The Colombian Species of Tetrorchidium - CNCFlora
The Colombian Species of Tetrorchidium - CNCFlora
The Colombian Species of Tetrorchidium - CNCFlora
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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Colombian</strong> <strong>Species</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Tetrorchidium</strong><br />
Author(s): Jose Cuatrecasas<br />
Reviewed work(s):<br />
Source: Brittonia, Vol. 9, No. 2 (Jul. 30, 1957), pp. 76-82<br />
Published by: Springer on behalf <strong>of</strong> the New York Botanical Garden Press<br />
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2804772 .<br />
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THE COLOMBIAN SPECIES OF TETRORCHIDIUM<br />
JOSE CUATRECASAS<br />
Departtment <strong>of</strong> Botany, Smithsonian Institution<br />
Washingtoni, D. C.<br />
Of tweilty species recognized today by taxonomists in the tropical genus<br />
<strong>Tetrorchidium</strong> Poepp. & Endl. (Euphorbiaceae), eight are to be found in Colombia,<br />
six <strong>of</strong> them being <strong>Colombian</strong> endeniisms. Pax listed only four species for<br />
the genus in his part <strong>of</strong> the monograph <strong>of</strong> the Euphorbiaceae published in 1912<br />
[Planzenireich 147 (4) :291: T. andintin ]N. Arg., T. mnacrophyl/lwn M. Arg., T.<br />
rubrivenitrn, Poepp. & Endl., and T. parvu,lu,m, M. Arg., all American. In 1919<br />
Pax and H<strong>of</strong>fman added four species more to <strong>Tetrorchidium</strong> by joining to it the<br />
African genus Hasskarlia [Pflainzenreieh 147 (6 additt.) 531. At the same time<br />
he created a section <strong>of</strong> this name for the African species and the section EKtetrorchidi,ium)<br />
Pax & H<strong>of</strong>f. for the American ones.<br />
Sinee then the sectioll Eutetrorchidimn has been very miLich enlarged, by<br />
Pax and H<strong>of</strong>fman with one species (Brazil), by Croizat with four species (Colonibia,<br />
Jamaica), by Ducke with one (Brazil), by Standley with two (Central<br />
Air erica), anid by Staiidley anid Steyermiark with one (Guatemala). Finally I<br />
am ldescribingo, in this paper three new species from recent <strong>Colombian</strong> collections.<br />
As a result the present kniown distribuLtion <strong>of</strong> the section Eutetrorchidium, is:<br />
one species stretched from Central America to Peru and Brazil, one from Mexico<br />
to Honduras, one in Guatemala, one in Jamaica, four in Brazil, one in Ecuador,<br />
one from Colombia and Ecuador, anid six limited to Colombia.In short the range<br />
<strong>of</strong> the genus in America goes fromii soutlhern AMexico southward to Peru and<br />
southeastward to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.<br />
Tetrorchidimm belongs to the subfamily Crotoinoideae (onie ovLtle in each cell<br />
<strong>of</strong> the ovary) and tribe Geloniieae (flowers apetalous, sepals imbricate, small,<br />
herbaceous, filaments straight). <strong>The</strong>y are trees or large shruLbs; the male flowers<br />
with short stamens, the anthers with four cells. <strong>The</strong>y grow in the tropics usually<br />
in lowlaiids or in the lower miiounitaini belt between sea level and 4500 feet <strong>of</strong><br />
