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
