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THE LIBRARY OF THE

."'375-1937

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

BOTANICAL SERIES

FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

FOUNDED BY MARSHALL FIELD, 1893

VOLUME XVIII

FLORA OF COSTA RICA

THE LIBRARY OF THWART II

37

OWIVtRSIT/ OF ILLINOIS

BY

PAUL C. STANDLEY

CURATOR OF THE HERBARIUM, DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY

B. E. DAHLGREN

CHIEF CURATOR, DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY

EDITOR

PUBLICATION 392

CHICAGO, U.S.A.

OCTOBER 20, 1937

Natural f

THE LIBRARY OF THE

NOV5-1937

OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

large and broad, crenate-dentate ; fruits red or orange. A handsome

shrub when covered with the fruits. The hairs are much more

slender than those of U. baccifera.

Urera elata (Swartz) Griseb. Ortiga. Urtica corallina Liebm.

Dansk. Vid. Selsk. Skrivt. V. 2: 295. 1851 (Aguacate, Oersted).

Urera corallina Wedd. in DC. Prodr. 16, pt. 1: 90. 1869. Forests

of the central region and the Pacific slope. Guatemala to Panama;

Jamaica. A shrub 3-5 meters tall or larger; leaves large, crenate,

the hairs few and slender.

Urera laciniata Wedd. Ortiga. Atlantic coast, and in Guana-

caste. Ranging to Peru. A shrub of 1-4 meters; leaves deeply

lobate; hairs thick and stinging very painfully. The species seems

to be rather rare in Costa Rica but I have seen it in a few localities.

The leaves are sometimes purple on the lower surface.

URTICA L. Nettle

Herbs with opposite, dentate leaves, furnished with slender,

stinging hairs; flowers small, green, in spikes, panicles, or axillary

glomerules, monoecious or dioecious.

Urtica chamaedryoides Pursh. Chilacaste. Forests and mead-

ows of the volcanoes. A species of wide distribution in America.

Urtica copeyana Killip, sp. nov. — Caulis erectus simplex pilis

albis brevibus reflexis pubescens et sparse setis gracilibus rectis

armatus; stipulae deciduae; petioli 1.5-5.5 cm. longi minute pubes-

centes et sparse setosi; lamina ovata vel late ovato-lanceolata 6-11

cm. longa 4-8 cm. lata supra setis paucis laxis armata, subtus gla-

brescens, acuminata, basi cordata et 3-5-nervia, nervis conspicuis

stramineis, glabra, margine grosse serrata, serraturis denticulatis

5 mm. latis; spicae graciles 3.5-5 cm. longae 2.5-3 mm. crassae,

quoque nodo 3-5, simplices, rare basi ramosae, dense pubescentes,

androgynae vel unisexuales; flores masculi non visi; flores feminei

in glomerulos subcontiguos dispositi, perianthii segmentis exterioribus

0.7 mm. longis, interioribus orbicularibus 1 mm. longis latisque extus

pilosulis; achaenium late ovatum. — Type in the U. S. National

Herbarium, No. 799,382, collected along the shores of Rio Pedregoso

at El Copey, alt. 1,800 meters, February, 1898, A. Tonduz 11929.

Urtica nicaraguensis Liebm. Ortiga. Forests of the central

mountains. Also in Nicaragua. The plant stings painfully.

BOTANICAL SERIES

FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

FOUNDED BY MARSHALL FIELD, 1893

VOLUME XVIII

THE LIBRARY OF THE

NQV5-1937

BY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAUL C. STANDLEY

CURATOR OF THE HERBARIUM, DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY

B. E. DAHLGREN

CHIEF CURATOR, DEPARTMENT OP BOTANY

EDITOR

PUBLICATION 392

CHICAGO, U.S.A.

OCTOBER 20, 1937

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

BY FIELD MUSEUM PRESS

560.5

-

FLORA OF COSTA RICA

PAUL C. STANDLEY

PROTEACEAE. Protea Family

Trees or shrubs; leaves alternate, without stipules, simple or

pinnate; flowers perfect, racemose; perianth 4-parted; stamens 4;

, fruit a follicle. — In Central America there are species of only the

H genera listed here. The family is best developed in Australia and

r~ South Africa.

GREVILLEA R. Br. Silk Oak

Grevillea robusta Cunningham. Planted as an ornamental

_ tree in parks and streets. Native of Australia. A medium-sized

tree, the leaves pinnate, the leaflets deeply divided into narrow seg-

nents, silky beneath; flowers large, orange. In Central America

this tree is known commonly by the name Grevilea or Gravilea. It

has always seemed to me a singularly unattractive tree, perhaps in

part because it grows in places where it becomes well covered with

dust during the dry season.

PANOPSIS Salisb.

The other species of the genus are South American.

Panopsis costaricensis Standl. Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 17: 164.

1927. Papa, Palo papa. Cerros de Santiago, near San Ramon,

Brenes 14303. Slopes of Volcan de Poas, 1,600 meters; frequent in

the region of San Ramon. Also in Panama. A tree of 5-10 meters;

leaves almost sessile, oblong or obovate, entire, glabrous; flowers

whitish, the racemes forming a terminal panicle; fruit 4.5 cm. long,

hard and woody.

ROUPALA Aubl.

Trees or shrubs; leaves entire or dentate, those of sterile branches

often or usually pinnate; flowers small, in terminal or axillary

racemes; fruit a more or less oblique and 2-celled capsule, the seeds

winged. — These trees are noteworthy for their dimorphous leaves,

both simple and pinnate ones growing sometimes from the same

branch. The wood is hard and heavy. All parts of the plant,

when cut, exhale a strong skunk odor. The genus ranges north-

ward to Mexico, and southward far into South America, where the

401

402 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

species are more numerous, but no better differentiated than the

Central American ones.

Roupala complicata HBK. Danto, Ratdn, Danto hediondo,

Ratoncillo. R. Martii var. simplicifolia Meisn. in Mart. Fl. Bras.

5, pt. 1 : 87. 1855, ex parte (Costa Rica, Warscewicz) . Pacific slope ; San

Ramon, at 1,100 meters. Ranging to Venezuela. A medium-sized

tree; leaves usually entire, ovate, 3-7 cm. long; racemes tomentose.

Roupala darienensis Pittier. Ratoncillo, Zorrillo, Danto

hediondo. Pacific slope, at 1,000 meters or less. Also in Panama.

A small tree, or sometimes attaining a height of 30 meters; leaves

serrate; racemes tomentose. Too closely related to R. complicata

and perhaps not distinct. All the Central American species are

much alike, and it may well be that all are merely forms of a single

variable species.

Roupala glaberrima Pittier, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 18; 229.

1917. Zorrillo bianco, Danto hediondo. Rio Ciruelas, above Barba,

Tonduz 2228. Forests of the central mountains. Endemic. A tree

of 5-8 meters, the bark gray, smooth; leaves entire or somewhat

dentate; racemes glabrous.

LORANTHACEAE. Mistletoe Family

Parasitic shrubs, rarely trees; leaves usually opposite, entire,

thick, sometimes reduced to scales, without stipules; flowers regular,

perfect or unisexual, large or almost minute; perianth simple or

double; petals 3-6 or none; stamens as many as the petals or perianth

segments; fruit a berry or drupe, with a single seed, usually very

viscid and sticky. — All the genera known from Central America

occur in Costa Rica. These plants are the only true parasites found

on trees in Costa Rica, other plants seen on trees being epiphytes.

Parasites are organically united with the tree upon which they grow,

obtaining their nutriment directly from it. Epiphytes are connected

with the tree merely by adherent roots, and extract their nutriment

from the air or from dust and decaying leaves that lodge about their

roots. The mistletoe (liga or visco} of Spain is a species of Viscum,

a genus of this family.

ANTIDAPHNE Poepp. & Endl.

A single species occurs in Central America, the others being

South American.

Antidaphne viscoidea Poepp. & Endl. Matapalo. Canton

de Dota and region of Cartago, 1,400-1,800 meters. Ranging to

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 403

Peru. A parasitic shrub 30-90 cm. high; leaves alternate, obovate,

2.5-7 cm. long, rounded at the apex; flowers yellowish, in short,

conspicuously bracted spikes, the bracts scarious and imbricate.

Growing usually, perhaps always, on Quercus.

DENDROPHTHORA Eichl.

Small parasites; leaves normal or reduced to scales; flowers

minute, dioecious or monoecious, sunk in the rachis, disposed in

short spikes; perianth 3-parted. — Only the following species are

known from Central America. The species with normal leaves are

similar in appearance to Phoradendron.

Dendrophthora biserrula Eichl. Common on slopes of the

volcanoes and mountains of the central region, at 2,000-3,150 meters.

Guatemala to Colombia. Plants much branched, only 10-25 cm.

high, the leaves reduced to scales; berries white. This species prob-

ably is not distinct from D. squamigera (Benth.) Kuntze of Colombia.

Dendrophthora costaricensis Urban, Ber. Deutsch. Bot. Gesell.

14: 285. 1896. Volcan de Irazu, Hoffmann, and Wendland 706. Also

in Panama. Growing upon Quercus and Myrica. Leaves obovate

or rounded, 1.5-3 cm. long, rounded at the apex, glabrous. This

plant has been reported from Costa Rica under the name Phora-

dendron flavescens.

GAIADENDRON G. Don

The other species of the genus are South American, growing

chiefly in the Andean regions.

Gaiadendron poasense Donn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 56: 61. 1913.

Shore of the lake of Volcan de Poas, 2,600 meters, Pittier 814-

Common in forests of the central mountains, 1,500-2,700 meters.

Endemic. A shrub or tree of 3-6 meters, glabrous; leaves petiolate,

elliptic, 4-7 cm. long, acute; flowers yellow, 13 mm. long, in bracteate

racemes ; berries yellow. A ra ther ornamental and showy tree because

of its large and brilliantly colored flowers.

ORYCTANTHUS Eichl.

Parasitic shrubs, the leaves well developed, palmately nerved;

flowers usually perfect, spicate, sunk in the rachis; petals 3, small;

berries oblong.— The following species are the only ones known from

Central America.

Oryctanthus cordifolius (Presl) Urban. Atlantic coast, grow-

ing upon cacao and probably other trees. Widely distributed in

404 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

tropical America. Leaves sessile, cordate at the base, broadly ovate,

very thick and hard.

Oryctanthus occidentalis (L.) Eichl. Region of Cartago,

growing upon Zanthoxylum and probably other genera. A species

of wide distribution. Leaves short-petiolate, oval or ovate, obtuse

or rounded at the apex; flowers perpendicular to the rachis.

Oryctanthus spicatus (Jacq.) Eichl. Matapalo. Atlantic

coast and region of Dota; San Ramon; at 1,800 meters or less,

growing upon cacao and other trees. Guatemala to northern South

America. Leaves short-petiolate, ovate or oval, rounded at the

apex; flowers oblique to the rachis.

PHORADENDRON Nutt.

Reference: William Trelease, The genus Phoradendron, 1916.

Parasitic shrubs, the leaves well developed (in the Central

American species) ; flowers dioecious or monoecious, 3-parted, spicate,

sunk in the rachis of the spike, green and minute; fruit a small berry.

— From Central America about 25 species are known.

Phoradendron annulatum Oliver, Vid. Medd. Kjoebenhavn

1864: 176. 1865. Type collected in Costa Rica by Oersted, the

exact locality unknown. Also in Guatemala. Illustrated, Trelease,

Gen. Phorad. pi. 65.

Phoradendron ceibanum Trelease, Gen. Phorad. 111. pi. 159.

1916. Matapalo. Rio Ceiba, Buenos Aires, Pittier 3900. Also

in Canton de Dota. Extending to British Honduras. Ascending in

Costa Rica to an elevation of 2,000 meters.

Phoradendron Cooperi Trelease, Gen. Phorad. 67. pi. 83.

1916. Matapalo. La Estrella de Cartago, Cooper 5931. Common in

the central region, 1,100-1,800 meters. Endemic. Whole plant

yellowish green; leaves elongate, very narrow. Probably not distinct

from P. Tonduzii, published on the same page.

Phoradendron corynarthron Eichl. Matapalo. Mountains

of Guanacaste, 500-700 meters. Also in Panama.

Phoradendron crassifolium (Pohl) Eichl. Matapalo. Atlantic

slope, 900-2,400 meters. Guatemala to South America.

Phoradendron crispum Trelease, Gen. Phorad. 77. pi. 99.

1916. Volcan de Irazu, Pittier 14117. Common in mountains of

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 405

the central region, 1,800-3,000 meters. Endemic. Leaves rounded-

obovate, 3-5 cm. long; berries white, translucent. Growing upon

Quercus, Vaccinium, etc.

Phoradendron Dodgei Trelease, sp. nov. — Aequitoriales-Coryn-

arthrae. Vix furcata, ramis subgracilibus cataphyllis basalibus

tantum onustis, androgyna(?), internodiis breviusculis (20-40 vel

ad 50 mm. longis, 1-3 mm. crassis) transiente ancipitibus; cataphylla

1 vel interdum 2 paria vix tubulosa; folia plus minusve falcate

lanceolata firma sed manifeste graciliter circiter 5-nervia, anguste

obtusa, 4-6 cm. longa 1-2 cm. lata, acute circiter 10 mm. longe sub-

petiolata; spicae solitariae modicae (ad 30 mm. longae), articulis

2-3 fusiformi-oblongis 4-seriatim 16-20-floris, pedunculo vix 5 mm.

longo; squamae vix ciliatae; fructus globosus paullo granulosus 3 mm.

diam., sepalis arete inflexis. — Gorge below Tilaran, Guanacaste,

C. W. Dodge 6200 in 1930 (type in Gray Herb.).

Phoradendron falcifolium Trelease. Matapalo. Mountains

of Guanacaste. Also in Guatemala. Probably only a form of P.

robustissimum.

Phoradendron gracilispicum Trelease, Gen. Phorad. 130.

pi. 192. 1916. Matapalo. P. Heydeanum f. australe Trel. op. cit.

135. Common in the central region, at 600-1,800 meters, growing

on Erythrina, Psidium, Quercus, etc. Also in Colombia and Vene-

zuela. Berries white, translucent.

Phoradendron paquitanum Trelease, sp. nov. — Aequitoriales-

Quadr angular es. Plus minusve pseudo-dichotoma, ramis sublongis

cataphyllis basalibus tantum onustis, androgyna(?), internodiis

breviusculis (30-40 mm. longis 2-4 mm. crassis) minute granulosis

4-alatis superne aliquanto ancipitibus; par cataphyllorum 1 fere basi-

lare; folia subelliptico-oblonga obtusa 5-6 cm. longa 1.5-2 cm. lata

circiter 5 mm. longe petiolata; spicae solitariae vel fasciculatae

modicae (in statu fructifero circiter 30 mm. longae), articulis circiter

3 et 4+2-seriatim 20-floris, pedunculo 5 mm. longo; fructus globosus

3 mm. diam. minute celluloso-papillosus, sepalis arete inflexis. —

Rio Paquita, Prov. San Jose", Dodge & Goerger 9879 (type in herb.

Mo. Bot. Gard.).

Phoradendron piperoides (HBK.) Trelease. Matapalo. P.

Biolleyi Krause, Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin 5: 264. 1912 (San Mateo,

Biolley). Tierra caliente, ascending to the region of Cartago. A

species of wide distribution in tropical America.

406 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Phoradendron quinquenervium Krause, Notizbl. Bot. Gart.

Berlin 5: 264. 1912. Matapalo. Tuis, Tonduz 11457. Canton de

Dota and mountains of the Meseta Central, ascending to 1,800

meters. Endemic. Plant yellowish green. Illustrated, Trelease,

Gen Phorad. pi. 23 Ib.

Phoradendron Rensoni Trelease. Matapalo. Guanacaste and

Pacific coast, ascending to the Meseta Central. Ranging to southern

Mexico. Growing upon Guazuma and other trees.

Phoradendron robust issimum Eichl. Matapalo. P. robustis-

simum var. simulans Trelease, Gen. Phorad. 78. pi. 102. 1916.

Common on the Pacific coast, ascending to Canton de Dota and the

region of Cartago. Ranging to Campeche. The plant is noteworthy

for its very thick leaves.

Phoradendron supravenulosum Trelease, Gen. Phorad. 154.

pi. 232. 1916. Matapalo. Region of Dota and Cartago, and in Gua-

nacaste. Ranging to Guatemala. Scarcely more than a form of

P. quinquenervium.

Phoradendron Tonduzii Trelease, Gen. Phorad. 67. pi. 82.

1916. Santa Rosa del Copey, Tonduz 12179. Matapalo. Common

in the central region, 1,100-1,800 meters. Also in Panama. Upon

Quercus and other trees. Plants pendent, yellowish green; berries

white.

PHTHIRUSA Mart.

One other Central American species occurs in Panama.

Phthirusa pyrifolia (HBK.) Eichl. Matapalo. Common on

the coasts, ascending to the Meseta Central; region of San Ramon.

Guatemala to South America. Growing in Costa Rica upon Citrus,

Theobroma, Croton, and other trees. A species of wide distribution.

A shrub 0.5-1.5 meters high or even larger, the branches elongate

and sometimes pendent; leaves ovate to oblong, rounded at the apex;

flowers minute, in groups of 3, spicate, green; berries oblong.

PSITTACANTHUS Mart.

Parasitic shrubs, the leaves well developed ; flowers perfect, large,

generally 6-parted, arranged in racemes or corymbs; fruit a large

berry.- — Because of their large and brightly colored flowers, these

plants are very showy. Sometimes they grow in such abundance

on tall trees that when they are in flower it looks as if the tree itself

was in blossom. When they become too plentiful upon a tree they

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 407

sap its strength and finally kill it. It is these plants that are respon-

sible for the flores de palo that are well known in some parts of

Central America. They are scars left upon a tree branch when the

parasite has been separated by force from it.

Psittacanthus americanus (L.) Mart. Matapalo. Common

in the central region, growing on Quercus and other trees. A species

of wide distribution. A glabrous shrub 1 meter high or less; leaves

oblong or elliptic, rounded or very obtuse at the apex; flowers 3-5

cm. long; berries almost black.

Psittacanthus calyculatus (DC.) Don. Region of Dota, and

probably elsewhere. Ranging to Mexico. Leaves lanceolate,

attenuate to the apex; flowers 3-5 cm. long.

Psittacanthus Schiedeanus (Schlecht. & Cham.) Blume.

Matapalo. Slopes of the volcanoes, at 1,500-2,400 meters, and prob-

ably in regions of less elevation. Extending to Mexico. Leaves

lanceolate or ovate; flowers 6.5-8 cm. long.

STRUTHANTHUS Mart.

Parasitic shrubs, often, more or less scandent, glabrous; leaves

well developed; flowers small, in groups of 3, spicate, racemose, or

corymbose; fruit a small berry.

Struthanthus costaricensis Standl. Field Mus. Bot. 4: 202.

1929. Forests of Tuis, 650 meters, Tonduz 11458. Also in Guana-

caste and Canton de Dota, 500-1,800 meters. Endemic. Leaves

elliptic or obovate, acute or obtuse; flowers sessile, the glomerules

also sessile.

Struthanthus marginatus (Desr.) Blume. Matapalo. Loran-

thus cansjeraefolius Oliver, Nat. For. Kjoebenhavn Vid. Medd. 1864:

163. 1865 (Agua Caliente, Oersted). S. Woodsonii Cufodontis, Archivio

Bot. 10: 7. 1934 (La Castilla to Los Negritos, Rio Reventazon,

Cufodontis 331}. Common throughout the central region and the

Atlantic slope, to the coast; region of San Ramon; growing upon

Quercus, Coffea, and other trees. Guatemala to South America.

Often scandent, the leaves lanceolate or ovate, acuminate; flowers

sessile, the glomerules pedicellate. It is possible that the plant to

which the name S. Woodsonii has been given is distinct from S.

marginatus of Brazil, but it seems to me that all the numerous Costa

Rican specimens represent a single species.

408 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Struthanthus Oerstedii (Oliver) Standl. Matapalo. Guana-

caste ; region of San Ramon ; 600-1,200 meters. Ranging to Salvador.

Leaves obovate, obtuse; flowers sessile, the glomerules pedicellate.

Struthanthus orbicularis (HBK.) Blume. Matapalo. Com-

mon in the Meseta Central, and probably elsewhere, growing upon

Citrus and other trees. A species of wide distribution. Leaves rounded ;

flowers short-pedicellate.

Struthanthus polystachyus (Ruiz & Pavon) Blume. On the

coasts. Extending to South America. Leaves lance-oblong; flowers

sessile, the glomerules also sessile.

OLACACEAE

Shrubs or trees, sometimes armed with spines; leaves alternate,

entire, without stipules; flowers small, regular, perfect or polygamous,

axillary; calyx 4-6-dentate or 4-6-parted; corolla 4-6-lobate or of

4-6 petals; stamens as many as the corolla segments; ovary 1-3-

celled, partly or completely inferior, the ovules few; fruit a 1-celled

drupe.

HEISTERIA Jacq.

Glabrous shrubs or small trees; leaves short-petiolate; flowers

solitary or fasciculate in the leaf axils, small; calyx at first small,

in fruit much enlarged and rotate, entire or lobate, red; drupe small,

white or black. — Six species are known from Central America.

Heisteria concinna Standl. Naranjillo. Dry forests of Guana-

caste, 600 meters; Rio Jaris. Also in Chiriqui, Panama. A tree of

6-9 meters with dense, rounded crown and smooth bark; leaves

coriaceous, elliptic-oblong; calyx deeply lobate; drupes white.

Heisteria costaricensis Donn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 19: 255. 1894.

Rio Reventazon, Prov. Cartago, 600 meters, J. D. Smith 4760.

Forests of the Atlantic coast; region of San Ramon, at 1,100 meters.

Panama. A shrub or small tree; leaves linear-lanceolate; pedicels

1-1.5 cm. long; flowers white; drupes black.

Heisteria longipes Standl. Forests of the Atlantic coast. A

shrub or tree of 2-6 meters; leaves oblong or elliptic; pedicels longer

than the fruiting calyx (shorter in the other species listed here).

Also in Panama.

Heisteria macrophylla Oerst. Manglillo. Common in forests

of the Atlantic coast; region of San Ramon, at 1,075 meters. Ranging

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 409

to Guatemala. A shrub or tree, sometimes 10 meters high; leaves

oblong-lanceolate, acuminate ; calyx red ; drupes black. For the genus

Heisteria there have been reported the following Indian names;

Srot-kra (Brunka); Trar-kro (Terraba). The shrubs are conspicuous

in the forests of the tierra caliente because of the bright color

of the fruiting calyces.

MINQUARTIA Aubl. Manwood

Minquartia guianensis Aubl. Manu. Forests of the Atlantic

coast; Golfo Dulce. Ranging to Brazil. A tall tree; leaves oblong

or oblong-ovate, acute, short-petiolate; flowers very small, in panic-

ulate racemes. The wood is hard, heavy, grayish brown, and very

durable. It is well known in the tierra caliente, where it is utilized

for various purposes. In Panama the tree is known by the names

Nispero negro, Palo criollo and Urodibe.

SCHOEPFIA Schreb.

One other species is known from Central America.

Schoepfia vacciniiflora Planch. In forest, San Pedro de San

Ramon, 850 meters, Brenes 3554- Also in Guatemala and probably

in Panama. A small tree, glabrous; leaves coriaceous, lance-oblong,

long-acuminate; flowers in short, mostly 3-flowered, axillary racemes,

the calyx small and cupular; corolla white, 5 mm. long, the lobes

shorter than the tube.

XIMENIA L.

In Central America the genus is represented by a single species.

Ximenia americana L. Pepenance. Thickets of the coasts,

often growing on sea beaches. A species of wide distribution in both

hemispheres. A shrub or small tree, armed with sharp spines, the

bark reddish; leaves oblong to elliptic, rounded at the apex; flowers

fragrant, white, the corolla densely barbate within; drupe yellow or

orange, 1.5 cm. long. The fruit is acid and edible but of very inferior

quality. The wood is strong, hard, and heavy. The Brunka name

of Tsu-kra is cited for the plant.

BALANOPHORACEAE

Fleshy herbs, in general appearance resembling mushrooms,

parasitic upon the roots of other plants, without any green colora-

tion, the rhizomes tuberous; leaves none or reduced to scales, the

peduncle short or elongate; flowers very small, unisexual, inserted

upon a thick spadix. — In Central America there have been found

only the species listed here.

410 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

CORYNAEA Hook.

The other species of the genus are South American.

Corynaea crassa Hook. f. Trans. Linn. Soc. 22: 54. pi. 13.

1856. Collected on the Volcan de Barba by Wendland. Also in

Colombia. Plants glabrous, the rhizome as large as a man's head;

peduncle 8-20 cm. long, the spadix 6-10 cm. long. In Colombia

the plants are known by the name Orejas de palo.

HELOSIS L. Rich.

The other species of the genus are South American and West

Indian.

Helosis mexicana Liebm. Reported from El General and else-

where. Mexico to Colombia. Plants glabrous, the peduncle 6-24

cm. long; spadix 1.5-4.5 cm. long. The plants form dense clumps

and grow in dark forest among rotting leaves.

LANGSDORFFIA Mart.

A single species occurs in Central America.

Langsdorffia hypogaea Mart. In forest near Santa Maria de

Dota, 1,500 meters, M. Valeria 1381. Mexico to Brazil. Plants

forming small, dense clumps, scarcely projecting above the surface

of the soil, from thick, branched rhizomes; peduncle short, densely

covered with narrow, hard, closely imbricate scales that conceal

most of the short spadix, which sometimes is expanded and disk-like.

ARISTOLOCHIACEAE. Birthwort Family

Reference: 0. C. Schmidt, Die Gattung Aristolochia in Costa

Rica, Repert. Sp. Nov. 23: 284. 1927.

In Central America the family is represented by a single genus.

ARISTOLOCHIA L.

Erect or scandent perennials, herbaceous or woody; leaves alter-

nate, entire or lobate; flowers perfect, very irregular; calyx more

or less united with the ovary, inflated near its base and contracted

above, the blade plane or reflexed, entire or lobate; corolla none;

fruit a 6-valvate capsule containing numerous seeds. — About a

dozen species are known from Central America.

Aristolochia anguicida L. Pacific slope, in dry thickets.

Mexico to the West Indies. A scandent herb with large, green

stipules; leaves triangular or ovate, deeply cordate at the base;

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 411

calyx 4 cm. long, the blade linear-lanceolate. Easy of recognition

because of the large stipules (really pseudostipules, as in other

species).

Aristolochia costaricensis (Klotzsch) Duchartre in DC. Prodr.

15, pt. 1: 450. 1864. Howardia costaricensis Klotzsch, Monatsber.

Akad. Berlin 614. 1859. Lepanto, Hoffmann 284- I have seen no

material of this species, which must be close to A. pilosa, from which

it differs in having oblong leaves. The var. zamorensis Hieron. is

reported from the region of San Ramon, Brenes 14293, and occurs

also in Ecuador.

Aristolochia grandiflora Swartz. Common on the Atlantic

coast, occurring also on the Pacific; Guanacaste. Mexico to Panama

and West Indies. A large, herbaceous vine; leaves ovate-cordate,

almost glabrous; calyx 12-20 cm. long, provided at the apex of the

blade with a linear appendage as much as 1 meter long. The flower

is the largest produced by any Central American plant, and one

of the largest flowers of the whole world, its main portion being

about the size and shape of a duck. It has a highly offensive odor,

suggestive of carrion, and is dark purple within. The plant is often

cultivated in northern hothouses. In other parts of Central America

it bears such names as Flor de pato, Guaco, and Chompipe. It is

celebrated locally for supposed medicinal properties, especially as

a remedy for snake bites. The roots are said to be poisonous to

pigs and other animals.

Aristolochia loriflora Masters. Nicoya and Rio Grande in

the region of San Ramon. Guatemala to Colombia. Plants almost

glabrous; leaves ovate-cordate; calyx 3-3.5 cm. long, the blade

acute; capsule 3.5 cm. long.

Aristolochia maxima L. Cuajilote (Pittier), Carraquito. How-

ardia Hoffmanni Klotzsch, Monatsber. Akad. Berlin 621. 1859

(Costa Rica, Hoffmann); A. maxima var. angustifolia Duch. in DC.

Prodr. 15, pt. 1: 457. 1864. Common in forest and thickets of the

coasts, ascending almost to the Meseta Central. Mexico to South

America. A more or less woody vine; leaves oblong, rounded or

somewhat cordate at the base, pubescent beneath; calyx 8-10 cm.

long. Pittier states that the young, tender fruits are edible.

Aristolochia odoratissima L. Flor de pascua. Atlantic coast.

A species of wide distribution. A herbaceous vine, almost glabrous;

412 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

leaves triangular-cordate; calyx 6-11 cm. long, the blade rounded

at the apex.

Aristolochia pandurata Jacq. Imperfect specimens collected

in Costa Rica are perhaps referable to this South American species.

Leaves trilobate, the lobes narrow.

Aristolochia pilosa HBK. A. pilosa var. ligulifera Masters,

Bot. Gaz. 33: 256. 1902. Common in the tierra caliente. A species

of wide distribution. A scandent herb, densely hirsute with brown

hairs; leaves ovate-cordate; calyx 5-7 cm. long. Easy of recognition

because of the abundant, brown pubescence.

Aristolochia ringens Vahl. Reported as in cultivation at San

Jose". Central America and West Indies. A large vine with con-

spicuous stipules; leaves rounded-cordate, large, broadly rounded at

the apex, almost or quite glabrous; flowers very large, the calyx

deeply bilabiate.

Aristolochia securidata Masters in Bonn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 33:

256. 1902. Canastilla. Rosario, Llanuras de Santa Clara, 300 meters,

Pittier 7604- Plains of the Atlantic coast. Endemic. A scandent

herb; leaves cordate, almost glabrous; calyx 4 cm. long, the blade

subobtuse; capsule 2.5 cm. long.

Aristolochia sylvicola Standl. Rio Changuinola, and probably

in other parts of the Atlantic coast. Panama. A scandent shrub,

the stems covered with thick, deeply ridged, cork-like bark; leaves

large, narrowly ovate, tomentose and pale beneath.

Aristolochia Tonduzii 0. C. Schmidt, Repert. Sp. Nov. 23:

284. 1927. Forests of Trejos, Las Vueltas, Tucurrique, 700 meters,

Tonduz 13175. Reported also as in cultivation at San Jose". En-

demic. Stems scandent, short-pilose like all younger parts of the

plant; leaves elliptic, cordate at the base, acuminate; flowers in few-

flowered inflorescences; limb of the calyx lanceolate, 4-5 cm. long,

1.5 cm. wide.

Aristolochia trilobata L. Atlantic coast. A species of wide

distribution. Leaves 3-lobate, the lobes obtuse; flowers very large,

the blade ovate, with a narrow terminal appendage 12-15 cm. long.

Aristolochia veraguensis Duch. in DC. Prodr. 15, pt. 1: 458.

1864. Type collected by Warscewicz in Costa Rica or Panama.

Leaves glabrous, broadly ovate, deeply cordate at the base; calyx

about 7 cm. long.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 413

POLYGONACEAE. Smartweed Family

Herbs, shrubs, or trees, sometimes scandent; leaves alternate,

entire, the petioles generally dilated at the base; stipules (ocreae)

usually scarious and sheath-like; flowers perfect or unisexual, regular,

commonly small, the pedicels almost always articulate; perianth

green or variously colored, of 4-6 lobes or segments; stamens 5-9 or

numerous; ovary superior, 1-celled, 1-ovulate; fruit an achene, the

perianth sometimes persistent and fleshy in fruit. — Other genera

are represented in northern Central America.

ANTIGONON Endl.

Another species occurs in northern Central America.

Antigonon leptopus Hook. & Arn. Bellisima. Cultivated for

ornament in gardens, and probably naturalized in some localities,

but I believe it is not native in Costa Rica. Probably indigenous

in Mexico and northern Central America. A herbaceous or some-

what woody vine; leaves cordate, pubescent or almost glabrous;

flowers pink, in paniculate racemes, the racemes terminated by a

tendril. A showy and handsome plant, cultivated in almost all

tropical regions.

COCCOLOBA L.

Reference: Lindau, Monographia generis Coccolobae, Bot.

Jahrb. 13: 10&-229. 1890.

Trees or shrubs; leaves petiolate; flowers perfect, in spikes or

racemes; perianth 5-lobate, accrescent and enclosing the fruit,

sometimes very juicy. — About 20 species are known from Central

America.

Coccoloba acuminata HBK. Thickets of the Pacific coast,

probably also of the Atlantic. Guatemala to South America. A

shrub or a tree of 6 meters; leaves oblong-lanceolate, 10-20 cm. long,

acuminate, almost glabrous; fruits red. A very showy plant when

in fruit. In Nicaragua it is known by the name Papaturrillo.

Coccoloba caracasana Meissn. Papaturro bianco. Pacific

coast. Central America to Venezuela. A tree of 20 meters or less;

leaves oval or rounded, 10-30 cm. long, rounded at the apex, almost

glabrous; fruits almost sessile, white. The very juicy fruits have a

somewhat acid and agreeable flavor and are edible.

Coccoloba changuinolana Standl. Field Mus. Bot. 8: 9. 1930.

Rio Changuinola, Costa Rica and Panama; region of San Ramon,

414 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

at 1,100 meters. A tree of 9 meters or less; leaves oval or elliptic,

12-20 cm. long, rounded and abruptly short-acuminate at the apex,

glabrous; pedicels very short.

Coccoloba floribunda (Benth.) Lindau. Papaturro. Thickets

of the Pacific coast, common in many places. Guatemala to Brazil.

A tree of 6 meters or less in height with rounded crown; leaves obo-

vate, rounded or obtuse at the apex, barbate beneath along the

costa; flowers almost sessile; fruits white.

Coccoloba padif ormis Meissn. Golfo Dulce. Also in Venezuela.

Leaves oblong, coriaceous, 10-20 cm. long, glabrous, acute; pedicels

2-3 mm. long.

Coccoloba Uvifera (L.) Jacq. Uva de play a, Papaturro. Com-

mon on sea beaches. A species of wide distribution, ranging from

Florida to northern South America. A shrub or small tree with very

dense foliage, the bark smooth, cinnamon-colored; leaves rounded,

8-20 cm. wide, very thick, glabrous, often tinged with red; flowers

small, whitish, very fragrant; fruits as much as 2 cm. long, purple.

A characteristic species of tropical beaches, and confined to such

places; a handsome shrub, sometimes cultivated for ornament.

The wood is hard and compact, dark brown, and heavy. It is

reported to yield a red dye. The fruits are edible. The Guatuso

name of Kan-ikan is reported.

Coccoloba Wercklei Standl. Field Mus. Bot. 4: 304. 1929.

Carro caliente. El Coyolar, 150 meters, Werckle. Pacific slope.

Endemic. A glabrous tree; leaves rounded or oval, 7-10 cm. long,

rounded and short-acuminate at the apex; pedicels longer than

the fruits.

MUEHLENBECKIA Meissn.

Muehlenbeckia platyclada Meissn. Solitaria. An ornamental

plant of gardens. Native of the Pacific islands. Plants leafless, the

stems compressed and broad, ribbon-like, articulate, with minute

flowers on the margins.

Muehlenbeckia tamnifolia (HBK.) Meissn. Bejuco Colorado.

Abundant in forests of the central region, 1,600-3,000 meters. Mex-

ico to Bolivia. Plants herbaceous, usually epiphytic, scandent, the

stems often greatly elongate and forming dense masses over low trees;

leaves oblong to elliptic, 4-10 cm. long, glabrous, acute, usually has-

tate-cordate at the base; flowers small, green, racemose; achene

enclosed in the fleshy calyx. Another Central American species is

found on the volcanoes of Guatemala.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 415

POLYGONUM L. Smartweed

Herbs with narrow leaves; flowers small, green or variously

colored, in spikes or racemes, the sepals not winged; stamens 3-9;

fruit a small achene. — A large genus, but with only seven species in

Central America.

Polygonum acuminatum HBK. Swampy places of the Atlan-

tic coast. A species of wide distribution. Plants 1 meter high;

ocreae with long setae on the margin; leaves linear-lanceolate,

densely strigose on the lower surface; racemes dense, 4-10 cm. long,

the flowers white or pink.

Polygonum Meisnerianum Cham. & Schlecht. Reported for

Costa Rica, without indication of the locality. A species of wide

distribution. Plants somewhat scandent; leaves linear, more or less

cordate at the base; racemes only 1 cm. long, the flowers pink.

Polygonum persicarioides HBK. Chile de perro. Swampy

places of the Atlantic coast. A species of wide distribution. Leaves

linear-lanceolate, almost glabrous; racemes dense; calyx pink, not

punctate.

Polygonum punctatum Ell. Chile de perro. P. acre HBK.

Common in moist or wet places, Meseta Central to the coasts. A

widely distributed species. Leaves lanceolate, glabrous; racemes

interrupted, slender, 2-6 cm. long; calyx green or pink, punctate;

achene black, lustrous.

RUMEX L.

Perennial herbs; leaves entire or undulate, somewhat succulent;

flowers small, green or reddish, perfect or unisexual, racemose; sepals

6, the inner ones usually winged or tuberculate; fruit a 3-angled

achene.— From Central America only the species listed here are

known.

Rumex Acetosella L. Ruibarbillo. Abundant in meadows of the

volcanoes and Cerro de Las Vueltas, 1,800-3,000 meters. Native of

Europe and Asia, naturalized in many parts of the New World ; im-

ported into Costa Rica with grass seeds. Plants 10-30 cm. high,

the small leaves hastate; flowers dioecious, green or reddish. The

leaves have an acid flavor.

Rumex costaricensis Rechinger, Repert. Sp. Nov. 40: 300.

1936. Cerro de La Muerte, 3,000 meters, Stork 3043. Known also

from Cerro de Las Vueltas, at the same elevation. Endemic. A

giant herb, often 5-6 meters high, the stems as much as 10 cm.

416 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

thick, hollow; leaves oblong-ovate. A strange plant to one familiar

only with the low species of temperate regions, tree-like in habit

and probably the largest plant of the genus, at least in America.

On Cerro de Las Vueltas it forms dense thickets in places protected

from the wind.

Runiex crispus L. Common in the vicinity of San Jose", and

probably also elsewhere. A European species, naturalized in many

parts of America. Plants perennial from a large, thick, yellow root,

50-100 cm. high; leaves oblong, crispate; flowers green. In the

United States the leaves often are cooked and eaten like spinach.

Rumex obtusifolius L. Ruibarbo. Swampy places of the

Meseta Central, and in meadows of the volcanoes. A European

species, naturalized in many parts of America. Similar to R. crispus,

but the leaves much broader, and not crispate.

RUPRECHTIA C. A. Mey.

Another Central American species grows in Guatemala.

Ruprechtia Cumingii Meissn. Nicoya. Colombia to southern

Mexico. A small or medium-sized tree; leaves short-petiolate, ovate,

4-7 cm. long, acute, almost glabrous; flowers dioecious, the racemes

short and dense; stamens numerous; segments of the pistillate calyx

enlarged in fruit and red.

TRIPLARIS L.

A single species occurs in Central America, the other members

of the genus being South American.

Triplaris americana L. Hormigo, Tabacon, Tabaco, Tabaco de

monte. Common in the tierra caliente. Mexico to South America.

A medium-sized or rather large tree with rounded crown; leaves

oblong, 17-35 cm. long, acute, pubescent or almost glabrous; flowers

dioecious, green, the racemes arranged in dense panicles; stamens 9;

pistillate calyx enlarged in fruit, the outer sepals 5 cm. long, oblong-

spatulate, red or purple. From Central America several species

have been reported or described but all the specimens seem to me to

represent a single, not very variable species. When in fruit this

tree is one of the most showy of Central America, especially when

it forms dense and almost pure stands over considerable areas of

the plains. The wood is used for construction in some regions; it is

fine-grained, heavy, and white. The branches always are infested

with small ants that bite painfully. The fruit is curious, an achene

surrounded by 3 large, wing-like sepals. When it falls from the

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 417

tree it descends slowly, like a parachute, whirling about and often

coming to rest at some distance from the tree.

CHENOPODIACEAE. Pigweed Family

Reference: Standley, Chenopodiaceae, N. Amer. Flora 21: 3-93.

1916.

BETA L. Beet

Beta vulgaris L. Remolacha. Cultivated commonly for its

edible roots. Native of Europe.

CHENOPODIUM L.

In Central America there is a single native species, in Guatemala.

Chenopodium ambrosioides L. Apazote. Vicinity of San Jose"

and doubtless in many other places; often planted in gardens. An

American plant but scarcely native in Costa Rica. Perhaps indige-

nous in Mexico, but in all parts of its range the plant behaves as

an introduced rather than a native species. An annual or perennial

with a strong and offensive odor; leaves oblong or lanceolate, dentate

or entire, alternate; flowers minute, green, in dense glomerules.

The plant is employed commonly as a remedy for intestinal parasites

in man, and the seeds are an official drug in many pharmacopoeias.

It grows in almost all parts of tropical America, as well as the United

States, and has become naturalized in the Old World.

SPINACIA L. Spinach

Spinacia oleracea L. Espinaca. A plant of European origin,

cultivated commonly in gardens for its edible leaves.

AMARANTHACEAE. Amaranth Family

Reference: Standley, Amaranthaceae, N. Amer. Flora 21: 95-

169. 1917.

Herbs or shrubs, rarely small trees, sometimes scandent; leaves

opposite or alternate, entire; flowers small, perfect, polygamous, or

dioecious, subtended by a bract and 2 bractlets; perianth usually

5-parted ; stamens as many as the perianth segments or fewer, often

alternating with staminodia (sterile stamens); ovary superior, 1-

celled; fruit a capsule or utricle, dehiscent or indehiscent. — All the

Central American genera are represented in Costa Rica.

ACHYRANTHES L.

Annual or perennial herbs; leaves opposite, petiolate; flowers

green, in simple or branched spikes; bracts spinescent. — The sharp

bracts penetrate the flesh easily.

418 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Achyranthes aspera L. Mozotillo, Rabo de chancho. Common

in the Meseta Central, ranging to the coasts, a weed of waste or

cultivated ground, often growing in thickets. Tropics of both

hemispheres. Leaves acuminate.

Achyranthes indica (L.) Mill. Atlantic coast, in cultivated or

waste ground. Probably introduced from the Old World, but now

well established in tropical America. Leaves rounded at the apex.

ALTERNANTHERA Forsk.

Herbs with opposite leaves; flowers perfect, in spikes or heads,

usually somewhat compressed; sepals 5; filaments united to form a

tube; fruit a utricle. — From Central America about 15 species

are known.

Alternanthera Bettzickiana (Regel) Standl. An ornamental

garden plant. Probably of American origin but unknown in a wild

state. Plants low, with narrow leaves, these tinged with various

colors — red, white, or yellow.

Alternanthera costaricensis Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 538. 1891.

Achyranthes costaricensis Standl. Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 5: 74. 1915.

Type collected on the Atlantic coast by Kuntze. Also at Siquirres.

Endemic.

Alternanthera ficoidea (L.) R. Br. Waste ground of the

Atlantic coast. Of wide distribution in tropical America.

Alternanthera laguroides Standl. in Standl. & Cald. Lista PI.

El Salv. 74. 1925. Achyranthes laguroides Standl. Contr. U. S. Nat.

Herb. 18: 90. 1916. San Francisco de Guadalupe, Tonduz 8006.

Meseta Central, descending to the coasts. Panama to Salvador.

An erect or clambering plant, the flowers white, in pedunculate

spikes 1-2 cm. long.

Alternanthera Lehmannii Hieron. Forests of the Atlantic

slope, 600-1,000 meters; region of San Ramon. Also in Colombia.

Alternanthera megaphylla Standl. Field Mus. Bot. 8: 9. 1930.

Achyranthes megaphylla Standl. N. Amer. Fl. 21: 141. 1917. Rio

Hondo, Llanuras de Santa Clara, 100 meters, Cook & Doyle 573.

Common in forests of the Atlantic slope; region of San Ramon; also

in Guanacaste. Endemic.

