l - CNCFlora

710
Annals of the
Missouri Botanical Garden
Figure 10. Dieffienbachia galdamesiae (Croat 76560). A. Habit. B. Leaf blade adaxial surface. C. Close-up
of stem showing roots and petiole bases. D. Petioles and clusters of inflorescences.
and somewhat granular-puberulent at apex, syn- Phenology. The species has been seen in flowandria
2.4-2.8 mm diam., irregularly rounded, er in June as well as in October. Mature fruits have
broadly sulcate to truncate with slightly overlapping been seen in December.
edges, the margins + crenulate. INFRUCTES- Discussion. The species is characterized by its
CENCES not seen.
moderately small habit, only to 80 cm tall, the gran-
Distribution and habitat. Dieffenbachia galda- ular-puberulent petioles and major veins on the
mesiae is endemic to Panama, known only from lower blade surface. It is most closely related to D.
central Panama on both sides of the isthmus in the beachiana and D. fortunensisn differing from both
Tropical wet forest (T-wf) life zone (Holdridge, 1967) in having the primary lateral veins ascending at
at 350 to 500 m elevation. It occurs in swampy less than a 50° angle. It may prove to be only subconditions
in creek beds in virgin forest in nearly specifically distinct from D. fortunensis.
full shade.
Etymology. The species is named in honor of