altitude; onily exceptioniallv cani they be found at higher elevations.<br />
<strong>The</strong> followinig key comnprises the eight species known today livinog in Colombia.<br />
1. Male flowers sessile, coniglolmierate alolig the brancehes <strong>of</strong> the inifloreseeniee; leaves<br />
chartaceous or subiembraiiaceous.<br />
2. Leaf -blades chartaceous, reticulate-veiiied beneath; infloreseelice pubeseelnt;<br />
hypogyiious disc cupuliform; blades 13-30 cm long, 4.5-13 cm broad, obovateoblong,<br />
attenuate-acuminate at the apex, narrowed towards the base, cuneate,<br />
the secondary nerves 8-10 oni each side; petiole 1.5-5 cm long. 1. T. niacrophyllitn.<br />
2'. Leaf-blades iot reticulate-veilned beneatlh<br />
3. Male infloreseelees robust, the axis and braiehlets rather thiek anld densely<br />
pubescent, the glomerules <strong>of</strong> flowers thick. Blades 9-18 cm lonlg, 4-6 cm<br />
broad, entire or slightly serrate, the base cuneate, the secondary ilerves 5-6<br />
oln each side; petiole 2.5-3 cm long; hypogynous disc formed by three free<br />
glanids. 2. T. riubriveiniuin.<br />
3'. Male infloreseenee slender, flexuose, the axis and bralichlets thin, glabrous or<br />
subglabrous, the glomerules smaller and rather slender; blades 8-15 cm long,<br />
3-6 cm broad, entire, subobovate-obloiig, the base less attenuate, the secondary<br />
nerves 6-7 oln each side; petiole 1.5-2 cm long; hypogynious disc uniknown.<br />
3. 1. boyacanum.<br />
1'. Male flowers pedicellate, solitary, or a few sessile in short branchlets forming pseu-<br />
-76-
1957] CUATRECASAS: TETROCHIDIUM 77<br />
doracemes (in T. butlbipilosutm unknown); hypogynous disc cupuliform.<br />
4. Leaf-blades firm, coriaceous, shiniing and subglabrous beneath, 7-16 cm long,<br />
3.5-7.6 cm broad, ovate, elliptic-ovate or slightly obovate, the base cuneate,<br />
the apex abruptly narrowed and shortly acuminate, the margin entire or seldom<br />
with a few minute glands, the lax reticulum slightly prominent, the secondary<br />
nerves 4-5 on each side.<br />
5. Young branchlets, petioles and midrib beneath appressed-puberulous or glabrous;<br />
leaves ochroleucous beneath. 4. T. ochroleitcaiim.<br />
5'. Young braiiehlets, petioles, and midrib beneath minutely tomentose with<br />
spreading, acute, tuberculate hairs; leaves pale-viridulous beneath.<br />
5. T. bilbipilosumr.<br />
4'. Leaf-blades chartaceous, reticulate-veinied; infloreseences pubeseenit.<br />
6. Blades short (4-11 cm long, 1.5-4 cm broad), oblong-elliptic or oblonlg-obovate,<br />
attenuate and obtuse at base, appressed-puberulous beneath, usually with 4<br />
nierves each side, the reticulum prominent at both sides; petiole 5-12 mm<br />
long; infloreseences to 6 cm long with slenider braniehes. 6. T. robledoanitm.<br />
6'. Blades large, obovate or elliptic-lanceolate, acute anid culieate at base, appressed-<br />
or subappressed-puberulous or glabrate beneath.<br />
7. Leaves thin, chartaecous, lonig-acuminate, the margin flat, coarsely serrate,<br />
the secondary nerves 6-8 on each side, the reticulum prominulous, 10-22<br />
cm long, 3.5-9 cm broad; petiole 1-2.2 cm long with two pedicellate glandls<br />
