Phoradendron crassifolium

Primary tabs

Phoradendron crassifolium

Content

<<Fruits>Perianth segments>Growth form

erect1
1. 005-003-001

<<Habit>Lateral branches>Cataphyll pair number

1 or 2 pairs2
2. 001-001-001

<<Habit>Lateral branches>Fertile cataphyll pair number

2-5 pairs3
3. 001-001-005

<<Habit>Lateral branches>Relative distance

to 0.5 cm above axil4 > 0.5 cm above node5
4. 001-001-002, 5. 001-001-004

<<Habit>Lateral branches>Sterile cataphyll pair number

1 pair6
6. 001-001-003

<<Petiole>Blade>Dimensions

to 17 x 10 cm7
7. 002-001-003

<<Petiole>Blade>Shape

broadly lanceolate8
8. 002-001-002

<<Petiole>Blade>Texture

leathery9
9. 002-001-001

<<Spikes>Fertile internodes>Fertile internode number

5-910
10. 004-003-001

<<Spikes>Fertile internodes>Flower number per bract

3-711
11. 004-003-002

<<Spikes>Fertile internodes>Position

terminal flower male, lateral12
12. 004-003-004

<<Spikes>Fertile internodes>Series

2-seriate13
13. 004-003-003

<Fruits>Colour

yellowish or pale orange to white, often reddish-brown14
14. 005-001

<Fruits>Dimensions

about 0.4 x 0.3 cm15
15. 005-002

<Fruits>Perianth segments

perianth segments small, .16
16. 005-003

<Habit>Lateral branches

lateral branches with of basal cataphylls , percurrent branches with of intercalary, sterile cataphylls , followed by of fertile cataphylls, these subtending 1-3 inflorescences each, latter also present in axils of foliage leaves.17
17. 001-001

<Petiole>Blade

blade , , ;18
18. 002-001

<Petiole>Veins

3-7 prominent palmate veins.19
19. 002-002

<Spikes>Fertile internodes

fertile internodes , very short and crowded, each fertile bract with flowers in pattern, ones female.20
20. 004-003

<Spikes>Length

2-3.5 cm long21
21. 004-001

<Spikes>Sterile cataphyll pair number

2-6(-10) crowded pairs22
22. 004-002

Common Name

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

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).

Fruits

Fruit where fully exposed to sun, smooth, nearly spherical, ,23
23. 005

Habit

A large and coarse plant with terete stems;24
24. 001

Individuals Association

St. Elie, ORSTOM Biological Station at Forest Concession, Acevedo 4883 Guyana, Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region, Kuroba, E on Mazaruni R., 3 km N of confluence of Kamarang R., Clarke 808 Guyana, Upper Canje R., along S bank from abandoned camp W to Digitima Cr. mouth, Pipoly et al. 11520 Guyana, Berbice Region, along banks of Corentyne R., above Baba Grant Sawmill, above Cow Falls, McDowell et al. 2336 Suriname, Tumuc Humac Mts., Talouakem, upper Litani R., 10 km from first base camp, Acevedo 5827 R. Comté, near Route N-2, Billiet & Jadin 1245 Suriname, Para, Zanderij I, recreation area, 0.5 km E of Zanderij Hwy, 0.5 km N of town, Evans 1806

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.

Petiole

Petiole short, heavy;25
25. 002

Plant sexuality

Monoecious.26
26. 003

Spikes

Spikes in fruit, with of sterile cataphylls at base;27
27. 004