LI B RAR.Y
OF THL
UNIVERSITY
or ILLINOIS
WflU*
Return this book on or before the
Latest Date stamped below. A
charge is made on all overdue
books.
University of Illinois Library
218 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
the Rubiaceae it is clear that the plants, in spite of the unusual size
of their leaves and flowers, bear much resemblance to the genus
Sipanea, to which structural details indicate their close relationship.
The genus Sipanea, of the tribe Rondeletieae, has a number of species
in tropical South America, and one ranges northward to the western-
most Antilles, but no species have been recorded for continental
North America. In Sipanea the plants are low herbs with elongate,
leafy stems, along which are scattered the small leaves. The flowers
are 5-parted, the corolla usually yellow-barbate in the throat, and
the seeds angulate and conspicuously reticulate. The habit of the
Guatemalan plant, combined with 4-parted flowers, naked corolla
throat, and globose, not angulate seeds, are sufficient characters
for its recognition as a distinct genus.
The corolla limb in Steyermarkia is rather shallowly lobed, that
is, not nearly to its base. The pubescence of the young hypanthium
and probably also of other parts consists of very long and slender
hairs that at first are gland-tipped. The glands disappear at an
early stage, perhaps breaking from the hair tips or possibly being
absorbed in some manner.
THE LIBRARY OF THE
SEP 18 1940
UNIVERSITY OF
STUDIES OF
CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I
BY
PAUL C. STANDLEY
CURATOR OF THE HERBARIUM, DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY
AND
JULIAN A. STEYERMARK
ASSISTANT CURATOR OF THE HERBARIUM, DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY
THE LIBRARY OF THE
OCT151940
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
BOTANICAL SERIES
FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
VOLUME 22, NUMBER 4
SEPTEMBER 30, 1940
PUBLICATION 480
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BY FIELD MUSEUM PRESS
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I
PAUL C. STANDLEY AND JULIAN A. STEYBRMARK
During 1938-40 Field Museum sent to Guatemala two expedi-
ri tions under leadership of the writers. The first, from November,
a! 1938, to May, 1939, was the Sewell L. Avery Botanical Expedition
g to Guatemala, undertaken by the senior author; the second, from
c September, 1939, to May, 1940, the Field Museum Expedition to
' Guatemala, was directed by the junior author.
The immediate purpose of these expeditions was the assembling
5 of herbarium collections to serve as the basis of a, Flora of Guatemala
=> now in preparation. They resulted in the collection of more than
^ 27,000 numbers, with many duplicates, of phanerogamic and crypto-
| gamic plants. Both expeditions were highly successful in fulfilling
~ the purposes for which they were planned. Material was obtained
of several thousand species of plants, some common and already
known from Guatemala, others representing species described from
Guatemala but known previously only from the type material, and
also many Central American and Mexican species unknown pre-
viously from Guatemala. In addition there was obtained a satis-
factory and even surprising number of apparently new species.
The following pages are devoted principally to descriptions of
- new species of Guatemalan plants, or to notes regarding species
new to the country, or of rare occurrence inside Guatemala or in
other parts of their range. The data here presented represent only
a small part of those worthy of report, and additional matter will
r be published later. Of the collection made by the expedition of
r ' 1939-40 only a minor portion has been studied. While most of that
- obtained in 1938-39 has been determined, there are mentioned here
only a few of the more interesting species, many others of equal
interest remaining for further attention and report.
The writers made extensive or limited collections in all the 22
departments of Guatemala except PeteX that being the only one
'. .;, and a very large portion of the country, it must be admitted not
easily reached by convenient means of transportation. Guatemala
is almost unique among Latin American countries in its very elabo-
^ rate considering its size road system, enabling one to reach
almost all inhabited regions by automobile. This naturally facili-
tates greatly botanical collecting, for with one's collecting outfit in
221
222 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
a passenger car or truck, it is possible to arrive at a great number of
central points from which there can be made short excursions cover-
ing almost the whole of Guatemala except Pete*n.
The senior author during 1938-39 collected in all the 22 depart-
ments except two, Jalapa and Pete"n. More time was spent with
headquarters at Antigua than elsewhere. That happens to be a
center from which radiate numerous roads, leading in all directions.
Extensive collections were made in the highlands and numerous
excursions to the Pacific lowlands, the slopes of the volcanoes of
Agua and Acatenango, a visit of two days to the Oriente, a long
tour through the departments of Solola and Quiche", to Huehuete-
nango, returning by way of Quezaltenango, Totonicapan, and the
Lake of Atitlan.
Later, with headquarters at Quezaltenango, several weeks were
devoted to exploration of the exceedingly rich Occidente, with long
trips to Huehuetenango, the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, various
localities in the white-sand region of San Marcos, to Malacatan and
Ayutla, and along the vast barranco of the Rio Samala to Maza-
tenango, Retalhuleu, and Champerico. One trip was made by way
of Palojunoj to the summit of the Volcano of Santa Maria.
Almost a month, but only a very brief space of time considering
the size and richness of the area involved, was spent at Coban in
Alta Verapaz, long celebrated for its orchids and its great variety
of vegetation typical of upland and lowland rain forest. It is said
of Coban that rain falls there 13 months of the year, and such
humidity results in a vivid greenness that is most welcome to the
eye after the somewhat barren conditions prevailing in many other
portions of Guatemala during the so-called dry season, the winter
months of the North.
Before leaving the country, Mr. Standley spent a few days in
the departments of Zacapa and Chiquimula, and three weeks in the
banana country of the north coast, with headquarters at Puerto
Barrios. He had collected here 17 years previously, but at this
time found many plants not observed upon the earlier visit.
The junior author during the corresponding months of 1939-40
explored rather intensively several large areas not visited at all, or
investigated only casually by Mr. Standley. Arriving in Guatemala
before the end of the rainy season, he worked first in the Oriente, the
eastern portion of the country near the borders of Honduras and
Salvador. Here much of the vegetation dries quickly after the
end of the rains, hence it is only while there still is moisture that it
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 223
can be collected to advantage. From Zacapa trips were made to the
Sierra de las Minas, whose flora is related with that of Alta Verapaz,
and to other local areas of botanical promise. Later, from head-
quarters at Chiquimula, Camotan, and Quezaltepeque, visits were
made to several of the isolated volcanoes and peaks, such as Volcan
de Quezaltepeque, Volcan de Ipala, Cerro Tixixi, Cerro Nonoja,
Montana El Barriol, Montana Castilla, Cerro Brujo, Socorro Moun-
tain, and many others that rise above the eastern plains. Then
from Asuncion Mita in the Department of Jutiapa trips were made
to Volcan de Suchitan, which is isolated for miles from any other
peak, saline flats and marshes around Trapiche Vargas, and the
lakes Giiija and Atescatempa, which were remarkable for their
aquatic species. The last part of the Oriente to be visited was the
Department of Jalapa, poorly represented previously in botanical
collections. Here, with headquarters at Jalapa, Miramundo, and
Minas de Croma, trips were made to Volcan de Jumay, Montana
Miramundo, Potrero Carrillo, Montana Durazno, and Lago Retana.
More than a month was passed with headquarters at Finca
Pireneos, in the valley of the Rio Samala, Department of Quezal-
tenango, where facilities for collecting were very courteously provided
by Professor Ulises Rojas, Director of the Botanical Garden of
Guatemala. From this locality there were explored the little known
volcanoes of Santa Maria and Zunil, the summits of both be-
ing reached, and the somewhat meager alpine flora of the former
collected.
A rather thorough exploration was made of certain areas of the
Department of San Marcos, which lies along the Mexican border.
Most attention was given to the volcanoes of Tajumulco and Tacana,
the former the highest peak of Central America. Collections made
on these two mountains prove to be probably the richest in new and
rare species of all those made during present Guatemalan explorations.
So vast is the area of Volcan Tajumulco that it was worked from
various altitudes and localities, on the rear plateau side from San
Sebastian, on its northwestern slopes from the village of Tajumulco,
and on its Pacific slopes from Finca El Porvenir. A good cross-
section of this mighty volcano was thereby studied. The tree ferns,
of which large and extensive collections were made, are more abun-
dant and conspicuous here and on the volcanoes of Santa Maria and
Zunil than anywhere else in Central America. In order to work
the Guatemalan portion of Volcan de Tacana, a long mule trip was
made from San Sebastian to Sibinal, where headquarters were
established for five days' collecting.
224 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
From the Occidente work was transferred to an altogether unlike
region, the lowlands of the north coast. With headquarters first
at Bananera and later at Puerto Barrios, in both cases furnished
through the courtesy of the United Fruit Company, a large and
rich collection was made, especially in the Sierra del Mico and
along the Rio Dulce and Lake Izabal. These collections also have
proved to be surprisingly rich in new species and in species new
for Guatemala.
On the following pages there are described no less than four new
genera, two based upon species already described under other generic
names, and two that are new as to both genus and species. Special
attention is drawn to the plant of the Compositae here named
Rojasianthe superba. It is one of the most elegant and exquisitely
beautiful plants that we have ever seen in Central America, or else-
where. Suggesting in appearance a tree Dahlia, with a multitude
of large heads, having long, paper-white rays and black centers,
and visible at a great distance wherever it grows, it is hard to under-
stand how it has escaped the several botanical collectors, dating
back to the time of Hartweg, who have visited the Occidente. Its
range, so far as now known, is rather limited, and probably it has
merely happened that none of those earlier visitors reached the
secluded ravines where the plant grows. It is to be hoped that it
may be introduced into cultivation, but probably it is rather par-
ticular as to environment. It is believed that it might flourish
about San Francisco, California, or perhaps in southern England.
A large plant would well justify, when in flower, the space it would
occupy in a sufficiently spacious greenhouse.
GRAMINEAE
Luziola Spruceana Benth. ex Doell. in Mart. Fl. Bras. 2, pt. 2:
18. 1871. In continental North America this strange grass has been
found heretofore, so far as we know, only in Lake Yojoa, Honduras
(see Standley, Field Mus. Bot. 11: 146. 1936). Recently it has been
collected in Guatemala: Dept. Jutiapa, Lago de Atescatempa, south
of Asuncion Mita, alt. 500-800 meters, November, 1939, Steyer-
mark 31879. Plants monoecious, growing in water, the staminate
inflorescence yellow, the pistillate white.
Zeugites latifolia (Fourn.) Hemsl. Biol. Centr. Amer. Bot. 3:
577. 1885. Krombholzia latifolia Fourn. Bull. Soc. Bot. Belg. 15:
463. 1876. This handsome grass was described from Mexico, and
until recently was supposed to be confined to that country. How-
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 225
ever, two recent Central American collections of it are at hand:
Guatemala: Dept. Suchitepe'quez, Finca Moca, alt. 930 meters,
Skutch 2059; growing in clumps, to 3 meters in height. Dept.
Quezaltenango, Finca Pireneos, lower slopes of Volcan de Santa
Maria, alt. 1,300-1,500 meters, Steyermark 33266; plants 3 meters
tall, on open slopes in thickets.
JUNCACEAE
Luzula racemosa Desv. Journ. de Bot. 1: 162. pi 6, f. 3. 1808.
The genus Luzula is poorly represented in Central America, where
it is confined to the higher mountains. Luzula gigantea Desv. is the
only common and widely dispersed species, and the only one known
previously from the region, so far as available records indicate.
The collections cited below are referable to L. racemosa as that
species is treated in the notoriously unsatisfactory treatment of
the family by Buchenau in the Pflanzenreich. Guatemala: Dept. San
Marcos, Volcan de Tajumulco, common on rocky summit from the
base of the dome to its top, alt. 4,400-4,600 meters, Steyermark
35536. Dept. Quezaltenango, exposed summit of Volcan de Santa
Maria, alt. 4,200 meters, Steyermark 34200.
JUGLANDACEAE
Engelhard tia guatemalensis Standl. Bot. Ser. Field Mus. 22:
12. 1940. When this species was published, there was overlooked
one collection that indicates a rather wide range for the species:
Guatemala: Dept. Quezaltenango, Finca Pireneos, below Santa
Maria de Jesus, alt. 1,350-1,380 meters, damp, dense forest, a large
tree, Standley 68332. The specimen is sterile, but the foliage agrees
with that of the material from the distant department of Alta Vera-
paz. The local name was given at Finca Pireneos as Palo Colorado.
There may be reported also another Guatemalan collection: Dept.
San Marcos, above Finca El Porvenir, up Loma Bandera Shac,
lower south-facing slopes of Volcan de Tajumulco, alt. 1,300-1,500
meters, Steyermark 37347; a tree of 9 meters, on middle and upper
slopes; leaves chartaceous, dark green above, paler, dull green
beneath.
MORACEAE
Coussapoa Purpusii Standl. Field Mus. Bot. 8: 6. 1930. The
species was based on material collected in Veracruz, Mexico. Addi-
tional collections show that its range extends far beyond that state:
Mexico: Zacuapam, Veracruz, on rocks in barrancas, half epiphytic,
226 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
May, 1933, Purpus 11162. Jalisco, Las Mesitas, northwest of San
Sebastian, Sierra Madre, alt. 1,700 meters, stream side, Mexia 1872
(distributed as Oreopanax capitatum); trunk embraced by a wild
fig, but sending out branches 6-8 meters long; staminate inflorescence
red. Santa Rita, Mapastepec, Chiapas, Matuda 2020. Guatemala:
Dept. San Marcos, Finca El Porvenir, on Potrero Matasan along
Rio Cabus, Volcan de Tajumulco, alt. 1,000-1,300 meters, Steyer-
mark 37602; local name Matapalo; epiphytic shrub, the leaves cor-
iaceous, rich, dark green above with greenish white nerves, silvery
beneath; fruit dull orange spotted with deeper orange, globose.
Dept. Quezaltenango, Colomba, in coffee plantation, alt. 900 meters,
Skutch 2023; a tree of 18 meters, epiphytic on an Inga tree, to whose
trunk it is attached by clasping roots; flowers dull red. The plant
of Chiapas and Guatemala has somewhat wider leaves and may
prove, when more ample material is available, to represent a distinct
species.
Ficus cabusana Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Arbor 30-
metralis fere glabra, ramulis crassis glabris lucidis ferrugineis vel
ochraceis, internodiis superioribus brevissimis; stipulae caducae ca.
