Heteropsis spruceana, Schott

Soares, M. Lourdes, Mayo, Simon J. & Gribel, Rogério, 2013, A Preliminary Taxonomic Revision of Heteropsis (Araceae), Systematic Botany (Basel, Switzerland) 38 (4), pp. 925-974 : 965-967

15. HETEROPSIS SPRUCEANA Schott ,

Aroideae : 27. t. 60. 1856.

— TYPE: BRAZIL. Amazonas, São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Jan–Aug. 1852, R. Spruce 2174 (holotype: G!; isotypes: K!, P! fl).

Plant a scandent hemi-epiphyte; stem flexuose, slender, internodes 2–5 cm long, 3–9 mm diam, quadrangular, longitudinally striate, dark green, yellowish when dried; axillary buds small, ca. 2 mm long, straight, apiculate. Petiole 1– 3 mm long, 0.9–1.5 mm wide, canaliculate, margin smooth to slightly sinuate towards the apex, membranaceous; geniculum ca. 2 mm long, apex acute; leaf blade 6–15 cm long, 2.5–4.7 (–5.5) cm wide, ovate to elliptic to lanceolate, dark green on both surfaces, often covered in mosses especially adaxially, subglossy on abaxial side, greenish-brown when dried, subcoriaceous when fresh, chartaceous to subcoriaceous when dried, margin sinuate, 0.10–0.17 mm thick, apex cuspidate to acuminate, 1–3 cm long, base obtuse to subacute, sometimes rounded, midrib sulcate and impressed on adaxial surface, prominent on abaxial surface, yellowish abaxially when dried, primary lateral veins and interprimaries subpatent, infra-marginal collective vein prominent, 0.5–0.75 mm distant from margin, external marginal vein 1. Inflorescence terminal and axillary, flowering shoot slender, 1.4–6 cm long, usually with a linear cataphyll ca. 0.8 cm long at the apical node, internodes 0.5–2 cm long, 0.7–1.7 mm diam, pale brown when dried, quadrangular, usually with an axillary bud on the second internode; peduncle 2–5 mm long, ca. 1.3 mm diam, subcylindric, blackened when dried; spathe 1.5– 2.8 cm long, 6–8.5 mm diam, closed, oblong to obovate, convolute when open, shortly cuspidate, yellow, margin white; spadix 1.4–2.5 cm long, 0.5–1 cm diam, oblong-ellipsoid, greenish-cream, apex acute, stipitate, stipe 1.5–2.5 + 1.2–1.6 mm, dark when dried, quadrangular. Stamens 2–3.5 mm long, 1–2 mm wide, anthers oval; gynoecium ca. 2 mm long, 2.25 mm diam, slightly prismatic, apex 1.5–3 mm diam, ovary ca. 1.7 mm long, 2 mm wide, locules 2 per ovary, ovules 1–2 per locule, 0.7–1 mm long, anatropous, subsessile, placentation axile with ovules inserted below the centre of the ovary, stigma discoid. Infructescence 1.7–2.3 cm long when immature, 2.5–4 cm long, 1.3–2.5 cm diam when mature; berry 5–8 + 4–7 mm, green when immature, yellow when pre-mature, yellow-orange when mature, obovoid; seed 4–6 + 3–5 mm, 1–2 per berry, surrounded by orange, sweet mucilage. Figures 2B , 4B, 4C , 7H , 8D , 9B, 9C , 26 .

Common Names— The following common names have been recorded for this species: cipó-titica, ( Brazil), yare ( Colombia), bejuco tripa de pollo, biñasta, munñate ( Venezuela).

Habitat and Distribution— Heteropsis spruceana occurs in dense terra firme ombrophilous forest in Brazil (Acre, Amazonas, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima), Colombia, Guiana, Peru and Venezuela, at 50–1,200 m alt.

Phenology— Flowering collections of this species have been recorded for all months except March, April, and July, and fruiting collections are known for all months except January and March.

Conservation Status— Using guidance from the Geocat (2012) online tool, the preliminary conservation assessment of H. spruceana is least concern (LC), based on 36 localities and a 50 km cell width (auto value cell size option for area of occupancy).

Etymology— The specific epithet honors the botanist Richard Spruce, who collected the type specimen during his epic botanical exploration of the plants of Amazonia during the 19th century.

Notes— Heteropsis spruceana is easily recognized by its slen- der, quadrangular stem, subsessile petiole, usually lanceolate, dark green leaf blade which frequently is covered adaxially with moss and is subglossy abaxially, and especially by the size of the inflorescence, the smallest in the genus. In a biophysical study of the roots of H. spruceana from the Reserva Florestal Adolpho Ducke-RFAD ( Soares Morais 2008) this species was shown to have a basic density similar to that of ten of the common commercial timbers of Amazonia, and despite having roots of smaller diameter, their density was similar to that of the other species of Heteropsis studied. In an ecological study in the same area ( Soares Morais 2008), H. spruceana showed a significant preference for lower-lying terrain, a useful result from the standpoint of developing future sustainable management of populations.

