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Full text of "Flora of the Aguan valley and the coastal regions near La Ceiba, Honduras"

FLORA OF THE AGUAN VALLEY AND THE 

COASTAL REGIONS NEAR LA CEIBA 

HONDURAS 



BY 

T. G. YUNCKER 

PROFESSOR OF BOTANY, DEPAUW UNIVERSITY 



THE LIBRARV OF THE 

APR 13 1940 

OF ILLINOIS 




BOTANICAL SERIES 

FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 
VOLUME IX, NUMBER 4 

MARCH 22, 1940 
PUBLICATION 466 



PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 
BY FIELD MUSEUM PRESS 



FLORA OF THE AGUAN VALLEY AND THE 

COASTAL REGIONS NEAR LA CEIBA 

HONDURAS 



T. G. YUNCKER 

The plants listed on the following pages were collected on the 

coastal plain and mountain slopes in the vicinity of La Ceiba in the 

Department of Atlantida, Honduras, and also in a desert-like area 

? in the Aguan River Valley near Coyoles in the Department of Yoro 

: from June to August, 1938 by the writer accompanied by James 

1 Koepper and Kenneth Wagner. 1 

Paul C. Standley 2 spent several months during the winter of 
1927-28 studying the vegetation in the Lancetilla Valley and sur- 
rounding territory near the coastal town of Tela, which is situated 

- approximately 75 kilometers west of La Ceiba. His publication 
! upon that region is the only description of any importance so far 

- made of the flora of this northern coastal plain area. Standley 3 also 
J published in 1930 a list of woody plants occurring in the vicinity of 

Siguatepeque in the interior of the country in the Department of 
Comayagua. Professor Record 4 in 1927 published a list of the trees 
then known to occur in Honduras. During the summer of 1934 the 

- writer made collections in the Lancetilla Valley region, at Potrerillos, 
. and about Lake Yojoa, in the Department of Cortes. In the summer 

of 1936, in company with Ray Dawson and Howard Youse, collec- 

' tions were made also in the mountains in the vicinity of Siguatepeque. 

The results of this work were published in 1938. 5 So far as known, 

i aside from a few small collections and the descriptions of occasional 

^ new species or short articles, no other publications have been made 

on the flora of Honduras. 

Botanically speaking, Honduras is, therefore, one of the least 
known of the Central American countries, although it presents un- 
usual opportunities for exploration. While roads suitable for auto- 
mobile traffic are few, the more important cities in the interior can 
be reached easily by airplane. Trails are numerous, and by using 

1 See T. G. Yuncker, Notes on a semi-arid region in the Aguan River Valley 
Republic of Honduras, Torreya 39: 133-139. 1939. 

2 Field Mus. Bot., 10. 1931. 

3 Journ. Arnold Arb. 9, No. 1. 1930. 

4 Tropical Woods, No. 10. June, 1927. 

5 Field Mus. Bot., 17, No. 4. 1938. 

245 



246 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

mules most regions are accessible. With the exception of the coastal 
regions, which are generally warm and humid, the climate is pleasant 
and work can be carried on in comfort. 

Honduras, which lies between Guatemala and Salvador on the 
west and Nicaragua on the southeast, is irregularly triangular in out- 
line, with the apex at the Gulf of Fonseca on the Pacific Ocean and 
with the base forming the northern coast along the Caribbean Sea. 
The country is rough and mountainous, with the principal ranges 
extending in an east-west direction through the south-central part 
of the country. Near the northern coast a secondary range, which 
includes some peaks reported to be more than 2,000 meters in height, 
extends from the Ulua River on the west to the town of Trujillo on 
the east. Between this range and the Caribbean lies a fertile coastal 
plain. In a few places the mountains extend to within a very short 
distance of the sea but elsewhere, especially where rivers occur, the 
plain is several kilometers wide. A number of rivers rise in the 
mountains of the interior and have their outlets in the Caribbean, 
the largest and most important of which are the Ulua and the Aguan. 
Some of the smaller streams, which may be insignificant during the 
dry season, become torrents when there is an abundance of rain. 
The rich soil of the coastal plain and river valleys of the northern 
coast, together with the warm, humid climate, present conditions 
suitable for the cultivation of tropical fruits, especially bananas, and 
it is here that the great fruit companies have developed extensive 
plantations. 

For the most part the coastal plain contains but little of the 
original vegetation. Large areas have been cleared for banana plan- 
tations, for smaller native farms (poquiteros), and for grazing. In 
preparing the land for planting bananas all the trees are cut and 
burned or allowed to decay where they fall. On the small native 
farms and elsewhere, however, one may find occasional specimens of 
some of the larger forest trees remaining. Plant growth is extremely 
rapid, and where cultivation has been discontinued the vegetation 
soon becomes luxuriant and often practically impenetrable. Another 
factor in the extermination of the forest trees is the utilization by 
the residents of large numbers of trees for fuel. In places native 
clearings (milpas) also have been made on the lower slopes of the 
mountains, but these are not numerous and are mostly small. The 
soil in such virgin clearings generally produces good crops for a few 
years, but as the fertility diminishes a new clearing is made and the 
old one allowed to revert to the natural state. These hillside plan- 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 



247 



tations secure more light for their crops because of the slope which 
reduces the shade from the surrounding forest. 

La Ceiba is the largest town on the northern coast of Honduras 
and is the principal port and headquarters of the Standard Fruit 
Company. The coastal plain is comparatively narrow in the vicinity 
of La Ceiba, with the mountains forming a series of high and pictur- 
esque peaks, known locally as the Cangrejal Range. As seen from 
the sea, La Ceiba with its background of high and almost continually 
cloud-capped peaks presents a very beautiful scene. The mountains 




FIG. 1. The cloud-draped peaks of the Cangrejal Range, back of La Ceiba. 

rise directly from the plain with few or no foothills and with the 
windward or northern slopes facing the Caribbean Sea densely 
covered with virgin rain forest. The trees are mostly 50 to 100 feet 
tall, but here and there are giant trees which tower above the lower 
main forest canopy. Beneath the dominant upper layer occurs a 
dense growth of smaller trees, palms, shrubs, and lianas through 
which but little sunlight penetrates. Large numbers of orchids, 
bromeliads, cacti, and other epiphytic plants are present on the 
trees. The taller trees and many of the epiphytes are difficult or 
impossible to collect without cutting the trees which, in the case 
of the larger species, is usually not practicable. Occasional herba- 
ceous plants such as peperomias, begonias, ferns, etc., together with 
fallen trees and other rotting debris make up the forest floor. 






248 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

The denseness of the vegetation, which requires the continual 
use of a machete to penetrate it and the consequent impossibility 
of being able to see for any distance and determine directions, 
together with the numerous deep canyons and precipitous walls, 
make the ascent of the higher mountains in this region extremely 
difficult. It is claimed that some of the highest peaks never have 
been scaled. One is ordinarily able to make better progress, espe- 




FIG. 2. Mountains near the village of Las Flores, Department of Yoro. 

cially on the lower slopes, by following the rock-filled courses of 
some of the smaller streams. It is believed by aviators who fly over 
the range that an ascent may be more easily made from the opposite 
or windward side, where the vegetation is not so dense and the 
mountain slopes less precipitous. Doubtless many plants of con- 
siderable interest will be discovered at the higher elevations when 
collections are made there. 

The Aguan River, which originates in the interior of the Depart- 
ment of Yoro, flows in a northeasterly direction to the sea through 
a progressively widening valley. Along the river occurs a low, flat 
zone of varying width, known as vega land, composed of rich soil 
annually inundated during the rainy season and on which bananas 
are now grown extensively. In some places this vega land is very 
narrow, but elsewhere it is wide enough to support banana planta- 
tions of considerable size. From this low region the land rises very 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 



249 



abruptly to a height of about 20 meters to form a flat mesa or 
plateau-like tableland which with gradually increasing elevation 
extends for several kilometers to the foothills of the adjacent moun- 
tains. On this tableland, from near Olanchito up the river to 
Coyoles and beyond for a number of kilometers, occurs a unique 
desert-like area. This region lies behind the coastal range of moun- 
tains, which prevent the clouds from the Caribbean reaching the 
interior with their moisture. The rainfall may be adequate here 
during the rainy season but in the dry season water is scarce and the 
vegetation becomes dry and parched. In places the people have dug 
irrigation ditches to provide sufficient moisture for their grazing 




FIG. 3. The Salado River, about 20 km. west of La Ceiba. 

lands, and the fruit company likewise is compelled to irrigate its 
banana plantations for part of the year. 

Much of the vegetation of the tableland is characteristic of arid 
regions. A number of species of cacti, some of which become giant, 
tree-like forms 10 to 15 meters in height, are common. In places 
the land has been entirely cleared and converted into pasture, but in 
other areas scattered groves of trees, mostly leguminous, occur. In 
the vicinity of Coyoles there are areas where the vegetation appears 
to be more virgin, with large ceiba, guanacaste, and other species 
occurring scattered in a forest made up mostly of small trees and 
shrubs. Epiphytes, especially orchids, bromeliads, and cacti, are 



250 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

exceptionally abundant, though the number of species does not 
seem to be large. Herbaceous plants are scarce, undoubtedly in 
part because of the arid conditions and in part because of the graz- 
ing of large numbers of animals which range at will throughout the 
forest. Most of the trees have a gray or light-colored bark, which 
together with the dry, grayish, and dusty soil and rather sparse 
foliage imparts a weird and ghost-like character to the landscape. 

As one approaches the foothills, the composition of the vegetation 
gradually changes. A species of large palm is common in open, 




FIG. 4. Aguan River Valley, near Olanchito. 

grassy areas and several species of oaks and a pine form an open 
forest extending up the slopes, on whose floor grow numerous species 
of grasses, sedges, and other herbaceous plants. By continuing over 
a series of foothills, one approaches the coastal, or Cangrejal range 
lying back of La Ceiba, and, as viewed from a distance, the forest 
appears to be more open than on the windward slopes. It is likely 
that the summit could be reached more easily from this side, although 
lack of sufficient time prevented our making the attempt. 

I have become deeply indebted to a number of specialists who 
have materially assisted in the identification and verification of the 
plants listed in this paper and to whom I wish to express my appre- 
ciation: Dr. S. F. Blake (Compositae) ; Dr. William R. Maxon 
(Pteridophyta) ; Dr. H. N. Moldenke (Verbenaceae) ; Mr. C. V. 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 251 

Morton (Smilax and descriptions of new species of Gloeospermum 
and Besleria); Mr. Charles Schweinfurth (Orchidaceae) ; Dr. R. J. 
Seibert (Bignoniaceae) ; Dr. Lyman B. Smith (Bromeliaceae) ; Mr. 
J. R. Swallen (Gramineae); Dr. William Trelease (Piperaceae and 
Quercus, including the descriptions of several new species). I am 
especially grateful to Mr. Paul C. Standley, who identified a large 
number of the plants and who has also supplied descriptions of a 
number of new species. 

I wish also to acknowledge the co-operation given by officials of 
the Standard Fruit Company and especially Mr. A. J. Chute, 
resident manager at La Ceiba, who gave much helpful advice and 
assistance. The entire personnel of the company was uniformly 
eager to be of assistance to us in our work. 

LIST OF GENERA AND SPECIES 

SCHIZAEACEAE 
LYGODIUM Swartz 

Lygodium venustum Swartz. Climbing over shrubs. Com- 
mon in thickets on both windward and leeward slopes of the coastal 
range of mountains. 

GLEICHENIACEAE 
DICRANOPTERIS Bernh. 

Dicranopteris bifida (Willd.) Maxon. Stems long and much 
branched. Overhanging the bank of a moist, shaded ravine on the 
lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. Not common. 

Dicranopteris pectinata (Willd.) Underw. Associated with D. 
bifida on the bank of a ravine on the lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 
Observed but once and apparently uncommon in this region. 

HYMENOPHYLLACEAE 
TRICHOM ANES L. 

Trichomanes Krausii Hook. & Grev. On a rock in deep, wet 
forest on the lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal at about 330 meters 
altitude. 

CYATHEACEAE 
ALSOPHILA R. Br. 

Alsophila blechnoides (Rich.) Hook. Leaves up to 2 meters 
in length. At edge of thicket on the lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 



252 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

Alsophila microdonta Desv. Leaves about 2 meters in length. 
In low, wet soil on the bank of the Salado River, west of La Ceiba. 

Alsophila Schiedeana Presl. Trunk about 3 meters tall, spiny; 
petioles spiny and with numerous brown scales. On the bank of a 
mountain stream back of La Ceiba. Not common in this region. 

HEMITELIA R. Br. 

Hemitelia costaricensis (Klotzsch) Mett. Trunk about 6 
meters tall. In moist forest on the lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 
Not common in this region. 

POLYPODIACEAE 
ACROSTICHUM L. 

Acrostichum daneaefolium Langsd. & Fisch. Plants large, 
1 to 2 meters tall. Common in low, marshy areas on the coastal 
plain. 

ADIANTUM L. 

Adiantum latifolium Lam. In rich soil, on shaded stream 
bank, foothills back of La Ceiba. 

Adiantum petiolatum Desv. Abundant in rich soil, shady 
stream bank, and side of trail in foothills back of La Ceiba. 

Adiantum pulverulentum L. Leaves up to 75 cm. long. In i 
moist thicket, foothills back of La Ceiba. 

Adiantum Seemanni Hook. Pinnules up to 7 cm. long and 4.5 
cm. wide. In deep, shady ravine on slope near Puente Alto, 
about 50 kilometers east of La Ceiba, at 250 meters altitude. 

Adiantum tetraphyllum H. & B. In moist, shady ravine on 
foothills back of La Ceiba. 

Adiantum trapeziforme L. An attractive species with leaves 
up to 75 cm. long. On rich soil, in shady, wet ravine in the foothills 
above the village of Medina. 

Adiantum Wilesianum Hook. In rocky ravine of a mountain 
stream near Puente Alto, about 50 kilometers east of La Ceiba, at 
300 meters altitude. 

ANANTHACORUS Underw. & Maxon 

Ananthacorus angustifolius (Swartz) C. Chr. On a rock, 
edge of mountain stream, slopes of Mt. Cangrejal back of La Ceiba, 
at 360 meters altitude. 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 253 

ASPLENIUM L. 

Asplenium auritum Swartz. On mossy rocks at the edge of a 
mountain stream, on the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, back of La Ceiba, 
at 300 meters altitude. 

Asplenium formosum Willd. On mossy rocks at edge of a 
mountain stream on the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, back of La Ceiba. 

BLECHNUM L. 

Blechnum occidentale L. On shady stream bank, foothills 
back of La Ceiba. 

BOLBITIS Schott 

Bolbitis cladorrhizans (Spreng.) Ching. On the rocky bank 
of the Danto River, lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 

Bolbitis Donnell-Smithii (Christ) Ching. On moist, shady 
stream bank, lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 

CYCLOPELTIS J. Sm. 

Cyclopeltis semicordata (Swartz) J. Sm. A large, coarse 
fern with leaves up to 1 meter in length; stipe coarsely hairy or scaly. 
Common in thickets on the foothills back of La Ceiba; also in a 
rocky ravine near Puente Alto, about 50 kilometers east of La Ceiba, 
at 270 meters altitude. 

DRYOPTERIS Adans. 

Dryopteris angustifolia (Willd.) Urban. In thin soil, rocky 
edge of mountain stream on the lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, 
back of La Ceiba. 

Dryopteris Ghiesbreghtii (Linden) C. Chr. On shady stream 
bank, foothills back of La Ceiba. 

Dryopteris Jurgensenii (Fe"e) Maxon & Morton. Leaves up 
to 1 meter in length. At edge of thicket, lower slopes of Mt. Can- 
grejal, back of La Ceiba. 

Dryopteris normalis C. Chr. Very common along streams, 
on mossy rocks, or in soil. 

Dryopteris panamensis (Presl) C. Chr. Very common along 
streams, on mossy rocks, or in soil. 

Dryopteris patens (Swartz) Kuntze. Leaves up to 1 meter in 
length. On a rocky cliff, margin of stream, back of La Ceiba. 



254 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

Dryopteris resiliens Maxon. On the rocky bank of a mountain 
stream, back of La Ceiba. 

Dryopteris serrata (Cav.) C. Chr. Plants large, with leaves up 
to 1 meter long. On low, wet bank of Salado River, about 20 
kilometers west of La Ceiba. 

Dryopteris Sprengelii (Kaulf.) Kuntze. Leaves up to 1 meter 
long. On shady stream bank, foothills back of La Ceiba; also in 
rocky ravine near Puente Alto, about 50 kilometers east of La Ceiba, 
at 270 meters altitude. 

Dryopteris subtetragona (Link) Maxon. In rich soil along 
the trail in forest on the lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, back of La 
Ceiba. 

ELAPHOGLOSSUM Schott 

At least three species of this genus were observed on tree 
trunks in deep, moist forest on the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. Un- 
fortunately, none were found in fruiting condition suitable for 
identification. 

