The Colombian Species of Tetrorchidium - CNCFlora

The Colombian Species of Tetrorchidium
Author(s): Jose Cuatrecasas
Reviewed work(s):
Source: Brittonia, Vol. 9, No. 2 (Jul. 30, 1957), pp. 76-82
Published by: Springer on behalf of the New York Botanical Garden Press
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2804772 .
Accessed: 12/04/2012 10:11
Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at .
http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp
JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of
content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms
of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.
http://www.jstor.org
Springer and New York Botanical Garden Press are collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend
access to Brittonia.

THE COLOMBIAN SPECIES OF TETRORCHIDIUM
JOSE CUATRECASAS
Departtment of Botany, Smithsonian Institution
Washingtoni, D. C.
Of tweilty species recognized today by taxonomists in the tropical genus
Tetrorchidium Poepp. & Endl. (Euphorbiaceae), eight are to be found in Colombia,
six of them being Colombian endeniisms. Pax listed only four species for
the genus in his part of the monograph of the Euphorbiaceae published in 1912
[Planzenireich 147 (4) :291: T. andintin ]N. Arg., T. mnacrophyl/lwn M. Arg., T.
rubrivenitrn, Poepp. & Endl., and T. parvu,lu,m, M. Arg., all American. In 1919
Pax and Hoffman added four species more to Tetrorchidium by joining to it the
African genus Hasskarlia [Pflainzenreieh 147 (6 additt.) 531. At the same time
he created a section of this name for the African species and the section EKtetrorchidi,ium)
Pax & Hoff. for the American ones.
Sinee then the sectioll Eutetrorchidimn has been very miLich enlarged, by
Pax and Hoffman with one species (Brazil), by Croizat with four species (Colonibia,
Jamaica), by Ducke with one (Brazil), by Standley with two (Central
Air erica), anid by Staiidley anid Steyermiark with one (Guatemala). Finally I
am ldescribingo, in this paper three new species from recent Colombian collections.
As a result the present kniown distribuLtion of the section Eutetrorchidium, is:
one species stretched from Central America to Peru and Brazil, one from Mexico
to Honduras, one in Guatemala, one in Jamaica, four in Brazil, one in Ecuador,
one from Colombia and Ecuador, anid six limited to Colombia.In short the range
of the genus in America goes fromii soutlhern AMexico southward to Peru and
southeastward to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
Tetrorchidimm belongs to the subfamily Crotoinoideae (onie ovLtle in each cell
of the ovary) and tribe Geloniieae (flowers apetalous, sepals imbricate, small,
herbaceous, filaments straight). They are trees or large shruLbs; the male flowers
with short stamens, the anthers with four cells. They grow in the tropics usually
in lowlaiids or in the lower miiounitaini belt between sea level and 4500 feet of
altitude; onily exceptioniallv cani they be found at higher elevations.
The followinig key comnprises the eight species known today livinog in Colombia.
1. Male flowers sessile, coniglolmierate alolig the brancehes of the inifloreseeniee; leaves
chartaceous or subiembraiiaceous.
2. Leaf -blades chartaceous, reticulate-veiiied beneath; infloreseelice pubeseelnt;
hypogyiious disc cupuliform; blades 13-30 cm long, 4.5-13 cm broad, obovateoblong,
attenuate-acuminate at the apex, narrowed towards the base, cuneate,
the secondary nerves 8-10 oni each side; petiole 1.5-5 cm long. 1. T. niacrophyllitn.
2'. Leaf-blades iot reticulate-veilned beneatlh
3. Male infloreseelees robust, the axis and braiehlets rather thiek anld densely
pubescent, the glomerules of flowers thick. Blades 9-18 cm lonlg, 4-6 cm
broad, entire or slightly serrate, the base cuneate, the secondary ilerves 5-6
oln each side; petiole 2.5-3 cm long; hypogynous disc formed by three free
glanids. 2. T. riubriveiniuin.
3'. Male infloreseenee slender, flexuose, the axis and bralichlets thin, glabrous or
subglabrous, the glomerules smaller and rather slender; blades 8-15 cm long,
3-6 cm broad, entire, subobovate-obloiig, the base less attenuate, the secondary
nerves 6-7 oln each side; petiole 1.5-2 cm long; hypogynious disc uniknown.