Additional Specimens Examined— BRAZIL. Acre: 7 Feb 1976, Monteiro 159 ( INPA, MG fr). Amazonas: Manaus, Reserva Florestal Adolpho Ducke, 16 Apr 1998, Soares et al. 415 ( INPA fr) ; 4 Feb 1998, Soares et al. 405 ( INPA fl) ; 18 Apr 2003, Soares et al. 506 ( INPA fr) ; 13 Feb 1996, Lima et al. 1363 ( INPA, K fl) ; 1 May 2001, Kinupp & Bernardi 1798 ( INPA fr) ; 1 May 2001, Kinupp & Bernardi 1819 ( INPA fr) ; Manaus , 20 Nov 1984, Cabral s.n. ( INPA 148343 fr) ; 18 Apr 1947, Froes 22164 ( IAN fr) ; 5 Jun 1963, Rodrigues & Chagas 5248 ( INPA fr). Rio Cueiras , 4 Jun 1974, Campbell et al. P211905 ( INPA, MG, U fr) ; Rio Negro , 18 Apr 1947, Froes 22164 (U fr) ; Santa Isabel do Rio Negro , 9 Oct 1987, Cid et al. 9319 ( INPA fr) ; São Gabriel da Cachoeira , 16 Feb 1971, Prance et al. 10552 ( INPA fl) ; 20 Oct 1978, Madison et al. 497 ( INPA fr) ; 11 Nov 1908, Pessoal do Museu s.n. ( MG fr). Pará : Apr 1981, da Silva et al. 1712 ( MG ster) ; 20 Jun 1949, Froes & Black 24561 ( IAN fl) ; s.d., Prance et al. 25577 ( MG fr). Rondônia: 5 Feb 1983, Bilby et al. 23 ( INPA fr). Roraima: 16 Feb 1971, Prance et al. 10552 (U fl) ; 2 Oct 1971, Prance et al. 13590 ( INPA, U fl) .

COLOMBIA. Amazonas: 0 50 ' S 71 50 ' W, 29 Nov 1991, Duivenvoorden et al. 1884 ( MO fl). Caquetá: Araracuara 0 34 ' S 72 08 ' W, 16 Sep 1989, Londoño & Moreno 804 ( MO ster) ; Sierra del Chiribiquete , 1 4 ' 07 '' N 72 46 ' 32 '' W, 20 Nov 1992, Franco et al. 4221 (MO ster) ; Guainía 3 38 ' N 67 52 ' W, 18 Mar 1998, Franco et al. 5870 (MO ster) .

GUYANA. 03 37 ' N 53 12 ' W, 14 Feb 1992, Croat 74219 (MO fl). Mazaruni 14 Jun 2004, Clarke et al. 12018 (U fr).

PERU. Loreto: 03 20 ' S 71 50 ' W, 12 Oct 1987, Vásquez & Jaramillo 9737 (MO fr). Distrito Sargento Lopes, 04 07 ' 22 '' S 72 55 ' 31 '' W, 14 Apr 1997, Vásquez et al. 23142 (MO fr).

