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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<n:
Lake Peten, San Andre's, Lundell 3237 (type collection). Lake Pete"n,
Lundell 3194. La Libertad, Lundell 3560. Dept. Chiquimula,
Caracol Mountain, 1.5 miles north of Quezaltepeque, alt. 1,200-1,400
meters, Steyermark 31396; a tree of 6 meters; fruit green, subglobose;
growing in open chaparral on grassy, rocky slopes. Dept. Izabal:
Bay of Santo Tomas, between Escobas and Santo Tomas, at sea
level, Steyermark 39366; a tree. Rio Dulce, between Livingston and
6 miles up river, on north side (right-hand side going up river), at
sea level, Steyermark 39427; a tree; calyx dull, pale green; corolla
creamy white, the tips of the lobes recurved. The distribution of the
species within Guatemala is rather unusual, so much so that one
might suspect that more than a single species was represented, but
all the material now at hand appears to be conspecific, and must be
so treated unless further collections reveal distinguishing characters.
Diospyros zacapana Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Arbuscula
4.5 m. alta, ramulis sat gracilibus subteretibus cinereis dense elevato-
lenticellatis ut videtur primo sparse strigosis cito glabratis, inter-
nodiis brevibus; folia modica breviter petiolata subcoriacea, petiolo
crassiusculo 7-10 mm. longo sparse strigoso vel fere glabro; lamina
ovalis vel elliptico-ovalis, interdum elliptico-ovata, 9-13 cm. longa
4.5-7 cm. lata apice obtusa usque rotundata et brevissime apiculata,
basi saepe inaequilatera obtusa vel rotundata, supra in sicco sub-
lucida glabra, costa anguste subimpressa, venis prominulis, subtus
fere concolor, cinereo-brunnescens, fere omnino glabra, costa gracili
prominente, nervis lateralibus utroque latere ca. 9 teneris irregulari-
bus angulo lato divergentibus prominentibus remote a margine ar-
cuato-junctis, venulis prominulis laxe reticulatis; calyx ca. 12 mm.
latus et 5 mm. longus breviter 4-lobus extus sparse scaberulus vel
fere glaber, intus fulvo-sericeus; fructus globosus glaber basi et apice
rotundatus, ca. 18 mm. diam. Guatemala: Along stream below
waterfall, Dept. Zacapa, Sierra de las Minas, trail between Rio
Hondo and waterfall, alt. 250-400 meters, October 10, 1939, Julian A.
Steyermark 29490 (type in Herb. Field Mus.).
"Leaves membranaceous, dull green above, paler green beneath."
This species is a relative of Diospyros Yatesiana Standl., which is
conspicuously different in its acute or acuminate leaves.
264 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
STYRACACEAE
Styrax vulcanicola Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Arbor 15-
metralis, ramulis crassis nodosis subangulatis, dense tomento stellate
minuto indutis, pilis ferrugineis vel pallidis sessilibus; folia magna
petiolata firme membranacea, petiolo crasso 2-2.5 cm. longo dense
adpresseque stellato-tomentello; lamina elliptica vel oblongo-elliptica
vulgo 16-20 cm. longa et 8-11 cm. lata, apice late obtusa vel sub-
rotundata, basi late euneato-obtusa, margine integro vel tantum
undulato, supra in sicco viridis, fere omnino glabra, tantum ad cos-
tarn basesque nervorum stellato-tomentosa, venulis prominulis arete
reticulatis, subtus griseo-viridis ubique tomento denso subadpresso
arete induta, pilis minutis, costa crassiuscula elevata, nervis laterali-
bus utroque latere ca. 10 teneris prominentibus irregularibus angulo
recto vel paullo latiore adscendentibus, venis prominentibus arete
reticulatis; paniculae axillares laxe pauciflorae pauciramosae vix
ad 5 cm. longae crasse pedunculatae, pedicellis crassis 5-8 mm.
longis dense minute adpresso-stellato-tomentosis; calyx globoso-
campanulatus 5 mm. altus basi obtusus, margine remote et brevis-
sime repando-denticulato, extus ubique dense minuteque stellato-
tomentellus; corolla 4-loba in alabastro tantum visa extus dense
adpresso-stellato-tomentella. Guatemala: Dept. San Marcos, be-
tween town of Tajumulco and Tecutla, northwestern slopes of Volcan
de Tajumulco, alt. 1,800-2,500 meters, February 27, 1940, upper,
dry slopes on ridge, Julian A. Steyermark 36801 (type in Herb.
Field Mus.).
The most closely related species is the recently described Styrax
magnus Lundell, of the Volcan de Tacana, Chiapas. In that the
shape and size of the leaves suggest S. vulcanicola, but the pubescence
consists of much larger, relatively lax, soft, spreading hairs, making
it fairly certain that two distinct species, as species of Styrax are
divided, are represented.
OLEACEAE
Linociera domingensis (Lam.) Knobl. Bot. Centralbl. 61: 87.
1895. Chionanthus domingensis Lam. Tabl. Encycl. 1: 30. 1791.
The tree appears to be common in many parts of the Greater
Antilles. Two collections of it are at hand from British Honduras.
It has not been recorded heretofore from Guatemala, but the follow-
ing collections, from widely separated and dissimilar regions, seem to
represent it: Dept. Izabal, Lake Izabal, on shore, Harry Johnson
1285; a shrub with white flowers. Dept. Quezaltenango, in cafetal,
Finca Pireneos, lower slopes of Volcan de Santa Maria, alt. 1,300-
; STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 265
1,500 meters, Steyermark 33262; a tree of 9 meters; leaves dark and
shining above; flowers white. Dept. Izabal, between Milla 49.5
and ridge 6 miles from Izabal, Montana del Mico, alt. 65-600 meters,
Steyermark 38505, 38536; a tree of 9-12 meters, common in jungle;
flowers white, with erect corolla lobes; leaves dull green above, paler
green beneath.
Linociera oblanceolata Robinson, Proc. Amer. Acad. 49: 504.
1913. The species was described from British Honduras, and has
been collected several times in that country. It occurs also in the
Department of Peten, Guatemala. There may be recorded here two
recent collections, one from a new region of Guatemala, the other
from extreme southern Mexico. Guatemala: Dept. Izabal, Rio
Dulce, C. L. Wilson 167; a tall shrub on river bank. Mexico: La
Palma, Balancan, Tabasco, June, 1939, Matuda 3284; a tree 4 meters
high, the trunk 15 cm. in diameter; fruit purple. This andL. domin-
gensis are much alike, but with flowering specimens, especially, it is
easy to distinguish them. The petals of L. oblanceolata are exceed-
ingly narrow, almost filiform, while those of L. domingensis are rather
broadly linear and flat.
LOGANIACEAE
Strychnos Peckii Robinson, Proc. Amer. Acad. 49: 504. 1913.
Previously known only from the forests of British Honduras,
this well marked species has been found recently in Guatemala:
Dept. Izabal : Near Puerto Barrios, wet thicket, at sea level, Standley
73049. Near Entre Rios, wet forest, alt. 18 meters, Standley 72591.
Between Virginia and Lago de Izabal, Montana del Mico, alt., 50-
500 meters, Steyermark 38873. The notes accompanying the last
collection are as follows: A vine; fruit the size of an apple, buff out-
side, white within; leaves coriaceous, rich, dull green above, pale
green beneath, the young leaves rich, light green above; calyx pale
green; corolla tube pale yellowish green, the lobes buff -yellow,
inside buff yellowish with white hairs at the base.
Strychnos tabascana Sprague & Sandw. Kew Bull. 1927: 128.
1927; Hook. Icon. pi. 3223. S. panamensis var. hirtiflora Standl.
Field Mus. Bot. 11: 138. 1932. S. hirtiflora Lundell, Bull. Torrey
Club 64: 556. 1937. The type of S. panamensis var. hirtiflora was
collected in British Honduras (Schipp S301) ; that of S. tabascana at
San Sebastian, Tabasco, Mexico. The species is known at present
from Tabasco and British Honduras, but it is probable that sterile
specimens from Guatemala and perhaps also from Honduras repre-
266 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
sent this species, rather than S. panamensis Seem., to which they
have been referred. Plants of this genus are plentiful throughout
most of the lowlands of Central America, but it is unusual to find
them in bloom, at least during the winter months. The following
new collections of S. tabascana may be placed on record: British
Honduras: El Cayo District, Cocquericot, Belize River, on trees
at river edge, a woody vine, the flowers whitish, fragrant, Lun-
dell 6095. Maskall, Gentle 1210. Mexico: La Palma, Balancan,
Tabasco, a woody vine in advanced forest, the flowers yellowish
white, Matuda 3285.
GENTIANACEAE
Curtia tenella (Mart.) Cham. Linnaea 8: 13. 1833. Schuebleria
tenella Mart. Nov. Gen. & Sp. 2: 117. 1827. A small and rather
tenuous plant, easily overlooked where it grows among grasses,
commonly in savannas or in pine forest, and on that account, prob-
ably less often collected than its actual occurrence might warrant.
It grows in Honduras and Panama, and far southward in South
America, and has been reported (in Mart. Fl. Bras.) from the state
of Oaxaca, Mexico. One collection may be cited from Guatemala:
Dept. Chiquimula, dry, rocky, open places, Montana Castilla,
vicinity of Montana Cebollas, along Rio Lucia Saso, 3 miles south-
east of Quezaltepeque, alt. 1,200-1,500 meters, November, 1939,
Steyermark 31218. Corolla white.
Leiphaimos lutea Morton, Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 27: 310.
1937. The type was collected near El General, Costa Rica, at
1,130 meters, and no other material has been reported. Specimens
collected in Guatemala agree perfectly with a photograph of the
type and with the original description: Dept. Chiquimula, Cerro
Tixixi, 3-5 miles north of Jocotan, alt. 500-1,500 meters, Steyermark
31580. Dept. Izabal, lowland jungle at Punta Palma, across the
bay from Puerto Barrios, Steyermark 39862. Stems white, the corolla
tube yellow or creamy white, the lobes rich yellow.
Lisianthus auratus Standl. Trop. Woods 37: 29. 1934. Known
heretofore only from the type, collected at Siguatepeque, Honduras,
at 1,110 meters. It occurs also in Guatemala: Dept. Chiquimula,
Cerro Tixixi, 3-5 miles north of Jocotan, alt. 500-1,500 meters, in
ravine near summit, November, 1939, Steyermark 31603. A shrub
as much as 2.5 meters high; corolla tube yellow, the lobes erect,
greenish outside; leaves thin, glabrous, somewhat succulent, dark
green above, and paler green beneath.
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 267
Lisianthus calciphilus Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Suf-
frutex ramosus glaber, ramis subtetragonis gracilibus viridibus,
internodiis plerumque foliis brevioribus; folia inter minora breviter
petiolata in sicco crassa, petiolo crasso alato usque 4 mm. longo;
lamina ovata usque oblongo-lanceolata 3-4.5 cm. longa 1-2 cm. lata
acuminata vel longiacuminata, basi obtusa vel abrupte contracta et
acuta, supra sublucida, costa impressa, nervis occultis, subtus fere
concolor, costa tenera prominente, e basi triplinervia, nervis aliis
lateralibus nullis; flores ut videtur lutei cymoso-corymbosi, corymbis
foliatis vel bracteatis subdense multifloris 9-11 cm. longis et ultra,
bracteis omnibus foliaceis, superioribus multo reductis et linearibus
vel subulatis, floribus vulgo umbellato-aggregatis, pedicellis erectis
angulatis rigidis plerumque 5-8 mm. longis; calyx ca. 7 mm. longus
adpressus angulatus fere ad basin lobatus, segmentis lineari-lanceo-
latis longe angusteque attenuatis; corolla 30-34 mm. longa, tubo
striato-costato supra ovarium paullo constricto, orem versus sensim
dilatato, apice 4 mm. lato, lobis suberectis ovali-ovatis ca. 6 mm.
longis breviter caudato-acuminatis; stamina tubo corollae paullo
longiora, stylo exserto. Guatemala: On limestone cliff, Finca Los
Alpes, Dept. Alta Verapaz, alt. 1,200 meters, March 22, 1939, C. L.
Wilson 356 (type in Herb. Field Mus.).
Closely related toL. collinus Standl., but in that species of British
Honduras the leaves have two evident pairs of nerves on each side,
and the inflorescence is sparsely flowered, with some of the pedicels
becoming greatly elongate.
Lisianthus elatus Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Herba erecta
elata glabra 1-1.5 m. alta ramosa, caulibus teretibus viridibus
crassis, internodiis foliis longioribus; folia magna sessilia plerumque
lanceolato-oblonga 9-14 cm. longa 3-4 cm. lata subito longe angus-
teque acuminata, basi obtusa, supra viridia, costa subsulcata, nervis
occultis, subtus pallidiora, costa elevata, nervis lateralibus utroque
latere 2 prominentibus pallidis angulo angusto adscendentibus;
folia floralia multo minora late ovata; flores in cymas densas multi-
floras congesti, cymis paniculam elongatam latamque grandem effor-
mantibus longipedunculatis, ramis cymae brevibus secundifloris,
pedicellis crassis vix ad 2 mm. longis; calyx arete adpressus 6-8 mm.
longus ad medium vel interdum profundius lobatus, segmentis lanceo-
lato-attenuatis; corolla in sicco straminea lucida 25-28 mm. longa
in statu fructifero persistens, tubo valde costato supra ovarium
constricto, fauce ca. 4 mm. lato, lobis erectis rotundo-ovatis 2.5-3
mm. longis apice abrupte apiculatis; stamina inclusa; stylus breviter
268 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
exsertus; capsula lanceolato-oblonga 8 mm. longa obtusa lucidissima,
ut videtur in statu vivo viscida. Guatemala: Base of pine slopes
around rocks and seepage, Dept. Izabal, between Milla 49.5 and ridge
6 miles from Izabal, Montana del Mico, alt. 65-600 meters, April 1,
1940, Julian A. Steyermark 38562 (type in Herb. Field Mus.).
"Leaves membranaceous, rich green above, pale green beneath;
calyx pale grass-green; corolla tube yellow-green, the lobes erect-
ascending, pale green; anthers pale yellow; stigma pale green."
The most closely related species is Lisianthus collinus Standl.,
described from the Jacinto Hills of British Honduras. That, however,
has a lax inflorescence with scattered flowers, some of which are borne
on greatly elongate pedicels.
APOCYNACEAE
Odontadenia caudigera Woodson, Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 23:
384. 1936. Described from British Honduras and, so far, reported
only from that country. Two collections are at hand from Guate-
mala: Dept. Izabal: Near Entre Rios, wet thicket, Standley 72707;
a small vine; corolla greenish yellow. Between Milla 49.5 and ridge
6 miles from Izabal, Montana del Mico, alt. 65-600 meters, Steyer-
mark 38492; a vine in jungle thickets; leaves firmly membranaceous,
rich green above, paler grass-green beneath; corolla tube pale greenish
outside. The species is very closely related to 0. grandiflora (Mey.)
Miq., so much so that it is doubtful whether both can be maintained.
According to Dr. Woodson's key in North American Flora (29: 166.
1938), some of the Costa Rican material would seem referable to 0.
caudigera. The two species are separated by corolla size, and
this is exceedingly variable in the series of specimens examined by
the writers.
Tonduzia longifolia (A. DC.) Woodson, N. Amer. PI. 29: 122.
1938. Rauwolfia longifolia A. DC. in DC. Prodr. 8: 338. 1844. The
species has a wide range, being reported by Woodson (loc. cit.) from
Veracruz and Oaxaca, Salvador, and Costa Rica. The following
collections represent distribution in two other countries, and the
species is to be expected, of course, in Nicaragua: Honduras: Pito
Solo, Lake Yojoa, Dept. Comayagua, alt. 600 meters, a tree of 18
meters in dense, tropical forest, the flowers white, J. B. Edwards
P-448. Guatemala: Dept. Quezaltenango, above, Santa Maria de
Jesus, alt. 1,650 meters, Standley 67272, 67185; a shrub of 3 meters.
Dept. Guatemala, near Finca La Aurora, alt. 1,500 meters, Ignacio
Aguilar 213 ; local name Chilindrillo. Dept. Escuintla, near Escuintla,
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 269
alt. 135-300 meters, Standley 63942; a shrub of 2 meters. Dept.
Escuintla, along Rio Guacalate, alt. 500 meters, damp thicket,
Standley 58242; a shrub or small tree. Dept. Escuintla, near Las
Lajas, dry thicket, Standley 63417. Dept. Quezaltenango, slopes
of Volcan de Santa Maria, between Finca Pireneos and Los Positos,
alt. 1,300-1,500 meters, Steyermark 33723; a tree of 7.5-15 meters,
growing scattered in a cafetal.
Tonduzia macrantha Woodson, Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 24: 12.
1937. The type is Skutch 871, from Volcan de Zunil, Dept. Quezal-
tenango, Guatemala, at 1,650 meters. One additional collection,
in flower, may be cited: Guatemala: Dept. San Marcos, barrancos
6 miles south and west of town of Tajumulco, northwestern slopes
of Volcan de Tajumulco, alt. 2,300-2,800 meters, February, 1940,
Steyermark 36624. A tree of 9 meters; leaves firmly membranaceous,
rich grass-green above, pale blue-green beneath.
Vallesia flexuosa Woodson, Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 24: 14. 1937.
In North American Flora (29: 140. 1938) the species is said to be
known only from the type locality, Zarcero, Costa Rica, where it was
first collected by Brenes. The following recent collections add some
information to what was previously known about the species: Costa
Rica: Zarcero, alt. 1,950 meters, April, 1937, Austin Smith 4101; a
small tree of scattered distribution; none seen more than 10 cm. in
trunk diameter; flowers white; fruits 25 mm. long and 15 mm. thick,
pale cream-colored when ripe; sap of tree sticky, colorless; trunk
gray-brown. Zarcero, alt. 1,710 meters, September, 1937, Smith
A386; a large shrub, the bark light brown, granulated; here gre-
garious as an undergrowth; leaves moderately lustrous; emitting a
milky sap; main flowering period in May, again coming into flower
in September. Zarcero, alt. 1,650 meters, January, 1938, Smith
H148; a shrub of 3 meters, with several basal stems, the bark very
dark brown; corolla waxy white.
Vallesia mexicana Muell. Arg. Linnaea 30: 393. I860. In
North American Flora (29: 141. 1938) the species is reported from
the Mexican states of Veracruz, Puebla, and Jalisco. The following
collections indicate a substantial extension of range: Mexico: Volcan
de Tacana, north slope, alt. 2,100 meters, Chiapas, Matuda 2977.
Guatemala: Volcan de Acatenango, Kellerman 4821. Dept. Saca-
tepe"quez, above Las Calderas, alt. 1,800 meters, in damp barranco,
Standley 59960; a tree of 9-12 meters; fruit white. Dept. San Mar-
cos, dry barranco slopes, vicinity of town of Tajumulco, Volcan de
Tajumulco, alt. 2,300-2,800 meters, Steyermark 36907; local name
270 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
San Pedro Martin; a tree of 12 meters; leaves firmly membranaceous,
dark green and shining above, paler green beneath ; flowers fragrant;
corolla tube greenish white, the lobes spreading; fruit 2.5 cm. long,
oblong.
CONVOLVULACEAE
Aniseia cernua Moric. PI. Nouv. AmeY. 56. 1838. A. ensifolia
Choisy, Me"m. Soc. Phys. Geneve 8: 66. 1838. Jacquemontia chia-
pensis Brandeg. Univ. Calif. Publ. Bot. 6: 60. 1914. Heretofore
only two species of Aniseia have been recognized in Mexico and
Central America, A. mexicana Loes. of Chiapas, noteworthy for its
ovate-cordate leaves, and A. martinicensis (Jacq.) Choisy. The
latter has a wide distribution in South America, from Colombia and
the Guianas through much of Brazil and eastern Peru, and it occurs
in the West Indies, at least in Martinique. In Central America it is
known, so far as available specimens show, from Costa Rica and
Panama. An attempt to determine a plant of recent collection
in Guatemala reveals the fact that the plant of northern Central
America and southern Mexico is a different species, and apparently
A. cernua Moric., in which the outer sepals are truncate or broadly
rounded at the base and not decurrent upon the pedicels. In A. mar-
tinicensis the outer sepals are acutish at the base and conspicuously
decurrent. There is some doubt as to the specific value of these
characters, but the two species have been recognized generally.
