1963] 



BOTANY OF THE GUAYAXA HIGHLANDS PART V 



63 



pubescent than is generally found in the complex. The floral structure conforms 

 to that of the genus. The taxon is perhaps more closely affiliated with E. multiflora 

 (Miquel) Mez than with any other member. Similar reticulation occurs in related 

 species which bear leaves that are larger, obovate, and usually not coriaceous. 



Endlicheria vinotincta C. K. Allen, sp. nov. Fig. 42 A. 



Arbuscula ad 1.5 m, ramulis apicalibus juventute vinaeeo- mox castaneo- vel 

 brunneo-pubescentibus. Folia alternata, petiolis brunneo-tomentosis mox atro- 

 brunneseentibus, striatis robustis recurvatis, ad 12 mm longis et 3 mm latis, 

 laminis supra glabris, costa excepta, subtus utrinque minute fulvo-sericeo- 

 pubescentibus, coriaceis, supra opacis in sicco viridi-brunneis, subtus pallidioribus 

 glaucescentibus, ellipticis vel anguste ovato-ellipticis margine leviter recurvata, 

 ad 13 cm longis et 5 cm latis ad apicem obtuso-acutis obtuso-subacuminatisve, 

 penninerviis, costa crassa supra utrinque plus minusve castaneo-pubescenti mox 

 glabra flavescenti, ad basim conspicue ad apicem tenuiter et inconspicue elevata, 

 nervis 6-8-paribus supra plerumque, inconspicuis, ad basim pubescentibus, subtus 

 conspicue elevatis pubescentibus, angulo ad costam 85° divergentibus, ad mar- 

 ginem 56°, rete venularum supra plerumque inconspicuo subtus elevato. Inflores- 

 centia axillaris, tenuis, pendula, utrinque dense vinaeeo- mox castaneo-tomentosa, 

 pauciflora, paniculata, bracteolata, ad 7 cm longa, longo-pedunculata. Flores 

 dioici, J immaturi, ad 2.5 mm, ut videtur brevipedicellati, perianthio campanulato 

 pubescentes, lobis ±1.9 mm longis ovatis intus sparse pubescentibus, tubo brevi 

 ±0.6 mm longo, staminibus sterilibus ser I & II filamentis inclusis, ut videtur 

 suborbicularibus, ±0.75 mm longis, filamentis indistinctis expansis, staminibus 

 sterilibus ser III ±0.8 mm longis, filamentis distinctis biglandulosis antheris 

 quam ser I & II minoribus, ser IV brevissime longiacuto, pubescenti; gynoecio 

 ad 1.6 mm longo, ovario subovoideo glabro quam stylo crasso majore, stigmate 

 conspicuo bilobato. Flores $ et infructescentia fructusque ignoti. 



Type. Shrub 1.5 m, rare on east escarpment slope, Canon Grande, below 

 Cumbre Camp, Cerro de la Neblina, Rio Yatua, Amazonas, Venezuela, 1650 m, 

 26 Nov 1957, Bassctt Maguire, John J. Wurdack & Celia K. Maguire 42244 

 (holotype, jfl. NY). 



Distribution. Known only from the type collection. 



The weak habit of the shrub is noteworthy. The leaves with glaucous under 

 surface, showing unusual lateral nerves which originate approximately at right 

 angles to the costa and branch more acutely towards, and presently arch abruptly 

 near the margin, are characteristic. Especially striking is the wine-colored tint 

 visible on the young branch-tips and inflorescences. 



The wine or maroon (plum) color of the pubescence may not be due entirely 

 to the pubescence per se but in part to the color of the apical portion of the young 

 shoots and to that of the apex and very young rhachis of the inflorescence. The 

 fact that the branchlets become progressively darker with age, as is commonly 

 noted in the family, and bear pubescence ranging from castaneous near the apex 

 to brunneous on older portions, tends to bear out this statement. 



The general habit suggests that of Ocotea declinata (Meissner) Mez, but the 

 floral pattern indicates it definitely as a member of the genus Endlicheria. The 

 sterile stamens of the first two outer cycles are expanded to a subpetaloid con- 

 dition, with no discrete filaments apparent. They bear on their introrse surface, 

 laterally near the base, two scalelike flaps closely adhering, seemingly attached 

 marginally. A similar condition is noted in a new species of the genus Ocotea 