below the apex 7. T. rorfjozae.<br />
7'. Leaves firmly ehartaceous, oblong-obovate, abruptly anld obtusely acuminate,<br />
the margiin slightly revoliite with minu-te and distant glands, the secondary,<br />
nerves 7-8 on each side, the reticulum promiunulous, at base twvo subsessile<br />
glands with di1aetd base, 15-26 cm blong, 7-9 cm broad; petiole 2.5-3.5 cm<br />
loing without glands. 8. T. popayaqnense.<br />
1. <strong>Tetrorchidium</strong> macrophyllum Muell.-Arg. in DC. Prodr. 152: 1133. 1866.<br />
PUTUMAYO: Rain forest between Puerto Asis and Umbria, 270-350 rn alt.;<br />
small branched tree, 23-XII-1940, J. Cuatrecasas 11256. Mocoa in rain forest<br />
at Quebrada del Rio Mulato, 570-600 m alt.; large tree; flowers whitish, J. Cta-<br />
trecasas 11285.<br />
<strong>The</strong> species is known from Peru and Ecuador.<br />
My collection 11285 has relatively small leaves; it is a lmlale specimen and<br />
cannot be disassociated from the female specimen 11256 collected at the same<br />
region which agrees better with the commoni forms <strong>of</strong> T. macrophylltUm. It<br />
seems that large trees have smaller leaves at the terminal branchlets than the<br />
young smaller plants.<br />
2. <strong>Tetrorchidium</strong> rubrivenium Poepp. & Endl. Nov. Gen. & Sp. 3: 23. pl. 227.<br />
1842.<br />
CALDAS: Cordillera Central; Palestina 1500 m alt., tree 20 in high truilk<br />
40 cm diam.; white wood <strong>of</strong> medium density; fruits, 5 mm, rounded, Dtque<br />
Jaramitilo 1769. PUTUMAYO: Mocoa, Quebrada del Rio Mulato in rain forest<br />
580-600 m alt., 28-XI-1940, J. Cuatrecasas 11290. VALLE: Alto del Dinde,<br />
between Cartago and Aleal', 1200-1260 m alt.; tree 12 m alt., leaves papyraceous,<br />
dark-green, semi-shining; conglomerate greenish-yellow buds; 16-X-1946, J.<br />
Cuatrecasas 22898.<br />
T. rubriveniurn is spread from Venezuela to Peru and Brazil. <strong>The</strong> species is<br />
polyim-orphous, several varieties having been described. <strong>The</strong> above-mentioned<br />
<strong>Colombian</strong> collections have more or less sinuate-dentate leaves with hispidulous<br />
midrib alid are close to the vTariety fendleri Muell.-Arg.<br />
3. <strong>Tetrorchidium</strong> boyacanum Croizat, Jour. Arnold Arb. 24: 170. 1943. Fig. 1.<br />
BOYACA: Region <strong>of</strong> Chapon, extreme west <strong>of</strong> the Department, in high thick<br />
forest at El Umbo, 3000 ft alt.; shrub 12-15 ft high, flowers greenish-yellow,
78 BRITTONIA V OL. 9<br />
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1957] CUATRECASAS: TETROCHIDIUM 79<br />
22-X-1932, A. E. Law. ence 547 (isotype, NY). NOTER DE SANTANDER:<br />
Region <strong>of</strong> Sarare; Hoya del iRio Cubug6on, El Tndio, 420-480 m alt.; small tree,<br />
calyx greenish, anthers yellowish-white, 13-XI-1941, J. Cuatrecasas 13088.<br />
This species, limited to Colombia, is characterized by its obovate-oblong,<br />
membranaceous leaves which are smooth (without venation) beneath. Its male<br />
infloreseences are much branched, slender and subglabrous (having only small,<br />
minute, scarce hairs). <strong>The</strong> marginal glands described by Croizat are almost<br />
non-existent in the specimens cited.<br />