There is a bare possibility that the plants of Central America and
Chiapas represent a distinct species, although no differentiating
characters are apparent in the series of specimens studied. If such
should prove to be the case, the name Jacquemontia chiapensis is
available for the species. It may be added that the plant of Cuba
that has been referred to A. martinicensis is apparently A. cernua;
at least, it is not A. martinicensis. The following collections of
A. cernua from Mexico and Central America may be cited: Mexico:
Tonala, Chiapas, Purpus 6916, type collection of Jacquemontia
chiapensis. British Honduras: All Pines, open forest, at sea level,
rare, a vine of 2 meters, the flowers white, Schipp S145. Guatemala:
Near San Jose", Dept. Escuintla, at sea level, moist thicket, a small,
herbaceous vine, Standley 64229. Dept. Jutiapa, Lago de Giiija,
southeast of Asuncion Mita, alt. 470-500 meters, in grassy places
about margin of the lake, Steyermark 31818. Dept. Jutiapa, Lago
de Atescatempa, south of Asuncion Mita, alt. 500-800 meters, along
lake margin in dry soil, Steyermark 31856; creeping; leaves grass-
green, the corolla white. A sterile specimen from the Department
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 271
of Yoro, Honduras, probably is referable to this species and not to
A. martinicensis.
Breweria sulphurea Brandeg. Univ. Calif. Publ. Bot. 4: 384.
1913. The type is Purpus 5998 from Banos del Carrizal, Veracruz,
Mexico, and no other material is known to the writers except the
following recent collection: Guatemala: Dept. Zacapa, rocky slopes
between San Pablo and Pepezca, alt. 200-250 meters, October, 1939,
Steyermark 29337. Climbing in thickets; corolla white; leaves dull
olive-green above, yellow-green beneath. The genus is new for
Central America.
Ipomoea heptaphylla (Rottl. & Willd.) Voight, Hort. Sub.
Calc. 360. 1845. Convolvulus heptaphyllus Rottl. & Willd. Neue
Schrift. Ges. Nat. Fr. 4: 196. 1803. The plant is a rather curious
one, well marked among North American Ipomoea species by its
elongate, very slender, coiled tendrils and by its 5-parted leaves.
For an account of its distribution and of its occurrence in the United
States see Charles Baehni, Rhodora 38: 164. 1936. In tropical conti-
nental North America the species has been reported only from Tux-
pefia, Campeche, Mexico, but it may now be recorded for Central
America: Guatemala: Dept. Jutiapa, potreros between Trapiche
Vargas and Asuncion Mita, alt. 500-600 meters, November, 1939,
Steyermark 31864; creeping; leaves dull green above; corolla lilac.
Dept. Zacapa, trail between Rio Hondo and waterfall, Sierra de las
Minas, alt. 250-400 meters, Steyermark 29498; climbing in open
thickets on dry slopes; corolla purple above, white below.
POLEMONIACEAE
Cobaea Steyermarkii Standl., sp. nov. Herba gracilis scandens,
caule tenui tantum prope nodos sparse breviterque villosulo, aliter
glabro, internodiis bene elongatis; folia sessilia plerumque 4-foliolata,
interdum 6-foliolata, rhachi gracili sparse breviterque villosula vel
paullo puberula, saepe fere glabra; foliola tenui ter membranacea
graciliter petiolulata oblonga usque ovato-oblonga vel obovato-
oblonga 2.5-5 cm. longa 1.2-2.2 cm. lata acuta vel acuminata et mu-
cronata, basi plus minusve inaequali truncata vel subcordata, glabra;
pedunculi gracillimi usque 22 cm. longi glabri vel prope apicem
sparse minute puberuli; sepala fere libera lineari-lanceolata longe
angusteque attenuata ca. 2 cm. longa et basi 4 mm. lata glabra;
corolla campanulata 2 cm. longa 1.7 cm. lata extus supra medium
sparse breviterque villosula, lobis late triangularibus subobtusis tubo
plus quam duplo brevioribus; filamenta ut videtur longiexserta;
272 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
capsula anguste ellipsoidea lucida basi et apice acutiuscula glabra
sessilis 4.5 cm. longa 1.5 cm. lata. Guatemala: Dept. San Marcos,
a vine in thickets on Loma Corona, 9 miles northwest of El Porvenir,
southwest-facing slopes of Volcan de Tajumulco, alt. 1,300-2,000
meters, March 14, 1940, Julian A. Steyermark 37759 (type in Herb.
Field Mus.).
"Leaves thin, dull green above, paler green beneath and suffused
with purplish; calyx lobes in anthesis pale green with purple mar-
gins and purple streaks, erect in anthesis, reflexed in fruit; corolla
pale green at first, yellow in anthesis." The species is noteworthy
for the unusually small flowers. It is perhaps related to C. Viorna
Standl., also of the Department of San Marcos, but in that the
corolla is 3.5-4 cm. long.
VERBENACEAE
Clerodendron fragrans (Vent.) R. Br. f. pleniflorum (Schauer)
Standl. & Steyerm., stat. nov. C. fragrans /3 pleniflora Schauer in
DC. Prodr. 11: 666. 1847. In Central America this is a common
garden plant that has become thoroughly naturalized in many
regions. Apparently only the "double-flowered" form is known in
the region. This has usually been termed a variety, but obviously
deserves status only as a mere form.
Rehdera mollicella Standl. & Moldenke, Repert. Sp. Nov. 39:
51. 1935. The type is Kellerman 7992 from El Rancho (erroneously
given as "Raucho" in the original publication), "Baja Verapaz,"
Guatemala. El Rancho is now in the Department of Progreso. Sev-
eral additional collections of the species have been made recently:
Guatemala: Dept. Chiquimula, rocky slopes, base of Cerro Colorado,
along Rio Jocotan, near Jocotan, alt. 400 meters, November, 1939,
Steyermark 31547. Dept. Jutiapa, dry plateau in chaparral between
railroad station of Mita and town of Asuncion Mita, alt. 650 meters,
November, 1939, Steyermark 31754; a tree 6-7.5 meters tall; leaves
coriaceous. Dept. Zacapa, top of rocky slopes on edge of bluff,
between San Pablo and Pepezca, alt. 200-250 meters, Steyermark
29352. Dept. Zacapa, dry, rocky slopes bordering Rio Motagua,
vicinity of Pepezca, alt. 170-200 meters, Steyermark 29323; a tree of
7.5 meters; fruit brown-purple.
SOLANACEAE
Capsicum lanceolatum (Greenm.) Morton & Standl., comb,
nov. Brachistus lanceolatus Greenm. in Donn. Sm. Bot. Gaz. 37:
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 273
212. 1904. Based on J. D. Smith 1837 from Chucaneb, Alta Vera-
paz, Guatemala, at 1,850 meters. The following recent collections
extend considerably the known range of the species: Guatemala:
Dept. Quezaltenango: In forest, Palmar, alt. 1,290 meters, Skutch
1450; a shrub a meter high, the flowers white. Finca Pireneos, below
Santa Maria de Jesus, alt. 1,350-1,380 meters, damp, dense forest or
thickets, Standley 68235, 68244, 68294; a shrub a meter high; corolla
yellowish white; fruit tomato-red. Quebrada San Geronimo, Finca
Pireneos, lower slopes of Volcan de Santa Maria, alt. 1,300-2,000
meters, Steyermark 33357; local name, Yerba de pajarito; a shrub of
1.5 meters, the leaves thin, paler beneath. Dept. Sacatep^quez:
Near Pastores, alt. 1,560-1,650 meters, damp ravine, Standley 59930.
Barranco above Duenas, damp forest slope, alt. 1,590-1,800 meters,
Standley 63153. An erect shrub of 2 meters, or a small, slender tree.
Capsicum meianthum (Donn. Sm.) Standl. & Steyerm., comb.
nov.Brachistus meianthus Donn. Sm. Bot. Gaz. 57: 424. 1914. The
type is Tuerckheim 1134 from Pansamala, Verapaz, Guatemala, and
Tuerckheim 3936 from Panzal, Baja Verapaz, also was listed with
the original description. The following collections represent the
species: Guatemala: Dept. Quezaltenango, in forest clearing, Volcan
de Zunil, alt. 1,680 meters, August, 1934, Skutch 969. Dept. Quezal-
tenango, along Quebrada San Geronimo, Finca Pireneos, lower
southern slopes of Volcan de Santa Maria, alt. 1,300-2,000 meters,
Steyermark 33408; local name Flor del rio; a shrub of 1.5-2 meters;
corolla lobes cream-colored; leaves thin, dull, dark green above.
Dept. San Marcos, above Finca El Porvenir on Todos Santos Chi-
quitos, lower southern slopes of Volcan deTajumulco, alt. 1,300-1, 500
meters, on upper slopes Steyermark 37168; a shrub of 3 meters.
Capsicum tetramerum Standl. & Morton, Bot. Ser. Field Mus.
18: 1045. 1938. Based upon a single collection from El General,
Costa Rica. The following collection was determined by Mr. C. V.
Morton: Guatemala: Dept. Escuintla, damp thicket along Rio
Guacalate, alt. 600 meters, December, 1938, Standley 60210. Suf-
frutescent, 1.5 meters high; corolla pale yellow.
Lycianthes chiapensis (Brandeg.) Standl. Field Mus. Bot.
11: 173. 1936. Solanum chiapense Brandeg. Univ. Calif. Publ. Bot.
6: 192. 1915. So far as we know, the species proper is known only
from the type collection, Purpus 7328 from Finca Irlanda, Chiapas.
However, Purpus 7166 from Cerro del Boqueron, Chiapas, was dis-
tributed by Brandegee as "Solanum chiapense Brandg.? var.?" His
274 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
perplexity as to the disposition to be made of the second collection
is duplicated by that of the present writers, now that several addi-
tional collections of the same form have been made in Guatemala.
Typical Lycianthes chiapensis is quite glabrous throughout. The
specimens cited below differ in having a sparse but evident pubes-
cence of rough, stellate hairs. There seem to be no other differences
between the two forms, except that the leaves of the variety are
slightly broader, on the average, and somewhat more obtuse at
the apex. Further material may show that two distinct species
are represented, but it appears more probable that the form here
described as a variety deserves no higher rank than that now
assigned to it.
Lycianthes chiapensis var. sparsistellata Standl. & Steyerm.,
var. nov. A forma typica speciei non differt nisi foliis aliquanto
latioribus lanceolato-oblongis usque oblongo-ellipticis 4-9.5 cm.
longis 2-4 cm. latis, apice subrotundatis usque longiuscule acumina-
tis, supra sparse pilis rigidis breviter stipitatis stellatis conspersis,
subtus sparse vel dense pilis parvis pauciradiatis breviter stipitatis
vel fere sessilibus conspersis; rami sparse vel dense stellato-hirtelli
vel interdum fere glabri; calyx pedicellique pilis parvis sessilibus vel
breviter stipitatis pauciradiatis sparse vel dense conspersi. Guate-
mala: Dept. Chiquimula, Cerro Tixixi, 3-5 miles north of Jocotan,
alt. 500-1,500 meters, slopes of cloud forest on top, adjacent to ba-
rranco, November 10, 1939, Julian A. Steyermark 31555 (type in
Herb. Field Mus.) ; a shrub of 3 meters; leaves thin, dark green above;
berries green. Dept. Zacapa, cloud forest, summit of Sierra de las
Minas, vicinity of Finca Planados, alt. 2,500 meters, Steyermark
29970; a vine. Dept. Quezaltenango, Montana Chicharro, lower
south-facing slopes of Volcan de Santa Maria, 2-4 miles south of
Santa Maria de Jesus, alt. 1,400-1,500 meters, Steyermark 34284;
a scandent shrub 6 meters long; leaves membranaceous, dull green
above, grass-green beneath; fruit orange, oblong-obovoid, 1 cm.
broad. Mexico: Cerro del Boqueron, Chiapas, June, 1914, C. A.
Purpus 7166.
Lycianthes ocellata (Donn. Smith) Morton & Standl., stat.
nov. Solatium sideroxyloides Schlecht. var. ocellatum Donn. Smith,
Bot. Gaz. 14: 28. 1889. Lycianthes sideroxyloides (Schlecht.) Bitter,
subsp. ocellata Bitter, Abh. Nat. Ver. Bremen 24: 405. 1919. This
plant differs so conspicuously from L. sideroxyloides, as indicated by
Captain Smith when he assigned it varietal rank, that there is no
question that a fully distinct species is represented. The type was
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 275
collected at Pansamala, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, alt. 1,140 meters,
J. D. Smith 1155. The following Guatemalan collections represent
the species: Chihob, Alta Verapaz, alt. 900 meters, along trail, Harry
Johnson 913. Near Coban, Alta Verapaz, wet pine forest, alt. 1,260-
1,440 meters, Standley 69180; common; a shrub 1.5 meters high. The
berries are red.
Solatium Muenscheri Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Frutex
inermis ramosus, ramis crassiusculis subteretibus viridibus ubique
dense pilis minutis stellatis fere microscopicis tomentellis, inter-
nodiis brevibus; folia modica singula petiolata herbacea, petiolo
crassiusculo 8-15 mm. longo minute stellato-tomentello; lamina
lineari-lanceolata 6-11.5 cm. longa 1-2 cm. lata apicem angustum
acutum versus longe sensimque attenuata, basi obtusa vel rotundata,
integra, fere concolor, utrinque densissime pilis minutis sessilibus
cinereis dense induta, costa tenera subtus prominula, nervis laterali-
bus numerosis inconspicuis angulo lato divergentibus; inflorescentiae
laterales extra-axillares racemosae vel umbellato-racemosae pluri-
florae vel multiflorae foliis vulgo multo breviores breviter peduncu-
latae vel sessiles, floribus umbellatis, umbellis paucifloris breviter
pedunculatis, pedicellis plerumque 8-15 mm. longis post anthesin
reflexis sursum incrassatis, densissime pilis ochraceis ramosis sessilibus
vel pro parte stipitatis tomentosis; calyx 5-6 mm. longus in statu
fructifero paullo accrescens densissime stellato-tomentosus ad
medium lobatus, lobis ovatis vel late ovatis erectis obtusis; corolla
ut videtur alba ca. 7 mm. longa extus dense stellate- tomentosa
ad medium vel profundius lobata, lobis oblongo-ovatis obtusis vel
acutiusculis patentibus, intus sparse tomentellis; antherae oblongae
apice retusae 3 mm. longae; ovarium sparse saltern ad apicem stel-
lato-pilosulum; bacca globosa glabra lucida ca. 1 cm. diam. Guate-
mala: Dept. Solola, mountain slope near Santa Maria, alt. 3,150
meters, April 14, 1937, W. C. Muenscher 12360 (type in Herb. Field
Mus.). Dept. San Marcos, dry, grassy plateau flat along road
between San Sebastian at km. 21 and km. 8, 8-18 miles northwest
of San Marcos, alt. 2,700-3,800 meters, Steyermark 35633; a shrub
about 3 meters high; corolla deep lavender-purple; anthers light
yellow; leaves, when fresh, dark green on the upper surface, gray-
green on the lower surface.
It is impossible to suggest any close relationship for this well
marked and somewhat isolated species. It is noteworthy for the
long and very narrow leaves, grayish in appearance because of the
abundant indument of minute, branched hairs.
276 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
Solanum Rovirosanum Bonn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 48: 297. 1909.
The species was based upon two collections, Tuerckheim 8716 from
Cubilgiiitz, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, and Rovirosa 544 from Mayito,
Tabasco, Mexico. Several new collections are at hand, the first two
determined by Mr. C. V. Morton: Tabasco: San Isidro, in advanced
forest, a shrub with white flowers, Matuda 3359. Guatemala: Dept.
Quezaltenango, wet forest, Fuentes Georginas, western slope of
Volcan de Zunil, alt. 2,850 meters, Standley 67473; also No. 67492; a
shrub of 3 meters, the corolla white. Dept. San Marcos, above
Barranco Eminencia, alt. 2,700 meters, Standley 68502.
Solanum verapazense Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Frutex
1.5 m. altus, ramis crassiusculis tortuosis subteretibus, vetusti-
oribus cinereis, junioribus brunneis dense stellato-tomentosis, pilis
mollibus multiradiatis fulvis longe vel breviter stipitatis diutius
persistentibus, internodiis brevibus, ramis armatis, aculeis 5-10 mm.
longis rectangule divergentibus vel leviter recurvis brunnescentibus
vel stramineis, basi valde dilatatis et compressis glabris lucidis;
folia parva singula breviter petiolata herbacea, petiolo crasso 5-8
mm. longo interdum prope basin aculeo 1 longo crasso onusto, dense
ut ramis stellato-tomentoso; lamina ovata vel oblongo-ovata 3.5-7
cm. longa 1-4 cm. lata, subacuta usque acuminata, basi obtusa vel
subrotundata, integra vel interdum breviter sinuato-lobata, supra
viridescens aliquanto glandulosa sat dense molliterque stellato-pilosa,
pilis pluriradiatis sessilibus vel pro parte breviter stipitatis, radio
centrali ceteris subaequali, subtus fulva densissime stellato-tomen-
tosa, pilis fere omnibus longistipitatis, lamina subtus prope basin
aculeo 1 elongate onusta; inflorescentiae oppositifoliae 1-3-florae
vel interdum pluriflorae, foliis duplo breviores inermes, pedunculo
usque 7 mm. longo, pedicellis crassis tomentosis et glandulosis vix
ultra 3 mm. longis; calyx angustus basi acutus 4 mm. longus extus
viscide stellato-tomentosus, ad medium lobatus, lobis ovatis vel
lanceolatis acutis vel acuminatis erectis; corolla alba 1 cm. longa
fere ad basin lobata, segmentis oblongis obtusis extus dense stellato-
hispidulis, intus fere glabris; antherae 4-5 mm. longae sursum paullo
angustatae. Guatemala: Dept. Baja Verapaz, dry, rocky hills north
of Santa Rosa, in forest of pine and oak, March 30, 1939, Paul C.
Standley 69756 (type in Herb. Field Mus.).
The relationship is obviously with S. yucatanum Standl. of the
Yucatan Peninsula, but in that the pubescence is relatively close
and appressed, not at all like the dense and soft covering of chiefly
long-stipitate, much interlaced hairs found in S. verapazense.
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 277
SCROPHULARIAGEAE
Pedicularis mexicana Zucc. ex Bunge, Bull. Phys. Math.
Petrop. 1 : 384, 1843. The species seems not to have been reported
from Central America, but it was collected recently in Guatemala:
Dept. Quezaltenango, dry, open, rocky places, summit of Volcan de
Zunil, alt. 3,800 meters, January, 1940, Steyermark 34843. The
plants are in fruit. The vernacular name is recorded as Jazmin, a
not very appropriate term, and perhaps used only for this occasion.
GESNERIACEAE
Alloplectus calochlamys Bonn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 27: 437.
1899. The plant was reported by its describer from Sacoyoju and
Pansamala, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, and appears to be known
only from that department. Several recent collections have been
made: Guatemala (Dept. Alta Verapaz): Finca Volcan, alt. 810
meters, in virgin forest, February, 1939, C. L. Wilson 253. Saquija,
43 km. northeast of Coban, alt. 1,200 meters, on rocks in damp,
limestone thickets, Standley 70161 ; a shrub of 30-60 cm. ; calyx pale
red. Finca Socuyo, northeast of Carcha, alt. 1,350 meters, on open
limestone, Standley 70288.
Klugia azurea Schlecht. Linnaea 8: 248. 1833. A handsome
plant because of its showy, violet-blue flowers, this herb has been
reported previously only from Mexico and Costa Rica. It was col-
lected in 1940 in western Guatemala: Dept. Suchitepe"quez, along
quebrada southeast of Rio Samala, southwestern lower slopes of
Volcan de Zunil, vicinity of Finca Montecristo, alt. 1,200-1,300
meters, Steyermark 35218. Dept. San Marcos, barrancos 6 miles
south and west of town of Tajumulco, northwestern slopes of Volcan
de Tajumulco, alt. 2,300-2,800 meters, along moist banks of Que-
brada Tohuotch, Steyermark 36602; corolla dark blue.
