Gustavia angustifolia

Gustavia angustifolia is a small tree, native to South America, with large white flowers. It is an endangered species.[1]

Gustavia angustifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Lecythidaceae
Genus: Gustavia
Species:
G. angustifolia
Binomial name
Gustavia angustifolia
Benth.

Description

Leaves

Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of G. angustifolia is its leaves.[2] G. angustifolia has an abaxial leaf surface that is covered in short, fine velvety hairs which is an uncommon trait among the genus Gustavia.[2] In general the leaves are sessile but they can have petioles up to 30 mm long.[2] The leaf blades tend to be narrow, having an oblong to oblanceolate shape, while the leaf bases are attenuate to acute in shape.[2]

Flowers and reproduction

Gustavia angustifolia has a gametic chromosome number of n=17.[2] The inflorescence of G. angustifolia is racemose and terminal, occurring at the end of the branches. Each raceme typically has 4–10 flowers and each flower has 8 petals.[2] The pedicels of the flowers range from 35 to 100 mm in length.[2] The buds of G.angustifolia are tomentose with a gray coloration.[2] These flowers can grow to be 10–14.5 cm in diameter. The petals have an elliptical shape and are 50–65 mm long and 20–25 mm wide.[2] The androecium of G.angustifolia is fused. The fruit are globe shaped with a flat summit.[2]

Habitat and ecology

Gustavia angustifolia is native to the dry deciduous forests of the coastal plain of Ecuador and Colombia.[2] Pubescent leaves are beneficial in hot, dry environments such as these.[3] The tiny hairs help to keep the leaves cool by reflecting light and casting tiny shadows on the leaf surface.[3] In addition the hairs also provide a barrier between the leaf and the air thereby reducing the amount of exposed surface.[3] Deflecting sunlight and decreasing exposed surface area of the leaf are both adaptations for preventing water loss in the plant.[3] The flowers of this plant bloom in October and begin fruiting in November.[2]

Synonyms and common names

While Gustavia angustifolia is the official scientific name, in the past it has been called Japarandiba angustifolia, Japarandiba ruizana, Gustavia angusta, Gustavia ruiziana, and Gustavia corymbosa.[4] Its common names are Membrillo de Monte and Membrillo de Montaña (Mountain quince).[2]

References
  1. "Listado de las especies por categoría" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-07-20. Retrieved 2012-04-28.
  2. Prance, Ghillean (1979). The actinomorphic-flowered new world lecythidaceae. Bronx, New York: The New York Botanical Garden. pp. 150–151.
  3. Gilmer, Maureen. "Pubescence Protects Plants". Scripps Networks, LLC. Retrieved 2012-04-28.
  4. Stang, David. "Gustavia angustifolia". Retrieved 2012-04-28.
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