3. 1. boyacanum.
1'. Male flowers pedicellate, solitary, or a few sessile in short branchlets forming pseu-
-76-

1957] CUATRECASAS: TETROCHIDIUM 77
doracemes (in T. butlbipilosutm unknown); hypogynous disc cupuliform.
4. Leaf-blades firm, coriaceous, shiniing and subglabrous beneath, 7-16 cm long,
3.5-7.6 cm broad, ovate, elliptic-ovate or slightly obovate, the base cuneate,
the apex abruptly narrowed and shortly acuminate, the margin entire or seldom
with a few minute glands, the lax reticulum slightly prominent, the secondary
nerves 4-5 on each side.
5. Young branchlets, petioles and midrib beneath appressed-puberulous or glabrous;
leaves ochroleucous beneath. 4. T. ochroleitcaiim.
5'. Young braiiehlets, petioles, and midrib beneath minutely tomentose with
spreading, acute, tuberculate hairs; leaves pale-viridulous beneath.
5. T. bilbipilosumr.
4'. Leaf-blades chartaceous, reticulate-veinied; infloreseences pubeseenit.
6. Blades short (4-11 cm long, 1.5-4 cm broad), oblong-elliptic or oblonlg-obovate,
attenuate and obtuse at base, appressed-puberulous beneath, usually with 4
nierves each side, the reticulum prominent at both sides; petiole 5-12 mm
long; infloreseences to 6 cm long with slenider braniehes. 6. T. robledoanitm.
6'. Blades large, obovate or elliptic-lanceolate, acute anid culieate at base, appressed-
or subappressed-puberulous or glabrate beneath.
7. Leaves thin, chartaecous, lonig-acuminate, the margin flat, coarsely serrate,
the secondary nerves 6-8 on each side, the reticulum prominulous, 10-22
cm long, 3.5-9 cm broad; petiole 1-2.2 cm long with two pedicellate glandls
below the apex 7. T. rorfjozae.
7'. Leaves firmly ehartaceous, oblong-obovate, abruptly anld obtusely acuminate,
the margiin slightly revoliite with minu-te and distant glands, the secondary,
nerves 7-8 on each side, the reticulum promiunulous, at base twvo subsessile
glands with di1aetd base, 15-26 cm blong, 7-9 cm broad; petiole 2.5-3.5 cm
loing without glands. 8. T. popayaqnense.
1. Tetrorchidium macrophyllum Muell.-Arg. in DC. Prodr. 152: 1133. 1866.
PUTUMAYO: Rain forest between Puerto Asis and Umbria, 270-350 rn alt.;
small branched tree, 23-XII-1940, J. Cuatrecasas 11256. Mocoa in rain forest
at Quebrada del Rio Mulato, 570-600 m alt.; large tree; flowers whitish, J. Cta-
trecasas 11285.
The species is known from Peru and Ecuador.
My collection 11285 has relatively small leaves; it is a lmlale specimen and
cannot be disassociated from the female specimen 11256 collected at the same
region which agrees better with the commoni forms of T. macrophylltUm. It
seems that large trees have smaller leaves at the terminal branchlets than the
young smaller plants.
2. Tetrorchidium rubrivenium Poepp. & Endl. Nov. Gen. & Sp. 3: 23. pl. 227.
1842.
CALDAS: Cordillera Central; Palestina 1500 m alt., tree 20 in high truilk
40 cm diam.; white wood of medium density; fruits, 5 mm, rounded, Dtque
Jaramitilo 1769. PUTUMAYO: Mocoa, Quebrada del Rio Mulato in rain forest
580-600 m alt., 28-XI-1940, J. Cuatrecasas 11290. VALLE: Alto del Dinde,
between Cartago and Aleal', 1200-1260 m alt.; tree 12 m alt., leaves papyraceous,
dark-green, semi-shining; conglomerate greenish-yellow buds; 16-X-1946, J.
Cuatrecasas 22898.