Solenophora Pirana Morton, Phytologia 1: 149. 1935. The
type was collected near Chichavac, Dept. Chimaltenango, Guatemala,
and an additional collection was listed from Santa Elena, above
Tecpam, in the same department. Two recent collections from
western Guatemala have been determined by Mr. Morton as of this
species, and two Mexican ones appear to be conspecific: Guatemala:
Dept. Quezaltenango, Fuentes Georginas, western slope of Volcan
de Zunil, alt. 2,850 meters, Standley 67352, 67491; an herb or shrub
1.5-3 meters high, usually simple; corolla yellow; common in wet
forest, and showy. Dept. San Marcos, along stream in shade, Que-
brada Canjula, between Sibinal and Canjula, Volcan de Tacana,
278 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
alt. 2,200-2,500 meters, Steyermark 36066; shrubby herb 3 meters
tall. Dept. San Marcos, between Todos Santos and Finca El Por-
venir, lower to middle slopes of Volcan de Tajumulco, alt. 1,300-
3,000 meters, Steyermark 36992; an herb 2.5-3 meters tall; corolla
rich, deep yellow, spotted with maroon. Dept. San Marcos, upper
forested slopes of Volcan de Tajumulco, between Las Canojas and
top of ridge, 7 miles from San Sebastian, alt. 3,300-3,900 meters,
Steyermark 35819. Mexico: Chiquihuite, Volcan de Tacana, Chi-
apas, alt. 2,800 meters, Matuda S-227, 2832.
Solenophora Purpusii Brandeg. Univ. Calif. Publ. Bot. 6:
65. 1914. Episcia Purpusii Brandeg. op. cit. 194. 1915. The type
was collected on Cerro del Boqueron, Chiapas. The plant has been
re-collected in that state, and has been found to extend to Guate-
mala: Mexico: Volcan de Tacana, Chiapas, alt. 1,000-2,000 meters,
Matuda 2454. Guatemala: Dept. San Marcos, slopes of barrancos
tributary to and bordering Rio Vega, between San Rafael at north-
east portion of Volcan de Tacana and Guatemala-Mexico boundary,
alt. 2,500-3,000 meters, in moist ravine, Steyermark 36371; an herb
2.5 meters tall; corolla deep yellow; calyx green; leaves thin, mem-
branaceous, dark green above, paler green beneath; petioles reddish;
stems olive-green.
ACANTHACEAE
Neohallia Borrerae Hemsl. Biol. Centr. Amer. Bot. 2: 519.
1882. The type of the single species of the genus was collected in
the state of Chiapas, Mexico, and the plant has been detected in
Veracruz. Recently it has been found also in the Occidente of
Guatemala: Dept. San Marcos, above Finca El Porvenir, on Todos
Santos Chiquitos, lower south-facing slopes of Volcan de Tajumulco,
alt. 1,300-1,500 meters, in thickets, Steyermark 37219; called Palma
de monte; a shrub; leaves dull, dark green above, paler green beneath;
calyx in anthesis purple-violet; corolla vermilion-coral, 2-lipped.
The hard and almost ligneous capsule is about 4.5 cm. long, the seed-
bearing portion being about 1 cm. thick, and much shorter than the
thick stipe.
RUBIACEAE
Bouvardia dictyoneura Standl. N. Amer. Fl. 32: 109. 1921
When published, a single collection was known, E. W. Nelson 3757
from Chicharras, Chiapas, Mexico. Several collections have been
made during the past few years in Guatemala: Dept. Suchitepe"quez,
in forest, south slope of Volcan de Atitlan, alt. 2,070-2,370 meters,
I STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 279
October, 1934, Skutch 1509; a slender shrub 2 meters high, the flowers
red. Dept. Suchitepe"quez, on forested ridge, Finca Moca, alt. 1,230
meters, January, 1935, Skutch 2111; a slender shrub 1.5 meters high;
flowers red. Dept. San Marcos, above Finca El Porvenir, between
Todos Santos Chiquitos and Loma de la Paloma, south-facing slopes
of Volcan de Tajumulco, alt. 1,400-1,700 meters, March, 1940,
Steyermark 37292; leaves membranaceous, dull green above and
strongly sulcate along the nerves, paler green beneath; corolla coral
orange-red. Dept. San Marcos, between Canjula and La Union
Juarez, near southeast portion of Volcan de Tacana, alt. 2,000-3,000
meters', upper part of forested barranco, Steyermark 36425; calyx
purple; a shrub 60 cm. high. Dept. San Marcos, Rio Vega, near
San Rafael and Guatemala-Mexico boundary, Volcan de Tacana,
alt. 2,500-3,000 meters, Steyermark 36276; flowers vermilion-coral.
Dept. Quezaltenango, western slopes of Volcan de Zunil, opposite
Santa Maria de Jesus, alt. 1,500 meters, Steyermark 35083; a shrub
a meter high; corolla vermilion or deep orange.
Chiococca semipilosa Standl. & Steyerm., sp. noy. Frutex
subscandens ramosus, ramis gracilibus teretibus, vetustioribus fusco-
brunneis, junioribus viridibus glabris, internodiis elongatis; stipulae
persistentes minute pilosulae basi breviter connatae, parte lata basali
triangulari 1 mm. longa subito in cuspidem linearem 2 mm. longum
contracta; folia modica breviter petiolata firme membranacea, petiolo
2-3 mm. longo pilosulo; lamina lanceolata vel ovato-lanceolata vulgo
5-8 cm. longa et 1.5-3 cm. lata longiacuminata vel longe attenuato-
acuminata, basi acuta vel breviter contracto-acuta, supra in sicco
cinereo-viridis sparse minuteque patulo-pilosula, costa tenera promi-
nente, subtus paullo pallidior dense breviterque hirtella, costa tenera
prominente, nervis lateralibus utroque latere ca. 3 tenerrimis vix
prominulis valde obliquis, venis obsoletis; racemi axillares singuli
plerumque 5-7-flori foliis duplo breviores graciliter usque 2 cm.
longe pedunculati, pedunculo ut rhachi pedicellisque hirtello, pedi-
cellis gracilibus vulgo 3-7 mm. longis, bracteis lanceolatis vel
subulatis parvis; calyx 1 mm. altus profunde dentatus, dentibus
triangularibus erectis acutis; fructus ovali-orbicularis aliquanto
compressus 4-5 mm. longus et fere aequilatus sparse hirtellus. Gua-
temala: Dept. Chiquimula, Caracol Mountain, 1.5 miles north of
Quezaltepeque, alt. 1,200-1,400 meters, November 7, 1939, Julian A.
Steyermark 31406 (type in Herb. Field Mus.). Dry, wooded slopes,
between Chiquimula and La Laguna, alt. 500-1,000 meters, Steyer-
mark 30681.
280 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
A liana; leaves thin, dark green above, pale green beneath; fruit
light green. The other Central American species of Chiococca differ
in having quite glabrous foliage. The Guatemalan plant is related
to the Mexican C. pubescens Standl., which has much broader leaves,
obtuse or rounded at the base, and short-pilose branches.
Chiococca Steyermarkii Standl., sp. nov. Frutex 2-3-metralis
ut videtur dense subfastigiato-ramosus, ramis gracilibus sed rectis et
subrigidis teretibus ochraceis rimulosis dense foliatis, internodiis
foliis multo brevioribus dense minute puberulis; stipulae persistentes
erectae e basi lata subulatae; folia parva brevissime petiolata crasse
membranacea vel in sicco subcoriacea, petiolo crassiusculo vix ad 1.5
mm. longo; lamina lanceolato-linearis 15-23 mm. longa 2-4 mm. lata
apicem obtusum versus sensim angustata, basin acutam versus
breviter angustata, glabra, supra in sicco viridis, costa prominula,
subtus paullo pallidior, costa tenera prominente, nervis venisque
obsoletis; flores ut videtur axillares et solitarii, pedicellis recurvis fere
filiformibus plerumque 5-8 mm. longis minute puberulis; hypan-
thium late ovoideum 2 mm. longum glabrum; calycis dentes ca. 1
mm. longi remoti subulati; corolla alba 10-11 mm. longa glabra,
tubo e basi ad faucem sensim dilatato, fauce 4 mm. lato, lobis 4 late
deltoideo-ovatis acutiusculis; antherae inclusae, filamentis filiformi-
bus glabris; fructus albus subcompressus suborbicularis glaber 7 mm.
longus et aequilatus. 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 36237 (type in Herb. Field Mus.).
In the whole genus Chiococca there probably is no other species so
well defined as this one. The small, very narrow leaves and solitary
flowers are altogether distinctive, and not matched in any other
representative of the group.
Coutarea Lumaeana Baill. Adansonia 12: 301. 1879. Hin-
tonia Lumaeana Bullock in Hook. Icon. pi. 3295, p. 5. 1935. In the
Herbarium of Field Museum is a photograph of the type of this rare
species (Neg. No. 37197), from the Paris herbarium. The specimen,
according to the label, was sent to Baillon by George Luma, from
Guatemala, where it was cultivated at San Jorge, Dept. Chimal-
tenango, at an elevation of 900 meters. The plant has been collected
but few times. Bullock (loc. cit.) reports Donnell Smith 2757 from
Dept. Guatemala. One Mexican specimen has been examined, possi-
bly but not necessarily taken from a cultivated plant: Environs
d'Orizaba, Botteri & Sumichrast 172. There is now available a new
f STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 281
collection, from a wild tree, that indicates at least one locality at
which the species is truly indigenous: Guatemala: Dept. Quezalte-
nango, edge of barranco along Rio Quenene*, road between Finca
Pireneos and Calahuache, alt. 1,200-1,300 meters, January 27, 1940,
Steyermark 35017; a tree of 7.5 meters; leaves membranaceous, dull
green above, paler beneath; flowers sweet-scented, the corolla greenish
white outside, bright white inside; anthers pale yellow. The tree is
a handsome and showy one because of its very large and beautifully
colored flowers.
Deppea amaranthina Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Frutex
ramosus, ramis subangulatis gracilibus ochraceis, internodiis brevi-
bus, novellis dense hirtello-villosulis; stipulae parvae deciduae; folia
majuscula petiolata membranacea, petiolo gracili 1-3.5 cm. longo
saepe rubescente dense hirtello-villosulo; lamina rotundo-ovata vel
late rhombeo-ovata, interdum fere orbicularis, 7-11.5 cm. longa
4-8.5 cm. lata, apice rotundata vel obtusa, basi rotundata usque
late cuneata, subito contracta atque cuneato-decurrens, supra viridis
sparse brevissimeque villosula, costa nervisque non elevatis, subtus
pallidior, densiuscule villosula, costa tenera prominente, nervis
lateralibus utroque latere ca. 7 teneris angulo lato adscendentibus
arcuatis prope marginem arcuato-conjunctis rubescentibus, venis
prominulis laxe reticulatis; flores cymoso-paniculati, paniculis laxe
paucifloris usque 4 cm. longis plerumque petiolis brevioribus, ramis
gracilibus sparse puberulis, pedicellis gracilibus plerumque 3-6 mm.
longis; sepala ad apicem capsulae persistentia lineari-subulata 2
mm. longa reflexa; capsula ovalis ca. 5 mm. longa et 3 mm. lata basi
obtusa leviter bisulcata sparse puberula vel fere glabra obscure ner-
voso-costata; semina minuta brunnea. Guatemala: Rocky, wooded
slopes along river, Dept. Chiquimula, Cerro Brujo, in vicinity of Rio
Negro, below Montana Montenegro, near village of Brujo, alt. 1,500-
2,000 meters, November 1, 1939, Julian A. Steyermark 30926 (type
in Herb. Field Mus.).
Local name, Conte. The Guatemalan species is allied with Dep-
pea pubescens Hemsl., of southern Mexico. That has much more
abundant pubescence, smaller and narrower, mostly acute leaves,
much longer inflorescences, and deltoid sepals. The leaves of the
present plant suggest those of some species of Amaranthus, by their
shape and coloring, hence the specific name.
Exostema mexicanum Gray, Proc. Amer. Acad. 5: 180. 1861.
Described originally from Veracruz, this species has been collected
also in San Luis Potosi, Campeche, Yucatan, Chiapas, and British
282 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
Honduras. It is now found to extend into Guatemala, and one col-
lection from Salvador, previously referred with doubt to E. indutum
Standl., probably is conspecific. The following collections are worthy
of citation: Guatemala: Dept. Izabal, Rio Dulce, between Livingston
and 6 miles up river, on north side (right-hand side going up river),
at sea level, Steyermark 39429; a tree; leaves firmly membranaceous,
dull, rich green above, pale grass-green beneath. Salvador: San
Marcos Lempa, Calderdn 2160; a tree, the local name Quina. Mex-
ico: Without locality, Sess6 & Mocino 1603, 5476. The second Sesse
and Mocino collection was labeled as a new species of Psychotria.
Faramea brachysiphon Standl. Field Mus. Bot. 8: 62. 1930.
The type is Schipp 345 from Middlesex, British Honduras. Three
new collections are at hand, one from Guatemala. British Honduras:
Middlesex, Stann Creek District, in high ridge on hilltop, Percy H.
Gentle 2914; a treelet; flowers light blue. Guatemala: Dept. Izabal,
between Virginia and Lago de Izabal, Montana del Mico, alt. 50-500
meters, April, 1940, Steyermark 38877, 38843; a shrub or small tree;
leaves chartaceous, dull green on both, sides, concolorous except for
the pale green midrib beneath; calyx purplish blue; corolla bluish
lilac; anthers yellow-buff; fruit globose, dull green.
Genipa vulcanicola Standl. Bot. Ser. Field Mus. 17: 213. 1937.
The type was collected by Skutch on the Volcan de Atitlan,
Guatemala, in 1934. Recent collections indicate that the tree has
a rather wide range: Guatemala: Dept. Quezaltenango, slopes of
Volcan de Zunil, near Aguas Amargas, alt. 2,430-2,850 meters, moist
forest, Standley 65405. Dept. Quezaltenango, damp, dense forest,
Los Positos, southwest of San Martin Chile Verde, alt. 1,500 meters,
Standley 67918; a tree of 4.5-7.5 meters, common. Dept. Quezal-
tenango, near Santa Maria de Jesus, alt. 1,400 meters, Steyermark
34411 ; a tree of 9 meters; leaves subcoriaceous, rich, dark green above,
grass-green beneath. Mexico: Without locality, December, 1936,
Matuda 433. Siltepec, Matuda 1633. Mt. Ovando, Chiapas, Matuda
2081. Mt. Pasitar, Chiapas, Matuda S-218. The fruit of the tree has
not yet been collected.
Geophila trichogyne (Muell. Arg.) Standl. Field Mus. Bot. 7:
423. 1931. Mapouria trichogyne Muell. Arg. in Mart. Fl. Bras. 6,
pt. 5: 426. 1881. Several South American plants extend into north-
ern Central America but are not found in intervening regions of
Central America where they might well be expected. Of this group
the present species is an example. It occurs in the Amazon Valley
of Brazil and eastern Peru, as well as in Venezuela. Already it has
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 283
been recorded from British Honduras, and two recent collections
have been made in northern Guatemala: Dept. Izabal: Near Entre
Rios, alt. 18 meters, wet forest, Standley 72766; a creeping herb, the
corolla white. Between Virginia and Lago de Izabal, Montana del
Mico, alt. 50-500 meters, Steyermark 38855; creeping on forest floor,
forming colonies; leaves soft and membranaceous, dull green above,
pale gray-green beneath.
Gonzalagunia chiapasensis (Standl.) Standl. & Steyerm.,
comb. nov. Rondeletia chiapasensis Standl. Bot. Ser. Field Mus. 22:
54. 1940. The type is Matuda 1064 from Cascarada, Chiapas,
represented in the Herbarium of Field Museum only by a fragment.
No fruits were available when the description was drawn up, and
when in flower some species of Rondeletia with elongate, spiciform
panicles are confusingly like the common species of Gonzalagunia.
Recent additional collections of the same plant show that it is a
Gonzalagunia, and a quite distinct species in that genus. Besides
the type, the following Guatemalan collections are at hand: Dept.
Quezaltenango: In second-growth thickets, Volcan de Zunil, alt.
1,620 meters, Skutch 922; a shrub 4.5 meters high; flowers white,
the outside of the corolla tube strongly tinged with rose; berries
white. Dept. San Marcos: Along Quebrada Tierra Maria, between
Tajumulco and Tecutla, Volcan de Tajumulco, alt. 1,800-2,500
meters, Steyermark 36851; a shrub or tree as much as 6 meters tall;
leaves dull green above, light grayish yellow-green beneath; fruit
green, turning white, soft, spherical; corolla tube rose, the lobes
white. Between Canjula and La Union Juarez, Volcan de Tacana,
alt. 2,000-3,000 meters, Steyermark 36475. The Skutch collection,
the first one made of the species, was assigned a name as a new species
of Gonzalagunia by the senior author, but unfortunately was not
published before the description based on the Matuda collection.
Hoffmannia chiapensis Standl. Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 20:
206. 1919. The type was collected on Cerro del Boqueron, Chiapas,
Mexico, and the species has been reported also from Oaxaca (see
N. Amer. Fl. 32: 207. 1934). Numerous additional collections have
been made recently, and the plant extends into Guatemala: Mexico:
Volcan de Tacana, Chiapas, alt. 1,000-2,000 meters, Matuda 2450.
Chiquihuite, Volcan de Tacana, alt. 2,800 meters, Matuda 2828
Guatemala: Dept. San Marcos: Between Canjula and La Union
Juarez, Volcan de Tacana, alt. 2,000-3,000 meters, Steyermark 36399;
a shrub of 3 meters; leaves membranaceous, dark green above, paler
beneath; stems olive-green; fruit purple-black. Between Todos
284 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
Santos and Finca El Porvenir, Volcan de Tajumulco, alt. 1,300-3,000
meters, Steyermark 36991, 37032; a shrub or tree of 2.5-6 meters;
corolla greenish; fruit purplish red or dull rose-red. Finca Vergel,
near Rodeo, alt. 900 meters, wet forest, Standley 68902, 68970, 68911.
Dept. Quezaltenango : Fuentes Georginas, western slope of Volcan
de Zunil, alt. 2,850 meters, wet forest, Standley 67495, 67487, 67510,
67351; a shrub of 1.5-4.5 meters, the corolla pale greenish yellow.
Damp forest, Chiquihuite, alt. 1,410 meters, Standley 68115; a shrub
of 1.5 meters, the stems simple.
Hoffmannia confertiflora Standl. Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb.
20: 206. 1919. A new Guatemalan collection has been made of
this species, known previously only from the type, collected at
San Miguel Uspantan, Dept. Quiche", at 2,100 meters: Dept. San
Marcos, 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, Steyermark 36189;
a shrub of 3 meters; flowers white; leaves membranaceous, dark
green above, dull green beneath, the lateral nerves conspicuous;
fruit ovoid, dull reddish.
Hoffmannia gesnerioides (Oerst.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 285.
1891. Ophryococcus gesnerioides Oerst. Vid. Medd. 1852: 53. 1852.
When the account of the genus Hoffmannia was published in North
American Flora (32: 203. 1934), the species was known only from the
original collection, from Monte Pantasmo, Segovia, Nicaragua,
obtained by Oersted in January, 1848. A duplicate of the type is
in the Herbarium of Field Museum, where there is also a photograph
(Neg. 22814) of the Copenhagen specimen. Two recent collections
agree with the type, and show that the species has a rather wide
range, especially for this genus: Honduras: Dept. Comayagua,
forest floor near El Rincon, about 10 miles west of Siguatepeque,
alt. 1,400-1,500 meters, Yuncker, Dawson & Youse 6058; a sprawling
shrub; fruit scarlet, few-seeded. Guatemala: Dept. Chiquimula,
Cerro Tixixi, 3-5 miles north of Jocotan, alt. 500-1,500 meters,
shaded slopes of ravine in cloud forest near the top, Steyermark
31611; suffrutescent; fruit globose, dull purplish rose; leaves firmly
membranaceous, dark green above, pale beneath.