2 cm. longae oblongo-lanceolatae longiacuminatae; folia magna
longipetiolata subcoriacea, petiolo gracili 2.5-6.5 cm. longo glabro;
lamina ovalis vel late ovali-ovata 12-21 cm. longa 7.5-14 cm. lata,
apice obtusissima vel rotundata, haud apiculata, basi lata et rotund-
ata breviter angusteque cordata, sinu aperto usque 1.5 cm. alto,
glabra, supra in sicco sublucida fusco-brunnescens, costa vix elevata,
venis pallidis prominulis, subtus paullo pallidior brunnescens, costa
crassa elevata, nervis lateralibus utroque latere ca. 10 teneris pro-
minentibus fere rectis sed marginem versus sursum curvatis angulo
lato divergentibus prope marginem bifidis et juxta marginem irreg-
ulare arcuato-junctis, venulis vix prominulis laxe reticulatis, e basi
7-nervia; receptacula sessilia geminata ca. 12 mm. longa saepe ob
pressum mutuum obtuse angulata in involucro omnino inclusa
glabra, apice rotundata, ostiolo parvo prominente; involucrum
bilobum coriaceum receptaculum arete involvens lucidum brunneum
glabrum vel sparse minute puberulum. Guatemala: Dept. San
Marcos, Finca El Porvenir, on Potrero Matasan, along Rio Cabus,
Volcan de Tajumulco, alt. 1,000-1,300 meters, March 12, 1940,
Julian A. Steyermark 37583 (type in Herb. Field Mus.).
Local name Matapalo. Leaves subcoriaceous, rich, bright green
above, pale green beneath. The relationship is with Ficus Tuerck-
heimii Standl., also Guatemalan. F. cabusana may be only an
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 227
extreme form of that species, and perhaps later will have to be
united with it. It seems distinct in its much larger leaves, which
are conspicuously and sometimes deeply cordate at the base.
POLYGONACEAE
Coccoloba belizensis Standl. Trop. Woods 16: 38. 1928. One
sterile collection of the species has been made in Guatemala: Dept.
Izabal, between Bananera and La Presa, in Montana del Mico,
alt. 40-300 meters, Steyermark 38186; a tree; leaves coriaceous, stiff
and brittle, rich green above, dull grass-green beneath. Previously
the tree has been known only from British Honduras.
Coccoloba escuintlensis Lundell, Phytologia 1: 213. 1937.
Based upon a collection made at Escuintla, Chiapas, Mexico, this
tree is now found to range rather widely in Guatemala. Most of the
following collections have been determined by Dr. Lundell: Dept.
San Marcos: Finca Vergel, near Rodeo, alt. 900 meters, wet forest,
Standley 68952, 68949; a large shrub or small tree. Rio Mopa,
below Rodeo, alt. 600 meters, wet forest, Standley 68770; a large
shrub. Dept. Suchitepe"quez: Near Pueblo Nuevo, alt. 750 meters,
wet thicket, Standley 66936; a shrub. Dept. Escuintla: Rio Guaca-
late, alt. 600 meters, Standley 60190; a shrub in wet forest. Between
Rio Jute and Rio Pantaleon, alt. 540-720 meters, in forest or
pastures, Standley 63488, 63464; a tree of 9-15 meters with short
trunk and broad crown, common; flowers pale green. Below Las
Lajas, alt. 900-1,200 meters, damp forest, Standley 64787; a shrub
of 3 meters.
Coccoloba hirsuta Standl. Field Mus. Bot. 4: 303. 1929. The
original material was collected near Tela on the Atlantic coast of
Honduras, and the tree was to be expected on the north coast of
Guatemala, where two recent collections of it have been made: Dept.
Izabal: Between Bananera and La Presa, in Montana del Mico,
alt. 40-300 meters, Steyermark 38185; a tree; leaves membranaceous,
olive-green above, bronze-green beneath. Escoba, across the bay
from Puerto Barrios, near sea level, wet forest, Standley 72945; a
shrub. This species still is known only from sterile specimens, but
the foliage and pubescence are quite distinctive. This and C.
belizensis were growing together near Bananera, and there is a possi-
bility that C. hirsuta may be only a juvenile state of that species,
although the pubescence is so different in the two forms that this
seems scarcely possible.
228 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
Rumex mexicanus Meisn. in DC. Prodr. 14: 45. 1856. No
native species of Rumex has been reported from Central America,
and perhaps there is none, but R. crispus L., R. obtusifolius L., and
R. Acetosella L. are all too abundantly naturalized in many regions,
especially Costa Rica and Guatemala. R. mexicanus, although
widely distributed, has not been recorded previously from Central
America, but the following collections are at hand from Guatemala:
Olintepeque, Dept. Quezaltenango, alt. 2,415 meters, common in
old garden, Standley 65996. Quezaltenango, alt. 2,280 meters, com-
mon in moist field, Standley 66435. Dept. San Marcos, town of
Tajumulco, alt. 2,300 meters, Steyermark 36516. It is impossible
to decide whether the plants are native here or introduced, like other
weedy species with which they are associated.
AMARANTHACEAE
Froelichia interrupta (L.) Moq. in DC. Prodr. 13, pt. 2: 421.
1849. Gomphrena interrupta L. Sp. PI. 224. 1753. Although appar-
ently not especially common anywhere, the species has a wide
range, from western Texas through various parts of Mexico, in the
Greater Antilles, and in isolated parts of South America from Colom-
bia to Paraguay and Chile. It has not been recorded from Central
America, but two collections of it may now be placed on record:
Guatemala: Dept. Zacapa, upper slopes, rocky hills in vicinity of
Santa Rosalia, 2 miles south of Zacapa, alt. 200 meters, October,
1939, Steyermark 29307, 29026.
NYGTAGINACEAE
Allionia incarnata L. Syst. ed. 10. 890. 1759. About 20 years
ago the senior author, while riding by train through the Motagua
Valley of Guatemala, observed this plant growing at one place on
the railway embankment, where it was impossible to collect it.
Although it has a very extensive range in the western hemisphere,
from southwestern United States to Argentina, through most of
Mexico, it has not been recorded from Central America until now.
Guatemala: Dept. Zacapa, along railroad between La Fragua and
Estanzuela, alt. 200 meters, October, 1939, Steyermark 29133.
PHYTOLACGACEAE
Ledenbergia macrantha Standl. Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 13:
350. 1923. This tree seems to be a rare one, for it has been col-
lected very few times, and only in Salvador. Recently it has been
found in Guatemala: Dept. Guatemala, in 1940, Ignacio Aguilar 498.
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 229
RANUNCULACEAE
Thalictrum Johnstonii Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Herba
elata ca. 60 cm. alta, caule gracili subtereti ut videtur simplici gla-
bro viridi; folia caulina 4-5 longipetiolata decomposita, petiolo
usque 14 cm. longo gracili glabro basi late dilatato et amplexicauli,
vagina ca. 1.5 cm. longa; foliola numerosa parva epeltata membra-
nacea graciliter petiolulata, petiolulis lateralibus brevibus, termi-
nalibus magis elongatis fere filiformibus; lamina suborbicularis vel
irregulare rhombea vulgo 7-10 mm. longa et 5-8 mm. lata, supra
viridis glabra, venis non elevatis, subtus vix pallidior glabra sed
sparse et minutissime glandulosa, breviter vel interdum fere ad
medium 2-3-loba, lobis obtusissimis vel subrotundatis et minute
obtuse apiculatis; flores dioeci laxe paniculati, paniculis subpauci-
floris ut videtur foliis brevioribus, pedicellis fere filiformibus valde
elongatis; sepala ovalia vel late elliptica 2.5-3 mm. longa glabra
minute glandulosa apice rotundata viridia purpurascentia; stamina
numerosa, filamentis filiformibus ca. 7 mm. longis glabris, antheris
linearibus subtortis 2 mm. longis. Guatemala: Desconsuelo, Dept.
Totonicapan, June 20, 1940, J. R. Johnston 1643 (type in Herb.
Field Mus.).
This plant grows presumably in the sparse groves of the high
region (about alt. 3,000 meters) so aptly named Desconsuelo. At
least on a rainy day, when the wind is blowing strongly, and drifting
mist and clouds across the meadows, it would be difficult to imagine
a more dreary and forbidding landscape, although it must be admit-
ted that on a sunshiny day the aspect is considerably more pleasant.
Among Guatemalan species of Thalictrum, T. Johnstonii is easily
recognized by its small, glabrous, and relatively broad leaflets.
Thalictrum Standleyi Steyermark, sp. nov. Herba elata 1.5-
2.5 m. alta, caule aliquanto fistuloso striato sparse pilis laxis villoso,
ad nodos densius villoso; folia magna decomposita, petiolo brevi
vel elongate basi vulgo breviter in vaginam latam expanse, sparse
villoso vel fere glabro, petiolulis valde inaequalibus 1-6 cm. longis;
foliola numerosa magna firme membranacea epeltata ovata vel
late ovata, lateralia saepe paullo obliqua, magnitudine valde varia-
bilia, plerumque 4-10 cm. longa et 2.5-6.5 cm. lata, acuminata vel
longiacuminata, basi profunde cordata vel interdum tantum trun-
cata, sinu lato vel fere clause usque 12 mm. alto, toto margine fere
ad apicem profunde grosseque crenato, rare subtriloba, crenaturis
interdum iterum crenatis vel brevissime trilobis, supra glabra
intense viridia, in sicco saepius lucida, nervis venisque prominentibus
230 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
et arete reticulatis, subtus pallidiora, fere glabra sed saltern ad
nervos prope basin laminae pilis paucis parvis glanduliferis onusta,
nervis venisque insigniter elevatis et arete reticulatis; flores
polygamo-monoeci majusculi in paniculas magnas laxas foliaceo-
bracteatas dispositi; sepala tenuia late ovata obtusa ca. 6 mm. longa
sparse viscido-villosula vel fere glabra; stamina numerosa, filamentis
gracillimis 5 mm. longis et ultra, antheris linearibus ca. 4.5 mm. longis
apice subulato-apiculatis; achaenia juvenilia tantum visa valde asym-
metrica substipitata oblique rostrata, glabra, stylo filiformi 1 cm.
longo vel ultra. Guatemala: Dept. San Marcos: Rio Vega, near
San Rafael and Guatemala-Mexico boundary, Volcan de Tacana,
alt. 2,500-3,000 meters, February 20, 1940, Julian A. Steyermark
36258 (type in Herb. Field Mus.). Between town of Tajumulco and
Tecutla, northwestern slopes of Volcan de Tajumulco, shaded
thickets along Quebrada Talskek, near top of barranco, alt. 1,800-
2,500 meters, Steyermark 36821. Trail between Finca El Porvenir
and San Sebastian, Volcan de Tajumulco, in Abies forest on upper
slopes, alt. 1,300-4,000 meters, Steyermark 37067. Dept. Quezal-
tenango: Mountains southeast of Palestina, damp, dense forest,
alt. 2,700 meters, February, 1939, Standley 66346, 66338.
Leaves membranaceous, rich green or dull green above, gray-
green or grass-green beneath and rugose; sepals green, purplish at
the base; anthers pale yellow, turning purplish; filaments light
green; style purple; sepals erect; anthers expanding first, the pistils
later; nodes of the stem purplish.
It is impossible to suggest any particular relationship for this
species, because it has no resemblance in foliage to any other member
of the genus of which material has been examined. It is, in fact,
probably the most distinct and easily recognized species of Thalictrum,
and certainly the most distinctive in appearance of all American
species. The leaflets are altogether unlike those of any other Ameri-
can Thalictrum in their combination of large size, deeply cordate
bases, acuminate or long-acuminate apices, coarsely crenate or
doubly crenate margins, and elevated, reticulate venation. The
foliage somewhat resembles that of certain species of Clematis.
Thalictrum Steyermarkii Standl., sp. nov. Herba erecta 2.5
m. alta fere glabra, caule crasso aliquanto fistuloso tereti glabro;
folia inter maxima pinnatim decomposita longipetiolata, petiolo basi
longivaginato, vagina 4.5 cm. longa et 3 cm. lata; foliola numerosis-
sima, terminalibus usque 2 cm. longe et gracillime petiolulatis, later-
alibus brevius petiolulatis, membranacea, ambitu valde variabilia,
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 231
late oblonga usque late ovata vel interdum cuneato-obovata, ple-
rumque 2-3 cm. longa et 1-2 cm. lata, obtusa et apiculata, basi
rotundata usque truncata, interdum Integra sed saepius breviter
vel profunde triloba, supra intense viridia, glabra vel minutissime
granuloso-puberula, subtus paullo pallidiora et lutescentia glabra
vel sparse et fere microscopice puberula, nervis venisque prominenti-
bus gracillimis laxe reticulatis; flores ut videtur dioeci paniculam
magnam laxe multifloram foliatam efformantes, ramis gracillimis
minute farinoso-puberulis vel fere omnino glabris, pedicellis capil-
laribus maxime elongatis plerumque 4-6 cm. longis; folliculi valde
asymmetrici sessiles ca. 6 mm. longi et 2.5-3 mm. lati, basi acuti,
apice in stylum filiformem usque 9 mm. longum abrupte angustati,
minute puberuli vel fere glabri, grosse longitrorsum costati. Guate-
mala: Dept. San Marcos, Volcan de Tajumulco, barrancos south
and west of town of Tajumulco, alt. 2,300-2,500 meters, moist
slopes around seepage at base of barranco, February 25, 1940,
Julian A. Steyermark 36575 (type in Herb. Field Mus.). Wet
meadow, common but sterile, Barranco Eminencia, above San Rafael
Pie de la Cuesta, alt. 2,100-2,400 meters, March, 1939, Standley
68465. Between Todos Santos and Finca El Porvenir, lower to
middle slopes of Volcan de Tajumulco, alt. 1,300-3,000 meters, Steyer-
mark 36989; on slopes along a quebrada; an herb 2.5 meters tall.
Between La Vega ridge along Rio Vega and northeast slopes of
Volcan de Tacana, to 3 miles from Guatemala-Mexico boundary,
vicinity of San Rafael, alt. 2,500-3,000 meters, shaded banks of
slopes bordering escarpment of stream, Steyermark 36191; an herb
1.5 meters tall. Between Canjula and La Union Juarez, near south-
east portion of Volcan de Tacana, alt. 2,000-3,000 meters, Steyermark
36483. Dept. Quezaltenango: sandy Alnus forest, Cumbre de
Tuilacan, southwest of San Martin Chile Verde, alt. 2,400 meters,
March, 1940, Standley 67837.