4. <strong>Tetrorchidium</strong> ochroleucum Cuatr., sp. nov. Figure 2.<br />
Arbor mediocris cortice trunei griseo-ochraceo pallido, ligno ochraceo, ramulis<br />
terminalibus teretibus laevibus innovationibns adpresse puberulis demum glabris.<br />
Folia alterna simplicia. Petiolus 1.5-3 cm longus crassiuseulus semiteres<br />
supra suleatus basi inerassatus ca. apicem glandulis 2 tubulosis 1-1.5 mm longis<br />
praeditus parce puberulus vel glaber. Lamina crassiuseula coriacea subobovatoelliptica<br />
basim versus attenuata cuneata, apice subite in acumen obtusiusculum<br />
angustata margine integro sed interdum parcissimis glandulis (1-2 utroque<br />
latere) 7-16 cm longa 3.5-7.5 cm lata, acumine 3-10 mm longo, 3-7 mm lato;<br />
in sieco: supra viridi-pallida glabra vel sparsissimis minutis pilis adpressis, costa<br />
impressa vel filiformi notata nervis secundariis et venulis laxe reticulatis paulo<br />
prominulis; subtus nitidissima ochroleuca visu glabra sed praecipue juvenili<br />
statu ad nervos principales pilis minutis sparsis adpressis praedita, costa crasse<br />
elevata nervis secundariis ca. 5 utroque latere prominentibus aseendentibus<br />
marginem versus arcuatis evaneseenti-anastomosantibus, venulis prominulis reticulum<br />
valde laxum formantibus.<br />
Infloreseentiae masculae axillares 6-15 cm longae graciles anlgustae racemiformes<br />
axi tenui pubeseenti vel puberulo pilis malpighiaceis adpressis munito,<br />
pedunculo 2-6 cm longo; ramulis usque ad 5 mm longis inferiori excepto interdum<br />
ad 2 eni longo, vulgo 1-3 floribus subsessilibus bracteolatis instructis. Bracteolae<br />
glandulosae cupulatae. Flos masculus 3 sepalis ovatis obtusiusculis extus<br />
pubeseentibus, 1 mm longis latisque. Stamina 3 sessilia antheris 1 mm latis<br />
4-lobatis lobis 0.5 mm latis. Infloreseentiae femilneae (in statu fructifero tantum<br />
visae) ad 12 cm longae. Pedicelli fructiferi teneres puberuli 4-10 mm lolngi.<br />
Fructus rotundatus 10-14 mm diamitens puberulus viridi-albicans (maturitate),<br />
apice stigmata 3 papilloso-tomentella bilobata, trispermus. Semina rubeseentia<br />
alveolata ellipsoidea ca. 6 X7 mm longa. Discus hypogynus cupuliformis Olaber<br />
basi fructus remanens,<br />
Typus: COLOMBIA: Dep. Valle: Costa del Pacifico, Rio Cajambre: Silva<br />
5-80 m alt., 14-V-1944; small tree, leaves green, coriaceous, rigid, dark green<br />
above, yellowish-green, pale beneath. Perianth yellowish-white, J. Cuatrecasas<br />
17636 (holotypus, F). Costa del Pacifico, Rio Yurumangui: Pefna de Candelaria,<br />
10 m alt., 9-II-1944; tree leaves thick-coriaceous, yellowish-green, pale; fruits<br />
samne color 10-12 mm diam., J. Cuatrecasas 16134 (paratypus, F). Rio Yurumangui,<br />
Veneral, forests 5-50 m alt., 28-1-1944; small tree 7 m, stem 15 cm<br />
diam., bark gray-ochraceous, pale; wood ochraceous; leaves coriaceous, smooth,<br />
green above, pale beneath; ripe fruits greenish-white with 3 reddish seeds. J.<br />
Cuatrecasas 15704 (F, VALLE).<br />
T. ochroleucumt is distinguished by its coriaceous, firm, ovate or subelliptic,<br />
Explanation <strong>of</strong> figures 1, 2,<br />
FIG. 1. Tetrorchidiun boyacanun, isotype. FIG. 2. Tetrorchidintm ochroleutcutm, holotype.