Hoffmannia macrosiphon Standl. Bot. Ser. Field Mus. 17:
276. 1937. The original material was collected in Guatemala on
Volcan de Zunil, Dept. Quezaltenango, the exact locality not in-
dicated, Skutch 937. Recent exploration in the same country has
yielded a number of new collections: Dept. San Marcos: Barranco
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 285
Eminencia, above San Rafael Pie de la Cuesta, alt. 2,100-2,400
meters, Standley 68666, 68683; growing in wet forest; a shrub of 1.5
meters; corolla pale red. Trail between Finca El Porvenir and San
Sebastian, halfway up slopes in moist forest, alt. 1,300-4,000 meters,
Steyermark 37059; a woody vine; fruit cylindric, pale green; leaves
dark green above, pale green beneath; corolla tube and lobes dull
yellow, the margins of the lobes reddish; anthers whitish. Between
Todos Santos and Finca El Porvenir, lower to middle slopes of
Volcan de Tajumulco, alt. 1,300-3,000 meters, Steyermark 36982,
36966; a shrub of 2.5-4.5 meters; fruit oblong or sometimes becoming
spherical, pale green, turning deep red.
Mitchella repens L. Sp. PI. 111. 1753. One of the least ex-
pected plants discovered recently in Guatemala is the partridge
berry. Although this plant ranges widely in temperate North
America, there is, so far as the writers know, only one authentic
record for it in Mexico, a specimen collected by Ehrenberg (No. 1191)
in December, 1839, at Cuesta de Pinoles. Data for the Guatemalan
collection are as follows: Dept. Zacapa, pine forest, Sierra de las
Minas, near summit of ridge, below Finca Alejandria, alt. 2,000
meters, October, 1939, Steyermark 29769. Careful comparison with
United States material shows no definite differences, except that the
leaves are somewhat larger than those of most northern specimens,
and inclined to be pointed. No corollas were found with the Guate-
malan plants, and these might supply some distinguishing character.
Pentagonia Donnell-Smithii Standl. Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci.
17: 170. 1927. Watsonamra Donnell-Smithii Standl. Contr. U. S.
Nat. Herb. 17: 442. 1914. In North American Flora (32: 142. 1921)
this shrub or tree was reported only from the original locality, near
La Emilia, Llanuras de Santa Clara, Costa Rica. It has, however,
been reported more recently from much farther north in Central
America, and is common along the Atlantic coast of Honduras.
Thus far a single record is known for Guatemala: Dept. Izabal, Rio
Juyama, southeast of Cheyenne, about 15 miles southwest of Ba-
nanera, alt. 50-100 meters, Steyermark 39156; a tree of 9 meters;
leaves coriaceous, dark green above, pale green beneath; flower buds
pale green. Probably this species can not be maintained as distinct
from P. macrophylla Benth. of Panama.
Psychotria Purpusii Standl. Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 23: 1388.
1926. Previously only the type has been known, Purpus 7012 from
Cerro del Boqueron, Chiapas, Mexico. The species is a somewhat
isolated one, with inflorescences that are unusually handsome for
286 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
this genus. It is now known to extend into the Occidente of Guate-
mala: 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 36980; a shrub of 2.5-3.5 meters; corolla
white, thickish; stigma white; anthers purplish; bracts orange and
green. Between town of Tajumulco and Tecutla, northwestern
slopes of Volcan de Tajumulco, alt. 1,800-2,500 meters, high forest
near top of barranco, Steyermark 36809; a tree of 6 meters; leaves
soft, membranaceous, dark green above, pale green beneath; bracts
yellow, with green veins; fruit white, with mustard-yellow hairs near
the tip; peduncle mustard-yellow, nodding.
Rondeletia Deamii (Bonn. Smith) Standl. N. Amer. Fl. 32:
60. 1918. Bouvardia Deamii Donn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 49: 455. 1910.
In North American Flora (loc. cit.) this shrub is reported only from
Oaxaca and Guatemala, but it has since been collected in Salvador,
and reported from that country. The type is from Fiscal, Dept.
Guatemala, Guatemala, and several recent collections have been
made there and elsewhere in that country: Dept. Guatemala: Con-
cud Bridge over Rio Motagua, alt. 300 meters, in thicket by the river,
Standley 59322, 59317; a slender shrub or a small tree. Near Fiscal,
alt. 1,100 meters, dry, rocky thicket, Standley 59592; a shrub 1.5
meters high. Dept. Chiquimula: Along stream in Canada, Caracol
Mountain, 1.5 miles north of Quezaltepeque, alt. 1,200-1,400 meters,
Steyermark 31400; a shrub of 1.5 meters, the leaves membranaceous.
Rondeletia izabalensis Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Arbor
4.5-6 m. alta, ramis gracilibus fusco-ochraceis vel brunnescenti-
bus teretibus sparse strigosis, internodiis brevibus vel elongatis;
stipulae foliaceae subreniformes ca. 1 cm. longae et paullo latiores
apice late rotundatae basi profunde cordatae glabratae; folia ma-
juscula breviter petiolata firme membranacea, petiolo crasso 6-15
mm. longo strigilloso; lamina variabilis, oblanceolato-oblonga usque
oblongo-obovata vel elliptico-lanceolata, plus minusve asymmetrica,
11-23 cm. longa 5-9.5 cm. lata acuta ad subabrupte longiacuminata,
basi cuneata vel longe angusteque attenuata, basi ipsa interdum
subobtusa, supra in sicco fuscescens vel brunnescens glabra, costa
nervisque manifestis sed non elevatis, subtus paullo pallidior pilis
minutis adpressis sat dense conspersa, costa tenera prominente,
nervis lateralibus utroque latere ca. 9 obliquis teneris angulo semi-
recto vel angustiore adscendentibus leviter arcuatis prope marginem
arcuato-junctis, venis fere obsoletis; inflorescentia terminalis 7-9 cm.
longe pedunculata erecta cymoso-corymbosa ca. 5 cm. longa et 7 cm.
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 287
lata dense multiflora, bracteis basalibus foliaceis, superioribus
lineari-attenuatis 3-10 mm. longis, ramis gracilibus dense sericeo-
strigillosis, floribus dense aggregatis sessilibus; hypanthmm sub-
globosum 1 mm. longum dense pilis ochraceis longiuscuhs adpresso-
pilosum; calyx vix ultra 1 mm. longus adpresso-pilosus 4-lobus,
lobis ovatis obtusis vel acutis inaequalibus; corolla alba extus dense
subadpresso-pilosa, tubo gracili 5-6 mm. longo sursum vix dilatato,
fauce non barbato, lobis 4 patentibus subrotundatis 1.5-2 mm.
longis intus glabris.-Guatemala: Wet forest, Escoba across the
bay from Puerto Barrios, Dept. Izabal, near sea level, May 3, IS 39,
pLl C. Standley 72891 (type in Herb. Field Mus), 72976 Chichoob
Chama, Dept. Alta Verapaz, alt. 300 meters, June 8 1920 Harry
Johnson 197 Dept. Izabal, between Escobas and Montana Escobas,
across the bay from Puerto Barrios, alt. 1-100 meters, along stream,
Steyermark 39303, 39304; leaves firmly chartaceous, rich gre
paler green beneath.
Some of these collections were determined as Rondeletia lingui-
formis Hemsl., but the material here cited under that species has
shown that the determinations were erroneous. The present plant
differs from R. linguijormis in its broad, cordate stipules, smaller
corollas, and pubescent lower leaf surface. Also, in that species the
calyx lobes are broadest at the apex, rather than at the base.
Rondeletia Jurgensenii Hemsl. Diag. PL Mex. 2: 29. 1879;
Bullock in Hook. Icon. pi. 3322. 1936. Deppea macrocarpa^ and .
Field Mus Bot. 4: 268. 1929. D. stenosepala Standl. Field Mus.
Bot 8- 161 1930. Determination of a recent Guatemalan collection
has made it evident that the three names listed above refer to a single
species The following material of Rondeletia Jurgensenii may b
reported, in addition to type material collected in Mexico by Jur-
gensen, and certain Hinton specimens cited by Bullock (loc. cit).
Mexico: Nayarit: Cerro de San Juan, west of Tepic alt .1,000
meters, Mexia 727 (type of Deppea macrocarpa) ; ; a shrub of 60-ljO
cm., called Pie de pajaro.-Oaxaca: Tlajiaco a Chicahuaitia, GMti
2685 (type of Deppea stenosepala}. Guatemala: Dept. yuezai
tenango oak woods Volcan de Santa Maria, between Santa Maria
de Jesus and Las Mojadas, alt. 1,500-3,000 meters, Steyermark 33961
a shrub of 4.5 meters; leaves membranaceous, dull green,
species is new for the Guatemalan flora.
Rondeletia linguiformis Hemsl. Diag. PI. Nov. 29 1879.-
The species is a rare one, known only from Guatemala lh
following collections agree exactly with the original collectnn,
288 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
obtained by Skinner, quite possibly in the same region: Guatemala:
Dept. Izabal, between Milla 49.5 and ridge 6 miles from Izabal,
Montana del Mico, alt. 65-600 meters, April, 1940, Steyermark 38546,
38551. A shrub 3-4.5 meters tall, common on forested slopes beneath
pines; corolla white; leaves firmly subcoriaceous, rich green above,
paler, dull green beneath; flowers sweet-scented.
Rondeletia myriantha Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Frutex
vel arbuscula 3.5 m. alta vel ultra, ramis gracillimis teretibus
ferrugineis glabratis rimosis sparse lenticellatis, novellis puberulis
vel interdum primo tomentosis, internodiis brevibus vel elongatis;
stipulae persistentes anguste lanceolato-triangulares attenuatae stri-
gosae; folia modica breviter petiolata membranacea, petiolo gracili
7-15 mm. longo adpresso-pilosulo ; lamina lanceolato-oblonga 6.5-
15.5 cm. longa 3.5-5 cm. lata longe angusteque attenuato-acuminata,
basi acuta vel obtusa, supra viridis, glabra vel tantum ad nervos
pilosula, nervis venisque prominulis, subtus paullo pallidior primo
laxe sparseque arachnoideo-tomentulosa, cito glabrata, in statu
adulto fere omnino glabra, costa tenera prominente, nervis laterali-
bus utroque latere ca. 7 teneris obliquis angulo semirecto vel latiore
adscendentibus arcuatis, venis fere omnibus transversis remotis
parallelis prominulis; inflorescentia terminalis erecta anguste elon-
gate- thyrsoidea et fere spiciformis 1-3.5 cm. longe pedunculata ca.
8 cm. longa atque 2.5 cm. lata laxe multiflora, floribus sessilibus vel
brevissime pedicellatis in cymulas parvas dense paucifloras breviter
pedunculatas aggregatis; bracteae infimae interdum foliosae sed par-
vae, superioribus linearibus viridibus brevibus inconspicuis; hypan-
thium fere 1 mm. longum subglobosum dense albo-tomentosum;
calyx 4-dentatus, dentibus vix ad 1 mm. longis inaequalibus virides-
centibus extus glabratis ovalibus et obtusissimis usque triangularibus
et acutis; corolla alba parva extus subsparse adpresso-pilosula, tubo
gracili 5 mm. longo tereti sursum vix dilatato, lobis 4 orbicularibus
1.5 mm. longis, intus glabris, fauce non barbato; stamina inclusa,
stylo breviter exserto; capsula subglobosa costata glabrata 2.5-3
mm. longa. Guatemala: Dept. Suchitepe"quez, bushy slopes and
banks, Finca Moca, alt. 960 meters, October 31, 1934, Alexander F.
Skutch 1569 (type in Herb. Field Mus.; dupl. in Herb. Arnold Arbore-
tum). Dept. Quezaltenango, damp forest, Finca Azucena, above
Colomba, alt. 1,320 meters, March, 1939, Standley 68087. Dept.
Suchitepe"quez, southwestern lower slopes of Volcan de Zunil, between
Finca Montecristo and Finca Asturias, alt. 1,200-1,300 meters,
Steyermark 35286; a shrub or small tree of 4.5-6 meters. Dept. San
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 289
Marcos, above Finca El Porvenir, on Todos Santos Chiquitos, lower
slopes of Volcan de Tajumulco, alt. 1,300-1,500 meters, Steyermark
37096; a tree of 7.5-9 meters.
A relative of R. secundiflora Robinson, also Guatemalan, which
differs in its smaller stipules, appressed-pilosulous leaves, hirsute
hypanthium, longer calyx lobes, and somewhat larger corolla.
Rondeletia rufescens Robinson, Proc. Amer. Acad. 45: 402.
1910. The type is from Coban, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, and here-
tofore the species has been unknown outside that department. It
has been re-collected there recently, and found also in the rather
distant Department of Chiquimula. Guatemala: Near Tactic, Alta
Verapaz, alt. 1,500 meters, wet forest, Standley 70501; a shrub of 2.5
meters; corolla pale pink. Near San Jose", southeast of Tactic, Alta
Verapaz, alt. 1,500 meters, wet thicket, Standley 69652; a shrub of
3 meters; corolla reddish pink. Dept. Chiquimula, middle slopes of
Montana Norte to El Jutal, on Cerro Brujo, southeast of Concepcion
de las Minas, alt. 1,700-2,000 meters, in mixed forest below the
cloud forest, Steyermark 31069; a shrub of 3 meters; leaves soft, dark,
dull green above, gray-green beneath; inflorescence (immature)
purplish red. The shrub is a pretty one because of the abundance of
beautifully colored, raceme-like panicles.
Rondeletia septicidalis Robinson, Proc. Amer. Acad. 45: 403.
1910. When the account of the genus Rondeletia was published
in North American Flora (32: 55. 1918) a single collection was known,
from Chicharras, Chiapas, Mexico. Two additional collections are
now at hand: Mexico: Volcan de Tacana, Chiapas, north slope, alt.
2,100 meters, April, 1939, Matuda 2965. Guatemala: Dept. San
Marcos, above Finca El Porvenir, between Todos Santos Chiquitos
and Loma de la Paloma, south-facing slopes of Volcan de Tajumulco,
alt. 1,400-1,700 meters, March, 1940, Steyermark 37254; a shrub or
small tree of 4.5-6 meters; leaves membranaceous, dark green above,
paler green beneath; inflorescence drooping. The very slender and
interrupted inflorescences are as much as 32 cm. long.
Rondeletia Skutchii Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Frutex 4.5
m. altus, ramis gracilibus teretibus, vetustioribus fuscescentibus vel
ochraceis, junioribus ferrugineis primo dense laxeque tomentosis,
cito glabratis; stipulae persistentes e basi triangulari-lanceolata
anguste subulato-attenuatae ca. 7 mm. longae tomentosae vel gla-
bratae; folia modica breviter petiolata membranacea, petiolo gracili
1-1.5 cm. longo laxe tomentoso vel glabrato; lamina anguste lanceo-
290 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
lato-oblonga usque rhombico-elliptica vel oblongo-elliptica 10-15.5
cm. longa 3-6.5 cm. lata longissime angusteque attenuato-acuminata
vel interdum acuminata, basi interdum obliqua acuta, supra viridis,
primo sparse laxeque tomentosa, cito glabra, subtus pallidior rufes-
centi-canescens subdense et laxissime tomentosa, costa tenera pro-
minente, nervis lateralibus utroque latere ca. 11 tenerrimis arcuatis
angulo semirecto vel saepius latiore adscendentibus, venis promi-
nulis laxe reticulatis; inflorescentia reflexa et pendula anguste thyr-
soidea et spiciformis sublaxe multiflora breviter pedunculata 7-14 cm.
longa et ca. 3.5 cm. lata, rhachi dense tomentosa, floribus in cymulas
dense paucifloras sessiles vel breviter pedunculatas congestis, bracteis
omnibus inconspicuis linearibus; hypanthium subglobosum basi
obtusum dense albo-tomentosum ; calyx 4-lobus intus glaber extus
sparse tomentosus, lobis anguste lanceolato-triangularibus longe
attenuatis ca. 2 mm. longis; corolla extus floccoso- tomentosa, tubo
gracili 10-12 mm. longo gracili superne vix dilatato, lobis 4 patenti-
bus rotundatis 3.5-4 mm. longis apice rotundatis patentibus intus
glabris, fauce glabro; stamina inclusa, stylo tubum corollae aequante.
Guatemala: Dept. Suchitepe'quez, on forested ridge, Finca Moca,
alt. 1,260 meters, January 10, 1935, Alexander F. Skutch 2110 (type
in Herb. Field Mus.; duplicate in Herb. Arnold Arboretum).
The corollas are described as dull red. The plant belongs to the
group Laniflorae (see N. Amer. Fl. 32: 46. 1918). Superficially it
much resembles the recently described Rondeletia tacanensis Lundell,
of Volcan de Tacana, Chiapas, Mexico, particularly in its reflexed or
pendent inflorescence. In that species the corolla is much larger,
and the slender, conspicuous calyx lobes measure as much as 7 mm.
in length.
Rondeletia stachyoidea Donn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 43: 298. 1906.
In North American Flora (32: 58. 1918) the range of this species
is given as Guatemala to Costa Rica, but this has been found errone-
ous. The material on which the Costa Rican record was based is
Rondeletia Brenesii Standl. (Bot. Ser. Field Mus. 18: 1370. 1938).
R. stachyoidea was described from Semicoch, Alta Verapaz, Guate-
mala. It occurs in Guatemala also in the Department of Izabal, and
has been found along the Atlantic coast of Honduras and in British
Honduras. Recently it has been collected in Mexico: Juarez, Teno-
sique, Tabasco, in advanced forest, June, 1939, E. Matuda 3392; a
shrub of 3 meters.
Rondeletia suffrutescens Brandeg. Univ. Calif. Publ. Bot. 6:
70. 1914. When the account of the genus Rondeletia was published
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 291
in North American Flora (32: 49. 1918) only the original collection
of this species was known, Purpus 6704 from Cerro del Boqueron,
Chiapas, Mexico. Several additional collections have been made dur-
ing the past few years: Mexico: Siltepec, Chiapas, Matuda 1675.
Guatemala: Dept. Quezaltenango, rich woodland, Volcan de Zuml,
alt 1 710 meters, Skutch 889; a shrub to 1.5 meters in height; flowers
nale yellow Dept. San Marcos, between Todos Santos and Fmca
El Porvenir, lower to middle slopes of Volcan de Tajumulco, alt.
1 300-3 000 meters, March, 1940, Steyermark 37018; a woody vine;
leaves thin, grass-green above, paler beneath. Dept San Marcos,
slopes of barrancos tributary to and bordering Rio Vega, between
San Rafael and Guatemala-Mexico border, alt. 2,500-3,000 meters
Steyermark 36342; in ravine thickets around boundary line; an herb
of 60-90 cm.; corolla tube green outside, the lobes dull yellow,
thickish, fleshy, spotted with purplish; flowers with the odor of sul-
phur dioxide. Dept. Quezaltenango, along Quebrada de San Gero-
nimo Finca Pireneos, lower slopes of Volcan de Santa Maria, alt.
1 300-2,000 meters, in forest, Steyermark 33367; a vine, the leaves
membranaceous, dull green. The last specimen is in fruit, the capsules
being about 7 mm. long, glabrous, costate and nerved, bearing at the
apex the long and narrow, green, reflexed calyx lobes.
Rondeletia tacanensis Lundell, Bull. Torrey Club 66: 603
1939.-An apparently well marked species and a handsome plant,
recently described from the western slopes of the Volcan de Tacana,
Chiapas, Mexico, at 2,800 meters. The species extends into
adjacent Guatemala: Dept. San Marcos: Trail between Fmca E
Porvenir and San Sebastian, Volcan de Tajumulco, upper forest
below the Abies zone, March, 1940, Steyermark 37066; a tree of 9-12
meters; panicles recurved; corolla tube dark red, the lobes spreading,
very dark, rich, blood-red in bud; calyx pale green; leaves rugose,
firmly membranaceous, dark green above, paler green beneath
Between La Vega ridge along Rio Vega and northeast slopes of Volcan
de Tacana, vicinity of San Rafael, alt. 2,500-3,000 meters, Steyermark
36209; a tree of 7.5 meters; flowers dark, dull red.