Some of the collections listed are sterile, but their foliage is
exactly like that of the type. The species is notable for the almost
complete absence of pubescence, and more especially for the numer-
ous, greatly elongate, and almost capillary pedicels.
MENISPERMACEAE
Disciphania calocarpa Standl. Field Mus. Bot. 4: 305. 1929.
D. coriacea Standl. Carnegie Inst. Wash. Publ. 461: 55. 1935. As
more material of this genus accumulates from Central America, it
becomes apparent that the collections are variable, and almost cer-
232 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
tainly represent a single species. The following collections are at
hand: British Honduras: Rio Grande, Schipp S458; type of D.
coriacea. Guatemala: Dept. Izabal: Between Escobas and Mon-
tana Escobas, across bay from Puerto Barrios, alt. 1-100 meters,
along stream, Steyermark 39311. South-facing lower ridges of Cerro
San Gil (El Ermitafio), opposite Cayuga, alt. 30-500 meters, Steyer-
mark 39493; a vine with corky bark; fruiting inflorescence pendent;
fruit pale green, turning red, 1.8 cm. long, 1.5 cm. broad. Escoba, in
wet forest, Standley 72916. Honduras: Lancetilla Valley, Dept.
Atlantida, alt. 20-600 meters, Standley 52817 (type of D. calocarpa),
54128. Foothills back of La Ceiba, Dept. Atlantida, Yuncker, Koep-
per & Wagner 8799. Costa Rica: Tres Esquinas, Chitaria, alt. 700
meters, in 1935, Fernando Soils 222, 242.
Hyperbaena guatemalensis Standl. Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci.
15: 475. 1925. The type is Popenoe 965, from Barranquillo, Dept.
El Progreso, Guatemala. Several additional collections, all in
fruit, are conspecific: Guatemala: Guastatoya, Dept. Jalapa, alt.
1,350 meters, January, 1908, Kellerman 7807. Dept. Chiquimula,
along Rio Taco, between La Laguna and Chiquimula, alt. 500-1,000
meters, October, 1939, Steyermark 30742, 30754; a tree of 9-12
meters; leaves coriaceous, dark green above, the margins undulate
and crisped. Local name, Grenadilla.
Hyperbaena Steyermarkii Standl., sp. nov. Frutex scandens,
caulibus crassiusculis teretibus in sicco fuscis, internodiis brevibus
vel elongatis, novellis densissime pilis longis patentibus intertextis
ochraceis vel sordidis tomentosis, tomento interdum deciduo; folia
majuscula longe vel brevius petiolata coriacea, petiolo gracili 2-9
cm. longo dense piloso-tomentoso vel interdum glabrato, infra
laminam paullo incrassato et subgeniculato; lamina fere orbicularis
usque late elliptica vel oblongo-elliptica 9-14 cm. longa 4-11 cm.
lata, apice rotundata et breviter cuspidato-acuminata vel sensim
abrupteve acuminata, basi subtruncata usque anguste rotundata,
supra in sicco fuscescens, ad nervos saltern medium pilosa, aliter
glabra, subtus pallidior et saepe brunnescens ubique dense pilis
patentibus velutino-pilosa, e basi 5-nervia, nervis exterioribus brevi-
bus, 2 interioribus fere ad apicem laminae protractis, omnibus
prominentibus, costa utroque latere supra medium nervos ca. 3
emittente, venis plerumque transversis et plus minusve parallelis
conspicuis; flores feminei spicati, spicis dense vel subremote pauci-
vel multifloris sessilibus axillaribus usque 5 cm. longis, rhachi dense
pilosa, floribus arete sessilibus; sepala 3 rotundato-ovata ca. 3 mm.
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 233
longa subpatentia obtusa, extus dense pilosulo-tomentosa, intus
glabra; ovarii carpella 3 densissime fusco-pilosa. Guatemala: Dept.
Izabal, Rio Dulce, between Livingston and 6 miles up the river, on
north side (right-hand side going up river), at sea level, April 14,
1940, Julian A. Steyermark 39454 (type in Herb. Field Mus.). Also
No. 39461 from the same region.
The known Central American species of Hyperbaena have
increased in number rapidly during the past few years. Several
quite distinct types are represented among them, but many of the
species are separated by rather slight characters whose value re-
mains to be proved. The present plant, however, is conspicuously
different from any reported previously, particularly in its abundant
pubescence, and in its sometimes almost perfectly circular leaves.
The leaves vary greatly in shape, those of the second collection
cited being much narrower than in the type.
CAPPARIDACEAE
Cleome ephemera Brandeg. Proc. Calif. Acad. II. 3: 112.
1891. The plant is a slender and rather delicate annual, note-
worthy for its simple, narrowly linear leaves. It was described from
southern Lower California, and several collections are at hand
from the State of Guerrero, Mexico, and doubtless it grows in other
states of that country. It is somewhat of a surprise to find a Lower
California species extending into Central America, although not
particularly remarkable, but one collection of this plant has now
been made in Guatemala: Dept. Zacapa, rocky hills in vicinity of
Santa Rosalia, 2 miles south of Zacapa, alt. 200 meters, October 7,
1939, Steyermark 29281. The flowers are yellow and brown.
SAXIFRAGACEAE
Hydrangea Steyermarkii Standl., sp. nov. Frutex scandens
epiphyticus, ramis crassis fusco-ferrugineis dense paleis linearibus
crassis patentibus brunnescentibus indutis et quoque pilis stellatis
brunnescentibus laxe tomentosis, internodiis plerumque brevibus;
folia majuscula vel subparva petiolata coriacea, petiolo 1-1.5 cm.
longo crassiusculo laxe sparseque stellato-tomentoso et sparse pale-
aceo ; lamina cuneato-obovata usque obovato-oblonga, supra medium
latissima, 6.5-17 cm. longa 3.5-9 cm. lata, apice rotundata vel ob-
tusissima et interdum apiculata, basin versus cuneato-angustata vel
interdum subobtusa et abrupte breviterque contracta, margine
arete vel remote denticulate, supra saltern in statu adulto glabra,
234 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
costa subimpressa, venis prominulis arete reticulatis, subtus pallidior,
primo sat dense pilis subadpressis intertextis ochraceis tomentosa,
cito glabrata, costa crassiuscula prominente, nervis lateralibus
utroque latere ca. 9 prominentibus obliquis irregularibus supra
medium furcatis, venis prominulis arete reticulatis; inflorescentiae
ut videtur plerumque axillares dense multiflorae ca. 4.5 cm. altae
et 9 cm. latae, radiis 5-8 vel ultra sat dense pilis stellatis plerumque
breviter stipitatis brunneis indutis, pedunculo communi ca. 1.5 cm.
longo, bracteis basalibus fere 2 cm. longis latis dense brunneo-
tomentosis, floribus sessilibus vel breviter pedicellatis secundis;
hypanthium semiglobosum fere 3 mm. latum glabrum; sepala semi-
orbicularia vix ultra 1 mm. longa pallida; petala caduca. Guate-
mala: Dept. San Marcos: Along Quebrada Canjula, between Sibinal
and Canjula, Volcan de Tacana, alt. 2,200-2,500 meters, February
18, 1940, Julian A. Steyermark 36044 (type in Herb. Field Mus.).
Rio Vega, near San Rafael and Guatemala-Mexico boundary, Volcan
de Tacana, alt. 2,500-3,000 meters, Steyermark 36250 (sterile); a
liana; leaves coriaceous, dull, dark green above, pale beneath; stems
chocolate-brown. Between Canjula and La Union Juarez, near
southeast portion of Volcan de Tacana, alt. 2,000-3,000 meters,
forested barranco slopes of Rio Tonana, Steyermark 36411 ; sterile.
Juvenile plants of what is probably this species, but very dif-
ferent in appearance from adult plants, and to be recognized as
belonging to the genus only by the characteristic pubescence of
stellate hairs, are common in many parts of the Guatemalan Occi-
dente, growing upon tree trunks. Flowering plants have been found
but once.
In southern Central America three species of Hydrangea are
known, but none has been reported definitely from northern Central
America. The genus is known to occur also in Mexico. Whether
the Hydrangea of southern Mexico is H. Steyermarkii or whether it
is a distinct and undescribed species remains to be determined. It
has been reported as H. Oerstedii Briq. and as H. peruviana Moric.,
but it is safe to assume that neither of these species ranges so far
north as Mexico. H. Steyermarkii is related to the Costa Rican H.
diplostemona (D. Sm.) Standl., but in that the leaves are broadest
at or near the middle, and the pubescence of the branches is not at all
paleaceous.
CONNARACEAE
Connarus lentiginosus Brandeg. Univ. Calif. Publ. Bot. 6:
186. 1915. Heretofore the species has been known only from the
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 235
original material, from the region of Huitla, Chiapas, Mexico. While
we have seen no authentic material, the following Guatemalan
collection agrees fully with the published description: Dept. San
Marcos, Rio Mopa, below Rodeo, alt. 600 meters, in wet thicket,
Standley 68790; a large vine, the flowers pale yellowish.
LEGUMINOSAE
Acacia Calderonii Standl. Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 13: 439.
1923. Acaciella Calderonii Britt. & Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23 : 99. 1928.
The type was collected near Chalchuapa, Salvador, close to the
Guatemalan boundary, but heretofore the species has been known
only from Salvador. Recently it has been found in Guatemala:
Dept. Chiquimula, exposed, grassy slopes of Mount Tojas, near
village of Sasmo, about 1 mile northwest of Chiquimula, alt. 420-520
meters, October, 1939, Steyermark 30203; a shrub a meter high, the
flowers white. Dept. Zacapa, lower slopes of Sierra de las Minas,
along trail above Rio Hondo, alt. 250-900 meters, Steyermark 29515;
a shrub of 1.5 meters, the flowers creamy white. It is probable that
the plant to which this specific name is given is only a form of Acacia
polypodioides.
Acacia Gentlei Standl. Bot. Ser. Field Mus. 22: 77. 1940.
Immediately after publication of this British Honduras species,
there came to hand a second collection, from Guatemala: Dept.
Izabal, Rio Dulce, 2-4 miles west of Livingston, on south side (left-
hand side going up river), at sea level, April, 1940, Steyermark 39546.
A tree, the flowers pale yellow, the fruits pendent. The very num-
erous flower spikes are long-pedunculate, very dense, about 3 cm.
long and 3.5 mm. thick. The small, peltate bracts are soon pushed
aside by the expanding flowers and are scarcely if at all apparent
when the corollas are open. The fruits match exactly those of the
British Honduras type, being about 22 cm. long and 11 mm. wide.
Acacia polypodioides Standl. Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 20: 184.
1919. Acaciella polypodioides Britt. & Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 98.
1928. The type was collected in Chiapas, and the species has been
known also from Oaxaca and Veracruz. It extends to eastern Guate-
mala: Dept. Chiquimula, exposed, grassy slopes of Mount Tojas,
near the village of Sasmo, about 1 mile northwest of Chiquimula,
alt. 420-520 meters, October, 1939, Steyermark 30202. A shrub a
meter high, its flowers white.
Aeschynomene nicaraguensis (Oerst.) Standl. Trop. Woods
34: 41. 1933. Brya nicaraguensis Oerst. Kjob. Vid. Medd. 13. 1853.
236 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
A. Calderoniana Standl. Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 14: 93. 1924. The
type of Brya nicaraguensis was collected in Nicaragua, that of Aes-
chynomene Calderoniana in Salvador. The same species extends to
Guatemala: Dept. Chiquimula, base of slopes along Rio Grande
(Rio Concepcion), Mt. Socorro, above Finca San Jose", southeast of
Concepcion de las Minas, alt. 1,200-1,700 meters, November, 1939,
Steyermark 31117. A shrub 2.5 meters high; petals dull yellow, the
standard striped with dull purple.
Clitoria mexicana Link, Enum. PI. 2: 235. 1822. Most of the
Mexican and Central American Clitorias are fairly common and
widely distributed, but this one is rather meagerly represented in
herbaria. The species is recorded for Guatemala (Contr. U. S. Nat.
Herb. 23: 494. 1922), but it is worth while to report two collections
made recently in that country: Dept. Solola, a vine on dry ridge
southeast of Pueblo San Jorge, W. R. Hatch & C. L. Wilson 302.
Dept. Zacapa, pine-covered slopes, Sierra de las Minas, along trail
between Rio Hondo and summit of mountain at Finca Alejandria,
alt. 1,000-1,500 meters, Steyermark 29636; plants procumbent;
leaves glaucous-silvery beneath.
Clitoria multiflora Mart. & Gal. Bull. Acad. Brux. 10, pt. 2:
188. 1843. The species is rather widely distributed in southern and
western Mexico, but has not been known heretofore from Central
America. The following recent collections show that its range ex-
tends into Guatemala: Dept. Chiquimula, rocky, wooded slopes
along river, Cerro Brujo, in vicinity of Rio Negro, below Montana
Montenegro, near village of Brujo, alt. 1,500-2,000 meters, Novem-
ber, 1939, Steyermark 30925. Dept. Chiquimula, Montana Castilla,
vicinity of Montana Cebollas, along Rio Lucia Saso, 3 miles south-
east of Quezaltepeque, alt. 1,200-1,500 meters, Steyermark 31258;
plants sprawling; flowers whitish, with purplish stripes on the
standard; leaves thin, dull green above, pale, silvery gray beneath;
growing on upper part of pine-clad slope below high cliffs. Dept.
Zacapa, pine forest, Sierra de las Minas, near summit of ridge below
Finca Alejandria, alt. 1,700-2,000 meters, Steyermark 29756.
Dalbergia pacifica Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Arbor 12-
metralis vel ultra, ramulis sordido-ochraceis elevato-lenticellatis
subrimosis glabris vel glabratis; folia magna longipetiolata, rhachi
cum petiolo gracili tereti usque 22 cm. longa; foliola usque 10 (vel
ultra?) rigide et crassiuscule membranacea 4-6 mm. longe petiolu-
lata, oblonga ad lanceolato-oblonga vel inferiora ovata, 6.5-12 cm.
