30 MEMOIRS OF THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN ' j VOL. 30 



into a sharp, rather rigid point. This similarity in pubescence types and the form 

 of the corolla limb suggests relationship with R. t anient osa, but in general habit 

 R. stelligera is nearer R. trifoliolata, a species which is very different in the in- 

 florescence, calyx, and type of pubescence. 



3. Raveniopsis ruellioides (Oliver) Cowan, comb, no v. 



Bavenia ruellioides Oliver, Timehri 5:191. 1886. 



Key to Varieties of Raveniopsis ruellioides 



1. Leaves oval to elliptic, about 2-3 times as long as wide, the base subobtuse to 



acute, not attenuate-euneate. Sepals ovate to broadly ovate. 3a. var. ruellioides. 



1. Leaves narrowly elliptic, about 3.5-4 times as long as wide, the base long- 



attenuate-euneate. Sepals narrowly lanceolate. 3b. var. angusta. 



3a. Raveniopsis ruellioides var. ruellioides. Fig. 21. 



Bavenia ruellioides Oliver, Timehri 5:191. 1886. 



Bavenia tatei Gleason, Bull. Torrey Club 58:376. Jun 1931. 



Bavenia ruellioides var. ptariana Steyermark, Fieldiana Bot. 28:1*73. Dec 1952. 



Widely distributed on the summits of sandstone tepuis from southernmost 

 Venezuela to Mt. Roraima at 1500-2500 m elevation, in thickets and low 

 scrub forest, especially along streams. 



VENEZUELA: Amazonas: Cerro Sipapo, Maguire $ Politi 28095, 28211, 28271, 28459, 

 28667; Cerro Duida, alt. 1825-2000 m, SteyermarTc 58114 (NY), Tate 436 (NY); Cerro 

 de la Neblina, alt. 1900-2100 m, Magvire et al. 42281 (US), 42447 (US). Bolivar: Mt. 

 Eoraima, alt. 2000-2500 m, Im Thurn 211 (isotype US), Irwin 428 (US), PinTcus 141 (G, 

 NY, US), Steyermark 58715 (G, NY); llu-tepui, Maguire 99999 (US); Cerro Apacara, 

 Cardona 1544 (US); Auyan-tepui, Tate 1184 (NY, US); Ptari-tepui, Maguire # Wurdaek 

 33891 (US), Steyermark 59511 (NY); Cerro Guaiquinima, Magvire 32941 (US), 32964 

 (US), 33088 (US); Chimanta Massif, Steyermark 74893 (NY), Steyermark $ Wurdaek 

 393 (NY, US), Wurdaek 34066, 34166 (NY, US). 



3b. Raveniopsis ruellioides var. angusta Cowan, var. no v. Fig*. 21. 



A var. ruellioide foliis anguste ellipticis, ca. 3.5-4-plo longioribus quam 

 latis, ad basim longe attenuato-cuneatis ; sepalis anguste lanceolatis differt. 



VENEZUELA: Amazonas: Cerro de la Neblina, rocky beaches along banks of Canon 

 Grande east of Cumbre Camp, alt. 1100 m; locally frequent shrub 0.3-1.5 m tall; fls red; 

 24 Nov. 1957, Bassett Maguire, John J. Wurdaek $ Celia K. Maguire 42189 (holotype, US 

 No. 2267439). Same data and collectors 42495 (paratype, US). 



The varietal key presents the characteristics that distinguish the two 

 varieties. Among the materials of this highly variable species there are several 

 forms, some of which have received names, but most of such variants are too 

 inconstant to justify their recognition nomenclaturally. In the face of such a 

 situation it may seem inadvisable to describe a new variety but it is sufficient- 

 ly well separated morphologically and ecologically from the typical popula- 

 tion that such a course cannot be satisfactorily avoided. 



R. ruellioides is perhaps nearest R. sericea and R. fraterna but it differs 

 from these, as well as from other species of the genus, by its pilosulose style, 

 by the distribution of the pubescence on the leaves, and by the color of the 

 corolla. 



4. Raveniopsis sericea Cowan, sp. no v. Fig. 12. 



Arbusculae 0.5-2 m altae, ramulis dense flavo-sericeis. Folia simplicia, 

 rigido-eoriaeea, petiolis 3-6 mm longis, flavo-sericeis ; laminae 28-40 mm 

 longae, 17-30 mm latae ; late ellipticae, elliptico-ovatae vel ovatae, ad apicem ob- 

 tusae, ad basem rotundo-obtusae, pilosae sed glabrescentes supra (pilis suberectis 



