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BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 237
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., collected in Parque Nacional,
between Rancho Grande and Maracay, state of Aragua, alt. 240-455
m., December 9, 1943, Julian A. Steyermark 54967.
Apparently there belong here two other collections from the same
or nearby area: Killip 37120 from the same locality, and Pittier 8804
(in guaremales, Urama, between Puerto Cabello and San Felipe, state
of Carabobo, 1920.
The Pittier 8804 collection was cited by Knuth in his Initia Florae
Venezuelensis (Beihefte Report. Sp. Nov. 43: 335. 1927) as the type
of a new species, S. Pittieri R. Knuth "in schedis herb. Pittier".
Unfortunately, that name as such can be treated only as a nomen
nudum. Since the plant of the Parque Nacional collected by Killip
and the writer constitute an undescribed species, previously erroneously
referred to S. gesnerioides (H.B.K.) A. DC., it is fitting that
Dr. Pittier's name be preserved by a validly published description,
instead of lapsing into obscurity as a nomen nudum. Although I have
not seen the Pittier 8804 collection, it is most probable that it is conspecific
with the plant here described. This new species from the
Parque Nacional superficially resembles S. gesnerioides ,
but differs
in having 4 styles in the pistillate flower and shorter and less abundant
tomentum of stems and petioles.
CRUCIFERAE
Cardamine ovata Bench., forma Lehmanii (Hieronymus) Steyermark,
comb. nov.
Cardamine ovata subsp. Lehmannii (Hieronymus) O. .
Schulz, in
Engl. Jahrb. 27: 412. 1903; C. Alberti O. E. Schulz, Notiz. 10: 341.
1928.
This entity, with leaflets averaging smaller than those of typical
C. ovata, appears to be only an ecological form prevalent on the
paramos and higher elevations scattered throughout the range of the
species. It varies in glabrity of stems and leaves.
Steyermark 55754 from the state of Merida (between Los Corales
and Las Cuadras) is practically glabrate, while Lehmann 4759 from
Colombia (Paramo de Guanacas), and Steyermark 55450 from Venezuela
(between Buenos Aires and Paramo de las Rosas, state of
Lara) are more pubescent.
Some specimens, such as Steyermark 62743, from the state of Sucre
in eastern Venezuela (forest along stream at base of Cerro de Diablo
[western extension of southern peak of Cerro TurumiquireJ) are intermediate
in leaf size between typical C. ovata and f. Lehmannii.
An examination of isotypic material of C. Alberti O. E. Schulz at
once identifies it with C. ovata f. Lehmannii. The obtuse crenately
toothed, rather small leaflets whichare sparsely pilose, together with