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 237
longa 2.5-5 cm. lata, apicem obtusum et breviter emarginatum
versus paullo angustata, basi obtusa usque late rotundata, inaequalia,
inferioribus plus minusve reductis, supra in sicco fuscescentia lucida
glabra, venis nervisque prominulis atque arete reticulatis, subtus
paullo pallidiora, ubique dense sed minutissime adpresso-pilosula
vel fere sericea, costa tenera elevata, nervis lateralibus tenerrimis
prominentibus subarcuatis angulo latiusculo adscendentibus, venis
prominulis laxe reticulatis; inflorescentiae axillares racemosae vel
racemoso-paniculatae, breviter pedunculatae, racemis ut videtur (in
statu fructifero tantum visis) laxe paucifloris ad 6 cm. longis, pedi-
cellis fructiferis crassis 5-8 mm. longis; legumen anguste oblongum
vel lineari-oblongum 7-12 cm. longum 2 cm. latum, obtusum atque
breviter mucronato-apiculatum, basi sensim vel abrupte angustatum
et in stipitem 1-2 cm. longum attenuatum, inter semina interdum
constrictum, glabrum, venis prominentibus arete reticulatis; semina
vulgo 1-2. Guatemala: Roadside, Cocales, Dept. Suchitepe'quez,
alt. 215 meters, January 5, 1939, Paul C. Standley 62109 (type in
Herb. Field Mus.).
Local name, Granadillo. This is another of the rather numerous
cocobola trees of Central America, whose hard and fine-grained
wood is employed in the United States for making knife handles and
other small articles. Its closest relative is Dalbergia lineata Pittier,
of the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, with which eventually it may
have to be united. In that, however, the leaflets are very densely
covered beneath with much longer hairs that are not closely appres-
sed, and there is abundant pubescence upon the inflorescence. More
ample material will be needed to determine the status of the various
related forms.
Desmodium metallicum (Rose & Standl.) Standl. Field Mus.
Bot. 11: 161. 1936. Meibomia metallica Rose & Standl. Contr. U. S.
Nat. Herb. 16: 214. 1913. Galactia nitida Standl. Carnegie Inst. Wash.
Publ. 461: 62. 1935. The species seems to be an exceptionally dis-
tinct one, of the subgenus Nephromeria, noteworthy for the densely
yellow-sericeous under surface of the leaflets. The type was col-
lected at Cahabon, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, and so far as we
know, the species has been recorded only from the type specimen.
The following collections are in the Herbarium of Field Museum:
Mexico: Palenque, in 1895, Allison V. Armour 14, 15. British
Honduras: Camp 32, British Honduras-Guatemala Boundary Sur-
vey, alt. 810 meters, in forest shade, Schipp S680 (type of Galactia
nitida); a vine 2.5 meters long; flowers light blue. Guatemala:
238 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
Dept. Alta Verapaz: Finca Volcan, a vine in second growth, alt. 810
meters, C. L. Wilson 257. Dept. Izabal: Rio Dulce, between Liv-
ingston and 6 miles up river, on north side, at sea level, Steyermark
39422; a vine; leaves firmly membranaceous, rich grass-green above,
gray-green beneath; calyx lilac-pink; standard and keel white, the
wings violet in upper half, white along lower side. The type speci-
men of Galactia nitida bears flowers only, and not many of those,
but the uncinate hairs of the stem should have referred the plant at
once to its proper genus. Although no fruits are available for the
British Honduras plant, the foliage indicates that it is rather cer-
tainly referable to this species of Desmodium.
Eriosema violaceum (Aubl.) E. Mey. Comm. PI. Afr. Austr.
128. 1835. Cytisus violaceus Aubl. PI. Guian. 766. pi 306. 1775.
Many Eriosema species have a wide range, and it is therefore not
remarkable that this one should be discovered in Central America.
Previously it has been found in various parts of the West Indies, in
the Guianas, and in Brazil, but it has not been reported, so far as
we know, from the North American mainland. Guatemala: Dept.
Izabal, prairie near jungle border, between Milla 49.5 and Cristina,
alt. 70 meters, Steyermark 38683; a shrub 1-1.5 meters tall; leaves
firmly membranaceous, ascending, olive-green above, paler grass-
green beneath; calyx pale green; corolla butter-yellow.
Galactia acuminata Steyermark, Bot. Ser. Field Mus. 22: 144.
1940. Recently described from Chiapas, Mexico, this plant has
been found also in Guatemala: Dept. San Marcos: Between Todos
Santos and Finca El Porvenir, lower to middle slopes of Volcan de
Tajumulco, alt. 1,300-3,000 meters, Steyermark 37003; leaves
firmly membranaceous, rich green on both sides. Forested slopes
along Quebrada Talskek, between Tajumulco and Tecutla, north-
western slopes of Volcan de Tajumulco, alt. 1,800-2,500 meters,
Steyermark 36840. Rocky slopes above Finca El Porvenir, along Rio
Cabus to within 2 miles of Cueva de las Palomas, south slopes of
Volcan de Tajumulco, alt. 1,300-1,500 meters, Steyermark 37942.
Dept. Quezaltenango: Between Finca Pireneos and Los Positos,
lower slopes of Volcan de Santa Maria, alt. 1,300-1,500 meters,
Steyermark 33745; a vine in thickets. Quebrada San Geronimo,
ridge top, lower slopes of Volcan de Santa Maria, alt. 1,300-2,000
meters, Steyermark 33451.
Indigofera miniata Ortega, Dec. 98. 1798. /. ornithopodioides
Schlecht. & Cham. Linnaea 5: 577. 1830. The species ranges widely,
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 239
from southern Texas over a large part of Mexico, besides occurring
in southern Florida and in Cuba. Apparently it has not been
reported from Central America, but recently it was found in Guate-
mala: Dept. Zacapa, rocky hills near Santa Rosalia, 2 miles south
of Zacapa, alt. 200 meters, October, 1939, Steyermark 29274. Corolla
red-orange.
Inga subvestita Standl. Bot. Ser. Field Mus. 22: 27. 1940.
Based upon a single collection from Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, the
species has now been collected in another department of the same
country: Dept. Izabal, between Bananera and La Presa, in Mon-
tana del Mico alt. 40-300 meters, March, 1940, Steyermark 38192;
a shrub, in flower; leaves chartaceous, rich green above, paler green
beneath; pubescence brown.
Lonchocarpus Castillo! Standl. Trop. Woods 32: 15. 1932.
When published, only two collections were available of this species,
one from Freshwater Creek Reserve, British Honduras, the other
from Uaxactun, Pete"n, Guatemala. During the last few years a
number of other collections have been made in these two countries,
and the tree has been discovered in Tabasco, Mexico. Mexico:
Reforma, Balancan, Tabasco, Matuda 3217 (determined by Lundell) ;
a tree of 15 meters, the trunk 35 cm. in diameter. British Honduras:
El Cayo District, Cohune Ridge, advanced forest, Lundell 6490;
local names Cabbage-bark and Manchich; a tree of 33 meters, the
trunk 45 cm. in diameter. Xiabe, Corozal District, Gentle 850.
Corozal District, Gentle 476; growing on high ridge; trunk 15 cm. in
diameter. Without special locality, A. Castillo in 1933; Castillo 61,
83; local names Cabbage-bark and Black cabbage-bark. Guatemala:
Dept. Izabal, Escoba, across the bay from Puerto Barrios, in wet
forest, Standley 72864 (sterile) ; a small tree.
Lonchocarpus Salvinii Harms, Repert. Sp. Nov. 17: 323. 1921.
The type of this unusually well marked species was collected by
Salvin in 1873-74 on the Volcan de Fuego, Guatemala. A photo-
graph and fragment of the Berlin type are in the Herbarium of Field
Museum, and there is in the same herbarium an excellent specimen
of the type collection. Of the several collections made of the same
tree in 1938-39, some come from what is probably the type locality,
the road between Antigua and Escuintla. Guatemala: Dept.
Escuintla: San Antonio Jute, alt. 780 meters, dry thicket, Standley
64872; a large shrub or small tree, common. Below Las Lajas, alt.
900-1,200 meters, a large tree in a finca, Standley 64752; local name
Chaperno. Dept. Sacatepe"quez : Near Las Lajas, growing in cafe-
240 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
tales and in forest, common, alt. 1,200 meters, Standley 58059; a
tree of 12-20 meters. The purple flowers, produced in great abun-
dance in late November, make the tree a showy and unusually hand-
some one.
Lonchocarpus trifoliolatus Standl. Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci.
15: 475. 1925. Easy of recognition because of its trifoliolate, densely
and softly pubescent leaves, this tree was described from material
gathered at Chalatenango, Salvador by Dr. Salvador Calderon.
Conspecific is the following Guatemala collection: Dept. Zacapa, a
tree along stream on slopes of arroyo, rocky hills near Santa Rosalia, 2
miles south of Zacapa, alt. 200 meters, in flower, October, 1939,
Steyermark 29290; flowers with mixed coloring of dark and light
purple. There is some probability that L. trifoliolatus is synonymous
with L. phaseolifolius Benth., of Tehuantepec, Mexico.
Machaerium fruticetorum Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov.
Frutex vel arbor 3-9-metralis, ramis gracilibus ochraceis vel fusces-
centibus dense elevato-lenticellatis glabris, internodiis plerumque
brevibus; stipulae cito deciduae, non visae; folia modica petiolata
vulgo 6-7-foliolata, rhachi cum petiolo 6-13 cm. longa gracili sub-
tereti glabra plus minusve flexuosa, petiolulis crassis plerumque 3-4
mm. longis, saepe prope apicem suberoso-incrassatis; foliola tenuiter
coriacea anguste lanceolato-oblonga usque oblonga, vel infima inter-
dum ovata, 4.5-9 cm. longa, vulgo 1.5-3 cm. lata, interdum paullo
latiora, longe angusteque acuminata, apice ipso obtuso, basi cune-
ato-acuta usque rotundata, supra in sicco fuscescentia sublucida, costa
anguste impressa, nervis venisque prominulis et arete reticulatis,
utrinque glabra, subtus fusco-brunnescentia sublucida, costa tenera
prominente, nervis venisque prominulis atque arete reticulatis; racemi
axillares simplices in statu florifero ut videtur foliis multo breviores,
rhachi gracili dense brunneo-pilosula, floribus sessilibus vel brevis-
sime pedicellatis; legumen 6-10 cm. longum 1.7-2.5 cm. latum
anguste 6-12 mm. longe stipitatum, primo ut videtur dense brun-
neo-sericeum, in statu adulto glabratum, laxe reticulato-venosum,
subarcuatum, ala terminali apice rotundata vel obtusissima. Gua-
temala: Dept. Chiquimula, between Chiquimula and La Laguna,
alt. 500-1,000 meters, October 27, 1939, Julian A. Steyermark 30689
(type in Herb.Field Mus.). Dept. Zacapa, dry thickets near divide
on road from Zacapa to Chiquimula, alt. 660 meters, April, 1939,
Standley 71975 (sterile). Dept. Jalapa, along quebrada near Zapote,
1 mile northeast of San Pedro Pinula, alt. 1,500 meters, Decem-
ber, 1939, Steyermark 32954. Salvador: Dept. Santa Ana, brushy
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 241
hillside near Santa Ana, alt. 655-800 meters, January, 1922,
Standby 19702.
Local name at Chiquimula, Juruguay. Evidently related to
Machaerium Pittieri Macbr. (M. latifolium Pittier), and perhaps ulti-
mately reducible to its synonymy, but in that the leaflets normally
are fewer, much broader, and on relatively longer petiolules. In
foliage characters the two species are so unlike that it seems probable
that flowers also will supply differentiating characters, when those
of M. fruticetorum have been collected.
Tephrosia lanata Mart. & Gal. Bull. Acad. Brux. 10, pt. 2: 48.
1843. In Mexico this rather handsome plant is widely distributed,
but it has not been noted previously for Central America. The fol-
lowing collections have been made in the Oriente of Guatemala: Dept.
Chiquimula, pine forest, Socorro Mountain, between Finca San Jos
and Montana Nube, alt. 1,200-1,700 meters, Steyermark 30969; a
shrub with buff-brown stems; flowers dark pink; leaves dark green
above, soft gray-buff beneath. Dept. Jalapa, Montana Durazno, 2
miles east of San Pedro Pinula, alt. 1,400-1,900 meters, Steyermark
32997; local name Choreco; plants 60-90 cm. tall, suffruticose at the
base; flowers rose-purple.
Tephrosia nicaraguensis Oerst. in Benth. & Oerst. Vid. Medd.
1853: 6. 1853. In North American Flora (24: 167. 1923) the species,
first collected in savannas between Granada and Masaya, Nicaragua,
is reported by Rydberg from Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The fol-
lowing Guatemalan specimens appear to be conspecific: Dept. Juti-
apa, low mountains west of Jutiapa, alt. 900 meters, Standley 60565;
growing in pine forest. Dept. Chiquimula, Caracol Mountain, about
1.5 miles north of Quezaltepeque, alt. 1,200-1,400 meters, growing
in dry, open, rocky slopes in the openings of the characteristic pine
woods of the region, Steyermark 31375.
Zollernia Tango Standl. Trop. Woods 19: 6. 1929. The tree,
known in British Honduras by the name of Tango, has been recorded
for both that country and Honduras. Naturally to be expected in
intervening Guatemala, it has not been collected there until recently:
Dept. Izabal, Rio Dulce, between Livingston and 6 miles up river,
on north side (right-hand side going up river), at sea level, Steyermark
39391; a tree; flowers very sweet-scented, with an odor similar to
that of sweet peas; petals white; calyx pale greenish white; stamens
erect, white; leaves subcoriaceous, rich, dull green above, paler, dull
green beneath.
242 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
OXALIDACEAE
Oxalis stenomeres Blake, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 24: 8. 1922.
The type of this Guatemalan species was collected between Los
Amates and Izabal, Blake 7791. Although we have not seen the type
specimen, the following new collection evidently is conspecific: Dept.
Izabal, between Milla 49.5 and ridge 6 miles from Izabal, Montana
del Mico, alt. 65-600 meters, on pine slopes, Steyermark 38557;
flowers yellow; stems wine-red-purple; leaves membranaceous, rich,
dark green above, paler green beneath. The plant probably is a
perennial rather than an annual, as described. The leaflets are wider
than those of the type, and the petioles average much longer than
described.
ERYTHROXYLAGEAE
Erythroxylon fiscalense Standl. Bot. Ser. Field Mus. 22: 33.
