|
|
Family: Malpighiaceae
|
Liana; outer bark of older stems thin, reddish-brown, becoming fissured; most parts except upper leaf surface densely pubescent with T-shaped trichomes, those of the stems, petioles, peduncles, pedicels, and calyces appressed-pubescent. Petioles 1-2 cm long, with 2 sessile glands at apex; stipules 2, subulate, to 2 mm long, borne at about the middle of petiole; blades sublanceolate-elliptic to elliptic, gradually long-acuminate, ovate to subcordate at base, mostly 15-25 cm long, 6-11 cm wide, glabrous above except on midrib, softly pubescent all over the underside with stalked T-shaped trichomes. Umbels solitary, axillary, with small bracteoles at apex of peduncles; peduncles 2.5-4 cm long; pedicels 13-20 mm long; flowers (6) 35-60 per peduncle, 10-12 mm diam; sepals triangular-ovate, 4 of these sometimes bearing 2 large glands; petals yellow, ovate-suborbicular, subcordate at base, 4-5 mm diam, the margin sinuate, fimbriate on all but the inner small petal; stamens 10, +/- equal; ovary hirsute; styles 3, 1 erect, 2 curved, the apices narrowly spatulate-truncate with the outer angle acute or shortly apiculate. Schizocarps of 3 samaras, softly hirsute especially on seed; wings lateral, +/- reniform, 0.5-2 cm long, 2-3 cm wide, thin. Croat 6842, 11931. Occasional, in the canopy of the forest. Flowers in July and August. The fruits mature in October and November. Costa Rica (possibly Belize) to Colombia and the Guianas. In Panama, known only from tropical moist forest on BCI. |