HEMIONITIS L. 

Hemionitis palmata L. A low, terrestrial fern with charac- 
teristic palmately 5-lobed leaves. In rich soil, thicket on foothills 
back of La Ceiba. Locally abundant. 

NEPHROLEPIS Schott 

Nephrolepis biserrata (Swartz) Schott. Leaves up to 1 meter 
long. In rich, moist soil on the bank of the Salado River, about 
20 kilometers west of La Ceiba. 

Nephrolepis pendula (Raddi) J. Sm. Leaves narrow, 1 or 
more meters in length, pendent. Epiphytic on palms in open forest 
area near the village of Las Flores. 

PITYROGRAMMA Link 

Pityrogramma calomelanos (L.) Link. Very common. 
Leaves white-powdery on the lower surface. In thickets and on 
stream banks. 

POLYPODIUM L. 

Polypodium ciliatum Willd. Epiphytic. Sterile leaves 3 to 
5 cm. long; fertile blades linear-oblong. On trees in forest on the 
foothills back of La Ceiba. 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 255 

Polypodium costatum Kunze. On tree in forest, foothills 
back of La Ceiba. 

Polypodium crassifolium L. Leaves about 1 meter long. 
Epiphytic on branch of tree on river bank, foothills back of La Ceiba. 

Polypodium lycopodioides L. Creeping on trees in forest on 
the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 300 meters altitude. 

Polypodium Palmeri Maxon. Leaves oblong, up to 12 cm. 
in length and 4 cm. in width. Creeping on trees in forest, foothills 
back of La Ceiba; also on trees in semi-arid woodland near Coyoles. 

Polypodium pectinatum L. On a mossy rock near the Can- 
grejal River back of La Ceiba; also in rich soil, bank of mountain 
stream near the village of Las Flores. 

Polypodium percussum Cav. Leaves with narrowly attenuate 
apices and small, scattered scales on the lower surface. Creeping on 
tree trunks in forest on the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal back of La Ceiba. 

Polypodium Phyllitidis L. Leaves up to 60 cm. long and 7 cm. 
wide. Epiphytic on tree in forest on rocky ridge back of Roma 
siding, about 25 kilometers east of La Ceiba, at 300 meters altitude. 

Polypodium triseriale Swartz. On a rocky outcropping in 
open, forested area on mountain slope near the village of Las Flores, 
at 330 meters altitude. 

PTERIDIUM Scop. 

Pteridium caudatum (L.) Maxon. Leaves about 1 meter 
long and up to 90 cm. wide. Abundant in burned areas on mountain 
slope above Roma siding, about 25 kilometers east of La Ceiba. 

TECTARIA Cav. 

Tectaria dilacerata (Kunze) Maxon. Leaves about 1 meter 
long. Common along shady stream banks in foothills back of La 
Ceiba; also in open pine forest on rocky mountain slope above the 
village of Las Flores, at 330 meters altitude. 

Tectaria heracleifolia (Willd.) Underw. In rich soil, moist, 
shady stream bank, slopes of Mt. Cangrejal back of La Ceiba; also 
in rocky ravine near Puente Alto, about 50 kilometers east of La 
Ceiba, at 240 meters altitude. 

Tectaria martinicensis (Spreng.) Copel. Leaves about 1 meter 
long; stipe sparingly scaly at the base. In rich soil, foothills back 
of La Ceiba. 



256 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

VITTARIA J. E. Sm. 

Vittaria lineata (L.) J. E. Sm. Pendent from tree branch in 
forest along river bank on the foothills back of La Ceiba. 

SALVINIACEAE 
SALVINIA Schreb. 

Salvinia rotundifolia Willd. Plants about 5 mm. in diameter. 
Floating on the surface of a pond near La Ceiba. 

SELAGINELLACEAE 
SELAGINELLA Beauv. 

Selaginella cuspidata Link. On a mossy rock at edge of moun- 
tain stream, slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, back of La Ceiba. 

Selaginella spp. Four or five additional species of this genus 
were collected, but as yet they have not been determined. 

GYCADACEAE 
ZAMIA L. 

Zamia furfuracea L. f. Stemless and, so far as observed, with 
a solitary, pinnate leaf. Occasional in semi-arid woodland region 
near Coyoles. 

PINACEAE 

PINUS L. 

Pinus caribaea Morelet. Trees 15 to 20 meters in height and 
up to 50 cm. in diameter. Associated with Quercus and other broad- 
leaved trees to form open, pine-oak forests on the leeward slopes of 
the coastal range. 

ALISMACEAE 
ECHINODORUS L. Rich. 

Echinodorus macrophyllus (Kunth) Micheli. Conspicuous 
because of its large, more or less cordate leaves. In low, marshy 
areas on the coastal plain. 

GRAMINEAE 
ANDROPOGON L. 

Andropogon bicornis L. A coarse grass 1 meter or more in 
height. In an open area on foothills back of La Ceiba. 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 257 

CENCHRUS L. 

Cenchrus echinatus L. In sandy soil on low land bordering 
the Aguan River in the vicinity of Coyoles. 

Cenchrus pauciflorus Benth. A very common North American 
weed. In sand along the beach near the village of Salado, about 
20 kilometers west of La Ceiba. 

COIX L. 

Coix Lachryma-jobi L. Not abundant in this region. A small 
clump found on a gravelly river bar in the foothills back of La Ceiba. 

CYNODON Pers. 

Cynodon Dactylon (L.) Pers. In sandy soil near La Ceiba. 
Frequently used as a lawn grass. 

DIGITARIA Heist. 

Digitaria horizontalis Willd. A common and widely distrib- 
uted, weedy grass. Abundant along trails in the foothills back of 
La Ceiba. 

ELEUSINE Gaertn. 

Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. A common and widely distrib- 
uted, weedy species. Along the trail on the lower slopes of Mt. 
Cangrejal, back of La Ceiba. 

GYNERIUM Willd. 

Gynerium sagittatum (Aubl.) Beauv. A tall, coarse grass 
with stems up to 6 or more meters in height. The handsome, plu- 
mose inflorescence up to 1 meter in length. Common in low, marshy 
ground along the Salado River, about 20 kilometers west of La Ceiba. 

LASIACIS (Griseb.) Hitchc. 

Lasiacis procerrima (Hack.) Hitchc. Stems coarse and up to 
3 or more meters in length. In a thicket on the range above Roma 
siding, about 25 kilometers east of La Ceiba, at 300 meters altitude. 

Lasiacis ruscifolia (HBK.) Hitchc. Stems slender, up to 2 
meters in length. Scrambling over shrubs in a thicket on the lower 
slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 

OLYRA L. 

Olyra latifolia L. Stems coarse, up to 2 meters in length; leaf 
blades broad, petiolate. Frequent in the foothills back of La Ceiba. 



258 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

PANICUM L. 

Panicum maximum Jacq. Stems up to 2 meters in height. 
Common in the foothills and plains about La Ceiba. Often planted 
for pasture. 

Panicum pilosum Swartz. Common in open areas and along 
trails in the foothills. 

Panicum polygonatum Schrad. Abundant along trails in the 
foothills. 

Panicum trichoides Swartz. Frequent on the lower slopes of 
Mt. Cangrejal and on the plains. 

Panicum zizanioides HBK. Occasional in open areas in the 
foothills near La Ceiba. 

PASPALUM L. 

Paspalum conjugatum Berg. A very common, weedy grass 
on the plains and in the foothills about La Ceiba. 

Paspalum paniculatum L. Stems up to 1.5 meters in height. 
Common in low, marshy areas near La Ceiba. 

Paspalum plicatulum Michx. A common and widely distrib- 
uted species. In open places, foothills back of La Ceiba. 

Paspalum virgatum L. Stems up to 2 meters in height. In 
low, marshy areas back of La Ceiba. 

PHARUS L. 

Pharus glaber HBK. Leaves broad, oblanceolate, attenuately 
acuminate, petiolate. In deep forest on the lower slopes of Mt. 
Cangrejal, back of La Ceiba. 

SETARIA Beauv. 

Setaria geniculata (Lam.) Beauv. An abundant and weedy 
species, common on the plains and in the foothills about La Ceiba. 

SPOROBOLUS R. Br. 

Sporobolus indicus (L.) R. Br. In open places in forest on the 
lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 

Sporobolus virginicus (L.) Kunth. In sandy soil near the beach 
at Salado, west of La Ceiba. 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 259 

STENOTAPHRUM Trin. 

Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze. Sometimes used 
as a lawn grass in the southern United States. In sandy soil near the 
beach at Salado, about 20 kilometers west of La Ceiba. 

TRICHACHNE Nees 

Trichachne insularis (L.) Nees. A rather coarse grass, up to 
1 meter in height, with a handsome, plumose inflorescence. Com- 
mon about La Ceiba; also on the bank of an irrigation canal in the 
Aguan River Valley near Coyoles. 

CYPERACEAE 
CALYPTROCARYA Nees 

Calyptrocarya glomerulata (Brongn.) Urban. Flowers in 
small glomerules which are arranged in loose, umbel-like clusters 
along the stem. On stream bank, slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 300 
meters altitude. 

GYPERUS L. 

Cyperus articulatus L. The spongy, nearly leafless stems up 
to 1 meter in height. In boggy area near the seashore, vicinity of 
La Ceiba. 

Cyperus caracasanus Kunth. Abundant along trails and in 
open places on the lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, back of La Ceiba. 

Cyperus diffusus Vahl. Common in open, wet areas about 
La Ceiba. 

Cyperus ferax L. Rich. Very common in low areas about La 
Ceiba. 

Cyperus Luzulae (L.) Retz. Abundant in moist soil on the 
lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 

Cyperus rotundus L. Common on sandbars in the Aguan 
River above Olanchito. 

DICHROMENA Michx. 

Dichromena ciliata Vahl. Flowers in compact heads subtended 
by several linear, leaf-like bracts up to 10 cm. long and white within 
near the base. Scattered but abundant in rocky soil in open pine 
forest on mountain slope at 330 meters altitude, near the village of 
Las Flores. 



260 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

ELEOCHARIS R. Br. 

Eleocharis geniculata (L.) R. Br. Stems spongy, subterete, 
rush-like, leafless; spikes solitary and terminal. In low, wet area on 
the lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 

Eleocharis mutata (L.) R. & S. Stems nearly leafless, three- 
angled. In wet, marshy area near the seashore, vicinity of La Ceiba. 

FIMBRISTYLIS Vahl 

Fimbristylis spadicea (L.) Vahl. Common in low, sandy areas 
near the beach, vicinity of La Ceiba. 

KYLLINGA Rottb. 

Ryllinga peruviana Lam. Common in wet, boggy areas along 
the seashore in the vicinity of La Ceiba. 

SCLERIA Berg 

Scleria pterota Presl, var. melaleuca (S. & C.) Standl. Fre- 
quent in the foothills and on the plains about La Ceiba. 

Scleria secans (L.) Urban. Stems slender, scrambling over low 
shrubs in thicket on bank of stream, slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 200 
meters altitude. 

PALMAE 
ASTROGARYUM Mey. 

Astrocaryum mexicanum Liebm. Trunk about 3 meters tall, 
armed with flattened spines about 5 cm. long; spathe densely covered 
with needle-like spines 1-2 cm. long. In deep forest on slopes of 
Mt. Cangrejal, at 240 meters altitude. 

CHAMAEDOREA Willd. 

Chamaedorea graminifolia Wendl. Trunk smooth, slender, 
up to 6 meters in height; leaves pinnate, up to 2 meters in length. 
Bank of mountain stream, slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 

Chamaedorea Lindeniana Wendl. Trunk smooth, slender, 
up to 2.5 meters in height; leaves pinnate; branches of inflorescence 
and young fruit light orange color; fruit black when ripe. In forest 
on the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal; also in rocky ravine near Puente 
Alto, about 50 kilometers east of La Ceiba, at 240 to 270 meters 
altitude. 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 



261 



Chamaedorea Pacaya Oerst. Trunk smooth, slender, up to 2 
meters in height; leaves pinnate; branches of inflorescence orange- 
colored ; fruit black. Frequent in forest on the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 




FIG. 5. The manaca palm (Orbignya Cohune). The leaves are used commonly 
for thatching houses. 

COCOS L. 

Cocos nucifera L. Frequent on the plains near the seashore. 
Planted for the fruit, which is exported and also used locally for the 
manufacture of soap, shortening, etc. 

DESMONCUS Mart. 

Desmoncus chinantlensis Liebm. Stems long and slender, 
armed with very sharp, needle-like spines; leaves long, pinnate, the 
uppermost pairs of leaflets transformed into reflexed, spine-like 



262 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

organs which assist the plant in scrambling in trees and over shrubs; 
fruit golden yellow. Because of the leaf and stem spines, it is 
difficult to pass through a thicket of these plants without injury. 
Occasional in thickets in the foothills back of La Ceiba. 

GEONOMA Willd. 

Geonoma binervia Oerst. Trunk smooth; leaves pinnate; 
peduncles red. In dense forest on the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 
about 200 meters altitude. 

ORBIGNYA Mart. 

Orbignya Cohune (Mart.) Dahlgren. A fine, large palm com- 
mon at lower altitudes. The huge leaves are used for thatching 
houses. 

REINHARDTIA Liebm. 

Reinhardtia gracilis (Wendl.) Burret. Stems about 1 meter 
tall; leaves with numerous perforations near the midrib. In dense 
forest on the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 330 meters altitude. 

Reinhardtia rostrata Burret. Stems about 60 cm. tall; leaf 
blades only about 15 cm. in length, perforated near the midrib; 
peduncles red; fruit black. Bank of mountain stream on slopes of 
Mt. Cangrejal. 

Reinhardtia simplex (Wendl.) Burret. Stem about 75 cm. 
tall; leaf blades 15-20 cm. long, without midrib perforations. In a 
rocky ravine near Puente Alto, about 50 kilometers east of La 
Ceiba, at 240 meters altitude. 

SYNECHANTHUS Wendl. 

Synechanthus fibrosus Wendl. Trunk slender, about 3.5 
meters tall; leaves pinnate; flowering stalks about 60 cm. long, 
pendent. In forest on the rocky ridge back of Roma, about 25 
kilometers east of La Ceiba. 

GYCLANTHACEAE 
CARLUDOVICA R. & P. 

Carludovica Oerstedii Hemsl. Abundant on stream bank in 
wet, rocky ravine near Puente Alto, about 50 kilometers east of La 
Ceiba, at 240 meters altitude. 

Carludovica palmata R. & P. Stemless but with petioles up 
to 2 meters in length. Source of the fiber used in making "Panama" 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 263 

hats. In deep forest on the bank of a mountain stream, slopes of 
Mt. Cangrejal, at 300 meters altitude. 

CYCLANTHUS Poit. 

Gyclanthus bipartitus Poit. Occasional in damp forest on 
the slopes back of La Ceiba. 

ARAGEAE 
ANTHURIUM Schott 

Anthurium aemulum Schott. Spadix purple; spathe greenish. 
On mossy rock outcropping, ridge back of Roma, about 25 kilo- 
meters east of La Ceiba, at 300 meters altitude. 

Anthurium concinnatum Schott. Spadix pinkish to orange; 
spathe greenish white; leaves large, ovate-cordate. On a rocky 
cliff along a mountain stream, slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, back of La 
Ceiba; also on the rocky ridge back of Roma, about 25 kilometers 
east of La Ceiba, at 270 meters altitude. 

Anthurium consobrinum Schott. Spadix white; spathe green; 
fruit bright red. On a log in deep, wet forest on the slopes of Mt. 
Cangrejal, at 360 meters altitude; also on rocks in a deep ravine near 
Puente Alto, about 50 kilometers east of La Ceiba, at 240 meters 
altitude. 

Anthurium crassinervium (Jacq.) Schott. Stemless, epi- 
phytic; leaves up to 50 cm. long or more, forming a rosette; spadix 
varying from dark red at the base to green at the tip; spathe dark 
red. Frequent on trees in semi-arid woodland near Coyoles. 

Anthurium fortinense Engler. Stemless; leaves 20 cm. long 
or more; spadix, spathe, and petioles dull red. On a rocky out- 
cropping, mountain slope near the village of Las Flores, at 330 
meters altitude. 

Anthurium myosuroides (HBK.) Endl. Spadix and spathe 
green; berries red. Climbing on trees in forest, foothills back of La 
Ceiba. 

Anthurium scandens (Aubl.) Engler. Spadix and spathe 
greenish ; fruit white. Climbing on trees near the bank of a mountain 
stream, slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 180 meters altitude. 

Anthurium scolopendrinum (Ham.) Kunth. Spadix, spathe, 
and peduncles dull red; berries bright red. On a tree near the 
Cangrejal River, back of La Ceiba; also on a rock in open forest on 
mountain slope near the village of Las Flores, at 330 meters altitude. 