1940. Known previously only from the type, obtained at Fiscal,
Dept. Guatemala, Guatemala. Other collections have been obtained
from the same country: Dept. Chiquimula, Cerro Tixixi, 3-5 miles
north of Jocotan, alt. 500-1,500 meters, dry, shrubby thickets one-
fourth the way up the slopes, Steyermark 31661; a shrub 1.5 meters
tall. Dept. Zacapa, rocky slopes near Santa Rosalia, alt. 250-300
meters, Steyermark 29013; a shrub of 2.5 meters; fruit carmine-red.
Erythroxylon tabascense Britton, N. Amer. Fl. 25: 66. 1907.
The range of E. tabascense has been known to include Tabasco and
British Honduras. Only recently has it been collected in Guatemala,
but there it ranges more widely than one might have expected : Dept.
Izabal: Livingston, in swampy second-growth, at sea level, a low
tree, C. L. Wilson 366. Near Puerto Barrios, wet thickets, Standley
73076; a shrub of 1.5 meters; leaves very lustrous; fruit bright yel-
low. Dept. San Marcos: Rio Mopa, below Rodeo, alt. 600 meters,
Standley 68773 ; a tree of 4.5 meters, in wet forest. Finca El Porvenir,
on Potrero Matasan, along Rio Cabus, Volcan de Tajumulco, alt.
1,000-1,300 meters, Steyermark 37553; a tree of 9 meters; leaves sub-
coriaceous, brick-green above, paler green beneath; fruit pale green,
turning orange.
RUTACEAE
Zanthoxylum foliolosum Donn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 18: 1. 1893.
Z. suaveolens Lundell, Amer. Midi. Nat. 20: 237. 1938. The type
of Z. foliolosum was collected at San Rafael, Dept. Sacatepe"quez,
Guatemala, on the road between Antigua and Guatemala. The fol-
lowing recent collections are conspecific: Mexico: Laguna Salina,
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 243
Montecristo, Chiapas, Matuda 1933; type collection of Z. suaveolens.
Guatemala: Dept. Huehuetenango, bushy mountain side, Soloma,
alt. 2,310 meters, Skutch 1038; a scrambling vine; flowers greenish
white, the fruit red. Dept. San Marcos, oak forest, Puente de
Nahuatl-aa, near San Marcos, alt. 2,280 meters, Standley 66209; a
shrub of 2.5 meters. Dept. Quiche, forested barranco south of Chi-
chicastenango, alt. 1,830-1,880 meters, Standley 62423; a shrub of 2
meters, common; fruit green or red. Dept. Baja Verapaz, damp
forest, near the divide north of Santa Rosa, alt. 1,650 meters, Standley
69903; a shrub of 2.5 meters.
Zanthoxylum Harmsianum (Loes.) P. Wilson, Bull. Torrey
Club 37: 86. 1910. Fagara Harmsiana Loes. Bull. Herb. Boiss. II.
3: 96. 1903. A photograph of the type, Seler 2343, is in the Her-
barium of Field Museum (Neg. 12444). The specimen was collected
in the Department of Chimaltenango, Guatemala, in the region of
Santa Elena on the mountains above Tecpam. There it is common,
growing in the dense Cupressus forest which is perhaps the finest in
Guatemala. Since the species is a rather rare one, it is worth while
to place on record several recent collections, which indicate a rather
wide range for it: Mexico : Volcan de Tacana, Chiapas, western slopes,
alt. 2,800 meters, Matuda 2918 (determined by Lundell). Guate-
mala: Dept. San Marcos, along Quebrada Canjula, between Sibinal
and Canjula, Volcan de Tacana, alt. 2,200-2,500 meters, Steyermark
36035; a vine, climbing in a tree; flowers greenish. Dept. Chimal-
tenango, Cerro de Tecpam, region of Santa Elena, alt. 2,700 meters,
in dense Cupressus forest, Standley 58688; a common tree or shrub of
3-6 meters. The stout prickles with which the shrub is so abun-
dantly armed make it a most offensive obstruction in the dense
thickets where it grows.
Zanthoxylum nubium Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Frutex
scandens glaber, ramis gracilibus flexuosis fusco-brunnescentibus
rimosis subteretibus, novellis olivaceis, internodiis brevibus; aculeis
sparsis 2-3 mm. longis recurvis basi incrassatis; folia inter minora
imparipinnata 7-14 cm. longa petiolata, rhachi subtereti olivacea
aculeis parvis recurvis armata, supra profunde sulcata; foliola ple-
rumque 17-21 sessilia integra, lateralia ovalia vel oblongo-ovalia
17-22 mm. longa 8-11 mm. lata obtusa, basi rotundata et interdum
subinaequalia, subtus ima basi biglandulosa, supra intense viridia,
costa impressa, nervis venisque obscuris, subtus pallidiora densis-
sime minuteque puncticulata, costa gracili elevata, nervis obscuris,
venis obsoletis; foliolum terminale ovato-oblongum 25-28 mm. longum
244 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
subacuminatum ; paniculae laterales et axillares ca. 5 cm. longaelaxe
pauciflorae, ramis gracilibus, pedicellis usque 12 mm. longis rectis;
sepala 4 minuta; folliculi vulgo 2 subglobosi 5 mm. longi (immaturi)
grosse glandulosi apice rotundati. Guatemala: Dept. Chiquimula,
cloud forest on top of Volcan de Quezaltepeque, 3-4 miles north-
east of Quezaltepeque, alt. 1,500-2,000 meters, November 8, 1939,
Julian A. Steyermark 31430 (type in Herb. Field Mus.).
The relationship is with Z. foliolosum Bonn. Smith, in which the
relatively broader but usually smaller leaflets are conspicuously
crenate and almost truncate at the apex. Similar, also, is the Hon-
duran Z. limoniodorum Standl., but that, too, has coarsely crenate
leaflets.
POLYGALACEAE
Bredemeyera lucida (Benth.) Benn. in Mart. Fl. Bras. 13,
pt. 3: 51. 1874. Catacoma lucida Benth. in Hook. Journ. Bot. 4:
101. 1842. The range of this vine is discontinuous, so far as known
at present. It ranges widely in Amazonian Brazil and the Guianas,
then re-appears in northern Central America. Previously it has been
noted from British Honduras and the Department of Pete"n, Guate-
mala. A recent collection indicates that it extends into the Depart-
ment of Izabal, on the north coast of Guatemala: Between Milla
49.5 and ridge 6 miles from Izabal, Montana del Mico, alt. 65-300
meters, Steyermark 38636; a shrub or a shrubby vine; leaves usually
subcoriaceous, of a dark, rich green above, and of a paler, dull
green beneath; fruit pale green; growing usually on the upper and
drier slopes of the mountain sides.
EUPHORBIACEAE
Amanoa grandiflora Muell. Arg. Flora 55: 2. 1872. Pre-
viously this tree has been reported in North America from British
Honduras; otherwise it is known from Surinam and British Guiana.
The collections cited below prove its extension to Guatemala, and
it is to be expected along the Atlantic coast of southern Central
America. Guatemala: Dept. Alta Verapaz: Virgin forest, Rubelpec,
Finca Seamay, C. L. Wilson 188; a small tree. Dept. Izabal: Near
Puerto Barrios, wet thicket, a shrub, Standley 73119, 73120. Bank
of Rio Tatin, near Rio Dulce, a medium-sized forest tree, Wilson 392.
Bank of Rio Dulce, a tree, Wilson 162. Seashore around Punta
Palma, across the bay from Puerto Barrios, at sea level, Steyermark
39810; a small tree; leaves coriaceous, dark green above, pale green
beneath.
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 245
Bernardia mollis Lundell, Contr. Univ. Mich. Herb. 4: 12.
1940. The type was collected in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, on
the northern slopes of Volcan de Tacana, at 2,100 meters. During
1940 the same species was found in western Guatemala: Dept. San
Marcos, barranco slopes between town of Tajumulco and Tecutla,
northwestern slopes of Volcan de Tajumulco, alt. 1,800-2,500
meters, Steyermark 36804; a shrub of 3 meters; leaves chartaceous,
dull green above, pale green beneath. The young fruits are sub-
globose, 1 cm. wide and slightly longer, covered with a very dense,
velvety, fulvous pubescence.
AQUIFOLIACEAE
Ilex anodonta Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Frutex vel arbor
usque 12 m. alta, ramulis crassis vel crassiusculis in sicco fuscis vel
brunnescentibus fere omnino glabris subteretibus inconspicue lenti-
cellatis, internodiis brevibus; stipulae usque 3.5 mm. longae lanceo-
latae vel subulatae deciduae; folia modica breviter petiolata coriacea,
petiolo crasso 7-13 mm. longo; lamina oblonga vel elliptico-oblonga,
interdum obovato-oblonga saepius prope medium latissima sed
interdum apicem versus paullo latior, 6.5-10 cm. longa 2.5-3.8 cm.
lata, apice breviter subacuminata vel abrupte acuta, apice ipso
acuto, basi acuta vel interdum subrotundata, rarius longius angus-
tata, margine integro et subrevoluto, glabra, supra in sicco fuscescens
vel griseo-viridis, costa anguste impressa, nervis plus minusve mani-
festis sed non elevatis, venis obsoletis, subtus vix pallidior, costa
gracili elevata, nervis lateralibus utroque latere 13-14 tenerrimis
prominulis angulo lato abeuntibus, venis paucis obscuris vix promi-
nulis; flores tetrameri in axillis foliorum fasciculati ca. 8, pedicellis
inaequalibus vix ultra 2.5 mm. longis glabris; sepala ovato-orbicu-
laria ca. 1 mm. longa apice latissimo minute apiculata viridescentia;
corolla in alabastro globosa extus glabra 1.5 mm. alta. Guatemala:
Dept. San Marcos: Top of ridge bordering barranco of Rio Tonana,
between Canjula and La Union Juarez, near southeast portion of
Volcan de Tacana, alt. 2,000-3,000 meters, February 22, 1940,
Julian A. Steyermark 36381 (type in Herb. Field Mus.). Rio Vega,
near San Rafael and Guatemala-Mexico boundary, Volcan de Tacana,
alt. 2,500-3,000 meters, February, 1940, Steyermark 36285. Dept.
Quezaltenango: Along quebrada, between Finca Pireneos and Finca
Soledad, lower south-facing slopes of Volcan de Santa Maria, between
Santa Maria de Jesus and Calahuache", alt. 1,300-1,400 meters,
January, 1940, Steyermark 33500; local name Cerezo.
246 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL, 22
Among the several Guatemalan species of Ilex, the present one
is easy of recognition because of its rather large, oblong, quite entire
leaves.
Ilex panamensis Standl. Field Mus. Bot. 4: 221. 1929. While
described from Panama, this species occurs commonly in the Atlantic
lowlands of Honduras and British Honduras, and has been reported
from those countries. It may now be recorded from the north coast
of Guatemala, and also from extreme southern Mexico: Mexico: Ojo
de Agua, Balancan, Tabasco, Matuda 3126; a tree of 5-6 meters,
the trunk 30 cm. in diameter. Guatemala: Dept. Izabal: Mouth
of Rio Blanco, near Livingston, C. L. Wilson 414; a low tree. Sea-
shore northeast of Livingston, Steyermark 39739; a shrub, in flower;
leaves coriaceous, dark green above, pale green beneath; petals
spreading, white. Between Milla 49.5 and Cristina, alt. 70 meters,
wooded margin of prairie along railroad, Steyermark 38404; a shrub,
in fruit; leaves coriaceous; fruit pale green.
SAPINDACEAE
Cupania belizensis Standl. Trop. Woods 16: 40. 1928. The
species appears to have a rather wide range, being common in British
Honduras, besides occurring in Campeche and probably also in the
State of Veracruz, Mexico. It has been reported in Guatemala from
Pete"n, and is now known to grow also in the Department of Izabal :
Near Quirigua, hilly pine forest, alt. 75-150 meters, Standley 72262;
a shrub or small tree, common. Between Milla 49.5 and Cristina,
alt. 70 meters, margin of prairie, Steyermark 38423; a tree of 7.5
meters; leaves subcoriaceous, rich green above, buff -brown-green
beneath. Between Milla 49.5 and ridge 6 miles from Izabal, Mon-
tana del Mico, alt. 65-600 meters, Steyermark 38525; a tree of 7.5-13
meters; fruit olive-green; growing in lowland jungle.
RHAMNACEAE
Colubrina guatemalensis Standl. Field Mus. Bot. 8: 22. 1930.
The type is Jesus Morales Ruano 1230 from San Martin Jilotepe-
que, Dept. Chimaltenango, and the species was found by the same
collector near Laguna de Amatitlan, Dept. Guatemala. The follow-
ing recent specimens indicate a wide range inside Guatemala: Near
Amatitlan, Dept. Guatemala, alt. 1,170 meters, dry, brushy slopes,
an abundant, slender shrub, Standley 61347. Dept. Guatemala,
Ignacio Aguilar 100. Near Sacapulas, Dept. Quiche", alt. 1,040-
1,240 meters, dry, rocky hillsides, a slender shrub of 2-3 meters,
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 247
Standley 62537. Concua Bridge over Rio Motagua, Dept. Guate-
mala, alt. 300 meters, a small, slender shrub in thicket along river,
Standley 59324. Dept. Zacapa, dry slopes along Rio Motagua, 1
mile west of Teculutan, alt. 250 meters, a shrub of 4.5 meters, the
flowers yellow-green, Steyermark 29200. Dept. Chiquimula, base of
Cerro Colorado, along Rio Jocotan, near Jocotan, alt. 400 meters,
lower rocky slopes, Steyermark 31523; a shrub. Dept. Zacapa,
lower slopes of Sierra de las Minas along trail above Rio Hondo,
alt. 250-900 meters, Steyermark 29518; a small tree along steep,
small quebrada in barranco, in thickets.
VITACEAE
Cissus Martiniana Woodson & Seibert, Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard.
