Phoradendron crassifolium

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Phoradendron crassifolium

Description

A large and coarse plant with terete stems; lateral branches with 1 or 2 pairs of basal cataphylls to 0.5 cm above axil, percurrent branches with 1 pair of intercalary, sterile cataphylls > 0.5 cm above node, followed by 2-5 pairs of fertile cataphylls, these subtending 1-3 inflorescences each, latter also present in axils of foliage leaves. Petiole short, heavy; blade leathery, broadly lanceolate, to 17 x 10 cm; 3-7 prominent palmate veins. Monoecious. Spikes 2-3.5 cm long in fruit, with 2-6(-10) crowded pairs of sterile cataphylls at base; fertile internodes 5-9, very short and crowded, each fertile bract with 3-7 flowers in 2-seriate pattern, terminal flower male, lateral ones female. Fruit yellowish or pale orange to white, often reddish-brown where fully exposed to sun, smooth, nearly spherical, about 0.4 x 0.3 cm, perianth segments small, erect.

Distribution

C America present, S America present, Southern America: Paraguay (Paraguay present), south to Bolivia present
C America and S America, south to Bolivia and Paraguay; 500+ collections studied (GU: 45; SU: 7; FG: 11).

Common Name

English (Suriname): fouroedottie, fowroedoti, koelatawéte, kurata weti, pikien fowroedotie, pikien vouroedotie

Notes

P. crassifolium is an extremely distinctive species because of its multiple, fertile intercalary cataphylls. While Eichler (1868) refers to and illustrates both the 2-seriate and 3-seriate condition, all specimens seen from western S America and C America appear to be strictly 2-seriate; however, an occasional third series of flowers has been noted in some Brazilian plants.