264 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

DIEFFENBACHIA Schott 

Dieffenbachia Oerstedii Schott. About 60 cm. tall; leaf blades 
about 20 cm. long; spathe orange, enclosing the bright red berries. 
In rich soil, bank of river in deep forest on the lower slopes of Mt. 
Cangrejal. 

Dieffenbachia seguina (L.) Schott. Plants about 1 meter tall; 
leaf blades much larger than those of the preceding species; spathe 
greenish, enclosing the bright red fruit. In rich soil on the bank of a 
stream, lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal; also on banks of stream in a 
rocky ravine near Puente Alto, about 50 kilometers east of La Ceiba, 
at 240 meters altitude. 

Both species emit a vile odor and, because of the presence of 
needle-like crystals in the cells, produce a paralyzing effect on the 
mouth parts when portions of the plants are chewed. 

PHILODENDRON Schott 

Philodendron guttiferum Kunth. Epiphytic vine. Spathe 
green, nearly enclosing the spadix; petioles conspicuously winged. 
Frequent in forest on the mountain slopes about La Ceiba. 

Philodendron oxycardium Schott. Epiphytic vine. Spathe 
green; leaves ovate-cordate. On tree in the semi-arid woodland near 
Coyoles. 

Philodendron Popenoei Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Caudex 
scandens teres 6-8 mm. crassus, internodiis usque 7.5 cm. longis; 
petiolus 12-22 cm. longus gracilis, vagina insigniter angusta 3-10 
cm. infra basin laminae desinente viridi; lamina in sicco fere mem- 
branacea ovata vel oblongo-ovata 16-33 cm. longa 13-20 cm. lata, 
apice breviter apiculata, basi subcordata vel breviter cordata, lobis 
posticis brevibus late rotundatis, nervis primariis utroque latere 
ca. 8-9 inter sese 2-3 cm. distantibus angulo lato saepe fere recto 
abeuntibus teneribus sed conspicuis, secundariis tertiariisque numer- 
osissimis tenerrimis; pedunculus teres crassus 3.5-4 cm. longus; 
spathae virides 12 cm. longae 2 cm. crassae, tubo angusto, 
lamina ovato-oblonga acuminata; spadix tenuis anguste cylin- 
droideus apicem versus angustatus longiuscule stipitatus, inflo- 
rescentia feminea 3 cm. longa 1 cm. crassa, mascula 5 cm. longa; 
pistilla columnaria vix ultra 2 mm. longa. Honduras: Lancetilla 
Valley, near Tela, Dept. Atlantida, alt. 600 meters or less, 1927-28, 
Paul C. Standley 52625 (type in Herb. Field Mus.); also No. 54390. 
Hills above Lancetilla, 45 meters, Yuncker 4730, 4931. In forest 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 265 

of foothills back of La Ceiba, Dept. Atlantida, Yuncker, Koepper & 
Wagner 8769. Guatemala: Near Entre Rios, Dept. Izabal, 18 
meters, Standley 72760. 

In the Flora of the Lancetilla Valley this plant was reported incor- 
rectly as P. Hoffmannii Schott, a quite different species. P. Pope- 
noei is related actually to P. guatemalense Engler, which it much 
resembles in general appearance. In that, however, the leaves are 
rounded or obtuse at the base, and the more conspicuous leaf sheath 
is continued almost to the base of the blade. 

The new species is named for Dr. Wilson Popenoe, to whom the 
authors of this species are greatly indebted for many favors in con- 
nection with their field work in Honduras and Guatemala. 

Philodendron radiatum Schott. Epiphytic vine. Spathe 
green; leaves deeply pinnate-lobed. On a tree in ravine in semi-arid 
upland near the village of Medina. 

PISTIA L. 

Pistia Stratiotes L. A curious member of this family, with 
spongy leaves 7 to 10 cm. long, forming rosettes; inflorescence very 
inconspicuous. On mud banks and floating in shallow pools in 
swampy areas along the Aguan River. 

SPATHIPHYLLUM Schott 

Spathiphyllum Friedrichsthalii Schott. Terrestrial. Spadix 
greenish; spathe very large, flat, green. In rich soil in thicket, foot- 
hills back of La Ceiba. 

SYNGONIUM Schott 

Syngonium podophyllum Schott. Epiphytic vine. Spathe 
red when mature. Leaves divided into narrow segments. Common 
on the plains and lower foothills about La Ceiba. 

BROMELIACEAE 
AECHMEA R. & P. 

Aechmea bracteata (Swartz) Griseb. Flowers yellow; bracts 
bright red. A large, conspicuous plant, growing either on the 
ground or as an epiphyte. Abundant in the semi-arid woodland 
region near Coyoles. 

Aechmea Kienastii E. Morr. Leaves moderately thin, purple 
at the base; peduncle about 75 cm. long, the flower-bearing part 



266 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

about 30 cm. long; flower-bearing branches and bracts bright red. 
On trees in deep forest on the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 300 meters 
altitude. Not common. 

BROMELIA L. 

Bromelia sylvestris Willd. Leaves up to 1.5 meters in length, 
armed with sharp, curved, marginal teeth, some leaves red; flower 
stalk 30-35 cm. tall; flowers light purple, the immediate bracts red. 
Frequent in dry soil in the semi-arid woodland regions near Coyoles. 

CATOPSIS Griseb. 

Catopsis apicroides (Schlecht. & Cham.) Baker. On trees in 
deep forest on the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 330 meters altitude. 

Catopsis Morreniana Mez. On trees in deep, wet forest on 
the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 360 meters altitude. 

PITCAIRNIA L'He"r. 

Pitcairnia sp. An unidentified species with leaves up to 1 meter 
in length and flowering stalk 75 cm. long. Growing among rocks on 
bank of a stream on the lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 

TILLANDSIA L. 

Tillandsia Balbisiana Schult. Leaves 30 cm. long or more, 
very slender, twisted. On trees along the margin of the Aguan River 
near Coyoles. 

Tillandsia brachycaulos Schlecht. Flowers blue, with deep 
blue stamens; leaves red on the upper surface, green toward the 
base. A handsome plant. On trees in the semi-arid woodland region 
near Coyoles. 

Tillandsia Caput-Medusae E. Morr. On trees in the foothills 
back of La Ceiba. 

Tillandsia fasciculata Swartz. Leaves 45 cm. long or more, 
very slender; bracts light tan. On trees in semi-arid woodland 
region near Coyoles. 

Tillandsia festucoides Brongn. Leaves 25 cm. long or more, 
very slender. On trees in deep forest on the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, 
at 300 meters altitude. Frequent. 

Tillandsia filifolia Schlecht. & Cham. Plants about 20 cm. 
tall; leaves slender, filiform. On trees in deep, wet forest on the 
slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 300 meters altitude. 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 267 

Tillandsia Schiedeana Steud. Plants small, clustered; leaves 
10 to 15 cm. long, filiform. On trees in deep, wet forest on the slopes 
of Mt. Cangrejal, at 330 meters altitude. 

Tillandsia usneoides L. Abundant on pines and other trees 
in open forest on the slopes above the village of Las Flores, at 300 
meters altitude. 

Tillandsia utriculata L. Leaves 50 cm. long or more, 7 cm. 
wide or more at the base, constricted above into a slender apex, 
clustered at the base of the stem to form a large rosette; flowering 
stalk 1.5 meters tall, loosely and widely branching, the branches 
rich purple. On trees in forest on the foothills back of La Ceiba. 

Tillandsia Valenzuelana A. Rich. Leaves up to 60 cm. or 

more in length, apically slender; flowers purple; bracts scarlet. A 
very handsome plant. On trees in the semi-arid woodland region 
near Coyoles. 

VRIESIA Lindl. 

Vriesia heliconioides (HBK.) Hook. Bracts bright red, with 
green tips. On trees in wet forest on the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 

COMMELINACEAE 
CAMPELIA L. Rich. 

Campelia Zanonia (L.) HBK. Herb. Flowers white; fruit 
purple. In the rocky bed of a small mountain stream near Puente 
Alto, about 50 kilometers east of La Ceiba, at 240 meters altitude. 

COMMELINA L. 

Commelina elegans HBK. Herb. Flowers pale blue to deep 
blue. Common in wet areas about La Ceiba; also on sandbars in 
the Aguan River near Coyoles. 

DICHORISANDRA Mikan 

Dichorisandra hexandra (Aubl.) Standl. Herb. Stems long 
and vine-like. Corolla blue in the center, the petals edged with 
white. Scrambling over shrubs in thicket in a ravine near Puente 
Alto, about 50 kilometers east of La Ceiba; also on a rocky out- 
cropping on the mountain side above Roma, about 25 kilometers 
east of La Ceiba. 



268 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

PONTEDERIACEAE 
EICHHORNIA Kunth 

Eichhornia azurea (Swartz) Kunth. Floating in a marsh near 
the seashore, vicinity of La Ceiba. 

HETERANTHERA R. & P. 

Heteranthera reniformis R. & P. Herb. Flowers white. 
Creeping in muddy soil along the trail in foothills back of La Ceiba, 

PONTEDERIA L. 

Pontederia cordata L. Stems 90 cm. or more in height; flowers 
purplish. In marshy area along the seashore near La Ceiba. 

LILIACEAE 
DRACAENA L. 

Dracaena americana D. Sm. Tree about 6 meters tall; leaves 
narrow, numerous. In open forest on the rocky mountain slope back 
of Roma, about 25 kilometers east of La Ceiba, at 240 meters alti- 
tude. A conspicuous plant. 

SMILACACEAE 
SMILAX L. 

Smilax Lundellii Killip & Morton. New to Honduras. Woody 
vine, climbing in trees along the wooded border of the Aguan River, 
near Coyoles. 

Smilax moll is H. & B. Woody vine, climbing in thickets on foot- 
hills back of La Ceiba; also in semi-arid woodland near Coyoles. 

Smilax munda Killip & Morton. New to Honduras. Woody 
vine, climbing in thickets near the shore of the Salado River, about 
20 kilometers west of La Ceiba. 

Smilax spinosa Mill. Woody vine, climbing in thickets on foot- 
hills back of La Ceiba. 

HAEMODORACEAE 
XIPHIDIUM Aubl. 

Xiphidium caeruleum Aubl. Herb, about 1 meter tall. 
Flowers small, white; berries red. In rich soil, wet forest on the 
slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 269 

AMARYLLIDACEAE 
AGAVE L. 

Agave sp. Occasional plants of a sterile, unidentified species 
were observed in the semi-arid woodland region near Coyoles. 

CRINUM L. 

Crinum cruentum Ker. Flowers white; stamens with green 
filaments and orange anthers. A showy and decorative plant. 
Abundant locally in wet areas on the plains about La Ceiba. 

CURCULIGO Gaertn. 

Curculigo scorzoneraefolia (Lam.) Baker. Low herb with 
yellow flowers. In grass in open, forested area on mountain slopes 
near Las Flores, at 330 meters altitude. 

HYPOXIS L. 

Hypoxis decumbens L. Low herb with yellow flowers. In 
grass in open, forested area on mountain slopes near Las Flores, at 
330 meters altitude, associated with the preceding species. 

DIOSCOREACEAE 
DIOSCOREA L. 

Dioscorea Koepperi Standl., sp. nov. Gracillima volubilis 
ubique glaberrima, caulibus teretibus ca. 1 mm. crassis, internodiis 
valde elongatis; folia mediocria petiolata tenuia in sicco olivacea, 
petiolo gracillimo ca. 2 cm. longo; lamina anguste lanceolato-oblonga 
ca. 11 cm. longa atque 3 cm. lata longiacuminata, basi profunde 
(ca. 1 cm.) cordata, sinu lato, lobis posticis obtusis, supra sublucida, 
venis prominulis, subtus lucida, trinervia, nervis 2 utroque latere 
vulgo supra basin nascentibus, venis laxe reticulatis prominentibus; 
racemi masculi axillares singuli plerumque 15-25 cm. longi, rhachi 
flexuosa angulata, spiculis numerosis solitariis pauci- vel multifloris 
usque 1 cm. longis sed vulgo brevioribus, bracteis viridescentibus 
triangulari-ovatis floribus brevioribus acutis carinatis, floribus dense 
aggregatis sessilibus; perianthii segmenta ovalia pallida tenuia 
subhyalina obtusa fere 1.5 mm. longa; stamina 6. Honduras: 
Climbing in thicket, near Rio Danto, lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, 
near La Ceiba, Dept. Atlantida, July 16, 1938, T. G. Yuncker, J. M. 
Koepper & K. A. Wagner 8482 (type in Herb. Field Mus.). 



270 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

The leaves are distinctive in form, being long and narrow, with 
almost parallel sides, the basal lobes short, directed downward, and 
rounded-triangular in shape in the well developed leaves. 

Dioscorea macrostachya Benth. Herbaceous vine. Fruit 
2.5 cm. long or more, abundant, in large clusters. Climbing high in 
trees, edge of forest on the foothills back of La Ceiba. 

MUSAGEAE 
HELICONIA L. 

Heliconia Bihai L. Inflorescence erect; bracts yellow or some- 
what reddish, short and broad. On the bank of the Salado River, 
20 kilometers west of La Ceiba, and elsewhere in low, wet areas. 

Heliconia crassa Griggs. Stems 1 to 1.5 meters tall, leafy to 
the top; leaves relatively small; corolla yellowish; bracts few, 
bright red or somewhat orange; berries blue. In wet thicket on the 
lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal; also in a rocky ravine near Puente 
Alto, about 50 kilometers east of La Ceiba, at 240 meters altitude. 

Heliconia elegans Peters. Plants about 3.5 meters tall. In- 
florescence dense, 30 cm. long or more; bracts red, short and broad, 
strongly compressed, equitant and two-ranked. On slopes near 
Puente Alto, about 50 kilometers east of La Ceiba, at 270 meters. 

Heliconia latispatha Benth. Plants 2 meters tall. Inflores- 
cence erect; bracts yellow, long and slender, becoming shorter toward 
the summit. Frequent in low, wet areas about La Ceiba. 

Heliconia librata Griggs. About 2 meters tall. Bracts yellow. 
In rich soil on mountain slopes near Puente Alto, about 50 kilo- 
meters east of La Ceiba, at 240 meters altitude. 

Heliconia revoluta Griggs? About 2.5 meters tall. Inflores- 
cence pendent; flowers yellow; bracts bright red, spreading, long and 
slender. The handsomest species seen. In a rocky ravine on slopes 
near Puente Alto, about 50 kilometers east of La Ceiba, at 240 
meters altitude; also along the Cangrejal River, back of La Ceiba. 

ZINGIBERACEAE 
COSTUS L. 

Costus sanguineus D. Sm. Plants about 2 meters tall. Spikes 
terete, up to 30 cm. or more in length; bracts closely imbricate, 
reddish. Common in thickets about La Ceiba. 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 271 

HEDYCHIUM Koen. 

Hedychium coronarium Koen. Herb, about 1 meter tall; 
flowers white. In wet area at edge of thicket, plains west of La Ceiba. 
Naturalized (?). 

RENEALMIA L. f. 

Renealmia aromatica (Aubl.) Griseb. Herbaceous, up to 
2 meters in height; inflorescence basal; flowers and fruit red. Fruit 
said to be edible. In low, wet soil on the banks of the Salado River, 
about 20 kilometers west of La Ceiba; also on the bank of a stream 
near Puente Alto, about 50 kilometers east of La Ceiba, at 240 
meters altitude. 

CANNACEAE 

CANNA L. 

Canna indica L. Herb, about 1 meter tall or less; flowers 
bright red. In swampy area about La Ceiba. 

MARANTACEAE 
CALATHEA Meyer 

Calathea altissima Koern. Plants herbaceous, about 2 meters 
tall. Inflorescence subglobose; flowers cream; bracts straw-colored. 
In thickets on the foothills back of La Ceiba. 

Calathea insignis Peters. Plants 2 to 2.5 meters tall. Spikes 
up to 15 cm. long, strongly compressed; bracts broad, two-ranked, 
equitant, straw-colored or somewhat greenish. In a rocky ravine 
on the slopes near Puente Alto, about 50 kilometers east of La Ceiba, 
at 240 meters altitude. 

Calathea lutea (Aubl.) Mey. Plants about 1 meter tall. Spikes 
not compressed; bracts broad, bronze-red, equitant. In thicket at 
the edge of the Salado River, about 20 kilometers west of La Ceiba. 

Calathea macrosepala Schum. Herb about 1 meter tall. 
Flowers creamy white. In rich soil, thickets on the lower slopes of 
Mt. Cangrejal. 

Calathea micans (Math.) Koern. Herb about 45 cm. tall; 
inflorescence mostly less than 2.5 cm. long. In rich, wet soil, edge 
of stream in foothills back of La Ceiba. 

MARANTA L. 

Maranta arundinacea L. Herb, up to 2.5 meters tall. Flowers 
white. In thicket on bank of stream, slopes near Las Flores, at 300 



272 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

meters altitude; also on bank of river in foothills back of La Ceiba. 
Sometimes cultivated for the roots, which are a source of starch. 