Alternanthera microcephala (Moq.) Schinz. Common in

forests of the central region, 1,400-1,800 meters. Panama to Mexico.

A slender herb with white flowers.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 419

Alternanthera polygonoides (L.) R. Br. Golondrina. Waste

ground, Meseta Central to the Pacific coast. A species of wide dis-

tribution. Plants prostrate, the flowers white.

Alternanthera repens (L.) Kuntze. Common in streets and

roads of the central region. Pantropic in distribution. Stems pros-

trate, the flower white, in sessile heads. In Central America this

species grows almost always between cobblestones.

Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R. Br. Meseta Central to the

Atlantic coast, in waste ground. Of pan tropic distribution.

Alternanthera versicolor (Lam.) Regel. An ornamental gar-

den plant, noteworthy for its variegated leaves, tinged with various

colors. Probably of American origin, but unknown in a wild state.

Alternanthera Williamsii Standl. Achyranthes Williamsii

Standl. Dry thickets of the Pacific coast. Panama to southern

Mexico.

AMARANTHUS L. Amaranth, Pigweed

Annuals, the leaves alternate, petiolate; flowers usually green,

dioecious, monecious, or polygamous, in spikes or panicles; fruit

utricular, dehiscent or indehiscent. — About 6 species are known from

Central America.

Amaranthus ascendens Loisel. Sandy stream beds near San

Jose. A species almost pantropic in distribution, but not native

here. Very rare in Central America.

Amaranthus dubius Mart. Waste places in the Atlantic coast.

Widely distributed in tropical America, a common weed in most of

the Central American tierra caliente.

Amaranthus hybridus L. Bledo, Mercolina(?). Common in

cultivated or waste ground of the Meseta Central. Generally dis-

tributed in tropical and temperate America. The leaves and young

shoots often are used as pot herbs or quelites.

Amaranthus scariosus Benth. Pacific coast, in cultivated or

waste ground. Ranging to southern Mexico. An erect plant 1-2

meters high.

Amaranthus spinosus L. Bledo. Abundant in cultivated and

waste ground, Meseta Central to the coasts. Pantropic in distribu-

tion. Easy of recognition because of the stiff, sharp spines in the

leaf axils.

420 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

CELOSIA L.

Celosia argentea L. Rare in waste ground of the Meseta

Central and Atlantic coast. Widely distributed in tropical America,

but probably nowhere truly wild. Plants found in such places are

merely the most reduced and most nearly primitive form of the

garden cockscomb, Celosia cristata L., a showy ornamental plant

common in Central American gardens, and known by the names

Cresta de gallo, Abanico, and Terciopelo. The cultivated plants

have an exaggerated and fasciated inflorescence, somewhat fan-like

in form and usually purple-red.

CHAMISSOA HBK.

More or less scandent herbs or shrubs; leaves alternate; flowers

perfect or monoecious, in axillary or terminal, simple or paniculate

spikes; fruit a utricle, the single seed surrounded by a fleshy aril.—

Two or three species are known from Central America.

Chamissoa altissima (Jacq.) HBK. Abundant almost every-

where in the tierra caliente, usually in thickets. Widely distributed

in tropical America. More or less scandent, the stems 2-3 meters

long; leaves ovate or lanceolate; style shorter than the stigmas.

Chamissoa Maximiliani Mart. Atlantic coast, but rare.

Ranging to Brazil. Style longer than the stigmas.

CYATHULA Lour.

Annual or perennial herbs; leaves opposite, petiolate; flowers

fasciculate and spicate, the segments of the sterile flowers terminated

by hooked bristles; fruit a utricle. — Only two species occur in Central

America. The flowers adhere tenaciously to clothing by their hooked

bristles, which penetrate the flesh easily.

Cyathula achyranthoides (HBK.) Moq. Waste ground of

the tierra caliente, often abundant; region of San Ramon. A species

of wide distribution in tropical America. Leaves oval to oblong-

elliptic, acuminate, strigose or almost glabrous; sepals 3-4 mm. long.

Cyathula prostrata (L.) Blume. Common in waste ground of

the coasts. A species of wide distribution, probably introduced in

America from the Old World. Sepals 2 mm. long, the spikes

2-7 cm. long.

GOMPHRENA L. Globe amaranth

Annual or perennial herbs, the leaves opposite; flowers perfect,

in dense spikes or heads; fruit a compressed utricle. — Six species are

known from Central America.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 421

Gomphrena dispersa Standl. Common in waste ground,

Meseta Central to the coasts. Mexico to Panama and the Antilles.

Annual or perennial, the stems prostrate or procumbent, elongate;

leaves oblong or oval, obtuse, sericeous on the lower surface; flowers

white or pink, the heads 12-15 mm. thick. This species probably is

not distinct from G. decumbens Jacq., but it is at least a recognizable

variety of it.

Gomphrena globosa L. Siempreviva, Inmortal. Common in

gardens. Of American origin but unknown in a wild state, probably

cultivated by the native people from the most remote times. The

flower heads preserve their form and color when dried, and they are

used in many parts of the earth for funeral wreaths. They are white,

red, purple, or yellow, and 2-3 cm. thick.

IRESINE P. Br.

Herbs or shrubs, sometimes scandent; leaves opposite, petiolate;

flowers perfect, polygamous, or dioecious, in spikes or heads; stamens

united into a tube; fruit utricular. — About a dozen species occur in

Central America.

Iresine angustifolia Euphr. Thickets of the Pacific Coast;

region of San Ramon; Rio Canas, Guanacaste. Widely distributed

in tropical America. Plants low or elongate, erect or reclining, gla-

brous or nearly so; leaves short-petiolate, the blades lanceolate or

linear-lanceolate.

Iresine Calea (Ibanez) Standl. Common in the Meseta Central,

and in many parts of the Pacific slope, in hedges and thickets. Rang-

ing to Mexico. A shrub of 2-5 meters, erect or scandent; leaves ovate

or oblong; flowers in small, white spikes.

Iresine Celosia L. Camaron. Abundant almost everywhere from

the coasts to the Meseta Central, and often in localities of greater

elevation, growing in forest, thickets, or waste ground. Generally

distributed in tropical America. Plants erect or scandent; flowers

dioecious, white, in small spikes. One of the most common plants

almost throughout Central America, abundant in banana plantations.

Iresine costaricensis Standl. Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 18: 94.

1916. Las Vueltas, Tucurrique, 635 meters, Tonduz 13183. Endemic.

A scandent shrub, the stems 10-15 meters long; leaves oblong-elliptic,

acuminate.

Iresine frutescens Moq. Common in mountains of Dota,

1,500-1,800 meters; region of San Ramon; a forest species. Ranging

422 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

to Mexico. More or less scandent, almost glabrous; flowers dioecious,

white, scarcely 1 mm. long, smaller than in I. Celosia.

Iresine spiculigera Seub. /. acicularis Standl. Forests of

the coasts, ascending the slopes of the volcanoes. Guatemala to

South America. Plants erect or scandent ; flowers white ; inflorescence

with lustrous, golden hairs.

PFAFFIA Mart.

A single species is known from Central America.

Pfaffia Hookeriana (Hemsl.) Greenm. Hebanthe Hookeriana

Hemsl. Central region and Pacific slope, in forests or thickets.

Panama to Mexico. A scandent shrub; leaves opposite, oblong to

ovate, acute or acuminate, strigose or glabrous; flowers perfect, in

paniculate spikes 2-5 cm. long; fruit utricular.

PHILOXERUS R. Br.

A single species grows in Central America.

Philoxerus vermicularis (L.) R. Br. Beaches of the Atlantic

coast, and probably also of the Pacific. Of wide distribution; a

characteristic plant of sea beaches. A glabrous, perennial herb,

somewhat fleshy; leaves opposite, sessile, linear or oblong; flowers

white, perfect, in dense spikes 3-5 cm. long; fruit utricular.

PLEUROPETALUM Hook. f.

Glabrous shrubs; leaves alternate, petiolate; flowers perfect,

greenish, racemose or paniculate; sepals 5, many-nerved; fruit a

fleshy capsule with few or numerous seeds. — Another species of

the genus is known from the Galapagos Islands.

Pleuropetalum calospermum Standl. Forests of the moun-

tains of Guanacaste, 600 meters. Also in Salvador. A shrub 1-2

meters high; leaves ovate or oblong; sepals 3-4 mm. long; seeds

numerous, almost 2 mm. broad.

Pleuropetalum pleiogynum (Kuntze) Standl. Journ. Wash.

Acad. Sci. 13: 369. 1923. Celosia pleiogyna Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 541.

1891. Type collected in Costa Rica by Kuntze, probably in the

Atlantic coast. Also in Panama. Sepals 5 mm. long.

Pleuropetalum Sprucei (Hook, f.) Standl. P. costaricense

Wendl. ex Hook. f. Bot. Mag. pi. 6674. 1883; P. tucurriquense

Bonn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 61: 387. 1916 (Las Vueltas, Tucurrique,

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 423

700 meters, Tonduz 13017). Wet forest, Atlantic coast and moun-

tains of Guanacaste; region of San Ramon; Santa Maria de Dota.

Mexico to Ecuador. A shrub of 1-3 meters; sepals 2.5 mm. long;

seeds few, small.

NYCTAGINACEAE. Four-o'clock Family

Reference: Standley, Allioniaceae, N. Amer. Flora 21: 171-254.

1918.

Herbs, shrubs, or trees, often scandent or armed with spines;

leaves alternate or opposite, entire; flowers perfect or unisexual,

regular or nearly so, bracteate or involucrate, the involucre often

calyx-like; perianth simple, inferior, often colored to resemble a

corolla; stamens 1-many; ovary 1-celled, 1-ovulate; fruit an antho-

carp, composed of an indehiscent utricle and the persistent and

adherent base of the perianth tube. — Five other genera are repre-

sented in Central America.

BOERHAAVIA L.

Perennial or annual herbs; leaves petiolate; flowers perfect,

small, bracteate; stamens 1-5; fruit obovoid or obpyramidal. —

Only the following species are known from Central America.

Boerhaavia caribaea Jacq. Common in waste ground of the

tierra caliente. A species of wide distribution. Branches of the

inflorescence puberulent; flowers glomerate, dark red; fruit viscid,

obovoid. The sticky fruits adhere to clothing and to the feathers

of birds.

Boerhaavia coccinea Mill. Common in the tierra caliente. A

species of wide distribution. Branches of the inflorescence glabrous;

flowers dark red; fruit viscid, obovoid.

Boerhaavia erecta L. Common in waste ground of the tierra

caliente. A species of general distribution in tropical America. An

erect annual; flowers white or pink, in cymes; fruits narrowly ob-

pyramidal, glabrous. A common plant almost everywhere in Central

America except in the higher regions.

BOUGAINVILLEA Commers.

All species of the genus are natives of South America.

Bougainvillea glabra Choisy. A well known ornamental vine,

cultivated in most Costa Rican gardens, and in tropical regions

of all parts of the earth. Native of Brazil.

424 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

MIRABILIS L.

•

Perennial herbs; inflorescence axillary or terminal, cymose;

flowers perfect, surrounded by a calyx-like involucre; perianth

corolla-like; stamens 3-5. — Another Central American species grows

in Guatemala.

Mirabilis Jalapa L. Maravilla. A common ornamental plant of

gardens; also naturalized in some localities. The four-o'clock, one

of the common cultivated garden flowers of the United States, is

a native of America, perhaps of Peru, but it is unknown in a truly

wild state. Well known for its handsome and fragrant flowers, white,

red, yellow, or striped, which open in the evening and close the

next morning. It is not uncommon to find upon one plant flowers

of two colors, a fact that gave rise to the common Spanish name.

Mirabilis violacea (L.) Heimerl. Common in waste ground of

the Atlantic coast; Guanacaste. A species of wide distribution. A

prostrate herb, the leaves ovate- triangular, acute; flowers purple-red,

much smaller than those of M. Jalapa.

NEEA Ruiz & Pavon

Shrubs or trees, unarmed; flowers dioecious, small, cymose;

stamens 5-10, included; fruit fleshy.

Neea amplifolia Bonn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 61: 386. 1916. Rio

Hondo, near Madre de Dios, Prov. Limon, 200 meters, Pittier 10356.

Forests of the Atlantic plains. Also in Panama. A shrub or tree of

2-6 meters; leaves large, oblong-elliptic, pilose on the lower surface;

perianth 10-12 mm. long.

Neea orosiana Standl. Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 15: 473. 1925.

Wet forest near Orosi, Prov. Cartago, Standley 39738. Endemic.

A shrub of 1.5-2.5 meters; leaves oblong-oblanceolate, 5.5-7.5 cm.

long, long-acuminate, glabrous; fruits red, 12 mm. long.

Neea Pittieri Standl. Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 13: 383. 1911.

Valle de Tuis, 1,000 meters, Pittier 16097. Common in forests of

the Atlantic slope, ascending to 1,300 meters. Also in Panama.

A shrub of 1-2.5 meters; leaves ovate or oblong, usually 8-12 cm.

wide, acuminate, glabrous; fruit red, 8-10 mm. long.

Neea psychotrioides Bonn. Smith. Common in forests of the

tierra caliente, ascending to 1,500 meters; region of San Ramon.

Panama to Mexico. A shrub or small tree, sometimes 10 meters

high; leaves mostly 3-6 cm. wide, glabrous; flowers green or yellowish;

fruit red, 7-9 mm. long.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 425

Neea urophylla Standl. Apparently frequent in forests in the

region of San Ramon, 1,000-1,200 meters. Panama. A shrub 1-2

meters high; leaves short-petiolate, opposite or ternate, elliptic,

larger than in most other species, mostly 8-18 cm. wide, abruptly

acuminate, nearly glabrous; flowers yellowish or whitish.

PISONIA L.

Shrubs or trees, the branches sometimes elongate and more or

less scandent or clambering, armed with spines; flowers small, green

or reddish, cymose, dioecious; stamens 6-9, exserted; fruit dry,

5-angulate, the angles provided with rows of stipitate glands. —

Four species are known from Central America.

Pisonia aculeata L. Una de tigre. Common in the Atlantic

coast, especially in coastal thickets. A plant of wide distribution

in America and Asia. A densely branched shrub or tree; leaves

elliptic or oval, petiolate, pubescent or glabrous; fruits 9-12 mm.

long, 3-4 mm. thick.

Pisonia macranthocarpa Bonn. Smith. Nicoya, and probably

throughout the Pacific coast. Mexico to Venezuela and Cuba.

Fruit 7-10 mm. thick.

Pisonia silvatica Standl., sp. nov. — Frutex 2-3.5 m. altus

praeter inflorescentias omnino glaber, ramis gracilibus plus minusve

tortuosis ochraceis ad nodos spinis rectis validis usque 12 mm.

longis armatis; folia mediocria petiolata chartacea, petiolo gracili

5-10 mm. longo; lamina lanceolato-oblonga, elliptico-lanceolata vel

oblongo-ovata 6.5-10 cm. longa 2.5-4 cm. lata sensim acuminata,

basi acuta vel attenuata, in sicco lutescenti-viridis, subtus paullo

pallidior, costa gracili utrinque prominente, nervis lateralibus ob-

scuris vel subobsoletis; inflorescentia femina primo capituliformis,

serius paullo laxior, dense multiflora ad 1.5 cm. lata, pedunculo

gracili 1.5-3.5 cm. longo glabro, bracteis minutis, pedicellis brevis-

simis vel nullis minutissime puberulis; perianthium viridescens vel

viridescenti-album 2-2.5 mm. longum minute puberulo-tomentellum

sursum paullo dilatatum, lobis brevissimis obtusis; stylus longe

exsertus interdum perianthio duplo longior. — In forest, hills of San

Pedro de San Ramon, 1,075 meters, Brenes 4822 (type in Herb.

Field Mus.); also Nos. 4548 and 4694 from the same locality. Re-

lated to P. fasciculata Standl., of Nicaragua and Guatemala, material

of which I have not seen recently. That species is known only

from staminate specimens but, from description, must be clearly

distinct.

426 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

TORRUBIA Veil.

Two other species grow in Central America.

Torrubia costaricana Standl. Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 13:

385. 1911. Nicoya, Tonduz 13927. Forests of both coasts. Also

in Panama. A small tree, as much as 8 meters high; leaves elliptic-

oblong, 7-11 cm. long, acuminate, glabrous; flowers small, green,

cymose, dioecious; stamens exserted; fruit fleshy. The genus is

sometimes treated as a subgenus of Pisonia.

BATIDACEAE

The family consists of a single genus and species.

BATIS L.

Batis maritima L. In tidal flats along the coasts. A plant of

wide distribution in tropical regions. Plants somewhat shrubby,

1 meter high or less; leaves opposite, linear, flat on the upper surface,

convex on the lower, 1-3 cm. long; flowers minute, dioecious, in

short aments; fruit a small, fleshy syncarp. A characteristic plant

of Central American coasts.

PHYTOLACCACEAE. Pokeweed Family

Reference: Percy Wilson, N. Amer. Flora 21: 257-266. 1932.

Herbs or shrubs, usually glabrous; leaves alternate, entire,

petiolate, without stipules, or the stipules minute; flowers small,

perfect or unisexual, racemose; sepals 4 or 5, persistent beneath the

fruit; petals usually none; stamens 4 or numerous; ovary superior,

of 1-many carpels; fruit fleshy or coriaceous. — Four other genera

are represented in Central America.

MICROTEA Swartz

In Central America there is a single species of this genus.

Microtea debilis Swartz. Cultivated and waste ground of the

tierra caliente. Widely distributed in tropical America. A small,

prostrate herb; leaves spatulate to obovate; flowers minute, green;

fruit minute, tuberculate, green.

PETIVERIA L.

Petiveria alliacea L. Ajillo. Waste ground, Meseta Central

to the coasts. A species of wide distribution. An herb a meter

high or less; leaves elliptic or ovate; flowers perfect, almost sessile,

appressed to the rachis^ of the raceme, green or pink; fruit dry,

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 427

with 4 inflexed setae at the apex. All parts of the plant exhale a

strong odor of garlic. It is said that a garlic odor is imparted to

the milk of cows that eat the plant. The spine-like setae of the

fruit penetrate the flesh easily and painfully, and are removable

with difficulty.

PHYTOLACCAL. Pokeweed

Tall, stout herbs, the large leaves elliptic or lanceolate; flowers

perfect or dioecious, in racemes or spikes, white or pink, small;

fruit a 5-16-celled berry. — Four species are known from Central

America.

Phytolacca icosandra L. Jaboncillo, Tinta, Calalu (Atlantic

coast). P. octanda L. ; P. purpurascens A. Br. & Bouche". Common

in waste ground of the Meseta Central, extending to the Atlantic

coast; ascending to 1,850 meters or more; Cocos Island. Widely

distributed in tropical America. A perennial herb about a meter

high; pedicels very short; flowers green or pink; fruits purple-black,

juicy. The young leaves and shoots of this and other species are

used like spinach by the Jamaicans of the Atlantic coast. The

purple juice of the berries is sometimes employed in Costa Rica as

ink. The roots of some and perhaps all species of Phytolacca are

poisonous.

Phytolacca rivinoides Kunth & Bouche. Jaboncillo, Calalu,

Colorin, Quelite. Common in forests and waste ground of the Atlantic

coast and central region, ascending the mountains to 3,000 meters;

Guanacaste; Cocos Island. Widely dispersed in tropical America.

An herb 1-2 meters high, the stems reddish or purplish; much like

the preceding species, but the pedicels slender and elongate.

Phytolacca rugosa Braun & Bouche". Common in the central

region, 1,000-2,000 meters. Mexico to South America. A tall herb;

pedicels short.

RIVINA L.

The genus consists of a single species.

Rivina humilis L. Carmin. Common in the Meseta Central,

extending to the coasts, growing mostly in waste places. Species

almost pantropic. A branched herb a meter high or less; leaves

ovate to almost triangular, acute; flowers small, green or pink;

fruit a bright red berry 4 mm. long. The racemes of brilliantly

colored berries are handsome and showy.

428 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

TRICHOSTIGMA A. Rich.

Erect or scandent shrubs; ovary 1 -celled; fruit a globose, 1-

seeded berry. — From Central America only two species are known.

Trichostigma octandrum (L.) H. Walt. Thickets of the

tierra caliente. A species of wide distribution in tropical America.

A more or less scandent shrub; leaves oblong to elliptic; flowers

greenish white; stamens 8-12; sepals in fruit 4 mm. long or less.

Trichostigma polyandrum (Loes.) H. Walt. Common in

thickets and forests of the tierra caliente, ascending to 900 meters.

Also in Nicaragua. A more or less scandent shrub 1-2 meters high ;

stamens 20-25; sepals 6-7 mm. long; fruit purple.

AIZOACEAE. Carpet-weed Family

Reference: Percy Wilson, N. Amer. Flora 21: 267-277. 1932.

Annual or perennial herbs; leaves opposite, alternate, or verticil-

late, entire, the stipules scarious or none; flowers small, perfect,

regular, with 4 or 5 persistent sepals; petals small or none; fruit

usually capsular.

GLINUS L.

The genus is represented in Central America by a single species.

Glinus radiatus (Ruiz & Pavon) Rohrb. Near Los Lirios,

Pacific coast, Brenes 3872. Mexico and West Indies to South

America. A stellate-tomentose, prostrate, much branched annual;

leaves petiolate, elliptic to orbicular-spatulate, 5-20 mm. long,

rounded or subacute at the apex; flowers fasciculate in the leaf

axils, subsessile; sepals 4 mm. long; petals none.

MOLLUGO L. Carpet-weed

A single species of this genus is known from Central America.

Mollugo verticillata L. Waste places of the Pacific coast.

Widely distributed in tropical and temperate regions of the earth.

Plants annual, prostrate, glabrous, forming small, round mats;

leaves verticillate, linear-spatulate; flowers minute, axillary; capsule

3-celled.

SESUVIUM L.

A single species of the genus occurs in Central America.

Sesuvium Portulacastrum L. Frequent on tidal flats of the

coasts. Widely distributed in tropics of almost the whole earth.

Plants very succulent, prostrate, glabrous; leaves sessile, linear or

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 429

oblanceolate, 1.5-4 cm. long; petals none; stamens numerous; cap-

sule 3-5-celled. A characteristic species of tropical seacoasts.

TRIANTHEMA L.

In Central America the genus is represented by only one species.

Trianthema Portulacastrum L. Pastures near Bebedero,

Guanacaste, Brenes 12559. Widely distributed in warmer regions

of both hemispheres. A succulent annual, glabrous or nearly so,

much branched, the stems prostrate or ascending; leaves opposite,

long-petiolate, orbicular or broadly obovate, 1.5-4.5 cm. long;

flowers axillary, sessile; sepals 2-5 mm. long; petals none.

PORTULACACEAE. Purslane Family

Reference: P. A. Rydberg, N. Amer. Flora 21: 279-336. 1932.

Annual or perennial herbs, fleshy, the leaves alternate or opposite,

entire; flowers perfect, regular; sepals 2, the petals 4 or 5; ovary

1-celled, superior or inferior, the ovules numerous; fruit capsular. —

The genus Calandrinia is represented in Guatemala.

PORTULACAL. Purslane

Leaves alternate, the stipules scarious or setiform; stamens 8

or numerous; ovary inferior or semi-inferior. — Only two species are

known from Central America.

Portulaca oleracea L. Verdolaga. Cultivated or waste ground,

common in many places. Pantropic in distribution, and growing

also in temperate regions. A prostrate or ascending annual, the

leaves very thick, obovate; flowers sessile, yellow, open in the

morning, closing about noon. The plant is employed generally in

Central America as a pot herb or quelite, being similar in flavor and

quality to spinach. Because of its fleshy stems and leaves it has

great vitality, and will grow for a long time if pulled from the soil

and left in an exposed place.

Portulaca pilosa L. Rio Changuinola, Los Loros on the Pacific

coast, and probably elsewhere. A species of wide distribution. A

small annual, the short leaves terete, their axils densely hairy;

petals red.

TALINUM Adans.

Talinum paniculatum (Jacq.) Gaertn. Waste ground, Meseta

Central to the coasts. A species of wide distribution in tropical

America. A perennial or annual herb as much as a meter high,

430 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

glabrous, the leaves obovate, 5-10 cm. long; flowers reddish or

purple, in narrow panicles; ovary superior. In cultivation in gardens

there is sometimes seen a form with green and white leaves, known

in Costa Rica as Flor de nieve.

There will probably be found in Costa Rica also T. triangulare

(Jacq.) Willd., a species known from other parts of Central America.

BASELLACEAE

Reference: Percy Wilson, N. Amer. Flora 21: 337-339. 1932.

The genus Anredera also is represented in Central America.

BOUSSINGAULTIA HBK.

Herbaceous vines; leaves succulent, alternate, entire; flowers

small, perfect, racemose or paniculate; sepals 2; petals 5; stamens 5;

fruit utricular, 1-seeded.

Boussinguul tin leptostachya Moq. Reported for Costa Rica,

without mention of the locality. A species of wide distribution in

tropical America. Leaves ovate, acute at the base; flowers white,

2 mm. long; styles united only near the base.

Boussingaultia ramosa (Moq.) Hemsl. Hiedra. Thickets

and hedges of the central region. Extending to Mexico. Plant very

fleshy, the leaves truncate or cordate at the base; flowers white;

styles united for their whole length.

CARYOPHYLLACEAE. Carnation Family

Annual or perennial herbs; leaves opposite, entire; flowers

regular, perfect, with 4 or 5 sepals and the same number of petals;

stamens 8 or 10 or fewer; ovary free, superior, usually 1 -celled;

styles 2-5; fruit capsular. — The genus Polycarpaea is represented

in Panama.

ARENARIA L.

Slender, prostrate herbs, the narrow leaves sessile; flowers termi-

nal, usually cymose, sometimes solitary in the leaf axils; petals 5,

entire or subemarginate; stamens 10. — Another species has been

found on the volcanoes of Guatemala.

Arenaria lanuginosa (Michx.) Rohrb. Forests and waste

places of the central region, 1,000-3,000 meters. Widely distributed

in America. Stems slender, pubescent, the leaves linear or oblong-

lanceolate; flowers axillary, pedicellate; sepals 2-3 mm. long; petals

equaling or shorter than the sepals.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 431

Arenaria megalantha (Rohrb.) F. N. Williams. A. lanuginosa

var. ensifolia Rohrb. Paramos and forests of the mountains of the

central region, 1,000-3,000 meters. Mexico to South America.

Sepals 4-5 mm. long, shorter than the petals.

CERASTIUM L.

One species of the genus is native in Guatemala.

Cerastium viscosum L. C. glomeratum Thuill. Abundant in

meadows of the central mountains, 1,500-2,800 meters. A European

species, naturalized in many parts of America. A prostrate, viscid-

pubescent annual; leaves oblong or obovate, 8-25 mm. long; flowers

white, in terminal cymes; stamens 10; capsule cylindric, much

longer than the calyx.

DIANTHUS L.

Dianthus barbatus L. An ornamental plant of gardens.

Imported from Europe. The usual English name for this plant is

Sweet William.

Dianthus Caryophyllus L. Clavel. The carnation is cultivated

commonly in Costa Rican gardens. A species of the Mediterranean

region.

DRYMARIA Willd.

Small and very slender, perennial or sometimes annual plants;

leaves with small stipules; flowers small, pedicellate, cymose; stamens

5 or fewer; capsule 3-valvate. — Other Central American species are

known from Guatemala.

Drymaria cordata (L.) Willd. Nervillo. Meseta Central to

the Atlantic coast, in waste or cultivated ground. A species of wide

distribution. Plants erect or prostrate, 10-30 cm. long; leaves

rounded or ovate-rounded, 5-25 mm. long, glabrous; flowers 3^4

mm. long.

Drymaria villosa Schlecht. & Cham. Meseta Central to the

Atlantic coast; region of San Ramon; ascending to 1,400 meters.

Panama to Mexico. Leaves pilose.

SCLERANTHUS L.

Scleranthus annuus L. Sandy stream beds near Cartago.

A European plant, naturalized in some parts of North America.

An annual with linear leaves; stipules none; flowers greenish; fruit

utricular, with a single seed. Known in Central America only from

Costa Rica.

432 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

SILENE L.

No species of the genus are native in Central America.

Silene gallica L. Meadows of the volcanoes, 2,000 meters.

A European species, naturalized in many parts of America; known

in Central America only from this region. An erect annual 10-30

cm. high, pilose; leaves oblong-spatulate; sepals united; flowers

almost sessile, white or pink; stamens 10.

STELLARIA L.

Slender, annual or perennial herbs; petals 4 or 5, usually bifid;

styles 3. — All the known Central American species are found in

Costa Rica.

Stellaria irazuensis Bonn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 23: 236. 1897.

El Roble, Volcan de Irazu, 3,000 meters, Tonduz 4292. Forests of

Irazu and Canton de Dota, 2,000-3,000 meters. Endemic. Leaves

ovate or deltoid, petiolate, glabrous; sepals only 1.5 mm. long.

Stellaria media (L.) Cirillo. Region of Cartago. A European

species, naturalized in many parts of North America. Unknown

elsewhere in Central America.

Stellaria nemorum L. Meseta Central and region of Dota,

ascending the mountains to 3,000 meters, growing in forest and

meadows. Widely distributed in America and extending to Europe.

Leaves ovate, usually glabrous, acuminate; sepals 4-6 mm. long.

Stellaria nubigena Standl. Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 17: 250.

1927. South slope of Volcan de Turrialba, near the Finca del Volcan

de Turrialba, 2,300 meters, Standley 35344- Curridabat; Las Nubes,

Prov. San Jose"; moist places, at 1,200-2,300 meters. Leaves oblong;

sepals 2 mm. long. Endemic.

Stellaria ovata Willd. Meseta Central to the coasts, also

ascending the slopes of the mountains to 2,500 meters, growing in

forest or waste ground, abundant in many places. Mexico to South

America. Leaves ovate or rounded, obtuse and mucronate; sepals

3-5 mm. long.

NYMPHAEACEAE. Waterlily Family

Aquatic, perennial herbs, often with large, thick rhizomes;

leaves long-petiolate; flowers perfect, small or large, the peduncles

simple; sepals 3-5; petals 3 to many; ovary of 3 or more free or

united carpels, these in fruit distinct or united to form a fleshy,

indehiscent fruit.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 433

CABOMBA Aubl.

A single species is known from Central America.

Cabomba aquatica Aubl. Golfo Dulce. Mexico to South

America. Leaves verticillate, the lower ones palmately parted, the

segments almost capillary, the upper leaves elliptic, peltate; petals

3, purple; stamens 6; fruit small, of 3 carpels.

NYMPHAEAL. Waterlily

Large plants with thick rhizomes; leaves and flowers floating on

the surface of the water; sepals 4; petals numerous; fruit globose,

fleshy. — Three species are known from Central America.

Nymphaea ampla (Salisb.) DC. Atlantic and Pacific lowlands.

A species of wide distribution. Leaves 15-30 cm. long or larger,

thick, dentate, purple beneath; flowers white, 7-13 cm. broad;

stamens 30-190, yellow. A plant with showy, beautiful flowers.

In some parts of Central America it is known by the name Ninfa.

Nymphaea blanda Mey. Common in the Pacific coast. Guate-

mala to the Guianas. Leaves much smaller than in the preceding

species, thin, green beneath; flowers white, 8-10 cm. broad. It is

probably this species that is reported from Costa Rica by Donnell

Smith as N. gracilis Zucc., and discussed by Werckl6 as follows:

"On the wide plains of Guanacaste the most insignificant depressions

are filled with a little water toward the end of the rainy season,

and this is covered with myriads of little leaves of a pygmy Nymphaea

whose small, white flowers fill the air with their fragrance. In the

dry season these depressions are dry as a desert, but the small,

globose, very hard tubers resist the destructive effects of the burning

sand, to become resuscitated after some five months. The small

leaves of this plant are perfectly smooth on both sides, and it is

impossible to understand why the native people call the plant

'flor de mondongo/ unless they have seen one of the Nymphaeaceae

with elevated veins on the lower leaf surface, like those of Victoria

regia." It is quite possible that this plant described by Werckle is

a species at present unknown, since I have seen no specimens of it.

CERATOPHYLLACEAE. Hornwort Family

CERATOPHYLLUM L.

The genus consists of a single species.

Ceratophyllum demersum L. Rivers of Guanacaste, and

probably elsewhere. A species of wide distribution, almost through-

434 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

out the earth. A submerged aquatic, the slender stems branched;

leaves verticillate, their divisions filiform, dichotomous or tricho-

tomous; flowers minute, green, monoecious or dioecious, solitary

and sessile in the leaf axils; perianth none; stamens 10-20; fruit

a small achene.

RANUNCULACEAE. Buttercup Family

Herbs or scandent shrubs; leaves simple or compound, without

stipules; flowers perfect or unisexual; sepals 3-5, usually deciduous;

petals commonly 5, sometimes none; stamens numerous; fruit of

few or numerous achenes or follicles. — All the Central American

genera are represented in Costa Rica.

CLEMATIS L.

Scandent shrubs; leaves opposite, petiolate, pinnate; flowers

white, in paniculate cymes; sepals 4, petal-like; petals none; fruit

a head of achenes, these with long, soft, barbate-plumose tails. —

Only the species listed here are known from Central America.

Clematis dioica L. Barba de viejo, Cabellos de angel. In thickets

and hedges, Meseta Central to the Pacific coast. Generally distri-

buted in tropical America. A small or large vine; leaflets entire or

with a few narrow, acute teeth, glabrous or somewhat sericeous

beneath, usually rounded at the base. The Costa Rican specimens

are variable and perhaps represent two or more distinct forms,

but the species is so variable and widely distributed that it is difficult

to determine how or whether it should be divided. The stems

contain a tough fiber and are sometimes employed as a substitute

for twine. The leaves are caustic and vesicant.

Clematis grossa Benth. Barba de viejo. Common in thickets

and forests of the central region, 1,200-1,900 meters; San Ramon,

at 1,100 meters. Ranging to Mexico. Leaflets with few or numerous

broad, obtuse teeth, densely pilose on the lower surface, often

cordate at the base.

DELPHINIUM L. Larkspur

Delphinium Ajacis L. Espuela, Espuela de caballero. An orna-

mental garden plant with blue or pink flowers. Native of Europe.

NIGELLA L.

Nigella damascena L. An ornamental garden plant with

finely dissected leaves. Imported from Europe.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 435

RANUNCULUS L. Buttercup

Perennial herbs, the leaves alternate, simple or divided; flowers

yellow, perfect, with 5 petals; fruit a small head of few or numerous

achenes. — Two or three additional species occur in Guatemala.

Ranunculus flagelliformis Smith. Moist meadows of the

central volcanoes, 1,200-2,400 meters. Ranging to Argentina. A

prostrate, glabrous herb; leaves reniform or broadly ovate, deeply

cordate at the base, entire or undulate. Reported from Costa Rica

as R. stolonifer Hemsl., a Mexican species.

Ranunculus peruvianus Pers. Paramos of Cerro de Las

Vueltas and Cerro de La Muerte, 3,000 meters. Ranging to Peru.

Unknown elsewhere in Central America. An erect herb, forming

dense clumps, almost glabrous; basal leaves reniform or broadly

cordate, dentate, the cauline leaves deeply lobate.

Ranunculus repens L. Common in meadows of the central

volcanoes, 1,500-2,900 meters. A European species, naturalized in

many parts of North America; imported into Costa Rica probably

with grass seeds. Plants prostrate, pilose; leaves with 3 lobate and

dentate segments. This plant has been reported from Costa Rica

as R. pilosus DC., a Colombian species. If the Costa Rican plant

really is different from the European one, as possibly may be the

case, I am unable to find any means of distinguishing it. It seems

to me much more probable that it is merely the European plant

that has become well established in so many parts of the United

States.

THALICTRUM L.

Thalictrum Lankesteri Standl., sp. nov. — Foliola numerosis-

sima breviter peltata vel basi profunde anguste cordata brevissime

triloba, lobis latis apice late rotundatis vel subtruncatis integris

vel ex parte crenato-lobatis, supra glabra vel scaberula, subtus

paullo pallidiora glabra vel minute glanduloso-papillosa; achaenia

pauca glabra fusiformia valde obliqua 6 mm. longa sessilia apice

sensim longeque attenuata valde costata. — Las Concavas, Prov.

Cartago, July, 1919, C. H. Lankester 337 (Herb. Field Mus.). An

erect herb a meter high or taller; leaves alternate, with very nu-

merous and broad leaflets, these shallowly trilobate and somewhat

peltate. An endemic species, related to T. guatemalense C. DC.

& Rose. Collected also on the slopes of Turrialba, 2,000-3,400

meters.

436 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

BERBERIDACEAE. Barberry Family

Shrubs, the leaves alternate, simple or pinnate; flowers perfect,

racemose; sepals and petals distinct, imbricate; stamens as many

as the petals; ovary with 2 or more ovules; fruit a berry. — Only

two genera are represented in Central America.

BERBERIS L. Barberry

A single species is known from Central America.

Berberis nigricans Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 10. 1891. Volcan de

Irazu, Kuntze. Endemic. Known from Irazu and the paramos of

the region of Dota, 2,600-3,000 meters. A densely branched shrub

1.5-4 meters high, the branches armed with stout spines 1-2 cm.

long; leaves coriaceous, short-petiolate, obovate, 2-7 cm. long,

obtuse or rounded at the apex, dentate, the teeth spine-tipped;

racemes short, the flowers orange; berries purplish blue.

MAHONIA Nutt.

Another species occurs in Guatemala.

Mahonia paniculata Oerst. Nat. For. Kjoebenhavn Vid.

Medd. 1856! 36. 1857. Palo de San Juan. Berberis paniculata

Hemsl. Biol. Centr. Amer. Bot. 1: 24. 1879. B. Hemsleyi Bonn.

Smith in Pitt. Prim. 2: 17. 1898. Volcan de Irazu, Oersted. Endemic.

Known only from Irazu, at 2,400-2,700 meters. A glabrous shrub

4 meters high; leaves pinnate, the 13-16 leaflets oblong-lanceolate,

5-9 cm. long, serrate, the teeth terminated by a short spine; racemes

paniculate, the flowers yellow.

MENISPERMACEAE. Moonseed Family

Reference: Diels, Pflanzenreich IV. 94. 1910.

Scandent shrubs, rarely herbs or small trees; leaves alternate,

commonly palmate-nerved, simple and entire (in the Costa Rican

species), without stipules; flowers minute, dioecious, cymose, the

cymes often racemose or paniculate; sepals free, imbricate; stamens

of the same number as the petals or more numerous; ovary of 3 to

many carpels, the carpels 1-2-ovulate; fruit of one or more 1-seeded

drupes. — Other genera are represented in Central America, at least

in Panama.

CISSAMPELOS L.

Scandent herbs or shrubs; leaves often peltate, broad; pistillate

flowers with 4 sepals; ovary 1-carpellate; drupes usually pilose. —

In Central America only these five species are known.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 437

Cissampelos coriacea Standl., sp. nov. — Scandens, ramis

gracilibus striatis breviter pallide pilosis vel subglabratis, internodiis

valde elongatis; folia majuscula longe petiolata subcoriacea, petiolo

gracili 3.5-6.5 cm. longo dense breviter piloso; lamina usque ad 7 mm.

supra basin peltata vel saepe epeltata rotundato-cordata 9-14 cm.

longa et fere aequilata, apice obtusa, rotundata vel acuta et lineari-

cuspidata, cuspide ad 5 mm. longo, basi profunde lata cordata, supra

sparse hirsuta vel glabrata, venulis prominulis arete reticulatis,

subtus subdense sed laxe griseo-tomentosa, e basi 9-nervia; cymae

masculae axillares laxe multiflorae hirtellae, pedicellis filiformibus,

bracteis minutis vel obsoletis, sepalis hirtellis. — Piedades Norte

y Los Angeles de San Ramon, Brenes 6720 (type in Herb. Field

Mus.); Los Angeles de San Ramon (Finca Johanson), Brenes 6126.

Cissampelos fasciculata Benth. Region of La Palma and La

Hondura, Prov. San Jose", 1,300-1,700 meters, and probably in other

places. Nicaragua to South America. Leaves broadly ovate, not

or very shortly peltate, somewhat pilose; bracts of the inflorescence

very small or none; fruit red.

Cissampelos grandifolia Triana & Planch. Reported for the

tierra caliente. Ranging to Colombia and Honduras. Leaves

peltate, broadly ovate or rounded, densely pilose; bracts of the in-

florescence very small or obsolete.

Cissampelos Pareira L. Bejuco azul, Venadera. Thickets and

hedges, Meseta Central to the Pacific coast, common in many places.

A species of almost pantropic distribution. A small or large vine,

the leaves broad, peltate, densely tomentose or sericeous, sometimes

almost glabrous; bracts of the pistillate inflorescence reduced, those

of the staminate inflorescence large and leaf -like; flowers green;

fruits red or orange. In many parts of tropical America this plant

has a high reputation for its supposed medicinal properties.

Cissampelos tropaeolifolia DC. Forests of the tierra caliente,

at 600 meters or less. British Honduras to South America. A large,

slender vine, almost glabrous; leaves peltate; bracts large and

foliaceous in both the pistillate and staminate inflorescences.

HYPERBAENA Miers

Scandent shrubs, or trees; leaves coriaceous, not peltate; flowers

small, green, the staminate with 6 sepals; ovary 3-carpellate. — Other

species occur in Central America.

438 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Hyperbaena panamensis Standl. Forests of the Atlantic tierra

caliente, ascending to the region of Cartago; San Ramon. Also in

Panama. A small or large vine; leaves oblong-ovate or ovate, 8-13

cm. long, acuminate, 5-nerved, sparsely pubescent on the lower surface.

Hyperbaena smilacina Standl. Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 15:

473. 1925. El Arenal, Guanacaste, 600 meters, Juvenal Valeria 15.

Forests of the Atlantic coast, ascending to the region of El Muiieco;

region of San Ramon, 1,200 meters. Endemic. A slender vine;

leaves ovate or rounded-ovate, 7-9 cm. long, 5-7-nerved, short-

acuminate, glabrous.

Hyperbaena Tonduzii Diels, Pflanzenreich IV. 94: 203. 1910.

Naranjo de monte. Forests of the hills of Nicoya, Tonduz 13793.

Also in Salvador. A medium-sized tree with rounded crown; leaves

oblong or ovate, 9-12 cm. long, obtuse, glabrous; flowers white;

fruits globose, yellow. In eastern Salvador this species is a tree of

6-10 meters, known by the names Cuero del diablo and Chaparron.

Hyperbaena sp. At La Tejona, near Tilaran, we collected

sterile specimens of a vine that probably belongs to this genus. It

is distinguished from other Costa Rican species by having very

broad leaves, densely velvety-pilose on the lower surface.

MAGNOLIACEAE. Magnolia Family

Trees or shrubs; leaves alternate, entire, the stipules caducous

or none; flowers showy, perfect, the sepals and petals in 3 or more

series, imbricate; stamens numerous; ovary usually composed of

numerous carpels, these in fruit opening by 2 valves. — All the Cen-

tral American genera are represented in Costa Rica.

DRIMYS Forst.

In North America there exists a single species of this genus.

Drimys Winter! Forst. Quiebra-muelas, Muelo, Chile. Forests

of the central mountains, at 1,800-2,300 meters; region of San

Ramon, at 1,100-1,200 meters. Mexico to South America. A gla-

brous shrub or tree of 3-10 meters, the bark gray; leaves petiolate,

oblong or oblong-ovate, 7-13 cm. long, obtuse, coriaceous, whitish

beneath; flowers axillary, white, 1.5 cm. broad. The bark is aro-

matic and very pungent. In country regions it is chewed to alleviate

toothache, and an infusion is taken as a remedy for stomach affec-

tions. In addition, the bark has antiscorbutic properties and was

employed formerly in medicine under the name Winter's bark.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 439

MAGNOLIA L. Magnolia

Another Central American species grows in the mountains of

Guatemala.

Magnolia grandiflora L. Magnolia. Planted and flowering in

gardens at San Jose1. Native of southeastern United States. A

tree with dense, spreading crown, the handsome leaves deep green,

leathery, lustrous on the upper surface, the large flowers white and

fragrant.