T. rubriveniurn is spread from Venezuela to Peru and Brazil. The species is
polyim-orphous, several varieties having been described. The above-mentioned
Colombian collections have more or less sinuate-dentate leaves with hispidulous
midrib alid are close to the vTariety fendleri Muell.-Arg.
3. Tetrorchidium boyacanum Croizat, Jour. Arnold Arb. 24: 170. 1943. Fig. 1.
BOYACA: Region of Chapon, extreme west of the Department, in high thick
forest at El Umbo, 3000 ft alt.; shrub 12-15 ft high, flowers greenish-yellow,

78 BRITTONIA V OL. 9
ii~~~~~~~~~i
I
ID
-!V* is C
..
'I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~4I
.. .. _.
..........
*

1957] CUATRECASAS: TETROCHIDIUM 79
22-X-1932, A. E. Law. ence 547 (isotype, NY). NOTER DE SANTANDER:
Region of Sarare; Hoya del iRio Cubug6on, El Tndio, 420-480 m alt.; small tree,
calyx greenish, anthers yellowish-white, 13-XI-1941, J. Cuatrecasas 13088.
This species, limited to Colombia, is characterized by its obovate-oblong,
membranaceous leaves which are smooth (without venation) beneath. Its male
infloreseences are much branched, slender and subglabrous (having only small,
minute, scarce hairs). The marginal glands described by Croizat are almost
non-existent in the specimens cited.
4. Tetrorchidium ochroleucum Cuatr., sp. nov. Figure 2.
Arbor mediocris cortice trunei griseo-ochraceo pallido, ligno ochraceo, ramulis
terminalibus teretibus laevibus innovationibns adpresse puberulis demum glabris.
Folia alterna simplicia. Petiolus 1.5-3 cm longus crassiuseulus semiteres
supra suleatus basi inerassatus ca. apicem glandulis 2 tubulosis 1-1.5 mm longis
praeditus parce puberulus vel glaber. Lamina crassiuseula coriacea subobovatoelliptica
basim versus attenuata cuneata, apice subite in acumen obtusiusculum
angustata margine integro sed interdum parcissimis glandulis (1-2 utroque
latere) 7-16 cm longa 3.5-7.5 cm lata, acumine 3-10 mm longo, 3-7 mm lato;
in sieco: supra viridi-pallida glabra vel sparsissimis minutis pilis adpressis, costa
impressa vel filiformi notata nervis secundariis et venulis laxe reticulatis paulo
prominulis; subtus nitidissima ochroleuca visu glabra sed praecipue juvenili
statu ad nervos principales pilis minutis sparsis adpressis praedita, costa crasse
elevata nervis secundariis ca. 5 utroque latere prominentibus aseendentibus
marginem versus arcuatis evaneseenti-anastomosantibus, venulis prominulis reticulum
valde laxum formantibus.
Infloreseentiae masculae axillares 6-15 cm longae graciles anlgustae racemiformes
axi tenui pubeseenti vel puberulo pilis malpighiaceis adpressis munito,
pedunculo 2-6 cm longo; ramulis usque ad 5 mm longis inferiori excepto interdum
ad 2 eni longo, vulgo 1-3 floribus subsessilibus bracteolatis instructis. Bracteolae
glandulosae cupulatae. Flos masculus 3 sepalis ovatis obtusiusculis extus
pubeseentibus, 1 mm longis latisque. Stamina 3 sessilia antheris 1 mm latis
4-lobatis lobis 0.5 mm latis. Infloreseentiae femilneae (in statu fructifero tantum
visae) ad 12 cm longae. Pedicelli fructiferi teneres puberuli 4-10 mm lolngi.
Fructus rotundatus 10-14 mm diamitens puberulus viridi-albicans (maturitate),
apice stigmata 3 papilloso-tomentella bilobata, trispermus. Semina rubeseentia
alveolata ellipsoidea ca. 6 X7 mm longa. Discus hypogynus cupuliformis Olaber
basi fructus remanens,
Typus: COLOMBIA: Dep. Valle: Costa del Pacifico, Rio Cajambre: Silva
5-80 m alt., 14-V-1944; small tree, leaves green, coriaceous, rigid, dark green
above, yellowish-green, pale beneath. Perianth yellowish-white, J. Cuatrecasas
17636 (holotypus, F). Costa del Pacifico, Rio Yurumangui: Pefna de Candelaria,
10 m alt., 9-II-1944; tree leaves thick-coriaceous, yellowish-green, pale; fruits
samne color 10-12 mm diam., J. Cuatrecasas 16134 (paratypus, F). Rio Yurumangui,
Veneral, forests 5-50 m alt., 28-1-1944; small tree 7 m, stem 15 cm
diam., bark gray-ochraceous, pale; wood ochraceous; leaves coriaceous, smooth,
green above, pale beneath; ripe fruits greenish-white with 3 reddish seeds. J.