24: 191. 1937. Described but recently from Panama, this vine
of distinctive foliage already has been reported from Costa Rica
and Honduras, seven specimens from those countries being in the
Herbarium of Field Museum. Its range extends as far northward as
Guatemala: Dept. San Marcos: Barranco Eminencia, above San
Rafael Pie de la Cuesta, alt. 2,100-2,400 meters, in wet forest, a
small vine, Standley 68675. Slopes of barrancos tributary to and
bordering Rio Vega, between San Rafael at northeast portion of
Volcan de Tacana and the Guatemala-Mexico border, alt. 2,500-3,000
meters, Steyermark 36368; climbing on dry upper slopes around the
boundary line; leaves dark, rich green and shining above, pale be-
neath; petiole rose-colored. Between Canjula and La Union Juarez,
near southeast portion of Volcan de Tacana, alt. 2,000-3,000 meters,
Steyermark 36435; twining around tree trunks. Dept. Zacapa:
Cloud forest in ravine bordering Quebrada Alejandria, summit of
Sierra de las Minas, vicinity of Finca Alejandria, alt. 2,500 meters,
Steyermark 29835; climbing on a tree trunk.
TILIACEAE
Sloanea ampla I. M. Johnston, Journ. Arn. Arb. 19: 124.
1938. The type was collected on Volcan de Zunil, at 1,680
meters, Skutch 968, and the species was found by the same collector
at Finca Moca, Dept. Suchitepequez. The Quich name was re-
ported as Zulin. Several recent Guatemalan collections are at hand :
Finca Pireneos, below Santa Maria de Jesus, Dept. Quezaltenango,
alt. 1,350-1,380 meters, dense, damp forest, a frequent tree of 9-15
meters, the fruit bright red within, Standley 68208. Near Vuelta
del Tigre, below Santa Maria de Jesus, alt. 1,500 meters, Standley
68175. Dept. Quezaltenango, along Quebrada San Geronimo, Finca
248 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
Pireneos, alt. 1,300-2,000 meters, Steyermark 33419; a tree of 6
meters. Dept. San Marcos, Finca El Porvenir, Potrero Matasan,
Volcan de Tajumulco, alt. 1,000-1,300 meters, Steyermark 37636;
a tree of 24 meters; leaves firmly subcoriaceous, rich grass-green
above, pale grass-green beneath; fruit brown outside, brick-red
within. The Spanish names are Peine de mico and Palo de peine, in
allusion to the large, bur-like fruits.
MALVACEAE
Robinsonella cordata Rose & Baker, Card. & For. 10: 244. /.
31. 1897; Roush, Journ. Arnold Arb. 12: 57. /. 6. 1931. In the most
recent account of the genus Robinsonella (loc. cit.), the species is
recorded only from Mexico, but it extends into central Guatemala,
being common along the barrancos lying north of the Volcan de
Acatenango. The following new collections of the species may be
recorded: Guatemala: Dept. Chimaltenango, damp barranco above
Las Calderas, alt. 1,800-2,100 meters, Standley 59992; a tree of 6-9
meters. Dept. Sacatepe*quez, edge of barranco above Duenas, alt.
1,600-1,800 meters, Standley, 63133; a tree of 6 meters. Dept. Chi-
maltenango, Las Calderas, J. R. Johnston, 1594. Mexico: Without
locality, Sesse & Mocino 3524. The Sess and Mocino collection was
indicated as a new species of Sida. The tree during its brief blooming
season, in December and January, is an exceptionally beautiful one
on account of its profusion of bright purple flowers.
Robinsonella edentula Rose & Donn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 37:
417. 1904. So far as known, this tree is confined to the region of
Coban, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, and it is not certain whether it
grows wild there, or only in cultivation. Only the type collection,
Tuerckheim 665, has been reported, but the species is represented
by Standley 70382, from a beautiful tree cultivated in the garden
of Mrs. Hempstead at Coban. Here the tree is called Chaqueta de
novia. The flowers are very abundant, bell-shaped, and pendent.
Their petals are whitish, with dark purple veins. The tree is said
to grow wild in the vicinity of Coban, and probably does, although
not much reliance can be placed upon such reports.
CISTACEAE
Helianthemum chihuahuense Wats. Proc. Amer. Acad. 23:
268. 1888. The species was based on material from the state of
Chihuahua, Mexico, and has been reported also from the state
of Hidalgo. In Guatemala several collections have been made:
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 249
Dept. Huehuetenango, dry, rocky hillside, Sierra de los Cuchumata-
nes, above Chiantla, alt. 1,950-2,550 meters, Standley 65609. Dept.
Chimaltenango, dry oak and pine forest, near San Martin Jilotepeque,
alt. 1,800 meters, Standley 64392. Dept. Quiche", open pine and oak
forest, south of Chichicastenango, alt. 1,850-2,100 meters, Standley
62364. Dept. Jalapa, pine-covered slopes on hills between Giiisilte-
peque and Potrero Carrillo, alt. 1,800 meters, Steyermark 33026; on
open, grassy, Pteridium-covered ridge; flowers yellow. In Guatemala
this species is rare, in contrast with H. glomeratum Lag., which is
extremely abundant throughout the greater part of the upland pine
and oak forests.
There may be listed here two other collections of this species
from Mexico, Sesse & Mocino 2256 and 2259. The first of these is
"Cistus ciliaris Moc. in sched.," listed by Grosser (Pflanzenreich IV.
193: 47. 1903). The second was indicated by its collectors as a
new species, under the name maculatus, in a genus other than
Helianthemum.
VIOLACEAE
Orthion Standl. & Steyerm., gen. nov. Arbores elatae glabrae;
stipulae breves lataeque caducae; folia alterna vel ad apices ramorum
congesta et subverticillata chartacea magna vel modica, anguste
lanceolata vel oblanceolata usque oblongo-lanceolata, breviter vel
brevissime petiolata, acuta vel acuminata, basin acutam vel anguste
rotundatam versus angustata, adpresso-serrata vel undulata, nervis
venisque prominentibus; inflorescentiae axillares, plerumque ex axil-
lis supremis nascentes et false subumbellatae longipedunculatae,
floribus in cymas laxe multifloras multiramosas corymbiformes e
basi saepe multiradiatas dispositis pedicellatis vel sessilibus parvis
albis, bracteis minutis; sepala parva parum inaequalia rotundatavel
late ovalia apice rotundata usque acuta, basi haud producta; petalum
inferum ceteris paullo majus extus puberulum, haud unguiculatum,
basi interdum paullo dilatatum, apice retusum; stamina glabra, fila-
mentis complanatis latis in tubum brevem coalitis, antheris ovalibus
ecalcaratis, connectiva lata apice in appendicem brevem rotunda-
tam protracta; stylus crassiusculus subsigmoideo-curvatus; capsula
majuscula obtuse trigona elastice trivalvis 1-locularis crasse cori-
acea vel fere lignosa, apice obtusa vel rotundata; placentae 3 parie-
tales, ovulis ut videtur numerosis, funiculis brevibus; semina abortu
saepius ut videtur 6, interdum 3, majuscula subglobosa apice late
rotundata laevia.
Type species, Orthion subsessile (Standl.) Standl. & Steyerm.
250 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
When the two Central American trees here referred to a new
genus were first described as species of Hybanthus, this disposition
of them was made with considerable reservation, and the receipt of
further although not ample collections of one of the species has
strengthened the belief that the species should not be referred to
that genus. It is difficult to indicate floral details by which they
differ generically from all the multiform species of Hybanthus, but
in general appearance they are quite unlike any members of that
genus, as generally treated, even some Hybanthus species that
become fair-sized shrubs. The species of Orthion are not shrubs but
tall trees, one of them attaining a height of 18 meters and a trunk
diameter of 45 cm. The large, many-flowered, long-pedunculate
inflorescences are quite unlike those of any species of Hybanthus, and
in the latter genus the lowest and largest petal is definitely clawed,
the corresponding petal in Orthion being sessile. It may be added
that the leaves of the two species of Orthion are in no way similar to
those of any member of the genus Hybanthus.
So far as now known, the genus consists of two species, restricted
to the wet, lowland forests of northern Guatemala and of British
Honduras.
Orthion subsessile (Standl.) Steyerm. & Standl., comb. nov.
Hybanthus subsessilis Standl. Carnegie Inst. Wash. Publ. 461: 72.
1935. The following collections are known: Guatemala: Jocolo,
Rio Perdonales, shrubby jungle, Dept. Izabal, a tree of 6 meters,
Harry Johnson 1071, type. Dept. Izabal, between Milla 49.5 and
ridge 6 miles from Izabal, Montana del Mico, alt. 65-600 meters,
April, 1940, Steyermark 38515; a tree of 6-9 meters; leaves stiffly
chartaceous, dull green above, paler, dull green beneath; fruit obtuse,
3-sided. Dept. Izabal, jungle bordering Quebrada Roseul, lower
slopes of eastern part of Cerro Santa Cruz, northeast of San Felipe,
alt. 50-150 meters, Steyermark 39640; a tree. Dept. Izabal, along
trail beginning from mile 33.23 between Dartmouth and Morales
towards Lago de Izabal, Montana del Mico, alt. 35-150 meters, by
a swamp, Steyermark 39094; a tree of 6 meters. British Honduras:
Rio Grande, in forest shade, rare, March, 1933, Schipp 1132. With-
out locality, J. H. N. Smith 7.
Orthion malpighiifolium (Standl.) Standl. & Steyerm., comb,
nov. Hybanthus malpighiifolius Standl. Carnegie Inst. Wash. Publ.
461: 73. 1935. Known only from the type: British Honduras: In
forest, Camp 32, British Honduras-Guatemala boundary, alt. 630
meters, March, 1934, Schipp 1278.
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 251
FLACOURTIACEAE
Bartholomaea Standl. & Steyerm., gen. nov. Arbores, ramulis
gracilibus teretibus plus minusve flexuosis; stipulae minutae subula-
tae deciduae; folia alterna parva membranacea vel subcoriacea brevi-
ter petiolata 3-5-nervia sparse pellucido-punctata, crenato-serrata
vel undulato-serrata, pubescentia vel glabrata, pilis simplicibus;
flores plerumque tetrameri, interdum trimeri dioeci spicati, spicis
simplicibus axillaribus solitariis dense vel sparse multifloris, floribus
singulis minute basi bracteatis; sepala floris masculi 4 libera minuta
suborbicularia; petala 4 sepalis similibus sed duplo vel triple longiora;
stamina vulgo 8 vel interdum ut videtur plura disco inconspicuo
minuto irregulariter inserta, filamentis filiformibus elongatis gla-
bris; antherae minutae didymae; flores feminei bene evoluti non visi,
sepalis sub fructu persistentibus vulgo 4 minutis spathulato-rotun-
datis; stylus nullus, stigmatibus 4 vel 3 brevissimis subulatis; cap-
sula depresso-globosa parva glabra ad medium 3-4-valvata, valvis
post dehiscentiam patulis vel recurvis apice rotundatis extus dense
minute transverso-rugulosis intus glabris; semina 4 vel 3 medio valvu-
lae versus apicem inserta, subglobosa, pilis longissimis mollibus
dense obtecta.
Type species, Bartholomaea mollis Standl. & Steyerm.
This group of Flacourtiaceae, consisting of two well marked
species, is confined, so far as now known, to the coastal regions of
northern Guatemala and of British Honduras. One of the species
was described rather recently as a Lunania, principally, it seems,
on account of the general appearance of its inflorescence, although
the plant evidently is not closely related to that genus. The species
of Bartholomaea do bear much resemblance to some species of the
African genus Trimeria, but it is not believed that the relationship
is very close.
The most conspicuous character of Bartholomaea is found in the
long-pilose seeds, which seem to be unique in the family. In this
connection may be recalled the genus Gossypiospermum, referred by
some authors to Casearia, but in that the seeds are merely short-
pubescent, rather than long-pilose.
The genus is dedicated to Bartolom de las Casas, Protector of
the Indians, one of the most admirable heroes of the Conquest. He
it was who first introduced civilization to the Kekchi Indians of
Verapaz, and in his voyages he must have passed more than once
along the still densely forested river banks of the Rio Dulce where
one of the species grows.
252 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
Bartholomaea mollis Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Arbor vel
arbuscula, ramulis gracilibus, novellis subferrugineis dense breviter-
que patulo-pilosulis, internodiis brevibus; folia membranacea breviter
petiolata, petiolo 4-5 mm. longo dense pilosulo ; lamina elliptico-oblonga
usque ovata 4-8 cm. longa 2-3.7 cm. lata acuta vel acuminata,
apice ipso subobtuso, basi plus minusve asymmetrica anguste
rotundata usque acuta, remote undulato-serrata vel subintegra,
remote grosseque pellucido-punctata, supra minutissime puberula,
nervis venisque non elevatis, subtus paullo pallidior, praesertim ad
nervos venasque pilis longiusculis patulis mollibus pilosa, e basi
trinervia, nervis tenerrimis pallidis prominentibus, lateralibus longe
ad tertiam superiorem laminae protractis, costa supra medium utro-
que latere nervos 3 emittente, venis plerumque transversis et sub-
parallelis remotis vix prominulis; spicae masculae fere sessiles gracil-
limae 2.5-7 cm. longae multiflorae, rhachi pilis albidis brevibus
dense pilosula, floribus arete sessilibus, bracteis minutis sepalis aequi-
longis; sepala suborbicularia 0.6 mm. longa extus minutissime pilo-
sula apice rotundata; petala ovalia glabra apice rotundata ca. 1.2
mm. longa; stamina petalis aequilonga vel paullulo longiora; capsulae
valvulae ca. 2.5 mm. longae et 2 mm. latae coriaceae; semina ca. 1
mm. longa dense pilis albidis 3-4 mm. longis obtecta. Guatemala:
Dept. Izabal, Rio Dulce, between Livingston and 6 miles up the
river, on north side (right-hand side going up river), at sea level,
April 14, 1940, Julian A. Steyermark 39452 (type in Herb. Field
Mus.; fruiting specimen). Bank of Rio Dulce, March 27, 1939, C. L.
Wilson 382.
Evidently this and the following species are congeneric, and much
alike in most of their characters. The leaves of B. mollis are membra-
naceous, dull, and abundantly pubescent; those of B. sessiliflora
coriaceous, lustrous, and glabrous. Other less conspicuous charac-
ters are probably of equal or greater importance.
Bartholomaea sessiliflora (Standl.) Standl. & Steyerm., comb,
nov. Lunania sessiliflora Standl. Carnegie Inst. Wash. Publ. 461:
74. 1935. Of this but two collections are known: British Honduras:
Jacinto Hills, alt. 120 meters, a tree of 6 meters, November, 1933,
Schipp S-606, type. West of Gales Point, a small tree on summit of
limestone hill, Belize District, February, 1931, H. H. Bartlett 11347.
