TEA FAMILY (THEACEAE) 



160. Maricao verde 



This tree native only in Luquillo Mountains is 

 distinguished by: (1) alternate elliptic leaves 

 2-41/^ inches long and %-l% inches wide, rounded 

 at apex and long-pointed at the vei-y short-stalked 

 base, with slightly wavy-toothed edges, the lower 

 surface with 2 faint lines parallel with midrib, and 

 orange red when new ; ( 2 ) fragrant showy white 

 flowers nearly 2 inches across the 6-9 petals, al- 

 most stalkless and single at base of leaves; and (3) 

 oblong dark brown capsule %-l inch long and 

 %-V2 inch in diameter, 6-10-ridged, remaining at- 

 tached after opening. 



A medium-sized evergreen tree to 40 feet in 

 height and 11/2 feet in trunk diameter. Bark on 

 old trunks is gray and fissured. The twigs are 

 gray, finely hairy when young. The terminal bud 

 is long and narrow and covered by a hairy scale 

 (stipule). 



The dark green leaf blades are often broadest 

 above middle, turned under a little at edges, only 

 slightly thickened, and beneath with prominent 

 veins and paler and sparsely hairy. 



The large flowers are very conspicuous and at- 

 tractive, contrasting with the foliage. A flower 



Laplacea portoricensis (Krug & Urban) Dyer 



has 5 overlapping, unequal, rounded, leathery, 

 finely hairy sepals %-V2 inch in diameter; 6-9 

 bright white unequal obovate petals about % inch 

 long, some notched, soon falling; more than 100 

 unequal stamens i/i inch long with yellow anthers; 

 and pistil more than %6 inch long with broad, 

 rounded, hairy, 6-10-celled ovary and 5 or 6 styles. 



The finely hairy capsule splits open along the 

 ridges to release many thin, narrow, winged, 

 brown seeds nearly I/2 inch long. These old open 

 capsules serve as an aid in identification. Ke- 

 corded as flowering and with fruits in several 

 months nearly through the year. 



This tree perhaps is worthy of trial as an orna- 

 mental for its showy flowei-s. The wood is little 

 used. 



Found only in the lower Luquillo forest region. 



PtTBLic FOREST. — Luquillo. 



Range. — Restricted to eastern Puerto Rico. 



OiTiER COMMON NAMES. — maricao, nifio de cota 

 (Puerto Rico). 



Botanical synonyms. — Haemocharis portori- 

 censk Krug & Urban, Wickstroemia portoricensis 

 (Krug& Urban) Blake. 



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