PITTIER — PLANTS FROM COLOMBIA AND CENTRAL AMERICA. 



125:' 



section, now increased to six species. If, however, it is remem- 

 bered that Cyclanthera as a genus rests mainly on the peculiar 

 structure of the androecium, reduced to one stamen with a disk-like 

 anther, while in Elateriopsis the same is formed of 5 stamens with 

 sinuous anthers made up in a regular head, it will be at once evident 

 that the fusion of the two genera is not justified, and that Elateriopsis 

 has more affinities with the Sicyoideae than with the Cyclantherae. 

 This is the view taken by Muller and Pax in the Pflanzenfamilien, 6 

 following which we restore the Costa Rican Cyclanthera oerstedii 

 Cogn. to its true place under Elateriopsis in the revision below. 

 In general appearance, as well us in details, it differs widely from 

 any of our Cyclantherae, the fruit being the one exception: it is 

 similar in appearance, although quite smooth, to that of Cyclanthera 



Fig. 32.— Staminal head of Elateri- 

 ojixi.i oerstedii. Scale C. 



Fig. 31.— Flower parts of Elateriopsis oerstedii and E. oerstedii 

 biolleyi. Of former, a, part of male flower showing calyx teeth 

 and lobe of corolla. Of latter, 6, longitudinal section of male 

 flower, a, b, Scale 3. 



pedata and like that is used as a green vege- 

 table under the name of caifa. As the 

 materials on which Mr. Cogn iaux founded 

 this species were incomplete, lacking female 

 flowers and fruits, and we have been fortunate enough to obtain good 

 specimens of the latter and also of the seeds, a new description of the 

 plant is here given, female flowers remaining a desideratum. 



Elateriopsis oerstedii (Cogn.) Pittier. Plate 19. Figures 31-34. 



Cyclanthera oerstedii Cogn. in DC. Monogr. Phan. 3: 856. 1881. 



Stems robust, deeply 5-sulcate, glabrous or slightly pubescent in the furrows, 

 branching, densely foliated. Branchlets short. 



Leaves rather large. Petioles 3 to 6 cm. long, slender, glabrous, striate. Leaf 

 blades 6 to 15 cm. long, 7 to 18 cm. broad, more or less emarginate at base, angulate or 



a DC. Monogr. Phan. 3: 330, 824. 1881. 



6 Engl. & Prantl, Pilanzenfam. 4 5 : 36. 1889. 



