1b. Geonoma aspidiifolia subsp. fusca (Wessels Boer) Henderson, comb. & stat. nov.

Basionym: Geonoma fusca Wessels Boer (1972: 93) . Type: GUYANA. Upper Mazaruni River basin, Mt. Ayanganna, 700–800 m, 5 August 1960, S. & C. Tillett 45047 (holotype NY!).

Inflorescences peduncles 6.1(4.5–8.2) cm long; peduncular bracts 6.6(4.5–8.2) cm long.

Distribution and habitat:— From 4°58’– 5°26’N and 59°06’– 60°02’W in the Pakaraima mountains of Guyana at 870(102–1350) m elevation in lowland to montane rainforest (Fig. 9).

There are three populations of this subspecies—an eastern, low elevation one at 282(102–442) m elevation, and two higher elevation ones, a northern one on Mount Ayanganna at 1160(1050–1350) m elevation and a southern one on Mount Wokumung at 872(686–1120) m elevation. There appear to be some differences between these three populations, particularly the larger leaves and inflorescences of the low elevation population, although there are too few specimens to test for differences. However, these separate populations may be an artifact of insufficient collecting.