|
(Last Modified On 11/27/2012)
|
|
|
|
(Last Modified On 11/27/2012)
|
|
Genus
|
BROWNEA Jacq.
|
|
PlaceOfPublication
|
Enum. P1. Carib. 6. 1760
|
|
Note
|
(as Browneae), nom. conserv.
|
|
Synonym
|
Hermesias Loefl. Iter Hisp. 278. 1758, hyponym.
|
|
Description
|
Shrubs or trees, branchlets pubescent or glabrous. Leaves large, simply pinnate, few- to many-foliolate; leaflets in pairs, opposite to subalternate, large, entire, short-petiolulate. Inflorescence capitate to short-racemose, terminal to cauliflorous, bracteate, the bracts often colored and caducous. Flowers large, showy, ensheathed basally by the coalesced bractlets; calyx 4- to 5-parted, submembranaceous, with an elongate, thickened receptacular base; petals 4-5, membranaceous, clawed; stamens 10-15. basally connate. Ovary stipitate, the stipe adnate the whole length of the receptacular tube. Legume flat, 2-valved.
|
|
Habit
|
Shrubs trees
|
|
Distribution
|
Panama to Brazil; southern West Indies; center of dispersion apparently interior Venezuela.
|
|
Note
|
This striking genus is apparently in need of specific condensation. Plants from different localities (bearing different names) appear highly similar in the herbarium, and specific limits are poorly defined. The specimens are usually bulky and incom- plete on herbarium sheets,-the sheets often being without reference to location of inflorescence or other so-called key characters, and with parts of the large in- florescence or flowers missing or caducous. The plants themselves are extremely variable in the number of leaflets on various leaves of the same plant. The specific names listed must temporarily serve until monographic study can determine their true reference and complete synonymy.
|
|
Key
|
. Leaflets elliptic to ovate, usually rounded or obtuse basally, essentially glabrous below; floral sheath mostly rusty-tomentose or tomentulose and scarcely 3 cm. long ............................... .......... 1. B. ROSA-DE-MONTE aa. Leaflets narrowly elliptic, usually cuneate basally or narrowing below the middle, pubescent below, at least along the midvein; floral sheath canescent-tomentose, usually about 3.5 cm. long .2. B. MACROPHYLLA
|
|
Tag
|
|
|
|
Project Name
|
|
Tag
|
|
|
|