Langsdorffia hypogaea

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Langsdorffia hypogaea

Description

Subterranean, rhizome-like tubers 0.7-1.9 cm diam.Supraterranean stems 2-14 cm, with numerous spirally arranged, triangular-lanceolate, scaly leaves 0.4-1.0 x 1.6-3.5 cm. Inflorescences unisexual, not branched; male ones conical, 1.8-3.2 x 2.5-5.0 cm when flowers expanded, female ones hemispherical, 1.7-5.8 x 1.4-3.5 cm. Staminate flowers bracteate, pedicel 6-10 x 1.3 mm; perianth segments 3, valvate; stamens 3, connate into a synandrium. Pistillate flowers linear-prismatic, sessile, ebracteate, densely arranged, 1.5 x 0.25 mm; perianth tubular, irregularly lobed; style 1, exserted.

Distribution

Guyana present, SE Venezuela present
Frequent in SE Venezuela, rare in Guyana. One collection only from Guyana, Schomburgk s.n. without further locality.

Ecology

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