Magnolia Kobus Thunb. Planted in the Jardineria Clausen

in San Jos£ and flowering. Native of Japan. A shrub or small tree

with thin, deciduous leaves, the flowers white.

Magnolia poasana (Pittier) Dandy, Kew Bull. 263. 1927.

Candelillo. Talauma poasana Pittier, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 13: 93.

1910. La Quesera, Volcan de Poas, 2,300 meters, Pittier 2043.

Slopes of the central volcanoes and mountains of Dota, 1,200-2,300

meters. Endemic. A glabrous tree as much as 35 meters high;

leaves elliptic, petiolate, acute or obtuse, coriaceous, with large

stipules; flowers terminal, white, stalked, the petals about 7 cm.

long. The large flowers are unusually showy and beautiful. The

tree is abundant on the upper slopes of Poas.

TALAUMA Juss.

Three other species are known from the mountains of Central

America.

Talauma gloriensis Pittier, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 13: 94.

1910. La Gloria, Rio Reventazon, Pittier 16362. Valley of the

Reventazon, 1,000 meters. Endemic. A glabrous, medium-sized

tree; leaves petiolate, elliptic, obtuse or short-acuminate, coriaceous;

stipules deciduous; flowers pedunculate, white, very large, with 6

petals. Herbarium specimens of this tree are very much like those

of Magnolia poasana. In Talauma the petiole bears a scar left by

the base of the caducous stipule; in Magnolia such a scar is absent.

ANNONACEAE. Custard-apple Family

Trees or shrubs, the leaves alternate, entire, without stipules;

flowers solitary or fasciculate, commonly perfect, generally with 3

sepals and 6 petals, these fleshy or coriaceous; stamens numerous;

fruit of one or more carpels, these sessile or stipitate, generally

fleshy, free or united to form a multicellular fruit. — A few other

genera have representatives in Central America.

440 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

ANAXAGOREA St. Hil.

Two other species are native in Central America.

Anaxagorea costaricensis Fries, Act. Hort. Berg. 12: 25. /. 1,

h. 1934. Pejivalle, Prov. Cartago, 900 meters, Standley & Valerio

47014. Also near El Cairo, Prov. Limon; in wet forest. Endemic.

A shrub or tree of 5 meters; leaves petiolate, oblong-lanceolate, 25-

30 cm. long, almost glabrous, acuminate; sepals lanceolate, 4 mm.

long; carpels of the fruit 2 cm. long, dehiscent.

ANNONA L.

Reference: R. E. Fries, Acta Hort. Berg. 10: 197-315. 1931.

Trees or shrubs; leaves chiefly deciduous, short-petiolate; flowers

solitary or fasciculate, extra-axillary; petals 6, in 2 series, the inner

ones sometimes reduced or absent; carpels numerous, 1-ovulate;

fruit a syncarp, the carpels coalescent to form a fleshy mass. — About

17 species are known from Central America.

Annona Cherimolia Mill. Chirimoya. Cultivated commonly,

also naturalized in many parts of the temperate region and the

Pacific coast. Probably not native in Central America, although this

is not certain; cultivated commonly in tropical America. A small

tree; leaves ovate or oval, obtuse, densely pilose beneath; flowers

narrow, tomentose, greenish yellow; fruit ovoid or globose, almost

smooth or with concave or somewhat elevated areoles. The fruits

are variable in shape and size, and of superior quality.

Annona glabra L. Guanabana silvestre. Region of Limon, and

doubtless frequent along the Atlantic coast; growing commonly in

swamps or along streams. Widely distributed in tropical America.

A shrub or small tree; leaves oval to oblong or ovate, acute or acum-

inate; flowers globose, the outer petals yellowish; fruit ovoid, almost

smooth and yellowish at maturity, 5-12 cm. long, with cream-

colored, inedible pulp. The wood is soft, very light in weight, brown,

and weak.

Annona holosericea Safford, Contr. U: S. Nat. Herb. 16: 269.

pi. 90, 91. 1913. Anonillo de cerro. Forests of the hills of Nicoya,

Tonduz 13930. Endemic. A small tree; leaves elliptic or rounded,

rounded at the apex, tomentose; flowers globose, tomentose, with

only 3 petals.

Annona muricata L. Guanabana. Cultivated commonly in the

tierra caliente, and perhaps naturalized in some localities. Native

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 441

of tropical America. A small tree, the leaves with a characteristic,

aromatic odor, oblong-obovate or elliptic, glabrous, acute; flowers

large, globose, the petals very broad; fruit large, globose or ovoid,

covered with soft spines. The fruits often are borne on the trunk of

the tree. Their pulp is white, slightly acidulous, and with a most

agreeable flavor. It is employed principally in preparation of bever-

ages or for flavoring ices. An infusion of the leaves is a household

remedy for dysentery. The following Indian names are reported:

Tsa, Tso-uo (Bribri), Gsos-kra (Brunka), Shos-ri (Te"rraba).

Annona Pittieri Bonn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 24: 389. 1897. Plata-

nillo, road to Canas Gordas, 1,100 meters, Pittier 11108. Region of

San Ramon. Endemic. A tree of 6-8 meters; leaves oblong, 16-18

cm. long, acuminate, glabrous; flowers narrow, the 3 petals 3.3 cm.

long; fruit somewhat conic in form, 10-12 cm. long, with a thick

rind, the areoles of the surface separated by elevated lines.

Annona purpurea Mocino & Sess£. Soncoya. Common in the

Pacific tierra caliente. Mexico to Venezuela. A medium-sized tree;

leaves almost sessile, elliptic or oblong, large, acuminate, tomentu-

lose; flowers globose, purple-brown, very large, the petals thick;

fruit globose or ovoid, large, covered with thick, pyramidal pro-

tuberances and with a brown felt. The fruit is of inferior quality,

and among the country people it has the reputation of being "un-

healthy."

Annona reticulata L. Anona, Anon, Anonillo. Cultivated

everywhere in the temperate region where there is a well marked

dry season, and wild in many places. Widely distributed in tropical

America. A small tree; leaves lanceolate, acuminate, almost gla-

brous; flowers narrow, green or yellowish, sericeous; fruit ovoid-

globose, smooth, the outline of the areoles scarcely perceptible, the

flesh fragrant, white. One of the most popular fruits of Central

America because of the superior quality of its deliciously flavored

flesh. The pulp is applied as poultice to reduce the inflammation of

sores and to bring boils to a head, and the powdered seeds are

applied to kill lice. The bark contains a strong fiber, and it is said

that the leaves give a blue or black dye. Indian names reported are:

Sho (Cabe'cara), Gshos-rit-kra (Brunka), Uisiro (Guatuso).

Annona squamosa L. Anon. Cultivated in some places. Widely

dispersed in America in cultivation, but it is not known where it is

native: A small tree, the leaves lanceolate, acuminate, pubescent or

almost glabrous; flowers narrow, greenish yellow; fruit composed of

442 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

numerous carpels that are rounded at the apex and only lightly

coherent. The fruit is of superior quality and much in demand in

regions where the tree is cultivated.

GYMBOPETALUM Benth.

Two or three other species are known from Central America.

Cymbopetalum costaricense (Donn. Smith) Fries, Act. Hort.

Berg. 10: 186. /. 6. 1931. Asimina costaricensis Donn. Smith, Bot.

Gaz. 23: 2. 1897. Sipurio, Talamanca, 100 meters, Tonduz 8709.

Forests of the Atlantic coast, at 650 meters or less. Endemic. A

small tree; leaves oblong or obovate, 10-22 cm. long, acuminate,

glabrous; flowers supra-axillary; petals 6, tomentulose, broadly

ovate, acute; the inner ones 17 mm. long; fruit of 8-10 stipitate

carpels 3-5 cm. long. The petals of a Guatemalan species were

employed formerly by the Indians, and are still used in some regions,

for giving a distinctive flavor to chocolate.

DESMOPSIS Safford

Reference: Fries, Acta Hort. Berg. 10: 16-28. 1930.

Shrubs or medium-sized trees; flowers medium-sized, yellowish

green, the pedicels usually elongate, bibracteate; sepals valvate;

petals 6, subequal, valvate in 2 series; fruit of 7-20 stipitate, globose

or ovoid carpels. — Other species are known from Central America.

Desmopsis bibracteata (Robinson) Safford. Guinea. Nuestro

Amo, 500 meters, and probably elsewhere. Guatemala to Panama;

Cuba. A small tree, the leaves oblong-lanceolate or elliptic, at first

hirsute, glabrous at maturity, obtuse or rounded at the apex; petals

oblong, 10-18 mm. long; carpels subglobose, 5-10 mm. long.

Desmopsis heteropetala Fries, Act. Hort. Berg. 10: 316. 1931.

Forests of El Tablazo, Pittier 7967. Endemic. Leaves elliptic-

obovate, acuminate, 20-30 cm. long, glabrous; inner petals linear-

oblong, 15 mm. long.

Desmopsis microcarpa Fries, Act. Hort. Berg. 10: 23. 1930.

Coast between Limon and Moin, Pittier 16014- Endemic. A shrub of

2-3 meters; leaves elliptic, rounded at the apex and short-acuminate,

10-20 cm. long, almost glabrous; petals yellowish, narrowly lanceo-

late, 2 cm. long.

Desmopsis Oerstedii Safford, Bull. Torrey Club 43: 191. 1916.

Guineo. Aguacate, Oersted 148. Also at Jaris. Endemic. Leaves

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 443

elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse, hirsute beneath; carpels ovoid, 12-24 mm.

long.

GUATTERIA Ruiz & Pavon

Shrubs or small trees, the leaves large or small; flowers axillary,

solitary or fasciculate, more or less pubescent, the petals imbricate;

carpels of the fruit stipitate. — Other species occur elsewhere in

Central America.

Guatteria aeruginosa Standl. Region of El General. Panama.

A tree of 15 meters, the trunk as much as 45 cm. in diameter; leaves

almost sessile, narrowly oblong or oblanceolate-oblong, 12-16 cm.

long, 4-5.5 cm. wide, abruptly short-acuminate, obtuse at the base,

ferruginous-pilose beneath, especially along the nerves; flowers

axillary on 1-flowered peduncles; outer petals broadly ovate or

elliptic, 8 mm. long, densely sericeous; berries long-stipitate, narrowly

ellipsoid, 10-12 mm. long.

Guatteria amplifolia Triana & Planch. Forests of the Atlantic

tierra caliente. British Honduras to Colombia. A shrub or small

tree, the leaves oblong or elliptic, 20-30 cm. long, acuminate, almost

glabrous; flowers large, green or yellowish, the petals fleshy; carpels

numerous, the stipes elongate and red.

Guatteria dolichopoda Donn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 23: 2. 1897.

Forests of Shirores, Talamanca, 100 meters, Pittier & Tonduz 9166.

Also at Canas Gordas, 1,100 meters. Endemic. A tree of 6 meters,

the leaves lance-oblong, 12-18 cm. long, acuminate, glabrous when

fully developed; petals sericeous, oblong or ovate, 2 cm. long; carpels

30-50, about 8 mm. long, the stipes red.

Guatteria oliviformis Donn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 23: 1. 1897.

Anonillo. Forests of Rio Segundo, Volcan de Barba, 1,900 meters,

Tonduz 1740. Also Paramos del Abejonal, 1,500 meters; region of

San Ramon, at 800-1,200 meters. Endemic. A shrub or small

tree, sometimes 8 meters high, the leaves oblong-elliptic, 10-18 cm.

long, acute, pubescent beneath; petals pubescent, obtuse, 1 cm.

long; carpels about 20.

Guatteria Tonduzii Diels, Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin 11: 75.

1931. Cerros del Tremendal near San Ramon, 1,400 meters, Tonduz

17680. Regions of San Ramon and the Reventazon, 1,000-1,500

meters. Endemic. A shrub or tree of 4-8 meters; leaves oblong,

8-15 cm. long, acuminate, sparsely sericeous beneath; petals 2 cm.

long, pilose.

444 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

MALMEA Fries

Other species of the genus are native in Central America.

Malmea costaricensis Fries, Act. Hort. Berg. 10: 320. 1931.

Rio Goto, Golfo Dulce, Pittier 6969. Endemic. Leaves lanceolate,

attenuate, 12-18 cm. long, glabrous; peduncles terminal or opposite

the leaves; sepals rounded-ovate, hirsute; petals fleshy, glabrous,

rounded at the apex, 2-2.5 cm. long. This plant has been reported

from Costa Rica as Duguetia leiophylla Bonn. Smith.

ROLLINIA St. Hil.

Reference: Fries, Act. Hort. Berg. 12: 112-190. 1934.

Trees or shrubs; flowers solitary or fasciculate, the pedicels

bracteate at the base; sepals valvate; petals 6, in 2 series, valvate,

the inner ones minute, the outer ones provided with a compressed

dorsal wing or with a spur-like appendage; carpels numerous, lightly

coherent and forming a large syncarp. — Other species occur in

Central America.

Rollinia Danforthii Standl., sp. nov. — Arbor 13-metralis,

ramulis gracilibus subteretibus dense minute elevato-lenticellatis

dense minute brunneo-puberulis, internodiis elongatis; folia majus-

cula breviter petiolata crasse membranacea, petiolo crassiusculo

ca. 1.5 cm. longo dense minute brunneo-puberulo-tomentuloso;

lamina late ovalis 15.5-18 cm. longa 9-9.5 cm. lata, apice late rotun-

data et abrupte in cuspidem angustum 8-10 mm. longum contracts,

basi rotundata, supra in sicco fusca opaca sparse minute villosula,

nervis non elevatis, subtus brunnescens ubique pilis brevibus brun-

neo-sericea, costa gracili elevata, nervis lateralibus utroque latere

ca. 27 approximatis teneris prominentibus subarcuatis in marginem

desinentibus, venulis obscuris; pedunculi uniflori crassi 1.5-2.5 cm.

longi dense brunneo-tomentulosi; calyx ca. 7 mm. latus brevis,

dense brunneo-sericeus, sepalis multo latioribus quam longis apice

breviter triangulari-apiculatis; corollae tubus ca. 5 mm. longus atque

8 mm. latus, alis divaricatis ovali-obovatis 1.5 mm. longis 8 mm. altis

apice late rotundatis extus densissime pilis brevissimis brunneo-

sericeis; stamina numerosissima capitulum 6 mm. latum efformantia,

filamentis crassiusculis dense ochraceo-pilosulis. — San Isidro de

El General, August, 1936, Ralph E. Danforth 30 (type in Herb. Field

Mus.).

Rollinia Jimenezii Safford, Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 6: 378.

/. 3. 1916. Nuestro Amo, Prov. Alajuela, 500 meters, Oton Jimenez

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 445

427. Pacific tierra caliente, ascending to 1,200 meters. Ranging to

southern Mexico. A medium-sized tree; leaves obovate, 10-24 cm.

long, acuminate, pilose beneath; flowers tomentose, 2 cm. broad;

fruit globose, 6-10 cm. long. The fruit is edible. In Panama this

species is known by the name Torete.

Rollinia microsepala Standl. Field Mus. Bot. 4: 208. 1929.

Rio Changuinola, Cooper & Slater 102. Also in San Carlos. A tree,

the leaves oblong, acuminate, 10-18 cm. long, sericeous beneath;

corolla tomentulose, the wings 15-18 mm. long; fruit globose, about

1.5 cm. broad, almost smooth.

Rollinia Standleyi Fries, Act. Hort. Berg. 12: 128. 1934.

Tilaran, Guanacaste, 500-700 meters, Standley & V.alerio 45920.

Endemic; known only from the region of the type. A tree of 10

meters; leaves elliptic, 10-20 cm. long, acuminate, tomentose beneath;

corolla tomentose, 1.5 cm. broad, the wings 5-7 mm. long.

SAPRANTHUS Seem.

Reference: Fries, Act. Hort. Berg. 10: 3-15. 1930.

Shrubs or medium-sized trees; flowers large or medium-sized,

solitary and opposite the leaves or inserted on the trunk or branches;

sepals imbricate; petals 2-seriate, imbricate, somewhat pubescent;

fruit of few or numerous stipitate or almost sessile carpels, containing

numerous seeds. — In Central America there are two other species,

one of which (S. nicaraguensis Seem.) may extend to Costa Rica.

Sapranthus microcarpus (Bonn. Smith) Fries. Guinea. Forest

and thickets of the Pacific tierra caliente; ascending to 1,100 meters

about San Ramon. Ranging to southern Mexico. A shrub or tree

of 2-6 meters; leaves obovate or oblong, 6-10 cm. long, almost gla-

brous, obtuse or acuminate; flowers opposite the leaves, yellow, the

petals narrowly oblong, 1.5-2 cm. long; carpels small, stipitate,

purple.

Sapranthus Palanga Fries, Act. Hort. Berg. 10: 12. 1930.

Palanco. Guanacaste, Oersted 138. Thickets and forests of the

Pacific tierra caliente, at 700 meters or less. Also in Nicaragua. A

small or medium-sized tree; leaves elliptic, 15-30 cm. long, rounded

to acuminate at the apex, densely pilose; flowers arising from the

trunk or larger branches, pendent, at first green, later reddish brown,

the petals oblong, 5-6 cm. long; carpels 3 cm. long. The large flowers

are rather showy but of a color that is curious rather than beautiful.

446 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

They exhale a strong and disgusting odor, suggestive of carrion. The

bark contains a strong fiber. The wood is white and soft.

XYLOPIA L.

Reference: Fries, Act. Hort. Berg. 10: 86-214. 1930.

Shrubs or small trees; leaves short-petiolate, narrow, distichous;

flowers fasciculate, axillary, whitish, the petals linear or oblong,

erect and connivent in flower; carpels of the fruit dehiscent along

one side. — Another Central American species is found in Panama.

Xylopia aromatica (Lam.) Mart. Forests of the Atlantic coast.

Nicaragua to Paraguay. A shrub or small tree; leaves oblong-

lanceolate, acuminate, coriaceous, sericeous beneath, 2-3.5 cm. wide;

flowers 2.5 cm. long. This species is known in Panama by the name

Malagueto macho.

Xylopia frutescens Aubl. Majagua, Malagueta. Region of

El General, and probably in the Atlantic coast. British Honduras

to Brazil. A shrub with slender, elongate branches; leaves 1-1.5 cm.

wide; flowers 1 cm. long. The TeYraba name is reported as Trup-kro.

MYRISTICACEAE. Nutmeg Family

Trees, the leaves alternate, simple, entire, without stipules;

inflorescence generally axillary, paniculate or racemose, the flowers

dioecious, apetalous; perianth inferior, usually trilobate, the lobes

valvate; stamens 2-30, the filaments united; style none, the stigmas

2; ovule 1; fruit bi valvate, the pericarp fleshy or woody; seed sur-

rounded by a branched aril. — All the Central American genera are

represented in Costa Rica.

COMPSONEURA Warb.

A single species is known from Central America.

Compsoneura Sprucei (A. DC.) Warb. C. costaricensis Warb.

Repert. Sp. Nov. 1: 71. 1905 (San Carlos, Koschny). Common in

forests of the tierra caliente, especially near the Atlantic, ascending

to the region of Dota. Mexico to Brazil. A shrub or small tree, gla-

brous; leaves oblong, 10-25 cm. long, short-acuminate, the petioles

very short; flowers minute, fasciculate, in short racemes, the perianth

1.5 mm. long; fruit oval, 2.5-3 cm. long, yellow, the aril pale yellow.

DIALYANTHERA Warb.

Trees with glabrous, coriaceous leaves; inflorescence racemose,

the flowers minute, fasciculate, pedicellate; fruit globose, the aril

laciniate. — Two other species are found in Central America.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 447

Dialyanthera acuminata Standl. Forests of Pejivalle. Also

in Panama. A tall tree, the leaves oblong-elliptic, 7-12 cm. long,

narrowly acuminate.

Dialyanthera Otoba (Humb. & Bonpl.) Warb. Sebo. Forests

of the Atlantic tierra caliente, at 670 meters or less. Ranging to

Peru. A very tall tree, the leaves elliptic, 15-20 cm. long, obtuse or

acute, pale beneath; racemes somewhat sericeous, the flowers yellow,

4 mm. long; fruits 2-2.5 cm. long.

MYRISTICA L.

Myristica fragrans Houtt. Nuez moscada. The nutmeg,

native of the East Indies, is in cultivation in the region of Limon.

It is a handsome tree, extensively planted in some tropical regions

for its highly aromatic seeds.

VIROLA Aubl.

Tall trees, the leaves tomentose beneath, at least when young;

flowers minute, paniculate, fasciculate along the branches; pericarp

woody, the seed brown, lustrous, enveloped in a laciniate aril. —

There are probably 7 species in Central America. The seed is

similar to that of the nutmeg but the seeds of the Central American

trees are not aromatic like the nutmeg. They are handsome because

of their shape and the delicate, lace-like aril surrounding them.

Virola Koschnyi Warb. Repert. Sp. Nov. 1: 71. 1905. Fruta

dorada. San Carlos, Koschny. Collected also at El Rosario de Orosi,

1,120 meters. Panama to Guatemala. Leaves short-petiolate, oblong

or lance-oblong, 10-22 cm. long, short-acuminate, somewhat cordate

at the base, with 20-35 pairs of nerves; seeds 2-2.5 cm. long.

Virola sebifera Aubl. V. panamensis Warb. Forests of the

Atlantic coast. Nicaragua to Brazil. A tall tree; leaves 14-30 cm.

long, pale beneath, with 10-15 pairs of nerves; fruit 2-3 cm. long. The

wood of these Central American trees is pale brown, light in weight,

easy to work, and not durable. It is little used but in some regions

it is employed for construction. The species of Virola are known in

Panama by the name Bogamani.

MONIMIACEAE

Reference: Perkins & Gilg, Pflanzenreich IV. 101. 1901; 1911.

Shrubs or small trees, the leaves opposite, entire or dentate, with-

out stipules, the petioles usually short; flowers small, unisexual,

monoecious or dioecious, usually in cymes or axillary fascicles; recep-

448 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

tacle campanulate to urceolate, fleshy; sepals 4 to many; stamens

few or numerous; ovule 1; fruit drupaceous, the receptacle often

accrescent and fleshy. — In Central America there occur only two

genera.

MOLLINEDIA Ruiz & Pavon

Leaves entire or dentate, short-petiolate; flowers dioecious,

paniculate or racemose; sepals A; stamens 8-50, the anthers dehiscent

by longitudinal slits; drupes numerous, sessile or stipitate. — About

5 species are known from Central America.

Mollinedia costaricensis Bonn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 33: 257. 1902.

Limoncillo. La Emilia, Llanuras de Santa Clara, 250 meters, J. D.

Smith 6760. Forests of the Atlantic tierra caliente, ascending to

1,100 meters; also in the mountains of Guanacaste and the region of

San Ramon. Endemic. A shrub or tree of 6 meters or less; leaves

obovate, 7-13 cm. long, rounded or short-acuminate at the apex,

acute at the base, entire or sparsely dentate, somewhat pubescent

beneath; drupes 1.5 cm. long.

Mollinedia Pinchotiana Perkins, Bot. Jahrb. 31: 743. 1902.

La Palma, 1,520 meters, Tonduz 12345. Forests of the central region,

1,000-1,600 meters. Endemic. A shrub or tree of 6 meters or less;

leaves obovate-oblong, acuminate, attenuate to the base, obscurely

dentate. For this species I once was given the local name Quizarra,

but probably in error, since the name is applied ordinarily to species

of Lauraceae.

SIPARUNA Aubl.

Shrubs or small trees, the leaves opposite or rarely verticillate,

entire or dentate, petiolate; flowers in axillary cymes; anthers

dehiscent by valves; carpels 4-20, the drupes globose. — In Central

America there are about a dozen species of the genus. The leaves

have a strong and characteristic odor, much like that of lemon.

Siparuna chrysothrix Perkins, Bot. Jahrb. 31: 746. 1902.

Forests of TeYraba, 260 meters, Tonduz 3985. Endemic. Leaves

obovate, 10-13 cm. long, entire, densely pilose beneath with stellate

hairs.

Siparuna grisea Perkins, Bot. Jahrb. 31 : 747. 1902. Forests of

the Rio Naranjo, 200-250 meters, Tonduz 7545. Ascending the

slopes of the central volcanoes to 1,500 meters. Endemic. A shrub

of 2-3 meters; leaves obovate-oblong, 10-17 cm. long, denticulate,

pubescent.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 449

Siparuna griseo-flavescens Perkins, Bot. Jahrb. 28: 693. 1901.

Forests of Juan Vinas, 1,130 meters, Pittier 1879. Forests of the

central region and valley of the Reventazon, 450-1,600 meters;

mountains of Guanacaste; Osa; San Ramon. Also in Panama. A

shrub of 2-3 meters; leaves oblong or obovate-oblong, 8-17 cm. long,

acuminate, denticulate or entire, densely and softly pubescent; fruits

red.

Siparuna guianensis Aubl. Forests of the tierra caliente.

Ranging to Bolivia. A monoecious shrub; leaves oblong-elliptic,

acuminate, entire, almost glabrous.

Siparuna nicaragueiisis Hemsl. Limoncillo. Forests of the

Atlantic coast, ascending the slopes of the volcanoes to 1,500 meters;

region of San Ramon. Panama to Mexico. A shrub of 2-5 meters;

leaves elliptic to oblong, acuminate, entire or somewhat serrate,

sparsely pilose on the lower surface; flowers yellowish green; fruits

reddish.

Siparuna paralleloneura Perkins, Bot. Jahrb. 28: 688. 1901.

Turrialba, Oersted. Forests of the central volcanoes, 1,200-2,000

meters. Endemic. A shrub of 2-5 meters; leaves ovate or obovate,

8-14 cm. long, short-acuminate, rounded at the base, denticulate,

pubescent on the lower surface; fruits 1 cm. long, dark red.

Siparuna patelliformis Perkins, Bot. Jahrb. 28: 692. 1901.

Limoncillo. Turrialba, Oersted. Forests of the tierra caliente, ascend-

ing the slopes of the volcanoes to 1,800 meters; region of Dota; San

Ramon. Endemic. A shrub or small tree of 2-6 meters; leaves

obovate or ovate, 10-25 cm. long, acuminate, rounded at the base,

undulate or denticulate, densely tomentose; flowers green; fruit

globose, 1 cm. long, reddish green.

Siparuna pauciflora (Beurl.) A. DC. Limoncillo. Forests of

the Atlantic coast, ascending to Pejivalle, at 900 meters or less; San

Ramon, at 1,200 meters. - Panama to Peru. A shrub of 2-5 meters;

leaves obovate, 15-30 cm. long, acute at the base, serrulate, finely

tomentose beneath; flowers green.

Siparuna tetraceroides Perkins, Bot. Jahrb. 28: 689. 1901.

Limoncillo. Type collected by Oersted, without indication of the

exact locality. Forests of the Atlantic slopes of the central vol-

canoes, 800-1,600 meters. Endemic. A shrub of 3-5 meters; leaves

elliptic or obovate, 6-16 cm. long, rounded or acute at the base,

denticulate, densely pubescent beneath; fruits red.

450 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Siparuna Tonduziana Perkins, Bot. Jahrb. 31 : 746. 1902. Las

Vueltas, Tucurrique, 635 meters, Tonduz 12766. Forests of the

Atlantic plains, ascending to the region of Dota, 0-1,900 meters;

Guanacaste; San Ramon. Honduras to Panama. A shrub of 1-3

meters; leaves oblong to obovate, 11-30 cm. long, rounded or cordate

at the base, coarsely dentate, pubescent; fruits red, globose, 1 cm.

long.

LAURACEAE. Laurel Family

Reference: Mez, Jahrb. Bot. Gart. Berlin 5. 1889.

Trees or shrubs, rarely herbs (in Cassytha), evergreen, the leaves

alternate, punctate, without stipules, entire; flowers perfect or uni-

sexual, small, green or yellowish, usually cymose, umbellate, or

capitate; perianth commonly 6-lobate; petals none; stamens and

staminodia normally twice as many as the perianth segments, in 2

or 4 series; anthers erect, 2- or 4-celled; fruit drupaceous or baccate,

1-seeded. — One of the largest families of tropical America, well

represented in Costa Rica, some of the trees being of considerable

importance as a source of lumber. The differences between the genera

are found in the stamens, and it is difficult to distinguish them.

The leaves are much alike in all the groups and the fruits give no

differential characters. Fruiting specimens can be determined only

by comparison with authentically named flowering specimens, and

even then often with much uncertainty.

BELLOTA Gay

The other species of the genus are South American.

Bellota costaricensis Mez, Jahrb. Bot. Gart. Berlin 5: 27. 1889.

Quizarra. Boldus costaricensis Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 569. 1891. With-

out locality, Hoffmann 857. Forests of the slopes of the central vol-

canoes, 1,700-2,400 meters; region of San Ramon. Endemic. A

shrub or tree of 3.5-10 meters; leaves oblong or obovate-oblong,

coriaceous, obtuse or rounded at the apex, glabrous, the petioles

very short; flowers yellow, cymose, the pedicels elongate; fruits

oblong, 13 mm. long.

CASSYTHA L.

The genus consists of a single species.

Cassytha filiformis L. Atlantic coast, and probably also on

the Pacific. A plant of pantropic distribution. A yellow, parasitic

herb, the leaves reduced to scales. In habit and general appearance

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 451

the plant is much like species of Cuscuta (Convolvulaceae), and

quite unlike other groups of Lauraceae.

CINNAMOMUM L.

Cinnamomum Camphora (L.) Nees & Eberm. Alcanfor.

Sometimes planted as an ornamental tree. Native of China and

Japan. From this tree is obtained the drug camphor, most of the

supply coming at present from the island of Formosa.

Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees. Canela. Sometimes planted

as an ornamental tree. Native of India. The dried bark is the

cinnamon of commerce.

HUFELANDIA Nees

Trees, more or less pubescent or sometimes glabrous; leaves

sometimes subopposite, coriaceous; flowers small, perfect, panicu-

late, the panicles axillary; perianth segments almost equal; perfect

stamens 9, the anthers 2-celled. — Other species are known from

Central America, one of them (H. Anay Blake), the Anay of Guate-

mala, producing an edible fruit similar to the aguacate or avocado.

Hufelandia costaricensis Mez & Pittier, Bull. Herb. Boiss. II.

3: 228. 1903. Quizarra. Forests of Juan Vinas, 1,100 meters, Pittier

1863. Also in forests of Canton de Dota, 1,800 meters. Endemic.

An almost glabrous tree; leaves elliptic, 11-23 cm. long, green

beneath.

Hufelandia ovalis Blake, Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 9: 461. 1919.

Volcan de Poas, 2,600 meters, Pittier 2040. Endemic. A medium-

sized tree; leaves oval, 6-8 cm. long, whitish beneath.

LITSEA Lam.

Another Central American species is found in Guatemala and

Salvador.

Litsea flavescens Bartlett, Proc. Amer. Acad. 44: 599. 1909.

Lentisco. Cerros de Belmira, near Santa Maria de Dota, 1,800 meters,

Tonduz 11638. Forests of the region of Dota, 1,500-1,800 meters,

and perhaps elsewhere. Endemic. A tree of 4-6 meters, glabrous;

leaves lanceolate, about 2 cm. wide, attenuate; flowers yellowish, in

small, axillary, pedunculate heads. Easy to recognize because of the

small, narrow leaves and the capitate flowers. Reported by Mez as

L. glaucescens var. subsolitaria. The leaves are aromatic. Those of

the Mexican species are much used for flavoring food.

452 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

MISANTECA Schlecht. & Cham.

Two other species occur in Central America.

Misanteca Pittieri Mez, Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 3: 230. 1903.

Quizarra. M. costaricensis I. M. Johnston, Contr. Gray Herb. 70:

70. 1924 (Cerros de Santiago, near San Ramon, Brenes 14403).

Hacienda de Belmira, near Santa Maria de Dota, 1,450 meters,

Tonduz 11613. Forests of the central region, 1,100-1,500 meters.

Endemic. A tree of 8-10 meters, or sometimes only a shrub; leaves

elliptic-oblong or obovate-oblong, 10-14 cm. long, short-acuminate,

acute at the base, coriaceous, glabrous; flowers small, in very dense,

pubescent panicles; cupule of the fruit as much as 2 cm. broad.

NECTANDRA Roland

Trees; leaves coriaceous; flowers cymose, in axillary or terminal

panicles; perianth 6-lobate, the segments equal; perfect stamens 9,

the anthers 4-celled.— A large genus, well represented in Central

America. Many of the species yield good wood that is used locally

for construction.

Nectandra concinna Nees. Forests of the Pacific tierra

caliente and in the Atlantic coast, ascending to 1,400 meters; region

of San Ramon. Mexico to South America. A large or small tree,

sometimes flowering when only a shrub; leaves oblong to elliptic,

glabrous, acuminate; flowers white or yellowish.

Nectandra glabrescens Benth. Quizarra, Quina, Quizarra

quina, Aguacatillo, Sigua amarillo. Forests of the Atlantic tierra

caliente, ascending the slopes of the volcanoes to 2,250 meters;

region of San Ramon. Mexico to Colombia. A tall or medium-

sized tree, sometimes 25 meters high; leaves lance-oblong, acuminate,

glabrous. The wood of this species is used for construction.

Nectandra globosa (Aubl.) Mez. Aguacatillo, Quizarra quina,

Quizarra. A common species of forests of the tierra caliente,

ascending to 1,500 meters. Mexico to South America. A tall or

medium-sized tree; leaves lance-oblong, acuminate, glabrous.

Nectandra membranacea (Swartz) Griseb. Region of San

Ramon. Central America and West Indies. A small or medium-

sized tree; leaves sparsely pilose or glabrous, ovate to elliptic-oblong,

acute or acuminate, acute or subobtuse at the base, 12-20 cm. long;

inflorescence tomentulose or glabrate, the flowers 4-5 mm. in

diameter.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 453

Nectandra nervosa Mez & Pittier, Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 3:

235. 1903. Delta of Rio Diquis, Tonduz 6758. Endemic. A tree,

the leaves elliptic-lanceolate, glabrous.

Nectandra ramonensis Standl., sp. nov. — Ramuli crassiusculi

teretes vel subangulati dense ochraceo-sericei vel serius glabrati,

sat dense foliati; folia mediocria breviter petiolata coriacea in sicco

brunnescentia vel fusca, petiolo ad 1 cm. longo sericeo-tomentuloso

vel glabrato; lamina oblongo-elliptica vel ovato-elliptica 7-11.5 cm.

longa 2.5-6 cm. lata sensim vel subabrupte acuminata, interdum

acuta vel subobtusa, basi acuta vel acuminata, supra glabra lucida

costa venisque vix impressis, subtus opaca primo ubique dense

minute sericea serius glabrata, costa gracili elevata, nervis laterali-

bus utroque latere ca. 6 angulo recto vel angustiore adscendenti-

bus, in axillis barbata; inflorescentiae paniculatae laxe multiflorae

longipedunculatae foliis aequilongae vel breviores sparse sericeo-

tomentulosae, pedicellis gracilibus ad 8 mm. longis; flores fere 4 mm.

longi brunneo-tomentulosi, segmentis breviter connatis ovalibus vel

late ellipticis apice obtusis vel rotundatis crassis. — San Francisco y

San Pedro de San Ramon, Brenes 17018 (type in Herb. Field

Mus.); San Pedro de San Ramon, Brenes 6660, 6612.

Nectandra rectinervia Meissn. Aguacatillo. Common in forests

of Guanacaste, also in the regions of Cartago and San Ramon,

500-1,200 meters. Mexico to Venezuela. A small or large tree;

leaves very narrow, small, glabrous, lustrous; flowers yellowish white

or greenish, almost glabrous.

Nectandra reticulata (Ruiz & Pavon) Mez. Quizarra. Forests

of the tierra caliente, ascending the slopes of the central mountains

to 1,800 meters; region of San Ramon. Mexico to Peru. A tall or

medium-sized tree; leaves lanceolate to ovate-oblong, large, attenu-

ate, very thick, densely pilose beneath ; flowers large, densely tomen-

tose; ovary tomentose. It is said that this species furnishes lumber

of good quality.

Nectandra sanguinea Rottb. Ira rosa. Forests of the tierra

caliente, ascending the slopes of the central mountains to 1,500

meters. Mexico to northern South America. A large or small tree;

leaves lanceolate to elliptic, glabrous; flowers sericeous, white or

greenish; fruits purple.

Nectandra sinuata Mez. Quizarra, Quizarra hediondo. Forests

of the tierra caliente, ascending to the region of San Jos£ and Canton

454 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

de Dota; region of San Ramon. Ranging to southern Mexico. A

tree of 5-15 meters; leaves large, oblong or oval, obtuse or acute,

densely and softly pilose; flowers large, white or reddish; fruits 3

cm. long.

OCOTEA Aubl.

Trees or shrubs, the leaves coriaceous or almost membranaceous;

flowers small, in axillary or subterminal panicles; perianth with

6 unequal segments; perfect stamens 9, the anthers 4-celled. — A

large genus, represented in Central America by numerous species,

many of which furnish good lumber.

Ocotea atirrensis Mez & Donn. Smith, Bot. Jahrb. 30: Beibl.

67: 18. 1901. Quizarrd. Atirro, Prov. Cartago, 700 meters, J. D.

Smith 4930. Abundant in Guanacaste and the plains of the Atlantic

coast, ascending the Atlantic slope to 1,500 meters; region of San

Ramon. Endemic. A shrub of 3-5 meters; leaves 30 cm. long or

larger, oblong or obovate, almost sessile, acuminate, glabrous;

flowers small, greenish or yellowish, almost glabrous; fruits about

3 cm. long. A characteristic tree of almost the whole Atlantic

tierra caliente, growing in high forest.

Ocotea Brenesii Standl., sp. nov. — Arbor 6-8-metralis,

ramulis gracilibus plus minusve angulatis in statu juvenili sparse

griseo-sericeis subdense foliatis; folia mediocria petiolata in sicco

fusca subcoriacea, petiolo gracili 7-10 mm. longo sparse sericeo;

lamina elliptica vel ovato-elliptica 8-12 cm. longa 3.5-6 cm. lata

subabrupte obtuso-acuminata, basi obtusa vel subrotundata, supra

lucida glabra, nervis subimpressis, subtus opaca in statu juvenili

sparse strigosa cito glabrata, costa gracili elevata, nervis lateralibus

utroque latere ca. 5 angulo semirecto adscendentibus; inflores-

centia submultiflora racemiformis foliis paullo brevior sparse sericea,

pedicellis 4-6 mm. longis, floribus fere glabris subglobosis 3.5 mm.

longis, perianthii tubo subnullo; limbi segmenta late ovata vel

elliptica obtusa; antherae subtrapeziformi-ovatae basi truncatae. —

Cataratas de San Ramon, Brenes 13653 (type in Herb. Field Mus.);

La Palma de San Ramon, 1,250 meters, Brenes 5535.

Ocotea cernua (Nees) Mez. Forests of the tierra caliente.

Panama to Mexico. A shrub or small tree, glabrous throughout;

leaves elliptic, narrowly acuminate; panicles small, their branches

usually reflexed, the flowers small, white; fruits black. It is said

that the wood is white, fine-grained, and hard.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 455

Ocotea Endresiana Mez, Jahrb. Bot. Gart. Berlin 5: 257. 1889.

Without definite locality, Endres 223. Region of San Ramon.

Endemic. Leaves sessile, rigid, almost glabrous, obovate, 12 cm.

long; inflorescence subcorymbose, glabrous. Easily recognized by

its coriaceous, essentially sessile leaves.

Ocotea insularis (Meisn.) Mez, Jahrb. Bot. Gart. Berlin 5:

271. 1889. Phoebe insularis Meisn. in DC. Prodr. 15, pt. 1: 33. 1864.

Type collected on Cocos Island. Leaves short-petiolate, almost

glabrous, obovate, acuminate; inflorescence pyramidal, equaling the

leaves, tomentulose. Endemic.

Ocotea Ira Mez & Pittier, Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 3: 232. 1903.

Ira. Forests of Juan Virias, 1,200 meters, Tonduz 13399. Also in

the plains of Santa Clara, 200 meters. Endemic. A tree of 15-20

meters, the leaves obovate, about 17 cm. long, rounded or acuminate

at the apex, glabrous; flowers pubescent; fruits 2 cm. long.

Ocotea mollifolia Mez & Pittier, Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 3: 233.

1903. Hacienda Victoria, Zent, 200 meters, Pittier 16031. Endemic.

Leaves elliptic, acuminate, short-petiolate, soft-pilose on the lower

surface; flowers tomentose.

Ocotea palmana Mez & Donn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 33: 258. 1902.

Ira mangle. Forests of La Palma, Prov. San Jose", 1,500 meters,

Tonduz 12652. Endemic. Known only from the type region. Leaves

obovate, acute at the base, short-petiolate, rounded and short-

acuminate at the apex, tomentulose on the lower surface; flowers

tomentose.

Ocotea paradoxa Mez, Bot. Jahrb. 30: Beibl. 67: 16. 1901.

Forests of Rio Naranjo, 300 meters, Tonduz 7648. Endemic. Leaves

elliptic, glabrous, short-acuminate; flowers pubescent.

Ocotea pedalifolia Mez, Bot. Jahrb. 30: Beibl. 67: 19. 1901.

Quizarra barcino. Forests of Shirores, Talamanca, 100 meters,

Pittier & Tonduz 9172. Forests of the Atlantic tierra caliente.

Endemic. Leaves obovate-elliptic, 30 cm. long or larger, glabrous,

rounded at the base; flowers tomentulose.

Ocotea pentagona Mez, Bot. Jahrb. 30: Beibl. 67: 17. 1901.

Rio Naranjo, 250 meters, Tonduz 7613. Forests of the tierra caliente,

ascending to 1,000 meters; region of San Ramon. Also in Panama.

A tall or medium-sized tree; leaves elliptic to oblong or obovate,

acuminate, glabrous; flowers glabrous.

456 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Ocotea Quisara Mez & Bonn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 33: 259. 1902.

Quizarra. La Conception, Llanuras de Santa Clara, 250 meters,

J. D. Smith 6756. Forests of the Atlantic plains, 200-600 meters.

Endemic. Leaves elliptic, 30 cm. long, glabrous, acuminate; flowers

tomentulose.

Ocotea stenoneura Mez & Pittier, Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 3: 233.

1903. Quizarra amarillo, Yaya. Llanuras de Santa Clara, 200

meters, Cooper 1 021 7. Atlantic plains, at 200-700 meters. Panama.

A tall tree; leaves elliptic to oblong, acuminate, soft-pilose beneath;

flowers large, tomentose.

Ocotea subsericea Standl., sp. nov. — Ramuli crassiusculi

densissime ochraceo-sericei subangulati, vetustiores subteretes, inter-

nodiis elongatis; folia mediocria petiolata in statu adulto coriacea,

juvenilia tenuia in sicco fusca membranacea, petiolo crassiusculo

ad 12 mm. longo; lamina oblonga vel elliptico-oblonga 7-12 cm.

longa 3-4.5 cm. lata acuta vel acuminata, basi acuta, juvenilis

subdense ochraceo-sericea cito glabrata, supra lucida, nervis subim-

pressis, subtus opaca, costa gracili elevata, nervis lateralibus utroque

latere ca. 7 irregularibus angulo semirecto adscendentibus pro-

minentibus; inflorescentia racemiformis vel thyrsoideo-paniculata

folio duplo brevior dense ochraceo-sericea pauciflora, pedicellis cras-

siusculis 2-4 mm. longis, ramis infimis apice flores paucos umbellatos

gerentibus, floribus 3 mm. longis dense sericeis, segmentis ovatis

acutiusculis; antherae trapeziformi-ovatae basi truncatae apice

leviter emarginatae, filamentis latis glabris; ovarium glabrum.—

La Palma de San Ramon, 1,250 meters, Brenes 6789 (type in Herb.

Field Mus.).

Ocotea tenera Mez & Donn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 35: 6. 1903.

Quizarra lantisco, Aguacatillo. Turrialba, 570 meters, Tonduz 8330.

