 5. paradoxum, of which it can be considered 

only a form separated from the species by the elliptic or oblongelliptic 

leaf blades, which are relatively broader in proportion to 

their length (2-2 1/2 times broader than long) than in typical S. 

paradoxum, in which the leaf blades are much more elongated, lanceolate, 

or oblong- lanceolate and usually 4-5 times longer than broad. 

The blades of 5. paradoxum f. venezuelanum are slightly more obtuse 

at the base and more abruptly acuminate with somewhat shorter tips 

than those of typical 5. paradoxum. The petioles are also somewhat 

shorter in f. venezuelanum. 

Apparently there are only two valid species of this genus thus far 

known in Venezuela, S, ellipticum Spreng. and S. paradoxum (Jacq.) 

Endl. In the Catalog de la Flora Venezolana i: 321. 1945, Pittier 

et al list four species of this genus as occurring within Venezuela. 

A comparison of the description of Steriphoma cleomoides based on 

Stephania cleomoides Willd. from the region of Caracas, and study of 

herbarium material from that area, show that it is not different from 

Steriphoma paradoxum, based on Capparis paradoxa Jacq. from the 

same region. As the latter validly published name is the oldest one 

congeneric with Steriphoma, it must be used over any others subsequently 

placed in that genus. 

The synonymy is as follows: 

Steriphoma paradoxum (Jacq.) Endl. in Flora XV: 396. 1832. Capparts 

paradoxa Jacq. PI. Har. Hort. Schoenbr. 1: 58. pU 111. 1797. 

Stephania cleomoides Willd. Sp. PI. II: 239. 1799. 

Steriphoma cleomoides Spreng. Syst. IV: 139. 1827. 

SARRACENIACEAE 

Heliamphora heterodox* Steyennark, sp. nov. 

Folia radicalia, plerumque 12-25 cm. (ad 40 cm.) longa; amphoris 

in medio expansis, intus dense strigosis pilis albis reflexis, appendice 

apicali cucullata suborbiculari, 0.6-2.5 cm. longa; scapo 3-7 dm. 

alto plerumque 2-4-(ad 7-) floris, omnino glabro; bracteis sessilibus 

amplexicaulibus, late ovatis obtusis vel cuspidato-acuminatis, infimis 

3.5-7 cm. longis, 1.6-4.2 cm. latis, superioribus minoribus reductis, 

supremis 0.9-2 cm. longis, plerumque glabris vel partim 

puberulis; floribus nutantibus; perianthii segmentis anguste vel late 

ovatis vel oblongo-ellipticis acutis vel subobtusis in anthesi 20-50 

mm. longis, 10-20 mm. latis, in fructu ad 80 mm. longis et 37mm.


latis glabris; antheris anguste oblongis, 5.5-8 mm. longis; ovario 

pubescent! pallido viridi; capsulis ovoideis, 1.5-2 cm. longis; seminibus 

alatis, late ovatis vel suborbicularibus pallido brunneis, 3-3.5 

mm. longis, a la ca. 1 mm. lata. 

Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in Bonne tia roraimae 

forest on southwest-facing shoulder, Ptari-tepu/, state of Bolivar, 

alt. 2000-2200 m., November 2, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59766 (2 

sheets), "matted on mossy exposed top of big shoulder; flowers faintly 

fragrant, arising near base of plant; 2 outer sepals rose-pink at 

base, otherwise greenish-white; a midline of pink or rose on outer 

sepals; 2 inner sepals white within; rachis wine red as is scape; leaf 

pale green with suffusion of wine purple-red, either one color massed 

or in splotches; leaf tip with incurved purple-red appendage". 

Additional collections are: in swamp on open level portion of 

plateau on southeast-facing slopes, Ptari-tepuf, alt. 1600 m., November 

1, 1944, Steyermark 59657; vicinity of "Misia Kathy Camp", on 

mesa between Ptari-tepuT and Sororopan-tepuf, alt. 1615 m., November 

15-17, 1944, Steyermark 60242', and along moist base of east-facing 

high sandstone bluffs, Ptari-tepui, alt. 2410-2450 m., November 7, 


It may be noted that considerable variation occurs within this 

species. For example, Steyermark 60242 has the pedicels slightly 

puberulous on one side and glabrous on the other, whereas in the 

other collections cited the pedicels are glabrous throughout. Moreover, 

the size of the sepals varies in length and width, depending in 

part on their age or development. The bracts subtending the pedicels 

may be obtuse, but usually have a short or elongated cuspidate apex. 

The appendages of the lids also vary in size, as do the pitchers 

themselves. The Steyermark 59934 collection is a good example of 

how robust this species may become under certain favorable growing 

conditions induced by a combination of abundant moisture and shade. 

In every way it is larger and more luxuriant than the other collections 

cited. It was found on moist bluffs where seepage occurred, growing 

in mats of Sphagnum oxyphyllum moss. It has larger more elongated 

pitchers with longer hairs within, longer peduncles with larger and 

more numerous flowers, and larger sepals. Despite these differences 

it cannot be considered more than a vigorous individual likely to be 

found in any group of plants where moisture affects more vigorous 

growth and enlarged parts. In details of morphological characters 

this luxuriant specimen, in all respects, is identical with that of 

typical H. heterodoxa. 