Casearia elegans Standl. in Yuncker, Bot. Ser. Field Mus. 9:
311. 1940. Described in 1940 from the region of La Ceiba, on the
Atlantic coast of Honduras, this shrub already has been found in
Guatemala: Dept. Izabal, south-facing lower ridges of Cerro San
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 253
Gil, opposite Cayuga, 30-500 meters, Steyermark 39501; a shrub;
leaves firmly membranaceous, rich green above, pale grass-green
beneath; segments of the flower spreading, pale green; filaments
erect, creamy white.
Hasseltia guatemalensis Warb. in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzen-
fam. 3, Abt. 6a: 32. /. 12, D,E. 1893. Apparently no formal descrip-
tion of the species has been published, it being merely mentioned
casually and illustrated in the place cited. It is a perfectly valid
and well marked member of the genus, distinguished by its usually
entire leaves and the glabrous, rather than tomentose, outer surface
of the sepals. What is presumably the type, in the Berlin Her-
barium, Bernoulli 2920, from "Sta. Maria," Guatemala, is repre-
sented in the Herbarium of Field Museum by Negative 13648.
There are various places in Guatemala with the name Santa Maria,
but it seems likely that in this instance there is meant either the
Volcan de Santa Maria or Santa Maria de Jesus, in the Department
of Quezaltenango. The following specimens of the tree are at hand:
Guatemala: Dept. Suchitepe'quez, Finca Moca, in forest on ridge,
alt. 1,320 meters, Skutch 2106; a tree to 21 meters in height, the trunk
30 cm. in diameter, the bark slightly rough but close, gray; flowers
white. Dept. Quezaltenango, San Juan Patzulin, lower slopes of
Volcan de Santa Maria, alt. 1,500 meters, Steyermark 33627; local
name Canela de montana; a tree of 12 meters, the leaves firmly char-
taceous, grass-green above on young leaves, dark on older ones, grass-
green beneath ; petals white, the filaments buff. Dept. Quezaltenango,
Finca Pireneos, lower slopes of Volcan de Santa Maria, alt. 1,300-1,500
meters, in cafetal, Steyermark 33253; a tree of 10.5 meters. Mexico:
Buena Vista, Escuintla, Chiapas, Matuda 1881. Siltepec, Chiapas,
Matuda 385.
Lunania mexicana Brandegee, Univ. Calif. Publ. Bot. 6: 56.
1914. A single species of Lunania has been collected in Mexico,
described from Chiapas and reported also from Veracruz. Recent
exploration shows that it grows also in the mountains of Guate-
mala, as far east as the Department of Suchitepe'quez: Dept. Suchi-
tepe'quez: Finca Moca, open woods, alt. 960 meters, Skutch 2070; a
tree of 9 meters, the flowers green. Southwestern slopes of Volcan
de Zunil, vicinity of Finca Montecristo, southeast of Santa Maria
de Jesus, alt. 1,200-1,300 meters, Steyermark 35251; a shrub of 3-4.5
meters. Dept. Quezaltenango: Finca Pireneos, below Santa Maria
de Jesus, alt. 1,350-1,380 meters, damp, dense forest, Standley
68221; a shrub. Lower slopes of Volcan de Santa Maria, between
254 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
Finca Pireneos and Los Positos, alt. 1,300-1,500 meters, Steyermark
33740; a tree of 9 meters; leaves rich, bright green and shining above,
rich green beneath; sepals brownish brick-colored. Dept. San
Marcos: Rio Ixpal, below Rodeo, alt. 750 meters, wet thicket,
Standley 68730; a shrub.
THYMELAEACEAE
Daphnopsis ficina Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Frutex 2-
metralis ut videtur dense ramosa, ramulis crassiusculis fusco-fer-
rugineis, novellis ferrugineis primo sparse denseve strigosis, inter-
nodiis brevibus; folia parva breviter petiolata subcoriacea, petiolo
3-4 mm. longo sparse adpresso-piloso; lamina elliptica vel oblongo-
elliptica, interdum oblongo-lanceolata, plerumque 3-5 cm. longa,
1-2.3 cm. lata, obtusa vel saepius apicem obtusum versus aliquanto
angustata, basi acuta vel basin versus sensim angustata, interdum
abrupte contracta et breviter in petiolum decurrens, supra pallide
viridis glabra, nervis venisque prominulis et laxe reticulatis, sub-
lucida, subtus pallidior, primo pilis sparsis adpressis conspersa, in
statu adulto glabra, costa tenera prominente, nervis lateralibus
utroque latere ca. 8 solemniter inaequalibus et irregularibus promi-
nentibus prope marginem irregulariter junctis, venis paucis prominu-
lis reticulatis; inflorescentiae femineae lateral es ca. 6-florae, pedun-
culis simplicibus 1-2 cm. longis sparse vel dense strigosis vel sericeis
glabrescentibus, floribus apice umbellatis, pedicellis crassiusculis vel
gracilibus usque 5 mm. longis; perianthii tubus urceolatus fere 3 mm.
longus extus dense sericeus, lobis 4 patulis suborbicularibus ca. 1.3
mm. longis apice rotundatis intus minute puberulis vel fere glabris;
fructus ut videtur subglobosus fere glaber ca. 1 cm. longus vel paullo
brevior. Guatemala: Dept. Guatemala, in forests of Manzanote
(Olmediella Betschleriana) , La Cienaguilla, San Jos Pinula, alt.
1,600 meters, January, 1932, Jorge Garcia Salas 1442 (type in Herb.
Field Mus.).
Local name Chilillo. The relationship is with Daphnopsis Bon-
plandiana (Kunth) Standl., which, as now interpreted, is a fairly
common shrub of the Guatemalan mountains. In that the leaves
are normally much larger and relatively narrower, and the peduncles
usually much longer. The leaves of D. ficina suggest those of some
species of Ficus, such as F. padifolia HBK., a fact to which the
specific name alludes.
Daphnopsis retifera Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Frutex
3-metralis, ramulis crassiusculis subteretibus brunneis vel fusco-
brunneis dense pilis ochraceis subadpressis vel fere paten tibus longius-
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 255
culis pilosis, internodiis brevibus; folia modica breviter petiolata
subcoriacea, petiolo crasso 5-8 mm. longo dense adpresso-piloso;
lamina anguste elliptico-oblonga vel lanceolato-oblonga, interdum
oblanceolato-oblonga, 7-11 cm. longa 2-4 cm. lata apicem obtusum
versus paullo angustata, basin angustam versus longe sensimque
attenuata, supra in sicco lucida glabra vel tantum ad costam sparse
breviterque adpresso-pilosa, costa subimpressa, nervis obsoletis,
subtus paullo pallidior ubique sat dense pilis subpatulis mollibus
pilosa, costa gracili elevata, nervis lateralibus utroque latere ca. 8
obliquis angulo ca. semirecto adscendentibus gracilibus prominenti-
bus, venulis insigniter prominentibus et arete reticulatis; inflores-
centiae (perfectae non visae) axillares vel laterales, floribus arete
sessilibus capitatis, pedunculis simplicibus subrecurvis ca. 3 cm.
longis dense adpresso-pilosis. Guatemala: Dept. Jutiapa, dry
plateau in chaparral between railroad station of Mita and town of
Asuncion Mita, alt. 650 meters, November 13, 1939, Julian A. Steyer-
mark 31758 (type in Herb. Field Mus.).
Although the single available specimen is imperfect, consisting
of leafy branches with peduncles from which the flowers have fallen,
it is clear that it represents a quite distinct and undescribed species.
The leaves are distinctive, almost completely glabrous and lustrous
on the upper surface, densely velvety-pilose beneath, and with very
conspicuous and closely reticulate venation.
Daphnopsis Selerorum Gilg, Verh. Bot. Ver. Brandenb. 58:
153. 1917. The type is Seler 2866 from forests of Yalambohoch,
Distr. Nenton, Dept. Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Although we
have seen no authentic representation of the species, the following
specimens agree perfectly with Gilg's detailed description: Guate-
mala: Dept. Quezaltenango: Lower south slopes of Volcan de Santa
Maria, between Santa Maria de Jesus and Calahuache", alt. 1,300-
1,500 meters, Steyermark 33642; a shrub of 3 meters; fruit rich green,
shining, ovoid; leaves firmly membranaceous, rich, dark green above,
grass-green beneath. Between Finca Pireneos and Finca Soledad,
lower slopes of Volcan de Santa Maria, alt. 1,300-1,400 meters,
forested slopes near the summit, Steyermark 33526; a tree of 7.5
meters; berries black, shining, at first green. Along Quebrada San
Geronimo, Finca Pireneos, alt. 1,300-1,400 meters, Steyermark 33428;
called Palo de chonta; a tree of 6 meters; berries ovoid, acute at the
apex. Finca Pireneos, alt. 1,350 meters, damp, dense forest, Standley
68337. Near Calahuache", alt. 1,020 meters, a shrub in damp forest,
Standley 67129.
256 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
COMBRETACEAE
Bucida macrostachya Standl. Field Mus. Bot. 4: 240. 1929.
The type was collected at El Rancho, Dept. Progreso, Guatemala
in 1907, Kellerman 7744. The species has been re-collected recently
in the same country: Dept. Zacapa, rocky slopes between San Pablo
and Pepezca, alt. 200-250 meters, October, 1939, Steyermark 29358.
A tree of 4.5 meters; flowers white.
MYRTACEAE
Psidium rotundifolium Standl. Field Mus. Bot. 8: 318. 1931.
Only the type specimen, obtained at All Pines, British Honduras,
has been known previously. One Guatemalan collection seems to
represent the species: Dept. Jutiapa, grassy, open places along rail-
road between Agua Blanca and Amatillo, alt. 950-990 meters, Steyer-
mark 30374. A shrub 30 cm. high.
MELASTOMACEAE
Blakea bella Standl. Bot. Ser. Field Mus. 22: 94. 1940. Addi-
tional collections of this handsome tree may be recorded: Guatemala:
Dept. Izabal, Rio Dulce, between Livingston and 6 miles up the
river, on north side (right-hand side going up river), at sea level,
April, 1914, Steyermark 39450; a tree; leaves subcoriaceous, mottled
rich green with darker green above, pale green beneath and with
yellow, stellate scales; flowers very sweet-scented, the petals spread-
ing, fleshy, rose-pink with white margins; anthers all on one side,
golden yellow; style white. Along trail beginning from mile 33.23
between Dartmouth and Morales towards Lago de Izabal, Montana
del Mico, alt. 35-150 meters, Steyermark 39082; a tree of 9-15 meters;
leaves subcoriaceous, rich grass-green above, pale green beneath;
foliaceous outer bracts spreading; calyx lobes ascending. Base of
waterfall, jungle between Escobas and waterfall, across the bay
from Puerto Barrios, alt. 20-50 meters, Steyermark 39852; calyx
tube in fruit deep rose-red.
Blakea Purpusii Brandeg. Univ. Calif. Publ. Bot. 6: 58. 1914.
Blakea Purpusii is apparently the northernmost representative of
its genus, which is only moderately well represented in Central
America. The type was collected by Purpus on Cerro del Boqueron,
Chiapas. The species extends into the Occidente of Guatemala,
where it is rather common. Mexico: Mount Tacana, Chiapas, alt.
2,000-4,035 meters, Matuda 2328. Guatemala: Dept. Quezalte-
nango: Slopes and ridges between Quebrada Chicharro and Montana
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 257
Chicharro, southeast slopes of Volcan de Santa Maria, alt. 1,300-
1,400 meters, Steyermark 34347; leaves firmly subcoriaceous, rich,
bright green above, pale green and rugose beneath. Dept. San
Marcos: Barranco Eminencia and vicinity, wet forest, alt. 2,100-
2,700 meters, Standley 68466, 68543, 68670; a tree about 6 meters
tall, common. Between Canjula and La Union Juarez, near south-
east portion of Volcan de Tacana, alt. 2,000-3,000 meters, along bed
of stream tributary to Rio Suchiate, Steyermark 36454; leaves dark,
rich green and shining above, gray-green beneath, brown on the
nerves; petals waxy, erect, olive-green. Between town of Tajumulco
and Tecutla, northwestern slopes of Volcan de Tajumulco, alt. 1,800-
2,500 meters, Steyermark 36793; a tree of 9 meters; petals green.
Slopes of barrancos tributary to and bordering Rio Vega, between
San Rafael and Guatemala-Mexico boundary, Volcan de Tacana,
alt. 2,500-3,000 meters, Steyermark 36370; a tree to 18 meters in
height.
Mouriria exilis Gleason, Carnegie Inst. Wash. Publ. 522: 370.
1940. This recently published species was described from British
Honduras, seven collections being cited. It has been found also in
nearby Guatemala, and two additional British Honduras collections
may be reported: British Honduras: In jungle, Mullins River road,
alt. 15 meters, Schipp 70; a tree of 12 meters, the trunk 22 cm. in
diameter; flowers white, sweet-scented, rose-colored in bud. Stann
Creek Valley, frequent in pine-hardwood transition, J. B. Kinloch
207; a small tree, 6 meters high, the trunk 10 cm. in diameter.
Guatemala: Jocolo, Alta Verapaz, Harry Johnson in 1921. Tree on
bank of Rio Dulce, Dept. Izabal, C. L. Wilson 407. Dept. Izabal,
between Livingston and 6 miles up river, on north side (right-hand
side going up river), at sea level, Steyermark 39435; a tree; leaves
subcoriaceous, dark green above, dull, paler green beneath; calyx
tube salmon-buff, the lobes spreading, buff-yellowish; petals white,
with pink tips, ovate; filaments white, the anthers golden yellow.
Dept. Izabal, seashore around Punta Palma, across the bay from
Puerto Barrios, at sea level, Steyermark 39842; petals white with deep
orchid-rose midrib; a small tree. Dept. Izabal, between Milla 49.5
and ridge 6 miles from Izabal, Montana del Mico, alt. 65-600 meters,
Steyermark 38487; a tree of 9 meters.
Mouriria Steyermarkii Standl., sp. nov. Arbor praeter flores
omnino glabra, ramis gracilibus sed rigidis teretibus rimosis brunnes-
centibus vel lutescentibus, internodiis elongatis; folia arete sessilia
magna in sicco coriacea oblongo-ovata 10.5-17 cm. longa 5-7.5 cm.