MYROSMA L. f. 

Myrosma guapilensis D. Sm. Herb, about 1 meter tall. In 
moist thicket on foothills back of La Ceiba. 

PLEIOSTACHYA Schum. 

Pleiostachya pruinosa (Regel) Schum. Herb, about 1 meter 
tall. In thickets at edge of forest on the lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 

THALIA L. 

Thalia geniculata L. Herb, about 3 meters tall. Leaf blades 
up to 1 meter long; inflorescence loose; peduncles zigzag; flowers blue 
with a yellow throat. Frequent in low, marshy areas about La 
Ceiba. 

ORCHIDACEAE 
CAMPYLOCENTRUM Benth. 

Campylocentrum micranthum (Lindl.) Rolfe. Flowers 
small, white. On trees in forest on the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 
150 meters altitude. 

CRYPTARRHENA R. Br. 

Cryptarrhena lunata R. Br. On branches of trees in wet 
forest on the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 300 meters altitude. 

DICHAEA L. 

Dichaea muricata Lindl. Epiphytic. Stems long, pendent 
from tree branches; flowers yellowish orange. In deep forest on the 
slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 300 meters altitude. 

EPIDENDRUM L. 

Epidendrum alatutn Batem. Leaves about 45 cm. long; inflo- 
rescence about 1 meter long or less, loosely branching; flowers brown- 
ish yellow; lip with brown lines. A handsome plant. On trees in 
open forest in semi-arid upland near the village of Las Flores, at 330 
meters altitude. 

Epidendrum cochleatum L. Epiphytic. Lip greenish purple 
with yellow stripes, the other perianth parts yellowish green. On 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 273 

trees in deep forest on rocky ridge back of Roma, about 25 kilometers 
east of La Ceiba, at 360 meters altitude. 

Epidendrum imatophyllum Lindl. Flowers lavender. On 
trees in forest on the lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 

Epidendrum nocturnum Jacq. On rocks in open pine forest 
on the slope above the village of Las Flores, at 300 meters altitude. 

Epidendrum paleaceum (Lindl.) Rchb. f. With only one leaf 
on a stem. On trees in deep forest on the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, 
at 300 meters altitude. 

Epidendrum xipheres Rchb. f. Epiphytic, with pseudobulbs. 
Leaves solitary on each stem; flowers yellow; fruit slender, densely 
covered with short, spinose projections. Abundant in semi-arid 
woodland region near Coyoles. 

LEPANTHES Swartz 

Lepanthes inaequiloba Ames & Schweinf. A small epiphyte. 
Calyx yellowish green; corolla yellowish orange. On trees in deep 
forest on the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 330 meters altitude. 

MAXILLARIA R. & P. 

Maxillaria uncata Lindl. A small epiphyte with linear leaves 
and purplish flowers. On trees in deep forest on the slopes of Mt. 
Cangrejal, at 240 meters altitude. 

ONCIDIUM Swartz 

Oncidium Lindenii Brongn. Lip dark red; throat yellowish. 
On trees in open forest on mountain slope near Las Flores, at 330 
meters altitude. 

ORNITHOGEPHALUS Hook. 

Ornithocephalus bicornis Lindl. (?). Small epiphyte with 
equitant leaves spreading fan-wise. On branches of trees on bank 
of stream on slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 

PLEUROTHALLIS R. Br. 

Pleurothallis Brighamii S. Wats. Small epiphyte. Outer 
lobes of flower yellowish green striped with maroon; throat maroon. 
On branches of trees in deep forest on the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, 
at 330 meters altitude. 

POLYSTACHYA Hook. 

Polystachya minor Fawc. & Rendle. On mossy rocks, margin 
of stream on the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 330 meters altitude. 



274 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

SCAPHOSEPALUM Pfitz. 

Scaphosepalum Standleyi Ames. A small epiphyte. Flowers 
purplish green. On branches of trees in deep forest on the slopes of 
Mt. Cangrejal, at 330 meters altitude. 

SCHOMBURGKIA Lindl. 

Schomburgkia tibicinis Batem. A large, handsome epiphyte. 
Inflorescence nearly 1 meter tall, branching; floral parts burnt- 
orange; lip whitish yellow. On trees at edge of the Salado River, 
about 20 kilometers west of La Ceiba. 

STELIS Swartz 

Stelis ciliaris Lindl. A small epiphyte with maroon flowers. 
On branches of trees in deep forest on the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, 
at 240 meters altitude. 

Stelis purpurascens Rich. & Gal. On trees in deep forest on 
the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 270 meters altitude. 

VANILLA Swartz 

Vanilla Pfaviana Rchb. f.(?). Climbing on trees in thickets on 
the banks of the Salado River, about 20 kilometers west of La Ceiba. 

PIPERACEAE 
PEPEROMIA R. & P. 

Peperomia cangrejalana Trelease, sp. nov. Herba modica 
late repens terrestris, caulibus erectis foliosis, 2-3 mm. crassis; folia 
alterna elliptica vel oblanceolato-elliptica vulgo emarginata, basi 
acuta, 5-7 cm. longa 2.5-3.5 cm. lata, pinnatinervia, in sicco char- 
tacea, petiolo ca. 2 cm. longo; spicae terminales vel sympodiales 
solitariae ramulum 1-bracteatum 15 mm. longum terminantes, in 
statu juvenili graciles vix 40 mm. longae, pedunculo 5-10 mm. longo. 
Honduras: Lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, near La Ceiba, Dept. 
Atlantida, Yuncker, Koepper & Wagner 8765 (type in herb. Univ. 
Illinois). 

Peperomia dantoana Trelease, sp. nov. Herba majuscula late 
repens plus minusve divaricato-furcata glabra truncicola, caule 3 
mm. crasso; folia late elliptica ad sublanceolata acute acuminata, 
basi subcordulato-acuta, 5-7 cm. longa 3-3.5 cm. lata, in sicco opaca, 
coriacea, 1-nervia, nervis lateralibus obsoletis, petiolo 1 cm. longo; 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 275 

spicae geminatae ramulum brevissimum terminalem terminantes, 
filiformes 60-70 mm. longae, pedunculo 5 mm. longo. Honduras: 
Rio Danto, Mt. Cangrejal, near La Ceiba, Dept. Atlantida, Yuncker, 
Koepper & Wagner 8499 (type in herb. Univ. Illinois). 

Peperomia floresensis Trelease, sp. nov. Herba patens 
arboricola, caule transiente minute pubescente 3-4 mm. crasso; 
folia alterna late lanceolata vel subelliptico-lanceolata sensim acuto- 
acuminata, basi acuta, 9-11 cm. longa 3-4.5 cm. lata, pinnatinervia, 
supra laxe araneosa, petiolo 2.5-5.5 cm. longo; spicae 1-2 ramulum 
brevem terminalem terminantes 70-100 mm. longae 1-5 mm. crassae, 
pedunculo 15 mm. longo; baccae oblongae oblique acuto-scutellatae, 
stigmate centrali. Honduras: Las Flores, Dept. Yoro, alt. 270 
meters, Yuncker, Koepper & Wagner 8149 (type in herb. Univ. 
Illinois). 

Peperomia Koepperi Trelease, sp. nov. Herba parva repenti- 
patens arboricola, caule filiformi glabrato; folia alterna elliptico- 
subobovata obtusa, basi acuta, ca. 6 mm. longa atque 3 mm. lata, 
in sicco tenuia sed opaca et vix obvie nervata glabra, petiolo 1-3 
mm. longo; spicae terminales vix 10 mm. longae atque 1 mm. crassae, 
pedunculo brevissimo. Honduras: Mt. Cangrejal, Dept. Atlantida, 
alt. 300 meters, Yuncker, Koepper & Wagner 8508 (type in herb. 
Univ. Illinois). Also, at a lower elevation, near Rio Danto, No. 8380. 

Peperomia lenticularis Dahlst. Stems slender; leaves orbic- 
ular, less, than 1 cm. broad. Creeping on trees in forest, foothills 
back of La Ceiba; also on trees in forest near Las Flores, at 180 
meters altitude. 

Peperomia rio-cangrejalensis Trelease, sp. nov. Herba 
magna dependens glabra arboricola, caule 2-3 mm. crasso; folia 
alterna elliptica subcaudata, basi subacuta, 10 cm. longa 4 cm. lata, 
inferne obscure submultiplinervia, petiolo 1-2 cm. longo; spicae 
singulae vel geminatae ramulum brevem terminalem terminantes 
80-90 mm. longae 3 mm. crassae, pedunculo gracili 20 mm. longo; 
baccae oblongae acute scutulatae, stigmate centrali. Honduras: 
Rio Cangrejal, Dept. Atlantida, Yuncker, Koepper & Wagner 8018 
(type in herb. Univ. Illinois). Also No. 8794. 

Peperomia romaensis Trelease, sp. nov. Herba majuscula 
repenti-erecta simplex glabra, caule 2-4 mm. crasso; folia alterna 
rotundato-obovata obtusa, basi cuneata, 9-11 cm. longa 6-7 cm. 
lata tenuiter pinnatinervia, in sicco opaca coriacea subrevoluta, 
petiolo 2 cm. longo; spicae geminatae ramulum terminalem bibrac- 



276 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

teatum terminantes graciles 150 mm. longae, pedunculo roseo gracili 
3 mm. longo. Honduras: Roma railroad siding, 25 km. east of La 
Ceiba, Dept. Atlantida, alt. 360 meters, Yuncker, Koepper & Wagner 
8585 (type in herb. Univ. Illinois). 

Peperomia rubefacta Trelease, var. cangrejalana Trelease, 
var. nov. Quam species minus obvie glanduloso-granulosa, caule 
valde sulcato-alato. Honduras: Mt. Cangrejal, Dept. Atlantida, 
alt. 330 meters, Yuncker, Koepper & Wagner 8737 (type in herb. 
Univ. Illinois). Also, at 360 meters, No. 8775. 

Peperomia rubefacta Trelease, var. reducta Trelease, var. 
nov. Planta minor, caule graciliore, foliis angustius lanceolatis vix 
3-4 cm. longis atque 1 cm. latis. Honduras: Mt. Cangrejal, Dept. 
Atlantida, alt. 300-330 meters, Yuncker, Koepper & Wagner 8736 
(type in herb. Univ. Illinois). Also Nos. 8735 and 8510. 

Peperomia tremulaeformis Trelease, sp. nov. Herba late 
repens, caulibus gracilibus; folia alterna rotundato-ovata vel tri- 
angulari-ovata acuminata, basi subtruncata vel subacuta, 2-3 cm. 
longa 1.5 cm. lata, trinervia vel saepius 5-nervia, supra aliquot 
tomentulosa atque fuscescens, subtus flavescens atque glabra, 
petiolo filiformi 1-2 cm. longo; spicae 15-20 mm. longae 1 mm. cras- 
sae, pedunculo filiformi ca. 15 mm. longo; baccae oblongae rostratae, 
stigmate anteriori ad basin rostri inserto. Honduras: Rio Danto, 
Mt. Cangrejal, Dept. Atlantida, Yuncker, Koepper & Wagner 8722 
(type in herb. Univ. Illinois). 

Peperomia Wagneri Trelease, sp. nov. Herba majuscula 
caespitosa glabra epiphytica, caule 5 mm. crasso in sicco anguloso 
lucido-ochraceo; folia inferne opposita superne ternata rhombico- 
elliptica vel subobovata obtusa vel saepius obtuse longiacuminata, 
basi acuta, 3-4 cm. longa 2-3 cm. lata, vix plus quam uninervia, in 
sicco coriacea, petiolo 5-10 mm. longo; spicae terminales 80 mm. 
longae 2 mm. crassae, pedunculo gracili 2 cm. longo; baccae rotun- 
dato-ovoideae pseudocupula auctae acutatae, stigmate apicali. 
Honduras: Coyoles, Dept. Yoro, Yuncker, Koepper & Wagner 8127 
(type in herb. Univ. Illinois). Also No. 8055. 

PIPER L. 

Piper atrichopus Trelease, var. arborescens Trelease, var. 
nov. Arbuscula(?) glabra 3-metralis; folia plerumque basi in- 
aequilateralia, petiolo gracili ca. 1 cm. longo; spicae usque 65 mm. 
longae atque 3 mm. crassae, pedunculo 5 mm. longo. Honduras: 
Roma siding, about 25 km. east of La Ceiba, Dept. Atlantida, alt. 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 



277 



300 meters, Yuncker, Koepper & Wagner 8578 (type in herb. 
Univ. Illinois). 

Piper auritilaminum Trelease, sp. nov. Arborescens tri- 
metralis, trunco 5 cm. diam., nervis venisque foliorum juvenilium 
minute puberulis exceptis glabra; folia elliptica subacuta, basi 
oblique auriculata, latere longiore petiolo longiore, 4 cm. longa 2.3 
cm. lata e 2 tertiis inferioribus submultiplinervia, petiolo 6+2 cm. 
longo alato; spicae valde curvatae ca. 150 mm. longae 3 mm. crassae, 




. . 



FIG. 6. A large-leaved Piper (Piper auritum). 

pedunculo 4 cm. longo. Honduras: Lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, 
Dept. Atlantida, Yuncker, Koepper & Wagner 8263 (type in herb. 
Univ. Illinois). 

Piper auritilimbum Trelease, sp. nov. Arbuscula 5-metralis 
foliis saltern in statu juvenili minute pubescentibus superne sparse 
pubescentibus exceptis glabra, foliorum nervis subtus hirtello- 
pubescentibus; folia elliptico-subovata valde acuta, basi oblique 
auriculata, ca. 30 cm. longa atque 15 cm. lata, e tertio superiore 
submultiplinervia, petiolo 4+2 cm. longo alato; spicae rectae usque 
ad 220 mm. longae atque 5 mm. crassae, pedunculo 6 cm. longo. 
Honduras: Rio Dan to, Mt. Cangrejal, Dept. Atlantida, Yuncker, 
Koepper & Wagner 8763 (type in herb. Univ. Illinois). 



278 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

Piper calvescens Trelease, var. aguanum Trelease, var. nov. 
Subarborescens sed vix trimetralis; folia rotundata vel rotundato- 
elliptica, inferiora 10-15 cm. longa 9 cm. lata, superiora lanceolata 
4-5 cm. lata; spicae 100 mm. longae. Honduras: Rio Aguan, below 
Coyoles, Dept. Yoro, Yuncker, Koepper & Wagner 8124 (type in 
herb. Univ. Illinois). 

Piper calvescens Trelease var. cangrejalense Trelease, var. 
nov. Arbuscula 3-4-metralis, petiolis nervisque foliorum juvenilium 
sparse pubescentibus exceptis glabra; folia rotundato-elliptica acute 
acuminata, basi obtusa vel subobtusa 10 cm. longa 6 cm. lata 5-7- 
nervia; spicae 50 mm. longae 5 mm. crassae, pedunculo 5 mm. longo 
sparse pubescente. Honduras: Mt. Cangrejal, Dept. Atlantida, 
Yuncker, Koepper & Wagner 8464 (type in herb. Univ. Illinois). 

Piper coyolesense Trelease, sp. nov. Subarborescens vix 3 m. 
alta ubique molliter tomentulosa, internodiis superioribus modice 
brevibus crassisque; folia subrhombea aliquanto acuminata, basi 
inaequaliter obtusa, 17 cm. longa 9 cm. lata e medio inferiore pin- 
natinervia, nervis 5X6 venis transversis connexis, petiolo ca. 10 
mm. longo; spicae ca. 70 mm. longae atque 3 mm. crassae, pedunculo 
vix 5 mm. longo. Honduras: Near Las Flores, Rio Aguan, Dept. 
Yoro, alt. 270 meters, Yuncker, Koepper & Wagner 8147 (type in 
herb. Univ. Illinois). 

Piper crassicaule Trelease, sp. nov. Arbor glabra 7-metralis, 
trunco 12 cm. diam., internodiis brevibus graciliusculis; folia ellip- 
tica vel suboblonga acuminata, basi inaequilateraliter acuta, latere 
altero ad basin petioli decurrente, 16-18 cm. longa 5-7 cm. lata ubi- 
que pinnatinervia, in sicco papyracea caerulescentia, petiolo 1.5-2 cm. 
longo latere longiore ad basin alato, basi laminae appendice 2-3 
mm. longo aucta; spicae 125 mm. longae 2 mm. crassae, pedunculo 
5-10 mm. longo. Honduras: Ridge near Roma railroad siding, 
about 25 km. east of La Ceiba, Dept. Atlantida, alt. 240 meters, 
Yuncker, Koepper & Wagner 8572 (type in herb. Univ. Illinois). 

