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BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 227
paramos in the state of Merida, it is found to represent but a cespitose
extreme form, grading by various degrees into A, Venezuelans
For example, Steyermark 57518 from Laguna Mucubajf, above Los
Apartaderos, state of Merfda, matches well the type collection of
A. Jahnii. Other collections (Steyermark 55669 and 55738) similarly
relate themselves to this depressed paramo-inhabiting form. The type
collection of A. Jahnii has small, detached portions of clumps with
the pedicels protruding well above the tips of the leafy shoots. In
Steyermark 57518 similarly extended pedicels may be found when the
clumps are broken into smaller portions. In other collections, such
as Steyermark 55669, the pedicels are not as obviously extended and
the leaves and stem appear more congested, but represent only a form
of variation present in these cespitose matted growth forms. The
minute puberulence near the apex of the pedicels, the glandular*
papillosity in the grooves of the stem, and the sparsely ciliate base
of the leaves can be found in varying degrees. In some cases, the
leaves are more obviously ciliate at the base, while in others they
are glabrate.
The description of forma Jahnii may be emended as follows: A
typo (A. venezuelana) differt habitu caespitoso, caulibus brevissimis
confertis plerumque glabris, foliis confertis rigidis brevioribus ovatis
vel lanceolatis glabris vel basim versus minute ciliatis, sepalis
plerumque glabris. Type in U.S. Nat. Herb., collected on Paramo de
la Sal, state of Merida, alt. 3400 m., September 2, 1921, Alfredo
Jahn 625.
Other specimens examined are: MERIDA: Alto del Paramo de
Mucuchies, ak. 3250-3900 m., Linden I486', Alto de Mucuchies, La
Tapa, cabeceras del Mifafi, entre Barro Negro y Torondoy, alt. 4500-
4600 m., April, 1930, Gehriger 106\ in dense clumps, on other side
of paramo between El Aguila (top) and Apartaderos, along headwaters
of Rio Chama, paramo along upper headwaters of Rio Tormero, below
El Aguila and above Chachopo, alt. 3650-3965 m., March 13, 1944,
Steyermark 55669; dense clumps, dry rocky gneis sic-granitic slopes,
between Timotes and Paramito, alt. 2285-3500 m., March 24, 1944,
Steyermark 55738; mats, flowers, white, Laguna Mucubajf above L*os
Apartaderos, alt. 3525-2655 m., July 21, 1944, Steyermark 57518.
In general, this form is distinguished by its dense, compact, more
cespitose habit, with more crowded and shorter stems, shorter and
more crowded leaves, and shorter internodes. Usually its leaves are
more glabrate than in typical A. venezuelana the latter t varying from
sparsely to densely ciliate leaves, glabrate to densely ciliate and
puberulent sepals, and glabrate to puberulent stems. The forma
Jahnii represents an extreme variation of the species, growing in exposed
situations, and marked by its habit of forming dense clumps.
Drymaria firmula Steyermark, sp. nov.
Herba, caulibus purpureis, rigid o-adscendentibus glabris; inter-