258 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
lata acuminata, basi rotundata et breviter cordata, amplexicaulia,
supra in sicco olivacea sublucida, utrinque dense tuberculoso-pus-
tulata, costa supra non elevata, nervis prominulis, subtus multo
pallidiora, costa prominente, nervis obscuris; flores cymosi terminales,
cymis sessilibus paucifloris 2 cm. longis, ramis pedicellisque minute
puberulis, pedicellis ad 5 mm. longis, bracteis parvis latissime ovatis
acutis puberulis; calyx 7 mm. longus campanulatus basi acutiusculus
minute puberulus, limbo breviter lobato, lobis late rotundatis;
petala in alabastro 6 mm. longa apice obtusa vel rotundata, extus
minutissime puberula vel fere glabra. Guatemala: Dept. Izabal,
Rio Dulce, between Livingston and 6 miles up the river, on north
side (right-hand side going up river), at sea level, April 14, 1940,
Julian A. Steyermark 39446 (type in Herb. Field Mus.).
"Petals whitish. Buds greenish white in lower half, dull rose in
upper. Pedicels rose-red. Leaves subcoriaceous, dark green above,
pale green beneath." From other large-leaved Mouriria species
of the general region this is distinguishable at once by its rather
deeply cordate, clasping leaves and terminal flowers.
CLETHRACEAE
Clethra Johnstonii Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Ramuli
crassi fusci teretes, novellis obtuse angulatis densiuscule pubescenti-
bus, internodiis abbreviatis; folia modica breviter petiolata firme
membranacea vel subcoriacea, petiolo 1-1.5 cm. longo crassiusculo
puberulo vel glabrato; lamina oblongo-oblanceolata vel anguste
oblanceolata 7-11.5 cm. longa 2-4 cm. lata, apice rotundata vel late
obtusa et apiculata, basin versus longe sensimque cuneato-attenuata,
supra in sicco olivacea glabra vel glabrata, costa nervisque sub-
impressis, subtus viridis et fere concolor, sparse et minutissime
stellato-puberula, costa gracili elevata, nervis lateralibus utroque
latere ca. 17 obliquis fere rectis angulo semirecto adscendentibus,
venis prominulis laxe reticulatis; racemi plures ad apicem rami
fasciculati sessiles vel breviter pedunculati usque 17.5 cm. longi,
laxe multiflori, rhachi gracili stellato-pilosula, pedicellis 5-8 mm.
longis patulis vel subrecurvis stellato-tomentulosis; sepala ca. 3 mm.
longa extus dense minuteque stellato-tomentella lanceolato-ovata
acuta vel subacuminata ciliata; stylus crassiusculus glaber sepalis
paullo longior; ovarium dense stellato-tomentosum. Guatemala:
Dept. Guatemala, Volcan de Pacaya, above Las Calderas, May 20,
1938, J. R. Johnston 1255 (type in Herb. Field Mus.). Dept. Guate-
mala, in 1940, Ignacio Aquilar.
I STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 259
The species is an unusually well marked one for the genus, dis-
tinguished by the combination of very obtuse leaves, green and
almost glabrous on the under surface, and long-pedicellate flowers.
Clethra Pachecoana Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Arbor
6-15-metralis et ultra dense ramosa, ramulis crassis ferrugineis vel
fuscis dense foliatis, internodiis abbreviatis, novellis dense sordideque
ferrugineo-tomentellis; folia parva petiolata coriacea, petiolo cras-
siusculo vulgo 6-12 mm. longo sordide tomentuloso; lamina oblan-
ceolato-oblonga vel obovato-oblonga vulgo 4.5-7 cm. longa et 1.2-3
cm. lata, apice obtusissima vel subrotundata et apiculata, interdum
subacuta, basin versus angustata, ima basi subacuta usque truncata,
margine basali utroque latere abrupte ad paginam inferiorem lami-
nae recurvato, margine laminae saepius integro vel obscure un-
dulato, sed in laminis ramulorum sterilium saepe argute serrato,
lamina supra glabra, in sicco fusco-brunnescente, costa nervisque
subimpressis, subtus paullo pallidior ut videtur viridis sed re vera
tomento minuto fere microscopico et arctissime adpresso induta,
costa nervisque glabratis brunneis, costa gracili prominente, nervis
lateralibus utroque latere ca. 10 teneris prominulis fere rectis angulo
semirecto vel paullo latiore adscendentibus; racemi pauci vel num-
erosi ad apicem rami fasciculati vel interdum breviter paniculati
usque 10 cm. longi ca. 8 mm. lati sessiles vel breviter pedunculati
densissime multiflori, rhachi crassiuscula dense minute brunneo-
stellato-tomentella, pedicellis crassis vix ultra 1.5 mm. longis saepius
recurvis; sepala 2.5 mm. longa extus minute brunneo-tomentella
obtusa oblongo-ovata; petala alba sepalis paullo longiora obovata
ciliata; stylus crassiusculus glaber; capsula depresso-globosa 3-3.5
mm. lata minute stellato-tomentulosa. Guatemala: Dept. Sacate-
pquez : Damp forest, slopes of Volcan de Agua, above Santa Maria
de Jesus, alt. 2,250-3,000 meters, February 11, 1939, PaulC. Standley
65123 (type in Herb. Field Mus.). Dept. Guatemala: Open forest,
Volcan de Pacaya, above Las Calderas, alt. 2,250 meters, November,
1938, Standley 58333. Dept. Chimaltenango : Region of Las Cal-
deras, wet forest, alt. 1,800-2,100 meters, November, 1938, Standley
57807, 57781. Slopes of Volcan de Acatenango, above Las Calderas,
alt. 2,400-2,700 meters, in dense, wet Chiranthodendron forest,
January, 1939, Standley 61823; local name Escobo. Chichavac,
alt. 2,550 meters, a large forest tree, common, November, 1933,
SkutchlQl.
Clethra Pachecoana is not closely related to any other described
species of Mexico or Central America. The principal distinguishing
260 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
characters are the small, almost glabrous, coriaceous leaves, and the
small, short-pedicellate flowers. The leaves of vigorous sterile
branches are closely and sharply serrate, being thus very unlike the
quite entire ones of flowering branches. Similar variation in leaf
margins is not infrequent, apparently, in other members of the genus.
This handsome tree is named for Don Mariano Pacheco Herrarte,
of the Direccion General de Agricultura of Guatemala, whose beauti-
ful and extensive live collections of tropical plants are a source of
pleasure each year to thousands of visitors.
Clethra Skutchii Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Arbor 10-22-
metralis, trunco usque 32 cm. diam., ramulis crassis plus minusve
nodosis fuscis, junioribus brunneis pilis brevibus patentibus hispidu-
lis, internodiis valde abbreviatis; folia modica petiolata firme mem-
branacea vel subcoriacea, petiolo gracili 1.2-2 cm. longo puberulo
vel fere glabro; lamina oblanceolato-oblonga usque oblongo-obovata
8-13 cm. longa 3.5-7 cm. lata, apice rotundata usque subacuta,
saepe abrupte apicata, basin versus vulgo plus minusve angus-
tata, basi ipsa cuneata vel rarius late obtusa, supra in sicco fusco-
brunnescens fere glabra, saepe minute puncticulato-asperata, costa
nervisque subimpressis vel fere planis, subtus cinerea fere ubique
tomento minutissimo arctissime adpresso obtecta, costa nervisque
glabratis brunnescentibus, costa tenera elevata, nervis lateralibus
utroque latere ca. 14 teneris prominentibus fere rectis angulo semi-
recto vel saepius latiore adscendentibus, venis fere obsoletis, margine
integro vel inconspicue undulato; racemi ad apicem ramuli fasci-
culati 3-6 sessiles vel breviter pedunculati usque 13 cm. longi et ca.
1 cm. lati dense multiflori, rhachi minute stellato-pubescente, pedi-
cellis crassis vix ad 2 mm. longis; sepala ca. 2.5 mm. longa ovato-
oblonga extus minute stellato-tomentulosa acutiuscula subrecurva;
petala alba obovata sepalis paullo longiora ciliata; stylus glaber
crassus sepalis paullo longior. Guatemala: Dept. Quezaltenango :
In forest, Palmar, alt. 1,350 meters, October 14, 1934, Alexander F.
Skutch 1453 (type in Herb. Field Mus.); a tall, narrow-crowned tree;
flowers fragrant. Volcan de Santa Maria, between Santa Maria de
Jesus, Las Mojadas, and summit of volcano, alt. 1,500-3,000 meters,
January, 1940, Steyermark 33934.
The Skutch collection was distributed as Clethra macrophylla
Mart. & Gal. That is a Mexican species which differs in its relatively
lax pubescence of much larger, soft hairs. In C. Skutchii the in-
dument of the lower leaf surface is closely appressed and almost
lepidote in appearance.
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 261
PYROLACEAE
Pyrola angustifolia (Alef.) Hemsl. Biol. Centr. Amer. Bot.
2: 283. 1881. Thelaia angustifolia Alef. Linnaea 28: 52. 1856. P.
Liebmannii Lange, Vid. Medd. 1867: 113. 1868. Described from
Mount Orizaba, Mexico, the plant seems to be rare, for it is known
from but few specimens, collected in the states of Veracruz, Puebla,
and Oaxaca. Its range is now known to extend to western Guate-
mala: Dept. Quezaltenango, shrubby pine slopes near the summit of
Volcan de Zunil, alt. 3,800 meters, January, 1940, Steyermark 34828.
Stems purplish; leaves firmly membranaceous, dull, dark green
above, paler beneath.
Pyrola secunda L. Sp. PI. 396. 1753. Actinocyclus secundus
var. elatior Lange, Vid. Medd. 1867: 115. 1868. Ramischia elatior
Rydb. N. Amer. Fl. 29: 29. 1914. R. secunda var. elatior Andres,
Repert. Sp. Nov. 19: 217. 1923. The var. elatior seems to be separ-
able by no definite character, unless geographic, from the ordinary,
widespread forms of the species as it is distributed elsewhere in
North America. Ramischia elatior was reported by Rydberg only
from the region of Mount Orizaba, Mexico, and R. secunda was not
recorded by him south of the Mexican border. The following
collections show that Pyrola secunda has a wider range in Mexico,
and extends also into northern Central America: Mexico: Nuevo
Leon, Cerro Potosi, east face of peak, on mossy side of narrow canyon,
under dense shade of Abies, alt. 3,000 meters, July, 1938, Richard A.
Schneider 1042. In canyon, below Las Canoas, Cerro Potosi, abun-
dant on wet, moss-covered banks, July, 1935, C. H. Mueller 2218.
Las Cruces, Distrito de Temascaltepec, Mexico, alt. 3,350 meters,
in Abies forest, September, 1932, Geo. B. Hinton 1716. Guatemala:
Volcan de Agua, July, 1937, J. R. Johnston 894. Dept. Quezalte-
nango, Volcan de Zunil, alt. 2,500-3,800 meters, moist, steep banks at
base of cliff, January, 1940, Steyermark 34775. Dept. Quezaltenango,
uppermost ridge to summit of Volcan de Zunil, alt. 3,000-3,800
meters, dry pine woods near the summit, Steyermark 34853.
ERICACEAE
Arctostaphylos cratericola Donn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 55: 437.
1913. A. pungens HBK. var. cratericola Donn. Smith, op. cit. 15:
13. 1891. Captain Smith cited this probably endemic Guatemalan
species only from the crater of the Volcan de Agua, where he obtained
the type. It has been collected there also by Kellerman and by Dr.
J. R. Johnston, but it occurs also on some of the other high mountains
262 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
of the country: Volcan de Acatenango, alt. 2,400 meters, Kellerman
6606. Dept. Huehuetenango, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, alt.
3,270 meters, September 14, 1934, Skutch 1231 ; a creeping shrub, cov-
ering rocks with a dense mat; flowers white; berries bright red,
tasteless; unseasonal bloom, most of the plants now in fruit. Dept.
Quezaltenango, summit of Volcan de Zunil among rocks and grasses,
alt. 3,800 meters, Steyermark 34832; local name given as Abril;
leaves dark grass- or rich green above, pale green beneath; stems
green to coral-red in the upper part; corolla urceolate, creamy white,
rose-red at the tip.
Vaccinium leucanthum Schlecht. Linnaea 8: 524. 1833.
In Mexico the species ranges rather widely, although apparently
it is seldom collected. It has been found recently in Central America,
the determination of the collection having been made by Dr. W. H.
Camp: Guatemala: Mountains southwest of Malacatancito, Dept.
Huehuetenango, pine and oak forest, alt. 1,800-2,400 meters, Janu-
ary, 1939, in flower, Standley 62612. A shrub 1-1.5 meters high, with
white flowers. The shrub was abundant in the locality at which it
was found, but was noted nowhere else, in spite of the general uni-
formity of the region in which it was collected.
THEOPHRASTACEAE
Jacquinia paludicola Standl. Field Mus. Bot. 11: 138. 1932.
Several collections are known from British Honduras, whence the
species was described. Several collections, evidently conspecific,
attest its extension to Guatemala: Dept. Izabal: Between Escobas
and Montana Escobas, across the bay from Puerto Barrios, at or
near sea level, Steyermark 39293, 39295; a shrub or tree; leaves char-
taceous or coriaceous, rich green above, pale silvery beneath. Be-
tween Bananera and La Presa in Montana del Mico, alt. 40-300
meters, Steyermark 38118; a shrub of 3-4.5 meters. Jungle bordering
Quebrada Roseul, lower slopes of eastern part of Cerro Santa
Cruz, northeast of San Felipe, alt. 50-150 meters, Steyermark 39641;
a shrub.
EBENACEAE
Diospyros yucatanensis Lundell, Carnegie Inst. Wash. Publ.
478: 217. 1937. When published, a single collection was cited for
the species, Lundell 3237 from Lago de Pete*n, near San Andre's,
Pete"n. The following collections now available indicate that the
range of the tree is rather wide: Mexico: Tabasco: Tenosique,
in advanced forest, Matuda 3401; a tree of 5 meters. San Isidro,
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 263
Balancan, in virgin forest, Matuda 3378; a tree of 15 meters, the
trunk 35 cm. in diameter (determined, like the preceding collection,
by Lundell). Guatemala: Dept. Baja Verapaz: San Agustin, Sierra
de las Minas, Kellerman 8001. Sierra de las Minas, opposite El
Rancho, alt. 690-750 meters, Kellerman 7640, 7990. Dept. Pet