Piper elasmophyllum Trelease, sp. nov. Arborescens tri- 
metralis, foliis eis P. dilatati similibus, internodiis gracilibus cito 
elongatis transiente molliter pubescentibus; folia plus minusve rhom- 
bico-subovato-elliptica subacuminata, basi inaequaliter cordulata 
13-16 cm. longa 7-9 cm. lata, e medio inferiore pinnatinervia, nervis 
5X6, transiente molliter pubescentia, nervis subtus similiter pubes- 
centibus, petiolo 10-20 mm. longo; spicae 40 mm. longae 2 mm. 
crassae, pedunculo 5 mm. longo, bracteis triangulari-subpeltatis 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 279 

pubescentibus; baccae obtuse triquetrae. Honduras: Lower slopes 
of Mt. Cangrejal, Dept. Atlantida, Yuncker, Koepper & Wagner 
8461 (type in herb. Univ. Illinois). 

Piper evulsipilosum Trelease, sp. nov. Frutex vix trimetralis, 
internodiis molliter pilosis; folia elliptica subacuminata, basi ali- 
quanto inaequaliter obtusa, 18-20 cm. longa 7-9.5 cm. lata, e 2 
tertiis inf erioribus pinnatinervia, nervis ca. 4x2, supra lucida 
intense viridia, subtus pallida opaca, nervis venisque hirtellis, 
petiolo 5-10 mm. longo alato plus minusve piloso; spicae 60 mm. 
longae 5 mm. crassae apiculatae, pedunculo 10 mm. longo, bracteis 
crescenticis; baccae rotundatae brunneo-velutinae. Honduras: La 
Ceiba, Dept. Atlantida, Yuncker, Koepper & Wagner 8015 (type in 
herb. Univ. Illinois). 

Piper gracillimum Trelease. Shrub up to 2.5 meters tall; 
leaves comparatively small, 3-nerved, with a long, slender apex. 
In rich soil, shady ravines, semi-arid region near Coyoles. 

Piper gracillimum Trelease, var. dantoense Trelease, var. 
nov. Arbuscula glabra trimetralis, ramis gracilibus; folia lanceo- 
lata apice subcaudata, basi acuta, 9 cm. longa 4 cm. lata trinervia, 
petiolo fere nullo; spicae ca. 60 mm. longae atque 3 mm. crassae, 
pedunculo 10 mm. longo; baccae oblongae. Honduras: Rio Dan to, 
Mt. Cangrejal, Dept. Atlantida, alt. 180 meters, Yuncker, Koepper 
& Wagner 8485 (type in herb. Univ. Illinois). 

Piper Koepperi Trelease, sp. nov. Subarborescens ca. trimetra- 
lis glabra vel folia majora subtus in basibus laminarum pubescentia; 
folia lanceolato-ovata acuta basi gibboso-subcordata 8.5-25 cm. 
longa 4-9 cm. lata 5-nervia, venulis transversis conspicuis, in sicco 
lucida papyracea, petiolo 1-2 cm. longo; spicae in statu fructifero 
60 mm. longae 5 mm. crassae, pedunculo 10 mm. longo; bracteae 
crescenticae; baccae ellipsoideae cum rhachi elongatae, stigmatibus 
parvis sessilibus. Honduras: Near Medina, Aguan Valley, Dept. 
Yoro, alt. 195 meters, Yuncker, Koepper & Wagner 8631 (type in 
herb. Univ. Illinois). Also near La Ceiba, Dept. Atlantida, No. 8014. 

Piper meritum Trelease, sp. nov. Subarborescens ca. 3 m. 
alta, internodiis brevibus modice crassis transiente molliter pubes- 
centibus; folia subovato-elliptica acute acuminata, basi insigniter 
inaequaliter cordulata, 15-16 cm. longa 8 cm. lata, e medio inferiore 
pinnatinervia, nervis 5x6 pallidis substrigosis, petiolo vix 10 mm. 
longo lobo basali longiore folii occulto; spicae plus minusve curvatae 
100 mm. longae 3 mm. crassae apiculatae, pedunculo 10 mm. longo; 



280 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

baccae parvae subcubicae. Honduras: La Ceiba, Dept. Atlantida, 
Yuncker, Koepper & Wagner 8363 (type in herb. Univ. Illinois). 

Piper multinervium Mart. & Gal. Shrub or small tree, up to 
3.5 meters in height; leaves rough. Common in thickets about the 
plains and on the lower mountain slopes, vicinity of La Ceiba. 

Piper puente-altoanum Trelease, sp. nov. Arbuscula 5- 
metralis, internodiis brevibus graciliusculis aliquanto ut petiolus 
pedunculusque scabridis; folia oblongo-subelliptica acuminata, basi 
inaequaliter obtusa, 18-20 cm. longa 6 cm. lata e medio inferiore 
pinnatinervia, nervis ca. 6X2, supra granuloso-scabrida, subtus 
saltern in statu juvenili ad nervos strigosa, petiolo vix 24-3 mm. 
longo; spicae vix 50 mm. longae atque 2 mm. crassae, pedunculo vix 

5 mm. longo. Honduras: Puente Alto, on the railroad about 50 km. 
east of La Ceiba, Dept. Atlantida, alt. 240 meters, Yuncker, Koepper 

6 Wagner 8549 (type in herb. Univ. Illinois). 

Piper sagax Trelease, sp. nov. Frutex 2-metralis petiolis atque 
nervis subtus evanescente puberulus; folia late elliptica aliquanto 
acuminata, basi rotundata latere altero breviore, ca. 15-18 cm. 
longa atque 9 cm. lata, e 2 tertiis inferioribus pinnatinervia, nervis 
4x5, supra lucida intense viridia, petiolo gracili 10+2 mm. longo 
exalato; spicae 40 mm. longae 3 mm. crassae, pedunculo 10 mm. 
longo. Honduras: Coyoles, Dept. Yoro, Yuncker, Koepper & Wag- 
ner 8030 (type in herb. Univ. Illinois). 

Piper subaequilaterum Trelease, sp. nov. Arborescens vix 
trimetralis tomentulosa, internodiis primo modice brevibus crassis- 
que glabrescentibus; folia subrhombico-elliptica acuta, basi fere 
aequilateraliter obtusa, 14 cm. longa 8 cm. lata e medio inferiore 
pinnatinervia, nervis 5x2, supra intensius viridia, petiolo 10-15 
mm. longo; spicae 60 mm. longae 3 mm. crassae, pedunculo 5 mm. 
longo. Honduras: Roma siding, about 25 km. east of La Ceiba, 
Dept. Atlantida, Yuncker, Koepper & Wagner 8565 (type in herb. 
Univ. Illinois). 

Piper tuberculatum Jacq. Shrub, sometimes somewhat 
scandent; petioles with a characteristic horn-like projection at the 
base of the leaf blade. In ravine of a dry stream near Coyoles. 

Piper tuberculatum var. cangrejalense Trelease, var. nov. 
Subscandens glabra, costis foliorum pubescentibus, petiolis brevibus 
plus minusve verrucosis; lamina folii 12-13 cm. longa 6-7 cm. lata. 
Honduras: Lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, Dept. Atlantida, 
Yuncker, Koepper & Wagner 8204 (type in herb. Univ. Illinois). 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 281 

Piper tumidipedunculum Trelease, sp. nov. Arborescens 
ca. trimetralis, ramis nodosis, internodiis brevibus, petiolis atque 
ramis infra insertionem petioli aliquanto crispo-pilosis exceptis gla- 
bra; folia lanceolata vel oblanceolata subcaudata, basi aliquanto 
inaequaliter cordulata, 12-19 cm. longa 4-6 cm. lata, e 2 tertiis 
inferioribus pinnatinervia, nervis ca. 4x2, lucida, chartacea, petiolo 
5-10 mm. longo; spicae 75 mm. longae 3 mm. crassae, pedunculo 
carnoso tumido 10 mm. longo; bracteae subcrescenticae; baccae 
subcrateriformi-depressae. Honduras: Las Flores, near Coyoles, 
Dept. Yoro, alt. 300 meters, Yuncker, Koepper & Wagner 8151 
(type in herb. Univ. Illinois). 

Piper uncatum Trelease. Shrub or small tree about 2 meters 
tall. In thickets on the lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 

Piper variabile C. DC. var. obtentum Trelease, var. nov. 
Arbuscula trimetralis cito glabrescens, internodiis floriferis brevi- 
bus graciliusculis; folia late subovata subacuta, basi fere aequaliter 
truncato-rotundata, 18 cm. longa 12 cm. lata, e 2 tertiis inferioribus 
multiplinervia, nervis ca. 5x2, subtus prope basin transiente ara- 
neosa, petiolo 3-5 cm. longo exalato; spicae 70 mm. longae 3 mm. 
crassae, pedunculo 15 mm. longo; baccae minutae. Honduras: Mt. 
Cangrejal, Dept. Atlantida, alt. 150 meters, Yuncker, Koepper & 
Wagner 8495 (type in herb. Univ. Illinois). 

POTHOMORPHE Miquel 

Pothomorphe peltata (L.) Miq. var. hypoleuca Trelease. 
Herbaceous, about 1 meter tall; spikes white, numerous. In ballast 
along the railroad right-of-way near La Ceiba. 

SALICACEAE 
SALIX L. 

Salix chilensis Molina. Tree up to 15 or 18 meters tall and 
nearly one meter in diameter. Common in wet areas and along 
banks of streams on the plains about La Ceiba. 

FAGACEAE 
QUERCUS L. 

Quercus aguana Trelease, sp. nov. Leucobalanos-Macrophyl- 
lae. Ramuli crassiusculi 4 mm. crassi aliquanto striati, primo dense 
ferrugineo-tomentosi, serius glabrescentes atque lucidi, pallido- 



282 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

lenticellati ; folia ad apicem rami aggregata decidua elliptico-sub- 
obovata obtusa vel emarginato-rotundata, basi breviter cordata, 
undulato-crenata, paullo impresso-reticulata, supra costa ferrugineo- 
tomentosa excepta viridia atque glabrescentia, subtus dense pallido- 
tomentulosa, 16-18 cm. longa 8-9 cm. lata, venis ca. 15x2 parum 
furcatis vix arcuatis, petiolo vix 10 mm. longo; fructus annuus ut 
videtur apice pedunculi tomentosi 2 cm. longi singulus; cupulae 
immaturae squamae adpressae cinereo-pubescentes. Honduras: 
Las Flores, near Coyoles, Dept. Yoro, alt. 270 meters, Yuncker, 
Koepper & Wagner 8180 (type in herb. Univ. Illinois). A tree 10-12 
meters tall and 50 cm. in diameter. 

Quercus oleoides Cham. & Schlecht. Tree about 15 meters 
tall and 60 cm. in diameter, the bark rough. In open forest area at 
about 270 meters altitude near the village of Las Flores. 

Quercus yoroensis Trelease, sp. nov. Erythrobalanos-Linguae- 
foliae. Ramuli crassiusculi 3 mm. crassi aliquanto striati annotini 
ferrugineo-tomentosi, serius grisei vix lenticellati; gemmae rotunda- 
tae vel ellipsoideae glabratae lucido-brunneae 5 mm. longae 2 mm. 
latae; folia elliptica obtusa, basi rotundata, 9-15 cm. longa 4-6 cm. 
lata plus minusve revoluta, chartacea, sublucida, costa utrinque 
ferrugineo-tomentulosa, nervis ca. 12x2 supra impressis subtus 
salientibus furcatis arcuatis, petiolo 5 mm. longo tomentuloso; 
fructus ut videtur biennis pedunculum 5 cm. longum terminans 
primo depresso-globosus, squamis adpressis lucidis glabratis obtu- 
sis. Honduras: Las Flores, Aguan Valley, Dept. Yoro, alt. 330 
meters, Yuncker, Koepper & Wagner 8181 (type in herb. Univ. 
Illinois). A tree 10 meters tall and 40 cm. in diameter. 

Quercus yoroensis var. aguanana Trelease, var. nov. E Q. 
yoroensi ramulis gracilioribus griseo-tomentulosis differt; folia magis 
lanceolato-oblonga usque plus minusve rhombico-subovata fere 
glabra utrinque lucida olivacea; fructus singuli vel geminati pedun- 
culum brevem terminantes, squamis cupulae opacioribus atque 
densius pubescentibus. Honduras: Growing with the species, at 
300 meters altitude, Yuncker, Koepper & Wagner 8185 (type in 
herb. Univ. Illinois). 

ULMACEAE 
CELTIS L. 

Celtis iguanaea (Jacq.) Sarg. Small tree about 5 meters tall. 
In semi-arid forest region near Coyoles. 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 283 

TREMA Lour. 

Trema micrantha (L.) Blume. Tree about 7.5 meters tall; 
flowers small, greenish white; fruit red. In forest on the lower slopes 
of Mt. Cangrejal. 

MORACEAE 
ARTOCARPUS Forst. 

Artocarpus communis Forst. Cultivated. Occasionally 
found at some distance from dwellings as an escape. 

CASTILLA Cerv. 

Castilla elastica Cerv. Tree up to 12 meters tall and 30 to 45 
cm. in diameter; bark smooth; latex white and very abundant. 
Common on the plains about La Ceiba. 

CECROPIA L. 

Cecropia asperrima Pittier. Tree about 8 to 10 meters tall. 
Common in cut-over areas and edge of forest on the plains and lower 
foothills about La Ceiba. 

DORSTENIA L. 

Dorstenia choconiana Wats. var. integrifolia D. Sm. In 
deep forest on the foothills back of La Ceiba. 

Dorstenia Contra jerva L. var. Houston! (L.) Bureau. In 
rich soil, wet ravine on slope near Puente Alto, about 50 kilometers 
east of La Ceiba, at about 240 meters altitude. 

FICUS L. 

Ficus glabrata HBK. Fine, spreading tree about 15 meters 
tall, the trunk about 1.5 meters in diameter. On the banks of a 
stream, lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 150 meters altitude. 

Ficus Hemsleyana Standl. Tree about 12 meters tall. In 
forest on the lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 

Ficus involuta (Liebm.) Miq. Tree about 15 meters tall and 
75 cm. in diameter. In forest, foothills back of La Ceiba. 

URTICACEAE 
MYRIOCARPA Benth. 

Myriocarpa obovata D. Sm. Tree about 5 meters tall; spikes 
slender, 25 to 30 cm. long. On the bank of the Dan to River, lower 
slopes of Mt. Cangrejal back of La Ceiba. 



284 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

PILEA Lindl. 

Pilea pubescens Liebm. Small herb 5 to 7 cm. tall. On mossy 
rocks, stream bank on the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 

POUZOLZIA Gaud. 

Pouzolzia obliqua Gaud. Shrub, about 1 meter tall. In 
ravines in semi-arid upland near the village of Medina, at 180 meters 
altitude. 

URERA Gaud. 

Urera alceaefolia Gaud. Small tree about 4.5 meters tall; 
flowers small, green. In forest on the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 
360 meters altitude. 

Urera elata (Swartz) Griseb. Small tree about 6 meters tall, 
with stinging hairs; flowers greenish white. In wet forest on slopes 
of Mt. Cangrejal, at 150 meters altitude. 

LORANTHACEAE 
ORYCTANTHUS Eichl. 

Oryctanthus cordifolius (Presl) Eichl. Parasitic. Leaves 
opposite, ovate, sessile; spikes and berries red. Frequent on trees 
on the plains and in the forest on the lower slopes about La Ceiba. 

PHORADENDRON Nutt. 

Phoradendron piperoides (HBK.) Trelease. Leaves elliptic 
and acute. Parasitic on a large fig tree on the bank of the Cangrejal 
River in the foothills back of La Ceiba. 

Phoradendron robustissimum Eichl. Parasitic. Leaves 
oblong, obtuse; spikes greenish yellow. Frequent on trees in semi- 
arid woodland near Coyoles. 

Phoradendron venezuelense Trelease. Parasitic. Leaves 3-4 
cm. long, oblong-spatulate; spikes green. On trees in semi-arid 
woodland near Coyoles. 

PHTHIRUSA Mart. 

Phthirusa pyrifolia (HBK.) Eichl. Parasitic. Stems slender; 
leaves oblong or ovate-oblong, mucronate. Frequent on trees in 
forest on the lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 285 

PSITTACANTHUS Mart. 

Psittacanthus calyculatus (DC.) Don. Parasitic. Stems stout 
and angled; leaves mostly falcate; flowers and berries red. On tree 
near the Cangrejal River, foothills back of La Ceiba. 

STRUTHANTHUS Mart. 

Struthanthus Deppeanus (S. & C.) Blume. Parasitic. Stems 
twining; leaves petiolate, elliptic, with acute base and attenuate- 
acuminate apex. On trees in the forest, foothills back of La Ceiba. 

Struthanthus orbicularis (HBK.) Blume. Parasitic. Stems 
somewhat twining; leaves obtuse; fruit dark red. On trees near the 
bank of the Cangrejal River, foothills back of La Ceiba. 

