within it. Monopteryx is encountered most frequently on the 
banks of rivers, in areas not generally subject to inundation, and 
along small forest streams. Erisma is generally found away from 
the rivers on terra firma. 
ERISMA, in the Vochysiaceae, is a genus of neotropical trees 
containing about sixteen species (Stafleu, 1954). The species are 
distributed from the Guianas to the Amazon basin. The genus 1s 
characterized by the fruits (see plates 16 and 17) which usually 
contain large wing-shaped calyx lobes. It was first described by 
Rudge in 1805 based on a collection by Martin from French 
Guiana. 
The description of Erisma Japura Spruce ex Warming 1s 
based upon a large forest tree collected by Richard Spruce at 
Panuré [Ipanore] on the Rio Uaupes, Brazil. Stafleu (1954) 
notes that the original material, Spruce 26/3, consists of two 
separate collections: November 1852 (flowering) and February 
1853 (fruiting). The specific epithet is derived from the local 
name for the tree. Spruce notes that “the kernels are pleasant 
eating”, and that a “Japura-butter” was made by the natives. 
Other species of Erisma, notably FE. calcaratum and E. uncina- 
tum, have been reported as sources of “Jaboty butter” or “Ja- 
boty tallow” (Eckey 1954:562). 
MONOPTERYX is a genus in the Leguminosae, tribe Sopho- 
reae, which was described in 1862 by Spruce in Bentham’s treat- 
ment of the family in Martius, Flora Brasiliensis. Spruce 
considered the genus to contain two species, M. angustifolia and 
M. Uaucu, both found in the northwest Amazon basin and 
upper Orinoco River area. Two flowering collections made by 
Spruce in the 1850’s were the basis for the genus. Pittier in 1915 
described M. Jahnii and provided a revised, although inaccu- 
rate, description of the genus. Monopteryx Jahnii is a synonym 
for Fissicalyx Fendleri Bentham (V. E. Rudd, pers. comm.). 
Both M. angustifolia and M. Uaucu are large forest trees with 
characteristic buttresses. Spruce (1908:20) referred to these but- 
tresses by the native word “sapopemas” [sapo, a root; pema, 
flat]. He gave the following account of M. angustifolia (1908: 
335): “The trunk of this tree is 4 feet thick and 80 feet high. It has 
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