PDF - University Library

BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 133
This distinct species is named in honor of Dr. H. A. Gleason of
the New York Botanical Garden, who has done much to advance our
knowledge of the genus Stegolepis and other genera of the
Rapateaceae.
Stegolepis parvipetala Steyermark, sp. nov.
Foliorum vaginae conduplicatae, incrassatae coriaceae, superne
graduatim angustatae; laminis erectis crass is rigidis coriaceis, uno
latere argenteo-viridibus, late linearibus, ad extremes angustatis,
90-100 cm. longis, 1-4.5 cm. latis, in parte media latissimis, pluristriatis,
subtus costa media prominenti; scapis elongatis erectis,
glabris, pluricostatis, 60-85 cm. longis, 4-6 mm. crassis, apice
paullo dilatatis; involucre nullo; floribus 32-35 sessilibus, 14-15
mm. longis; bracteis castaneo-aureis, circiter 22, ovato-triangularibus,
obtusis, 3-5 (extimis) ad 10 mm. (intimis) longis, 3-4 mm. latis;
sepalis 14 mm. longis, laminis 10 mm. longis, 4.5-5 mm. latis;
petalis parvis, 11 mm. longis, laminis ovato-oblongis, subacutis vel
obtusis, basi subito obtusis vel cordatis, 8 mm. longis, 4.5-5 mm.
latis, unguiculis amplis, 3 mm. longis, 4 mm. latis; filamentis 2.5-3
mm. longis, ad basin corollae adnatis, basi connatis; antheris
lineari-lanceolatis, basi valde cordatis; ovulis 27, in quoque loculo
9; stylo 13 mm. longo.
Leaves grass green on one side, silvery side on other; bracts dull
orange; claw of sepals 4 mm. long; petals dull yellow, small, recurved
or spreading back, connate at base; filaments attached at
base of petals, joined to each other at base; anthers 7-8 mm. long
(Fig. 17,
f-g).
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected on Ptari-tepui, on
forested south-facing slopes overlying sandstone, on "Cave Rock"
above "Cave Camp", state of Bolivar, alt. 1810 m., October 29,
1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59514 (2 sheets).
This species is distinguished by the small petals with a broad
claw and broadly ovate blade, dull orange-castaneous bracts, and the
filaments united at base. It resembles S, angustata Gleason in the
leaf blades cuneate or narrowed at base and in the leaf sheaths
gradually narrowed to the summit, but differs in the smaller petals,
with a broader claw and differently shaped blade, and in the orangecastaneous
instead of pale brown bracts. From S, guianensis
Klotzsch it differs in the leaf sheath gradually narrowed to the
summit, smaller petals with broad claw and ovate blade, and color
of bracts.
Stegolepis ptaritepuiensis Steyermark, sp. nov.
Foliorum vaginae conduplicatae incrassatae coriaceae late ovatis,
6.5-8 cm. longis, 4-10 cm. latis, nitentibus, supeme rotundatis,
marginibus membranaceis fere scariosis; laminis erectis crassis
rigidis coriaceis, late linearibus, 25-41 cm. longis, 10-30 mm. latis,
apice acutis et angustatis, tenuiter plurinervatis; scapis elongatis,