Common in forests of the Atlantic tierra caliente, ascending to 1,400

meters; region of San Ramon; Guanacaste. Endemic. A shrub, or

a tree of 6-15 meters; leaves elliptic to lance-oblong, only 10-12 cm.

long, acuminate, glabrous; flowers very small, glabrous; fruits black.

Ocotea Tonduzii Standl., nom. nov. Ira, Ira mangle, Ira

amarillo. 0. cuneata Mez, Bot. Jahrb. 30: Beibl. 67: 17. 1901,

non 0. cuneata Gomez, 1894. Rio Segundo, 2,000 meters, Tonduz

1 739. Forests of the central region, at 1,000-2,050 meters. Endemic.

A tree of 10-15 meters; leaves obovate, narrowly attenuate to the

base, almost sessile, glabrous; flowers tomentulose. Pittier states

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 457

that the wood is yellow with dark stripes, rather fine-grained, strong

and easy to work, and rarely attacked by insects.

Ocotea veraguensis (Meissn.) Mez. Quizarrti, Canelo, Agua-

catillo, Canelilla. Sassafridium veraguense Meissn. Common in

forests of the Pacific tierra caliente; Canton de Dota, 1,500 meters;

region of San Ramon. Panama to southern Mexico. A tall tree

with gray bark having the odor of cinnamon; leaves oblong, glabrous,

obtuse or subacute; flowers white, fragrant; fruits black. The wood

is dark brown or almost black, moderately hard and heavy, easy

to work, and durable. It is employed in some parts of the country

for construction. The TeYraba name is reported as Sing-uo-gro.

PERSEA Gaertn.

Trees with coriaceous leaves; flowers in axillary or subtermina

panicles; perianth segments 6, the outer ones shorter; perfect

stamens 9, the anthers 4-celled; fruits small or often very large. —

Other species are known from Central America.

Persea americana Mill. Aguacate. P. gratissima Gaertn.

Planted almost everywhere, and probably native in some regions,

as in the forests of the Atlantic coast and the mountains of the

central region. One of the most popular fruits of all parts of tropical

America, and probably cultivated since the beginning of agriculture.

In Costa Rica there are grown many varieties of the avocado dif-

ferentiated by their shape, color, and flavor. The larger and hand-

some Aguacate de Cuba is grown in the coasts, its fruits attaining

sometimes a weight of two kilograms. In the temperate regions are

found smaller varieties, some with the form of a somewhat elongate

pear, others spherical. The flesh of the avocado is of the consistency

of butter, and contains a large amount of greenish fat. It is very

agreeable to the taste, whether eaten simply with salt or made into

salads. In some regions it is employed as a remedy for diseases of

women, and also is reputed to have aphrodisiac properties. The

latter belief is probably very ancient, and perhaps is an instance

of the doctrine of signatures. The Nahuatl term for the fruit is

Ahuacatl, a word signifying also testicle, and it is not known which

is the primary meaning of the word. The wood is pale reddish brown,

fine-grained, and easy to work, but susceptible to rot and insect

attacks, and consequently unsuited for permanent construction.

Among Indian names reported for the tree and its fruit are: Amo

(Bribri): Bukra (Brunka); Dobor-kor (TeYraba); Dikora, Sutuh,

Suutu (Guatuso); Bucra, Buvo (Boruca); Hamo (Cabe"cara).

458 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Persea Brenesii Standl., sp. nov. — Arbor 5-7-metralis, ramulis

crassis angulatis densissime ochraceo-sericeis satis dense foliatis;

folia parva petiolata coriacea, petiolo 10-14 mm. longo dense sericeo;

lamina oblonga 5.5-7.5 cm. longa 1.5-2.5 cm. lata obtusa vel acutius-

cula basi acuta, supra glabra costa nervisque subimpressis, subtus

ubique densissime ochraceo-sericea, costa gracili elevata, nervis

lateralibus utroque latere ca. 6 angulo recto vel angustiore adscen-

dentibus; inflorescentiae axillares pauciflorae corymbosae foliis paullo

longiores dense ochraceo-sericeae, floribus ad apices ramulorum sessi-

libus vel breviter crasse pedicellatis; sepala persistentia paullo inae-

qualia dense sericea basi in tubum brevem connata, exterioribus

ovalibus vel ovatis, interioribus longioribus oblongo-ovatis obtusis

usque ad 5 mm. longis; fructus ut videtur immaturus globosus glaber

fere 1 cm. diam. — La Palma de San Ramon, 1,150 meters, Brenes

4451 (type in Herb. Field Mus.). Growing, according to the collector,

in either forest or pastures.

Persea caerulea (Ruiz & Pavon) Mez. Aguacatillo. Common

in forests and pastures of the central region, descending to the Pacific

coast, at 1,800 meters or less. Ranging to Peru. A tree of 5-15

meters; leaves elliptic to oblong, acuminate to obtuse, glabrous,

sometimes pale on the lower surface; flowers large, yellowish; fruits

small and globose.

Persea pallida Mez & Pittier, Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 3: 231. 1903.

Valle de Goto, Rio Diquis, 1,400 meters, Pittier 11111. Endemic.

Leaves elliptic, short-acuminate, somewhat pubescent and pale

beneath; flowers tomentulose.

Persea Schiedeana Nees. Yas. P. Pittieri Mez, Bot. Jahrb.

30: Beibl. 67: 15. 1901 (Rancho Redondo, Pittier 1156). Common

in forests of the central mountains, 1,400-1,900 meters. Panama

to southern Mexico. A tall tree; leaves oval or obovate, rounded

or cordate at the base, whitish and tomentose on the lower surface;

flowers tomentose, greenish ; fruits as large as a lemon, with a large seed

and a thick rind in comparison with the amount of pulp that it encloses.

The fruits are sold during their season in the markets of Cartago,

and doubtless elsewhere, often bringing a comparatively high price.

Because of the large amount of coarse fiber that they contain, they

are not attractive in appearance and texture, but are of excellent

flavor. The wood is strong but soon attacked by insects.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 459

PHOEBE Nees

Trees or shrubs; flowers small, paniculate; perianth segments 6,

equal; perfect stamens 9, the anthers 4-celled. — Other species occur

in Central America.

Phoebe Brenesii Standl., sp. nov. — Arbor 5-6-metralis, ramulis

sat gracilibus plus minusve angulatis in statu juvenili sparse tomen-

tulosis cito glabratis; folia inter minora longe petiolata coriacea,

petiolo gracili ad 2 cm. longo glabro; lamina elliptica vel oblongo-

elliptica, interdum late elliptica, 3.5-9.5 cm. longa 2-4 cm. lata

vulgo abrupte breviter obtuso-acuminata, basi subacuta ad rotun-

data, in statu juvenili sparse tomentulosa, cito glabrata, subtus in

axillis nervorum interdum breviter barbata, supra lucida costa nervis-

que subimpressis saepe flavescens, subtus pallidior et saepe plus

minusve glaucescens paullo supra basin solemniter triplinervia,

nervis lateralibus superioribus paucis distantibus irregularibus; in-

florescentiae laxe paniculatae longe pedunculatae vulgo 'multiflorae

foliis saepe longiores fere omnino glabrae, pedicellis gracilibus pler-

umque 3-6 mm. longis gracilibus, floribus 3 mm. longis, segmentis

ellipticis obtusis, exterioribus fere glabris, interioribus sparse tomen-

tulosis vel glabratis, basi breviter connatis; fructus ovalis ca. 8mm.

longus. — Entre San Miguel y La Palma de San Ramon, Brenes 17048

(type in Herb. Field Mus.); Piedades near San Ramon, 1,000 meters,

Brenes 4896; San Pedro de San Ramon, Brenes 16943, 6675; San

Miguel de San Ramon, 900-950 meters, Brenes 5518; La Palma de

San Ramon, Brenes 6810.

Phoebe costaricana Mez & Pittier, Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 3:

230. 1903. Caiias Gordas, 1,100 meters, Pittier 11107. Endemic.

Leaves narrowly elliptic, acuminate, glabrous; panicles glabrous,

longer than the leaves.

Phoebe mexicana Meissn. Aguacatillo. Meseta Central to

the Pacific coast, at 500-1,200 meters, in forests, hedges, and thickets,

or on stream banks. Ranging to Mexico. A tree of 5-6 meters or

more; leaves oblong, acuminate, 3-nerved, almost glabrous; in-

florescence densely pubescent, the flowers greenish.

Phoebe mollicella Blake, Contr. Gray Herb. 52: 64. 1917.

Quizarra, Quizarra amarillo. Forests of El Copey, 1,800 meters,

Tonduz 11676. Oak (Quercus) forests of Canton de Dota, and on

the slopes of Irazu, 1,500-2,100 meters; region of San Ramon, at

1,050 meters. Endemic. A tree of 5-12 meters; leaves lanceolate

460 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

or oblong, small, attenuate to the apex, soft-pubescent beneath;

flowers very small, green, fragrant. The species is well marked by

its small, pubescent leaves. It is said to furnish good wood.

Phoebe neurophylla Mez & Pittier, Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 3:

231. 1903. Rio Hur, Valle del Diquis, 1,100 meters, Pittier 12054.

Endemic. A small tree; leaves narrowly elliptic, acuminate, 3-

nerved, almost glabrous; inflorescence glabrous.

Phoebe Pittieri Mez, Bot. Jahrb. 30: Beibl. 67: 16. 1901.

Aguacatillo. Forests of El Copey, 1,800 meters, Tonduz 11893.

Regions of Dota, Cartago, and San Ramon, 1,000-1,800 meters.

Endemic. A tree of 5-6 meters; leaves small, elliptic-lanceolate,

acuminate, glabrous; flowers very small, pubescent, yellowish green.

Phoebe Tonduzii Mez, Bot. Jahrb. 30: Beibl. 67: 15. 1901.

Aguacatillo bianco. Forests of El Copey, 1,800 meters, Tonduz 11735.

Endemic. A tree; leaves elliptic, 3-nerved, acute, almost glabrous;

inflorescence densely tomentose. Wood white, soft, much attacked

by insects, not durable. The TeYraba name is reported as Snungro.

Phoebe Valeriana Standl., sp. nov. Quizarra. Species P.

betazensi Mez perafnnis, foliis latioribus late oblongis usque ad late

obovatis basi acutis vel rotundatis, subtus pilis brevioribus densius

indutis. — Costa Rica: El Copey, Tonduz 11746 (type in herb. Field

Mus.). Common in the regions of Dota and El Muneco, Prov.

Cartago, 1,400-1,800 meters; region of San Ramon. Endemic. A

medium-sized tree, the leaves oblong to broadly obovate, as much

as 25 cm. long and 12 cm. wide, obtuse or short-acuminate at the

apex, acute to rounded at the base, somewhat pubescent on the

upper surface, densely pilose beneath with short and very dense

hairs; flowers small, glabrous. The Costa Rican species has been

referred to P. betazensis Mez, of Guatemala, which differs in having

much narrower leaves, and a pubescence composed of much longer

and denser hairs.

HERNANDIACEAE

Trees or shrubs, the leaves alternate, simple, petiolate, without

stipules; flowers perfect or monoecious, regular, small, in axillary

cymes or panicles; perianth 3-10-parted; petals none; stamens as

many as the perianth segments, the anthers 2-celled; ovary inferior,

1 -celled; ovule 1. — There are probably to be found in Costa Rica

species of the only other Central American genus, Sparattanthelium.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 461

GYROCARPUS Jacq.

The genus consists of a single species.

Gyrocarpus americanus Jacq. Dry forests of the Pacific

slope. Widely distributed in the tropics of almost the whole earth.

A tall or medium-sized tree with smooth, gray bark; leaves long-

petiolate, large, lobate or sometimes entire, the lobes entire, acumi-

nate; flowers small, greenish, unisexual, cymose; fruit nut-like, 2 of

the perianth segments persistent and in fruit 10-12 cm. long, spatu-

late, the nut ellipsoid, 2 cm. long, densely pubescent. When the

fruits are detached from the tree, they fall toward the ground,

spinning like a parachute. The wood is soft, white, and light in

weight. In some regions it is utilized for making toys and boxes.

In other parts of Central America the name Volador is given to the

tree. Oersted has noted for Costa Rica the name Papaya cimarrona,

a name whose application to this tree does not seem very probable.

HERNANDIA L.

Trees, the leaves large, entire, long-petiolate; flowers monoecious,

involucrate; fruits enclosed in a fleshy, accrescent involucel. — From

Central America only two species are known.

Hernandia didymantha Bonn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 31: 120. 1901.

Punta Mona, Pittier 12682. Forests of the Atlantic coast. Endemic.

A tree of 5-15 meters; leaves oblong, 12-18 cm. long, acuminate,

rounded or obtuse at the base, glabrous; panicles longer than the

leaves; sepals 5 mm. long.

Hernandia sonora L. Aguacatillo. H. guianensisAubl. Forests

of the Atlantic tierra caliente. Mexico to the Guianas. A medium-

sized tree, the leaves ovate or rounded-ovate, short-acuminate;

flowers white, the sepals tomentulose. The wood is soft, easily

worked, and light in weight.

PAPAVERACEAE. Poppy Family

Reference: Fedde, Papaveraceae, Pflanzenreich IV. 104. 1909.

Herbs, shrubs, or small trees, usually with yellow or red sap;

leaves alternate, entire or lobate, without stipules; inflorescence

commonly terminal, the flowers perfect, regular; sepals 2 or 3, free,

caducous; petals 4-6, rarely none; stamens usually numerous; ovary

free, of 2-20 united carpels, the ovules numerous or only 1; fruit

capsular. — All the Central American genera are represented in

Costa Rica.

462 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

ARGEMONE L.

A single species occurs in Central America.

Argemone mexicana L. Cardosanto. Meseta Central to the

coasts, in waste ground or sandy stream beds. A species almost

pan tropic in distribution. A very spiny herb a meter high or less

with yellow sap, the leaves green or whitish, pinnatifid; flowers

yellow, the petals 2-3 cm. long; capsule spiny. An abundant plant

in many localities. A form with white petals that is very common

is A. mexicana var. ochroleuca (Sweet) Lindl. The latex has narcotic

and purgative properties, and although its use is somewhat danger-

ous, it is employed commonly in domestic medicine.

BOGCONIA L.

From Central America three other species are known, growing

in Guatemala.

Bocconia frutescens L. Guacamayo, Tabaquillo. Common in

forests of the central region, at 600-2,000 meters, sometimes in

abandoned fields. Mexico to Peru. A shrub or small, sparsely

branched tree 2-5 meters high, the sap orange; leaves petiolate,

very large, pinnatifid, the segments entire or dentate, the blades

green or whitish beneath, glabrous or somewhat tomentose; flowers

1 cm. long, in large panicles, without petals; capsule 1-seeded. The

bitter, acrid sap, of unpleasant odor, contains an alkaloid, protopine.

The shrub is a rather ornamental one because of its distinctive foliage.

ESCHSCHOLTZIA Cham. California poppy

Eschscholtzia calif ornica Cham. Native of California, con-

spicuous because of its handsome, yellow flowers, cultivated in many

Central American gardens. The flowers close at night, and on this

account the plant is usually known by the name Adormidera.

PAPAVERL. Poppy

Papaver somniferum L. Tulipan, Amapola. An ornamental

garden plant, native of China. Its sap supplies the narcotic drug

opium.

CRUCIFERAE. Mustard Family

Herbs, the leaves alternate, simple or compound, without stipules;

flowers small or rather large, in racemes or corymbs; sepals 4,

usually deciduous; petals 4, commonly unguiculate; stamens gener-

ally 6, unequal; ovary superior, 2-celled, the style commonly per-

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 463

sistent, the stigma discoid or bilobate; fruit a silique, with 2 cells,

almost always dehiscent. — The genera Descurainia and Draba have

representatives in Guatemala. Although lavishly represented in

temperate regions, the Cruciferae have but few species in Central

America.

BRASSICA L.

Annuals or biennials, glabrous or with pubescene of simple hairs;

flowers usually yellow; silique linear or oblong. — There are no native

species of the genus in America.

Brassica campestris L. Mostaza, Mostacilla. Common in

coffee plantations or other cultivated ground, and in waste places,

Meseta Central and probably in other regions. Native of the

Mediterranean Region, but cultivated in other parts of the world

for its edible leaves, this mustard is naturalized in many places.

Easily recognized in the genus by its sessile cauline leaves, cordate

at the base.

Brassica juncea (L.) Coss. Mostaza. Common in cornfields

and coffee plantations of the central region. Imported from Europe

and Asia. Leaves acute at the base, the lower ones pinnatisect,

those of the branches entire or dentate.

Brassica oleracea L. Repollo. Cabbage is cultivated com-

monly, chiefly in the temperate and colder regions; of European

origin.

Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis L. Coliflor. Cauliflower is

grown commonly in the temperate regions.

Brassica Rapa L. Nabo. Turnips are cultivated in many

parts of the country. A plant of European origin.

On seashores there probably occurs Cakile lanceolata (Willd.)

0. E. Schulz, a glabrous, fleshy herb with indehiscent fruits, but I

have seen no Costa Rican specimens.

CAPSELLA Medic. Shepherd's-purse

Capsella Bursa-pastoris (L.) Medic. Common in cultivated

or waste places of the Meseta Central. Introduced from Europe

and now naturalized in almost all temperate regions of America.

An annual with long racemes of small, white flowers; easy to recognize

by its triangular, compressed siliques.

464 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

CARDAMINE L.

Reference: O. E. Schulz, Monographie der Gattung Cardamine,

Bot. Jahrb. 32: 289. 1903.

Low perennials or annuals, the leaves usually pinnate; flowers

white, pink, or purple; silique compressed, narrow and elongate.—

A large genus, with two other Central American species in Guatemala.

Cardamine Bradei 0. E. Schulz, Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin 8:

328. 1923. Volcan de Barba, A. C. Brade 2305. Also on La Carpin-

tera, at 1,800 meters, and in Santa Maria de Dota; region of San

Ramon, 1,000-1,250 meters. Endemic. Leaflets 3, about 4-5 cm.

long, obtuse or acute; siliques 4 cm. long.

Cardamine flaccida Cham. & Schlecht. Volcan de Turrialba,

2,500 meters. Mexico to Argentina and Chile. Leaflets 5-12 or

more, only 1 cm. long, entire or nearly so, glabrous; siliques 1-2

cm. long.

Cardamine ovata Benth. Common in forests of the central

mountains, ascending to 3,000 meters. Ranging to Venezuela and

Ecuador. Leaflets usually 5, ovate, 2-5 cm. long, somewhat pubes-

cent or almost glabrous; siliques 4-5 cm. long.

LEPIDIUM L. Peppergrass

Reference: Thellung, Die Gattung Lepidium (L.) R. Br. 1906.

Two additional species occur in other parts of Central America.

Lepidium costaricense Thell. Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 4: 713.

1904. San Juan, Irazu, Hoffmann 139. Common in cultivated and

waste ground of the Meseta Central, ascending to 2,200 meters or

more. Reported also from Guatemala. An annual, the leaves

pinnatifid, with narrow segments; flowers very small, white, in dense,

elongate racemes; siliques rounded, flat, emarginate, 3-4 mm. long.

The leaves have a pungent and characteristic flavor. Other species

of the genus are employed in some parts of the world as salad plants.

The Costa Rican plant has been referred to L. incisum Roth, L.

ruderale L., L. Humboldtii DC., and L. bipinnatifidum Desv. It is

closely related to L. virginicum L. of North America, and perhaps

not distinct. Although known only from Central America, it does

not behave as a native plant, and it seems more likely that it has

been introduced from some other region.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 465

LOBULARIA Desv.

Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv. Sweet alyssum is cultivated

commonly in gardens as an ornamental plant. Native of Europe.

An annual with small, white, very fragrant flowers in long racemes.

In Salvador it is known by the name No-me-olvides.

NASTURTIUM R. Br.

Annuals or perennials, the leaves usually pinnate or .pinna tin" d;

flowers small, white or yellow, racemose; siliques short, terete, sessile.

—Two other species are known from Central America.

Nasturtium indicum (L.) DC. Naturalized in grassy places

about San Jose". Native of Asia and Africa. Leaves ovate or

oblong, sinuate and sometimes lobate near the base; flowers without

petals; siliques 2-3 cm. long. Unknown in other parts of Central

America.

Nasturtium mexicanum Moc. & Sesse". Platanillo. N. plebe-

jum Polak. Linnaea 41: 546. 1877 (near San Jose, Polakowsky 534)-

Common in grassy places of the Meseta Central, ascending to the

meadows of the volcanoes, 1,000-2,400 meters. Mexico to Colombia.

Leaves pinnate or pinnatifid; flowers yellowish; siliques 1-1.5 cm.

long.

Nasturtium officinale R. Br. Berros. Radicula Nasturtium-

aquaticum Britt. & Rendle. An aquatic plant, common in small

streams of the temperate region, sometimes growing in boggy

meadows. Native of Europe and Asia but long ago naturalized in

many parts of America. Watercress is one of the favorite salad

plants in most parts of Central America.

RAPHANUSL. Radish

Raphanus sativus L. R&bano. Cultivated commonly almost

everywhere. Native of Europe. There are numerous forms, dis-

tinguished by the shape and color of the roots. The plant sometimes

grows as a weed in coffee plantations.

SISYMBRIUM L.

Another species of this large genus is native in Guatemala.

Sisymbrium costaricense Standl. Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci.

17: 251. 1927. Moist thickets near El Copey, Prov. San Jose", 2,000

meters, Standley 1+251+8. Also in Chiriqui, Panama. A glabrous

466 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

annual about a meter high, the leaves sessile, cordate at the base,

almost entire; flowers small, whitish, in long racemes; siliques linear,

3 cm. long. The plant has been referred to S. turritoides Loes. and

S. Galeottianum Fourn., Mexican species.

TOVARIACEAE

The family consists of a single genus with two species, the other

in Peru.

TOVARIA Ruiz & Pavon

Tovaria diffusa (Macfad.) Fa we. & Rendle. Santiago and

Naranjo, 1,100-1,650 meters, and doubtless in other localities;

region of San Ramon; a plant of wet forest. Mexico, Jamaica, and

western South America. An herb, erect or somewhat scandent, as

much as 5 meters long; leaves alternate, palmately compound, the

3 leaflets lanceolate, 6-15 cm. long, acuminate, entire; flowers

greenish white, in elongate racemes; sepals 8; petals 8; fruit a globose

berry 1 cm. long. The Central American plant has been referred

incorrectly to T. pendula Ruiz & Pavon.

CAPPARIDACEAE. Caper Family

Herbs, shrubs, or trees; leaves alternate, with or without stipules,

simple or palmately compound, the blades or segments generally

entire; flowers usually perfect, small or large, axillary and solitary

or in terminal racemes or corymbs; sepals 4-8, free or united; petals

4, sessile or unguiculate; stamens few or numerous; ovary sessile

or terminating an elongate gynophore, 1-8-celled; stigma short or

none; fruit capsular or baccate.— Other genera represented in Central

America are Steriphoma and Polanisia.

CAPPARIS L.

Shrubs or trees; leaves simple, mostly coriaceous; flowers pedi-

cellate, in racemes or corymbs; calyx 4-lobate or 4-parted, or the

sepals free; stamens 6 or numerous; ovary 1-4-celled, the gynophore

short or elongate; fruit a short or elongate berry. — A large genus

of the tropics, represented in Central America by about 15 species.

Capparis spinosa L. of the Mediterranean region furnishes the capers

(alcaparras) of commerce, which are the flower buds and young

fruits pickled with vinegar and salt.

Capparis Baducca L. Dry thickets, Guanacaste; San Mateo.

Mexico to northern South America, and in the West Indies. A

shrub of 3 meters, glabrous; leaves oblong-elliptic or ovate, obtuse

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 467

or acuminate; sepals imbricate; berry short-stipitate, oblong, 3-5

cm. long.

Capparis discolor Bonn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 24: 389. 1897.

Rodeo de Pacaca, Pittier 3537. Endemic. A small, glabrous shrub

or tree; leaves linear-oblong, acute; sepals imbricate; petals 2 cm.

long, not clawed; stamens numerous, longer than the petals.

Capparis filipes Bonn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 23: 2. 1897. Suerre,

Plains of Santa Clara, 270 meters, J. D. Smith 6433. Forests of

the Atlantic coast, extending to Guanacaste. Endemic. A shrub

1.5-3 meters high, the pubescence of stellate hairs; leaves very

shortly petiolate, elliptic-oblong or obovate-oblong, short-acuminate,

pubescent; sepals open in bud, acute.

Capparis Heydeana Bonn. Smith. Rio Zhorquin. Also in

Guatemala. A small, glabrous tree; leaves elliptic-oblong or obo-

vate-oblong, acuminate; pedicels elongate; sepals rounded at the

apex; stamens 6; berry long-stipitate, oblong.

Capparis indica (L.) Fawc. & Rendle. C. Tonduzii Briq. Ann.

Cons. Jard. Geneve 17: 391. 1914 (Nicoya, Tonduz 13970). Thickets

and dry forests of the Pacific coast. Mexico to Venezuela and

West Indies. A shrub or small tree, the indument of minute scales;

leaves linear to obovate, acute or obtuse; sepals open before anthesis;

stipe elongate, the fruit as much as 30 cm. long, slender.

Capparis isthmensis Eichl. Thickets and dry forests of the

Pacific coast, common in Guanacaste; region of San Ramon. Also

in Panama. A shrub of 3^.5 meters; leaves short-petiolate, elliptic-

oblong, acute, covered beneath with brown scales; sepals valvate,

acute; stamens numerous; fruit linear, terete, pink, as much as 30

cm. long.

Capparis Lankesteri Standl. Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 15: 475.

1925. Near the coast, Rio Reventazon, Lankester 697. Known only

from the original collection. A small tree, glabrous; leaves rounded-

ovate, 30 cm. long, acuminate; sepals imbricate; pedicels 8-9 cm.

long; stamens numerous; flowers pink.

Capparis odoratissima Jacq. Thickets of the Pacific coast.

Mexico to Venezuela. A shrub or small tree, sometimes 8 meters

high; leaves elliptic, obtuse or rounded at the apex, covered on the

lower surface with small scales; sepals valvate; stamens numerous;

fruit torulose, as much as 15 cm. long.

468 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Capparis Pittieri Standl. Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 17: 253.

1927. Rio Hondo, 50 meters, Pittier 16648. Leaves almost sessile,

oblong, short-acute, tomentulose with stellate hairs beneath; sepals

obtuse, open before an thesis; ovary glabrous. Known only from

the original collection.

Capparis pseudocacao Schum. ex Werckle", Subreg. Fitogeogr.

Costarr. 19. 1909. No description has been published of this species,

which is known only through a statement by Werckle": In the

forests of this region is found the granadilla de arbol, Capparis

pseudocacao K. Schum., a small tree with the appearance of laurel,

and bunches of handsome, white, fragrant flowers; its fruits resemble

in shape and size, and even in their long stalk, those of the granadillas

(Passiflora), and they are edible; it is called also cacao de mico,

but it has this name in common with a Theobroma and various

Pachiras; it grows at Monte Redondo.

Capparis verrucosa Jacq. C. brevipes Benth. Bot. Voy. Sulph.

65. 1844 (Golfo de Nicoya, Sinclair). Pacific coast. Mexico to

Venezuela. A shrub or small tree, somewhat pubescent; leaves

nearly sessile, oblong, obtuse or acute, almost glabrous; flowers

white, the sepals rounded, imbricate; stamens numerous, longer than

the petals; fruit stipitate, oblong, 2.5-6 cm. long.

CLEOME L.

Small or large herbs; leaves long-petiolate, palmate, with 3-9

entire leaflets; flowers racemose, white or purplish; stamens 4 or 6,

free; fruit an elongate, stipitate capsule, containing numerous seeds.

—In Central America there are known about 10 species of the genus.

Cleome gigantea L. Shirores, Talamanca. Ranging to Brazil.

An herb as much as 2 meters high, pubescent and glandular; leaflets

usually 7, pubescent; petals green, 2.5-5 cm. long; racemes not

bracteate.

Cleome longipes Lamb. Thickets of the Atlantic coast.

Ranging to Peru. Plants large and scandent, armed with short

spines; leaflets 3, sometimes 5, almost glabrous; racemes elongate,

pendent; capsules very slender, 10-15 cm. long, the gynophore as

much as 30 cm. long. The only scandent species of Central America.

Cleome pilosa Benth. C. pilosa var. costaricensis Donn. Smith,

Bot. Gaz. 23: 235. 1897 (Cartago, Cooper 5709). C. Pittieri Briq.

Ann. Cons. Jard. Geneve 17: 370. 1914 (Cerros de Ochomogo, 1,600

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 469

meters, Pittier 13024)- Common in the central region, also in the

Atlantic coast. Mexico to Venezuela. An unarmed plant, pubescent

and glandular; leaflets 5; petals greenish or purplish, less than 1 cm.

long; capsules 5-8 cm. long; gynophore shorter than the pedicel.

Cleome pubescens Sims. Guapiles, a weed in a garden. Rang-

ing to Brazil. Plants unarmed, pubescent and glandular; leaflets

5-7; racemes bracteate, the petals white, less than 1 cm. long; capsules

5-8 cm. long, the gynophore longer than the pedicel.

Cleome serrata Jacq. Tierra caliente of the Atlantic slope,

often growing in banana plantations. A species of wide distribution.

Plants unarmed, glabrous; leaflets 3; flowers few in the racemes,

white or pink; capsule 5-7 cm. long.

Cleome spinosa Jacq. Espuela de caballero. C. Tonduzii Briq.

Ann. Cons. Jard. Geneve 17: 375. 1914 (Nicoya, Tonduz 13862).

Waste or cultivated ground, Meseta Central to the coasts. Widely

distributed in America. Plants armed with short spines, pubescent

and glandular; leaflets 5-7; racemes bracteate, the petals pink or

white, 2 cm. long; capsule 5-12 cm. long.

CRATAEVA L.

A genus represented in Central America by a single species.

Crataeva Tapia L. Muneco. Common in thickets or forests of

the coasts. A species of wide distribution. A tree of 5-10 meters,

glabrous, the bark grayish brown; leaves deciduous, long-petiolate,

the 3 leaflets ovate or elliptic, acute, entire; flowers green or dull

purple, in short, terminal racemes; petals 4, unguiculate; stamens

very numerous, elongate; fruit a round berry 2-5 cm. in diameter.

In Chiriqui this tree is known by the name Estrella. Some Costa

Rican specimens have been referred to C. gynandra L. The wood is

white or yellowish, not very hard, medium-grained, and not lasting.

It is little utilized.

GYNANDROPSIS DC.

Plants very similar to the species of Cleome but recognizable by

the fact that the filaments are united for some distance at the base

with the gynophore. Another Central American species occurs in

Panama.

Gynandropsis pulcherrima Standl. Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci.

17: 253. 1927. Near Tilaran, Guanacaste, 650 meters, Standley &

Valeria 44560. Common in forests of the whole central region, and

470 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

in Guanacaste, 500-1,600 meters. Endemic. Plants herbaceous or

slightly woody, 1-3 meters high, simple or with few branches; leaf-

lets 3, large; petals 1.5-2 cm. long, bright red or sometimes pink;

capsules 7-13 cm. long. A showy plant because of its handsome

flowers.

Gynandropsis speciosa (HBK.) DC. El Arenal, Guanacaste,

and doubtless in other localities. A species of wide distribution in

tropical America. An annual, 1 meter or more in height; leaflets

5-9; petals 2.5-3 cm. long, pink or white; capsule 8 cm. long. Culti-

vated commonly in Central America as an ornamental plant, and

probably not native in Costa Rica.

RESEDACEAE. Mignonette Family

RESEDA L. Mignonette

Reseda odorata L. Reseda. A plant of European origin, often

planted in gardens for its small and inconspicuous but very fragrant

flowers.

MORINGACEAE. Horseradish Tree Family

The family consists of a single genus, with three species.

MORINGA Juss.

Moringa oleifera Lam. Marango. Commonly planted in

hedges and also as an ornamental tree, often naturalized. Native of

Africa and the East Indies. A small tree with whitish bark; leaves

alternate, twice or thrice pinnate, with numerous small, entire

leaflets; flowers white, fragrant, in axillary panicles, with 5 petals

and 5 stamens; fruit capsular, elongate and obtusely 3-angulate,

dehiscent by 3 valves; seeds numerous, winged. The wood is very

soft. The flavor of the roots resembles that of horseradish (Armor-

acia; Rdbano picante). From the seeds is obtained ben oil, used

for lubrication of delicate instruments, especially watches. Although

planted in many parts of Central America, this tree is of quite ordi-

nary appearance, its branches are easily broken, and it has little to

recommend it.

CRASSULACEAE. Orpine Family

Reference: N. L. Britton & J. N. Rose, Crassulaceae, N. Amer.

Flora 22: 7. 1905.

Herbs, the leaves alternate or opposite, simple or pinnate, with-

out stipules, usually very succulent; calyx with 4 or 5 more or less

united segments; petals as many as the sepals; stamens as many or

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 471

twice as many as the petals; fruit of 4-5 distinct or united carpels,

the minute seeds few or numerous. — This family, with so numerous

species in Mexico, has few representatives in Central America.

BRYOPHYLLUM Salisb.

Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Kurz. Hoja del aire, Ter-

neritos. B. calycinum Salisb. Naturalized in almost all inhabited

parts of the Meseta Central, abundant in many places, often seen in

gardens as an ornamental plant. Introduced from the Old World.

Plants very succulent, the leaves thick, simple or pinnate; calyx

inflated, reddish, 3 cm. long; corolla brownish red. The plant pos-

sesses extraordinary vitality. Stems or single leaves removed from

a plant continue to live and even grow for some time. A leaf placed

upon the ground quickly produces new plants from the crenations

at the margin.

ECHEVERIA DC.

Echeveria australis Rose, Bull. N. Y. Bot. Gard. 3: 6. 1903.

Siempreviva. San Jose, Pittier. Common in the Meseta Central,

growing upon roofs and walls, in the forks of trees, or in the ground;

Zarcero. Endemic. Plants perennial, pale green; leaves spatulate,

3-7 cm. long, rounded at the apex; flowers pale red, in short racemes

or panicles. An ornamental plant, often grown in gardens.

PODOSTEMONACEAE

Reference: Weddell in DC. Prodr. 17: 39. 1873; Nash, N. Amer.

Fl. 22: 3. 1905.

Small, aquatic plants, submerged and attached to rocks in rivers,

superficially resembling mosses or algae; leaves simple and entire or

compound; flowers small, usually perfect, naked or enclosed in a

spathe, axillary, pedicellate; perianth none or a 3-5-parted calyx;

stamens 1 or more; ovary 2-3-celled; fruit capsular, 2-3-celled,

costate. — An interesting group because of the unusual habitat of

the plants and their general appearance, suggestive much more of

mosses than phanerogams. They abound in Costa Rica in the

swifter-flowing streams with rocky beds. In Guanacaste these

plants are well known by the name Pasacarne, and it is stated that

during the dry season they are an important source of forage for

cattle, which soon learn to wade into water and thrust their heads

under the surface to pull them from the rocks. Because they grow

in places where ordinarily phanerogams are not expected, these

plants have been neglected by most collectors and herbarium material

of them usually is quite inadequate for their study.

472 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

BLANDOWIA Willd.

In North America there is only the following species.

Blandowia myriophylla (Wendl.) Nash, N. Amer. Flora 22: 5.

1905. Pasacarne, Lana. Neolacis myriophylla Wedd. in DC. Prodr.

17: 63. 1873. Rio Virilla, Hoffmann 271. Common in streams of the

central region, also Canton de Dota and Guanacaste, at 1,500 meters

or less. Endemic. A small plant, forming dense carpets over rocks,

the leaves thrice pinnatifid, 5-10 cm. long, the segments very numer-

ous, short, filiform, the rachis broad; pedicels 1-4 cm. long, slender;

stamens 2-3; capsule 3 mm. long, bivalvate, costate.

MARATHRUM Humb. & Bonpl.

Acaulescent, glabrous perennials with thick rhizomes; leaves

lobate or several times pinnate; pedicels arising between the leaves,

subtended by long spathes; stamens 5-25; capsule 2-celled, 8-costate.

— Other species grow in Central America, and probably also in

Costa Rica.

Marathrum Schiedeanum (Cham.) Tulasne. Streams near

San Jose", and probably in other regions. Mexico to Colombia.

Leaves about 4 times pinnatifid, petiolate, 10-40 cm. long, the seg-

ments short and exceedingly numerous, the rachis thick; capsule 4-5

mm. long.

Marathrum utile Tulasne. Rio del Volcan. Also in Colombia.

Leaves 30 cm. long, elongate-oblong, entire or pinnatifid, with few

broad segments; pedicels 1.5-6 cm. long; capsule 3-4 mm. long.

The plant is very different in appearance from other Costa Rican

members of the family.

TRISTICHA Thouars

The genus is represented in North America by a single species.

Tristicha hypnoides (St. Hil.) Spreng. Common in Guana-

caste, and collected also near San Jose", 500-1,200 meters. Mexico

to Brazil and West Indies. A small plant, moss-like in appearance,

the stems less than 10 cm. long, densely covered with minute leaves,

these ovate and obtuse, less than 2 mm. long; capsule 1 mm. long.

SAXIFRAGACEAE. Saxifrage Family

Shrubs or trees (in Central American genera), the leaves alter-

nate or opposite, with or without stipules, simple; flowers perfect,

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 473

small or large, with 4 or 5 sepals and the same number of petals;

stamens 4-5 or numerous; fruit a capsule or berry. — No other genera

are known from Central America. The family is best represented in

cold and temperate regions, and the Central American genera are

not typical of the family as a whole.

ESCALLONIA Mutis

Trees or shrubs; leaves alternate, entire or dentate, without

stipules; flowers white, the petals unguiculate; stamens 5; capsule

2-3-celled. — In Central America there are only two species of this

South American group.

Escallonia floribunda HBK. Naranjo, 1,680 meters, Stork 1821.

Colombia and Venezuela to Brazil. Unknown elsewhere in Central

America. A shrub or small tree, the bark gray; leaves narrowly

lance-oblong, entire, 4-9 cm. long; flowers numerous, in terminal

panicles.

Escallonia poasana Donn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 23: 243. 1897.

Cipreso. Upper lake of Volcan de Poas, 2,220 meters, Pittier 2971.

Paramos and forests of the colder regions, Poas, Irazu, and Cerro de

Las Vueltas, at 2,100-3,000 meters. Endemic; abundant in some

localities. A densely branched shrub or tree of 2-6 meters; leaves

coriaceous, short-petiolate, obovate, 2-2.5 cm. long, crenulate or

almost entire, glabrous; flowers solitary, terminal.

HYDRANGEA L.

Shrubs or trees; leaves opposite; flowers small or large, cymose,

with 4-5 sepals and the same number of petals; stamens 8 or 10;

fruit a small, 2-4-celled capsule. — Another Central American species

is known from Panama.

Hydrangea diplostemona (Donn. Smith) Standl. Journ.

Wash. Acad. Sci. 18: 160. 1928. Gilibertia diplostemona Donn. Smith,

Bot. Gaz. 61: 373. 1916. H. inornata Standl. Journ. Wash. Acad.

Sci. 17: 9. 1927. Forests of Tuis, 700 meters, Pittier 14068. Col-

lected also at Santa Maria de Dota and in the region of San Ramon,

ascending to 1,550 meters; reported from El General. Endemic.

An epiphytic shrub, similar to H. Oerstedii, the pubescence of the

branches more abundant and coarser, ferruginous; flowers all alike,

small, the cymes without large sterile flowers.

Hydrangea Oerstedii Briq. Ann. Cons. Jard. Geneve 20: 407.

1919. Cornidia radiata Oerst. Vid. Med. Kjoebenhavn 1856: 42. 1856.

474 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Cerros de Candelaria, 1,800-2,100 meters, Oersted 1782. Common in

forests of the central mountains, 1,800-3,000 meters; also in Guana-

caste; region of San Ramon, at 1,200-1,300 meters. Panama. A

scandent shrub, climbing over tall trees, or sometimes an erect shrub

or tree, the pubescence scant, of stellate hairs; leaves petiolate, ellip-

tic or oblong, almost entire; inflorescence at first enclosed in large,

thin bracts, the fertile flowers small, the outer flowers of the large

cyme sterile and large, pink. One of the most beautiful plants of

Costa Rica because of its broad cymes of showy flowers, which are

not inferior in beauty to those of cultivated species. The young

plants of this species, which are small epiphytes with small, dentate

leaves, abound almost everywhere in the temperate region, growing

on tree trunks and fence posts, but they are so very unlike adult

plants that no one would suspect the relationship. It was only after

long effort that I was able to associate the two forms. This has been

reported as Hydrangea peruviana Moric. and Cornidia peruviana

Small.

Hydrangea opuloides Koch. Hortensia. An ornamental shrub,

cultivated commonly in gardens. Native of China and Japan.

Flowers blue or white.

PHILADELPHUS L.

No other species is known from Central America, unless in

cultivation.

Philadelphia myrtoides Bertol. Mosqueta, Mosqueta trepadora.

P. trichopetalus Koern. Cultivated commonly for ornament; Pittier

states that it is native, but this is probably not the case. Perhaps

native in Guatemala. A shrub of 2-5 meters; leaves opposite, ovate,

denticulate; flowers large, the petals 2 cm. long; stamens numerous.

A handsome shrub because of its large, fragrant, white flowers,

often planted to form hedges about gardens.

PHYLLONOMA Willd.

Shrubs or small trees; leaves alternate, acuminate; inflorescence

cymose, arising from the costa on the upper side of the leaf blade,

near the apex; sepals and petals 5, small; stamens 5; fruit a small

berry. — The genus is easy to recognize because of its extraordinary

inflorescence, arising from the costa of the leaf. No other species

are known from Central America, and in this general region the

genus is known only from Costa Rica, although it probably occurs

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 475

in the mountains of Panama. One species grows in Mexico, the

others being Andean.

Phyllonoma ruscifolia Willd. Wet forests south of Cartago,

1,300-1,600 meters; reported from El General. Also in Colombia.

A slender tree of 4-8 meters; leaves lance-oblong, narrowly acumin-

ate, entire, coriaceous; flowers green or yellowish; berries white.

Phyllonoma tenuidens Pittier, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 12:

172. 1909. Cuesta de Los Borucas, road between San Marcos de

Dota and Valle de Diquis, 2,900 meters, Pittier 10552. Also at San

Cristobal de Candelaria. Endemic. A shrub of 2-3 meters; leaves

glabrous, not coriaceous, serrate with narrow, acute teeth, almost

rounded at the base.

Phyllonoma triflora Pittier, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 12: 173.

1909. La Palma, 1,500 meters, Pittier 16553. Also Cerros de Las

Caricias, 2,000-2,400 meters. Endemic. A slender shrub or tree of

2-6 meters; leaves coriaceous, distantly serrate, acute at the base;

berries white.

RIBES L. ,

To this genus belong the cultivated currants (grosellas) and the

gooseberry (uva espin), plants unknown in Central America, al-

though cultivated commonly in temperate regions of Europe and

North America. A single species is native in Central America.

Ribes ciliatum Humb. & Bonpl. Paramos of Cerros de La

Muerte, Buena Vista, and Las Vueltas, 3,000 meters. Also in Mex-

ico. An unarmed shrub of 1-3 meters; leaves rounded, palmate-

nerved, 2 cm. long, long-petiolate, shallowly lobate, almost glabrous;

flowers small, green, in pendent racemes; berries globose, glabrous,

8 mm. in diameter.

BRUNELLIACEAE

BRUNELLIA Ruiz & Pavon

A single species is known from Central America.

Brunellia costaricensis Standl. Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 17:

165. 1927. Yerba Buena, northeast of San Isidro de Heredia, 2,000

meters, Standley & Valeria 49900. Forests of the slopes of the cent-

ral volcanoes, 1,400-2,000 meters; region of San Ramon; also in the

Atlantic plains, at 100 meters. Endemic. A medium-sized tree

with rounded crown, sometimes 20 meters high ; leaves large, axillary,

the very numerous flowers small; calyx 5-lobate; corolla none;

stamens 10; fruit of 4-5 dehiscent, 1-2-seeded carpels.