Rondeletia vulcanicola Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov.-Frutex
vel arbuscula 1.5-6 m. alta, ramis gracillimis ochraceis ^
brunnescentibus teretibus, novellis densissime albido-stngosis, mte
nodiis brevibus vel elongatis; stipulae persistentes erectae e b
brevi triangulari subulatae ca. 2.5 mm. longae; folia inter minor
petiolata tenuiter membranacea, petiolo gracih 5-12 mm 1
dense strigoso; lamina ovato-lanceolata usque anguste elliptic*
292 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
lanceolata prope medium vel paullo inferius latissima, apice anguste
longiattenuata et saepe subfalcata, basin versus breviter angustata,
basi ipsa acuta vel acuminata, supra in sicco fuscescenti-olivacea
densiuscule adpresso-pilosa, subtus fere concolor, sparse vel subdense
adpresso-pilosa, pilis tenerrimis pallidis, in omnibus axillis nervorum
venarumque densius barbata, costa tenera prominente, nervis
lateralibus utroque latere ca. 11 tenerrimis subarcuatis obliquis,
venis paucis inconspicuisque; inflorescentia terminalis paniculata
longipedunculata, angusta et fere spiciformis, usque 8 cm. longa sed
saepius multo brevior, rhachi gracili viridi pilis adscendentibus dense
pilosa, ramis lateralibus brevibus vel saepius nullis, floribus in
glomerulos parvos cymoso-aggregatis, sessilibus vel brevissime pedi-
cellatis; bracteae parvae inconspicuae; hypanthium 1 mm. longum
dense pilis longiusculis pallidis hirtellum; calycis lobi 4 inaequales
lineares vel lanceolati 1-2 mm. longi hispiduli; corolla in sicco
fusco-purpurea extus dense pilis brevibus adpressis pallidis strigosa,
tubo gracili vix ad 6 mm. longo, lobis suborbicularibus 1.5 mm.
longis intus glabris, fauce non barbato; capsula didymo-globosa
ca. 4 mm. lata et 3 mm. alta dense pilis brevibus subadpressis
hispidula; semina numerosa pallide lutescentia obtuse angulata
grosse punctata. Guatemala: Dept. Quezaltenango: Finca Pireneos,
lower, south-facing slopes of Volcan de Santa Maria, between Santa
Maria de Jesus and Calahuache\ alt. 1,300-1,500 meters, December
31, 1939, Julian A. Steyermark 33220 (type in Herb. Field Mus.);
January 8, 1940, Steyermark 33801; leaves thin, grass-green above,
pale green beneath, with prominent, light-colored nerves. Dept.
Sacatepe"quez: Moist forest, near Las Lajas, alt. 1,200 meters,
November, 1938, Standley 58105. Dept. Escuintla: Wet forest,
Rio Guacalate, alt. 600 meters, December, 1938, Standley 60201.
Escuintla (probably from the same locality as the preceding collec-
tion), J. R. Johnston 1362.
The shrub is closely perhaps too closely related to the Mexi-
can Rondeletia Liebmannii Standl. In that the corollas are slightly
larger, and the pubescence of the leaves is decidedly different in
character, consisting of soft, spreading hairs rather than of closely
appressed ones.
Rondeletia Zolleriana Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Frutex
1.5-2.5 m. altus ramosus, ramis gracillimis teretibus subferrugineis,
internodiis elongatis sparse primo strigillosis, in statu adulto
fere omnino glabris; stipulae persistentes 2.5-3 mm. longae e basi
lata subulato-acuminatae strigillosae; folia parva petiolata mem-
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 293
branacea, petiolo gracili 5-13 mm. longo strigilloso; lamina elliptica
vel ellipticoovata 5-10 cm. longa 2.5-5.5 cm. lata subito angusteque
longiacuminata, basi acuta vel obtusa et saepius abrupte breviter
contracta, supra viridis pilis paucis hinc inde conspersis villosa vel
fere omnino glabra, costa nervisque prominulis inconspicuis, subtus
paullo pallidior ad costam nervosque sparse subadpresso-hirtella,
in axillis saepe barbata, costa tenera prominente, nervis lateralibus
utroque latere 5-6 tenerrimis subarcuatis angulo lato adscendentibus,
venis obscuris laxe reticulatis; inflorescentia terminalis, sessilis
atque e basi triradiata et foliaceo-bracteata vel interdum usque 3.5
cm. longe pedunculata, cymoso-paniculata pauciflora, usque 5 cm.
lata, laxa, floribus plerumque in cymulas trifloras dispositis, pedi-
cellis usque 7 mm. longis sed saepe multo brevioribus dense strigosis,
bracteis elongatis foliaceis linearibus vel lineari-lanceolatis; hypan-
thium ovale 2-2.5 mm. longum dense albido-strigosum; calyx 4-
partitus, extus sparse strigosus, segmentis maxime inaequalibus,
uno majore lanceolate 10 mm. longo 3 mm. lato acuminate 3-nervio,
aliis 3 quoque inaequalibus fere linearibus vel subulatis plerum-
que 5-7 mm. longis; corolla ochroleuca extus dense albido-strigosa,
tubo 5-7 mm. longo sursum valde sensimque dilatato apice ca. 3
mm. lato, fauce non barbato, lobis suborbicularibus fere 3 mm. longis
apice late rotundatis intus glabris, extus basi hispidulis, superne
sparse puberulis vel fere glabris. Guatemala: Dept. San Marcos,
common on slopes between Finca El Porvenir and Loma Corona, 9
miles northwest of El Porvenir, southwest-facing slopes of Volcan
de Tajumulco, alt. 1,300-2,000 meters, March 14, 1940, Julian A.
Steyermark 37738 (type in Herb. Field Mus.). Between Todos
Santos and Finca El Porvenir, slopes of Volcan de Tajumulco, alt.
1,300-3,000 meters, March 1, 1940, Steyermark 37016; a vine or
shrub up to 3 meters tall; flowers white; leaves thin, membranaceous,
grass-green above, paler beneath.
Leaves thin, dull green above and shining, pale green beneath;
flowers creamy yellow. The plant is related to Rondeletia aethio-
calymna Bonn. Sm., of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, but in that the
much larger leaves are glabrous, and the largest calyx lobe is obtuse
or rounded at the apex.
The species is named for Mr. Erich Zoller, manager of Finca
El Porvenir, who furnished the junior author with abundant facilities
for his work on the Volcan de Tajumulco. He was greatly interested
in the botanical exploration of this area, and his kindliness and
thoughtfulness contributed largely to the success of the collecting
upon this, the highest volcano of Guatemala, and of Central America.
294 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
Sommera chiapensis Brandeg. Univ. Calif. Publ. Bot. 6: 196.
1915. Heretofore the species has been known only from the type,
collected at Finca Irlanda, Chiapas, Mexico, by Purpus. It occurs
also in western Guatemala: Dept. San Marcos: Above Finca El
Porvenir on Todos Santos Chiquitos, lower south-facing slopes of
Volcan de Tajumulco, alt. 1,300-1,500 meters, along stream, March,
1940, Steyermark 37205; a tree of 9-12 meters; leaves firmly mem-
branaceous, dark forest-green above, paler dull green beneath;
corolla white. Above Finca El Porvenir, up Loma Bandera Shac,
lower south-facing slopes of Volcan de Tajumulco, along quebrada,
alt. 1,300-1,500 meters, Steyermark 37441; a tree of 9 meters.
CAPRIFOLIACEAE
Viburnum jucundum Morton, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 26:
355. 1933. The type was collected somewhere in Chiapas, Mexico,
Ghiesbreght 729. Several specimens from Guatemala, one deter-
mined by Mr. Morton, indicate an extension of range into the latter
country: Dept. Quezaltenango: Mountains southeast of Palestina,
damp, dense forest, alt. 2,700 meters, Standley 66339; a tree of 6
meters. Dept. San Marcos: Upper, south-facing, forested slopes
of Volcan de Tajumulco, between Las Canojas and top of ridge, 7
miles from San Sebastian, alt. 3,300-3,900 meters, Steyermark 35868;
a tree of 9 meters; leaves soft, rich, light grass-green above, gray-
green beneath ; fruits green, turning dull blue-black. Along Quebrada
Canjula, between Sibinal and Canjula, Volcan de Tacana, alt. 2,200-
2,500 meters, Steyermark 36034; a tree of 7.5-9 meters; fruit brownish.
Viburnum Mortonianum Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov.
Frutex vel arbuscula, ramis crassiusculis densissime stellato-hirsutis,
pilis fulvis sessilibus dense intertextis et patulis, internodiis elon-
gatis; folia modica petiolata herbacea, petiolo crasso 12-16 mm.
longo dense stellato-hirsuto; lamina oblonga usque lanceolato-
oblonga vel ovato-oblonga 10-13 cm. longa 4.5-7.5 cm. lata acuta
usque longiacuminata, basi obtusa usque late rotundata vel sub-
truncata, margine fere integro vel remote minuteque mucronato-
denticulato, supra sat dense pilis longis rigidiusculis plerumque
furcatis vel stellatis hirsuta, costa nervisque impressis, subtus paullo
pallidior brunnescens, densissime pilis sessilibus rigidis stellato-
hirsuta, costa tenera prominente, nervis lateralibus utroque latere
5-6 teneris prominulis arcuatis, venis paucis prominentibus laxe
reticulatis; inflorescentia basi nuda 3-4 cm. longe pedunculata e
basi pluriradiata, radiis subpatulis vel adscendentibus dense stellato-
I STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 295
hirsutis, 4.5-8.5 cm. lata dense multiflora, floribus breviter pedi-
cellatis, bracteis parvis linearibus viridescentibus extus hispidulis;
ovarium dense hirsutum; sepala lineari-lanceolata ca. 1.3 mm. longa
hirtella; corolla extus hirsuta, limbo 5-6 mm. lato intus glabro,
lobis suborbicularibus minute ciliolatis; stylus glaber; stamina longi-
exserta, filamentis glabris ca. 2 mm. longis, antheris late ovalibus ca.
0.8 mm. longis. Guatemala: Dept. Chiquimula, Cerro Tixixi, 3-5
miles north of Jocotan, alt. 1,500 meters, ravine slope near top on
north-facing side, November 10, 1939, Julian A. Steyermark 31606
(type in Herb. Field Mus.).
Leaves thick and soft, dark, dull green above, pale beneath, very
rugose on both sides; flowers white; anthers pink-buff, the filaments
white; hairs of the branches brown. The species is named for Mr.
C. V. Morton, monographer of the species of Viburnum of Mexico
and Central America. In his key (Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 26: 342.
1933) it appears to run to V. jucundum Morton, of Chiapas. That
species, however, has relatively broader leaves, and the much denser
pubescence consists of soft hairs less than half as large as those
of V. Mortonianum.
GOMPOSITAE
Achyrocline deflexa Rob. & Greenm. Amer. Journ. Sci. 50: 153.
1895. A. Yunckeri Blake, Field Mus. Bot. 17: 399. pi 16. 1938.-
The type of A. deflexa is Pringle 6054 from Sierra de San Felipe,
Oaxaca, Mexico, at 2,100-2,400 meters; that of A. Yunckeri was
collected at El Achote, Dept. Comayagua, Honduras, at 1,350
meters. The collections cited below represent a plant rather
common in pine and oak forest in the mountains of central Guate-
mala. Comparison of them with the two species listed shows that
they might be referred equally well to either, the differences men-
tioned as separating A. Yunckeri from A. deflexa being apparently
of little importance, and not sufficiently stable. Guatemala: Dept.
Quiche", forested barranco south of Chichicastenango, alt. 1,850
meters, Standley 62411. Dept. Chimaltenango, near Rio Pixcayo,
between Chimaltenango and San Martin Jilotepeque, alt. 1,650-
1,800 meters, Standley 64495. Dept. Chimaltenango, Barranco de
la Sierra, southeast of Patzum, alt. 2,100 meters, Standley 61612.
Dept. Guatemala, damp, wooded barranco 10 km. south of San
Raimundo, alt. 1,800 meters, Standley 62903. The plant is a suffru-
ticose herb about a meter high.
Adenocaulon lyratum Blake, Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 24:
435. /. 1. 1934. The type of this, the only Central American repre-
296 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
sentative of its genus, is Skutch 622 from open oak woods, Chichavac,
Dept. Chimaltenango, Guatemala. Two further collections may be
reported: Slopes of Volcan de Acatenango, above Las Calderas,
Dept. Chimaltenango, alt. 1,800-2,400 meters, December, 1938,
and January, 1939, in damp thickets or moist forest, Standley 61774,
60003. The plants were found in abundance in several localities,
but were exceedingly local in distribution. All those seen at this
time were past flower and fruit, but with leaves fairly well preserved.
Adenostemma hirtiflorum Benth. PI. Hartw. 75. 1841. The
type was collected by Hartweg (No. 531) at "Rancho Santa Rita,"
near Quezaltenango, Guatemala. A photograph of a specimen of
this collection, from the Vienna herbarium, is in the Herbarium of
Field Museum (negative No. 33181). The species appears limited in
distribution, being known at present only from the Department of
Quezaltenango: Forest openings, Palmar, alt. 1,290 meters, Skutch
1449; stems decumbent and rooting at the base; flowers white.
Finca Pireneos, lower south-facing slopes of Volcan de Santa Maria,
along spring-fed rivulet, alt. 1,300-1,500 meters, Steyermark 33228;
stems procumbent; flowers white.
Alepidocline annua Blake, Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 24: 441.
/. 2. 1934. The genus is monotypic, being based on Skutch 722,
found as a weed in a cornfield at Chichavac, Dept. Chimaltenango,
Guatemala, at 2,430 meters. Two recent collections represent
the same species: Guatemala: Moist bank, slopes of Volcan de
Agua, south of Santa Maria de Jesus, Dept. Sacatepe'quez, alt.
1,800-2,100 meters, December 10, 1938, in fruit, Standley 59457.
Damp, open forest, above Las Calderas, Dept. Chimaltenango, alt.
1,800-2,100 meters, Dec. 15, 1938, Standley 60061; erect and in
flower, the rays pink.
Archibaccharis Blakeana Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Frutex
vel suffrutex 1-2.5 m. altus, interdum aliquanto recurvus, sub-
simplex vel saepius ramosus, ramis crassiusculis, saepe subflexuosis,
obtuse angulatis, fere omnino glabris, ramis junioribus aliquanto
villosulis, internodiis plerumque elongatis; folia majuscula essentia-
liter sessilia herbacea, plerumque late ovata usque rotundato-ovata,
vulgo 6-13 cm. longa et 4-8.5 cm. lata sed interdum majora et
superiora minora atque interdum oblongo-ovata, acuminata vel
longiacuminata, basin versus abrupte contracta, obtusa usque sub-
truncata, et subito in partem petioliformem angustata, parte inferiore
petioliformi anguste vel late alata, basi late dilatata, auriculata et
amplexicauli; lamina supra viridis tactu asperrima dense scabra,
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 297
subtus pallidior ad nervos, costam venasque sparse breviterque
villosula vel fere glabra, venulis arete reticulatis, margine undulato-
dentato, dentibus brevibus remotis mucronatis; capitula viridescenti-
alba parva in cymas parvas rotundatas disposita, cymis in paniculas
magnas foliatas aggregatis, pedicellis capitulorum plerumque 3-6
mm. longis villosulis, bracteis parvis linearibus pallidis; involucrum
3.5-4.5 mm. altum et aequilatum; phyllaria ca. 3-seriata inaequalia
pallida linearia acuta vel obtusa ciliata, dorso sparse adpresso-
pilosula vel fere glabra; radii nulli; corolla glabra 3 mm. longa;
achaenia immatura compressa 1.2-1.5 mm. longa sparse adpresso-
pilosula, pappi setis sordidis ca. 2.5 mm. longis. Guatemala: Dept.
Sacatepe"quez: Near Antigua, brushy slope, alt. 1,500-1,600 meters,
1938-39, Paul C. Standley 58597 (type in Herb. Field Mus.). Above
Pastores, alt. 1,680 meters, damp thicket, December, 1938, Standley
60817. Finca El Hato, northeast of Antigua, alt. 1,950-2,040 meters,
December, 1938, Standley 61197. Barranco above Duefias, dry,
rocky forest, alt. 1,600-1,800 meters, January, 1939, Standley 63227.
Dept. Guatemala: Damp, wooded barranco 10 km. south of San
Raimundo, alt. 1,800 meters, January, 1939, Standley 62895. Dept.
Chimaltenango: Near Finca La Alameda, near Chimaltenango,
alt. 1,830 meters, damp thicket, December, 1938, Standley 59106.
The species is named for Dr. S. F. Blake, monographer of the
genus. In his key to species (Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 20: 545.
1924) the present plant runs at once to A. Pringlei (Greenm.)
Blake, a species known only from the State of Oaxaca, Mexico.
That species, known to the writers only from description and illustra-
tion, differs in foliage details, especially in its broad-based upper
leaves, and seems to be distinct from the Guatemalan plant in various
other characters.
Archibaccharis flexilis Blake, Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 17:
60. 1927. Hemibaccharis flexilis Blake, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb.
20: 549. 1924. Based on Tuerckheim 11.1636 from Coban, Guate-
mala, and Tuerckheim 11.728 from the same region. The plant proves
to be rather widely distributed in Guatemala, as indicated by the
following collections: Near San Jose", southeast of Tactic, Alta
Verapaz, alt. 1,500 meters, wet thicket, Standley 69673. Above
Tamahu, Alta Verapaz, alt. 900-1,200 meters, wet forest, Standley
70926. Saquija, 43 km. northeast of Coban, Alta Verapaz, damp
limestone thickets, alt. 1,200 meters, Standley 70201. Near Coban,
damp pine forest, alt. 1,260-1,440 meters, Standley 69340. Slopes
of Volcan de Agua, above Santa Maria de Jesus, Dept. Sacatepe"quez,
298 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
alt. 2,250-3,000 meters, moist forest, Standley 65058. Hills of Finca
Carmona, southeast of Antigua, Dept. Sacatepe"quez, alt. 1,600-
1,800 meters, damp forest, Standley 63698. Quisache", Dept. Chimal-
tenango, forested barranco, alt. 1,800 meters, Standley 62291. Volcan
de Atitlan, alt. 1,620 meters, Dept. Suchitepequez, Skutch 1482.
Finca Azucena, above Colomba, Dept. Quezaltenango, alt. 1,320
meters, damp forest, Standley 68019. The plant in general appearance
as well as in habit differs strikingly from other members of the
genus, reminding one somewhat by its habit of the genus Mikania.
Archibaccharis flexilis is a slender, sometimes greatly elongate, woody
vine, often climbing high upon tall trees, its branches then dangling
far below the tree branches.
Archibaccharis subsessilis Blake, Brittonia 2: 339. 1937.
The plant was collected by Skutch at Nebaj, Dept. Quiche", Guate-
mala, at 1,890 meters. Several further collections have been
made: Guatemala: Dept. San Marcos: Oak forest, Puente de Na-
huatl-aa, near San Marcos, alt. 2,280 meters, Standley 66251; a shrub
of 2 meters, the heads white. Along Quebrada Canjula, between
Sibinal and Canjula, Volcan de Tacana, alt. 2,200-2,500 meters,
Steyermark 36046, 36059; on dry pine-fir slopes; a shrub 1.5-2.5
meters tall, or suffrutescent and only 30 cm. high; leaves olive-
green; flowers white.
Cacalia peltata HBK. Nov. Gen. & Sp. 4: 170. pi. 361. 1820.
We find no record of the occurrence in Central America of this
Mexican species, but the following collection apparently is referable
to it: Guatemala: Dept. Quezaltenango, pine forest, uppermost
ridge of Volcan de Santo Tomas, alt. 3,200 meters, January, 1940,
Steyermark 34933.
Calea peduncularis HBK. Nov. Gen. & Sp. 4: 295. pi. 408.
1820. While this well marked species is widely distributed in south-
ern Mexico, it appears to be rare in Guatemala, and we find no
mention of its occurrence in Central America. The following speci-
mens are available from Guatemala: Finca Alameda, near Chimal-
tenango, alt. 1,800 meters, J. R. Johnston 828. Dept. Jalapa,
between Miramundo and summit of Montana Miramundo, between
Jalapa and Mataquescuintla, alt. 2,000-2,500 meters, on slopes in
open pine woods, Steyermark 32742. These collections are referable
to var. epapposa HBK.