VENEZUELA. 2 54 ' 42 '' N 67 24 ' 12 '' W, 19 May 1979, Liesner 7546 ( MO fl) ; 9 Mar 1996, Berry et al. 6141 (MO ster). Amazonas: 2 26 ' N 65 7 ' W, 26 Jan 1991, Stergios & Yanez 14868 (MO ster) ; 1 56 ' N 67 03 ' W, 17 Oct 1979, Clark 7336 (MO fl). Atabapo: 7 Jul 1992, Peres & Sosa 308 (MO fr); 3 3 ' 0 '' N 65 48 ' 40 '' W, 24 Oct 1992, Perez & Sosa JPB-440 (MO fl); 3 43 ' 40 '' N 65 48 ' 40 '' W, 24 Oct 1992, Peres & Sosa 441 (MO fr); 1 56 ' N 67 4 ' W, 15 Nov 1977, Liesner 3532 (MO fr); 03 34 ' N 65 32 ' W, 26 Oct 1988, Liesner 25421 (MO fl); 03 34 ' N 65 32 ' W, 28 Oct 1988, Liesner 25562 (MO fl); 03 49 ' N 65 42 ' W, 1 Nov 1998, Liesner 25582 (MO fr); 03 49 ' N 65 42 ' W, 4 Nov 1988, Liesner 25792 (MO fr); Wankehe 6 Aug 1976, Lister 655 (K ster). Atures : 4 59 ' N 67 41 ' W, 9 May 1980, Steyermark et al. 122135 ( MO ster) ; Sep 1989, Velazco 470 (MO fr). Bolivar: 04 55 ' N 62 49 ' W, Sep 1986, Fernandes 3301 ( MO fl) ; 05 49 ' N 66 50 ' W, Oct 1989, Fernandes et al. 6473 (MO fl); 05 33 ' N 67 08 ' W, Oct 1989, Sanoja et al. 3302 (MO fr); 05 27 ' N 64 49 ' W, May 1989, Marin 344 (MO fr); 5 43 ' N 64 07 ' W, 2 Nov 1988, Aymard & Fernandez 7191 (MO fr); 6 13 ' N 61 27 ' W, 3 Aug 1985, Aymard et al. 3927 (MO fl); 24 Aug 1961, Steyermark 89467 (K fl); 4 30 ' N 61 30 ' W, 1 Nov 1985, Liesner 19244 (MO fr); 04 30 ' N 61 40 ' W, 5 Nov 1985, Liesner 19576 (MO fr); 4 30 ' N 61 36 ' W, 2 Nov 1985, Liesner 19953 (MO fr); 05 00 ' N 61 10 ' W, 5 May 1988, Liesner 24228 (MO ster); 5 46 ' N 62 17 ' W, 3 May 1986, Liesner & Holst 20557 (MO fl); 5 56 ' N 62 16 ' W, 16 May 1986, Liesner & Host 20901 (MO fl); 6 12 ' N 64 28 ' W, 11 May 1982, Liesner & Morillo 14019 (MO fr); 06 50 ' 00 '' N 64 50 ' 00 '' W 7 May 1997, Diaz et al. 3208 (MO fr); Casiquiare , 1 56 ' N 67 03 ' W, 25 Aug 1981, Clark & Maquirino 8179 ( MO ster) ; 1 56 ' N 67 03 ' W, 7 Apr 1979, Liesner 6310 ( MO fr). Rio Negro : 0 50 ' N 66 10 ' W, 21 Feb 1984, Liesner 16151 ( MO fl) ; 0 50 ' N 66 10 ' W, 8 Mar 1984, Liesner 16482 (MO ster); 14 –15 Oct 1987, 1 49 ' N 65 44 ' W, Liesner & Delascio 21926 (MO fl); 1 49 ' N 65 44 ' W, 5 Nov 1987, Liesner & Carnevali 22832 (MO fr); 00 50 ' N 66 10 ' W; 12 Apr 1984, Plowman & Thomas 13553 (MO fr); Rio Mawarinuma , 20 Feb 1985, Boom & Weitzman 5916 ( INPA, K, MO, U fl) ; 0 50 ' N 66 10 ' W, 26 Nov 1984, Croat 59323 (K, MO fr).

Figures

FIG. 2. Geographical distribution of species of Heteropsis. A. H. oblongifolia and H. peruviana. B. H. rigidifolia, H. robusta, H. salicifolia, and H. spruceana. Drawn by Francisca D. A. Matos.

FIG. 4. Establishment of seedlings and flagelliform shoots of Heteropsis on host tree. A. H. steyermarkii, arrow shows anchor root. B. Seedling of H. spruceana on host tree. C. H. spruceana, lower arrow showing anchor root and upper arrow a plagiotropic lateral branch. D. Young H. macrophylla emitting a feeder root. E. Young H. steyermarkii emitting a feeder root (arrow). F–G. Plagiotropic shoot of an individual of H. flexuosa on a fallen tree, producing flagelliform shoot from a plagiotropic branch. A–E: images from Reserva Ducke by M. L. Soares, F–G: images from Amapá by L. Pereira.

FIG. 7. A–M. Inflorescences in bud and at anthesis. A. Heteropsis duckeana. B–C. H. flexuosa. D–E. H. oblongifolia. F–G. Bud and open inflorescence of H. salicifolia, respectively. H. H. spruceana. I–J. Bud and open inflorescence of H. steyermarkii, respectively. L–M. H. tenuispadix. (photos A–C, H–J and M by M. L. Soares; D–G by Hélio; L by Projeto Flora Reserva Florestal Adolfo Ducke).

FIG. 8. A–G. Inflorescences after anthesis. A. H. duckeana. B. H. flexuosa. C. H. salicifolia. D. H. spruceana. E–F. H. steyermarkii. G. H. tenuispadix. (photos: A, B, D-F by M. L. Soares; C by M. Nadruz; G by Projeto Flora Reserva Florestal Adolfo Ducke).

FIG. 9. A–F. Mature and immature infructescences of Heteropsis. A. H. duckeana. B–C. Immature and mature infructescences of H. spruceana, respectively. D. H. oblongifolia. E–F. Immature and mature infructescences of H. tenuispadix, respectively. (photos: A, C, E, F by M. L. Soares, B by Projeto Flora Reserva Florestal Adolfo Ducke, D by André Amorim).

FIG. 26. Heteropsis spruceana. A. Habit. B. Venation of left abaxial surface of leaf blade. C. Lateral view of flower. D. Frontal view of stamen. E. Longitudinal section of gynoecium. F. Transverse section of ovary. G. Placenta with two ovules. H. Lateral view of ovule. (A-H prepared from Soares et al. 405 (INPA)). Drawn by Felipe França.