80 BRITTONIA [VOL. 9<br />
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X '<br />
X 3 ^ ts i i. ;S . , :.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~. iN<br />
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1957] CUATRECASAS: TETROCHIDLUM 81<br />
acuminate leaves which are lustrous, pale yellowish andl glabrous (or with ap-<br />
pressed puberulous midrib) beneath.<br />
5. <strong>Tetrorchidium</strong> bulbipilosum Cuatr., sp. nov.<br />
Arbor mediocris ramis terminalibus viridi-ochraceis glabratis, juvenilibus<br />
tomentosis pilis acutis basi tuberculosis patulis dense obtectis.<br />
Folia alterna simplicia. Petiolus 1.4-2 cm longus crassiusculus minute tomentosus<br />
pilis acutis basi conicis, supra sulcatus, infra apicem 2 glandulis cvlindricis<br />
ca. 1.2 mm longis praeditus. Lamina firmula coriacea subobovata basi attenuata<br />
acute cuneata apice subite angustata breviter obtusiuscule acuminata, margine<br />
integra remotis glandulis annularibus minutis munita, 11-15.5 cm longa 5.5-7.6<br />
cni lata, supra pallido-viridis (in sicco) pilis minutis patulis basi tuberculatis<br />
(bulbosis) ad costam copiosis in cetera sparsis vel raris praedita, costa nervis<br />
secundariis paulo notatis nervulis laxe reticulatis leviter prominulis; subtus<br />
pallidior costa elevata vulgo 4 nervis secundariis ascendentibus arcuatis nlervulis<br />
prominulis laxe reticulatis, pilis minutis acutis patulis sparsis vel sparssissimis<br />
sed ad costam nervosque secundarios copiosis.<br />
Inflorescentiae femineae (in statu fructifero tantuli visae) ca. 4 cm longae,<br />
axi minute tomeitoso pilis acutis patulis basi tuberculatis. Pedicelli teneres 8-10<br />
mm longi. Sepala 3 brevia pubescentia. Discus hypogynus cupularis glaber basi<br />
fructus remanens 1.5 mm altus. Fructus sulcatus extus puberulus, seminibus<br />
rubris ovatis acutis compressis alveolatis ca. 5 mm longis 6 mm latis.<br />
Typus: COLOMBIA: Dep. Valle: Costa del Pacifico Bahia de Buenaveiitura;<br />
Quebrada de San Joaquin, 0-10 m alt., "tree 12 m, stern 15 cm, diam.; leaves<br />
coriaceous, flexible, pale green, semilustrous; fruit with two deep, greenish-white<br />
furrows; seeds red, 22-11-1946 J. Cuatrecasas 19932 (holotypus, F; isotypus,<br />
VALLE).<br />
T. blbipilosurnt is closely related to T. ochroletcurm, but has more obovate<br />
leaves, more prominent venatioll, and the leaves lack the ochraceous color be-<br />
Heath. Furthermore it differs from all other species by the minute tomentumn<br />
which covers the branchlets and petioles, and to a lesser degree the nerves. This<br />
tomentun- is formed by spreading acute hairs which are tuberculate (bulbose)<br />
at the base.<br />
6. <strong>Tetrorchidium</strong> robledoanum Cuatr., sp. nov. Figures 3, 4.<br />
Arbor mediocris, ramulis terminalibus viridibus adpresse pubeseentibus pilis<br />
malpighiaceis tectis.<br />
Folia alterna simplicia. Petiolus 5-12 mm longis adpresse pubescens semiteres<br />
supra suleatus subapicem 2 glandulis tubulosis patulis 1 mm longis instruetus.<br />
Lamina chartacea viridis subobovato-oblonga basim versus paulo attenuata<br />
basi obtusa, apice subite attenuata obtuseque cuspidata, margine integra sed raris<br />
glandulis minutis praedita, 4-11 cm longa, 1.5-4.2 em lata acumine 2-10 mm<br />
longo, 3 mm lato; supra puberula pilis minutis adpressis vel subadpressis sparsis<br />
mlunita, costa angusta impressa vel plana nervis secundariis paulo impressis<br />
filiformibus, venulis in reticulo prominulo notato; subtus puberulis, costa elevata<br />
magis adpresse pilosa, nervis secundariis 4-5 utroque latere prominentibus valde<br />
aseendentibus prope marginem arcuatis amastomosatis, venulis reticulum prominulum<br />
plus minusve conspicuum formantibus.<br />
Explanation <strong>of</strong> figures 3, 4<br />
FIG. 3. Tetrorchidinun<br />
robledoanum, holotype. FIG. 4. <strong>The</strong> same, with male flowers: para-<br />
type.