Calea Skutchii Blake, Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 24: 438. 1934.
The type was collected by Skutch near Chichavac, Chimaltenango,
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 299
Guatemala, and there was cited also a specimen from the road above
Tecpam, in the same department. That the species is not exactly
rare in Guatemala is shown by the following collections: Dept.
Chimaltenango: Cerro de Tecpam, alt. 2,400-2,700 meters, in damp
thickets or in pine or Cupressus forest, a shrub or tree of 3-7.5 meters,
Standley 60946, 58759, 60941. Dept. Totonicapan: Cumbre del Aire,
between Huehuetenango and Sija, alt. 3,000-3,450 meters, moist
thicket, a shrub or small tree, Standley 65860. Dept. San Marcos:
Puente de Nahuatl-aa, near San Marcos, alt. 2,280 meters, Standley
66261. Barranco Eminencia, alt. 2,100-2,700 meters, Standley 68519,
68598. Barrancos south and west of Tajumulco, Volcan de Taju-
mulco, alt. 2,300-2,500 meters, Steyermark 36568. El Boqueron,
alt. 2,700 meters, Cupressus forest, a shrub or tree of 3-7.5 meters,
Standley 66299. Dept. Quezaltenango: Mountains above Ostun-
calco, alt. 2,700 meters, Standley 66416. Bochantin, alt. 2,370 meters,
Skutch 1970. Near Aguas Amargas, slopes of Volcan de Zunil, alt.
2,430-2,850 meters, Standley 65294. Volcan de Santa Maria, above
Palojunoj, Standley 67525. Cumbre de Tuilacan, near San Martin
Chile Verde, alt. 2,400 meters, in sandy Alnus forest, Standley 67821,
67774. Near Fuentes Georginas, Volcan de Zunil, alt. 2,500-2,850
meters, wet forest, Standley 67339, 67397, 67387. The plant doubt-
less extends into the State of Chiapas, Mexico.
Calea Standleyi Steyermark, sp. nov. Frutex 3-5 m. altus;
ramulis teretibus omnino glabris viridibus maculatis purpureo-fuscis,
0.5-1 cm. diam. leviter pentagonis, internodiis superioribus 1-3.5
cm. longis; foliis oppositis longipetiolatis; petiolis nudis viridibus
maculatis purpureo-fuscis vel roseo-lavendulis glabris supra sulcatis,
1.5-6 cm. longis; laminis oblongo-ellipticis, 8-17 cm. longis, medio
3-7.5 cm. latis, longiacuminatis, basi sensim attenuatis, praeter
apicem basimque serrulatis (dentibus utroque latere 7-26, 2-7 mm.
separatis, 0.5-1 mm. altis, apice callosis), nervis primariis utroque
latere 2-4, paribus infimis magis conspicuis, lamina ita 5-7-plinervia,
pagina inferiore areolato-reticulata, firmiter membranaceis, supra
obscuro-viridibus lucentibus glabris, subtus pallidis, praesertim ad
nervos pilis minutis simplicibus adpressis conspersis vel glabris;
capitulis heterogamis radiatis diffusissime corymbiformi-paniculatis
numerosis, 10-60, anthesi 3-3.5 cm. latis, pedunculis basi vel prope
basin bracteatis, 2-6 cm. longis, pilosis, pilis multilocularibus ple-
rumque patentibus demum deciduis; involucro 3-seriato obgraduato
4-5 mm. alto, phyllariis extus sparse puberulis firmiter membranaceis
vel subcoriaceis, extimis squarrosis oblongo-lanceolatis vel liguliformi-
300 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
bus obtusis 4-5 mm. longis, 1-2 mm. latis, viridibus, ceteris oblongis
vel ovatis obtusis vel rotundis 2.8-3 mm. longis, 1.5-2 mm. latis,
marginibus purpureo-rosaceis; disco ad anthesin 6-7 mm. alto, 7-8
mm. lato; radiis 8-10 albidis hermaphroditis fertilibus, tubo extus pu-
berulo 1.5 mm. longo, lamina oblongo-oblanceolata apice rotundata
et minute 3-crenulata plus minusve 7-nervia dorso minute glandulosa
1.8-2 cm. longa, 5 mm. lata; floribus disci multis, ca. 100, omnibus
fertilibus, corollis subfusco-luteis vel obscure luteis, glanduloso-
puberulis, 3 mm. longis (tubo 1 mm. longo, fauce 1.5 mm. longo, lobis
0.8-1 mm. longis); paleis complicatis concavisve flores hermaphro-
dites plus minusve amplectentibus, in fructu quam achaeniis latiori-
bus, oblongis vel elliptico-oblongis, apicibus rotundatis, marginibus
et apicibus minute erosis, 3.5-4.5 mm. longis, 2 mm. latis, dorso
minute puberulis, obtuse carinatis, chartaceis, in statu fructifero
prominulis; achaeniis pappiferis, eis disci compresso-tetragonis, latis,
acute angulatis, eis radii triquetris, uno latere tantum hispidulo, ca.
2.5 mm. longis, 1-1.2 mm. latis, ad apices hirtellis, subnigris, obo-
vatis vel turbinatis; pappi aristis persistentibus 0.5-1.2 mm. longis,
hispidulis et laceratis, eis florum disci plerumque 2, florum radii 3.
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, March 1, 1940, Julian A. Steyermark 37004
(type in Herb. Field Mus.). Slopes of barrancos tributary to and
bordering Rio Vega, between San Rafael at northeast portion of
Volcan de Tacana and Guatemala-Mexico line, alt. 2,500-3,000
meters, February 21, 1940, Steyermark 36359. Upper banks of ba-
rranco, Rio Vega, near San Rafael and Guatemala-Mexico boundary,
Volcan de Tacana, alt. 2,500-3,000 meters, February 20, 1940,
Steyermark 36277. Between Canjula and La Union Juarez, near
southeast portion of Volcan de Tacana, alt. 2,000-3,000 meters,
February 22, 1940, Steyermark 36431.
Local name Altamisa. With its long, white rays, Calea Standleyi
is by far the handsomest and showiest species of the genus. The
pappus of 2-3 stout awns, numerous loosely corymbose heads on
much elongate peduncles, serrulate, long-acuminate, and especially
long-petiolate, peculiarly 4-8-nerved leaves which are glabrous or
nearly so throughout, combined with the long, white rays, dull
yellow disk flowers, fruticose habit, and glabrous stems, combine to
make this species very distinct from all others. It is related to Calea
orizabaensis Klatt which, however, has closely crowded heads on
very short peduncles, shorter rays, much shorter petioles, sinuate-
undulate leaf margins, and pubescent blades and branches. From C.
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 301
pachyphylla (Klatt) Blake it is easily separated by its long petioles,
much larger and broader, differently nerved, serrulate leaves; from C.
guatemalensis D. Sm. by its white and much longer rays and by leaf
characters, and from C. integrifolia (DC.) Hemsl. by its more num-
erous and longer rays, much larger, loosely arranged instead of
closely cymose heads, and long-petiolate, much larger, thinner
leaves.
Erigeron aquarius Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Herba ramosa
suberecta vel decumbens 30-60 cm. alta, caulibus tortuosis sat dense
pilis longis albidis patulis laxis pilosis in sicco substriatis mul-
tifoliatis, internodiis plerumque foliis brevioribus; folia sessilia
herbacea anguste oblongo-lanceolata usque lineari-oblanceolata
plerumque 2.5-6.5 cm. longa et 6-11 mm. lata acuta vel subobtusa
et apiculata, basin versus sensim angustata, basi ipsa acuta vel late
cuneata, integra vel praesertim in foliis majoribus remote crenato-
serrata, serraturis paucis, fere concoloria, utrinque pilis longiusculis
patulis densiuscule pilosa; capitula numerosa ramos terminantia et
singula, pedunculis valde elongatis gracilibus dense patulo-pilosis,
bracteis paucis valde reductis linearibus vel anguste lanceolatis;
involucrum late campanulatum ca. 8 mm. altum et 12 mm. latum;
phyllaria 2-3-seriata inaequalia subadpressa linearia attenuata
pallido-marginata, sparse pilis brevibus adpresso-pilosa; radii albi
numerosissimi anguste lineares ca. 3 mm. longi in sicco erecti vel
recurvi et revoluti; receptaculum subconvexum 3 mm. latum; co-
rollae disci fere filiformes 4.5 mm. longae glabrae luteae; achaenia
matura non visa, juvenilia brevia sparse adpresso-hispidula, pappi
setis rigidiusculis fulvescentibus. Guatemala: Dept. Sacatepe"quez,
slopes of Volcan de Agua, above Santa Maria de Jesus, alt. 2,250-
3,000 meters, in moist forest, Feb. 11, 1939, Paul C. Standley 65053
(type in Herb. Field Mus.); also No. 65164, from the same region.
It is difficult to suggest any definite relationship for this species,
which is a plant of decidedly ordinary appearance, and with no
outstanding characters. It has been impossible to associate it
satisfactorily with any species reported from Guatemala or southern
Mexico.
Eupatorium angulifolium Robinson, Contr. Gray Herb.
65: 46. 1922. The species was based on Salvin & Godman 265
from Barranco Hondo, Guatemala, and no other material has been
reported. The following good series of specimens, mostly from the
vicinity of the type locality, well illustrates the species and gives
some idea of its variations: Guatemala: Dept. Sacatepe"quez, Ba-
302 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
rranco Hondo, lower slopes of Volcan de Fuego, alt. 1,800 meters,
Standley 60249. Dept. Sacate'pe'quez, near Las Lajas, common, alt.
1,200 meters, Standley 58139. Dept. Chimaltenango, shaded bank,
Quisache", alt. 1,800 meters, Standley 62311. Dept. Escuintla, along
Rio Guacalate, alt. 500-550 meters, Standley 58265. Dept. Quezal-
tenango, high barranco along Rio Samala, between Santa Maria de
Jesus and Calahuache", alt. 1,200-1,300 meters, Steyermark 33901.
The plant is an exceptionally handsome and conspicuous one, growing
almost always on the faces of wet cliffs or earth banks in shade. The
very large and thin leaves, as much as 25 cm. long and almost as wide,
are mostly clustered at the middle or top of the stem, the lax panicle
of lavender heads rising well above them. The plants are simple
and 30-100 cm. in height. In describing E. angulifolium Robinson
compared it with E. Petasites Griseb., which was based on plants
grown in Europe from supposedly Central American seed, its exact
origin unknown. The differences emphasized as separating the two
species scarcely hold when this recent series of specimens is ex-
amined, and it is suspected that the name E. angulifolium should fall
into the synonymy of E. Petasites.
Eupatorium antiquorum Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov.
Herba erecta ca. metralis simplex vel ut videtur sparse saltern superne
ramosa, caule gracili tereti sat dense pilis longis patulis mollibus
multilocularibus laxis villoso, internodiis bene elongatis plerumque
7-10 cm. longis; folia modica opposita remota longipetiolata mem-
branacea, petiolo gracili 2-3 cm. longo dense villoso, foliis supremis
tan turn breviter petiolatis; lamina deltoidea vel ovato-deltoidea 5-6.5
cm. longa 3.5-4.5 cm. prope basin lata, longiacuminata, basi trun-
cata vel breviter cordata, in fere toto margine arete crenata, solem-
niter trinervia, ima basi 5-nervia, nervis exterioribus latere exteriore
nervos plures emittentibus, supra viridis densiuscule pilis laxis
villosa, subtus vix pallidior, ubique longivillosa; capitula parva
numerosa cymosa, cymis laxis paniculam terminalem foliis reductis
onustam 15-17 cm. longam et aequilatam efformantibus, ramis dense
villosis, bracteis foliaceis lanceolatis, pedicellis plerumque 6-12 mm.
longis; involucrum 4-4.5 mm. latum campanulare, phyllariis 2-3-
seriatis, interioribus lineari-oblongis viridescentibus glabris 2-3-
costatis ciliatis, apice obtusis vel rotundatis, extimis duplo brevioribus
ovatis vel ovato-oblongis acutis vel acutiusculis; flores ca. 15 albi
involucre vix longiores; corolla tubulosa glabra 2 mm. longa, lobis
brevissimis late ovatis obtusis; achaenia columnaria nigrescentia 1.3
mm. longa obtuse angulata minute scaberula vel fere glabra, pappi
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 303
setis albis 2 mm. longis. Guatemala: Near Antigua, Dept. Saca-
tepe"quez, alt. 1,500-1,600 meters, in Cupressus grove, December 18,
1938, Paul C. Standley 60304 (type in Herb. Field Mus.).
A well marked species, not found elsewhere, although certainly
it can not be confined to this locality. Special characters are the
beautifully deltoid, closely crenate leaves and the copious, long, soft,
spreading pubescence.
Eupatorium carmonis Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Herba
erecta fere metralis simplex, caule gracili tereti in sicco olivaceo-
brunnescenti fere glabro, parte juniore minute puberula, internodiis
bene elongatis; folia numerosa sed remota modica vel majuscula
longipetiolata tenuiter membranacea, petiolo gracili vulgo 3-4 cm.
longo minute sparseque puberulo, superne anguste alato; lamina
ovata, rhombico-ovata vel lanceolato-ovata vulgo 8.5-12.5 cm.
longa et 4.5-5.5 cm. lata, breviter vel longius acuminata, prope
basin subito contracta et attenuato-decurrens, ubique supra basin fere
aequaliter arcteque serrata, utrinque fere glabra sed hinc inde spar-
sissime pilis minutis albidis praesertim ad nervos scaberula, subtus
fere concolor, supra basin 5-plinervia; inflorescentia terminalis corym-
biformis, capitulis parvis albis numerosis dense aggregatis, corymbo
fere 3 cm. alto et 5 cm. lato, foliis multo breviore, capitulis sessilibus
vel saepius breviter pedicellatis, pedicellis dense sordido-puberulis;
involucrum 3-3.5 mm. altum campanulatum, phyllariis ca. biseriatis
fere aequalibus viridescentibus 2-nerviis pallide marginatis acutis
sparse puberulis vel pilosulis; corollae ca. 2.2 mm. longae glabrae
anguste tubulosae; pappi setae albae 2.5 mm. longae; achaenia juve-
nilia glabra. Guatemala: Damp forest, hills of Finca Carmona,
southeast of Antigua, Dept. Sacatepe*quez, alt. 1,600-1,800 meters,
January 27, 1939, Paul C. Standley 63743 (type in Herb. Field Mus.).
The single available specimen is in early anthesis, and perhaps
not altogether typical of the species. The plant, however, differs
definitely from each of the numerous species with which it has been
compared. The heads are remarkably small, and closely crowded
in the small and inconspicuous corymb.
Eupatorium hastiferum Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Frutex
2.5 m. altus, ramis tetragonis in sicco fuscis glabris, internodiis
superioribus plerumque 3-5 cm. longis; folia majuscula longipetio-
lata herbacea in sicco fusca, petiolo gracili 2-4 cm. longo glabro, basi
valde dilatato et in pseudostipulam magnam undulatam amplexi-
caulem expanse; lamina variabilis deltoidea usque late ovata vel
anguste triangularis 6.5-12 cm. longa 6-10 cm. lata longissime
304 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
angusteque attenuato-acuminata, basi late rotundata usque sub-
cordata, lateribus prope basin rotundatis vel saepius angulatis, lamina
ita saepe hastato-lobata, margine arete minute serrato, basi trinervia,
supra minute ad nervos venasque puberula, aliter fere glabra, subtus
paullo pallidior, fere omnino glabra, nervis venisque prominentibus
laxe reticulatis; inflorescentia terminalis corymbiformis rotundata ca.
10 cm. alta et 15-18 cm. lata, sparse foliata, ramis primariis elon-
gatis nudis, capitulis campanulatis majusculis numerosissimis in
cymas sublaxas rotundatas aggregatis, pedicellis gracilibus plerumque
3-8 mm. longis minute puberulis; involucrum 6-7 mm. altum, phyl-
lariis ca. 3-seriatis, gradatis, interioribus oblongis apice rotundatis
fere glabris 3-5-nerviis pallidis, extimis brevissimis late ovatis vel
fere orbicularibus apice rotundatis vel obtusis; flores ca. 20 ut videtur
albi; corollae fere filiformes 5.5 mm. longaeglabrae;achaeniacolum-
naria 2 mm. longa 4-angulata fere omnino glabra nigrescentia, pappi
setis albis 4 mm. longis. Guatemala: In wet forest, mountains east
of Tactic, Dept. Alta Verapaz, on the road to Tamahu, alt. 1,500-
1,650 meters, April 9, 1939, Paul C. Standley 71125 (type in Herb.
Field Mus.).
A well marked species, noteworthy for the chiefly hastate leaves,
and for the dilated bases of the petioles.
Eupatorium huehuetecum Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov.
Herba erecta ca. metralis ramosa(?), caulibus gracilibus teretibus
brunnescentibus obscure striatis, novellis sparse minuteque puberu-
lis, internodiis plerumque elongatis interdum foliis longioribus; folia
parva longipetiolata membranacea opposita, petiolo gracili 1-2 cm.
longo minutissime puberulo vel fere glabro; lamina oblongo-ovata
vel lanceolato-oblonga 4.5-6.5 cm. longa 1.5-2.2 cm. lata acuta vel
breviter acuminata, basi acuta vel subobtusa et saepe paullo inae-
qualis, supra fusco-viridis adpresso-hispidula et tactu asperula, sub-
tus paullo pallidior fere omnino glabra, bene supra basin 5-plinervia,
nervis venisque prominentibus laxe reticulatis; capitula parva alba
numerosa in cymas parvas rotundatas subdensas aggregata, cymis
paniculam rotundatam foliatam 6-12 cm. longam angustam effor-
mantibus, foliis inflorescentiae reductis et fere bracteiformibus par-
vis, supremis parvis linearibus, pedicellis plerumque 2-6 mm. longis
gracillimis griseo-puberulis; involucrum campanulare 4 mm. altum,
phyllariis linearibus fere omnibus aequalibus acutis vel obtusis palli-
dis plerumque 2-nerviis pallide marginatis dorso sparse puberulis,
apice ciliatis; flores ca. 30; corollae glabrae, tubo filiformi superne
subito in faucem dilatato, lobis minutis brevissimis; achaenia juve-
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 305
nilia ca. 1.2 mm. longa glabra, pappi setis albis 2 mm. longis.
Guatemala: Moist thicket, Rio Pucal, Dept. Huehuetenango, alt.
1,775 meters, February 20, 1939, Paul C. Standley 65798 (type in
Herb. Field Mus.).
A plant of most ordinary appearance, with no outstanding charac-
ters, but not exactly matched by any Eupatorium species known from
Guatemala or southern Mexico.
Eupatorium oresbioides Robinson, Proc. Amer. Acad. 44: 618.
1909; in Standl. Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 23: 1450. 1926. The species
was described from Oaxaca, Mexico, and is reported also by Robinson
(loc. cit.) from Guatemala. It is found to be a common plant in the
latter country, as the following collections show. The species seems
to be too close to E. oresbium Robinson, of Morelos, Mexico, but
perhaps can be maintained as distinct. The leaves are variable in the
Guatemalan plants, and are not always angled on the sides, near the
base, as described originally. Guatemala: Dept. Sacatepequez :
Cuesta de las Canas, above Antigua, alt. 1,950 meters, wet thicket,
Standley 58969; a shrub of 3 meters, the heads pale purple; also No.
58951. Dept. Chimaltenango: Quisache", alt. 1,800 meters, moist,
forested barranco, Standley 62024; a shrub of 1.8 meters, the heads
lavender. Volcdn de Acatenango, above Las Calderas, alt. 1,800-
2,700 meters, in damp or wet forest, Standley 60054, 61814, 61950; a
shrub of 1.5-3 meters, common, the heads lavender. Dept. Quezal-
tenango: Slopes of Volcan de Zunil, above Aguas Amargas, alt.
2,430-2,850 meters, moist or wet forest, Standley 65293, 65438.
Dept. San Marcos: Barranco Eminencia, above San Rafael Pie de
la Cuesta, wet forest, alt. 2,100-2,400 meters, Standley 68621; a shrub
or tree of 3-4.5 meters, the heads bright purple. Along Rio Tacana,
above San Antonio, wet thicket by stream, alt. 2,460 meters, Standley
66144. Puente de Nahuatl-aa, near San Marcos, alt. 2,280 meters,
damp ravine, Standley 66230.