In the living condition H. heterodoxa is a very striking and colorful 

plant. The pitchers are usually pale green with a suffusion of winepurple-red 

color, either the one color massed or occurring in splotches, 

or the lower part of the pitchers may be purple-red with the upper 

portion pale green. The inner surface may be pale green within, but 

also may have a dark brown-purple coloring within in the cup portion


at the base, while the margin and keel of the pitchers on the outside 

are red. The lid appendage is red or purple-red. The flowering 

stalks arise at the base of the plant, the scapes and flowering pedicels 

being dark red or wine red. The outer sepals vary from pale 

green or greenish-white with rose-pink at the base to a rosy color in 

age; there may be a midline of pink or rose color on the outer sepals. 

The inner sepals are usually white within, or may be whitish-pink on 

both sides. They are usually paler green in age. The pubescent 

ovary is generally pale green in color. 

It is interesting to record another new species in this genus to the 

five previously known. From a genus originally considered as monotypic, 

six Species are at present known, three (H. Maedonaldae, H. 

Tatei, and //. 

Tyleri) known only from Mount Duida, and each of the 

others (H. nutans, H. minor, and H. heterodoxa) known only respectively 

from Mount Roraima, Mount Auyan-tepui, and Mount Ptari-tepui'. 

Undoubtedly, several more will eventually be discovered when all of 

the tepuis have been carefully explored. Heliamphora heterodoxa is 

most closely related to H. nutans Benth. of Mount Roraima and to 

H. minor Gleason of Mount Auyan-tepuu It differs from them in having 

longer anthers (5.5-8 mm. instead of 3-4 mm. long) and in the 

extent of pubescence of the upper pubescent zone on the inside of 

the upper pubescent zone on the inside of the pitcher, the zone of 

pubescence in H. heterodoxa occupying the upper half of the pitcher, 

whereas in H. minor and H. nutans this zone covers the upper onethird. 

A key to the species at present known is here given: 

Pitchers expanded in the middle and constricted above and below 

the middle; pedicels slender, drooping 

Anthers 5.5-8 mm. long; upper pubescent zone on inside covering 

about the upper half of the pitcher 

H. heterodoxa. 

Anthers 3-4 mm. long; upper pubescent zone on inside covering 

the upper one-third of the pitcher 

Pedicels pubescent; sepals 2-3.2 cm. long; pitchers scarcely 

expanded in middle; wings of pitchers more or less 

equally broad from base to apex; lid appendage abruptly 

narrowed at base, suborbicular; pitcher 10-12 cm. long. 

//. minor. 

Pedicels glabrous; sepals 3.5-5 cm. long; pitchers conspicuously 

expanded at middle into a flared bell-like form; 

wings of pitchers abruptly narrowed below the middle and 

again appearing above the middle; lip appendage inconspicuous 

and passing directly into the upper part of die 

pitcher, or conspicuous and suborbicular to orbicular with 

abrupt constriction at base or not all at constricted; 

pitcher 13-30 cm. long 

H. nutans. 

Pitchers barely or not at all expanded in the middle, with an elongated 

tubular form; pedicels stout, erect


Pitchers glabrous within, except for a few scattered hairs at 

the very margin; sepals obtuse //. Macdonaldae. 

Pitchers pubescent within; sepals" acuminate 

Lid cuspidate at the summit; pedicels very sparsely pubescent 

H. Tatei. 

Lid rounded at the summit; pedicels densely pubescent 

H. Tyleri. 

Having had an opportunity of observing in the field four of these 

six entities, and having witnessed the great variability within //. 

heterodoxa of Ptari-tepui, especially in regard to the size of the 

pitcher and the shape and size of the appendage on the lid, it may be 

stated that observations on the other species of Heliamphora have 

revealed a great amount of variation in shape and size (length and 

breadth) of the lid and appendage of the pitcher, and in shape and 

size (length and breadth) of the sepals. For example, in H. Macdonaldae 

of Mount Duida, there is variation in sepal width, the 

sepals in the type (Tate 1022) being about 40 mm. wide, but Gleason 

notes (Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 58: 367. 1931) that in Tate 1023 "The 

perianth segments are much narrower, ranging from 14 to 23 mm." 

Although they are described by Gleason as being "obtuse", they 

actually vary from obtuse to subacute. 

Furthermore, when more material is available for study, it is quite 

possible that H. Tyleri may have to be reduced to a variety of H 

Tatei, and H. minor to a variety of H nutans. The differences of 

pubescence of pedicel and smaller size of sepals separating H* 

minor from //. nutans have been found to be variable and inconstant 

characters. Similarly in H. Tatei the tip of the lid is slightly cuspidate, 

while in H. Tyleri it is rounded. Moreover, the characters of 

pubescence in H Tatei and H. Tyleri are relative and the same variations 

in shape of lids and pubescence of pedicels is found in these 

two species from Mount Duida as are found in the material of H. 

heterodoxa from Ptari-tepui. 

In his work on carnivorous plants (p. 11), F. E. Lloyd states, for 

H. minor of Mount Auyan-tepui', that "the bell is densely hairy only 

along the marginal zone, with a few scattered hairs on the general 

surface". But while this is true for older pitchers, 

it does not hold 

true for young to middle mature ones which are densely hairy with 

fine short hairs throughout the upper one-third of the bell. The hairs 

either appear to fall off or weather off eventually, thus causing a 

deception of observation on this character. 

With more extensive collecting of this genus over a wide area, 

more variations will probably be found eventually within given 

species than are at present known to occur. It is quite probable, 

therefore, that some of the species may have to be reduced to varieties 

or forms.

Publication 667

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA

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