82 BRITTONIA [ VOL. 9<br />
Inflorescentiae rnasculae in panieulis angustis raceinosis 2-4 cm longis, axi<br />
ramulisque teneribus adpresse pubeseentibus. Flores masculi solitarii breviter<br />
pedicellati basi bracteola glandulata breviter cupulari vel subdisciformi, pedicellis<br />
0.5-2 mm longis. Flos masculus sepalis 3 ovatis acutis pubeseentibus 1.2<br />
mm longis, 1 mm latis. Stamina 3 filamentis brevissimis antheris circa 1 mm<br />
amplis 4-lobulatis. Infloreseentiae femineae 2-6 mm longae, ramulis praecipue<br />
unifloris; pseudopedicellis 3-7 lmm teneribus puberulis articulatis. Flos femineus<br />
sepalis 3 ovatis acutiusculis adpresse pubeseentibus 1.2 mm longis, 1 mm<br />
latis. Discus hypogynus glaber urceolato-cupularis calycis altitudinem attingens<br />
margine obsolete crenatus. Ovarim glabrumn ovoideum, stigmata crasso-subquadrato<br />
sessile.<br />
Typus: COLOMBIA: Antioquia: municipio de Sonson, region <strong>of</strong> Rioverde,<br />
Hacienda La Soledad, Quebrada Curubital; remnant forest shrub 4 m, flowers<br />
greenish-white, 23-1-1947, Gabriel Gttierrez 35556 (holotypus, CAL). Antioquia:<br />
municipio de SonSo6nl, regioln <strong>of</strong> Rioverde, left bank <strong>of</strong> the Rio Verdes<br />
de los Montes, road to Sonson; tree 7 m; flowers greenish, 5-11-1947, Gabriel<br />
Guttierrez 35670 (paratypus, 8, CAL).<br />
T. robledoanutm is closely related to T. gorgonae, buLt the latter has larger<br />
and more attenuate leaves which are culeate and incised-dentate, longer petioles<br />
with the pedicellate glands more separated from the base <strong>of</strong> the blade; commonly<br />
the leaves have six pairs <strong>of</strong> secondary nerves, whereas the Aintioquian plant<br />
usually has only four, the blades being more rigid.<br />
This species is being named to honor Dr. Emilio Robledo, an outstanding<br />
cultural leader in Colombia and pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Botany for many years at the<br />
National University in Medellin.<br />
7. <strong>Tetrorchidium</strong> gorgonac Croizat, Jour. Arn. Arb. 24: 170. 1943.<br />
NARINO; East side <strong>of</strong> Gorgona Island; edge <strong>of</strong> forest at Coast, 11-11-1939,<br />
Killip & Garcia 33214 (isotype, US).<br />
T. gorgyonae has the hypogynous disc cupuliforin and persistent at the base<br />
<strong>of</strong> the fruit. <strong>The</strong> species has been collected also at the Pacific Coast <strong>of</strong> Ecuador<br />
by E. L. Little (6208, 6207, 6168).<br />
8. <strong>Tetrorchidium</strong> popayanense Croizat, Jour. Arn. Arb. 24: 171. 1943.<br />
CAUCA: Highlands <strong>of</strong> Popayan, 1500-1800 m alt., Rio Guangubio; blooms<br />
in November, Lehmactnn BT 667 (holotypus, A).<br />
This species is closely related to T. gorgonae and T. robledoanum; it has iiarrow<br />
raeemose miiale infloreseences, the lateral branchlets very short.