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Notas
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This species is characterized by its small, thick, shiny leaves that are closely seto the branches, its distinctive stipule form, and its solitary flowers. The stipules are triangular as in other Arcytophyllum species, but have two filaments or linear lobes that are situated with one on each side of the central stipule portion. In particular Arcytophyllum nitidum is similar to Arcytophyllum vernicosum, which differs in its glabrous stipules that are entire or fimbriate at the apex not the sides. Mena (1990) noted that Arcytophyllum nitidum is distinctive in appearance in the field. Mena keyed this species as having the flowers several and arranged in a cyme, but his description correctly notes that the flowers are solitary (e.g., Steyermark 1974: p. 423, fig. 69). Mena synonymized several species and subspecies recognized by Steyermark based on pubescence, leaf size, and flower color differences. Mena noted that these characters are continuously variable while the stipule form and overall flower size and form are not.
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