Struthanthus phaneroneurus Standl., sp. nov. Frutex para- 
siticus omnino glaber, ramis vetustioribus teretibus griseis rimosis 
4 mm. crassis, junioribus ochraceis vel brunnescentibus, internodiis 
brevibus; folia in sicco coriacea sed tenuia breviter petiolata, petiolo 
3-5 mm. longo late canaliculate; lamina rotundato-obovata vel 
late elliptico-obovata 2.5-3.5 cm. longa 1.5-2.8 cm. lata, apice sub- 
truncata vel late rotundata, interdum apiculata vel emarginata, 
basi cuneata, vulgo subito contracta atque breviter acute decurrens, 
supra in sicco olivacea lucida, nervis venulisque prominulis, subtus 
concolor lucidaque, costa gracillima elevata, nervis lateralibus 
utroque latere 5-6 obliquis angulo semirecto vel angustiore adscen- 
dentibus prominulis inaequalibus, venulis inconspicuis vel obsoletis, 
margine pallido tenui; inflorescentiae spicatae simplices in axillis 
singulae vix ultra 5 mm. longae brevissime pedunculatae, floribus in 
spiculas trifloras parvas sessiles dispositis, bracteis obovatis vel 
spathulatis, apice obtusis vel rotundatis et apiculatis floribus bre- 
vioribus. Honduras: Parasitic on a tree in semi-arid woodland 
near Coyoles, Dept. Yoro, July 26, 1938, T.G. Yuncker,J. M. Koep- 
per & K. A. Wagner 8662 (type in Herb. Field Mus.). 

ARISTOLOCHIACEAE 
ARISTOLOCHIA L. 

Aristolochia grandiflora Swartz. Vine. Flowers very large 
and handsome, yellowish brown with purple mottling within, with 
vile, carrion-like odor. Climbing in thicket, foothills back of La 
Ceiba. 



286 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

Aristolochia maxima L. Vine. Stems woody and with wide, 
corky wings; leaves oblong-obovate; flowers very dark red; fruit 
large, opening to form a basket-like structure. Climbing over shrubs 
in a thicket on the lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 

Aristolochia odoratissima L. Woody vine. Leaves ovate- 
cordate, acute; flowers large, cream with maroon mottling. Climb- 
ing in thicket, foothills back of La Ceiba. 

Aristolochia pilosa HBK. Herbaceous vine. Stems, petioles, 
and pedicels covered with erect, brown hairs; leaves ovate-cordate, 
obtuse; outside of calyx limb dark red lined with green, inside deep 
violet spotted with yellow. Climbing in thicket, foothills back of 
La Ceiba. 

POLYGONACEAE 
COCCOLOBA L. 

Goccoloba acuminata HBK. Shrub or small tree up to 2.5 
meters tall and 3 to 5 cm. in diameter; spikes and fruit red. In 
ravines, semi-arid woodland region near Coyoles. 

Coccoloba barbadensis Jacq. Small tree about 4.5 to 6 meters 
tall; leaves up to 25 cm. long; flowers green. On banks of ravine in 
semi-arid woodland region near Coyoles; also in open forest, foothills 
back of La Ceiba. 

Coccoloba Browniana Standl. Tree about 7 meters tall; 
leaves rounded-ovate-cordate; fruit green, wrinkled. In semi-arid 
woodland region near Coyoles. 

Coccoloba Tuerckheimii D. Sm. Tree about 7 meters tall; 
bark flaking; leaves obovate, very large; inflorescence with numerous 
long, bright red branches; flowers greenish white. In forest, foot- 
hills back of La Ceiba. 

Coccoloba Uvifera (L.) Jacq. Tree about 7 meters tall and 20 
cm. in diameter; leaves subsessile, nearly round. In sandy soil near 
the beach, vicinity of La Ceiba. 

POLYGONUM L. 

Polygonum lapathifolium L. Herb, about 1 meter tall; 
flowers pale pink. On sandbar in the Cangrejal River, foothills 
back of La Ceiba. 

Polygonum persicarioides HBK. Herb, about 60 cm. tall; 
flowers pale pink. On sandbars in the Aguan River, near Coyoles. 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 287 

AMARANTHACEAE 
AMARANTHUS L. 

Amaranthus spinosus L. Weedy herb, mostly less than 1 
meter tall, with numerous sharp, rigid spines. Common in waste 
places about La Ceiba. 

GOMPHRENA L. 

Gomphrena dispersa Standl. Plants low and sprawling; 
flower heads white to pink. A weedy, herbaceous plant, very com- 
mon in waste places about La Ceiba; also at Coyoles. 

IRESINE P. Br. 

Iresine Celosia L. Herb. Scrambling over low shrubs in thicket 
on the bank of the Danto River, foothills back of La Ceiba. 

Iresine nigra Uline & Bray. Small tree about 3.5 meters tall; 
spikelets short, white. In semi-arid woodland region near Coyoles. 

NYCTAGINACEAE 
BOERHAAVIA L. 

Boerhaavia erecta L. Herb; flowers small, white. Weed, com- 
mon in waste places in the semi-arid region about Coyoles; also in 
the vicinity of La Ceiba. 

MIRABILIS L. 

Mirabilis Jalapa L. Flowers purple-red. A single large colony 
found in the foothills back of La Ceiba. 

NEE A Ruiz & Pavon 

Neea psychotrioides D. Sm. Shrub or small tree about 4.5 
meters tall ; flowers greenish yellow. Frequent in 'forest on the foot- 
hills and lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 

PHYTOLACCACEAE 
MICROTEA Swartz 

Microtea debilis Swartz. A low, spreading, weedy herb; 
flowers very small, greenish white. In sandy soil near the Cangrejal 
River, foothills back of La Ceiba. 

PETIVERIA L. 

Petiveria alliacea L. Plant about 1 meter tall or less; stems 
woody at the base; spikes slender, up to 25 cm. long; flowers white. 



288 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

In sandy soil on the bank of the Cangrejal River, foothills back of 
La Ceiba. 

PHYTOLACCA L. 

Phytolacca rivinoides Kunth & Bouche". Herb, about 2 meters 
tall; peduncles and pedicels red; flowers white; fruit dark purple. In 
an open, burned-over area near the Danto River on the slopes of Mt. 
Cangrejal, at 240 meters altitude. 

RIVINA L. 

Rivina humilis L. Low, weedy shrub; flowers white; fruit red. 
Frequent about La Ceiba. 

AIZOACEAE 

MOLLUGO L. 

Mollugo verticillata L. A low, spreading, weedy herb; sepals 
white. In waste places about La Ceiba. 

PORTULACACEAE 
PORTULACA L. 

Portulaca oleracea L. Low, succulent herb; corolla yellow. 
On sandbars in the Aguan River, near Coyoles. 

Portulaca pilosa L. Low, succulent herb ; corolla red. On gravel 
bars in the Aguan River, near Coyoles. 

TALINUM Adans. 

Talinum triangulate (Jacq.) Willd. Herb. Leaves succulent; 
flowers pale pink. In sandy soil, thicket along the Aguan River, 
near Coyoles. 

NYMPHAEACEAE 

NYMPHAEA L. 

Nymphaea ampla (Salisb.) DC. Flowers white. In ponds near 
La Ceiba. 

MENISPERMACEAE 
CISSAMPELOS L. 

Cissampelos tropaeolifolia DC. Vine. Leaves broadly ovate, 
peltate; flowers greenish; fruit red. Frequent in thickets, foothills 
back of La Ceiba. 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 289 

DISCIPHANIA Eichl. 

Disciphania calocarpa Standl. Woody vine; leaves ovate, 
acute, peltate; fruit very fleshy, orange-red. Climbing in thicket, 
foothills back of La Ceiba. 

HYPERBAENA Miers 

Hyperbaena hondurensis Standl. Woody vine; flowers yel- 
lowish orange, with carrion-like odor. Climbing in trees, thickets on 
banks of the Danto River, slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 150 meters 
altitude. 

MAGNOLIACEAE 
TALAUMA Juss. 

Talauma mexicana (DC.) Don. A tree about 15 meters high, 
in forest on slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 180 meters, No. 8845. The 
material available for study consists of a young branch with two 
large leaves and a detached young fruit. At first I was inclined to 
believe, partly because of its geographic origin, that a new species 
was represented, and such, in fact, may well be the case. However, 
the material of the genus available for comparison is so scant and 
incomplete that it does not seem desirable at present to describe 
the Honduran tree as new. It is noteworthy for the unusually large 
leaves, as much as 42 cm. long and 16 cm. wide, and for the very 
large young fruit, with exceedingly numerous carpels. Further 
material from Honduras and Mexico is needed before it can be 
decided definitely whether the Honduran form is actually T. mexicana 
or an undescribed species. PAUL C. STANDLEY. 

ANNONACEAE 

ANNONA L. 

Annona reticulata L. Tree up to 15 meters tall and 50 cm. 
in diameter; flower parts fleshy. In open forest near the village of 
Las Flores, at 300 meters altitude; also in forest on foothills back of 
La Ceiba. 

MYRISTICAGEAE 
COMPSONEURA Warb. 

Compsoneura Sprucei (A. DC.) Warb. Tree about 6 meters 
tall; flowers small, numerous, cream-colored; fruit with a thin, 
fleshy coat and a single seed about 2 cm. long, covered with an aril. 



290 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

On the bank of the Salado River, about 20 kilometers west of La 
Ceiba. 

MONIMIACEAE 
SIPARUNA Aubl. 

Siparuna nicaraguensis Hemsl. Tree about 6 meters tall; 
fruit fleshy, pink, aromatic. Margin of the Danto River, slopes of 
Mt. Cangrejal, at 300 meters altitude. 

LAURACEAE 
MISANTEGA C. & S. 

Misanteca capitata C. & S. Tree about 7 meters tall; fruit 
green, partially enclosed in a red cup. In deep forest on the slopes 
of Mt. Cangrejal, at 330 meters altitude. 

NECTANDRA Roland 

Nectandra sanguinea Rottb. Tree about 10 meters tall and 
35 cm. in diameter; flowers white. In open forest, semi-arid upland 
region near the village of Las Flores, at 300 meters altitude; also 
in forest, foothills near the Cangrejal River back of La Ceiba. 

OCOTEA Aubl. 

Ocotea cernua (Nees) Mez. Tree about 7 meters tall. In 
open forest on the foothills near the Cangrejal River, back of La 
Ceiba. 

PHOEBE Nees 

Phoebe helicterifolia Mez. Tree about 9 meters tall; flowers 
creamy white. On the banks of the Danto River, lower slopes of 
Mt. Cangrejal, back of La Ceiba. 

Phoebe mexicana Meissn. Tree about 7 meters tall; leaves 
shiny above; pedicels red. In a ravine near the village of Medina, 
at 180 meters altitude. 

CRUCIFERAE 
CAKILE Mill. 

Cakile lanceolata (Willd.) 0. E. Schulz. Low herb; flowers 
white; fruit 1-seeded. In sand near the seashore, vicinity of La 
Ceiba. 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 291 

CAPPARIDACEAE 
CAPPARIS L. 

Capparis admirabilis Standl., sp. nov. Arbuscula 3.5 m. alta, 
trunco 7 cm. diam., ramis rectis rigidis teretibus vel subcompressis 
dense adpresso-lepidotis, internodiis brevibus; folia brevissime petio- 
lata coriacea adscendentia vel suberecta, petiolo crasso vix ultra 
3 mm. longo; lamina linearis 13-23 cm. longa prope basin 10-12 mm. 
lata e basi rotundata usque apicem angustum sensim attenuata, 
supra primo dense adpresso-stellato-pilosula, cito glabrata, nervis 
venisque prominulis, subtus ubique dense adpresse albido-lepidota, 
costa crassa elevata, nervis numerosis valde obliquis angulo acuto 
adscendentibus, venulis prominentibus arctissime reticulatis; inflo- 
rescentiae axillares cymoso-corymbosae longipedunculatae folia 
aequantes, pedunculis ramisque compressis dense lepidotis, pedicellis 
5-7 mm. longis; sepala in alabastro aperta deltoideo-ovata acutius- 
cula ca. 1 mm. longa vel paullo ultra; petala inaequalia ochroleuca 
spathulato-obovata usque 1 cm. longa apice rotundata intus glabra 
extus dense stellate- tomentosa; stamina 8 petalis duplo longiora, 
filamentis basi stellato-pilosis; gynophorum ca. 1 cm. longum gla- 
brum, ovario oblongo dense lepidoto. Honduras: In woodland in 
semi-arid region near Coyoles, Dept. Yoro, June 29, 1938, T. G. 
Yuncker, J. M. Koepper & K. A. Wagner 8130 (type in Herb. 
Field Mus.). 

A well marked species, altogether unlike any other known from 
Central America. Most remarkable are the long and narrow, rigid 
leaves, which recall those of certain species of northern South 
America. Noteworthy, also, is the small number of stamens, but 
the plant seems better referable to Capparis than to other genera 
of the family, to which the stamen number might seem to necessitate 
its reference. 

Capparis indica (L.) Fawc. & Rendle. Tree about 4.5 meters 
tall. In semi-arid woodland region near the village of Las Flores. 

Capparis Yunckeri Standl., sp. nov. Frutex scandens, ramis 
viridibus vel viridescentibus subteretibus, novellis densissime pilis 
stellatis sessilibus atque stipitatis intermixtis tomentosis, internodiis 
brevibus; folia parva breviter petiolata in sicco coriacea, petiolo 
crasso 5-7 mm. longo stellate- tomentoso; lamina elliptico-ovalis 
vel subrotundata 2.5-4.5 cm. longa 2-3.5 cm. lata apice rotundata, 
basi late rotundata vel truncata, supra in statu juvenili dense stellato- 
tomentosa, cito glabrata, nervis profunde impressis, subtus pallida 



292 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

ubique dense stellato-tomentosa, nervis costaque prominentibus sed 
tomento occultis, nervis lateralibus utroque latere 4-5; flores non 
visi; fructus (imperfectus solum visus) 2.5 cm. longe pedunculatus, 
gynophoro 5 mm. longo; bacca ut videtur ellipsoidea ca. 5 cm. longa 
glabrata sed pilis minutis stellatis hince inde conspersa. Honduras: 
Climbing in a thicket in woodland, semi-arid region near Coyoles, 
Dept. Yoro, July 25, 1938, T. G. Yuncker, J. M. Koepper & K. A. 
Wagner 8615 (type in Herb. Field Mus.). 

This also is an outstanding plant in the genus Capparis, and I 
have found no species to which it is at all similar. It is noteworthy 
for its scandent habit and for the small, broad, copiously stellate- 
tomentose leaves. 

CLEOME L. 

Cleome aculeata L. Herb about 60 cm. tall, with a pair of 
short, slightly recurved prickles at the lower nodes; seeds reddish. 
In waste area near La Ceiba. 

Cleome serrata Jacq. Weedy herb with stem somewhat woody 
at the base; flowers creamy white. In waste places on the plains 
and in the foothills about La Ceiba. 

PODOSTEMONACEAE 
TRISTICHA Thou. 

Tristicha hypnoides Spreng. Aquatic herb, superficially re- 
sembling certain aquatic bryophytes. Stems slender, branching; 
leaves minute, in three rows. Covering submerged rocks in current 
of swift mountain stream on the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 270 
meters altitude. 

HAMAMELIDACEAE 
LIQUIDAMBAR L. 

Liquidambar Styraciflua L. Tree about 7 meters tall and 20 
cm. in diameter. This species, common in the southeastern United 
States, has been previously reported from the highlands about 
Siguatepeque. Occasional in deep forest on the slopes of Mt. Can- 
grejal, at 300 meters altitude. 

ROSACEAE 
HIRTELLA L. 

Hirtella triandra Swartz. Small tree about 4.5 meters tall. 
On the rocky bank of the Danto River, lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 293 

LEGUMINOSAE 
ABRUS L. 

Abrus precatorius L. Woody vine. Seeds bright red with a 
black spot, handsome and often used as ornaments. Occasional 
in thickets on the lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 

ACACIA Willd. 

Acacia riparia HBK. Low, spreading tree about 7 meters tall 
and 30 cm. in diameter, armed with a pair of short, recurved prickles 
at the nodes; leaves bipinnate, with numerous very small leaflets; 
flowers white. Common in woodland and open pastures in semi-arid 
region in the Aguan River Valley above Olanchito and about Coyoles. 

Acacia spadicigera Schl. & Cham. Small tree or shrub about 
2 meters tall, armed with pairs of large, nodal, bullhorn-like spines 
inhabited by colonies of a small but exceedingly vicious species of 
ant. Occasional in semi-arid woodland near Coyoles. 

Acacia telensis Standl. Woody vine, the older branches 4- 
angled, armed with numerous small, more or less recurved prickles; 
pods large, thin. In thickets near the Danto River, slopes of Mt. 
Cangrejal, at 180 meters altitude; also in thickets on the plain back 
of Roma, about 25 kilometers east of La Ceiba. 

BAUHINIA L. 

Bauhinia divaricata L. Shrub or small tree about 4.5 meters 
tall; flowers white to pale pink. In forest on the slopes of Mt. 
Cangrejal, at 150 meters altitude. 

Bauhinia hondurensis Standl. A coarse, woody vine; corolla 
white. Climbing in thickets on the foothills back of La Ceiba; 
also in a ravine near the village of Medina, at 200 meters altitude. 

Bauhinia sp. A large, woody species with strongly flattened 
stems which curve in a regular zigzag manner was frequently ob- 
served climbing in trees in forests on the lower slopes back of La 
Ceiba. No plants, however, were found in flower or fruit. 

BENTHAMANTHA Alef. 

Benthamantha mollis (HBK.) Alef. A low shrub less than 
1 meter tall; flowers yellowish. In semi-arid woodland region near 
Coyoles. 



294 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

CALLIANDRA Benth. 

Call land ra arborea Standl. Shrub or small tree up to 6 meters 
tall. Stamens long and bright red, making a showy flower cluster. 
Originally described from specimens collected near Siguatepeque. 
In thickets, foothills back of La Ceiba; also in open forest on rocky 
mountain slope above Roma, about 25 kilometers east of La Ceiba, 
at 360 meters altitude. 

Calliandra confusa Sprague & Riley. Shrub about 2.5 meters 
tall; leaflets very small and numerous; stamens long, bright red. 
Forming thickets in the rocky bed of the Danto River, slopes of 
Mt. Cangrejal, at 240 meters altitude. 

CALOPOGONIUM Desv. 

Calopogonium coeruleum Benth. A large vine, woody below; 
flowers large, purple or lavender, produced in abundance in long, 
handsome racemes. Common in thickets on the lower slopes of 
Mt. Cangrejal back of La Ceiba. 

CASSIA L. 

Cassia bacillaris L. Shrub or small tree up to 7 meters tall; 
flowers large, creamy yellow, showy. In thickets, foothills back 
of La Ceiba. 

Cassia occidentalis L. Herb up to 1 meter tall; flowers yellow. 
Abundant in sandy soil, thickets along the Aguan River near Coyoles. 

Cassia riparia HBK. Herb up to 1 meter tall; flowers yellow. 
Common along trails in the foothills back of La Ceiba. 

CROTALARIA L. 

Crotalaria retusa L. Herb about 75 cm. tall. Flowers rather 
pretty, the petals yellow within, reddish brown outside. Abundant 
on gravelly bars in the Aguan River near Coyoles. 

Crotalaria striata Schrank. Herb about 90 cm. tall; corolla 
yellow, streaked with red. In sand near the seashore, vicinity of 
La Ceiba. 

Crotalaria vitellina Ker. Herb about 60 cm. tall; flowers 
yellow. On gravelly bar in the Agudn River, near Coyoles. 

CYNOMETRA L. 

Cynometra retusa Britt. & Rose. A handsome tree about 30 
meters tall and 1 meter in diameter, the base strongly buttressed. 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 295 

Leaflets 2; pods subglobose, brown-scurfy. On river bank, foothills 
back of La Ceiba. 

DESMODIUM Desv. 

Desmodium axillare (Swartz) DC. Herb. Stems creeping; 
flowers on erect branches, dark red. Common along trails in the 
foothills back of La Ceiba. 

DIALIUM L. 

Dialium guianense (Aubl.) Steud. Tree about 15 meters tall; 
pods globose-ovoid, smooth, 2 cm. long. Wood said to be very hard 
and useful for construction purposes requiring resistant timber. 
In forests on the lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 

ENTADA Adans. 

Entada polystachia (L.) DC. Woody vine with thick, trunk- 
like stem; flowers with strong carrion-like odor; stamens white; 
corolla reddish. In open forest on the foothills back of La Ceiba. 

ENTEROLOBIUM Mart. 

Enterolobium cyclocarpum (Jacq.) Griseb. A very large 
tree. This and the ceiba are the two largest trees of the region. 
Occasional in forest and pastures of the Aguan River Valley. Origi- 
nally abundant. 

ERYTHRINA L. 

Erythrina hondurensis Standl. A small tree about 7.5 meters 
tall, armed with short, stout prickles. Leaflets 3, large; pods abun- 
dant, long; seeds scarlet. Banks of the Dan to River, slopes of Mt. 
Cangrejal, 180 meters altitude; also in the semi-arid woodland 
region near Coyoles. 

GLIRICIDIA HBK. 

Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud. Tree about 6 meters tall and 
15 cm. in diameter; flowers pink. Abundant on the plains about La 
Ceiba, where it is extensively used for living fence posts. 

INGA Scop. 

Inga edulis Mart. Broad-topped tree about 7 meters tall and 
20 cm. in diameter. Pods brown-pubescent, twisted. On banks of 
the Salado River, about 20 kilometers west of La Ceiba; also in an 
upland ravine near the village of Medina, at 150 meters altitude. 



296 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

Inga Pittieri Micheli. Tree about 7 meters tall. Pods large, 
green, smooth, strongly 4-angled. On the plain back of Roma, about 
25 kilometers east of La Ceiba. 

Inga Roussoviana Pittier. Tree about 7 meters tall; corolla 
greenish white; stamens white. On the low banks of the Salado 
River about 20 kilometers west of La Ceiba; also in open forest on 
the plains back of Roma, about 25 kilometers east of La Ceiba. 

Inga Yunckeri Standl., sp. nov. Arbor 9-metralis, ramulis 
glabratis fusco-ferrugineis lenticellis numerosis pallidis parvis con- 
spersis; folia mediocria 2 cm. longe petiolata, rhachi ca. 2.5 cm. longa 
exalata fere omnino glabra; foliola bijuga oblongo-elliptica sub- 
aequalia 13-18.5 cm. longa 7-8.5 cm. lata acuta vel breviter acumi- 
nata, basi acuta, crasse membranacea, supra in sicco viridia lucida 
glabra, costa nervisque prominentibus, subtus concoloria sublucida 
saltern in statu adulto omnino glabra, costa gracili elevata, nervis 
lateralibus utroque latere ca. 10; flores spicati, spicis brevibus dense 
multifloris pedunculatis, pedunculis lutescenti-hispidulis usque 18 
mm. longis, rhachi ca. 1 cm. longa, bracteis minutis inconspicuis, 
spicis in paniculas parvas densas ca. 7 cm. longas atque aequilatas 
aggregatis; calyx tubulosus 6 mm. longus glaber striatus, sursum 
paullo dilatatus, dentibus brevibus apice rotundatis; corolla viridis 
10-12 mm. longa dense fulvido-sericea, lobis lanceolato-oblongis 
attenuato-acuminatis 2 mm. longis; stamina alba usque 2.5 cm. longa. 
Honduras: In foothills back of La Ceiba, near Cangrejal River, 
August 4, 1938, T. G. Yuncker, J. M. Koepper & K. A. Wagner 8805 
(type in Herb. Field Mus.). 

INDIGOFERA L. 

Indigofera lespedezioides HBK. Plants up to 1 meter tall, 
slender, suffruticose. Flowers salmon-colored. In rocky soil on the 
mountain slope above the village of Las Flores, at 300 meters 
altitude. 

LONCHOCARPUS HBK. 

Lonchocarpus Michelianus Pittier. Handsome tree about 18 
meters tall. Flowers about 1.5 cm. long, pinkish to lavender, abun- 
dant, showy. Solitary in open grassland near the Cangrejal River, 
foothills back of La Ceiba. 

Lonchocarpus yoroensis Standl., sp. nov. Arbor 6-metralis, 
ramulis fusco-brunnescentibus crassis teretibus lenticellis parvis 
pallidis conspersis, novellis sat dense minuteque adpresso-pilosulis, 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 297 

internodiis abbreviatis; stipulae inconspicuae late ovato-deltoideae 
obtusae ca. 1.5 mm. longae; folia inter minora petiolata, rhachi 
petiolo adjecto 3-4 cm. longa gracili dense puberula; foliola 5 ca. 
2 mm. longe petiolulata elliptica vel obovata paullo inaequalia 2.5-6 
cm. longa 2-3 cm. lata apice obtusa vel anguste rotundata, basi 
obtusa vel subacuta, supra dense breviter pilosula, subtus dense 
pilis pallidis subpatentibus molliter pilosa, nervis lateralibus utroque 
latere ca. 5; inflorescentia (cum alabastris tantum visa) spiciformis 
folia aequans, longipedunculata laxe pauciflora, rhachi dense ad- 
presso-pilosula, floribus sessilibus vel breviter pedicellatis, bracteis 
bracteolisque late ovatis obtusis adpresso-pilosulis; legumen (per- 
fectum non visum) compressum 1.5 cm. latum, suturis tenuibus, 
seminibus ut videtur 1 vel pluribus. Honduras: In semi-arid up- 
land near Medina, Dept. Yoro, alt. 180 meters, July 26, 1938, T. G. 
Yuncker, J . M. Koepper & K. A. Wagner 8658 (type in Herb. Field 
Mus.). 

MACHAERIUM Pers. 

Machaerium Pittieri Macbr. Small tree about 5 meters 
tall. Flowers small, purplish. In forest on the lower slopes of Mt. 
Cangrejal. 

MIMOSA L. 

Mimosa pigra L. Shrub or small tree 2.5 to 3.5 meters tall, 
armed with short, stout prickles. Leaflets numerous, small; flowers 
pink; pods brown-hairy. On gravelly bar in the Aguan River, near 
Coyoles; also in sandy soil near the seashore, vicinity of La Ceiba. 
Common. 

Mimosa pudica L. Low, prostrate, suffrutescent. Flowers 
pink. A common, weedy plant about La Ceiba; also frequent in 
waste places in the Aguan River Valley. 

IPHASEOLUS L. 
Phaseolus adenanthus Mey. Herbaceous vine. Flowers 
purplish yellow. Climbing in thickets on the banks of the Danto 
River, slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 150 meters altitude. 

PITHECOLOBIUM Mart. 

Pithecolobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. Small tree with gray 
bark, about 6 meters tall, armed with sharp, stout spines; leaflets 2, 
oblique, about 2 cm. long. A common and characteristic tree in the 
semi-arid woodland region near Coyoles. 



298 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

Pithecolobium guatemalense (Britt. & Rose) Standl. Tree 
about 6 meters tall and 15 to 20 cm. in diameter. Leaflets numerous, 
oblique, about 1.5 cm. long, softly pubescent. Only sterile material 
was obtainable and the identification is uncertain. A characteristic 
tree in open forests in the semi-arid region near the village of Las 
Flores. 

Pithecolobium longifolium (H. & B.) Standl. Small tree 
about 6 meters tall. Flowers greenish white, in globose, head-like 
clusters; pods scarlet; seeds black. Frequent in forests on the foot- 
hills back of La Ceiba. 

Pithecolobium tenellum (Britt. & Rose) Standl. Small tree 
about 6 meters tall. Flowers greenish white, in globose, head-like 
clusters; pods scarlet; seeds black. Frequent in forests on the foot- 
hills back of La Ceiba. 

POEPPIGIA Presl 

Poeppigia procera Presl. A handsome tree about 12 meters 
tall and 35 cm. in diameter. Leaves light green, pinnate; leaflets 
numerous, about 1 cm. long; flowers yellow, 1 cm. long, numerous, in 
paniculately racemose clusters. In open woodland near the village 
of Medina, at about 180 meters altitude. 

SWARTZIA Schreb. 

Swartzia simplex (Swartz) Spreng. Small tree about 7 meters 
tall. Leaves with a solitary, large leaflet; flower buds globose; corolla 
yellow. Frequent along the Danto River, slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 

VIGNA Savi 

Vigna repens (L.) Kuntze. Trailing, herbaceous vine with yel- 
low flowers. On sandy ocean beach near the village of Salado. 

Vigna vexillata (L.) A. Rich. Herbaceous vine with hairy stem. 
Flowers white to light lavender. Climbing in thickets, foothills 
back of La Ceiba. 

OXALIDACEAE 
BIOPHYTUM DC. 

Biophytum dendroides (HBK.) DC. Herb about 15 cm. tall; 
leaves clustered at the top of the stem; flowers pink. Along the 
margin of the Danto River, slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 150 meters 
altitude. 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 299 

OXALIS L. 

Oxalis Neaei DC. Herb 30 cm. high or more; flowers yellow. 
Common in open areas throughout the region. 

RUTACEAE 
AMYRIS L. 

Amyris sylvatica Jacq. Small tree about 3.5 meters tall. 
Leaves 3-foliolate. In semi-arid woodland region near Coyoles. 

CITRUS L. 

Citrus sinensis Osbeck. Seedling trees encountered frequently 
along the trails and in open forest areas throughout the region. 

ZANTHOXYLUM L. 

Zanthoxylum Fagara (Jacq.) Sarg. Tree about 4.5 meters 
tall. Fruit small, green. Frequent in open forest in the semi-arid 
region near the village of Medina. 

BURSERACEAE 
BURSERA Jacq. 

Bursera Simaruba (L.) Sarg. Tree up to 15 meters tall or 
more; bark smooth, copper-brown, peeling in thin sheets. Frequent 
in semi-arid forest area near Coyoles; also in forests on the foothills 
back of La Ceiba. 

MELIACEAE 
GUAREA Allem. 

Guarea excelsa HBK. Tree about 6 meters tall or more. 
Flowers small, white, in many-flowered, slender panicles up to 25 
cm. long. In deep forest along the Danto River, slopes of Mt. 
Cangrejal, at 150 to 300 meters altitude. 

MELIA L. 

Melia Azedarach L. Small tree about 6 meters tall and 15 cm. 
in diameter; flowers lavender; fruit yellow. Naturalized in the foot- 
hills back of La Ceiba. 

SWIETENIA Jacq. 

Swietenia macrophylla King. Large forest tree with trunk 
90 cm. or more in diameter. Abundant in certain parts of the Aguan 
River Valley, where mahogany is being cut commercially. 



300 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

TRICHILIA L. 

Trichilia acutanthera C. DC.(?) Tree about 6 meters tall. 
Capsule less than 1 cm. long, yellow. On the banks of the Salado 
River about 20 kilometers west of La Ceiba; also in forests on the 
lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 

Trichilia havanensis Jacq. Small tree about 4.5 meters tall 
and 15 cm. in diameter. Leaves pinnate, the leaflets mostly 5-7; 
capsule small. In forest on the foothills back of La Ceiba. 

MALPIGHIACEAE 
BYRSONIMA Rich. 

Byrsonima crassifolia (L.) DC. Small tree or shrub about 
4.5 meters tall. Flowers showy, at first yellow, later turning reddish 
orange, in terminal racemes; fruit fleshy, yellow, edible. Abundant 
throughout the plains and foothills. 

HETEROPTERIS HBK. 

Heteropteris laurifolia (L.) Juss. Woody vine. Flowers yel- 
low; fruit a samara. In thickets near the village of Las Flores, at 
180 meters altitude. 

HIRAEA Jacq. 

Hiraea obovata (HBK.) Ndzu. Shrub or small tree about 3 
meters tall. Flowers yellow; fruit a samara. In forests along the 
Danto River, slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 180 meters altitude. 

STIGMAPHYLLON Juss. 

Stigmaphyllon puberum (Rich.) Juss. A large, woody vine. 
Flowers large and showy, the petals orange and red; fruit a samara. 
Climbing in thickets along the Danto River, slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, 
at 210 meters altitude. 

TETRAPTERIS Cav. 

Tetrapteris Schiedeana Schl. & Cham. Woody vine. Flowers 
yellow; fruit a samara. Climbing in thickets along the Danto River 
on the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 180 meters altitude. 

VOCHYSIACEAE 
VOCHYSIA Juss. 

Vochysia hondurensis Sprague. Tree about 12 meters tall 
and 35 cm. in diameter. Fruit 3-angled, 3 cm. long or more. In 
forests on the lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 301 

DICHAPETALACEAE 
DICHAPETALUM Thou. 

Dichapetalum Donnell-Smithii Engler. Somewhat scandent 
shrub about 7 meters tall. Leaves oblong-obovate, 10 to 15 cm. long, 
abruptly acute. In deep forests along the Danto River on the slopes 
of Mt. Cangrejal, at 300 meters altitude. 

EUPHORBIACEAE 
ACALYPHA L. 

Acalypha costaricensis (Kuntze) Knobl. Plants herbaceous 
or slightly woody at the base, about 1 meter tall. Staminate spikes 
slender; pistillate flowers in open panicles; fruit red. In open areas 
in the forest, slopes of Mt. Cangrejal back of La Ceiba. Common. 

Acalypha diversifolia Jacq. Shrub or small tree about 4.5 
meters tall. Flowers in slender spikes, small, greenish. Common 
on the slopes back of La Ceiba, up to 300 meters altitude, also fre- 
quent in the semi-arid woodland about Coyoles, and on the slopes 
above Las Flores, at 270 meters altitude. 

Acalypha villosa Jacq. Shrub or small tree up to 7 meters 
tall. Staminate spikes long and slender; pistillate flowers in panicles. 
In thickets along the Danto River, slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 150 
meters altitude; also in the semi-arid woodland region near Coyoles. 

CROTON L. 

Croton ciliato-glandulosus Ortega. Shrub, mostly 1 meter 
tall or less. Flowers greenish white. In sandy soil, semi-arid region 
near Coyoles. 

Croton flavens L. Shrub, 1 meter tall or less, densely covered 
with stellate hairs. Flowers yellowish. In semi-arid woodland 
region near Coyoles. 

Croton glabellus L. Small tree about 7 meters tall and 30 cm. 
in diameter, covered with small, brownish scales. Flowers white; 
fruit green, rough, about 1 cm. in diameter. In forest, foothills back 
of La Ceiba. 

Croton lobatus L. Herb about 1 meter tall. Leaves 3-lobed. 
On sandy bar in the Aguan River, near Coyoles. 

Croton punctatus Jacq. A low, more or less decumbent shrub 
45 to 60 cm. tall, densely covered with brown, stellate scales. Flowers 
yellowish. In sandy soil near the seashore, vicinity of La Ceiba. 



302 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

Croton repens Schlecht. Shrub about 1 meter tall, moderately 
covered with stellate hairs. Leaves shallowly dentate, rounded- 
ovate; flowers white. In rocky soil, mountain slope above the village 
of Las Flores, at 330 meters altitude. 

DALECHAMPIA L. 

Dalechampia spathulata (Scheidw.) Baill. Small shrub 30 to 
60 cm. tall. Bracts dark red. In rich soil in deep forest near the 
Dan to River, slopes of Mt. Cangrejal back of La Ceiba. 

EUPHORBIA L. 

Euphorbia heterophylla L. Herb up to 1.5 meters tall. 
Leaves variable in shape and size, the uppermost, which subtend the 
flowers, frequently pink at the base. Common along streams in the 
foothills back of La Ceiba. 

Euphorbia nereifolia L. Tree-like, about 3.5 meters tall, with 
many ascending, longitudinally ridged branches, armed with short 
spines on the ridges. Leaves obovate, more or less terminally 
clustered. In thicket in semi-arid upland near Las Flores. 

JATROPHA L. 

Jatropha Curcas L. Tree about 4.5 meters tall and 20 cm. in 
diameter. Leaves large, lobed and more or less resembling those of 
a maple; fruit about 2.5 cm. long, fleshy. In forest, foothills back of 
La Ceiba. 

Jatropha gossypiifolia L. Shrub about 1 meter tall. Leaves 
3- or 5-lobed, marginally glandular-ciliate; flowers red. In sandy 
soil, thicket near the Aguan River below Coyoles. 

Jatropha urens L. Shrub about 2 meters tall or less. Leaves 
lobed; flowers white, conspicuous. Branches and leaves covered 
with stiff, stinging hairs which produce an exceedingly painful 
sensation. Frequent throughout the semi-arid region about Coyoles. 

MABEA Aubl. 

Mabea occidentalis Benth. Shrub or small tree about 3 meters 
tall. Leaves 12 to 18 cm. long, oblong, abruptly acuminate; flowers 
in terminal, long-stalked, paniculate racemes. In forest on the slopes 
of Mt. Cangrejal, at 240 meters altitude. 

PEDILANTHUS Poit. 

Pedilanthus tithymaloides Poit. Slender, nearly leafless 
shrub about 1 meter tall. Stems smooth, green; flowers small, 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 303 

subtended by a conspicuous, slipper-like involucral bract. Frequent 
throughout the semi-arid woodland region about Coyoles. 

PHYLLANTHUS L. 

Phyllanthus Bartlettii Standl. Low shrub, 30 to 45 cm. tall. 
Branches very slender; leaves thin, lanceolate, acute; flowers small, 
greenish white. In thickets on the lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, 
back of La Ceiba. Known previously only from Guatemala. 

Phyllanthus nobilis (L. f.) M. Arg. var. hypomalacus Standl. 
Tree about 7 meters tall and 20 cm. in diameter. In open forest 
area near the village of Las Flores. 

RICINUS L. 

Ricinus communis L. Herb about 3 meters tall, the stems 
somewhat woody below. Forming dense thickets in open, sandy areas 
near the Aguan River below Coyoles. 

SAPIUM Jacq. 

Sapium jamaicense Swartz. Tree about 10 meters tall; wood 
very brittle; sap milky, abundant; flowering spikes long and slender. 
At edge of forest on the lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 

ANACARDIACEAE 
ANACARDIUM L. 

Anacardium occidentale L. Tree about 6 meters tall and 15 
cm. in diameter. Fruit edible. On the bank of the Salado River, 
about 20 kilometers west of La Ceiba. 

MANGIFERA L. 

Mangifera indica L. Several large trees were observed as 
escapes on the plains and lower slopes about La Ceiba. 

SPONDIAS L. 

Spondias Mombin L. Fine, smooth-barked tree about 18 
meters tall and 90 cm. in diameter. Flowers small, greenish, in large, 
terminal, paniculate clusters. Fruit edible. Frequent on the plains 
and lower foothills about La Ceiba. 

Spondias purpurea L. Small tree about 4.5 meters tall. Fruit 
red, edible. In open forest near the village of Las Flores. 



304 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

SAPINDACEAE 
CUPANIA L. 

Cupania glabra Swartz. Small tree about 6 meters tall. Flowers 
yellowish white, small, in large, paniculate clusters; fruit a brown, 
scurfy, 3-seeded capsule. In forest, foothills near the Cangrejal 
River back of La Ceiba; also in open forests in semi-arid upland near 
the village of Las Flores, at 200 meters altitude. 

PAULLINIA L. 

Paullinia pinnata L. Coarse, woody vine. Leaves pinnate, 
the rachis winged. Inflorescence paniculately racemose, slender, 
with one or more tendrils; flowers white; fruit red. Climbing in 
thickets in the foothills back of La Ceiba; also in semi-arid woodland 
region near Coyoles. 

VITACEAE 
CISSUS L. 

Cissus rhombifolia Vahl. Woody vine. Stem 4-angled, winged; 
leaves 3-foliolate; pedicels, peduncles, and flower buds bright red. 
Climbing in thickets on the foothills of Mt. Cangrejal. 

Cissus salutaris HBK. Woody vine. Leaves 3-foliolate; parts 
of flower clusters red. Climbing in thickets on the rocky mountain 
slope in open pine forest above the village of Las Flores, at 330 
meters altitude. 

Cissus sicyoides L. Woody vine. Leaves simple, very hairy; 
flowers greenish; fruit fleshy, black. Climbing in thickets near La 
Ceiba; also in thickets along the Aguan River near Coyoles, and near 
the village of Medina in the semi-arid region. 

VITIS L. 

Vitis tiliifolia Humb. & Bonpl. Large, woody vine. Leaves 
broadly ovate, shallowly lobed, densely hairy; flowers small, green; 
fruit fleshy, small, black. Climbing in thickets, foothills back of La 
Ceiba. 

TILIACEAE 
BELOTIA A. Rich. 

Belotia Campbellii Sprague. Tree about 4.5 meters tall. 
Leaves oblong, sharply acuminate, pubescent with simple or branch- 
ing hairs; fruit about 1 cm. long, dry, 2-celled. In forests on the 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 305 

rocky ridge back of Roma, about 25 kilometers east of La Ceiba, 
at 270 meters altitude. 

LUEHEA Willd. 

Luehea Candida (DC.) Mart. Tree about 9 meters tall and 
30 cm. in diameter. Leaves oval-obovate, densely pubescent with 
stellate hairs; flowers about 5 cm. wide, handsome; petals at first 
white, turning brown; fruit dry and woody, about 6 cm. long, 
splitting into 5 lobes. Frequent in the semi-arid upland region of 
the Aguan River Valley. 

Luehea speciosa Willd. Tree about 6 meters tall. Leaves 
oval-obovate, sharply acuminate, pubescent with stellate hairs; 
flowers white; fruit dry and woody, about 3 cm. long. On the ridge 
back of Roma, about 25 kilometers east of La Ceiba, between 300 
and 600 meters altitude. 

MUNTINGIA L. 

Muntingia Calabura L. Tree about 6 meters tall and 30 cm. 
in diameter. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, densely hairy with branched 
hairs; corolla white; fruit fleshy, red, edible. In sandy soil in Aguan 
River bottoms near Coyoles. 

TRIUMFETTA L. 

Triumfetta polyandra DC. Herbaceous, about 1 meter high; 
in open forest, rocky mountain slope, above Las Flores, 300 meters, 
No. 8167. Also Monte de la Flor, Tegucigalpa, at 960 meters, 
pine and oak region, December, 1937, Christine & Wolfgang von 
Hagen 1213; a shrub of 30-60 cm.; vernacular name "oreja de 
coyote." I was at first inclined to believe that the Honduran 
collections represented a new species, and both were given a provi- 
sional name, but further study convinces me that the material is 
actually referable to T. polyandra, which is rather widely distributed 
in Mexico, and occurs also in Guatemala. PAUL C. STANDLEY. 

MALVACEAE 
ANODA Cav. 
Anoda cristata (L.) Schlecht. Herb about 45 cm. tall. Leaves 

lobed; flowers light blue. In waste areas about La Ceiba. 



MALVAVISCUS Cav. 

Malvaviscus palmanus D. Sm. Small tree or shrub about 3.5 
meters tall. Leaves long-petioled, ovate; flowers bright red. In 



306 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

moist, shady ravines on mountain slope near Puente Alto, about 
50 kilometers east of La Ceiba, at 240 meters altitude. 

PAVONIA Cav. 

Pavonia rosea Schlecht. Herb, somewhat woody at the base, 
about 1 meter tall; corolla rose. In sandy soil near the Salado 
River, about 20 kilometers west of La Ceiba. 

SIDA L. 

Sida cordifolia L. Herb, somewhat woody at the base, about 1 
meter tall; flowers salmon-colored. In sandy soil, waste areas in 
semi-arid region about Coyoles. 

Sida rhombif olia L. Herb about 1 meter tall, somewhat woody 
at the base; flowers buff. On mountain slope near Puente Alto, 
about 50 kilometers east of La Ceiba, at 250 meters altitude. 

BOMBACAGEAE 
CEIBA Medic. 

Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. A very large, smooth-barked 
tree, commonly with wide buttresses. Occasional on the plains and 
in forest on the foothills. Originally abundant in the Aguan River 
Valley, but large numbers of the trees have been cut. 

HAMPEA Schlecht. 

Hampea stipitata Wats. Tree about 6 meters tall. Leaves 
more or less stellate-pubescent; fruit a globose capsule. In rocky 
ravines on mountain slope near Puente Alto, about 50 kilometers 
east of La Ceiba, at 240 meters altitude. 

OCHROMA Swartz 

Ochroma limonensis Rowlee. Tree about 9 meters tall. 
Occasional on the plains and lower foothills about La Ceiba. 

QUARARIBEA Aubl. 

Quararibea Yunckeri Standl., sp. nov. Arbor 12-metralis, 
trunco 45 cm. diam., ramulis gracilibus subteretibus nigris vel fuscis 
rimosis minute adpresso-lepidotis; folia mediocria breviter petiolata 
coriaceo-membranacea, petiolo 5-8 mm. longo dense minute adpres- 
so-lepidoto; lamina anguste oblonga 10-18 cm. longa 3-5.5 cm. lata 
subabrupte longiuscule acuminata, basi obtusa vel acutiuscula, 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 307 

Integra, supra flavido-viridis sublucida fere glabra sed ad nervos 
sparse minute lepidota, nervis manifestis sed vix elevatis, subtus 
concolor glabra vel ad nervos sparse lepidota, in axillis nervorum 
domatiata atque dense barbata, nervis lateralibus utroque latere ca. 
5 subarcuatis prominentibus valde adscendentibus, venis promi- 
nulis laxissime reticulatis; flores axillares et e nodis defoliatis nas- 
centes singuli breviter crasseque pedunculati, bracteolis parvis late 
ovatis acutis adpressis; alabastra obtusissima; calyx infundibuli- 
formis fere 1 cm. longus fauce 5 mm. latus extus densissime adpres- 
seque stellato-lepidotus, superne breviter lobatus, lobis rotundatis 
intus sericeis; petala alba calyce multo longiora angusta stellato- 
pilosula; tubus staminalis ca. 7 mm. longe exsertus stellato-pilosulus. 
Honduras: River bank, foothills back of La Ceiba, Dept. Atlantida, 
June 25, 1938, T. G. Yuncker, J. M. Koepper & K. A. Wagner 8010 
(type in Herb. Field Mus.). 

The flowers are much smaller than those of most other Central 
American representatives of the genus. 

STERCULIAGEAE 
GUAZUMA Adans. 

Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. Tree about 6.5 meters tall. Leaves 
pubescent with stellate hairs; corolla yellow; fruit a subglobose, 
rough, woody capsule. Frequent in the semi-arid upland region 
about Las Flores, up to 360 meters in altitude. 

HELIGTERES L. 

Helicteres guazumaefolia HBK. Shrub or small tree about 3 
meters tall. Leaves oval-obovate, serrate, with stellate pubescence; 
flowers tubular; corolla red; stamen tube much exserted; fruit woody 
and spirally twisted like the threads of a screw. In semi-arid upland 
region near the village of Medina, at 180 meters altitude. 

STERCULIA L. 

Sterculia apetala (Jacq.) Karst. Tree about 12 meters tall. 
Leaves palmately 3- or 5-lobed, densely pubescent beneath with 
stellate hairs. In forests on the lower slopes of Mt. Cangrejal. 

DILLENIACEAE 
CURATELLA L. 

Curatella americana L. Small tree about 4.5 meters tall. 
Leaves rough and pubescent with scattered, stellate hairs; fruit 



308 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. IX 

bright red within. On rocky mountain slopes in open pine forest 
above the village of Las Flores, at 330 meters altitude. 

DAVILLA Vand. 

Davilla Kunthii St. Hil. Tree-like, about 6 meters tall and 20 
cm. in diameter. Leaves thick, pinnately nerved, very rough, with 
short, stiff, bristle-like hairs; flowers in a large, terminal, densely 
hairy panicle; fruit orange-colored. In forests on the foothills back 
of La Ceiba. 

ACTINIDIACEAE 
SAURAUIA Willd. 

Saurauia Englesingii Standl. Tree about 10 meters tall. 
Leaves large, obovate, rough-bristly; flowers showy, in terminal, 
densely hairy panicles; corolla white; stamens yellow. In deep forest 
near the falls of the Danto River, slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 360 
meters altitude. 

Saurauia pauciserrata Hemsl. Tree about 7 meters tall. 
Leaves light green, the petioles more or less reddish; panicles densely 
covered with stellate or chaff -like hairs; flowers white, very fragrant; 
stamens yellow; fruit fleshy, edible. In deep forests on the slopes of 
Mt. Cangrejal, at 180 and 330 meters altitude; also in ravine near 
Puente Alto, about 50 kilometers east of La Ceiba, at 240 meters 
altitude. 

GUTTIFERAE 
CLUSIA L. 

Clusia flava Jacq. Tree about 9 meters tall and 30 to 35 cm. in 
diameter; sap yellow and very adhesive. Leaves thick and more or 
less leathery; fruit opening star-shaped when ripe. In semi-arid 
woodland region near Coyoles. 

Clusia mexicana Vesque. Tree about 7 meters tall. Leaves 
thick and somewhat fleshy; fruit subglobose, leathery. In deep 
forests on the slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 300 meters altitude. 

Clusia utilis Blake. Tree about 6 meters tall. Leaves obovate, 
obtuse, thick and more or less leathery; flowers flesh-colored. In 
deep forests, slopes of Mt. Cangrejal, at 300 meters altitude. 

SYMPHONIA L. f. 

Symphonia globulifera L. f. Tree about 15 meters tall and 
45 cm. in diameter. Buds and flowers bright red; tips of perianth 



FLORA OF HONDURAS 309 

I lobes black. A handsome and conspicuous tree when in flower. 
I Frequent on the plains and lower slopes about La Ceiba. 

BIXACEAE 
BIXA L. 

Bixa Orellana L. Small tree about 4.5 meters tall. Leaves 
ovate, attenuate-acuminate; capsule bristly; seeds red. In thickets 
on the foothills back of La Ceiba. 

COCHLOSPERMACEAE 
COCHLOSPERMUM Kunth 

Cochlospermum vitifolium (Willd.) Spreng. Tree about 7 
meters tall. Leaves palmately 5- or 7-lobed; fruit a large capsule; 
seeds covered with long, white hairs. In open forest back of Roma, 
about 25 kilometers east of La Ceiba. 

VIOLACEAE 
GLOEOSPERMUM Tr. & Planch. 

Gloeospermum boreale Morton, sp. nov. Arbor parva, 
ramulis griseis, teretibus, ca. 3 mm. diam., glaberrimis, lenticellis 
nullis; folia alterna, disticha, breviter petiolata, petiolo glabro, 
usque ad 8 mm. longo, supra vald