Eupatorium ovillum Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Frutex
ramosus 1.5 m. altus, ramis crassiusculis brunneis dense viscido-
puberulis teretibus, internodiis brevibus vel elongatis; folia inter
minima opposita numerosa petiolata crasse membranacea, petiolo
crassiusculo 6-14 mm. longo sordide viscido-puberulo; lamina late
ovata vel rotundato-ovata 1.5-3 cm. longa 1-2.5 cm. lata acuta usque
obtusissima, basi late rotundata vel truncata, remote obscure crenata
vel subintegra, supra viridis sparse minute granuloso-puberula vel
fere glabra, venis non elevatis, subtus pallidior dense minute glandu-
loso-punctata, paullo supra basin triplinervia, nervis prominentibus,
306 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
media supra basin utroque latere nervum 1 emittente, venis obscuris;
capitula modica purpurascenti-alba in cymulas parvas rotundatas
vel corymbiformes ramos breves foliates terminantes aggregata,
cymulis paniculam angustam elongatam foliatam efformantibus,
pedicellis gracilibus usque 7 mm. longis viscido-puberulis; involucra
anguste campanulata 7-8 mm. longa, phyllariis paucis vix ultra 10
valde inaequalibus biseriatis linearibus acutis vel attenuatis 2-3-
costatis viridescentibus sparse minute viscido-puberulis; flores ca.
10; corollae glabrae ca. 5 mm. longae, tubo gracili sursum paullo
sensim dilatato, lobis brevissimis anguste ovatis acutis; achaenia
immatura 2.3 mm. longa glabra, pappi setis albis 4 mm. longis
minute scaberulis. Guatemala: Moist thicket, Cumbre del Aire,
Dept. Totonicapan, on the road between Huehuetenango and Sija,
alt. 3,000-3,450 meters, February 20, 1939, Paul C. Standley 65862
(type in Herb. Field Mus.). Along road east of Los Encuentros,
Dept. Solola, alt. 2,400-2,850 meters, January 11, 1939, brushy
slope, Standley 62355 (specimen sterile, but evidently conspecific
with the type).
Eupatorium ovillum is a rather isolated species, in habit and foliage
slightly suggestive of the genus Mikania. Distinguishing characters
are the small leaves, with rather pale under surface, and the few,
very unequal phyllaries. The specific name refers to the omnipresent
and all too numerous (at least for botanical collectors) sheep of the
region in which the type was collected.
Gnaphalium brachyphyllum Greenm. Field Mus. Bot. 2: 267.
1907. The species was based on Kellerman 5301, collected on Cerro
Quemado, just outside the city of Quezaltenango, Guatemala. So
far as we know, no further material of the species has been reported,
but as a matter of fact the plant is common and almost weedy in the
vicinity of Quezaltenango and elsewhere in the Occidente of Guate-
mala. The following collections are at hand: Dept. Quezaltenango:
Volcan de Santa Maria, Dept. Quezaltenango, alt. 1,350 meters
(the elevation seems rather improbable), Kellerman 6331. Near
Quezaltenango, alt. 2,280-2,400 meters, Standley 67284; on steep
bank, in dense clumps, Standley 66418. Cerro La Pedrera, south
of Quezaltenango, dry, rocky hillside, alt. 2,400 meters, Standley
65550; an herb 30 cm. high. Dept. San Marcos: Vicinity of Sibinal,
alt. 2,500 meters, dry, white clay slopes on ridge leading toward
Volcan de Tacana, Steyermark 35959, 35968. Dept. Chimaltenango:
Barranco La Sierra, southeast of Patzum, pine and oak forest,
common, alt. 2,100 meters, Standley 61665.
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 307
Neurolaena macrophylla Greenm. Proc. Amer. Acad. 39: 118.
1903. The type is from Chicharras, Chiapas, Mexico, and in North
American Flora (34: 308. 1927) the species is reported only from
Chiapas. It is now known to extend into Central America: Guate-
mala: Dept. Suchitepe"quez, in woods, Finca Moca, alt. 900 meters,
Skutch 2055; a shrub or small tree, to 7.5 meters in height; flowers
yellow. Dept. Quezaltenango, Finca Pireneos, lower south-facing
slopes of Volcan de Santa Maria, alt. 1,300-1,500 meters, damp
thicket, Standley 68437; Steyermark 33224; a coarse herb or shrub
2-2.5 meters tall; heads yellow or greenish yellow.
Oxylobus adscendens (Schultz Bip.) Rob. & Greenm. Proc.
Amer. Acad. 41: 272. 1905. Ageratum adscendens Schultz Bip. ex
Hemsl. Biol. Centr. Amer. Bot. 2: 80. 1881. Described from the
Volcan de Orizaba, the plant is known from the states of Mexico,
Puebla, and Hidalgo in Mexico. Only recently has it been found in
Guatemala: Dept. San Marcos, between San Sebastian and summit
of Volcan de Tajumulco, alt. 3,800-4,600 meters, February, 1940,
Steyermark 35512. Local name Bretonica. An herb growing among
dry, rocky bunchgrass in open, grassy groves between the pine tree
area and halfway to the summit; phyllaries dull green, tinged out-
side with purplish; peduncle dull magenta; leaves subcoriaceous,
grass-green.
Oxylobus glanduliferus (Schultz Bip.) Gray ex Klatt, Leo-
poldina 20: 75. 1884. Ageratum glanduliferum Schultz Bip. ex
Hemsl. Biol. Centr. Amer. Bot. 2: 82. 1881. Described from the
state of Oaxaca, Mexico, and in the Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
(Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 23: 1423. 1926) reported by Blake only
from that state. The following recent collections indicate a wider
range for the species: Mexico: Mount Tacana, Chiapas, alt. 2,000-
4,038 meters, Matuda 2320 (determined by Blake). Guatemala:
Volcan de Santa Maria, Dept. Quezaltenango, Skutch 857. Volcan
de Santa Maria, in forest at 3,300 meters, Standley 67688; a very
viscid herb a meter high, the flowers white. Dept. San Marcos,
between San Sebastian and summit of Volcan de Tajumulco, alt.
3,800-4,600 meters, Steyermark 35557; a shrub about a meter high;
leaves glutinous, dull green; flowers white; the plant has the odor
of black pepper, noticeable at a distance of two feet. Dept. San
Marcos, between Sibinal and summit of Volcan de Tacana, alt.
2,500-4,400 meters, upper, dry slopes, Steyermark 36141.
Pacourina edulis Aubl. PI. Guian. 800. pi. 316. 1775. Although
this composite has a wide range in South America, from Colombia to
308 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
Paraguay, it seems to be rather rare or at least sporadic in occur-
rence. So far as we know, in continental North America it has been
reported only from Nicaragua. The following collection proves its
existence farther northward: Guatemala: Dept. Jutiapa, Lago de
Atescatempa, south of Asuncion Mita, alt. 500-800 meters, Novem-
ber, 1939, Steyermark 31876. Growing in water 60-90 cm. deep;
stems inflated, 2-3 cm. thick, light green; leaves with spine-tipped
teeth, dark green above; heads sessile in the leaf axils, the bracts
dull green bordered with white; flowers rose-lilac. It is of interest
to note Aublet's statement that his plant grew in land inundated by
the tide. Weddell reports the local name of Palo de yesca for his
collection of the species made in Paraguay.
Perezia carpholepis (Sch. Bip.) Gray, Proc. Amer. Acad. 19:
60. 1883. Acourtia carpholepis Sch. Bip. ex Gray, loc. cit. in syn.
The species is cited by Bacigalupi (Contr. Gray Herb. 97: 36. 1931)
only from the states of Puebla and Chiapas, Mexico, the collections
reported being only those known when the species was first described.
No authentic material is available for comparison, but the following
collections agree in almost every detail with Bacigalupi's description
of the Mexican specimens: Guatemala: Dept. Sacatepe"quez : Finca
El Hato, northeast of Antigua, alt. 1,950-2,040 meters, oak forest,
a weak, reclining herb 1-2 meters long, scarce, Standley 61149. Near
Antigua, brushy slope, erect, rare, sterile, alt. 1,500-1,600 meters,
Standley 61746. Dept. Jalapa: La Laguna, Volcan Jumay, 1 mile
north of Jalapa, alt. 1,400-1,600 meters, Steyermark 32301; climbing
and sprawling on sides of barranco in oak thickets; flowers lilac;
leaves pale grass-green.
Perezia reticulata (Lag.) Gray, PL Wright. 1: 128. 1852.
Proustia reticulata Lag. ex D. Don, Trans. Linn. Soc. 16: 200. 1830.
Perdicium serrulatum Sess4 & Moc. ex D. Don, loc. cit. in syn. In
Bacigalupi's account of the genus Perezia this species (Contr. Gray
Herb. 97: 37. 1931) is reported from Mexico only, but it extends into
Guatemala: Dept. Guatemala, in 1939, Ignacio Aguilar 380. Dept.
Guatemala, near Amatitlan, brushy slope, alt, 1,170 meters, rare, an
herb a meter high, Standley 61261. The second collection is sterile,
but agrees with the Aguilar plant, which is in flower. It may be
noted that Perdicium serrulatum is represented in the Sess & Mocino
Herbarium by No. 3082 (also as No. 1584), the label bearing this
name. No. 3377, a second specimen obviously of the same
species, bears another and quite different specific name under the
generic name of Perdicium.
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 309
Perymenium ruacophilum Dorm. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 55: 437.
191 3 _The type was collected on the Volcan de Santa Maria, Dept.
Quezaltenango, Guatemala, at 2,500-3,500 meters E. W. Nelson
3727 The elevation given includes the whole northern slope ot the
volcano along which the collector probably ascended the peak, and
one can only guess in which particular belt of vegetation the type
specimen may have been collected. The following collections agree
perfectly with the original description of the species, of which the
writers have seen no authentic material: Guatemala: Dept. Quezal-
tenango, uppermost wooded ridge of Volcan de Santo Tomas, alt.
3200 meters, Steyermark 34810; shrubby, 2.5-3 meters tall; leaves
firmly membranaceous, rich grass-green above, paler green beneath;
rays white; disk brown-yellow; involucre pale green tinged at the
toD with dark brown. Mountains southeast of Palestma, alt. 2,70(
meters damp, dense forest, Standley 66332; a weak herb, the rays
white Pine and fir forest, Volcan de Zunil, alt. 2,500-3,800 meters,
Steyermark 34721; local name Sajoc; a shrubby vine 1.5-3 meters
tall; disk brownish yellow, the rays white.-Dept. Sacatep^uez:
Slopes of Volcan de Agua, above Santa Maria de Jesus, alt 2,250-
3 000 meters, damp forest, Standley 65163; an erect herb 1-2 meters
high scarce. Dept. Chimaltenango: Cerro de Tecpam, region of
Santa Elena alt. 2,700 meters, damp thicket, Standley 58668; an
herb a meter high. The species is noteworthy in the genus for its
rather handsome heads with long, showy, white rays.
Piqueria Standleyi Robinson, Contr. Gray Herb. 104: 4. 1934.
-The Sierra de Apaneca, Salvador, is the type locality of this
species which has been recorded only from the type. The shrub is
common in nearby Guatemala, where it extends as far westward at
least as the Department of Suchitepequez. The following collections
are in the Herbarium of Field Museum: Dept. Santa Rosa: Dry
slopes of barranco, south-facing slopes of Volcan de Tecuamburro,
north of Chiquimulilla, alt. 250-500 meters, Steyermark 33133 Near
Oratorio alt. 1,200 meters, damp forest, Standley 60669; a shrub ot
1 5 meters, the flowers white.-Dept. Escuintla: San Antonio Jute
alt 780 meters, dry thicket, Standley 64898; a slender shrub of 1.8
meters. Near Escuintla, damp thicket, alt. 135-300 meters, Standley
63937. Rio Guacalate, alt. 500-600 meters, damp thicket, Standley
60162 58259. Dept. Sacatepe~quez: Near Las Lajas, brushy slope,
alt 1 200 meters, Standley 58063; a slender shrub 1-1.5 meters high,
common.-Dept. Suchitepequez: Along Rio Madre Vieja above
Patulul alt. 450 meters, damp thicket, Standley 62201. The collec-
310 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
tions cited have been compared with the type in the U. S. National
Herbarium, kindly lent for study by Dr. William R. Maxon. The
type is a poor specimen, with much reduced inflorescence, and the
original description of the species does not give a good picture of
the plant as it is in a well developed state.
Polymnia quichensis Coult. Bot. Gaz. 20: 48. 1895. The type
was collected by Heyde and Lux at Chiul, Dept. Quiche*, Guatemala,
at 2,400 meters. Apparently the species is known only from
Guatemala, the following collections being at hand: Dept. Jalapa:
Vicinity of Soledad, Montana Miramundo, between Jalapa and
Mataquescuintla, alt. 2,000-2,500 meters, along the border of cloud
forest, Steyermark 32621; local name Carricillo; an herb 3 meters
tall; leaves grass-green on both sides; stems purple; rays yellow.
Dept. San Marcos: Region of Barranco Eminencia, above San Rafael
Pie de la Cuesta, alt. 2,100-2,700 meters, Standley 68555, 68575,
68472; an herb 1-1.5 meters high; heads yellow. The foliage is
exceedingly variable, and the pubescence inconstant. It may be
that with more ample material, more than a single species can be
recognized.
Rensonia salvadorica Blake, Journ. Wash. Acad. 13: 145. 1923;
op. cit. 17: 62. /. 1. 1927. A monotypic genus, confined, apparently,
to the Pacific slope of Central America, described originally from
Salvador, and reported also from Guanacaste, Costa Rica. The
plant is rather common and widely distributed also in Guatemala:
Dept. Suchitepe'quez, edge of thicket, Finca Moca, alt. 930 meters,
a shrub of 3.5 meters, Skutch 1572. Dept. Suchitepe'quez, along Rio
Madre Vieja, above Patulul, alt. 450 meters, rocky thicket, a tree
of 6 meters, Standley 62236. Dept. Sacatepquez, near Las Lajas,
alt. 1,200 meters, damp thicket, a shrub of 3 meters, Standley 58110,
58136. Dept. Escuintla, near Las Lajas, alt. 1,200 meters, moist
thicket, a shrub of 3 meters, Standley 58148. Dept. Santa Rosa,
Volcan Tecuamburro, along trail to San Francisco Tecuamburro,
middle slopes of forested barranco, a shrub or tree of 4.5-6 meters,
Steyermark 33163.
One of the handsomest and showiest of the Compositae ever
collected has been found recently in the mountains of western Guate-
mala by the authors on separate expeditions to that country. One
would naturally suppose that a plant with such large and showy
flowers would have been described long ago, but, surprisingly, the
plant appears not only to be an undescribed species, but to possess
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 311
highly distinctive generic characters that clearly segregate it from
all other genera of Compositae. The plant is, therefore, remarkable
not only for its exceptional beauty, but also because it possesses
many characters that immediately set it off as a new genus.
It is with great pleasure that the authors dedicate this genus to
Professor Ulises Rojas, Director of the Botanical Garden of Guate-
mala, professor of botany in the schools of Guatemala, and author of
several botanical textbooks. Professor Rojas has shown the authors
every possible courtesy and generously provided them with many
facilities while they were conducting field work in Guatemala.
Moreover, he personally accompanied the senior author when this
new genus was discovered, so that it is particularly appropriate that
his name should be associated with this plant. It is easily one of the
half dozen most handsome and showy ones of all Central America,
and in beauty is scarcely surpassed by any other.
Rojasianthe Standl. & Steyerm., gen. nov. Herbae elatae
fruticosae ramosae, ramis oppositis; folia opposita magna longi-
petiolata palmatinervia saepius lobata vel angulata atque dentata;
pedunculi paullo apice incrassati et dilatati, in statu fructifero sub-
fistulosi; capitula heterogama magna radiata ad apices ramulorum
cymose disposita; flores radii ligulati neutri uniseriati, ligulis albis,
pappi setis pluribus brevibus sursum serrulatis caducis; flores disci
hermaphroditi tubulosi numerosi, omnibus fertilibus, setis pappi ca.
10 linearibus subaequalibus sursum serrulatis basi et apice longi-
attenuatis; corollae tubus albus limbo duplo brevior, limbo ampliato
elongate superne nigro profunde 5-fido, dentibus nigris; involucrum
late hemisphericum biseriatum, phyllariis interioribus 8-10 sub-
aequalibus imbricatis subgraduatis membranaceis basi liberis paullo
scarioso-marginatis, phyllariis exterioribus crassioribus brevioribus
angustioribus reflexis; receptaculum planum vel subconvexum palea-
ceum; paleae flores omnes amplectentes, in statu fructifero solem-
niter accrescentes, profunde 10-12-pectinatae; filamenta brevia
dense pilosula; antherae basi integrae obtusae, appendice terminali
ovato acutiusculo; achaenia matura epapposa subcompressa, ali-
quanto tetragona, obovata, apice subtruncata et oblique subasym-
metrica.
Type species, Rojasianthe superba Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov.
Tall, fruticose herbs, the stems upright, several from the base,
ligneous, hollow, jointed, simple below, branched above, terete,
corky-lenticellate. Branches opposite. Leaves opposite, long-
petiolate, large, divaricate-spreading, 3-7-palmate-nerved, mucro-
312 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
nate-dentate, usually more or less lobed or angled. Peduncles
slightly thickened and ampliate just below the heads, in fruit slightly
fistulose. Heads heterogamous, radiate, large and very showy, few
to several, terminating the branches, cymosely arranged. Ray
flowers neutral, ligulate, spreading, acuminate and entire at the apex,
white or tinged with pale lilac or pink, showy, 1-seriate, the pappus
of several short, upwardly serrate, caducous awns. Disk flowers
perfect, tubular, regular, numerous, 200 or more, all fertile, with a
caducous pappus of about 10 linear, subequal, upwardly serrate awns
long-tapering at base and apex. Disk flowers constricted into a white
corolla tube one-third the length of the corolla, the limb ampliate,
elongate, black in the upper half, deeply 5-fid, the lobes about two-
thirds the length of the limb, black. Involucre broadly hemispheric,
2-seriate, resembling that of Dahlia, the inner bracts 8-10, large,
overlapping, subequal, the innermost ones the largest, slightly
graduated, membranaceous, free at the base, slightly scarious-
margined, in bud erect and completely covering the flowers, in
anthesis spreading, with upwardly curved margins, the outer bracts
more indurate, more firmly membranaceous, shorter and narrower
than those of the inner series, of which 6-8 are reflexed in bud and in
anthesis. Receptacle flat or very slightly convex, conspicuously
paleaceous. Pales uniformly subtending and nearly encircling the
ray and disk florets, enlarging in fruit, each pale deeply 10-12-
bristly-pectinate, the processes in fruit conspicuous and becoming
indurate and spinose-bristly. Filaments short, densely pilosulous
with short, white, subequal, multicellular hairs in the upper half.
Anthers entire and obtuse at the base, the appendage at the apex
ovate, acutish. Style branches of the disk florets elongate, oblan-
ceolate, acute, short-puberulous on the dorsal surface. Pappus
of about 10 slightly unequal, slender awns, upwardly serrate with
11-20 upwardly curved, slender teeth on the margins, slenderly
tapering at the base and tip, very caducous. Achenes epappose,
somewhat dorsally compressed, somewhat tetragonous, obovate,
subtruncate and slightly and obliquely asymmetric at the top,
sparsely appressed-puberulous on the surface, the lateral margins
acutely angled, the dorsal and ventral surfaces obtusely keeled.