Cuatrecasas 15704 (F, VALLE).
T. ochroleucumt is distinguished by its coriaceous, firm, ovate or subelliptic,
Explanation of figures 1, 2,
FIG. 1. Tetrorchidiun boyacanun, isotype. FIG. 2. Tetrorchidintm ochroleutcutm, holotype.

80 BRITTONIA [VOL. 9
a--'
1; ' X
__.
^. ........ __^................
........... .. . o. .. ....... .^ . .... ^.X. i. X .. ...........................
' :.. .
X '
X 3 ^ ts i i. ;S . , :.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~. iN
r a w _ _
__i-_ __.
_ _ _ _ _
if a 4. iPf .
s S 'I tl

1957] CUATRECASAS: TETROCHIDLUM 81
acuminate leaves which are lustrous, pale yellowish andl glabrous (or with ap-
pressed puberulous midrib) beneath.
5. Tetrorchidium bulbipilosum Cuatr., sp. nov.
Arbor mediocris ramis terminalibus viridi-ochraceis glabratis, juvenilibus
tomentosis pilis acutis basi tuberculosis patulis dense obtectis.
Folia alterna simplicia. Petiolus 1.4-2 cm longus crassiusculus minute tomentosus
pilis acutis basi conicis, supra sulcatus, infra apicem 2 glandulis cvlindricis
ca. 1.2 mm longis praeditus. Lamina firmula coriacea subobovata basi attenuata
acute cuneata apice subite angustata breviter obtusiuscule acuminata, margine
integra remotis glandulis annularibus minutis munita, 11-15.5 cm longa 5.5-7.6
cni lata, supra pallido-viridis (in sicco) pilis minutis patulis basi tuberculatis
(bulbosis) ad costam copiosis in cetera sparsis vel raris praedita, costa nervis
secundariis paulo notatis nervulis laxe reticulatis leviter prominulis; subtus
pallidior costa elevata vulgo 4 nervis secundariis ascendentibus arcuatis nlervulis
prominulis laxe reticulatis, pilis minutis acutis patulis sparsis vel sparssissimis
sed ad costam nervosque secundarios copiosis.
Inflorescentiae femineae (in statu fructifero tantuli visae) ca. 4 cm longae,
axi minute tomeitoso pilis acutis patulis basi tuberculatis. Pedicelli teneres 8-10
mm longi. Sepala 3 brevia pubescentia. Discus hypogynus cupularis glaber basi
fructus remanens 1.5 mm altus. Fructus sulcatus extus puberulus, seminibus
rubris ovatis acutis compressis alveolatis ca. 5 mm longis 6 mm latis.
Typus: COLOMBIA: Dep. Valle: Costa del Pacifico Bahia de Buenaveiitura;
Quebrada de San Joaquin, 0-10 m alt., "tree 12 m, stern 15 cm, diam.; leaves
coriaceous, flexible, pale green, semilustrous; fruit with two deep, greenish-white
furrows; seeds red, 22-11-1946 J. Cuatrecasas 19932 (holotypus, F; isotypus,
VALLE).
T. blbipilosurnt is closely related to T. ochroletcurm, but has more obovate
leaves, more prominent venatioll, and the leaves lack the ochraceous color be-
Heath. Furthermore it differs from all other species by the minute tomentumn
which covers the branchlets and petioles, and to a lesser degree the nerves. This
tomentun- is formed by spreading acute hairs which are tuberculate (bulbose)
at the base.
6. Tetrorchidium robledoanum Cuatr., sp. nov. Figures 3, 4.
Arbor mediocris, ramulis terminalibus viridibus adpresse pubeseentibus pilis
malpighiaceis tectis.