476 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

CUNONIACEAE

A single genus of the family is represented in Central America.

WEINMANNIA L.

Trees or shrubs; leaves opposite, simple or pinnate, without

stipules; flowers small, usually perfect, with 5 sepals and 5 petals,

in terminal or axillary racemes; stamens 8 or 10; ovary superior;

with 2 cells and numerous ovules; fruit a small, 2-celled, 2-valvate

capsule. — The majority of the species are South American. No

others are known from Central America.

Weinmannia burseraefolia Standl. Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci.

17: 310. 1927. Yerba Buena, northeast of San Isidro de Heredia,

2,000 meters, Standley & Valeria 49848. Known only from the type.

A tree; rachis of the leaf winged, the 9 leaflets elliptic, 2-3.5 cm.

long, acuminate, serrate with small, acute teeth, glabrous.

Weinmannia pinnata L. Loro, Lorito. W. intermedia var. Pit-

tieri Pampanini, Annali di Bot. 2: 74. 1904 (type from Costa Rica);

W. polyphylla var. macrocarpa Pampanini, op. cit. 84. 1904 (type

from Costa Rica). Wet forests of the colder regions, also in places

of less elevation, at 1,200-3,000 meters, most abundant in the cold

zone. Mexico to Brazil. A tree of 3-6 meters, or sometimes a shrub;

rachis of the leaf winged, the 9-17 leaflets 8-20 mm. long, crenate

with rounded teeth, pubescent or almost glabrous; sepals only 1 mm.

long. One of the most common and characteristic trees of the upper

slopes of the central volcanoes.

Weinmannia Wercklei Standl. Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 17:

309. 1927. Arrayan. W. Tonduzii Engler in Engl. & Prantl, Nat.

Pflanzenfam. ed. 2. 18a: 252. 1930 (La Palma, 1,450 meters, Biolley

& Tonduz 12513). San Cristobal de Candelaria, Prov. Cartago, 1,700

meters, Werckle 3685. Common in forests of the central region,

1,400-2,200 meters; region of San Ramon, 1,100-1,250 meters.

Endemic. Usually a shrub or small tree but sometimes (according

to Werckle' ) a large tree ; leaves simple, short-petiolate, ovate-oblong,

3.5-5.5 cm. long, acute, serrate, almost glabrous.

ROSACEAE. Rose Family

Reference: Rydberg, Rosaceae, N. Airier. Flora 22: 239-533.

1908-1918.

Herbs, shrubs, or trees; leaves usually alternate, simple or com-

pound, with stipules; flowers generally regular and perfect; calyx

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 477

free or adherent to the ovary, commonly with 5 segments; petals as

many as the sepals, equal or unequal, deciduous; stamens almost

always numerous; fruit very variable as to form. — The genera

Prunus, Licania, and Chrysobalanus are referred sometimes to a

separate family, Amygdalaceae, but the majority of botanists place

them in the Rosaceae.

ACAENA Mutis

Plants perennial, herbaceous or somewhat woody; leaves pin-

nate; flowers small, in spikes or racemes; calyx or hypanthium

covered with hooked spines; corolla none; stamens 3-5; fruit a small

achene. — No other species are known from Central America.

Acaena cylindrostachya Ruiz & Pavon. Paramos of the

mountains of Dota, 3,000 meters. Known in Central America only

from this region. Ranging to Peru. Leaves clustered at the base of

the simple, naked stems; leaflets numerous, oblong, serrate, green

above, densely covered beneath with silky, white hairs. A charac-

teristic species of the paramos.

Acaena elongata L. Meadows and paramos of the high moun-

tains, 2,400-3,300 meters. Mexico to Colombia. A shrub 1 meter

high or less; leaflets 9-19, elliptic, 8-15 mm. long, serrate, almost

glabrous. A common plant of upland pastures, a pest because of the

bur-like fruits that attach themselves tightly to clothing.

ALCHEMILLA L.

Reference: Lily M. Perry, A tentative revision of Alchemilla

section Lachemilla, Contr. Gray Herb. 84. 1929.

Perennial herbs; stipules united with the petioles or forming a

sheath; leaves simple and palmate-lobate or parted or pinnate;

flowers small, green or yellowish, in cymes or fasciculate in the leaf

axils; calyx campanulate or urceolate, with 4 sepals; petals none;

pistils 1-8, the fruit of small achenes. — Other species are known from

Central America.

Alchentiilla aphanoides L. f. var. subalpestris (Rose) Perry.

Region of El Copey, 2,100-2,400 meters, in meadows. Mexico to

Costa Rica. The species extends to Bolivia. Leaves 3-parted ; calyx

glabrous. The species of this genus are, for the most part, much

alike, and it is possible to separate them only by small details of the

leaves and flowers. It is said that this plant, like other species, fur-

nishes good pasture for cattle.

478 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Alchemilla ocreata Donn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 23: 7. 1897. Lache-

milla ocreata Rydb. N. Amer. Fl. 22: 385. 1906. El General, 600

meters, Pittier 3431. Also in the paramos of Cerro de Buena Vista,

3,100 meters. Endemic. Distinguished from other Costa Rican

species by the cauline leaves, which are reduced to lobate sheaths.

It is probable that this species is really a paramo plant and that

there is some error in the elevation cited for the type specimen.

Alchemilla pascuorum Standl. Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 17:

310. 1927. Mochililla. Pasture near Las Nubes, Prov. San Jose", 1,800

meters, Standley 38455. Meadows of the central volcanoes, 1,500-

2,400 meters. Endemic. Plant procumbent, the leaves 5-7-parted;

flowers pilose.

Alchemilla pectinata HBK. Meadows of Volcan de Turrialba

and Cerro de Las Vueltas, 2,000-3,000 meters. Mexico to Bolivia.

Leaves 9-11-lobate; flowers sericeous. Reported from Costa Rica

under the names A. orbiculata Ruiz & Pa von and Lachemilla orbicu-

lata Rydb.

Alchemilla procumbens Rose. Lachemilla costaricensis Dam-

mer, Repert. Sp. Nov. 15: 362. 1918 (Volcan de Irazu, 3,000 meters,

Tonduz 4269). Meadows of Volcan de Irazu, 2,500-3,300 meters.

Also in Mexico with varieties in South America. Leaves 3-parted;

flowers sericeous.

Alchemilla sibbaldiifolia HBK. var. Tonduzii (Dammer)

Perry, Contr. Gray Herb. 84: 34. 1929. Lachemilla Tonduzii Dam-

mer, Repert. Sp. Nov. 15: 362. 1918. Near the summit of Volcan de

Irazu, 3,000 meters, Tonduz 4268. Abundant in meadows of the

central region, 1,500-3,000 meters. Ranging to Mexico. Leaves 3-

parted ; flowers pubescent.

Alchemilla Standleyi Perry, Contr. Gray Herb. 84: 29. 1929.

Cerro de Las Vueltas, 2,700-3,000 meters, Standley & Valeria 43893.

Mountains of Dota, 1,800-3,100 meters. Endemic. Leaves 3-

parted; flowers pubescent. Specimens of this species have been

referred to A. tripartita Ruiz & Pa von.

CHRYSOBALANUS L. Coco plum

A single species is found in Central America.

Chrysobalanus Icaco L. Icaco. Common along beaches of

both coasts; Cocos Island. Generally distributed on tropical coasts

of America and Africa. A shrub or tree of 1-6 meters; bark brown-

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 479

ish gray; leaves elliptic or rounded, almost sessile, coriaceous, entire,

glabrous; flowers small, cymose, whitish; fruit 2-4 cm. long, white,

pink, purple, or almost black, the pulp white, sweet, juicy, edible.

Pittier mentions two forms of this species: one with small leaves more

or less oval and attenuate to the base, with a few-flowered inflores-

cence and pale, elongate fruits; the other with larger, rounded leaves,

the fruits larger and dark pink. It is probable that these are merely

accidental variants. The fruit is eaten principally by children. Its

flavor is slightly astringent and not particularly attractive. The

wood is hard, strong, fine-grained, and pale brown. From the leaves

and fruit there may be obtained a black dye. The seeds are rich in

oil, and it is said that the Caribs employed them for illuminating

purposes. . ,

GOUEPIA Aubl.

Another species is found in northern Central America.

Couepia polyandra (HBK.) Rose. Olosapo, Zapotillo. C. floc-

cosa Fritsch, Ann. Naturhist. Hofmus. Wien 5: 12. 1890; Pittier,

Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 13: 445: pi. 87, 88 (Guanacaste, Friedrich-

stahl). Guanacaste, planted and perhaps also native. Ranging to

Mexico. A medium-sized tree with gray bark; leaves petiolate, oval,

obtuse, glabrous above, white and tomentose beneath; petals yellow-

ish pink; stamens 15-20; fruit a drupe 6-8 cm. long, the flesh yellow.

The fruit is edible, its flesh being sweet and aromatic.

CRATAEGUS L. Hawthorn

Crataegus pubescens Steud. Reported from Costa Rica as a

cultivated tree; probably imported from Mexico. I have seen no

specimens of the form grown in Costa Rica, which may be some other

species. Species of Crataegus are planted commonly in northern

Central America for their edible fruits, which resemble small apples

and are larger than fruits of the numerous species native in the

United States. The fruits are eaten raw or more often are made into

jellies or preserves. Such preparations are one of the most common

desserts of Guatemala and Salvador.

CYDONIA Mill. Quince

Cydonia oblonga Mill. Membrillo. A shrub cultivated in

some parts of the temperate region for its acid, apple-like fruits,

which are used in the preparation of jellies and preserves. Native

of Asia.

480 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

ERIOBOTRYA Lindl. Loquat

Eriobotrya japonica Lindl. Nispero japones, Nispero del

Japon. A shrub or small tree, native of Japan, cultivated in some

places for its fruits. These are oval, small, yellow, and of a most

agreeable, acidulous flavor.

FRAGARIA L. Strawberry

Fragaria vesca L. Fresa. A plant of European origin, culti-

vated commonly in the temperate regions for its delicious fruits.

The strawberries of Cartago are celebrated in Costa Rica, and may

be had at almost all times of the year. They nearly always are

offered for sale to passengers on the trains stopping at Cartago.

HESPEROMELES Lindl.

A single species is known from Central America.

Hesperomeles obovata (Pittier) Standl., comb. nov. Osteo-

meles obovata Pittier, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 20: 108. /. 47. 1918.

Volcan de Irazu, 3,000 meters, Kuntze. Forests and thickets of the

cold region, Irazu, Turrialba, and mountains of Dota, 2,400-3,100

meters. Endemic. A shrub or tree of 3-5 meters, the branchlets

spinose; leaves coriaceous, obovate, 1.5-3 cm. long, rounded at the

apex, serrate, almost glabrous; flowers white, in small corymbs;

stamens numerous; fruit black, juicy, small. A characteristic species

of the borders of the high meadows; confused by some authors with

Osteomeks pernettyoides Dene, and 0. heterophylla Ruiz & Pavon.

HIRTELLA L.

Shrubs or small trees; leaves alternate, almost sessile, entire,

coriaceous; flowers small, in racemes or narrow panicles; petals 5;

stamens 3-8, rarely more; fruit an obovoid drupe, with a single seed.

—Three species are known from Central America.

Hirtella americana L. H. mollicoma HBK. Region of Buenos

Aires, 500 meters. British Honduras and Guatemala to the Guianas.

A shrub, the leaves oblong or elliptic, densely and softly pilose

beneath, acute; flowers purple, in narrow panicles, sessile or nearly

so; stamens 3.

Hirtella racemosa Lamarck. Murta (probably an erroneous

name). Thickets of the Pacific coast, extending to Guanacaste;

region of San Ramon. Mexico to Brazil. A slender shrub or tree

as much as 6 meters high; leaves appressed-pilose or almost gla-

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 481

brous; flowers purple, pedicellate, in racemes; stamens 5. There has

been reported for this species the Terraba name of Serin-gro.

Hirtella triandra Swartz. Thickets of the Pacific coast,

ascending to 700 meters. British Honduras to Brazil. A shrub or

tree of 6 meters; leaves sparsely pilose beneath; flowers pedicellate,

in narrow panicles, the petals pinkish white; stamens 3.

HOLODISCUS Maxim.

Another Central American species grows in the mountains of

Guatemala.

Holodiscus fissus (Lindl.) Schneid. Sericotheca fissa Rydb.

Margins of the paramos and meadows of Irazu and Cerro de Las

Vueltas, 2,400-3,000 meters. Ranging to Mexico. A shrub of 3

meters; leaves oval to oblanceolate, 2-5 cm. long, serrate; flowers

small, white, in dense panicles, the petals 2.5 mm. long; stamens 20;

fruit of small achenes enclosed in the calyx. The plant reported

from Costa Rica as Spiraea argentea L. f. is this species, almost

certainly. The shrub is a rather ornamental one because of its

abundant panicles of white flowers.

LICANIA Aubl.

Glabrous or pubescent trees; leaves short-petiolate, entire,

coriaceous; flowers small, paniculate; petals 5 or none; stamens 3-10

or more; fruit small or large, fleshy, with a single seed. — Two other

species are known from Central America. There is little doubt that

there occurs in the Atlantic coast of Costa RicaL. hypoleuca Benth.,

whose small leaves are white-tomentose beneath.

Licania arborea Seem. Alcornoque. Dry forests of the Pacific

tierra caliente. Mexico to Panama. A small or large tree; leaves

thick-coriaceous, oblong or oval, rounded at the base and apex,

white and tomentose beneath; panicles large, the small flowers

yellowish; fruit 2.5 cm. long or larger. The seeds are rich in oil,

which is employed in some parts of the tree's range for making

candles, soap, etc. It is said that the wood is of good quality, and is

used in Costa Rica for various purposes.

Licania platypus (Hemsl.) Fritsch. Sonzapote, Sapote. Com-

mon in forests of the Pacific tierra caliente, probably also along the

Atlantic coast. Mexico to Panama. A tall tree as much as 50

meters high; leaves oblong, 15-40 cm. long, glabrous; panicles large,

the very numerous flowers small ; fruit 15-20 cm. long, the rind brown

482 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

or reddish, the flesh yellow, fibrous, sweet. The tree is planted in

many parts of Central America for ornament and shade and for its

edible fruits. Because of its handsome, large, deep green leaves,

often tinged with red purple when young, and on account of its

dense and symmetrical crown, it is one of the handsomest trees of

the Central American region. In flavor the fruit is not altogether

agreeable, and there is a popular belief that it is "unhealthy." It

is said that the fruit requires a year to reach maturity. For the

species there have been reported the following Indian names: Bokom,

Bokob (Bribri); Aluute (Guatuso).

MALUSMill. Apple

Malus sylvestris Mill. Manzano. Sometimes cultivated in

the cold and temperate regions, but the number of trees is very

small. The Central American apples are of inferior quality, probably

because of failure to plant selected varieties. Indeed, it is probable

that most of the trees are seedlings. Apples are imported in sub-

stantial quantities from the western United States. The tree is

believed to be Asiatic in origin.

PRUNUS L.

Reference: Koehne, Bot. Jahrb. 52: 279. 1915.

Trees or shrubs; leaves serrate or entire; flowers solitary or in

racemes, corymbs, or umbels; style subterminal; fruit a drupe, with

a single seed. — To this genus belong the cherry (cerezo), plum (ciru-

elo), apricot (albaricoque), and almond (almendro) of cultivation,

some of which may have been planted in the region although any of

them would be great curiosities in Central America, except as the

fruits are imported. Almonds (Prunus communis Fritsch) are im-

ported commonly into Costa Rica from the United States or Europe.

Other species of Prunus besides those listed here are native in

Central America.

Prunus annularis Koehne, Bot. Jahrb. 52: 308. 1915. Mari-

quita. Rio Segundo, 2,000 meters, Tonduz 1714- Region of San

Ramon. Endemic. A glabrous tree 5-9 meters high; leaves petio-

late, oblong to ovate, entire, acuminate, with 2 or 4 small glands on

the lower surface near the base of the blade; flowers in axillary ra-

cemes, white. The Costa Rican tree has been referred to P. sphae-

rocarpa Swartz, a Jamaican species.

Prunus cornifolia Koehne, Bot. Jahrb. 52: 284. 1915. Forests

of El Copey, 1,800 meters, Tonduz 11678. Also on the slopes of

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 483

Poas and Barba. Endemic. A small, glabrous tree; leaves oblong

or narrowly ovate, without glands. Specimens of this species also

have been referred to P. sphaerocarpa Swartz.

Primus Persica (L.) Sieb. & Zucc. Durazno. Native of Asia,

cultivated commonly in the cold and temperate regions, where it

produces an abundance of fruit. In the United States and Europe

only ripe fruits are gathered, but in Costa Rica it is rare to find a

ripe peach. The green fruits are eaten either raw or cooked. If

left to ripen upon the trees they probably would be destroyed by

the too numerous insects or by birds. The fruits may be obtained

at almost all times of the year and it is not uncommon to see both

flowers and well-grown fruits upon the same tree.

It is probable that the pear (pera; Pyrus communis L.) is planted

in some places, but it is a very rare tree in Central America.

ROSA L. Rose

No species of Rosa is native in Central America, although there

are many species in the United States and a few reach Mexico. The

cultivated roses, of European or Asiatic origin, are planted abund-

antly in most parts of Central America, and nowhere do they thrive

better than in central Costa Rica. Many forms are seen in gardens.

Rosa multiflora Thunb. Rosa de Castilla. This species, with

clusters of small, pale pink, double flowers, was brought from Spain

probably several centuries ago, and has become perfectly naturalized

almost everywhere in the Meseta Central. One of the most charac-

teristic and lovely features of Costa Rica is the thickets and hedges

of this pretty rose that border so many of the roads almost any-

where in the central uplands.

RUBUS L.

Erect or scandent shrubs, usually armed with prickles or bristles;

leaves, in the Costa Rican species, palmately compound; flowers

large, white or pink, in racemes or panicles; fruit of numerous small

drupes, these, in the native species, united with the receptacle to

form a compound fruit. — To this genus belong the blackberries

(zarzamoras) and raspberries (frambuesas) of the United States and

Europe, which are not grown in Central America. Other species of

the genus are native in Guatemala and other parts of Central Amer-

ica. Most of the Costa Rican species are much alike except for

484 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

small details, and it is not possible to characterize them with only

a few words of description.

Rubus adenotrichos Schlecht. R. costaricanus var. longesetosus

Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 220. 1891 (type from Costa Rica). Reported for

the slopes of the central volcanoes. Ranging to Mexico. Branches

prickly and glandular-setose; leaflets 3 or 5.

Rubus alpinus Macfad. Mora. Mountain forests, at 1,800-

3,000 meters. Guatemala to the Guianas and Jamaica. Branches

prickly; leaflets 3, almost glabrous; flowers white or pink.

Rubus costaricanus Liebm. Vid. Medd. Kjoebenhavn 1852:

159. 1853. Mora, Zarzamora. Near Cartago, Oersted. Common in

the regions of Cartago and Dota. Also in Panama. A shrub of 1-2.5

meters, the branches with small, recurved prickles and gland-tipped

hairs; leaflets 3 or 5; flowers pink.

Rubus ellipticus Smith. Mora extrangera. Abundantly nat-

uralized along lanes near the Rio Reventado on slopes above Cartago,

where it has escaped from cultivation. A shrub of 1-1.5 meters;

leaflets 3; flowers white; fruit yellow, the drupes coherent and free

from the receptacle. Native of India, cultivated for it well-flavored

fruits.

Rubus floribundus HBK. Mora, Zarzamora. R. abundus Rydb.

Common in forests of the central volcanoes. Mexico to Bolivia. A

shrub of 1-2 meters, the branches prickly and somewhat tomentose;

leaflets 5; flowers pink; fruit dark purple. The fruits of all the

native species are edible, but in most species they are very acid.

They are sometimes utilized for preparing jelly and preserves.

Rubus glabratus HBK. Sitio Birris, Pittier. Ranging to

Ecuador. Plants suffrutescent, decumbent, prickly; leaflets 1-3;

flowers usually solitary, pink; fruit red, free from the receptacle.

Rubus glaucus Benth. Mora blanca, Mora de caballo, Mora.

Common almost everywhere in forests of the central region, at 1,400-

2,000 meters. Mexico to Ecuador. A shrub, almost erect or scan-

dent, the branches glabrous and prickly; leaflets 3, white-tomentose

beneath; fruit purple-red. The fruits are outstanding in their

delicious flavor, which is quite equal if not superior to that of the

best raspberries of the north. They are highly esteemed in the

regions where they grow, and are vastly better in flavor than the

fruits of any of the other Central American species.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 485

Rubus irasuensis Liebm. Vid. Medd. Kjoebenhavn 1852: 160.

1853. Mora. Volcan de Irazu, Oersted. Forests of the central region.

Ranging to Guatemala. Branches prickly and glandular-setose;

leaflets 3 or 5; flowers pink.

Rubus miser Liebm. Vid. Medd. Kjoebenhavn 1852: 156. 1853.

Mora. Near Cartago, 1,800 meters, Oersted. Common in forests of the

central region. Extending to Guatemala. A prickly shrub; leaflets

3; fruits almost black, very acid.

Rubus Pittieri Rydb. N. Amer. Fl. 22: 454. 1913. El Abejonal,

Pittier 2281. Known only from the region of the type. Leaflets 3

or 5, densely pilose beneath ; fruit purple.

Rubus trichomallus Schlecht. Mora. Common in forests of

the central region; region of San Ramon. Mexico to Colombia.

An erect or scandent shrub as much as 3 meters long; leaflets 3 or 5;

fruit almost black. The fruit is of good quality and is much used for

making refreshing beverages, jam, etc. This species is easy of recog-

nition because of the fact that the branches are densely covered with

long, glandless hairs.

Rubus vulcanicola (Donn. Smith) Rydb. N. Amer. Fl. 22: 455.

1913. R. guianensis var. vulcanicola Donn. Sm. Bot. Gaz. 23: 243.

1897. Rancho del Achiote, Volcan Poas, 2,040 meters, Pittier 806.

Slopes of Poas and Barba, 1,800-2,100 meters; region of San Ramon.

Endemic. Leaflets usually 5, pubescent beneath; flowers pink;

fruit black.

SPIRAEA L.

Spiraea cantoniensis var. lanceata Zabel. Buquet de novia. A

shrub with clusters of small, double, white flowers, cultivated com-

monly in Central American gardens. Native of China.

CONNARACEAE

Reference: N. L. Britton, N. Amer. Flora 22: 233. 1908.

Woody vines; leaves alternate, pinnate, without stipules, the

leaflets entire; flowers small, usually perfect, regular, racemose or

paniculate; calyx 5-lobate or 5-parted, persistent; petals commonly

5; stamens 10 or fewer; ovary of 5 distinct carpels; fruit of coria-

ceous or woody, 1-seeded follicles. — No other genera are known

from Central America.

486 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

CNESTIDIUM Planch.

The genus consists of a single species.

Cnestidium rufescens Planch. Although I have seen no Costa

Rican specimens, there can be no doubt that this species exists in

the Atlantic tierra caliente, for it is common all along the Central

American coast. A large or small vine; leaflets 5-9, oblong, densely

pilose beneath; flowers in small, terminal and axillary panicles; fruit

densely pilose, oblong, sessile.

CONNARUS L.

Woody vines; leaves glabrous or nearly so, with 3 or more leaflets;

calyx not accrescent in fruit, the segments imbricate; stamens 10;

follicles stipitate. — A genus represented in Central America by four

species.

Connarus panamensis Griseb. Coastal thickets, Golfito de

Osa, Brenes 12320. Also in Panama. A small tree, or more often a

woody vine; leaflets 3, narrowly oblong, mostly 12-19 cm. long,

long-acuminate, coriaceous, glabrous or nearly so; panicles densely

and finely ferruginous-tomentulose.

ROUREA Aubl.

Woody vines or sometimes erect shrubs; leaves pinnate, with

3 to numerous leaflets; flowers small, white or whitish, in small

or large panicles; calyx lobes imbricate, persistent and accrescent in

age; fruit sessile, glabrous or nearly so. — At least three species are

known from Central America.

Rourea glabra HBK. In forest between Bebedero and Paso

Hondo, Guanacaste, 50 meters, Brenes 12592. Mexico and West

Indies to Venezuela. A shrub, usually scandent, glabrous or nearly

so; leaflets 3-5, oblong to ovate-elliptic, mostly 5-12 cm. long,

coriaceous, acuminate; panicles somewhat pubescent, small; fruit

10-17 mm. long, the large seeds dark brown, subtended by an orange

aril. The seeds are believed to be dangerously poisonous. They

are utilized in some parts of Central America for poisoning noxious

animals, and are reported to have been used also for criminal poison-

ing of human beings. Collected also on Isla de Chira, Manuel

Valeria 1487.

Rourea suerrensis Donn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 23 : 5. 1897. Suerre,

plains of Santa Clara, 300 meters, J. D. Smith 6466. Forests of the

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 487

Atlantic coast. Endemic. A scandent or sometimes erect shrub;

leaflets 3 or 5, elliptic or oblong, 15-25 cm. long, acuminate, glabrous;

panicles axillary, the flowers white, 6 mm. long; follicles sessile,

oblong, somewhat curved, 13 mm. long.

KRAMERIACEAE

The family is composed of a single genus.

KRAMERIA Loefl.

One other Central America species occurs in Guatemala.

Krameria cuspidata Presl. Guanacaste, Oersted 1936. Rang-

ing to southern Mexico. A small shrub, the branches tomentose;

leaves alternate, oblong, acute, entire, as much as 2 cm. long, tomen-

tulose; flowers reddish, in the axils of the upper leaves, pedunculate;

sepals 4, obtuse; petals 5, unequal; stamens 4; fruit globose, indehis-

cent, covered with very sharp, barbate spines.

LEGUMINOSAE. Bean Family

Herbs, shrubs or trees, sometimes scandent, often armed with

spines or prickles; leaves mostly alternate, compound, and stipulate;

flowers very variable as to form and size, but usually more or less

similar to the flower of a bean (frijol), the 5 (rarely fewer) petals

very unlike in form, the upper one (standard) larger than the others,

the two lateral ones (wings) narrower, and the 2 lowest (forming

the keel) usually still smaller, and often united; sepals more or less

united; stamens commonly 10 but sometimes 5 or 9, occasionally

numerous; fruit a legume, usually more or less resembling a bean pod,

but variable in form and sometimes very different.

One of the largest families of plants, well represented in Central

America, especially among the trees. It is possible to divide the

family into three groups, treated by some botanists as distinct

families — Mimosaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, and Fabaceae. It is un-

disputed that these groups are closely related, and that together they

form a larger group easy of recognition and well distinguished from

all other plants. On this account it seems more sensible to treat

them as subfamilies of one large family. The characters of these

three groups are as follows:

I. Mimoseae. Flowers regular, the petals equal or nearly so.

Petals valvate before anthesis, generally united near the base.

Stamens distinct or united. Leaves bipinnate, or pinnate- in Inga

and a few species of Pithecolobium.

488 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

II. Caesalpinieae. Flowers irregular, the petals unequal, im-

bricate before anthesis, the upper ones within the others. Stamens

usually distinct. Leaves bipinnate or pinnate, rarely simple (as in

Bauhinia).

III. Papilionatae. Flowers almost always papilionaceous (simi-

lar to a bean flower). Petals imbricate, the upper ones exterior in

bud. Stamens 9 or 10, usually united. Leaves never bipinnate.

I. MIMOSEAE

Reference: Britton & Rose, N. Amer. Flora 23: 1-194. 1928.

ACACIA L.

Trees or shrubs, usually armed with spines or prickles, sometimes

scandent; leaves bipinnate, the leaflets generally small and numerous,

the petiole nearly always furnished with a small gland; flowers small,

spicate or capitate, with numerous free stamens; fruit very variable

in form. — In Central America there are numerous other species of

this genus, one of the largest of the whole plant kingdom.

Acacia acanthophylla (Britt. & Rose) Standl., comb. nov.

Senegalia acanthophylla Britt. & Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 118. 1928.

La Florida, Pittier 11278. Ranging to southern Mexico. A large,

scandent shrub, armed with recurved prickles; pinnae 8-17-jugate,

the numerous leaflets 8-10 mm. long, 2 mm. wide, acute; flowers

in short, paniculate spikes; legume flat, 15-20 cm. long, 3 cm. wide.

Acacia Baileyana F. Muell. Cultivated for ornament about

San Jose". Native of Australia. A shrub or small tree, easily recog-

nized by its glaucous, very pale foliage; pinnae only 2-3 pairs;

flowers bright yellow, in small, racemose heads.

Acacia costaricensis Schenck, Repert. Sp. Nov. 12: 361. 1913.

Myrmecodendron costaricense Britt. & Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 93.

1928. Cornezuelo. Lagarto, Valle del Diquis, Tonduz4810. Thickets

of the Pacific coast. Panama to Mexico. A shrub or small tree of

2-6 meters; spines very large, inflated and hollow, as much as 4 cm.

long; pinnae 4-8-jugate, the leaflets numerous, linear-oblong; flowers

yellow, fragrant, in slender spikes; fruit somewhat compressed,

4-6 cm. long, terminated by a stout, sharp beak. The spines some-

what resemble the horns of a bull. Within them are colonies of

ants which exist in part upon nectar glands or bodies borne upon

the young leaves. These ants are very ferocious and inflict painful

bites. A separate colony, it is said, is housed in each spine, which

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 489

is entered by a hole punctured for the purpose near the apex of

the spine.

Acacia dealbata Link. Cultivated for ornament in parks and

elsewhere about San Jose". Native of Australia. A finely pubescent,

pale green shrub with very numerous small, globose heads of yellow

flowers; leaves with very numerous small, narrow leaflets.

Acacia Farnesiana (L.) Willd. Aromo. Vachellia Farnesiana

Wight & Arn. Pacific tierra caliente, and probably elsewhere, often

growing about dwellings. A species of wide distribution in tropics

of both hemispheres. A shrub or small tree, armed with long,

slender spines; pinnae 2-6-jugate, the leaflets numerous, linear, 3-5

mm. long, obtuse; flowers bright yellow, in small, globose heads,

very fragrant; pods thick, scarcely compressed, 4-7 cm. long, 1 cm.

thick. The wood is hard and fine-grained and suitable for tool

handles and other small articles. The trunk and branches exude

a gum similar to gum arabic (which is obtained from an African

species of Acacia). The pods are rich in tannin, and are employed

in some regions for tanning skins. The plant is cultivated in the

Mediterranean region for its flowers, which yield an essence employed

in the preparation of perfumes. Pittier reports for the species the

Terraba name of Aroma-ieron.

Acacia glomerosa Benth. Thickets of Guanacaste. Southern

Mexico to Brazil. A shrub or small tree, usually armed with re-

curved prickles; pinnae 6-8 pairs, the leaflets 12-35 pairs, oblong

or linear-oblong, obtuse, puberulent or glabrate, the costa excentric;

flowers yellow, in very numerous small, paniculate heads; fruit flat,

glabrous, about 15 cm. long and 3 cm. wide.

Acacia Oerstedii (Britt. & Rose) Standl., comb. nov. Acaciella

Oerstedii Britt. & Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 104. 1928. Without definite

locality, Oersted. Endemic. An unarmed shrub, the branches pilose

with long, spreading hairs; pinnae 5-jugate, the leaflets oval, 7-9

mm. long, pubescent; flowers in short racemes. Probably only a

form of A. villosa (Swartz) Willd., a Jamaican species.

Acacia Pittieriana Standl., nom. nov. Carboncillo. Acaciella

costaricensis Britt. & Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 101. 1928. Santa

Maria de Dota, Standley 41877. Thickets of the central region;

San Ramon. Endemic. A small, unarmed tree, the branchlets

glabrous; pinnae 10-12-jugate, the leaflets numerous, 4-5 mm. long,

linear; flowers in small, paniculate heads, the stamens white; legume

490 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

flat, 3-5 cm. long, 7-9 mm. wide. Probably only a form of A.

angustissima (Mill.) Kuntze.

Acacia spadicigera Schlecht. & Cham. Cornezuelo. A. nicoyen-

sis Schenck, Repert. Sp. Nov. 12: 360. 1913 (Puerto Jesus, Golfo

de Nicoya, Tonduz 13538). Tauroceras spadicigerum Britt. & Rose.

Thickets and hedges, Meseta Central to the Pacific coast, common

in many localities. Ranging to Mexico. A shrub or small tree,

of the same group as A. costaricensis, the spines as much as 8 cm.

long; pinnae 10-12-jugate, the leaflets numerous, linear, 5-7 mm.

long; flowers yellow, in very dense spikes 1-2.5 cm. long; fruit terete,

inflated, indehiscent, terminated by an elongate spine. Pittier

reports the TeYraba name of Unka-gua.

Acacia tenuifolia (L.) Willd. Pacific tierra caliente. Mexico

to Brazil. A scandent shrub, very prickly, the prickles short; pinnae

and leaflets numerous, the leaflets linear, the costa close to the

margin; flowers capitate; pod flat, oblong, 7-11 cm. long, 2-3 cm.

wide.

It is probable that several other species of Acacia exist in Costa

Rica. A few others have been reported, but they are not listed here

because no specimens of them have been seen, and the determi-

nations may have been incorrect.

ALBIZZIA Durazz.

Unarmed trees; leaves bipinnate; flowers capitate, umbellate, or

spicate, small; stamens numerous, united near the base, exserted;

legume broadly linear, flat, dehiscent or indehiscent. — Other species

are known from Central America.

Albizzia adinocephala (Donn. Sm.) Britt. & Rose ex Record,

Trop. Woods 10: 22. 1927. Gavilana. Pithecolobium adinocephalum

Donn. Sm. Bot. Gaz. 57: 419. 1914. P. discolor Pittier, Contr.

U. S. Nat. Herb. 20: 464. 1922 (La Verbena, near San Jose\ 1,000

meters, Tonduz 9077). La Verbena, Tonduz 8932. Meseta Central

to the Pacific coast, and in the Atlantic tierra caliente. Panama to

British Honduras. A tree of 6-18 meters; pinnae 1-3-jugate, the

leaflets 2-5-jugate, lanceolate or ovate, 2-6 cm. long, glabrous, pale

beneath; flowers small, white, in paniculate heads; legume 10-17

cm. long, 1.5-2 cm. wide, glabrous.

Albizzia caribaea (Urban) Britt. & Rose. Reported for Costa

Rica, the locality not indicated. Panama to Venezuela and the

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 491

Antilles. A medium-sized tree; pinnae 5-10-jugate, the leaflets

numerous, linear, 5-11 mm. long; flowers in small heads; legume

6-14 cm. long.

Albizzia nicoyana Britt. & Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 47. 1928.

Forests and hedges of Nicoya, Tonduz 13885. Endemic. A large

tree; pinnae 5-6-jugate, the leaflets about 8-jugate, oblique-oblong,

1-2.5 cm. long, acute, puberulent beneath; flowers umbellate. The

fruit is unknown, and the reference of the tree to Albizzia is question-

able.

Albizzia longepedata (Pittier) Britt. & Rose ex Record, Trop.

Woods 11: 14. 1927. Cenicero macho. Pithecolobium longepedatum

Pittier, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 20: 464. 1922. El Coyolar, near

Orotina, 100-200 meters, Werckle. Guatemala to Venezuela. A

tall, deciduous tree; pinnae 2-4-jugate, the leaflets 3-7-jugate, ovate

or obovate, 1.5-^4 cm. long, pubescent; flowers umbellate, the stamens

pink; legume pubescent, 15 cm. long.

CALLIANDRA Benth.

Herbs, shrubs, or small trees; leaves bipinnate, without glands;

flowers in pedunculate heads, these axillary or in terminal racemes;

stamens numerous, the filaments united to form a tube or sheath;

legume linear, flat, elastically dehiscent by 2 valves. — Other species

are known from Central America.

Calliandra Brenesii Standl., sp. nov. — Frutex erectus 2-2.5 m.

altus, ramis teretibus ochraceis glabris, internodiis elongatis; stipulae

persistentes rigide lineari-subulatae ca. 1 cm. longae attenuatae

erectae; folia majuscula brevissime petiolata; pinnae 1-jugae, foliolis

1-jugis coriaceis semiovatis 9-15 cm. longis 3.5-6.5 cm. latis sub-

obtuso-acuminatis, basi semirotundatis, glabris, lucidis, e basi 3-

nerviis, nervis utrinque prominentibus; capitula dense multiflora

graciliter longipedunculata axillaria pauca, bracteis rigidulis lineari-

lanceolatis parvis; calyx glaber 2.5 mm. longus late dentatus; corolla

glabra 11 mm. longa; filamenta ut videtur purpurea ca. 3.5 cm.

longa; legumen glabrum ca. 10 cm. longum et 12 mm. latum

acuminatum basin versus longe attenuatum. — Cataratas de San

Ramon, May, 1931, Brenes 13180 (type in Herb. Field Mus.); also

Nos. 13503 and 13410 from the same locality; entre Cataratas y La

Balsa de San Ramon, 700-800 meters, Brenes 4424; El Silencio de

Tilaran, Brenes 15677; Aguacate, Oersted 4308.

492 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Calliandra confusa Sprague & Riley. Carboncillo, Pelo de

angel. Anneslia confusa Britt. & Rose. Thickets of the central

region; San Ramon. Ranging to Guatemala. A shrub of 1-3

meters, glabrous almost throughout; pinnae about 15-jugate, the

leaflets numerous, acute, linear, 6-8 mm. long, acute; flower heads

in long racemes, the stamens red. A showy plant because of the

handsome stamens, which are about 4 cm. long. Costa Rican

specimens of this species have been referred to C. grandiflora Benth.

Calliandra costaricensis (Britt. & Rose) Standl., comb. nov.

Anneslia costaricensis Britt. & Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 67. 1928.

Rio Convento, Valle del Rio Diquis, Pittier 10643. Thickets about

San Jose*. Endemic. Plants glabrous; pinnae 3-jugate, the leaflets

10-15-jugate, oblong, 2-2.5 cm. long, acute, pale beneath; flower

heads axillary; legume 8 cm. long.

Calliandra Cumingii Benth. Material has been seen from

Barba, Villa Colon and Guanacaste. Also in Panama. A small

shrub; pinnae 2-3- jugate, the leaflets numerous, oblong-linear, 4-6

mm. long, almost glabrous; flowers pubescent, the stamens purple.

Calliandra mollis Standl. Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 17: 431.

1914. Anneslia mollis Britt. & Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 65. 1928.

Thickets near Nicoya, Tonduz 13536. Endemic. A slender shrub,

the branches pilose; pinnae 3-6-jugate, the leaflets 7-22-jugate,

oblong, 8-12 mm. long, pubescent; heads axillary, the flowers

glabrous, the stamens white.

Calliandra pallida (Britt. & Rose) Standl., comb. nov. Anneslia

pallida Britt. & Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 65. 1928. Pastures of La

Cruz de Guanacaste, Pittier 2727. Endemic. A shrub, the pinnae

2-4-jugate, the leaflets 14-16-jugate, narrowly oblong, 4-6 mm.

long, acute, glabrous; heads axillary, the flowers glabrous.

Calliandra portoricensis (Jacq.) Benth. Carboncillo bianco.

Regions of Cartago and San Ramon, and probably elsewhere.

Ranging to Mexico and the Antilles. A slender shrub of 1-3 meters,

glabrous or somewhat pubescent; pinnae 2-6-jugate, the leaflets

numerous, linear, 8-16 mm. long; heads axillary, the flowers white.

Calliandra Seemannii Benth. Nicoya, 180 meters. Ranging

to Colombia. A shrub of 1-3 meters; leaves with 3 leaflets, these

oblong, acute, 2.5-5 cm. long, glabrous; heads axillary, the few

flowers glabrous, the stamens red.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 493

Calliandra similis Sprague & Riley, Kew Bull. 372. 1923. Car-

boncillo, Carboncillo rojo. Anneslia similis Britt. & Rose, N. Amer.

Fl. 23: 71. 1928. Near San Jose", Oersted 56. Common in thickets

of the Meseta Central. Endemic. A shrub of 1.5-3 meters, with

few branches; pinnae 9-11-jugate, the leaflets numerous, oblong,

obtuse, 3-4 mm. long, almost glabrous; heads in elongate racemes,

the flowers glabrous, the stamens purple-red; legume 8 cm. long,

pilose.

Calliandra tetragona (Willd.) Benth. Carboncillo. Meseta

Central and Guanacaste. Mexico to Ecuador. A shrub of 2-3

meters, the branches 4-angulate; pinnae 4-7-jugate, the leaflets

numerous, oblong-linear, 6-12 mm. long; heads axillary, the flowers

glabrous, the stamens white; legume glabrous.

Calliandra Tonduzii (Britt. & Rose) Standl. Field Mus. Bot.

4: 309. 1929. Anneslia Tonduzii Britt. & Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23:

61. 1928. Bonica(?), Tonduz 4544- Guatemala to Panama. A

shrub or tree of 3-8 meters; pinnae 1-jugate, the leaflets 10-16-

jugate, oblong, acute, glabrous; heads axillary, the flowers glabrous,

purple-red; legume glabrous. In Panama this species is sometimes

given the name of Aromo.

DESMANTHUS Willd.

There are other species in Central America, and probably also

in Costa Rica.

Desmanthus depressus Humb. & Bonpl. Acuan depressum

Kuntze. Thickets of the plains of Guanacaste, and probably else-

where. A species of wide distribution in America. Plants herba-

ceous, unarmed, the stems 20-40 cm. long, prostrate or ascending;

leaves bipinnate, the pinnae 1-4-jugate, the leaflets numerous, linear,

glabrous, 3-5 mm. long; flowers small, white, in axillary heads;

stamens 10; legume linear, flat, 2-6 cm. long, 3 mm. wide.

ENTADA Adans.

Large, woody vines, unarmed; leaves bipinnate, with numerous

leaflets; flowers small, spicate; stamens 10, free, the anthers provided

with a small, terminal gland; legume large, flat, composed of joints

that separate from each other and from the continuous margin,

which remains entire. — One other species that grows in Central

America perhaps extends to Costa Rica.

494 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Entada gigas (L.) Fawcett & Rendle. Habilla. E. scandens

Benth. Forests of the tierra caliente. Of wide distribution in

tropics of both hemispheres. A large vine, as much as 50 meters

in length, climbing over tall trees; pinnae 1-2-jugate, the leaves

terminated by a tendril, the leaflets 4-5-jugate, oblong, 2-8 cm. long;

flowers greenish yellow; pods 1-2 meters long, the 10-12 seeds dark

brown or blackish, lustrous, 5-6 cm. broad, with a very hard peri-

sperm. The bark is astringent and medicinal properties are ascribed

to the seeds, which are one of the reputed remedies for snake bites.

Pittier states that the hollowed seeds are employed by some of the

Indians as containers to protect cartridge caps. The seeds often

are found on sea beaches, and ocean currents sometimes carry them

to remote shores.

Entada polystachia (L.) DC. Parra rosa. Entadopsis poly-

stachia Britton. Pacific coast, and probably elsewhere. Mexico to

Brazil. A large vine, almost glabrous; pinnae 2-6-jugate, the leaf-

lets 6-8-jugate, oblong or obovate, 2-4 cm. long, the leaves without

tendrils; flower spikes disposed in dense panicles, the flowers green;

pods 20-40 cm. long, 5-8 cm. wide, the seeds 1 cm. broad. In

Nicaragua this species is known by the name Bejuco de hierro.

ENTEROLOBIUM Mart. Ear tree

Another Central American species occurs in Guatemala and

Panama.

Enterolobium cyclocarpum (Jacq.) Griseb. Guanacaste.

Abundant in the Pacific tierra caliente, ascending to 900 meters.

Mexico to Venezuela. One of the largest trees of Central America,

as much as 30 meters high, with a trunk 2 meters in diameter but

usually short; leaves bipinnate, with very numerous small, narrow

leaflets; flowers small, white, capitate; pod curved into a short, dark

brown spiral that is suggestive of an ear. The wood is brown, not

very heavy, fairly durable, and susceptible of a high polish. It is

one of the important timbers of Costa Rica, being used for many

kinds of construction. It is sometimes exported to the North, where

it is employed for interior finish. The leaves are put forth con-

tinuously, so that the tree is never bare. The leaflets fold together

during the night. The fallen leaves are eaten greedily by cattle.

