1952] 



PLANTS COLLECTED IN ECUADOR 



27 



Azuay: in open paramo, Paramo del Castillo, crest of the eastern cordillera on 

 the trail between Sevilla de Oro and Mendez, 11,000-11,300 ft., August 21, 1945, 

 Camp E-4882. 



The curious dark spots at the base of the leaf-spines in Puya maculata con- 

 stitute a character that is unique in the genus. The more technical characters of 

 the species indicate affinity with P. clava-herculis Mez & Sodiro, but it differs 

 from that in the erect primary bracts and subacute rather than acuminate sepals. 



Puya nutans L. B. Smith, sp. nov. Fig. 1, e, f. 



Herba acaulis, 55 cm. alta; foliis plurimis, densissime rosulatis, vaginis sub- 

 orbicularibus, 35 mm. diametro, extus atro-castaneis, apice adpresse lepidotis, 

 alibi glabris, laminis lineari-triangularibus , pungentibus, 15 cm. longis, basi 12 

 mm. latis, supra glabris lucidisque, subtus membrana e lepidibus cinereis formata 

 obtectis; scapo ad apicem versus leviter decurvato, 15 mm. diametro, leviter fer- 

 rugineo-lanoso, mox glabro; scapi vaginis erectis, imbricatis, infimis subfoliaceis, 

 alteris latissime ellipticis, serrulatis, ex sicco tenuibus, atris, apice laminis 

 linearibus gradatim brevioribus praeditis; inflorescentia nutans, simplicis sima, 

 dense strobiliformi, subglobosa, sub anthesin ca. 5 cm. diametro; bracteis flori- 

 geris eis scapi similibus sed apiculatls et obscure denticulatis , sepala super- 

 antibus; pedicellis ca. 5 mm. longis, robustis; sepalis anguste obovatis, late 

 obtusis, 18 mm. longis, densissime ferrugineo-stellatis; petalis 4 cm. longis, 

 pallide viridibus (! Camp). 



Azuay: common on Paramo de Tinajillas, 30-50 km. south of Cuenca, 11,000- 

 11,500 ft., March 17, 1945, Camp E-2291. 



The nodding inflorescence of Puya nutans appears to be unique in the genus. 

 Discounting the simple inflorescence which is not a reliable character anyway, 

 Puya nutans is probably related to P. clava-herculis Mez & Sodiro. The shape of 

 the sepal is obovate in P. nutans as against triangular in the other. 



Camp notes: "Although thousands of plants were seen, only three inflores- 

 cences were seen during the entire day. This plant is partly injured but rarely 

 killed by the usual paramo fires. Its control must be a real problem; and there is 

 little evidence that there is any success in control short of grubbing. Should the 

 high-altitude paramo pasture ever become valuable, the eradication of this pest 

 will be a real problem. " 



Puya pygmaea L. B. Smith, sp. nov. Fig. 1, g-i. 



Herba acaulis, 3 dm. alta; foliis multis, rosulatis, ad 17 cm. longis, vaginis 

 parvis, suborbicularibus, serrulatis, dissite lepidotis, laminis lineari-triangulari- 

 bus, pungentibus, basi 15 mm. latis, supra glabris lucidisque, subtus dense ad- 

 presseque albido-lepidotis, spinis hamatis gracilibus brunneis 2.5 mm. longis laxe 

 armatis; scapo gracili sed bracteis inclusis latitudine inflorescentiae fere ae- 

 quante; scapi bracteis densissime imbricatis, ellipticis, lineari-iaminatis vel 

 acuminatis, ex sicco papyraceis, valde nervatis, mox glabris; inflorescentia sub- 

 simplici, denssissime strobiliformi, ellipsoidea, 5 cm. longa, 2.5 cm. diametro, 

 albo-lanato; bracteis primariis eis scapi similibus sed minoribus et plus vestitis, 

 sepala multo superantibus, rubris; ramis abortivis cum floribus fasciculatis vel 

 solitariis; bracteis florigeris ellipticis, acutis, carinatis, membranaceis, sepala 

 superantibus; pedicellis brevibus sed gracilibus; sepalis ellipticis, obtusis, 18 

 mm longis, tenuibus; petalis 3 cm. longis, viridi-azureis. 



Azuay: plants solitary and usually scattered in open paramo, Paramo de Tina- 

 jillas, 30-50 km. south of Cuenca, 11,000-11,500 ft., March 17, 1945, Camp 

 E-2236. 



The inflorescence of Puya pygmaea is nearly simple but there are floral bracts 

 in the axils of the lower primary bracts. The species is so closely allied to Puya 



