1963] 



BOTANY OF THE GUAYAXA HIGHLANDS PART V 



229 



tinguished from M. tatei var. tatci. Because it represents the variation of greater 

 rarity and more restricted distribution, I have indicated it as a variety under 

 M. tatei, despite the publication of the latter name on one page later, as explained 

 in the discussion under M . tatei var. tatei. 



Neblinathamnus Steyermark, gen. nov. 



Frutices erecti, stipulis obsoletis caducis. Folia 3-verticillata subtus tessellata. 

 Flores solitarii vel gemini terminales vel in axillis supremis pedicellati bracteolati, 

 bracteolis duabus setaceis. Calyx 5-laciniatus, laciniis aequalibus vel inaequalibus 

 linearibus vel spatulatis. Corolla hypocraterimorpha, tubo gracili, lobis 5 contortis. 

 Stamina 5, filamentis supra medium tubi corollae insertis, antheris linearibus ad 

 medium dorsifixis. Ovarium biloculare, ovulis numerosissimis. Discus crassus 

 ovarium coronatus. Capsula loculicidaliter dehiscens. Semina parva angulata, 

 testa rugoso-reticulata. 



Type species : N( blinathamnus argyn us Steyerm. 



This new genus is a member of the tribe Rondeletiae. It is related to Sipanea, 

 differing from that genus in its woody habit and caducous or obsolete stipules. 

 It is also related to Dendrosipanea and Chalepophyllum. From De n el ro sipanea 

 it may be distinguished by the loculicidal instead of septicidal dehiscence of the 

 capsule, by the caducous or obsolete stipules, by the tessellate lower leaf-surface, 

 and by the solitary or paired flowers. From Chatt pophyllum it may be separated 

 by the loculicidal instead of septicidal dehiscence of the capsule, the angled, 

 non-alate, non-compressed seeds, and by the solitary or paired terminal or sub- 

 terminal flowers. 



Neblinathamnus argyreus Steyermark, sp. nov. Fig. 77. 



Frutex 0.3-2 m altus, ramulis novellis angulatis hispidulo-hirtellis ; stipulis 

 obsoletis vel caducis, basi petioli intus pilis erectis setosis albidis instructis; foliis 

 3-verticillatis petiolatis, petiolis 2.5-3 mm longis hispidulis ; laminis coriaceis 

 supra atroviridibus subtus argenteis vel albidis, obovatis vel oblongo-obovatis 

 apice rotundatis interdum mucronulatis basin versus cuneatim angustatis 10-19 

 mm longis 5-10 mm latis, supra rugulosis glabris subtus tessellatis areolis 

 foveolatis papillis vermiformibus creberrimis instructis, areolarum marginibus 

 hispidulo-ciliatis, costa media supra sulcata subtus adpresso-hispidula, nervis 

 lateralibus utroque latere 5-7 supra sulcatis prominentibus nervis tertiariis laxe 

 reticulatis ; floribus solitariis vel geminis, pedicellis in anthesi 1.5-2.5 mm longis 

 hispidulo-hirtellis in fructu ad 4 mm longis; bracteolis 2 setaceis 1 mm longis 

 0.1-0.2 mm latis hispidulis; hypanthio 2 mm longo 2 mm lato hirtello, calycis 

 laciniis erectis linearibus vel lineari-spatulatis 4-7 mm longis 0.5-0.75 mm 

 latis parce vel moderatim hirtellis; corolla hypocrateriformi 20-22 mm longa, 

 tubo viridi vel flavido-viridi (teste Maguire, Wur clack, & Bunting) gracili 15-16 

 mm longo in parte inferiori tertia 1.5 mm lato fauce 3 mm lata extus parce 

 hirtello intus in parte superiore 3 mm longo puberulenti, lobis 5, viridibus vel 

 flavido-viridibus (teste Maguire, Wurclack, & Maguire) ovatis obtusis 5.5-6 mm 

 longis 4.5-5 mm latis; antheris 5, linearibus 2.5 mm longis; filamentis 1.5 mm 

 longis glabris; stylo filiformi 14.5-15 mm longo glabro ; stigmatibus lanceolato- 

 oblongis 1.5 mm longis; capsulis maturis subturbinatis apice truncatis 4-5 mm 

 longis 3.5^ mm latis extus dense hirtellis; seminibus maturis ferrugineo-fulvis 

 angulatis oblongo-ellipticis 1-1.5 mm longis rugoso-reticulatis. 