This genus is remarkable in many respects. While its conspicu-
ously paleaceous receptacle, ecaudate-based anthers, somewhat
tetragonous achenes, and opposite leaves ally it apparently to the
tribe Heliantheae, other characters it possesses are so distinct as to
set it off immediately from any known genus in the family. Its large,
deeply pectinate-bristly pales, greatly enlarging in fruit, have no
I
I
I
CJ
"3>
'55
cS
o
fii
313
314 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
duplicate among the Heliantheae. Of course, in such genera of the
Heliantheae as Echinacea, the tips of the pales become rigid and
spinose, and are simulated in fruit by the indurate, pectinate pro-
cesses of Rojasianthe. In general and superficial characters of
shrubby habit, large, opposite leaves, and showy heads the genus
resembles some species of Montanoa, but the characteristic scarious,
locular-like, convex-encircling, mostly entire pales and entirely dif-
ferent pappus or lack of it, and yellow disk flowers in the latter genus
distinguish it at once from Rojasianthe. The heterogamous heads
of Rojasianthe with their black disk flowers and white or lilac-tinged
ray flowers are not matched elsewhere in the Heliantheae. The large
heads of Rojasianthe combined with its 2-seriate involucre and hollow,
jointed stems filled with liquid, simulate some of the large, shrubby
species of Dahlia, but the latter genus is unlike Rojasianthe in its
more elongate style branches, pinnate leaves (except in Dahlia
cardiophylla Blake & Sheriff), subentire pales, epappose flowers,
yellow disk flowers, and short corolla lobes of the disk flowers. The
very caducous pappus of approximately 10 slender, serrate awns
allies Rojasianthe in the Heliantheae to Perymenium and Melanthera,
and to such species of Perymenium as P. ruacophilum D. Sm. and
P. grande Hemsl., but these genera are at once distinguished from
Rojasianthe in possessing entirely different pales, yellow or brownish
disk flowers, much smaller heads, and usually fertile ray flowers.
No matter how closely Rojasianthe is compared with other genera,
its combination of large, showy heads, black, wholly fertile disk
flowers, white or lilac-tinged, neutral rays, deeply pectinate-bristly
pales (conspicuously enlarged in fruit), pappus of about 10 very
caducous, slender awns, 2-seriate involucre, opposite leaves, densely
pilosulous filaments, epappose achenes, and long corolla lobes of the
disk flowers separates it from any known genus of Compositae.
Its affinities with the Heliantheae are emphasized by the rank
odor of the leaves and involucre, typical of many helianthoid plants,
especially Ambrosia trifida, Iva ciliata, and Helianthus. If one
stresses the character of the caducous, numerous, slender pappus
bristles in Rojasianthe, the latter may be placed near Perymenium
in the subtribe Verbesineae of Bentham and Hooker, to which group
it does not bear much resemblance. If, on the other hand, its general
habit, appearance, and 2-seriate involucre suggest, at least super-
ficially, its affinities with Dahlia in the subtribe Coreopsidae, it may,
then, be more properly placed there. Within the Coreopsidae, how-
ever, Rojasianthe has no near relative, with its many-awned, very
caducous pappus and pectinate-bristly pales.
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 315
Rojasianthe superba Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Herba
fruticosa 3-6-metralis; folii lamina ovata usque late triangulari-ovata,
acuminata usque caudata, basi truncata vel cordata, utroque latere
2-4-angulata, marginibus mucronato-crenatis, palmatim 3-7-nervia,
membranacea, supra minute scaberula et asperula, subtus saepius
densius ochraceo-scaberula et glandulis sessilibus conspersa, ad nervos
puberula; capitula 8-9 cm. lata, pedunculis dense hirtellis; discus
13-15 mm. altus 25-35 mm. latus; phyllaria interiora 10-15 mm.
longa, late ovalia vel subrotunda, apice rotundata, exterioribus late
ovatis obtusis 8-11 mm. longis 5-8 mm. latis; radii 12-15 late
elliptic!, utrinque attenuati, apice acuminati, 3.5-4 cm. longi; achae-
nium 6 mm. longum 2.8-3 mm. latum, sparse adpresso-puberulum,
apice densius puberulum.
A frutescent herb, 3-6 meters tall; stems light gray-brown, the
old, ligneous, lower portions glabrous, 2-10 cm. in diameter; young
stems and branches 6-8-ridged, sparsely to densely sordid-hirtellous;
leaf blades ovate or broadly triangular-ovate in outline, acuminate
to caudate, at base truncate or cordate, 2-4-angled on each side, the
lobes short, toothed, and sometimes bearing secondary lobes, the ter-
minal lobe longest and mostly tapering, the margins broadly mucro-
nate-crenate, the larger main cauline leaves with a blade 10-22 cm.
long and 8-22 cm. broad, the uppermost cauline leaves and those
subtending the peduncles smaller, palmately 3-7-nerved, 3 or 5 of
the main nerves prominent, thin, membranaceous, divaricately
spreading or drooping (easily wilting), dull grass-green on the upper
surface slightly paler on the lower surface, minutely scaberulous and
asperulous on the upper surface, usually more densely gray-buff-
scaberulous and with resinous, sessile glands on the lower surface,
especially puberulous on the main nerves of the lower surface, the
hairs simple, those on the nerves and veinlets of the lower surface
longer and looser than the ones on the remaining portion of the
lower leaf surface, the hairs on the upper surface of two kinds: a
stout, broad-based, curved, hispidulous hair, and a shorter, linear,
weaker, straight, appressed type. Base of blade with a small, auncu-
late appendage at the junction with the petiole. Petiole exalate
2-10 cm. long, densely buff-brown-hirtellous. Heads loosely and
cymosely arranged, 3-6 at the ends of the branches, usually a single
head terminating a peduncle, about 200-flowered, including the rays
8-9 cm. across. Peduncles densely hirtellous. Disk 1.3-1.5 cm.
high, 2.5-3.5 cm. broad, slightly convex. Disk corollas black in the
upper half, dull whitish in the lower half, 8 mm. long. Tube of the
disk corolla 2.5-3.5 mm. long, 0.5-0.8 mm. broad, whitish, densely
316 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
puberulous; corolla limb 3 mm. long, mostly black, sparsely glandular
on the outer surface; corolla lobes black, 2.5-3 mm. long, 0.5 mm.
broad, sparsely pilosulous and glandular with sessile glands, spread-
ing-squarrose. Involucre 2-seriate, the inner series slightly gradu-
ated, 1-1.5 cm. high, the outermost involucral bracts broadly ovate,
obtuse, 8-11 mm. long, 5-8 mm. broad, firmly membranaceous,
densely appressed-puberulous on both surfaces, slightly scarious on
the margins; inner series of bracts imbricate, scarious on the margins,
thinner, more membranaceous, broadly oval or subrotund, rounded
at the tip, the innermost ones the largest, 1.3-1.8 cm. long, 1-1.5
cm. broad, glabrous; rays 12-15, broadly elliptic, tapering at each
end, acuminate at the apex, the ligule puberulous and gland-dotted
with sessile glands on the back, 3.5^1 cm. long, 1-1.2 cm. broad in
the broadest portion; pales conspicuous in fruit, greenish straw-color,
the spinose-bristly pectinations 3-4 mm. long in fruit; pappus of disk
flowers 2-3 mm. long, of the ray flowers 1.5-2 mm. long. Achene
epappose, 6 mm. long, 2.8-3 mm. broad in the upper half, mottled
dull brown and blackish, sparsely puberulous on most of surface
with appressed hairs, densely puberulous around the top. Guate-
mala: Dept. San Marcos: Thickets of ravine along stream, upper,
south-facing, forested slopes of Volcan de Tajumulco, between Las
Canojas and top of ridge, 7 miles from San Sebastian, alt. 3,300-
3,900 meters, February 16, 1940 Julian A. Steyermark 35835 (type
in Herb. Field Mus.). At base of waterfall in thickets along road
between San Sebastian at km. 21 and km. 8, 8-18 miles northwest of
San Marcos, alt. 2,700-3,800 meters, February 15, 1949, Steyermark
35773. Moist floor of barranco between town of Tajumulco and
Loma Buena Vista, northwestern slopes of Volcan de Tajumulco,
alt. 2,300-2,800 meters, February 28, 1940, Steyermark 36864.
Shaded ravine, slopes of barrancos tributary to and bordering Rio
Vega, between San Rafael at northeast portion of Volcan de Tacana
and Guatemala-Mexico line, alt. 2,500-3,000 meters, February 21,
1940, Steyermark 36310. Sunny margin of stream, Rio Vega, near
San Rafael and Guatemala-Mexico boundary, Volcan de Tacana,
alt. 2,500-3,000 meters, February 20, 1940, Steyermark 36206.
Dept. Quezaltenango: Wet forest, Fuentes Georginas, western slopes
of Volcan de Zunil, alt. 2,850 meters, March 4, 1939, Standley 67513,
67400, 67379. Wet thicket, Cumbre de Tuilacan, southwest of San
Martin Chile Verde, alt. 2,400 meters, March 8, 1939, Standley 67812.
The local names given for this plant are Espina, in reference to
the bristly fruiting pales, and Mac, the latter given by one of the
Indians living in the village of Tajumulco.
8
FIG. 2. Details of floral structure of Rojasianthe superba: 1. A single pappus
awn; 2. Disk flower; 3. Style branches from a disk flower; 4. A single stamen
detached from a disk flower; 5. Achene from a disk flower; 6. Cross-section of an
achene; 7. Pale from receptacle; 8. Ray flower.
317
318 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
The distribution of this plant is confined to the higher, cool,
moist barrancos between 2,400 and 3,300 meters in the mountains
of extreme southwestern Guatemala. Thus far the species has been
collected from the volcanoes of Zunil, Tajumulco, and Tacana. It
evidently occurs in adjacent Mexico on Volcan de Tacana in the
State of Chiapas, because the junior author collected it along the
Guatemala-Mexico line on Volcan de Tacana. It was observed to
be common in all the moist, shaded ravines and barrancos, always
along streams, of Volcan de Tacana and Volcan de Tajumulco, in
the latter area being found on all sides of the volcano. The time of
flowering of the species seems to be confined to the latter portion of
the dry season, in late February and March.
Rumfordia penninervis Blake, Brittonia 2: 343. 1937. The
type was obtained by Skutch in western Guatemala along the road
between Quezaltenango and Colomba, Department of Quezaltenango.
An additional collection has been made in the Department of San
Marcos: Upper, south-facing, forested slopes of Volcan de Tajumulco,
between Las Canojas and top of ridge, 7 miles from San Sebastian,
alt. 3,300-3,900 meters, Steyermark 35843. Local name Te. A
shrub of 3 meters; rays yellow, the disk dull yellow.
Schkuhria viscosissima Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Herba
annua erecta subfastigiato-ramosa ut videtur 30-45 cm. alta, cauli-
bus gracilibus striatis ubique dense pilis longiusculis patulis apice
glanduliferis pilosis; folia bene evoluta non visa, pinnato-dissecta,
segmentis scaberulis subrevolutis; capitula viridi-alba numerosa in
cymulas laxas paniculatas disposita, pedicellis plerumque 5-8 mm.
longis glanduloso-hirtellis; phyllaria 5-6 oblongo-obovata apice
obtusissima vel rotundata 4.5-5 mm. longa dorso sparse adpresso-
hispidula, marginibus pallidis. hyalinis; achaenia pauca anguste tur-
binata 3 mm. longa nigrescentia dense hispidula; pappi squamae 8
obovato-orbiculares fere 1 mm. longae apice rotundatae albidae,
basi subincrassatae; radii nulli. Guatemala: Dry thicket, near Saca-
pulas, Dept. Quiche", alt. 1,040-1,240 meters, January 12-14, 1939,
Paul C. Standley 62513 (type in Herb. Field Mus.).
The single available specimen is in poor condition, being in
advanced fruiting state, but it is clearly of this generic relationship.
The Guatemalan plant here described is a close relative of Schkuhria
neomexicana Gray, which Rydberg (N. Amer. Fl. 34: 46. 1914)
referred to a monotypic genus, Cephalobembix. Schkuhria viscosissima
is noteworthy for its exceedingly abundant and viscid pubescence,
unlike that of most other members of the genus.
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 319
Schkuhria guatemalensis (Rydb.) Standl. & Steyerm., comb,
nov. Tetracarpum guatemalense Rydb. N. Amer. Fl. 34: 45. 1914.
Since the generic name Schkuhria is conserved, this transfer becomes
necessary.
Simsia lagascaeformis DC. Prodr. 5: 577. 1836. The species
ranges widely in Mexico, and by Blake in his account of the genus
(Proc. Amer. Acad. 49: 382. 1913) is reported only from that coun-
try. The following collections attest its occurrence in Guatemala:
Dept. Sacatepe"quez, near Antigua, in hedges or cafetales, a branched
herb 1-2.5 meters high, common, the involucre black-purple, alt.
1,500-1,600 meters, Standley 58037, 60374. Dept. San Marcos, along
Rio Tacana, near San Antonio, alt. 2,700 meters, Standley 66164.
Verbesina agricolarum Standl. & Steyerm., sp. nov. Ut vide-
tur frutex ramosus, caulibus subgracilibus viridescentibus striatis
resinoso-puberulis et sparsius pilis albidis patentibus pilosis, inter-
nodiis brevibus; folia alterna inter minora petiolata herbacea, petiolo
usque 2.5 cm. longo saepe fere ad basin alato, basi non dilatato,
foliis supremis tantum sessilibus; lamina late rhombico-ovata usque
oblongo-ovata vulgo 5.5-12 cm. longa atque 2.5-8 cm. lata acuta vel
breviter acuminata, inferne cuneato-angustata et prope basin
abrupte in petiolum contracta, arete dentata, supra viridis dense
scabra, pilis basi bulboso-incrassatis, tactu asperrima, subtus griseo-
viridis, ubique sat dense pilis mollibus albidis aliquanto intertextis
pilosa, nervis lateralibus utroque latere ca. 8; inflorescentia terminals
paniculata corymbiformis 3.5-8 cm. lata, ramis exalatis dense pilis
albidis patulis pilosis, pedicellis gracilibus usque 8 mm. longis,
bracteis parvis lineari-subulatis, capitulis paucis vel numerosis radiis
exclusis ca. 5 mm. longis et 3 mm. latis luteis; phyllaria 2-3-seriata
inaequalia viridescentia lineari-oblonga 3.5-4 mm. longa sparse pilis
brevibus villoso-pilosula, exteriora obtusa, interiora acuta vel acu-
tiuscula; radii ca. 8 laete lutei ovales vel late oblongi ca. 3.5 mm. longi
patuli; flores disci numerosi, paleis acutis vel acutiusculis; corollae
ca. 2.5 mm. longae. Guatemala: Finca La Alameda, Dept. Chi-
maltenango, September 21, 1937, J. R. Johnston 1026 (type in
Herb. Field Mus.); October 17, 1936, Johnston 120; July 30, 1937,
Johnston 913.
The specimens are all in flower and no achenes are available.
Superficially the specimens resemble V. guatemalensis Rob. &
Greenm., but that has large, white heads. V. agricolarum belongs
to the Section Saubinetia, and is perhaps related to V. perymenioides
Sch. Bip. of Mexico, but that has larger heads and differs in almost
320 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOTANY, VOL. 22
all details. Finca La Alameda is the seat of the National School of
Agriculture of Guatemala, a fact to which the specific name assigned
to this plant refers.
Verbesina hypoglauca Schultz Bip. ex Klatt, Leopoldina 23:
144. 1887. Previously the plant has been known from the states of
Oaxaca and Puebla, Mexico, where it has been collected but few
times. It is plentiful at rather high elevations on at least two of
the Guatemalan volcanoes: Dept. Quezaltenango, slopes of Volcan
de Santa Maria, above Palojunoj, at about 3,300 meters, in
forest, March, 1939, Standley 67657, 67597. Dept. Chimaltenango,
slopes of Volcan de Acatenango, above Las Calderas, at upper limit
of Chiranthodendron forest, alt. 2,700 meters, common, January, 1939,
Standley 61832. A shrub of 2-3 meters with yellow, showy heads.
Among Guatemalan species this is easily recognized by the pale,
silvery-silky under surface of the leaves.
Verbesina scabriuscula Blake, Contr. Gray Herb. 52: 54.
1917. The type was collected at San Felipe, Dept. Retalhuleu,
Guatemala. The following collections from the same country agree
perfectly with the original description, in spite of the fact that all
were collected at substantially higher elevations than the type:
Villa Guadalupe, alt. 1,480 meters, in cafetal, J.G.Salas 1431; a small
shrub; flowers white, visited by bees; odor very disagreeable. Finca
La Alameda, Dept. Chimaltenango, J. R. Johnston 256. Dept.
Jalapa, La Laguna, base of Volcan de Jumay, 1 mile north of Jalapa,
alt. 1,400-1,600 meters, oak forest, Steyermark 32293; a shrub of
3 meters. Near Finca La Alameda, Dept. Chimaltenango, alt. 1,830
meters, pine forest, Standley 59137; a shrub of 2.5 meters. Cumbre
de Tuilacan, southwest of San Martin Chile Verde, Dept. Quezal-
tenango, alt. 2,400 meters, in wet thicket, Standley 67791. Finca
El Hato, northeast of Antigua, Dept. Sacatepe"quez, alt. 1,950-
2,040 meters, brushy slope, Standley 61201. Cuesta de las Cafias,
above Antigua, alt. 1,950 meters, brushy slope, Standley 58838;
a simple shrub of 2-4.5 meters, common. Above Las Calderas,
Dept. Sacatepe"quez, alt. 1,800 meters, moist barranco, Standley
59985. Known by the names Toquillo and Suquinay bianco. In
December the shrub is a beautiful and showy one, attracting atten-
tion because of its large, flat-topped panicles of pure white heads,
and on account of its huge, merely dentate leaves as much as 50 cm.
or more in length.
Verbesina Steyermarkii Standl. sp. nov. Frutex vel arbor
usque 6 m. alta, ramis ochraceis vel pallide brunneis striatis
STUDIES OF CENTRAL AMERICAN PLANTS I 321
lenticellatis primo sericeo-pilosis, cito glabratis, exalatis, internodiis
brevibus; folia modica vel parva alterna petiolata membranacea,
petiolo brevi et fere ad basin alato, parte nuda gracili usque 1.5 cm.
longa; lamina anguste lanceolata usque lanceolata vel cuneato-
oblanceolata 9-25 cm. longa 2.5-9.5 cm. lata acuminata vel saepius
longe angusteque attenuato-acuminata, basin versus longe anguste
attenuata, margine adpresse crenato-serrato vel in foliis majoribus
grosse serrato, supra in sicco viridis fere glabra sed primo sparse
piloso-scabra, plus minusve pustulato-punctata, subtus fere concolor
vel grisea, primo sparse pilis pallidis laxis mollibus induta sed in
statu adulto fere omnino glabra, nervis lateralibus utroque latere
ca. 7; inflorescentia terminalis paniculata corymbiformis 10-16 cm.
lata multicapitata, ramis nudis densiuscule sericeo-pilosis, pedicellis
gracilibus sed rigidis usque 15 mm. longis, bracteis parvis lanceolatis
adpressis; capitula radiis exclusis ca. 7 mm. longa et 4 mm. lata
lutea dense aggregata; phyllaria arete adpressa lutescentia 2-3-
seriata inaequalia oblonga vel exteriora ovato-oblonga ciliata dorso
glabra vel glabrata obtusa vel rotundata; radii ca. 8 late oblongi
ca. 3 mm. longi; flores disci numerosi, paleis angustis albidis hyalinis
apiculatis, corollis 3 mm. longis; achaenia anguste oblongo-cuneata
glabra nigra usque 3.5 mm. longa, interiora exalata, exteriora late
alata et usque 4 mm. lata, alis pallidis tenuibus corpore achaenii
latioribus, aristis pappi erectis usque 2 mm. longis; capitula fructi-
fera quam florifera majora ca. 7 mm. longa et fere 1 cm. lata.
Guatemala: Dept. Chiquimula, between Chiquimula and La Laguna,
alt. 500-1,000 meters, grassy places on top of rim rock, October 27,
1939, Julian A. Steyermark 30698 (type in Herb. Field Mus.). Dept.
Jalapa, Volcan de Imay, alt. 1,500 meters, January, 1908, Kellerman
8077, 7982. Jalapa, Dept. Jalapa, alt. 1,050 meters, January, 1908,
Kellerman 7850.
Like V. agricolarum, this is a member of Section Saubinetia,
and it resembles that species in the size and appearance of its heads,
and in the shape of its leaves. The almost glabrous leaves, smooth
to the touch on the upper surface, rather than very rough, distinguish
V. Steyermarkii at once from V. agricolarum.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA
