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(Last Modified On 8/1/2013)
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(Last Modified On 8/1/2013)
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Genus
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Rytidostylis Hook. & Arn.
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PlaceOfPublication
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Bot. Beech. Voy. 424. 1840.
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Note
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TYPE: R. gracilis Hook. & Arn.
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Synonym
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Elaterium Jacq., Enum. P1. Carib., Vol. 9. 1760; non Mill., 1754. TYPE: E. carthaginense Jacq.
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Description
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Monoecious, tendriled vines; stems 5-sulcate. Leaves alternate, petiolate, sim- ple, entire or lobate; tendrils simple or 2- to 3-branched. Staminate flowers green, white, or yellow, inflorescences few-to-many-flowered, umbelloid pedun- culate or fasciculate, axillary clusters; calyx elongate cylindric, 5-lobate; corolla (4-)5-lobate; stamens 3, the filaments connate, the anthers connate in an oblong or globose head, the theca flexuous, 2-locular. Pistillate flowers solitary; calyx and corolla as in the staminate flowers; styles 3, connate; ovary obliquely ovoid, hispid or echinate, 1- to 6-locular, usually 3-locular with 1 locule aborted, the ovules erect, ascending, or horizontal. Fruit obliquely ovoid to subglobose, gib- bous, rostrate or not, elastically dehiscent; seeds elliptical to ovate compressed.
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Habit
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vines
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Note
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Rytidostylis is a genus consisting of perhaps a half dozen species occurring in the Neotropics. Numerous poorly delimited species have been described. The genus is much in the need of revision. See Jeffrey (1962) for a discussion of the name Rytidostylis over the much better known Elaterium. The Panamanian material is interpreted as belonging to a single, highly poly- morphic, widespread species. However, further revisionary study may eventu- ally result in the recognition of additional taxa for Panama, perhaps adding names to the present synonymy.
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