Folia alterna simplicia. Petiolus 5-12 mm longis adpresse pubescens semiteres
supra suleatus subapicem 2 glandulis tubulosis patulis 1 mm longis instruetus.
Lamina chartacea viridis subobovato-oblonga basim versus paulo attenuata
basi obtusa, apice subite attenuata obtuseque cuspidata, margine integra sed raris
glandulis minutis praedita, 4-11 cm longa, 1.5-4.2 em lata acumine 2-10 mm
longo, 3 mm lato; supra puberula pilis minutis adpressis vel subadpressis sparsis
mlunita, costa angusta impressa vel plana nervis secundariis paulo impressis
filiformibus, venulis in reticulo prominulo notato; subtus puberulis, costa elevata
magis adpresse pilosa, nervis secundariis 4-5 utroque latere prominentibus valde
aseendentibus prope marginem arcuatis amastomosatis, venulis reticulum prominulum
plus minusve conspicuum formantibus.
Explanation of figures 3, 4
FIG. 3. Tetrorchidinun
robledoanum, holotype. FIG. 4. The same, with male flowers: para-
type.

82 BRITTONIA [ VOL. 9
Inflorescentiae rnasculae in panieulis angustis raceinosis 2-4 cm longis, axi
ramulisque teneribus adpresse pubeseentibus. Flores masculi solitarii breviter
pedicellati basi bracteola glandulata breviter cupulari vel subdisciformi, pedicellis
0.5-2 mm longis. Flos masculus sepalis 3 ovatis acutis pubeseentibus 1.2
mm longis, 1 mm latis. Stamina 3 filamentis brevissimis antheris circa 1 mm
amplis 4-lobulatis. Infloreseentiae femineae 2-6 mm longae, ramulis praecipue
unifloris; pseudopedicellis 3-7 lmm teneribus puberulis articulatis. Flos femineus
sepalis 3 ovatis acutiusculis adpresse pubeseentibus 1.2 mm longis, 1 mm
latis. Discus hypogynus glaber urceolato-cupularis calycis altitudinem attingens
margine obsolete crenatus. Ovarim glabrumn ovoideum, stigmata crasso-subquadrato
sessile.
Typus: COLOMBIA: Antioquia: municipio de Sonson, region of Rioverde,
Hacienda La Soledad, Quebrada Curubital; remnant forest shrub 4 m, flowers
greenish-white, 23-1-1947, Gabriel Gttierrez 35556 (holotypus, CAL). Antioquia:
municipio de SonSo6nl, regioln of Rioverde, left bank of the Rio Verdes
de los Montes, road to Sonson; tree 7 m; flowers greenish, 5-11-1947, Gabriel
Guttierrez 35670 (paratypus, 8, CAL).
T. robledoanutm is closely related to T. gorgonae, buLt the latter has larger
and more attenuate leaves which are culeate and incised-dentate, longer petioles
with the pedicellate glands more separated from the base of the blade; commonly
the leaves have six pairs of secondary nerves, whereas the Aintioquian plant
usually has only four, the blades being more rigid.
This species is being named to honor Dr. Emilio Robledo, an outstanding
cultural leader in Colombia and professor of Botany for many years at the
National University in Medellin.
7. Tetrorchidium gorgonac Croizat, Jour. Arn. Arb. 24: 170. 1943.
NARINO; East side of Gorgona Island; edge of forest at Coast, 11-11-1939,
Killip & Garcia 33214 (isotype, US).
T. gorgyonae has the hypogynous disc cupuliforin and persistent at the base
of the fruit. The species has been collected also at the Pacific Coast of Ecuador
by E. L. Little (6208, 6207, 6168).
8. Tetrorchidium popayanense Croizat, Jour. Arn. Arb. 24: 171. 1943.
CAUCA: Highlands of Popayan, 1500-1800 m alt., Rio Guangubio; blooms
in November, Lehmactnn BT 667 (holotypus, A).
This species is closely related to T. gorgonae and T. robledoanum; it has iiarrow
raeemose miiale infloreseences, the lateral branchlets very short.