The tree is one of the most celebrated ones of Central America, the

huge, isolated individuals, with their broad crowns, often being

conspicuous features of the landscape. The word guanacaste, which

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 495

gives its name to the Costa Rican province of Guanacaste, is of

Nahuatl origin and signifies "ear tree." The name employed in

Panama is Corotu. Indian names recorded from Costa Rica are

Kuru (Cabe"cara); Kudshir (Bribri); Krukra (Brunka); Shoro

(TeYraba).

INGA Scop.

Reference: Pittier, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 18: 173. 1916.

Unarmed trees or shrubs; leaves pinnate, the petiole and rachis

often winged, the leaflets large; flowers rather large, whitish, in

heads, umbels, spikes, or racemes; stamens numerous, elongate,

exserted, united below to form a sheath; fruit elongate and com-

pressed, terete, or 4-angulate, indehiscent, the seeds surrounded by

pulp. — A very large genus, with about 60 species in North America.

They are mostly medium-sized trees with broad, dense crowns, and

are found in almost all regions of Central America, but in greatest

abundance in the tierra caliente, especially along streams. The

pulp of the fruit is edible in some species, being white and juicy,

sweet, and of agreeable flavor. The pods, some of them of great

size, often are seen in Central American markets. The trees of this

genus are considered best of all for coffee shade, and are planted

for that purpose in all regions of Central America. In Costa Rica

the usual name for the tree is Cuajiniquil, a word of Nahuatl origin.

The name Guavo is used in Panama, and Guamo in Honduras.

Inga aestuariorum Pittier, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 18: 183.

pi. 89. 1916. Boca Zacate, Delta del Diquis, Tonduz 6793. Known

only from the original collection. A small tree; leaf rachis not

winged, the leaflets 5-6-jugate, elliptic or oblong, obtuse, pubescent;

flowers spicate, the calyx 7 mm. long, the corolla white, 18 mm.

long, sericeous; pods linear, 14-20 cm. long, 1.7 cm. wide, flat,

almost glabrous.

Inga Biolleyana Pittier, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 18: 207. 1916.

Pastures near Turrialba, Tonduz 8391. Also in Nicaragua. Rachis

not winged, the leaflets 2-3-jugate, acute, pilose beneath; flowers

capitate, the calyx 10-12 mm. long, the corolla 3 cm. long, sericeous.

Inga Brenesii Standl., sp. nov. Guavo peludo. — Arbor 5-8-

metralis, corona rotundata, ramulis crassis angulatis vel subteretibus

dense pilis brevibus patentibus brunnescentibus hirsutis, internodiis

brevibus; folia majuscula breviter petiolata, petiolo exalato, rhachi

inter pares foliolorum late alata ad 1.5 cm. lata, glandulis inter

496 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

foliola magnis elevatis; foliola trijuga late elliptica vel obovato-

elliptica crasse coriacea usque ad 14 cm. longa atque 8 cm. lata

apice breviter acute acutata vel interdum fere rotunda ta et apicata,

basi obtusa vel subrotundata, supra lucidissima in juventute hirsuta

et ad costam densissime hirtella, in statu adulto glabrata, costa

elevata, nervis lateralibus impressis, subtus opaca brunnescentia

persistente breviter hirsuta, costa valde elevata, nervis lateralibus

gracilibus elevatis, venulis prominentibus laxe reticulatis; flores

magni spicati, spicis brevibus dense multifloris, rhachi vix ultra

2 cm. longa, bracteis parvis deciduis inconspicuis, pedunculo crasso

axillari solitario ad 4.5 cm. longo brunneo-hirsuto ; calyx tubulosus

1 cm. longus dense pilis brunnescentibus brevibus hispidulus, denti-

bus brevibus late ovatis vix 2 mm. longis; corolla 2 cm. longa den-

sissime pilis longis fulvis sericeo-strigosa, lobis lineari-lanceolatis

attenuatis 5 mm. longis; filamenta numerosissima corolla duplo

longiora. — In forest and clearings, La Palma de San Ramon, 1,050-

1,100 meters, Brenes 5121 (type in Herb. Field Mus.), 4988. Some-

what suggestive of I. spectabilis in its large, coriaceous leaflets.

Inga confusa Britt. & Rose. Atlantic tierra caliente. Also in

Panama. Rachis not winged, the leaflets 5-6-jugate, oblong, acumi-

nate, pubescent; flowers in short spikes, the calyx 4 mm. long, the

corolla 7-8 mm. long, pubescent; pods 10-12 cm. long, 2-2.5 cm.

wide, pubescent.

Inga edulis Mart. Cuajiniquil, Guavo. Tierra caliente of both

coasts, and in coffee plantations of the Meseta Central. A species

of wide distribution. A tree about 10 meters high; rachis winged,

the leaflets 4-6-jugate, oval or oblong, acuminate, almost glabrous

or pubescent; flowers white, in short spikes, the calyx 5-8 mm. long,

the corolla pilose, 15-18 mm. long; pods subterete, 30 cm. long or

more, tomentose, costate. Planted commonly for coffee shade.

Indian names reported are: Seui (Cabe'cara); A tana (Bribri); Tsoe-

ib-kra (Brunka); Suremna, Seui (TeVraba); Spuru-na (Guatuso).

Inga eriorhachis Harms, Repert. Sp. Nov. 13: 525. 1915.

Cuajiniquil. Santa Maria de Dota, 1,450 meters, Tonduz 11636.

Also in the region of Cartago, 1,400-1,500 meters; region of San

Ramon, at 850 meters. Endemic. A tree of 6-10 meters; branchlets

covered with short, brown hairs; rachis narrowly winged between

the upper leaflets, naked between the lower ones; leaflets 4-5-jugate,

densely pubescent; flowers spicate, the calyx 6-7 mm. long, pilose,

the corolla 12-14 mm. long, densely pilose.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 497

Inga Goldmanii Pittier. Atlantic tierra caliente. Also in

Panama. A tree of 6-10 meters; rachis winged, the leaflets 3-4-

jugate, obtuse or acute, pubescent beneath or almost glabrous;

flower spikes 4-5 cm. long, the calyx 14 mm. long, densely pubescent,

the corolla 2.5 cm. long, tomentose; pods flat, 20 cm. long, 3.5-4.5

cm. wide, covered with long, brown hairs.

Inga Jimeneziana Pittier, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 18: 208.

1916. Guavo. Rio Colorado, near Turrialba, Tonduz 8333. Atlantic

tierra caliente; region of San Ramon. Also in Panama. A tree of

8-12 meters with rounded crown; rachis narrowly winged, the

leaflets 3-4-jugate, large, acuminate, pilose beneath; bractlets narrow

and elongate; flowers spicate, the stamens white; calyx 11-13 mm.

long, pubescent, striate, the corolla 3 cm. long, pilose; pods 10-30

cm. long, 3 cm. wide, flat, glabrous.

Inga latipes Pittier, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 18: 183. 1916.

Las Vueltas de Tucurrique, 1,000 meters, Tonduz 13056. Endemic.

Rachis not winged, the leaflets 3-jugate, sparsely pubescent or

almost glabrous; flowers spicate; pods flat, 9-30 cm. long, 4 cm.

wide.

With little doubt there grows in Costa Rica /. laurina (Swartz)

Willd., a common species in many parts of Central America, but I

have seen no Costa Rican specimens.

Inga leptoloba Schlecht. Cuajiniquil Meseta Central to the

coasts. Mexico to Panama. A medium-sized or large tree; rachis

not winged, the leaflets 2-3-jugate, lanceolate, acute, almost glabrous;

flowers in short spikes, the calyx 4 mm. long, the corolla 8 mm.

long, sericeous; pods as much as 15 cm. long and 2.5 cm. wide,

puberulent. A common species in the neighborhood of San Jose.

Inga longispica Standl., sp. nov. — Ramuli crassuli teretes

ochracei vel brunnescentes lenticellis numerosissimis magnis con-

spersi; folia breviter petiolata, rhachi gracili exalata fere glabra

ca. 5 cm. longa, glandulis inter pares foliolorum parvis; foliola

trijuga lanceolato-oblonga ad 11 cm. longa et 4 cm. lata sensim

vel subabrupte longe attenuato-obtuso-acuminata, basi acuta vel

subobtusa, subcoriacea, supra in sicco fusca lucidissima glabra vel

secus costam basim folioli versus minute strigillosa, costa gracili

prominente, subtus pallidiora glabra, costa elevata; flores parvi

spicati, spicis axillaribus pedunculatis pedunculo incluso ad 17 cm.

longis sparse minute puberulis vel glabratis, bracteis minutis deciduis;

498 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

calyx campanulatus vix ultra 2 mm. longus acute dentatus minutis-

sime sparse strigillosus; corolla 5-6 mm. tantum longa sparse minute

strigillosa vel glabrata, supra paullo dilatata, lobis lanceolato-

triangularibus tubo fere duplo brevioribus ; stamina numerosa corolla

plus quam duplo longiora. — La Palma de San Ramon, October,

1928, Brenes 6371 (type in Herb. Field Mus.). Remarkable for the

small flowers and greatly elongate flower spikes.

Inga marginata Willd. Cuajiniquil. Common almost every-

where in the tierra caliente; region of San Ramon. Extending to

Brazil. A tree of 6-12 meters; rachis winged, the leaflets usually 2-

jugate, oblong or lanceolate, 7-10 cm. long, almost glabrous; flowers

spicate, the stamens white, the calyx only 1 mm. long, the corolla

4 mm. long, pubescent; pods flat, 5-12 cm. long, 1 cm. wide, glabrous.

Inga mollifolia Pittier, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 18: 189. 1916.

Guava, Guavillo. Rodeo de Pacaca, Pittier 3251 . Also in Canton de

Dota and region of San Ramon. Endemic. A tree of 5-10 meters;

rachis narrowly winged, the leaflets 3-5-jugate, acuminate, pilose;

flowers in very short spikes, the calyx 5-6 mm. long, pubescent, the

corolla 8-10 mm. long, pilose.

Inga multijuga Benth. Golfo Dulce. Guatemala to Panama.

A tree of 4-12 meters; rachis not winged, the leaflets 5-10-jugate,

acute or acuminate, pubescent beneath; spikes short, the calyx 7-8

mm. long, the corolla 25 mm. long.

Inga Oerstediana Benth. Meseta Central. Ranging to Vene-

zuela. Rachis narrowly winged, the leaflets 4-5- jugate, obtuse,

densely pubescent; flowers spicate, the calyx pubescent, 6 mm. long,

the corolla 12-14 mm. long, pubescent; pods elongate, terete.

Inga Paterno Harms. Common in the regions of Cartago, San

Jose", and Alajuela, often planted for coffee shade. Extending to

southern Mexico. A medium-sized tree; rachis not winged, the

leaflets 4-5-jugate, acute or acuminate, glabrous; flowers whitish,

capitate, glabrous, the calyx 1-2 mm. long, the corolla 5-7 mm. long;

pods flat, glabrous, 9-12 cm. long, 4-5 cm. wide, with 2 or 3 seeds.

This species is known in Salvador by the name Paterno. The pulp

of the pods is edible.

Inga Pittieri Micheli, Bull. Herb. Boiss. 2: 446. 1894. Rio

Ceibo, near Buenos Aires, Tonduz 4977. Collected also at Juan

Vinas and Santo Domingo de Osa; region of San Ramon, at 1,000

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 499

meters. Panama. A tree of 8-12 meters; rachis winged, at least

between the upper leaflets, the leaflets 1-3- jugate, acuminate, large,

pubescent; flowers spicate, the calyx 8-13 mm. long, striate, the

corolla 20-24 mm. long, strigose; pods 9-18 cm. long, 1.5 cm. wide,

thick, 4-angulate, glabrous.

Inga portobellensis Beurling. Golfo Dulce. Also in Panama.

A tree with glabrous branchlets; rachis winged, the leaflets 2-jugate,

large, glabrous; flowers in large heads, the calyx 25-35 mm. long,

glabrous; corolla 3.5-4 cm. long, almost glabrous; pods 15 cm. long,

2.5 cm. wide. Easy to recognize because of the large calyx.

Inga punctata Willd. Cuajiniquil, Guavo. Meseta Central

and Canton de Dota, extending to the coasts. Guatemala to Vene-

zuela. A tree of 5-12 meters; rachis not winged, the leaflets 2-3-

jugate, acuminate, sparsely pubescent; flowers in short spikes, the

calyx 4 mm. long, strigose, the corolla 8 mm. long, sericeous, the

stamens white; pods as much as 15 cm. long, 1.5-2.5 cm. wide,

puberulent.

Inga Roussoviana Pittier. Golfo Dulce. Guatemala to Panama.

A tree of 3-8 meters; rachis not winged, the leaflets 3-4-jugate,

acute, almost glabrous; flowers in paniculate umbels, the calyx

5 mm. long, pubescent, the corolla 9-11 mm. long; pods flat, 11-17

cm. long.

Inga spectabilis (Vahl) Willd. Guava machete. Common in

the tierra caliente. Ranging to Colombia. A tree of 6-15 meters;

rachis winged, the leaflets 1-3-jugate, very large, coriaceous, almost

glabrous; flowers in short spikes, the calyx 7-8 mm. long, pubescent,

the corolla 18 mm. long, sericeous; pods 30-60 cm. long, 4-7 cm.

wide. A species distinguished by its very large pods. The leaflets

also are larger and thicker than in other species.

Inga spuria Humb. & Bonpl. Cuajiniquil. Common in the

Meseta Central, extending to the Pacific coast. Mexico to Vene-

zuela. A tree of 4-12 meters; rachis winged, the leaflets 5-6-jugate,

7-10 cm. long, pubescent; flowers in short racemes, the calyx 15 mm.

long, the corolla 2 cm. long, sericeous; pods subterete, densely pubes-

cent, elongate. Pittier reports the following Indian names: Guaro-

ma (Cabe"cara); Saui, Seui (Bribri); Guarob-ua (Brunka); U-gurok,

Gruok (TeYraba).

Inga stenophylla Standl., sp. nov. — Ramuli graciles ochracei

vel brunnescentes plus minusve angulati lenticellis numerosissimis

500 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

conspersi, internodiis brevibus; folia inter minora breviter petiolata,

rhachi gracili angustissime alata vel fere exalata glabrata, glan-

dulis inter foliola minutis; foliola 5-7-juga anguste oblongo-

lanceolata vel lineari-lanceolata 5-8 cm. longa 1-1.7 cm. lata longis-

sime attenuato-acuminata, basi acuta vel obtusa, supra in sicco

fusca plus minusve lucida primo sparse subadpresse pilosa cito

glabrata, costa gracili prominente, nervis lateralibus obsoletis, sub-

tus multo pallidiora primo sparse hispidula glabrescentia, costa

gracili pallida prominente, nervis lateralibus numerosis pallidis

prominulis; flores parvi spicati, spicis axillaribus et solitariis vel pan-

iculatis pedunculatis, pedunculo incluso ad 4 cm. longis densissime

multifloris, bracteis minutis deciduis, pedunculo dense breviter

fulvo-hispidulo; calyx campanulatus 2-2.5 mm. longus fulvo-

hispidulus brevissime dentatus; corolla ca. 6 mm. longa adpresso-

hispidula supra paullo dilatata, lobis brevibus vix ultra 1.5 mm.

longis; stamina numerosa valde elongata; legumen compressum

lineare paullo curvatum ca. 22 cm. longum et 1.5 cm. latum apice

rotundatum et apiculatum sparse hispidulum, marginibus anguste

incrassatis. — Entre Santiago y San Jos£ de San Ramon, April, 1929,

Brenes 6841 (type in Herb. Field Mus.); Santiago de San Ramon,

Brenes 6707; La Palma de San Ramon, Brenes 5802; La Calera de

San Ramon, 650-700 meters, Brenes 11574-

Inga Tonduzii Donn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 44: 112. 1907. Guavo,

Guavo peludo, Guavo peludo verde. Las Vueltas de Tucurrique,

Tonduz 12928. Also about Cartago and San Ramon. Endemic.

Branchlets covered with long hairs; rachis broadly winged, the leaf-

lets 2-3-jugate, pilose; flowers in short spikes, the calyx 10 mm.

long, pilose, the corolla 27 mm. long, covered with long hairs; pods

17-23 cm. long, 3.5-4 cm. wide, flat, covered with long, brown hairs.

Inga venusta Standl., sp. nov. Guavo amarillo. — Ramuli crassi

dense lenticellati glabrati; folia breviter petiolata coriacea, petiolo

late alato, rhachi inter foliola late alata ad 1 cm. lata, glandulis

parvis elevatis; foliola 3-juga anguste oblonga vel lanceolato-oblonga

8-12 cm. longa 2.5-4 cm. lata apicem obtusum versus paullo angus-

tata, basi rotundata vel obtusa, supra in sicco griseo-fusca glabra,

costa gracili elevata, nervis lateralibus numerosis subimpressis, sub-

tus brunnescentia glabra vel glabrata, costa gracili elevata, nervis

lateralibus quoque elevatis, venulis inconspicuis laxe reticulatis;

flores mediocres breviter spicati, spicis capituliformibus vix 2 cm.

longis, pedunculis axillaribus interdum subpaniculatis ca. 2 cm.

longis sparse puberulis vel fere glabris, bracteis minutis deciduis;

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 501

calyx tubulosus 1 cm. longus striatus sparsissime strigillosus vel fere

glaber, dentibus minutis; corolla fere 2 cm. longa extus pilis longis

fulvis densissime sericea, lobis anguste lanceolatis attenuatis. — La

Palma de San Ramon, August, 1928, Brenes 6256 (type in Herb.

Field Mus.). Evidently conspecific is a sterile collection (Brenes

6255) from the same locality. In this the leaflets are 4 pairs and as

much as 17 cm. long and 5 cm. wide.

LEUCAENA Benth.

Unarmed shrubs or trees; leaves bipinnate, the petiole or rachis

usually provided with a small gland; flowers white, in pedunculate

heads; stamens 10, exserted; pods linear or oblong, flat, dehiscent,

the seeds placed obliquely. — Other species occur in Central America.

Leucaena glauca (L.) Benth. Hedges near San Jose. A species

of wide distribution in tropical regions. A shrub or tree of 2-5 meters;

pinnae 3-10-jugate, the leaflets numerous, linear-oblong, 8-15 mm.

long, pale beneath; flower heads axillary or terminal, 1.5-3 cm. wide;

pods 10-15 cm. long, 1.5 cm. wide, finely pubescent.

LYSILOMA Benth.

Unarmed shrubs or trees; leaves bipinnate; flowers small, whitish,

racemose, spicate, or capitate; stamens numerous, the filaments

united to form a tube; pods flat, the valves separating at maturity

from the persistent margin. — Other species are known from Central

America.

Lysiloma desniostachys Benth. (?). Hemsley reports for Costa

Rica (Puntarenas, Oersted) L. Schiedeanum Benth., a synonym of

L. auritum (Schlecht.) Benth. This species is known only from

Mexico, and it is probable that the Costa Rican plant is L. desmo-

stodiys, the only spicate-flowered species known from Central

America.

Lysiloma Seemannii Britt. & Rose. In thickets, regions of

San Ramon and the Pacific coast; Guanacaste. Described from

Central America, the special locality not known. A shrub or small

tree, glabrous or nearly so; stipules large, triangular-ovate, auricu-

late, but soon deciduous; pinnae about 6 pairs, the leaflets about 25

pairs, linear, 6-8 mm. long, obtuse; flowers in pedunculate heads,

the peduncle bracted near the middle; calyx 1 mm. long, the corolla

1.5 mm. long, puberulent; fruit 12 cm. long and 16-18 mm. wide.

502 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

MIMOSA L.

Herbs, shrubs, or trees, sometimes scandent; leaves bipinnate;

flowers small, spicate or capitate; stamens of the same number as

the corolla segments or twice as many, distinct, exserted ; pods linear

or oblong, flat, the valves continuous or usually transversely articu-

late.— Other species of this vast genus are known from Central

America.

Mimosa albida Humb. & Bonpl. Dormilona. M. floribunda

Willd. Common in thickets, Meseta Central to the Pacific coast.

Mexico to Brazil. A prickly shrub 1-3 meters high; pinnae 1-jugate,

the leaflets 2-jugate, oblique, acute or obtuse, 3-8 cm. long pubes-

cent; flowers pink, capitate, the stamens as many as the corolla

segments; pods 1-3 cm. long, strigose.

Mimosa Calderonii Britt. & Rose. Reported for Costa Rica,

without indication of the locality, but probably in the Pacific coast.

Extending to Chiapas. A shrub, the branches glandular-pubescent

and prickly; pinnae 6-9-jugate, the leaflets numerous, linear-oblong,

4-6 mm. long; flowers pink, capitate; pods 2-2.5 cm. long, glandular-

pubescent.

Mimosa costaricensis Benth. Trans. Linn. Soc. 30: 423. 1875.

Aguacate, Oersted. Region of San Ramon. A shrub, tomentose,

prickly; pinnae 4-8-jugate, the leaflets 10-15-jugate, oblong, 6-8

mm. long, pubescent; flowers in paniculate heads; stamens 8 or 10.

Mimosa dormiens Humb. & Bonpl. Dry plains near Bebedero,

Guanacaste. Mexico to Brazil. Plants herbaceous or nearly so,

prostrate, the branches strigose and prickly; pinnae 3-6- jugate, the

leaflets 6-20-jugate, oblong, 4-8 mm. long; flowers capitate; stamens

8; pods 12 mm. long, 8 mm. wide, pubescent.

Mimosa flavescens Splitgerber. Reported for Costa Rica, with-

out indication of the locality; probably in the Pacific coast. Mexico

to the Guianas. Plants suffrutescent, erect or decumbent, prickly

or unarmed, pilose; pinnae 2-6-jugate, the leaflets numerous, linear,

4-6 mm. long; flowers capitate; stamens 8; pods linear-oblong, 8-15

mm. long, 4 mm. wide.

Mimosa guanacastensis Standl., sp. nov. — Frutex, ramis

crassis rigidis teretibus subferrugineis inermibus vel sparse aculeo-

latis setulis brevibus basi incrassatis adscendentibus vel subadpressis

dense conspersis, aculeolis 5 mm. longis rectis basi valde incrassatis;

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 503

folia parva circiter 1 cm. longe petiolata, pinnis 1-jugis 1.5-3 cm.

longis, petiolo ut rhachi dense setuloso et pilosulo vel puberulo;

foliola 6-9-juga 8-12 mm. longa 2.5-3.5 mm. lata oblonga acuta vel

subacuta subcoriacea basi subrotundata supra pilosula vel puberula

enervia subtus dense adpresso-setulosa et pilosa, ad margines dense

adpresso-setuloso-ciliata; stipulae rigidae lanceolato-subulatae per-

sistentes; flores capitati, capitulis globosis ad 8 mm. diam. densis-

sime multifloris axillaribus, pedunculis gracilibus ad 2 cm. longis

adpresso-hispidulis; calyx minutus margine filiformi-laciniatus;

corolla 2.5 mm. longa inferne glabra ad dentes puberula; stamina

lobis corollae isomera. — Entre Guachipelin y Liberia, Guanacaste,

Brenes 1558S (type in Herb. Field Mus.); also No. 15496 from the

same region.

Mimosa invisa Mart. Dormilona. Meseta Central to the

coasts. A species of wide distribution in America. A scandent

shrub, armed with innumerable hooked prickles, the branches angu-

late; pinnae 4-8-jugate, the leaflets numerous, oblong-linear, 3-5

mm. long; flowers purple-pink, capitate; stamens 8; pods 1-2.5 cm.

long, 5-6 mm. wide, setose. Of this species Pittier says: "This

plant invades abandoned land in regions of low elevation. Its roots

have a disagreeable odor and possess irritant and even toxic proper-

ties. The infusion of the leaves is very bitter and is used as a tonic;

the seeds are sometimes employed as an emetic. Cattle occasionally

eat the plant." It is a serious pest in cultivated ground, smothering

other plants with its long, tangled stems. Its sharp prickles tear the

flesh severely if the plant is approached without proper caution.

Mimosa panamensis (Benth.) Standl. Golfo Dulce; region of

San Ramon, at 1,200 meters. Also in Panama. Plants herbaceous

or suffrutescent, the branches setose and prickly; pinnae 1-jugate,

the leaflets 2-jugate, oblong-obovate, 1-3 cm. long, strigose; flowers

capitate; stamens 5; pods 10-18 mm. long, 5-6 mm. wide, setose.

Mimosa pigra L. Dormilona, Dormilona grande. M. asperata L.

Abundant in wet or swampy places, often growing in shallow water,

Meseta Central to the Pacific coast, and probably also in the Atlan-

tic. A species of wide distribution in tropical regions. A shrub of

1-2 meters, prickly, the branches setose; pinnae 7-15-jugate, the

leaflets numerous, linear, 5-8 mm. long, pubescent; flowers pink,

capitate; stamens 8; pods 3-8 cm. long, 10-12 mm. wide, hispid.

A characteristic plant of open swamps and margins of streams and

lakes.

504 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Mimosa polydactyla Humb. & Bonpl. Carrillos de Poas cerca

del puente del Rio Poas, Brenes 19293. Ranging to Venezuela and

Brazil. Plants suffrutescent, hirsute to glabrate, often setose and

aculeolate, slender; pinnae 3-5 pairs, approximate at the end of the

petiole, the leaflets 30-60 pairs, linear, 4-6 mm. long, glabrous,

appressed-setulose on the margins; flowers pink, capitate, the heads

racemose, pedunculate; stamens 4; fruit oblong, 1-1.5 cm. long, 4

mm. wide, the valves and margins long-setose.

Mimosa pudica L. Dormilona, Puta vieja, Nauapate (fide

Pittier). Abundant in abandoned fields and cultivated or waste

ground, Meseta Central to the coast. Almost pantropic in distri-

bution. Plants low and herbaceous, prickly; pinnae 1-2-jugate, the

leaflets numerous, linear, 6-10 mm. long; flowers pink, capitate, with

4 stamens; pods 1-1.5 cm. long, setose on the margins. An abundant

plant in almost all inhabited parts of Central America, often growing

profusely about dwellings. Noteworthy for its "sensitive" leaves,

whose leaflets quickly fold together when touched, or during cloudy

weather. This characteristic is shared, of course, with many other

members of the Mimoseae. Indian names reported are Dika-kerik,

Kerebi-kerik (Cabecara) ; De-kra-dike (Bribri) ; Tshu-tsha (Brunka) ;

Shku-sho, Kop-kuo-shku (TeYraba). The plant is sometimes culti-

vated in northern hothouses as a curiosity.

Mimosa Skinneri Benth. M. Pittieri Micheli, Bull. Soc. Bot.

Belg. 30: 294. 1891 (Rio Jesus Maria, Puntarenas, Pittier 502).

Meseta Central to the Pacific coast. Ranging to southern Mexico.

A densely pilose herb, armed with straight prickles; pinnae 1-2-

jugate, the leaflets 4-8-jugate, oblong or obovate, 8-15 mm. long,

strigose beneath; flowers capitate, white, with 4 or 5 stamens; pods

linear-oblong, puberulent or glabrous, setose on the margins.

Mimosa somnians Humb. & Bonpl. Dormilona. Meseta Cen-

tral to the Pacific coast, in dry thickets. Mexico to Paraguay. A

low shrub, prickly and glandular; pinnae 2-8-jugate, the leaflets

numerous, linear-oblong, 2-4 mm. long; flowers pink, capitate, with

8 stamens; legume linear, 4-7 cm. long, glandular-pubescent or

glabrous.

Mimosa Velloziana Mart. Valley of Rio Changuinola, and in

Guanacaste; region of San Ramon, at 1,000 meters. Ranging to

Paraguay. A more or less scandent shrub, the branches glabrous,

armed with prickles; pinnae 1-jugate, the leaflets 2-jugate, 3-4 cm.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 505

long, sparsely setose beneath; flowers capitate, with 4 stamens,

white or pinkish white; legume 2 cm. long, glabrous, setose on the

margins.

Mimosa Watsonii Robinson. Reported for Costa Rica, with-

out indication of the locality, but probably in the Pacific coast.

Ranging to Guatemala. A scandent shrub, armed with very numer-

ous hooked prickles; pinnae 1-3-jugate, the leaflets 1-3-jugate, 1.5-5

cm. long, rounded or obovate, pubescent; flowers in numerous

paniculate heads, the stamens 8; legume 5 cm. long, glabrous,

unarmed.

NEPTUNIA Lour.

Unarmed, perennial herbs; leaves bipinnate; flowers in axillary,

pedunculate heads; stamens 10, distinct, the anthers terminated by

a small gland; legume linear or oblong, flat, stipitate, the seeds

transverse.

A plant of this genus has been reported from Guanacaste, under

the name N. lutea Benth., a species of the United States. The

Costa Rican plant is presumably either N. plena (L.) Benth. or N.

pubescens Benth., both of which occur in Panama.

PENTACLETHRA Benth.

A single species is known in Central America.

Pentaclethra macroloba (Willd.) Kuntze. Gavildn. P. fila-

mentosa Benth. Abundant in forests of the Atlantic tierra caliente.

Nicaragua to the Guianas. A tall tree of 10-40 meters; leaves

bipinnate, without glands, the pinnae 8-20-jugate, the leaflets numer-

ous, 7-12 mm. long, 1.5 mm. wide, glabrous; flowers small, in race-

mose spikes, the corolla 8-12 mm. long; stamens 5, the anthers

terminated by a gland; legume woody, elastically dehiscent, 20-30

cm. long, 3-4 cm. wide. Pittier states that the presence of this tree

is considered an indication that land is suitable for agriculture.

The genus Piptadenia probably is represented in Costa Rica,

but I have seen neither specimens nor records for the region.

PITHECOLOBIUM Mart.

Shrubs or trees, unarmed or provided with spines or prickles;

leaves bipinnate (rarely pinnate in a few Central American species) ;

flowers small, capitate, umbellate, spicate, or racemose; stamens

numerous, exserted, united to form a short or elongate tube; fruit

506 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

very variable in form. — :A large genus, which has many other species

in Central America. The generic name was written originally Pithe-

cellobium, but the writer prefers to use the name adopted by Bentham

and almost all other authors. Because of the highly variable form of

the fruit, it is possible to divide the genus into various small ones, as

was done by Britton and Rose, but many of their genera are based

upon insignificant characters.

Pithecolobium Brenesii Standl., sp. nov. — Arbor 10-15-

metralis cauliflora, ramulis gracilibus ferrugineis dense pallido-len-

ticellatis glabris, internodiis valde elongatis; folia bipinnata sub-

sessilia, pinnis 1-jugis, rhachi ad 17 cm. longa glabra; foliola trijuga

breviter petiolulata crasse membranacea glabra elliptico-oblonga vel

anguste elliptica 9-14 cm. longa 3-6.5 cm. lata acuminata, basi plus

minusve inaequali obtusa vel subacuta, costa subtus gracili elevata,

nervis lateralibus prominulis; flores in racemos e ramis vetustis

crassis nascentes dispositi, racemis brevibus paucifloris vel multi-

floris, bracteis subulatis minutis, pedicellis glabris ad 4 mm. longis;

calyx glaber campanulatus 2.5 mm. longus truncatus; corolla glabra

anguste tubulosa striata fere 2 cm. longa; filamenta ad 3.5 cm. longa

purpurea. — Entire Rio Jesus y Alto de La Calera de San Ramon,

Brenes 17135 (type in Herb. Field Mus.); San Pedro de San Ramon,

Brenes 22574- Similar to P. Englesingii Standl. of Nicaragua, which

has much smaller flowers.

Pithecolobium catenatum Donn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 48: 294.

1909. Cojoba catenate, Britt. & Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 32. 1928.

Suerre, Llanuras de Santa Clara, Prov. Limon, 300 meters, J. D.

Smith 6479. Endemic. A shrub; pinnae 1-jugate, the leaflets 3-5-

jugate, elliptic or obovate, 3-16 cm. long, acuminate, almost gla-

brous; flowers in axillary heads; legume 12-22 cm. long, terete,

constricted between the seeds.

Pithecolobium costaricense (Britt. & Rose) Standl. Trop.

Woods 34: 40. 1933. Cocobola, Lorito. Cojoba costaricensis Britt. &

Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 31. 1928. La Palma, 1,460 meters, Tonduz

12508. Forests of the central mountains, 1,300-1,600 meters;

region of San Ramon, at 1,100 meters. Endemic. A tree or shrub

of 2.5-8 meters; pinnae 4-7-jugate, the leaflets 10-14-jugate, oblong-

lanceolate, 1.5-2.5 cm. long, subacute; flowers white, the calyx 3

mm. long, the corolla 6-7 mm. long; legume red, elongate, con-

stricted between the seeds. The tree is said to furnish good wood.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 507

Pithecolobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. Thickets of the Pacific

coast. Mexico to Venezuela. A small or medium-sized tree, armed

with stipular spines; pinnae 1 pair, the leaflets 1 pair, oblong to

obovate, obtuse or rounded at the apex, coriaceous, glabrous or

somewhat pubescent; flowers whitish, in globose, panicled heads;

calyx 2 mm. long, the corolla 3-4 mm. long; fruit curved or coiled,

somewhat compressed, glabrate, 8-12 mm. wide.

Pithecolobium glabrum (Britt. & Rose) Standl. Trop Woods

34: 40. 1933. Cojoba glabra Britt. & Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 33. 1928.

Santa Maria de Dota, 1,500-1,800 meters, Standley 41743. Also at

La Estrella, 1,800 meters. Endemic. A tree of 8 meters; leaves

pinnate, the leaflets 2-jugate, oblong, 6-12 cm. long, glabrous;

legume red, 12-20 cm. long, constricted between the seeds. Easy to

recognize because of the simply pinnate, not bipinnate leaves. The

leaves are similar to those of Inga, but the fruit is altogether

different.

Pithecolobium lanceolatum (Humb. & Bonpl.) Benth.

Nicoya, and probably in other parts of the Pacific coast. Mexico

to Venezuela. A spiny tree of 5-10 meters; pinnae 1-jugate, the

leaflets 1-jugate, obtuse or acute, 2-7 cm. long, glabrous; flowers

whitish, spicate, the calyx 2-3 mm. long, the corolla 5-6 mm. long;

legume almost terete, reddish, 8-14 cm. long, dehiscent.

Pithecolobium latifolium (L.) Benth. Sotacaballo. Pacific

tierra caliente. Honduras to Brazil, and in the Antilles. A gla-

brous, unarmed tree; pinnae 1-jugate, the leaflets usually 5, elliptic

or oblong, 7-15 cm. long; flowers arising from the thicker branches,

purple, in small heads, the calyx 1.5 mm. long, the corolla 6-7 mm.

long; legume somewhat curved, flat, 10-30 cm. long, 2-2.5 cm. wide.

The tree usually grows along banks of streams, the branches over-

hanging the water. For this species there have been reported the

following Indian names, which may apply to P. longifolium: Kita

(Cabe"cara); Kueh-kra (Brunka); Kuer (Terraba).

Pithecolobium longifolium (Humb. & Bonpl.) Standl. Sota-

caballo. Zygia longifolia Britt. & Rose; P. Vahlianum Benth. A

characteristic species of stream banks in the Atlantic tierra caliente ;

also on the Pacific coast; San Ramon, at 850 meters. Guatemala to

Colombia. An unarmed tree of 6-12 meters, glabrous; pinnae 1-

jugate, the leaflets 3, oblong or lanceolate, 4-12 cm. long; flowers

purple, in short spikes, the calyx 1 mm. long, the corolla 6-7 mm.

508 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

long; legume somewhat curved, compressed 15-30 cm. long, 12-15

mm. wide.

Pithecolobium palmanum Standl., sp. nov. — Frutex vel

arbor 3-metralis, ramis pallide lenticellatis inermibus, novellis sparse

puberulis cito glabratis; stipulae ca. 5 mm. longae lanceolato-subu-

latae rigidae persistentes; folia sessilia bipinnata, pinnis 1-jugis,

rhachi ad 7.5 cm. longa ferrugineo-puberula; foliola 4-juga brevis-

sime petiolulata subcoriacea in sicco plus minusve fusca oblonga vel

elliptico-oblonga inaequilatera, superiora paullo majora interdum

oblongo-obovata, 3.5-5.5 cm. longa 1.5-2.5 cm. lata obtusa vel

acutiuscula, basi suboblique obtusa vel subacuta, glabra, opaca,

costa venisque pagina superiore prominentibus, subtus pallidiora

venis arete reticulatis prominulis; flores sanguinei brevissime spicati,

spicis ad ramos vetustiores defoliates nascentibus breviter pedun-

culatis laxe paucifloris sessilibus, pedunculis ferrugineo-puberulis,

bracteis minutis inconspicuis; calyx campanulatus 2 mm. longus

glaber vel glabratus brevissime dentatus; corolla glabra anguste

tubulosa 1.5 cm. longa striata brevissime dentata, filamentis modice

exsertis. — Between San Miguel and La Palma de San Ramon, 1,000-

1,050 meters, Brenes 5496 (type in Herb. Field Mus.) ; La Palma de

San Ramon, Brenes 6774-

Pithecolobium racemiflorum Donn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 56: 57.

1913. Punjuba racemiflora Britt. & Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 28. 1928.

Forests of Las Vueltas, Tucurrique, 600-750 meters, Tonduz 13060.

Endemic. A tree of 7 meters; pinnae 1-jugate, the leaflets 2-3-

jugate, elliptic or ovate-lanceolate, 5-15 cm. long, glabrous; flowers

in racemes as much as 35 cm. long, the calyx 4 mm. long, the corolla

6-7 mm. long; legume curved almost into a circle, compressed,

dehiscent, 12-15 mm. wide, constricted between the seeds. This

species is the type and only species of Britton and Rose's genus

Punjuba.

Pithecolobium Saman (Jacq.) Benth. Cenicero. Samanea

Saman Merrill. Nicoya and Guanacaste, and probably in other

parts of the Pacific slope. Yucatan to Brazil. A tall tree of 20

meters or more with very thick trunk, the crown depressed ; pinnae

2-6-jugate, the leaflets 2-8-jugate, oblique, oblong or obovate,

pubescent beneath; flowers flesh-colored, umbellate, the calyx 6 mm.

long, the corolla 10-12 mm. long, sericeous; legume indehiscent,

somewhat compressed but thick, 10-20 cm. long, 1-2 cm. wide. On

the Pacific coast of Central America transverse sections of the huge

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 509

trunks often are used as wheels for ox carts. Cattle eat the fallen

pods greedily. The wood is hard and heavy, fibrous, and dark brown

or almost black. In some regions it is used for cabinetwork.

Pithecolobium sophorocarpum Benth. in Benth. & Hook.

Gen. 1: 598. 1865. Feuillea sophorocarpa Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 189.

1891. Cojoba sophorocarpa Britt. & Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 31. 1928.

Forests of the central region; region of San Ramon. Endemic.

Original locality unknown. A shrub or small tree; pinnae 1-5-jugate,

the leaflets 5-12-jugate, oblong-lanceolate, 3-5 cm. long; flowers

glabrous, capitate, the calyx 2 mm. long, the corolla 5 mm. long.

Pithecolobium Standleyi (Britt. & Rose) Standl., comb. nov.

Cojoba Standleyi Britt. & Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23 : 32. 1928. La Tejona,

near Tilaran, Guanacaste, Standley & Valeria 45859. Forests of

Guanacaste, 600-700 meters. Endemic. An unarmed tree of 3-6

meters; pinnae 1-jugate, the leaflets 1-3-jugate, oblong or lanceolate,

somewhat oblique, acute, 5-11 cm. long, almost glabrous; legume 10

cm. long, terete, red, constricted between the seeds. It is highly

improbable that all the species of Cojoba described by Britton and

Rose are valid, but I have not had sufficient material to make a

decision as to their disposition.

Pithecolobium Valerioi (Britt. & Rose) Standl., comb. nov.

Cojoba Valerioi Britt. & Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 32. 1928. Quebrada

Serena, near Tilaran, Guanacaste, Standley & Valeria 46247. En-

demic. A shrub of 2 meters; pinnae 1-jugate, the leaflets 5, oblong

or lanceolate, 4-10 cm. long, acuminate, glabrous; flowers capitate,

the corolla 12 mm. long.

PROSOPIS L. Mesquite

A single species is known from Central America.

Prosopis chilensis (Molina) Stuntz. P. juliflora DC. Frequent

in thickets along the seashores. Widely distributed in the warmer

parts of America. A shrub or small tree, armed with spines; leaves

bipinnate, with 2 pairs of pinnae, the leaflets numerous, oblong, 7-

15 mm. long; flowers small, greenish, in slender spikes 5-10 cm. long;

legume linear, somewhat compressed but thick, 10-20 cm. long, the

seeds surrounded by a sweet pulp; anthers terminated by a gland.

The wood is hard, fine-grained, and strong. The sweet pods are

eaten by cattle, and they were formerly much used as food by

American Indians. On the Central American coast the species is

510 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

known by the names Aromo and Carbon. The Mexican name is

Mezquite.

SCHRANKIA Willd.

Two species are known from Central America.

Schrankia leptocarpa DC. Dry plains of Guanacaste. Ex-

tending to Paraguay. A perennial herb, prostrate or somewhat

scandent, glabrous, armed with short, hooked prickles; pinnae 2-3-

jugate, the leaflets 10-20-jugate, 6-10 mm. long; flowers purple-

pink, capitate; legume subterete, 7-10 cm. long, 4 mm. broad,

covered with slender setae.

STRYPHNODENDRON Mart.

A genus represented in Central America by a single species, the

others being South American.

Stryphnodendron excelsum Harms, Repert. Sp. Nov. 19: 64.

1923. Rio Hondo, Pittier 16997. Also in the region of El General.

Endemic. A tall tree; leaves large, the pinnae 9-11-jugate, the

leaflets 12-18-jugate, obovate, oblique, 1-2 cm. long, puberulent

beneath, rounded at the apex; flowers small, in dense, axillary spikes;

stamens 10, distinct, the anthers terminated by a gland; legume

narrow, indehiscent.

II. CAESALPINIEAE

Reference: Britton & Rose, N. Amer. Flora 23: 201-349. 1930.

BAUHINIA L.

Shrubs or small trees, sometimes scandent or armed with spines;

leaves simple and more or less bilobate, or composed of 2 leaflets;

flowers large, white, pink, or yellow, racemose or corymbose, rarely

solitary; stamens 10 or fewer, all or only 1 fertile; legume flat, elas-

tically dehiscent. — Other species occur in Central America, and

probably also in Costa Rica.

Bauhinia Beguinotii Cufodontis, Archivio Bot. 9: 192. 1933.

Edge of forest between Waldeck and Rio Barbilla, Atlantic coast,

40 meters, Cufodontis 664- An unarmed shrub 1 meter high; leaves

petiolate, broadly ovate, entire, glabrous, rounded or subcordate at

the base, up to 13 cm. long and 8.5 cm. wide, 7-nerved; racemes

corymbiform; calyx glabrate; petals lanceolate, 2.5 cm. long, 5 mm.

wide, acute, glabrous, white; fertile stamens 10. The species is

known to the writer only from the original description.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 511

Bauhinia Cookii Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 205. 1930. Cuesta de

La Vieja, near San Carlos, Cook & Doyle 41- Endemic. A tree;

leaves rounded, 4-7 cm. long, tomentose beneath, the lobes acute;

petals pale yellow, 1 cm. long; stamens 10.

Bauhinia manca Standl., sp. nov. — Frutex scandens cirrhifera

inermis, ramis gracilibus ochraceis vel brunnescentibus, novellis

plus minusve angulatis ferrugineo-strigillosis, internodiis valde

elongatis; folia magna bifoliolata vel simplicia et fere ad basin

partita subcoriacea, ad 12 cm. longe petiolata, segmentis semiovatis

ad 28 cm. longis et 10 cm. latis longissime anguste acuminatis, basi

late rotundatis, supra in sicco obscure viridibus lucidis, subtus

brunnescentibus ubique densissime pilis minutissimis lucidis brunnes-

centibus sericeo-strigillosis; inflorescentia ignota. — Cataratas de

San Ramon, Brenes 20552 (type in Herb. Field Mus.). Probably

conspecific are two collections from Barro Colorado Island, Canal

Zone, Panama: S. W. Frost 112 and L. H. Bailey 278, the latter

taken from a large vine having stems 15 cm. broad, 5 cm. thick, and

perforated with large holes. The plant is known only in a sterile

state, but it appears to be rather frequent, and is so well marked

in foliage that it seems desirable to give it a name for reference

purposes.

Bauhinia Pauletia Pers. Between Bebedero and Paso Hondo,

Guanacaste, 45-50 meters, Brenes 12585. Mexico to Puerto Rico

and Venezuela. A shrub or small tree of 5 meters or less, armed with

short, stout prickles; leaves broad, lobed for about one-third their

length, the lobes rounded at the apex, the blades rounded or sub-

cordate at the base, 6 cm. long or less, pubescent beneath or almost

glabrous; flowers racemose, the calyx tube 1.5-2 cm. long; petals

elongate-linear; perfect stamens 5; fruit linear, 25 cm. long or less,

scarcely 1.5 cm. wide, pubescent or glabrate.

Bauhinia purpurea L. An ornamental tree or shrub, culti-

vated in many places. Native of Asia. Flowers large, purplish rose

or white.

Bauhinia Standleyi Rose. Schnella Standleyi Britt. & Rose.

Reported for Costa Rica, the locality not indicated, but probably

in the Pacific coast. Panama. An unarmed shrub, the branches

sometimes compressed, provided with tendrils; leaves broadly ovate,

3-5 cm. long, pubescent, the lobes obtuse; flowers white or greenish,

the petals 10-14 mm. long; stamens 10; legume 6-7 cm. long, 2 cm.

512 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

wide. In the species of this group, the stems often are compressed

and perforated with large holes, on account of which the plants often

receive the name of Escalera de mono.

Bauhinia Storkii (Rose) Standl. Trop. Woods 34: 40. 1933.

Schnella Storkii Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 206. 1930. Rio Changuinola,

Stork 140. Known only from this region. A vine with tendrils;

leaves rounded, 4-8 cm. long, coriaceous, shortly bilobate, the

lobes rounded, pubescent beneath; petals 10-12 mm. long, villous.

Bauhinia ungulata L. Casco de venado. B. inermis Pers.

Meseta Central to the Pacific coast, in forest or thickets. Mexico

to Venezuela and Bolivia. A shrub or tree of 2-5 meters; leaves 6-

12 cm. long, somewhat pubescent beneath, the lobes acute.

BROWNEA Jacq.

Brownea Ariza Benth. Flor de Jesucristo. Planted in the park

at Limon, also about San Jose. Native of Colombia. A small tree,

the leaves even-pinnate, the leaflets about 2 pairs, acuminate;

flowers large, bright red, borne upon the branches in dense, head-

like clusters subtended by large, deciduous bracts.

GAESALPINIA L.

Shrubs or trees, unarmed or provided with spines or prickles;

leaves bipinnate; flowers large or small, racemose or paniculate;

petals generally red or yellow; legume compressed or thick, dehiscent

or indehiscent. — Other species are known from Central America.

Caesalpinia coriaria (Jacq.) Willd. Nacascol. Reported from

Costa Rica, probably in the Pacific coast. Mexico to Venezuela.

A tree of 10 meters or more, unarmed; pinnae 4-10-jugate, the leaf-

lets numerous, oblong, 4-8 mm. long, glabrous; racemes short, the

calyx 5 mm. long; legume oblong, straight or curved, 1-2 cm. wide,

indehiscent. In some parts of Central America the hard wood of

this tree is given the name Ebano. The pods are used for tanning

and for dyeing black and blue.

Caesalpinia Crista L. Common on sea beaches, sometimes

forming very dense and leafy thickets. A species of wide distribu-

tion in tropics of both hemispheres. A shrub of 1-2 meters, or a

vine, armed with long, slender prickles; stipules large; pinnae 4-8-

jugate, the leaflets 4-8-jugate, oblong or elliptic, 2.5-7 cm. long;

flowers yellowish, the petals 1 cm. long; fruit oval, thick, 5-10 cm.

long, 6 cm. wide, covered with long prickles, the seeds large, globose,

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 513

gray, 2-2.5 cm. in diameter. A characteristic species of Central

American beaches. The handsome seeds, like marbles in appearance,

often are found on beaches, to which they have been carried by

ocean currents.

Caesalpinia eriostachys Benth. Bot. Voy. Sulph. 88. 1844.

Zahino. Poincianella eriostachys Britt. & Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23:

332. 1930. Nicoya, Hinds. Dry forests of the Pacific tierra caliente.

Mexico to Panama. A tree of 5-10 meters or more; leaves deciduous,

with numerous pinnae and leaflets, these rounded or oblong, 5-15

mm. long, pubescent with stellate hairs; flowers yellow, showy, the

petals 1.5 cm. long; legume 10-12 cm. long, elastically dehiscent.

Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Swartz. Hojasen, Clavellina,

Malinche. Poinciana pulcherrima L. Cultivated commonly for

ornament; naturalized and possibly native in some regions, such as

the Pacific coast. A species of American origin, but almost if not

quite unknown in a really native state. A glabrous shrub or small

tree, the branches generally setose or prickly; leaves large, with

numerous leaflets; flowers very large and showy, red or yellow;

legume elastically dehiscent. One of the most common ornamental

shrubs of Central America. In neighboring countries it is known by

such names as Flor barbona and Guacamayo. An infusion of the

leaves is employed as a purgative. For this species there are re-

ported the Indian names Guaca-shoron and Guaca-ieron (Terraba).

Caesalpinia urophylla (Donn. Smith) Standl., comb. nov. C.

bonducella var. urophylla Donn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 57: 418. 1914.

Guilandina urophylla Britt. & Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 341. 1930.

San Isidro near San Ramon, 1,300 meters, Brenes 14501. Collected

also at San Pedro de San Ramon (Brenes 20568, 20454}- Endemic.

A large vine, climbing over trees, the branches and leaf rachis armed

with recurved prickles; pinnae about 6 pairs, the leaflets 6-7 pairs,

oblong-ovate, abruptly acuminate, 6-8.5 cm. long, glabrous or

nearly so; flowers in long racemes, orange-yellow; fruit compressed,

about 9 cm. long and 5.5 cm. wide, densely covered with stiff, spine-

like prickles, 1-seeded.

CASSIA L.

Herbs, shrubs, or trees, usually unarmed; leaves pinnate, with

2 to many large or small leaflets; flowers small or large, almost

always yellow; stamens 5-10, equal or unequal, the anthers erect;

fruit very variable in form, dehiscent or indehiscent. — A vast genus,

with many species in Central America. Britton and Rose divided

514 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

it into numerous small ones that are difficult of recognition, but if

all are placed in a single genus, we have a group that can be recog-

nized easily.

Cassia alata L. Golfo Dulce and plains of San Carlos. Mexico

to Paraguay. A shrub of 2-4 meters; leaflets 6-12-jugate, oblong,

5-17 cm. long, rounded at the apex, puberulent; flowers large, yellow,

in long, bracteate racemes; legume 10-15 cm. long, with 4 broad,

longitudinal wings. Easy to recognize by the form of the fruit. In

Panama this species is known by the name Laureno.

Cassia bacillaris L. Candelillo. Chamaefistula Valerioi Britt. &

Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 236. 1930 (Tilaran, Guanacaste, Standley &

Valeria 44266). Common in thickets, Meseta Central to the coasts.

Central America to Brazil. A shrub or tree of 2-6 meters; leaflets 4,

ovate or elliptic, 8-12 cm. long, acute, somewhat oblique, almost

glabrous; flowers large and very showy, yellow, paniculate; fruit

subterete, 10-25 cm. long, indehiscent.

Cassia bicapsularis L. Candelillo. Common in the tierra cali-

ente. Mexico to Paraguay. A shrub of 1-2 meters, almost glabrous;

leaflets 3-5-jugate, oblong or rounded, 1-4 cm. long; flowers in short,

axillary racemes, yellow; legume terete, 8-15 cm. long, finally dehis-

cent. Pittier reports the TeYraba name of Shta-kuo-gro.

Cassia biflora L. Abejon. In thickets, Meseta Central to the

Pacific coast. Mexico to Venezuela. A slender shrub of 1-2 meters,

pubescent or almost glabrous; leaflets 4-10-jugate, oblong to obo-

vate, 1-3 cm. long, obtuse; peduncles axillary, 1-3-flowered, the

flowers large, yellow; legume linear, flat, 6-15 cm. long, 5 mm. wide.

A very ornamental plant, like many other species, because of its

abundance of large, yellow flowers.

Cassia brevipes DC. Sipia. Chamaecrista brevipes Greene.

Paraiso; savannas of the Pacific tierra caliente. Ranging to the

Guianas. A shrub 1.5 meters or less in height; leaflets 2-jugate,

oblong, glabrous or puberulent, obtuse or acute, coriaceous; flowers

axillary, solitary, yellow; legume flat, elastically dehiscent, 2 cm.

long, pilose. Pittier states that the plant is used as a vermifuge.

Cassia caudata Standl. Chamaefistula caudata Britt. & Rose.

Reported from the region of El General, collected by Skutch;

determined by C. V. Morton. Panama. Leaflets 2 pairs, obovate

or oblong, 13-21 cm. long, obtuse or rounded at the base, abruptly

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 515

contracted into a caudate tip 1.5-3 cm. long, glabrous; inflorescence

few-flowered, the bracts linear-subulate; petals 2 cm. long.

Cassia emarginata L. Plains of Turrucares, Guanacaste, and

probably in other parts of the Pacific tierra caliente. Mexico to

Venezuela. A small tree; leaflets 2-5-jugate, oval, 2-10 cm. long,

rounded or obtuse at the apex, densely pilose beneath; flowers

yellow, in short racemes; legume linear, flat, indehiscent, 15-35 cm.

long, 8-12 mm. wide.

Cassia grandis L. f. Carao, Sandalo. Common in the Pacific

coast, also in the Meseta Central (planted?), in and Limon. Mexico

to the Guianas. A tree of 10 meters or more, the crown broad and

depressed; leaflets 8-20-jugate, oblong, obtuse, 3-5 cm. long, pubes-

cent; flowers large, pink, racemose; fruit terete, hard, indehiscent,

45-60 cm. long, 3.5 cm. thick. The wood is somewhat brownish

yellow and fibrous; it has few uses. Pittier states that a decoction

of the pulp in water or milk is used as a laxative and also as a depura-

tive in certain affections of the skin. When covered with its masses

of pale pink blossoms, this tree is an exceptionally beautiful one,

the color effect being almost exactly that of an apple tree in bloom.

Cassia guatemalensis Donn. Smith. Peiranisia guatemalensis

Britt. & Rose. Reported for Costa Rica, without indication of the

locality. Also in Guatemala. A shrub; leaflets 5-7-jugate, oblong,

1.5-3 cm. long, sparsely pubescent beneath, retuse; flowers large,

yellow, in axillary racemes; legume linear, flat, 5 cm. long, 6-8 mm.

wide.

Cassia hispidula Vahl. Nauapate. Dry, open places of the

Pacific tierra caliente. Mexico to Brazil. A prostrate herb, viscid-

pilose; leaflets 2-jugate, rounded or obovate, 1-2 cm. long, glabrous;

flowers large, yellow; legume elastically dehiscent, oblong, 4-5 cm.

long, pilose with long, viscid hairs.

Cassia laevigata Willd. Candelillo, Vainilla. Thickets of the

Meseta Central and Canton de Dota. A species of wide distribution

in tropics of both hemispheres. A shrub or small tree of 1-4 meters,

glabrous; leaflets 3-4-jugate, ovate or lanceolate, acuminate, 3-8 cm.

long; racemes short, the flowers yellow; fruit sub terete, indehiscent,

6-9 cm. long, 1 cm. thick.

Cassia leiophylla Vogel. Vainilla. Common in the tierra

caliente; region of San Ramon, at 1,050 meters. Mexico to Brazil.

516 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

An erect herb a meter high; leaflets 3-jugate, obovate, obtuse, 2-6

cm. long, pubescent or almost glabrous; flowers large, yellow, axillary;

legume narrowly linear, flat, 10-12 cm. long, 3-6 mm. wide.

Cassia leptocarpa Benth. var. hirsuta Benth. Meseta Central,

San Ramon, and probably elsewhere. A species of wide distribution.

Herbaceous or suffrutescent, 1 meter high ; leaflets 4-7-jugate, ovate

or lanceolate, acuminate, densely pilose; flowers large, yellow, in

axillary racemes; legume linear, dehiscent, 7-30 cm. long, 3-5 mm.

wide, pilose. The typical form of the species is almost glabrous.

Cassia moschata HBK. Reported for Costa Rica, the locality

not indicated. Ranging to the Guianas. A tree of 10-15 meters;

leaflets 10-18-jugate, oblong, obtuse, 4-5 cm. long, pubescent;

flowers large, yellow or orange, in elongate racemes; fruit cylindric,

30-60 cm. long, 2 cm. thick, indehiscent. The pulp of the fruit

has the odor of musk.

Cassia nicaraguensis Benth. Dry thickets of Guanacaste.

Mexico to Panama. A shrub of 1.5-3 meters, glabrous; leaflets

5-20-jugate, oblong or lanceolate, 4-8 cm. long, acute or obtuse;

flowers large, yellow, in axillary racemes; legume linear, 7-12 cm.

long, 1-1.5 cm. wide, flat, lustrous, dehiscent.

Cassia nicoyana (Britton) Standl., comb. nov. Chamaecrista

nicoyana Britton, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 292. 1930. Near Nicoya, Tonduz

13556. Endemic. A prostrate or ascending herb, the branches

pilose; leaflets 10-22-jugate, linear-lanceolate, acute, 10-12 mm.

long; flowers axillary; legume elastically dehiscent, flat, 4-5 cm.

long, 5-6 mm. wide, pilose.

Cassia occidentalis L. Pico de pajaro, Pisabed (Limon).

Common in waste ground of the tierra caliente; ascending to at least

1,050 meters. Pantropic in distribution. Herbaceous, about 1 meter

high; leaflets 4-6-jugate, ovate, 3-7 cm. long, acuminate; flowers

yellow, in short, axillary racemes; legume linear, flat, finally dehiscent,

6-12 cm. long, 6-9 mm. wide. In some parts of Central America

this species is known by the name Frijolillo. On the Atlantic coast

of Costa Rica the roasted seeds are sometimes employed as a sub-

stitute for coffee. The root is employed as a local remedy for kidney

diseases.

Cassia pallidior Rose. Vicinity of San Jose". Also in Panama.

An almost glabrous shrub; leaflets as many as 12 pairs, oblong or

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 517

rounded, 1.5-3.5 cm. long, pale beneath; peduncles 2-flowered,

axillary, the flowers yellow, large; legume linear, 12-15 cm. long,

5-6 mm. wide.

Cassia patellaria DC. Chamaecrista patellaria Greene. Meseta

Central; region of San Ramon, at 1,050 meters. Widely distributed

in tropical America. An erect herb; leaflets 10-25-jugate, linear,

pubescent, mucronate, 8-15 mm. long; flowers axillary, fasciculate;

legume linear, flat, elastically dehiscent, 2.5-3.5 cm. long, 4 mm.

wide, pilose.

Cassia reticulata Willd. Saragundin, Saragundi. Common in

the tierra caliente, sometimes growing along streams. Guatemala

to Brazil. A shrub or tree of 3-6 meters; leaflets 8-12-jugate,

oblong, obtuse, 7-10 cm. long, pubescent beneath; flowers large, in

long, dense racemes, the sepals and large bracts orange-colored,

the petals pale, bright yellow; legume flat, 12-18 cm. long, 1.5-2

cm. wide, lustrous. A very showy plant because of its abundance

of large and brightly colored inflorescences. The leaflets fold

together at nightfall, opening again in the morning. Pittier states

that an infusion of the leaves is employed as a remedy for ring-

worm. The plant is reported to have purgative and even poisonous

properties. It is sometimes planted for ornament in the Meseta

Central.

Cassia rotundifolia Pers. Meseta Central to the Pacific coast.

Mexico to Brazil. A prostrate perennial, pilose or almost glabrous;

leaflets 1-jugate, rounded or obovate, 1-3 cm. long, rounded at the

apex; flowers axillary, pedicellate, yellow; legume elastically de-

hiscent, flat, 1.5-3 cm. long, 4 mm. wide, puberulent.

Cassia Rowleana (Britt. & Rose) Standl., comb. nov. Chamae-

fistula Rowleana Britt. & Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 234. 1930. Bananito,

W. E. & H. E. Rowlee 285. Endemic. A shrub or small tree; leaf-

lets 2-jugate, ovate or elliptic, 7-18 cm. long, acuminate, pale and

puberulent beneath; flowers large, yellow, in terminal panicles;

petals 2-2.5 cm. long; fruit terete, 10-12 cm. long, indehiscent.

Cassia spectabilis DC. Candelillo. Meseta Central to the

Pacific coast. Mexico to Venezuela, sometimes planted as an

ornamental tree. A tree of 5-12 meters; leaflets 6-15-jugate, lanceo-

late, acuminate, somewhat pubescent beneath; flowers large, yellow,

paniculate; fruit terete, scarcely dehiscent, 15-30 cm. long, 1 cm.

thick.

518 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— BOTANY, VOL. VXIII

Cassia Standleyi (Britt. & Rose) Standl., comb. nov. Chamae-

fistula Standleyi Britt. & Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 238. 1930. Near

San Jose", Standley 41236. Region of San Ramon. Endemic. A

tree of 3-6 meters; leaflets 4, ovate, acute, 10-13 cm. long, pilose

beneath; flowers large, yellow, paniculate; fruit terete, indehiscent.

Britton and Rose described a large number of species in their genus

Chamaefistula, but I believe that few of them are of any systematic

importance, and the present species probably will be reduced to

synonymy.

Cassia stenocarpa Vogel. Chamaecrista stenocarpa Standl.

Meseta Central to the Atlantic coast; region of San Ramon. Mexico

to Brazil. A sparsely branched herb, the branches pilose; leaflets

10-25-jugate, linear, mucronate, almost glabrous, 6-18 mm. long;

flowers axillary, solitary or fasciculate, golden yellow, the petals

only 8 mm. long; legume flat, elastically dehiscent, 2.5-5 cm. long,

4 mm. wide, pilose.

Cassia stenocarpoides (Britton) Standl., comb. nov. Dormi-

lona. Chamaecrista stenocarpoides Britton, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 293.

1930. San Sebastian, near San Jose", Standley 32701 . Meseta Central.

Also in Guatemala. An erect, branched herb, the branches pilose;

leaflets 10-20-jugate, linear, mucronate, glabrous or somewhat

pubescent, 7-12 mm. long; flowers solitary, the petals 1 cm. long;

legume flat, elastically dehiscent, 3-5.5 cm. long, 4 mm. wide,

pubescent.

Cassia Tagera L. Meseta Central to the Pacific coast, in open,

grassy places. Mexico to Brazil. A prostrate herb; leaflets 2-3-

jugate, obovate, obtuse, glabrous, 5-10 mm. long; pedicels slender,

axillary, the flowers yellow; legume dehiscent, flat, oblong, as much

as 12 mm. long and 3-4 mm. wide, with 1-4 seeds.

Cassia Tonduzii Standl. Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 20: 215.

1919. Peiranisia Tonduzii Britt. & Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 265.

1930. Rio Tiliri, Tonduz 7213. Region of San Ramon. Also in

Chiapas. A shrub or tree; leaflets 4-5-jugate, lanceolate or oblong,

acuminate, 2-9 cm. long, somewhat pubescent beneath; flowers

large, yellow, paniculate; legume flat, dehiscent, 1&-18 cm. long,

5-6 mm. wide.

Cassia Tora L. In waste ground, Meseta Central to the coasts.

Pantropic in distribution. An herb a meter high, glabrous; leaflets

2-4-jugate, obovate, 1.5-5 cm. long, rounded at the apex; flowers

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 519

axillary, yellow; legume linear, 4-angulate, as much as 20 cm. long,

3-5 mm. wide, straight or somewhat curved.

Cassia verbenensis (Britton) Standl., comb. nov. Peiranisia

verbenensis Britton, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 266. 1930. La Verbena, near

San Jose", Standley 32215. Endemic. A tree of 6-9 meters; leaflets

3-4- jugate, ovate or elliptic, acute or obtuse, 1.5-5 cm. long, pubes-

cent beneath; peduncles axillary; legume linear, flat, 18 cm. long,

8 mm. wide.

Cassia Williamsii (Britt. & Rose) Standl., comb. nov. Peiran-

isia Williamsii Britt. & Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 23: 265. 1930. Reported

for Costa Rica, the locality not indicated. Also in Panama. A

shrub of 3 meters; leaflets 40-60-jugate, linear, 9-12 mm. long,

obtuse, glabrous; flowers axillary, yellow, large; legume flat, de-

hiscent, 12-14 cm. long, 4 mm. wide.

CYNOMETRA L.

Another Central American species grows in Guatemala and

Honduras.

Cynometra hemitomophylla (Donn. Smith) Britt. & Rose,

N. Amer. Fl. 23: 220. 1930. Cativo. Copaifera hemitomophylla

Donn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 27: 332. 1899. Santo Domingo de Golfo

Dulce, Tonduz 9972. Also in forests of the Atlantic coast. Endemic.

A tall tree; leaflets 2, oblong-lanceolate, 10-15 cm. long, 3-5 cm.

wide, short-acuminate, glabrous; flowers axillary, fasciculate; legume

rounded, coriaceous, somewhat compressed, 3-4.5 cm. long.

DELONIX Raf. Poinciana

Delonix regia (Bojer) Raf. Planted for ornament, especially

in parks. Native of Madagascar. A medium-sized tree with very

large, deciduous leaves; showy because of its large panicles of fiery

red flowers; noteworthy also for the very large pods, 40-60 cm. long.

One of the showiest trees of the tropics, known in Central America

by such names as Arbol de fuego and Guacamayo.

DIALIUM L.

In North America a single species is known.

Dialium guianense (Aubl.) Steud. D. divaricatum Vahl.

Common in forests of the Atlantic coast. Guatemala to Brazil.

A tree of 10-30 meters, glabrous; leaves pinnate, the leaflets 5-7-

520 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

jugate, opposite or alternate, ovate or lanceolate, acuminate, 3-8

cm. long; flowers small, paniculate, the petals 1 or 2 and minute or

none; stamens 2 or 3; fruit subglobose, indehiscent, 1.5-2.5 cm. long,

1-seeded. In Panama the tree is known by the name Tamarindo.

The wood is dark reddish brown, hard, heavy, strong, and medium

fine-grained. It is utilized for various kinds of construction. The

fruits are much eaten by peccaries and other animals.

HAEMATOXYLON L.

One other species, H. campechianum L., which supplies the

logwood or palo de tinta of commerce, is known from northern

Central America.

Haematoxylon Brasiletto Karst. H. boreale Wats. Guana-

caste, in the region of Liberia, collected only by Brenes. Extending

to Mexico, and on the northern coast of Colombia. A shrub or

small tree, armed with short, stout, straight spines; leaves pinnate,

the leaflets mostly 3 pairs, obovate-cuneate, 2.5 cm. long or less,

often retuse at the apex, finely many-nerved, glabrous; flowers

bright yellow, scarcely 1 cm. long, in short racemes, on long, slender

pedicels; fruit strongly compressed and flat, linear or oblong, thin,

conspicuously veined, 2-6 cm. long, 8-10 mm. wide, dehiscent

lengthwise along the middle of the valves. The wood of this plant

yields a dye like that of logwood, and it is or has been employed

in commerce for the same purpose as H. campechianum.

HYMENAEA L.

A single species is known from North America.

Hymenaea Courbaril L. Guapinol, Cuapinol. Common in dry

forests of the Pacific slope. Mexico to the Guianas. A tree of

10-20 meters or more, the bark almost smooth, the crown broad

and sometimes depressed; leaflets 2, coriaceous, oblong or ovate,

acute, 4-9 cm. long, glabrous; flowers large, whitish or purple, in

small, terminal panicles; stamens white, elongate; fruit woody,

indehiscent, oblong, dark brown, somewhat compressed but thick,

5-10 cm. long, with few seeds. The seeds are surrounded by a dry,

white powder that is sweet, and was eaten by the Indians. The

wood is dark brown or orange, hard and heavy, strong, and moder-

ately durable. It is employed for various kinds of construction.

The bark, separated from the trunk, is sometimes employed for

making canoes. A yellow or reddish gum that exudes from the

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 521

trunk is known in commerce as South American copal, and employed

for varnish and as incense in churches. In Panama the tree is given

the name Algarrobo, a word of Arabic origin, applied in Spain to

Ceratonia siliqua, or St. John's bread. The TeVraba name is Tema.

MORA Benth.

A single species has been reported from Central America.

Mora megistosperma (Pittier) Britt. & Rose. Alcornoque.

Dimorphandra megistosperma Pittier. Golfo Dulce. Also in Panama

and Colombia. A tall tree of 15-45 meters; leaves pinnate, the leaflets

2-jugate, oblong, 10-18 cm. long; flowers small, in dense spikes; fruit

about 25 cm. long and 13 cm. wide. The seeds, somewhat com-

pressed, 18 cm. long and 12 cm. broad, are perhaps the largest pro-

duced by any dicotyledonous plant. The wood is hard, reddish,

and durable. The tree grows usually in land that is inundated for

part of the year.

PARKINSONIA L.

Parkinsonia aculeata L. Sometimes planted for ornament,

and probably also naturalized, as in other regions of Central America.

An American plant, but not native in Central America. A shrub

or small tree, very spiny; leaves bipinnate, the pinnae 1-2-jugate,

the leaflets 10-25- jugate, often deciduous, the rachis compressed

and winged; flowers sulphur-yellow, in short racemes; legume linear,

torulose, striate, dehiscent, 5-15 cm. long, constricted between the

seeds. In Salvador this plant is known by the name Sulfato.

PRIORIA Griseb.

The genus consists of a single species.

Prioria copaifera Griseb. Camibar, Cativo. Forests of the

Golfo de Osa, and frequent in the Atlantic coast. Nicaragua to

Colombia, and in Jamaica. A tree of 12-30 meters, the trunk some-

times 1.5 meters in diameter; leaflets 2-jugate, lanceolate or elliptic,

10-16 cm. long, acute, glabrous; flowers small, without petals, in

paniculate racemes; fruit flat, rounded, finally dehiscent, 6-10 cm.

long, brown, 1-seeded. The wood is brownish or whitish, fine- or

medium-grained, easy to work, and moderately hard and strong.

It is little used. This tree furnishes the resin known in commerce

as Copaiba balsam (balsamo de copaiba), which has various uses

in medicine and pharmacy. The Guatuso name is Turiman.

522 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

SCHIZOLOBIUM Vog.

A single species occurs in Central America.

Schizolobium parahybum (Veil.) Blake. Forests of the Pacific

tierra caliente, and probably in the Atlantic coast. Mexico to Brazil.

A tall tree, usually 15 meters high or more, the trunk almost smooth,

the crown composed of few branches; leaves very large, often a

meter long, the leaflets very numerous, oblong, 2 cm. long, rounded

at the apex; flowers large and showy, in terminal panicles; legume

spatulate, flat, dehiscent, 8-12 cm. long, 3-5 cm. wide, 1-seeded.

The wood is almost white, with brown stripes, very soft and light

in weight, or sometimes moderately hard and strong. It is not used,

but is believed to be satisfactory for paper making. The tree is

beautiful when covered with its great panicles of golden flowers.

The young tree usually has a tall, simple trunk, terminated by a

cluster of huge, fern-like leaves, and is strangely suggestive of a tall

tree fern.

SWARTZIA Schreb.

Other species occur in Central America, and are to be found,

probably, in Costa Rica.

Swartzia simplex (Swartz) Spreng. S. ochnacea DC.; S. simplex

var. continentalis Urban; Tounatea costaricensis Britton, N. Amer.

Fl. 23: 345. 1930 (Tilaran, Guanacaste, Standley & Valeria 44407).

Common in forests of the tierra caliente; region of San Ramon.

Mexico to Panama and West Indies. A shrub or small tree as much

as 7 meters high, glabrous or somewhat pubescent; leaves 1-foliolate,

the leaflet oblong, acuminate, 8-15 cm. long, coriaceous; flowers

in short racemes, with a single yellow petal; stamens numerous;

fruit terete, finally dehiscent, yellow or reddish when ripe, usually

1-seeded. Although several species of this group of the genus have

been described or reported from Central America, probably all are

mere forms of this species.

TAMARINDUS L. Tamarind

Tamarindus indica L. Tamarindo. Cultivated in the tierra

caliente, more commonly on the Pacific slope, and sometimes natural-

ized. Native of the East Indies. A medium-sized tree; leaves

pinnate, the numerous leaflets oblong, obtuse, 1-2 cm. long; flowers

large, yellow striped with red, in paniculate racemes; fruit 5-15 cm.

long, 2 cm. wide, brown, indehiscent, 4-7-seeded. The pulp surround-

ing the seeds is somewhat acid, and has a most agreeable flavor. It

is employed commonly for preparing refreshing iced drinks.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 523

III. PAPILIONATAE

ABRUS L.

A single species occurs in Central America.

Abrus precatorius L. Thickets of the Atlantic tierra caliente.

Almost pantropic in distribution. A slender, woody vine; leaves

pinnate, the leaflets 8-15-jugate, oblong, 8-15 mm. long, no terminal

leaflet present; flowers small, white or pink, clustered in the leaf

axils; legume compressed, oblong, 2-3.5 cm. long, 1 cm. wide; seeds

scarlet, lustrous, with a black spot. The leaves and root have the

flavor of licorice. The seeds are believed to be poisonous. The

leaflets fold together during the night and unfold in the morning.

The handsome seeds are employed for making necklaces, bracelets,

and other similar articles. On account of their uniform size and

weight, the seeds formerly were employed in the East Indies as

weights in appraising jewels.

AESCHYNOMENE L.

Herbs or small shrubs; leaves pinnate, with few or numerous

small leaflets; flowers small, in racemes or axillary fascicles, yellow

or reddish; fruit stipitate, compressed, the margins constricted

between the few or numerous joints, which are 1-seeded and indehis-

cent. — Other species occur in Central America.

Aeschynomene americana L. Common in moist places,

Meseta Central to the coasts. A species of wide distribution. An

erect, branched herb, viscid-pubescent; stipules attached above

their base; leaflets. numerous, linear, acute; flowers dark yellow or

somewhat reddish; fruit with numerous articulations. One of the

most common weedy plants of the Atlantic tierra caliente of Central

America.

Aeschynomene biflora (Mill.) Fawc. & Rendle. A. brasiliana

DC. Dry places of the Pacific coast. Mexico to Brazil. A prostrate

herb, viscid-pilose; leaflets obovate or oblong, 5-8-jugate, 8-10 mm.

long; stipules attached by their base; pods 2-3-articulate, glabrous

or pubescent.

Aeschynomene falcata DC. Pegapega. Dry places, Meseta

Central to the Pacific coast. Mexico to Brazil. A usually prostrate

herb; leaflets 4-9-jugate, obovate-oblong; stipules attached by their

base; pods with 4-8 puberulent articulations.

524 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Aeschynomene hystrix Poir. Reported from TeYraba. Mexico

to Brazil. A prostrate or procumbent herb, viscid-pilose; leaflets

8-15-jugate, oblong; stipules attached by the base; pods short-

stipitate, the 2 articulations almost glabrous.

Aeschynomene paniculata Willd. Reported from Buenos

Aires. Extending south to Brazil. An erect herb, the stems

glabrous; stipules attached by the base; leaflets 30-50-jugate, linear-

oblong, obtuse; flowers in terminal racemes; pods with 4-6 glabrous

articulations.

Aeschynomene sensitiva Swartz. Frijolillo, Conene. Swampy

places of the tierra caliente. A species of wide distribution in America

and Africa. An erect herb a meter high, the stems glabrous or some-

what pilose; stipules attached above the base; leaflets 15-20-jugate,

oblong, obtuse; fruit with few thick and almost glabrous articulations.

ANDIRA Lam.

Two species occur in Central America, the other in Panama.

Andira inermis (Swartz) HBK. Almendro, Came asada (Guana-

caste). Common in forests of the tierra caliente. Mexico to Brazil,

and in Africa. An unarmed tree of 9-15 meters or more with dense

crown; leaves pinnate, the leaflets opposite, 7-13-jugate, acuminate,

glabrous; flowers purple or violet, in large, terminal panicles, 1-1.5

cm. long; fruit subglobose, woody, 2-4 cm. long, indehiscent, 1-seeded.

The bark has a disagreeable odor; it is employed as a vermifuge,

purgative, and narcotic, but its use is dangerous because the tree

possesses poisonous properties. It is said that the seeds contain a

poisonous alkaloid. The wood is heavy, strong, and durable,

variable in color from yellowish to almost black. The tree is a

handsome one when loaded with its showy flowers. It may be

recognized easily by the form and size of its distinctive fruit.

ARACHIS L. Peanut

All species of the genus are natives of South America, chiefly

of Brazil.

Arachis hypogaea L. Mani, Cacahuate. A plant of Brazilian

origin, little cultivated in Costa Rica, although it yields well here.

There are imported small quantities of the oily seeds which are sold

after being roasted. One of the common sights of the port of Limon

is the peanut venders with their long and wailing "Mani-i-i-i." In

the United States enormous quantities of the roasted nuts are

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 525

consumed, and from the seeds are extracted large quantities of oil

that is employed for many purposes. The plant is curious because

of its habit of growth, the flowers opening above ground, their

peduncles then elongating and pushing into the soil, beneath which

the seeds are matured. The name Cacahuate is of Nahuatl origin,

signifying "ground cacao."

BARBIERIA DC.

A single species occurs in Central America.

Barbieria pinnata (Pers.) Baill. B. polyphylla DC. Rio Plata-

nar, collected by Tonduz; reported from El General. A species of

wide distribution in tropical America. A shrub of 1-6 meters, erect

or somewhat scandent; leaves pinnate, the leaflets numerous, oblong,

rounded at the apex, pale and sericeous beneath; flowers red, 5-6 cm.

long, in axillary racemes; legume linear, pilose, dehiscent.

BENTHAMANTHA Alefeld

Other species are known from Central America.

Benthamantha tnollis (HBK.) Alefeld. Cracca mollis Benth.

& Oerst. In thickets, Meseta Central to the Pacific coast, at 1,800

meters or less. Mexico to Ecuador. A slender shrub 1 meter or less

in height, the branches pilose; leaves pinnate, the leaflets 7-13,

elliptic, 1-4 cm. long, rounded and mucronate at the apex, sericeous

beneath; flowers in short, axillary racemes, greenish and reddish,

the corolla 9 mm. long; legume linear, 6-7 cm. long, 3 mm. wide,

compressed, puberulent or almost glabrous, impressed between the

seeds.

Benthamantha mollis var. micrantha (Micheli) Standl., var.

nov. Cracca micrantha Micheli, Bull. Soc. Bot. Belg. 30, pt. 1 : 286.

1891. Brittonamra caribaea f. micrantha Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 165.

1891. Benthamantha micrantha Rose, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 10:

99. 1906. Curridabat, near San Jos<§, Pittier 3033. Meseta Central.

Endemic (?). Hairs of the branches appressed; flowers smaller, only

6 mm. long. It is probable that the name micrantha is a direct

synonym of B. mollis, and not worthy of varietal designation.

CAJANUS DC.

Ca janus bicolor DC. Guandu, Guandul, Timbolillo, Quimbolillo,

Frijol de palo, Petipoa. C. indicus Spreng. ; C. Cajan Millsp. Culti-

vated for its edible seeds, and planted for shade in new plantations of

526 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

coffee and cacao, also naturalized in many localities, especially in

the coasts. Native of tropical Asia. An erect herb or shrub of 1-2

meters; leaflets 3, oblong or elliptic, acute, finely pubescent beneath;

flowers large, yellow and red, in axillary, pedunculate racemes;

legume 5-8 cm. long, 1 cm. wide, pubescent, the valves impressed

between the whitish or gray seeds. The seeds are good to eat,

cooked like beans, and are much used in the coast regions.

CALOPOGONIUM Desv.

Scandent herbs, sometimes suffrutescent, pubescent; leaflets 3;

flowers small, purple or violet, in short or elongate racemes; legume

linear, compressed, dehiscent.

Calopogonium brachycarpum Benth. Common in waste

or cultivated ground of the Atlantic tierra caliente; region of San

Ramon, at 1,000 meters. Mexico to northern South America. A

small vine, pilose with brown hairs; leaves ovate or almost rounded,

pilose, obtuse or rounded at the apex; racemes shorter than the

leaves, few-flowered; legume short, 4 mm. wide, villous.

Calopogonium coeruleum Benth. In thickets, Meseta Cen-

tral to the coasts. Mexico to Brazil. A large, somewhat woody

vine; leaflets broad, softly pubescent beneath; flowers violet, the

racemes much longer than the leaves, many-flowered; legume 5-8

mm. wide, softly pubescent.

Calopogonium ferrugineum Piper, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 34:

42. 1921. Las Vueltas, Tucurrique, Tonduz 12889. Endemic. Leaf-

lets broadly ovate, 7-8 cm. long, densely pubescent; racemes 20-30

cm. long, many-flowered, the flowers 7-8 mm. long, purple; legume

9 cm. long, 1.5 cm. wide. I have seen no specimens of this species.

Calopogonium galactoides (HBK.) Benth. Frijolillo. Meseta

Central to the Atlantic coast; region of San Ramon. Mexico to

Venezuela. A small vine, herbaceous, densely pubescent; leaflets

small, oblong, obtuse or acute, densely sericeous; racemes short

and few-flowered, the flowers white; legume linear, 3 mm. wide.

Calopogonium phaeophlebium Bonn. Smith. Rio Torres,

near San Francisco de Guadalupe. Also in Guatemala. An herb;

leaflets elliptic-oblong, 6-8 cm. long, obtuse, sericeous; racemes

longer than the leaves, the flowers 7 mm. long; legume strigose,

5 cm. long, 3 mm. wide.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 527

CANAVALIA Adans.

Reference: C. V. Piper, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 20: 555. 1925.

Herbaceous or suffrutescent plants, usually scandent; leaflets 3;

flowers white, pink, or purple, in axillary racemes; calyx bilobate;

legume oblong or linear, compressed, dehiscent, the valves costate

near the sutures. — Other species are known from Central America.

Canavalia bicarinata Standl. Wenderothia bicarinata Piper.

Nicoya. Also in Panama. A herbaceous vine; leaflets ovate, 3-5 cm.

long, acuminate, puberulent beneath; corolla purple, 3 cm. long;

legume 10-14 cm. long, 1.5-2 cm. wide, the valves with 4 longitudinal

crests.

Canavalia maritima (Aubl.) Thouars. Frijol de playa. A

characteristic species of sea beaches; Cocos Island. Mexico to

Brazil. A prostrate herb, the tough stems sometimes 10 meters or

more in length; leaflets large, very thick, glabrous, usually retuse;

flowers pink; legume 10 cm. long, 2.5 cm. wide, the valves with a

single crest. This and Ipomoea Pes-caprae, alike in habit and general

appearance, are the most abundant plants on Central American

seacoasts.

Canavalia panamensis Piper. Thickets of the Atlantic tierra

caliente. Also in Panama. A herbaceous vine; leaflets elliptic or

ovate, acuminate, almost glabrous; flowers large, purple; legume

12-14 cm. long, 2 cm. wide, the valves with 3 crests.

Canavalia villosa Benth. Gallinilla, Cuchillo, Ojo de venado(1}.

Wenderothia villosa Piper. Common in thickets of the central

region, at 1,000-1,800 meters. Mexico to Panama. A herbaceous

or somewhat woody vine; leaflets elliptic or ovate, acuminate,

tomentose to almost glabrous beneath; flowers purple, 3 cm. long;

legume 10-20 cm. long, 1-1.5 cm. wide, the valves with 3 crests.

CENTROSEMA DC.

Scandent herbs; leaflets 3, rarely 1; flowers large, the peduncles

with 1 or more flowers; standard petal much larger than the other

petals; legume linear, dehiscent.

Centrosema angustifolium (HBK.) Benth. Boruca and

Buenos Aires. Guatemala and British Honduras to Brazil. A

slender, glabrous herb; leaflets linear-oblong, thick; upper teeth of

the calyx much shorter than the tube; corolla bright purple. A

characteristic plant of savannas.

528 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Centrosema pascuorum Mart. Reported from Costa Rica by

Hemsley, without indication of the locality. Ranging to Brazil.

Plants slender, glabrous or somewhat pubescent; leaflets oblong or

linear, thick; calyx teeth longer than the tube.

Centrosema Plumierii (Turp.) Benth. Gallinita. A common

plant of the tierra caliente, also in the Meseta Central, at 1,100

meters or less. Mexico to Brazil. A large vine, blackish when

dried; leaflets elliptic or ovate, large, almost glabrous; flowers 4 cm.

long, yellowish white, dark purple in the center; legume very long,

1 cm. wide.

Centrosema pubescens Benth. Gallinita. Common in

thickets, Meseta Central to the Pacific coast. A species of wide

distribution in tropical America. A small vine; leaflets elliptic or

ovate, 4-10 cm. long, acuminate, pubescent; flowers 3-4 cm. long,

purple; bracts sericeous with long, soft hairs.

Centrosema sagittatum (Humb. & Bonpl.) Brandegee. Galli-

nitas. Mountains of Guanacaste, and in the Meseta Central.

Mexico to Colombia. A small vine; leaflet 1, hastate, the petiole

winged. Easily distinguished from all other species by the solitary

leaflet and winged petiole.

Centrosema virginianum (L.) Benth. Gallinita. Thickets of

the mountains of Guanacaste. Widely distributed in tropical and

temperate America. A large or small vine; leaflets oblong or ovate,

pubescent or almost glabrous; flowers purple, 2 cm. long; bracts

puberulent.

CHAETOCALYX DC.

A single species occurs in Central America.

Chaetocalyx latisiliqua (Desv.) Benth. Moist thickets of the

tierra caliente. Extending to Peru. A herbaceous vine, pubescent

or almost glabrous; leaflets 5, elliptic, rounded at the apex, pale

beneath; flowers yellow, in short, axillary racemes, 2 cm. long;

legume flat, linear, 6 cm. long, finely pubescent, composed of nu-

merous 4-sided articulations.

CICER L. Chick pea

Cicer arietinum L. Garbanzo. Cultivated occasionally for its

large, edible seeds. Native of Europe. One of the most important

food plants of Spain, occupying there the role of the bean (frijol)

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 529

in Central America. It is an important food plant also in Mexico,

but it is of minor importance in Central America.

CLITORIA L.

Herbs or shrubs, erect or scandent; leaflets 1-9; peduncles

axillary, with 1 or more large or small flowers; calyx tubular; standard

much larger than the other petals; legume linear, dehiscent, the

valves naked or costate. — Other species are known from Central

America.

Clitoria arborescens Ait. Thickets of El Coyolar. Also in

Panama and Trinidad. A shrub of 1-5 meters, erect or scandent;

leaflets large, acuminate, almost glabrous; flowers pink, 7 cm. long.

This shrub, so common in certain parts of Panama, is one of the

most beautiful and lovely plants of Central America, because of its

large flowers, of an exquisite shade of pink.

Clitoria glycinoides DC. Boruca. Ranging to Brazil. A

scandent herb, pilose; leaflets 3, ovate or oblong; corolla purple,

2.5 cm. long; legume 3.5-5 cm. long.

Clitoria javitensis (HBK.) Benth. Boca Culebra. Ranging

to Brazil. A woody vine; leaflets 3, ovate or elliptic, large, acumi-

nate, glabrous or somewhat pubescent; flowers very large, about

7 cm. long.

Clitoria Ternatea L. Cultivated for ornament, and probably

naturalized in some localities. Native of the Old World tropics.

A herbaceous vine, somewhat pubescent; leaflets 5-9; flowers deep

blue, 4.5 cm. long. Because of its intensely blue flowers, the plant

is exceptionally attractive. In Salvador it is known by the name

Zapatillo de la reina.

COLOGANIA Kunth

Scandent or suberect herbs; leaflets 1 or 3; flowers medium-

sized, axillary, fasciculate or racemose; calyx tubular; legume linear,

compressed, dehiscent. — Other Central American species occur in

Guatemala.

Cologania procumbens Kunth. Canas Gordas; Dulce Nombre,

Prov. Cartago; in pastures or savannas. Mexico to Colombia.

Plants erect or scandent; leaflet 1, linear or oblong, sparsely strigose;

flowers bright purple, 1.5 cm. long.

Cologania pulchella HBK. Thickets and forests of the

Meseta Central, 1,200-1,400 meters. Mexico to Peru. A slender

530 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

vine, densely pilose; leaflets 3, ovate, acute; flowers 2 cm. long

or more.

GONDYLOSTYLIS Piper

The genus consists of two species, the other Colombian.

Condylostylis venusta Piper, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 22: 667.

pi. 64- 1926. Surubres, near San Mateo, Prov. Alajuela, Biolley 7034.

Also Rio Ceibo, near Buenos Aires. British Honduras. A scandent

herb; leaflets 3, ovate, acute, glabrous; peduncles axillary, the

5-12 flowers purple, 2.5 cm. long; legume linear, dehiscent, some-

what compressed, 5 cm. long, with 6-7 seeds.

CROTALARIA L.

Herbs or shrubs; leaflets 3 or sometimes 1; flowers yellow, rarely

blue, racemose or sometimes solitary; fruit oblong or globose, in-

flated.— Other species are known from Central America.

Crotalaria guatemalensis Benth. Chipilin, Quiebra-plata. C.

Carmioli Polak. Linnaea 41 : 558. 1877 (without exact locality, Pola-

kowsky 306). Common in fields and thickets, Meseta Central to the

Pacific coast. Panama to Mexico. An erect, branched herb a meter

high; leaflets 3, lanceolate or narrowly elliptic, acute or acuminate,

glabrous above, strigose beneath; racemes opposite the leaves, short,

the flowers yellow. It is possible that this species is synonymous

with C. vitellina Ker, to which some of the material has been referred.

Other collections have been determined as C. anagyroides HBK. In

some parts of Central America the leaves and young branches of this

and other species are utilized as pot herbs (quelites).

Crotalaria incana L. Quiebra-plato. Common in cultivated

and waste ground, Meseta Central and probably in the coasts. A

species of wide distribution. An erect herb a meter or less in height,

villous throughout; leaflets 3, rounded or elliptic, rounded at the

apex; flowers yellow. A common weed in many parts of Central

America.

Crotalaria longirostrata Hook. & Arn. Thickets of the Meseta

Central. Extending to Mexico. An erect, branched herb, a meter

high or less; leaflets 3, oblong, rounded at the apex, glabrous above,

strigose beneath; flowers yellow, in elongate, terminal racemes.

Crotalaria pterocaula Desv. El Rodeo de Pacaca; Cima

Grande, between San Ramon and Atenas. Ranging to Brazil. An

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 531

erect, low herb, usually simple, strigose; leaves simple, strigose;

stems winged; flowers 1 cm. long, in very short racemes. A plant

of savannas or other grassy places.

Crotalaria retusa L. Gallincillo, Quiebra-plato, Patillo. At-

lantic coast, sometimes abundant on beaches. Almost pantropic in

distribution. An erect herb a meter high or less; leaflet 1, obovate,

rounded at the apex, finely strigose; flowers 2-2.5 cm. long, the petals

yellow within, brownish red outside; fruits glabrous.

Crotalaria sagittalis L. Quiebra-plato. Common in grassy

places, Meseta Central to the coasts. Widely distributed in America.

Plants annual or perennial, erect or procumbent, the stems simple

or branched; leaflet 1, oblong, pilose; flowers yellow, small, in short

racemes; stems winged. Costa Rican collections have been referred

to C. ovalis Pursh, a species that probably can not be maintained as

distinct from C. sagittalis.

Crotalaria verrucosa L. Puntarenas, Brenes 12366. Widely

distributed in the tropics of both hemispheres; in Central America

seldom common, and growing mostly near seashores. An erect herb,

minutely appressed-pilose or almost glabrous; leaves simple, broadly

ovate or ovate-elliptic, obtuse or rounded at the apex, narrowed

to the base; flowers racemose, blue, the corolla 1-1.5 cm. long;

fruit appressed-pilose.

DALBERGIA L. f.

Reference: Pittier, Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 12: 54. 1922.

Shrubs or trees; leaves pinnate or sometimes 1-foliolate, the leaf-

lets alternate along the rachis; flowers small, in axillary racemes or

panicles; fruit small, flat, short or elongate. — Other species occur

in Central America.

Dalbergia Brownei (Jacq.) Urban. Thickets of the coasts,

usually growing near the sea. Widely distributed in America. A

shrub or small tree, the branches often elongate and pendent; leaflet

1, ovate or oblong-ovate, somewhat cordate at the base, glabrous

or nearly so on the lower surface; flowers small, white; fruit 1-3-

seeded. One of the most common and characteristic strand shrubs.

Dalbergia Ecastophyllum (L.) Taub. Common in coastal

thickets. Widely distributed in tropical America. A shrub or tree

of 3-7 meters, sometimes forming dense thickets, the branches

often greatly elongate; leaflet 1, oblong-ovate, obtuse or rounded

532 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

at the base, 7-13 cm. long, finely strigose beneath; flowers white,

8 mm. long; fruit rounded, 2-2.5 cm. long, 1-seeded.

Dalbergia hypoleuca Pittier, Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 12: 62.

1922. Cocobola. El Escobal, near Atenas, Federico Golcher. Guana-

caste. Endemic. A tree; leaflets 7-11, ovate, 3-7 cm. long, obtuse

or subretuse, pale and finely pubescent beneath; legume 8-16 cm.

long, 1-1.5 cm. wide, 3-5-seeded. This probably is not distinct from

D. lineata.

Dalbergia lineata Pittier, Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 12: 63. 1922.

Cocobola. Amerimnon lineatum Standl. Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 13:

442. 1923. Nicoya, Tonduz 13969. Dry forests of the Pacific coast.

Endemic. A large, deciduous tree with rounded crown; leaflets 8-15,

ovate or oblong, 4-8 cm. long, obtuse, pubescent beneath; flowers

white, paniculate, 1.5 cm. long; legume elongate, 2 cm. wide, several -

seeded.

Dalbergia monetaria L. f. Thickets of the Atlantic coast.

Guatemala to the Guianas. A shrub or small tree, glabrous; leaflets

1-5, oblong or ovate, acuminate; flowers in short, dense racemes,

white; legume thick, rounded or oval, 1-seeded.

Dalbergia retusa Hemsl. Cocobola. Pacific coast. Also in

Panama. A tree; leaflets 7-15, ovate or oblong, pubescent beneath

or almost glabrous; flowers white, 1.5 cm. long; legume elongate,

several-seeded. It may well be that D. lineata is merely a form of this

species. It is from this tree and its relatives that there is obtained

the cocobola wood of the Pacific coast of Central America. Cocobola

is noteworthy for its handsome color and fine grain. Exported to

the United States and Europe, it is employed for knife handles and

other similar articles. In Costa Rica it is used for construction of

various kinds and cabinetwork. The wood is hard, heavy, reddish,

pink, or yellowish with veins or stripes of purple or black, and

durable. For these species there are reported from Costa Rica also

the names of Nambar and Ramba.

DESMODIUM Desv.

Erect or prostrate herbs, sometimes shrubs, occasionally scandent;

leaflets 3 or rarely 1, entire; flowers small, white, pink, or purple,

racemose or fasciculate; fruit compressed, composed of few or

numerous 1-seeded joints that separate at maturity. — Many other

species are known from Central America. The joints of the fruit,

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 533

usually covered with small, hooked hairs, adhere closely to clothing

and to fur and feathers of animals. The plants usually are known

in Central America by the names Mozote and Pegapega.

Desmodium adscendens (Swartz) DC. Thickets and grassy

places, Meseta Central to the coasts. A species of wide distribution.

An erect or procumbent herb, the stems reddish brown; leaflets

rounded, 1-2.5 cm. long, rounded at the apex, strigose; flowers

purple, 5 mm. long; fruit pubescent, the joints about 4, straight on

the upper margin.

Desmodium affine Schlecht. D. albiflorum Salzm. Thickets

and forests, Meseta Central to the Atlantic coast. A species of wide

distribution. Plants slender, prostrate or procumbent; leaflets ovate,

obtuse, pale and pubescent beneath ; flowers white or pink, in elongate

racemes; fruit with about 4 joints, these straight on the upper margin,

deeply notched on the lower.

Desmodium angustifolium (HBK.) DC. Reported from the

region of Cartago. A species of wide distribution in tropical America.

An erect herb; leaflet 1, linear; fruit notched on both margins.

Desmodium asperum (Poir.) Desv. El Rodeo de Pacaca;

region of San Ramon. A species of wide distribution. An erect

herb 1-2 meters high, pilose; leaflets ovate or oblong, obtuse or acute;

stipules large, green, persistent; flowers purple; fruit notched on

both margins, 2 mm. wide.

Desmodium axillare (Swartz) DC. Common in the coasts;

San Ramon. A species of wide distribution. Plants procumbent,

herbaceous; leaflets ovate or elliptic, obtuse or acute, pubescent or

almost glabrous; flowers pink or purple; fruit usually 2-articulate,

notched on both margins.

Desmodium barbatum (L.) Benth. & Oerst. Grassy places

or thickets, Meseta Central to the Pacific coast. A species of wide

distribution. A low plant, erect or ascending; leaflets 3, oblong to

rounded, 1-2 cm. long, rounded at the apex, strigose beneath ; racemes

dense, covered with long hairs; flowers purple; fruit 2-articulate,

straight on the upper margin, notched on the lower.

Desmodium cajanifolium (HBK.) DC. Meseta Central to

the Pacific coast. Mexico to Brazil. Plants tall, erect; leaflets 3,

large, elliptic to lanceolate, obtuse or acute, soft-pilose; flowers

purple, in paniculate racemes; fruit with many joints, notched more

deeply on the upper margin than on the lower.

534 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Desmodium campyloclados Hemsl. Biol. Centr. Amer. Bot.

1: 276. 1880. Based in part upon a collection from Candelaria,

Oersted. Region of San Ramon. Also in Nicaragua. Scandent;

leaflets ovate-lanceolate, acute, softly pilose, 2.5-5 cm. long; fruit

of 4-5 oblique-ovate joints, these becoming as much as 2-2.5 cm. long.

Desmodium caripense HBK. Forests or thickets, mountains

of the central region. Ranging to Venezuela. A procumbent herb;

leaflets 3, ovate or lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous or nearly so;

fruit densely pubescent, notched on both margins, with few joints.

Desmodium costaricense (Schindl.) Standl., comb. nov.

Meibomia costaricensis Schindl. Repert. Sp. Nov. 20: 140. 1924.

Cornfields of Santa Rosa de El Copey, 1,800 meters, Tonduz 11769

in part. Also near Heredia, La Division, and region of San Ramon,

1,000 meters. Endemic. A shrub(?); leaflets 3, oval or elliptic,

pilose; racemes elongate; corolla rose-purple; fruit with 3-5 joints,

notched on both margins. Referred to D. uncinatum by Micheli.

Desmodium distortum (Aubl.) Macbride. D. purpureum

Fa we. & Rendle, non Hook. & Arn. Waste places of the Atlantic

coast. A species of wide distribution in tropical America. Plants

erect and branched; leaflets 3, ovate or oblong, obtuse, somewhat

pubescent, or almost glabrous; flowers purple; fruit with 3-6 joints,

notched on both margins, twisted.

Desmodium frutescens (Jacq.) Schindl. D. incanum DC.

Common in waste or cultivated ground of the tierra caliente. Widely

distributed in tropical America. Plants herbaceous, erect or pro-

cumbent; leaflets 3, oblong to ovate, obtuse or acute, pale and

strigose beneath; flowers pale purple, in elongate racemes; fruit

with few joints, straight on the upper margin, notched on the lower.

Desmodium Hjalmarsonii (Schindl.) Standl., comb. nov.

Meibomia Hjalmarsonii Schindl. Thickets of the central region;

region of San Ramon. Extending to Guatemala. Plants procum-

bent or somewhat scandent, densely pilose; leaflets ovate or oblong,

acute or obtuse, densely pilose, with a large blotch of silver on the

upper surface; flowers greenish or pink, the bracts inconspicuous and

caducous; fruit 8-10-articulate.

Desmodium infractum DC. D. Barclayi Benth. Thickets of

the Pacific coast. Also in Nicaragua and Salvador. A scandent herb ;

leaflets 3, ovate, pubescent; joints of the fruit 2, rounded-reniform,

1 cm. broad. Easily recognized by the large joints of the fruit.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 535

Desmodium intortum (Mill.) Fa we. & Rendle. D. uncinatum

DC. Thickets and forest, Meseta Central to the coasts. Widely

distributed in tropical America. Plants elongate and somewhat

scandent, the stems 3-angulate; leaflets 3, ovate or lanceolate, soft-

pilose; flowers purple, in elongate racemes, the bracts large but

deciduous; fruit of 3-10 joints, notched on both margins.

Desmodium Maxonii Standl. Oak forests of Canton de Dota,

1,500-2,300 meters. Panama. Plants erect, somewhat woody,

1 meter high, the stems hirsute with slender, white hairs; leaflets

oblong or ovate, obtuse or acute, densely pilose; flowers purple,

large; fruit 4-6-articulate, equally notched on both margins.

Desmodium molle (Vahl) DC. Meibomia mollis Kuntze.

Nicoya. Ranging to Mexico and West Indies. An erect herb of

1-2 meters; leaflets 3, ovate, acute, pubescent; flowers purple, in

paniculate racemes; fruit of 4 joints but only the terminal one fertile.

Desmodium procumbens (Mill.) Hitchc. D. spirale DC.

Thickets of the Meseta Central. Widely distributed in tropical

America. Plants slender, erect or procumbent; leaflets 3, rounded

to oblong, acute or obtuse, 1-5 cm. long, somewhat pubescent or

almost glabrous; flowers purple; fruit with 2-8 joints, twisted,

notched on both margins.

Desmodium rhynchodesmum (Blake) Standl., comb. nov.

Meibomia rhynchodesma Blake, Bot. Gaz. 78: 278. 1924. Tuis, 650

meters, Tonduz 1144-8. Known only from the original collection.

Plants scandent; leaflets 3, ovate, acute or subobtuse, 6-8 cm. long,

pubescent beneath; flowers paniculate; fruit with only 2 rounded

joints.

Desmodium Scorpiurus (Swartz) Desv. Common in waste

or cultivated ground of the tierra caliente, ascending to the Meseta

Central. A species of wide distribution in tropical America. Plants

small, prostrate or procumbent; leaflets 3, small, oblong to ovate,

obtuse, strigose beneath; flowers few, small, purple, in short racemes;

fruit with very narrow and elongate joints. The plant grows

abundantly about dwellings.

Desmodium sericeum (Schindl.) Standl., comb. nov. Meibomia

sericea Schindl. Repert. Sp. Nov. 20: 142. 1924. Tres Rios, Pittier 95.

Also El Copey, and region of San Ramon. Endemic. Leaflets 3,

ovate, obtuse, sericeous beneath; flowers in elongate racemes; fruit

with about 6 joints, notched on both margins.

536 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Desmodium strobilaceum Schlecht. Region of Cartago.

Extending to Mexico. Plants herbaceous, erect or decumbent;

leaflets 3, oblong, acute, sericeous and pale beneath; flowers purple,

in long, dense racemes, the bracts large, deciduous; fruit with

numerous joints, pubescent, notched on both margins.

Desmodium triflorum (L.) DC. Common about dwellings

or in grassy places, Meseta Central to the Pacific coast, and probably

also in the Atlantic. A species of wide distribution. Plants prostrate

and rooting at the nodes, small; leaflets 3, rounded, 4-5 mm. long,

almost glabrous; flowers clustered in the leaf axils, small, pale purple;

fruit small, straight on the upper margin, notched on the lower.

DIOCLEA HBK.

There are other species in Central America and probably also

in Costa Rica.

Dioclea guianensis Benth. Common in thickets near the coasts.

A species of wide distribution. A large, somewhat woody vine;

leaflets 3, elliptic or ovate, acuminate, densely pubescent or almost

glabrous; flowers large, purple, in very long, axillary racemes ; legume

linear, dehiscent, 1.5 cm. wide, densely pilose.

Dioclea reflexa Hook. Region of San Ramon, at 850-1,000

meters. Central America to northern South America. A large,

more or less woody vine; leaflets large, elliptic or broadly ovate,

abruptly short-acuminate, glabrate beneath; flowers purple, showy,

the bracts long and narrow, conspicuous, reflexed; fruit large, oblong,

5 cm. wide or broader.

DIPHYSA Jacq.

Trees or shrubs; leaves pinnate, the leaflets small; flowers yellow,

in short, axillary racemes, pedicellate; fruit stipitate, oblong, indehis-

cent, the exocarp separating from the endocarp and conspicuously

inflated. — Other species occur in Central America. The wood is

yellow, hard, heavy, and fine-grained. It is employed for construc-

tion and for railroad ties. It yields a yellow dye.

Diphysa humilis Oerst. Vid. Medd. Kjoebenhavn 12. 1853.

Naguapate (Oersted). Volcan Rincon, Guanacaste, Oersted 4665.

Known only from Guanacaste. A tree with horizontal trunk, the

branches only 15-30 cm. high; leaflets 5-9, oval or oblong, 1-2 cm.

long; inflorescence with glandular hairs; flowers 1 cm. long; fruit

3-4 cm. long, puberulent and glandular. The habit, as described,

is quite different from that of other species.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 537

Diphysa robinioides Benth. Guachipelin. Meseta Central to

the Pacific coast, and in the Atlantic tierra caliente (Tucurrique).

Panama to Mexico. A tree of 4-15 meters; leaflets 9-15, oval,

glabrous, 1.5-3.5 cm. long, pale beneath; inflorescence without

glandular hairs; flowers 2 cm. long; fruit 6-11 cm. long, glabrous.

DIPTERYX Schreb.

There is a single species in Central America.

Dipteryx panamensis (Pittier) Record. Forests of Atlantic

coast. Also in Nicaragua and Panama. A tree of 15-50 meters, the

trunk up to a meter in diameter ; leaves pinnate, the leaflets 5-8-jugate,

oblong, obtuse or acute, almost glabrous, the costa closer to the

lower margin than to the upper; flowers pink, in terminal panicles;

fruit ellipsoid, 6 cm. long, 3.5 cm. wide, 1-seeded. The ripe fruits

are filled with an oily, fragrant liquid that crystallizes when the

fruit dries. The roasted seeds are eaten in some parts of Panama.

The wood, because of its weight and hardness, is little used. From

the fruits of a South American species, D. odorata, Cumaru or Tonka

bean, is obtained a substance, coumarin, employed in the preparation

of perfumes. Referred originally to Coumarouna.

DOLICHOS L.

Dolichos Lablab L. Chimbolo verde. Cultivated in some places.

Native of Africa, but naturalized in various regions of America. A

herbaceous vine; leaflets 3, broad; flowers large, white or purple, in

long, axillary, pedunculate racemes; legume flat, 7.5 cm. long, 2.5

cm. wide, the few seeds black. The tender pods are eaten, but not

the seeds. The plant is a rather handsome one because of its large

flowers, and it is often cultivated for ornament.

DUSSIA Krug & Urban

No other species are known from Central America.

Dussia macroprophyllata (Bonn. Smith) Harms, Repert. Sp.

Nov. 24: 212. 1928. Diplotropis macroprophyllata Donn. Smith,

Bot. Gaz. 56: 56. 1913. Forests of Las Vueltas, near Tucurrique,

635 meters, Tonduz 12949. Known only from the original collection.

'A tall tree with rounded crown; leaves pinnate, the leaflets 9, oval,

rounded at the apex, 6-16 cm. long, glabrous above, pubescent

beneath; flowers in large, pseudoterminal panicles, pedicellate, 1.5

cm. long.

538 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

ERIOSEMA Desv.

Small, erect, perennial herbs; leaflets 3 or 1, with small glands

on the lower surface; flowers yellow, in short racemes; legume small,

compressed, dehiscent, usually 2-seeded. — Two other Central

American species grow in Guatemala and British Honduras.

Eriosema crinitum (HBK.) Don. Savannas of the Pacific

tierra caliente. Mexico to Brazil. Plants about 30 cm. high; leaf-

lets usually 3, linear-oblong, brown-hirsute.

Eriosema diffusum (HBK.) Don. Grassy places, region of

Cartago, and Pacific slope. Widely distributed in tropical America.

Leaflets 3, oblong, sericeous with short, appressed, whitish hairs.

Eriosema simplicifolium (HBK.) Walp. In savannas of the

southeastern coast. Ranging to Brazil. Leaflet 1, oblong or ovate,

brown-hirsute. Known in Central America only from this region.

ERYTHRINA L.

Reference: Standley, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 20: 175. 1919.

Shrubs or trees, usually armed with short prickles; leaflets 3;

flowers large and showy, racemose; standard much longer and

usually much narrower than the other petals, generally sword-

shaped; fruit linear, terete or slightly compressed, constricted

between the large seeds. — Several other species grow in Central

America.

Erythrina cochlea ta Standl. Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 20: 179.

1919. Finca La Colombiana, Atlantic coast, Tonduz 223. Known

only from the original collection. Leaflets ovate, glabrous when

fully developed ; calyx 2 cm. long, deeply incised on one side, tomen-

tose; standard narrow, 7 cm. long; pod spirally twisted to form a

complete circle; seeds scarlet.

Erythrina costaricensis Micheli, Bull. Herb. Boiss. 2: 445. pi.

12. 1894. Por6, Poro Colorado, Elequeme. Near Boruca, Tonduz

4804. Forests of the Pacific coast, also in the upper part of the

Atlantic tierra caliente. Endemic. A tree of 5-15 meters; leaflets

rounded or deltoid, sericeous beneath, at least when young; flowers

bright red, the calyx shortly bilobate; pod deeply constricted between

the seeds. The seeds are called Coralillos.

Erythrina crista-galli L. Planted for ornament in the region

of San Jose". Native of Brazil. A prickly shrub; leaflets broadly

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 539

elliptic or ovate, often prickly beneath; flowers crimson, in long

racemes, the standard 4 cm. long, very broad.

Erythrina glauca Willd. In swamps of the Pacific coast, and

perhaps also of the Atlantic. Central America to Venezuela. A

tall tree; leaflets pale and sericeous beneath; flowers orange, the

standard very broad. In Panama this tree is known by the names

Gallito, Pito, Palo bobo, and Palo santo. The tree is exceptionally

showy when covered with its large, bright-colored flowers. The

leaflets fold together in the evening.

Erythrina gibbosa Cufodontis, Archivio Bot. 10: 34. 1934.

La Palma de San Ramon, 1,200-1,300 meters, Brenes 828. A small

tree with long, prickly branches; inflorescence spike-like, the flowers

bright red; calyx obliquely funnelform or subcampanulate, 14 mm.

long, dilated above the middle, the apex obliquely truncate, gibbous

ventrally above the middle; standard 3.5-4 cm. longer than the

calyx. The leaves have not been described. The species is known

to the writer only from the description.

Erythrina globocalyx Porsch & Cufod. Archivio Bot. 10: 35.

pi. 1. 1934. Las Nubes, Prov. San Jose", 1,250 meters, Porsch 835.

A tree as much as 5 meters high; leaflets broadly deltoid-ovate,

5-6 cm. long, short-acuminate; racemes subsecund, the flowers 5

cm. long; calyx globose-ovoid, almost 1.5 cm. long, 8 mm. broad,

fleshy, glabrous, obsoletely bilobate at the apex; standard exserted

for 3 cm., 5-6 mm. wide. Known to the writer only from the original

description and illustration. The species was based upon a photo-

graph and notes made by Porsch.

Erythrina lanceolata Standl. Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 17: 432.

1914. Poro. San Cristobal de Candelaria, Prov. Cartago, 1,700

meters, Werckle 3693. Along streams in the regions of Cartago and

Dota. Endemic. A shrub or small tree, sometimes procumbent

upon rocks or cliffs; leaflets lanceolate or ovate; flowers red, the

calyx shortly bilobate.

Erythrina Poeppigiana (Walp.) Cook. Formerly planted for

shade in cacao and coffee plantations of the Atlantic coast, and now

thoroughly naturalized in many localities, as at Orosi and La Colom-

biana. Native of Peru. A tree 9-20 meters high, the bark pale and

smooth; leaflets broad, glabrous, pale beneath; flowers orange, the

standard broad, 3-4 cm. long; seeds dark brown. A very ornamental

tree, abundant in many of the abandoned plantations of the Atlantic

plains.

540 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Erythrina rubrinervia HBK. Poro, Poro de montaiia. Abun-

dant in the Meseta Central, extending to the coasts. Mexico to

Colombia. A shrub or tree of 2-10 meters; leaflets broad, pale

beneath, almost glabrous; flowers red or pink, the standard narrow;

seeds red. The wood is very soft. The tree is used throughout the

central region for forming live hedges and for living fence posts, and

formerly it was planted as coffee shade. The trees of the temperate

region almost always have bright red flowers, while those of the

tierra caliente have much paler, pink flowers. The name Pitos or

Cuchillos is given to the flowers, and that of Nenes to the seeds.

The young flowers are cooked and eaten in large quantities in some

parts of Central America, prepared like string beans, which they

somewhat resemble when cooked. The young leaves also are some-

times used as a vegetable. There is a belief that eating the flowers

results in great drowsiness, a supposition that may be well based,

since the seeds of some species of Erythrina are known to have

narcotic and even poisonous properties. For this species there are

reported the following Indian names: Boro (Cabe"cara); Brukra,

Buru-kra (Brunka); Froro, Fru (TeYraba); Kueri-kangi (Guatuso).

GALACTIA P. Br.

Other species are known from Central America.

Galactia tenuiflora (Willd.) Wight & Arn. Reported from

Guanacaste; region of San Ramon. A species of wide distribution

in tropical America. A slender, scandent herb, pubescent or almost

glabrous; leaflets 3, ovate or oblong, 2.5-5 cm. long, obtuse; flowers

small, purple, in long, slender, pedunculate, axillary racemes; legume

compressed, linear, 2.5-5 cm. long, 5-6 mm. wide. It is not im-

probable that the plant reported from Costa Rica is really G. striata

(Jacq.) Urban.

GLIRICIDIA HBK.

Only one species is known from Central America.

Gliricidia sepiuni (Jacq.) Steud. Madera negra, Madre de

cacao, Sangre de drago (Canton de Osa). Meseta Central to the

coasts, often planted but abundantly native in many regions,

especially on the Pacific slope. A species of wide distribution in

tropical America. A small or medium-sized tree; leaves pinnate,

the 7-15 leaflets elliptic, spotted beneath with pale purple; flowers

pink, 2 cm. long, in axillary racemes; legume linear, dehiscent,

10-15 cm. long, 1.5 cm. wide. Of this species Pittier writes: "From

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 541

the very beginning of agriculture in the Spanish American colonies,

and perhaps even earlier in the crude clearings of the Indians, the

madera negra has been considered the best protection for cacao

plantations, whether for shade or for its fertilizing activity, or on

account of the fear that small rodents have for its poisonous roots.

It is employed also as shade in coffee plantations, but its foliage is

thin, and disappears completely toward the end of the dry season.

In the tierra caliente it grows well from branches stuck in the ground,

and is employed extensively for living posts in wire fences. The

wood is very durable in the soil. Cattle eat the leaves, which are

highly nutritious."

The tree is a handsome one when covered with its beautiful

flowers, especially since it often forms pure stands of considerable

extent. The wood is reddish purple, hard, heavy, strong, and fine-

grained. In many regions the seeds and leaves are utilized for

poisoning mice and other animals, while elsewhere the flowers are

fried and eaten! Pittier reports the following Indian names: Suri-

kri (Cabe"cara); Ai-kra (Brunka).

INDIGOFERA L.

Herbs or shrubs, the pubescence often of short or closely ap-

pressed hairs that are attached by their middle; leaves pinnate,

with numerous leaflets or rarely only 1 leaflet; flowers small, in

axillary racemes or spikes; fruit usually oblong or linear, angulate,

terete, or compressed. — Other species occur in Central America.

Indigofera costaricensis Benth. Vid. Medd. Kjoebenhavn 5.

1853. San Jose, Oersted. Common in thickets and hedges of the

Meseta Central. Endemic. A shrub of 1-2.5 meters, almost

glabrous; leaflets 11-15, elliptic, 1.5-3 cm. long, strigose beneath,

glabrous above; flowers whitish or pink, 6 mm. long; fruit 3 cm.

long, straight, 10-12-seeded.

Indigofera lespedezioides HBK. Savannas of the Pacific

tierra caliente. Mexico to Brazil. An erect herb of 30-60 cm.

with numerous stems; leaflets 1-7, obovate to almost linear, 1-4 cm.

long; flowers 6-7 mm. long, reddish; fruit 2-3 cm. long, straight.

Indigofera mucronata Spreng. Thickets and waste ground,

Meseta Central to the coasts, common in many localities. Widely

distributed in tropical America. Plants herbaceous, erect or often

greatly elongate and somewhat scandent; leaflets 5-7, elliptic,

somewhat strigose; flowers 6 mm. long, dull red; fruits reflexed,

542 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

almost straight, 2.5-4 cm. long, very slender. Reported from Costa

Rica under the name I. tephrosioides HBK.

Indigofera suffruticosa Mill. Anil, Jiquelite. I. Anil L.

Common in waste ground of the tierra caliente. A species of wide

distribution. A shrub about a meter high; leaflets 9-15, elliptic,

strigose; flowers small, reddish; fruit somewhat curved, 1.5-2 cm.

long. This plant, which yields indigo (anil) dye, never was of

great importance in Costa Rica, although it was grown upon a large

scale in other parts of Central America before the introduction of

coffee. It still is cultivated for export in Salvador, but indigo now

is largely replaced by synthetic dyes. In other parts of the world

other species of Indigofera have been grown for the production of

indigo. The name Anil refers particularly to the dye, the term

Jiquelite to the plant that produces it. Pittier reports the Indian

names of Tibi-kah (Brunka) and Debe"-ira (TeYraba).

LATHYRUSL.

Lathyrus odoratus L. Chureca. An ornamental plant of

gardens, native of southern Europe. Known in the United States

by the name of Sweet Pea.

LEYCEPHYLLUM Piper

The genus consists of a single species.

Leycephyllum micranthum Piper, Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci.

14: 364. 1924. Las Vueltas, Tucurrique, 635 meters, Tonduz 12951.

Known only from the original collection. A scandent shrub, the

stems at first puberulent, later glabrate; stipules lanceolate, striate;

leaves trifoliolate, the leaflets entire, membranaceous, broadly ovate

or suborbicular, 3-nerved from the base, acuminate, broadly cuneate

to the rounded or subcordate base, sparsely puberulent above,

especially on the nerves; flowers small, yellow, racemose, the pedun-

cles arising from the axils of the upper leaves, 5-6 cm. long; calyx

densely brown-puberulent; corolla about 5 mm. long. The author

of the genus states that it is related to Calopogonium.

LONCHOCARPUS HBK.

Reference: Pittier, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 20: 37. 1917,

Trees or tall shrubs; leaves pinnate, the leaflets few or numerous,

opposite; flowers large, showy, pink or purple, in paniculate racemes;

legume flat, oblong or linear, indehiscent. — A good many other

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 543

species are known from Central America. From some of the South

American species is obtained a principle called rotenone, which has

come into prominence in recent years as an insecticide. It is not

known whether the Central American species contain the same

principle. The South American plants sometimes are employed as

barbascos, for stupefying fish.

Lonchocarpus atropurpureus Benth. Chaperno. Regions of

Cartago and San Ramon; Guanacaste. Mexico to Colombia. A

tree of 5-12 meters; leaflets 5-9, lanceolate to oblong-ovate, 2-7

cm. long, obtuse or acute, somewhat pubescent beneath; flowers

rose-purple; legume flat, stipitate, linear-oblong, 4-10 cm. long,

1 cm. wide.

Lonchocarpus costaricensis (Bonn. Smith) Pittier, Contr.

U. S. Nat. Herb. 20: 58. pi. 2. 1917. Pavilla. Denis costaricensis

Bonn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 44: 110. 1907. Nicoya, Tonduz 13993. Dry

forests of the Pacific tierra caliente. Endemic. A deciduous tree;

leaflets 5-7, ovate or obovate, 6-12 cm. long, rounded and emarginate

at the apex, densely and softly pilose beneath when young; flowers

dark red or purple; legume ovate-elliptic or obovate-lanceolate, 12-

16 cm. long, 4 cm. wide, 1-2-seeded. The wood is hard and strong.

Lonchocarpus guatemalensis Benth. Chaperno. Dry forests

of the Pacific tierra caliente. Ranging to southern Mexico. A tree

of 7-11 meters; leaflets 5 or 7, ovate-oblong, coriaceous, 4-6.5 cm.

long, acute, glabrous; flowers pinkish purple; legume linear-oblong,

almost 2 cm. wide, few-seeded.

Lonchocarpus latifolius (Willd.) HBK. Goto. Guatemala to

Panama, and in the West Indies. A medium-sized tree; leaflets 5-9,

oblong or obovate, 9-20 cm. long, pale and somewhat pubescent

beneath ; flowers purple or reddish ; legume lanceolate, almost sessile,

4.5-6.5 cm. long, 2-2.5 cm. wide, 1-5-seeded.

Lonchocarpus lucidus Pittier, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 20: 77.

/. 27. 1917. Santo Domingo de Osa, Tonduz 9950. Forests of the

coasts; region of San Ramon. Also in Panama. A medium-sized

tree with rounded crown ; leaflets 7-13, coriaceous, ovate or obovate,

6-11 cm. long, short-acuminate, glabrous; flowers purple; legume

flat, 3-11 cm. long, 1.7 cm. wide, 1-4-seeded. In Panama the species

is known by the name Siete cueros.

Lonchocarpus minimiflorus Donn. Smith. Chaperno. Dry

forests of Guanacaste. Extending to southern Mexico. A tree of

544 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

5-10 meters, the crown broad and depressed; leaflets 7-13, ovate or

lanceolate, obtuse or acute, 2-7 cm. long, finely pubescent beneath ;

flowers small, purple; legume linear-oblong, 3-6 cm. long, 1 cm.

wide, glabrous, few-seeded.

Lonchocarpus nicoyensis (Bonn. Smith) Pittier, Contr. U. S.

Nat. Herb. 20: 57. pi. 2. 1917. Denis nicoyensis Bonn. Smith, Bot.

Gaz. 44: 111. 1907. Hills of Nicoya, Tonduz 13547. Known only

from the region of Nicoya. Leaflets 5, coriaceous, ovate, acuminate,

5-9 cm. long, pubescent beneath; flowers red; legume ovate-lanceo-

late, acuminate, 6.5 cm. long, 3 cm. wide, 1-seeded.

Lonchocarpus orotinus Pittier, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 20:

74. pi. 5. 1917. Bahia de Salinas, Guanacaste, Tonduz 2731. Pacific

tierra caliente. Endemic. A tree of 8 meters; leaflets 5-9, ovate-

lanceolate to ovate-elliptic, acuminate, 2-7.5 cm. long, sparsely

pubescent; legume elongate, stipitate, 3.5-6.5 cm. long, 1.5 cm.

wide, 1-2-seeded.

Lonchocarpus peninsularis (Bonn. Smith) Pittier, Contr.

U. S. Nat. Herb. 20: 56. pi. 2. 1917. Chaperno. Denis peninsularis

Bonn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 44: 111. 1907. Hills of Nicoya, Tonduz

13961. Forests of the Pacific tierra caliente. Endemic. A tree of

8 meters; leaflets 5, obovate or elliptic, 4.5-8.5 cm. long, acuminate,

finely and densely pubescent beneath; flowers pink; legume obliquely

ovate, 6.5 cm. long, 3-3.5 cm. wide, 1-seeded.

LOTUS L.

Lotus corniculatus L. Frequent in pastures on the volcanoes

of Irazu and Turrialba. Native of Europe. A small, perennial herb,

almost glabrous; leaves sessile, pinnate, the 5 leaflets obovate, entire,

rounded at the apex, 1-1.5 cm. long; flowers yellow, umbellate, the

peduncles elongate; legume flat, linear. Probably imported with

grass seeds, and now well established in Costa Rican pastures,

where it is eaten by cattle. It is said that the plant never flowers in

Costa Rica, and I was unable to find any plants in blossom.

LUPINUS L. Lupine

Herbs or low shrubs; leaves digitately compound, petiolate,

with few or numerous entire leaflets; flowers showy, spicate or race-

mose; calyx bilabiate; legume oblong, compressed, dehiscent, with

few or numerous seeds. — There are a few other Central American

species of this large genus, which has numerous species in western

United States and the South American Andes.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 545

Lupinus Aschenbornii Schauer. Meadows of Volcan de Irazu,

1,600-3,300 meters. Ranging to Mexico. An erect, branched herb,

the branches densely pilose with short hairs; leaflets about 10,

obtuse, 2-3.5 cm. long, glabrous above, pubescent beneath; flowers

blue, 1 cm. long; legume about 2.5 cm. long and 6 mm. wide, villous.

Lupinus Clarkei Oerst. Vid. Medd. Kjoebenhavn 1. 1853.

Volcan de Irazu, Oersted. Meadows of Irazu, 1,500-2,700 meters.

Also on Volcan de Chiriqui, Panama. A meter high or lower, the

branches tomentose; leaflets 5-7, narrow, obtuse, 3-6.5 cm. long,

glabrous or somewhat pubescent above, pubescent beneath; flowers

blue, 12 mm. long, in elongate racemes, the bracts short; legume

about 4 cm. long and 8 mm. wide, villous.

Lupinus hirsutus L. Corazon tranquilo. An ornamental gar-

den plant, imported from Europe. An erect herb, the showy flowers

white or purple.

Lupinus Valerioi Standl., sp. nov. — Perennis ramosa, caulibus

pilis longissimis hirsutis; stipulae maximae lineares; foliola 7-10

lineari-oblonga obtusa et apiculata, versus basin sensim angustata,

supra glabra, subtus paullo pallidiora ad costam atque ad margines

longipilosa, aliter glabra vel sparse pilosa ; racemi elongati multiflori,

bracteae lineari-attenuatae hirsutae floribus paullo longiores; calyx

profunde bilabiatus hirsutus, segmentis lineari-attenuatis; legumen

oblongum acutum densissime hispidum. — Cerro de Las Vueltas,

Prov. San Jose", 2,700-3,000 meters, Standley & Valeria 43668

(Herb. Field Mus., type). There is referred here also No. 43974 of

the same collectors. — An erect herb of 60-90 cm., the branches cov-

ered with very long and slender hairs; stipules very large, their

divisions linear; leaflets 7-10, narrow, 4-7 cm. long, obtuse, glabrous

above, somewhat villous beneath; racemes elongate, the bracts

narrow, longer than the flowers; flowers blue, 12 mm. long; legume

oblong, 3.5 cm. long, 9 mm. wide, covered with long, brownish hairs.

MACHAERIUM Pers.

Reference: Pittier, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 20: 467. 1922.

Trees or shrubs, sometimes scandent, usually armed with spines;

leaves pinnate, with few or numerous large or small leaflets; flowers

small or medium-sized, racemose or paniculate, mostly purple, pink,

or white; fruit samara-like, 1-seeded, compressed, terminating in a

broad wing. — Other species grow in Central America.

546 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Machaerium biovulatum Micheli. Jarro caliente. M. Lang-

lassei Micheli. Thickets or dry forest, Meseta Central and Guana-

caste. Ranging to Mexico. A scandent shrub, armed with short

spines; leaflets 11-21, oval or obovate, 2-4 cm. long, rounded and

emarginate at the apex, almost glabrous; flowers purple, in large

panicles; samara 6-7 cm. long.

Machaerium costaricanum Pittier, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb.

20: 475. 1922. Rio Ceibo, near Buenos Aires, 300 meters, Tonduz

3816. Reported from El General. Endemic. An unarmed shrub;

leaflets 41-55, oblong, 2-3.5 cm. long, 5-8 mm. wide, somewhat

tomentose, rounded at the apex; flowers 9 mm. long, in large panicles.

Machaerium Donnell-Smithii Standl., nom. nov. Drepano-

carpus costaricensis Bonn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 57: 417. 1914. Santiago,

near San Ramon, 1,000 meters, Brenes 14507. Known only from the

region of the type. A shrub with pendent branches, the bark black-

ish; stipules thickened and spinose; leaflets 9-15, oblong, rounded at

the apex, 4.5-7.5 long, tomentose on both sides; flowers 9 mm. long,

in broad panicles, violaceous.

Machaerium floribundum Benth. Entre Rio Jesus y Alto de

La Calera de San Ramon, Brenes 17133. Extending to Colombia

and British Guiana. A shrub or small tree, unarmed; leaflets about

10, large, elliptic-oblong, 7-12 cm. long, abruptly and shortly obtuse-

acuminate, obtuse or rounded at the base, glabrous above, beneath

green, minutely and sparsely sericeous or almost glabrous; flowers

small, paniculate, both flowers and panicle branches densely and

minutely brown-sericeous.

Machaerium marginatum Standl. Banks of Rio Barranca,

San Pedro de San Ramon, Brenes 21871. Widely distributed in

Central America. A shrub, the trunk armed with large, stout spines;

stipules large, in age indurate and spinose; leaflets about 13, oblong

or oblong-elliptic, 8-13 cm. long, leathery, lustrous, conspicuously

marginate, abruptly cuspidate-acuminate, nearly glabrous; flowers

dirty pinkish white, 1 cm. long, in panicled racemes.

Machaerium Pittieri Macbride. M. latifolium Pittier, non

Rusby. Forests of the Pacific coast. Ranging to southern Mexico.

A tree or shrub; leaflets 3-5, glabrous, ovate or elliptic, acuminate,

6-14 cm. long; flowers in axillary racemes; samara 10-12 cm. long.

Machaerium Seemannii Benth. M. campylocarpum Donn.

Smith, Bot. Gaz. 44: 109. 1907 (Hacienda Jimenez, Pefias Blancas,

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 547

Diquis Valley, Pittier 12163. Forests of the tierra caliente. Rang-

ing to Colombia and British Honduras. A woody, unarmed vine;

leaflets 7-11, ovate or lanceolate, acuminate, 1.5-5 cm. long, some-

what pubescent or almost glabrous; flowers 7 mm. long, purple, in

axillary or terminal racemes; fruit 5-6 cm. long.

MEDICAGO L. Alfalfa

Medicago sativa L. Alfalfa. A forage plant, little cultivated

in Costa Rica or elsewhere in Central America; an occasional weed

in the temperate region. Imported from Europe.

MONOPLEGMA Piper

The genus consists of a single species.

Monoplegma trinervium (Donn. Smith) Piper. Frijol de

play a, Chumicos, Jaboncillos (the seeds). M. sphaerospermum Piper,

Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 10: 432. 1920 (Las Vueltas, Tucurrique,

Tonduz 12743). Forests and thickets of the tierra caliente, ascend-

ing to 1,300 meters. Also in Guatemala. A large, woody vine, the

stems as much as 10 cm. thick; leaflets 3, ovate, entire, 6-10 cm.

long, acuminate, somewhat pubescent or almost glabrous; flowers in

elongate racemes, probably purple, 1 cm. long; legume large, some-

what woody, dehiscent, 5-9 cm. long, 3-4 cm. wide; seeds usually 2,

globose, black, 2 cm. in diameter.

MUCUNA Adans.

Plants scandent, herbaceous or woody; leaflets 3, large; flowers

large, in short or greatly elongate, sometimes umbelliform racemes;

standard shorter than the wings; fruit thick, linear or oblong, de-

hiscent, sometimes covered with irritant hairs. — A few other species

are known from Central America.

Mucuna Andreana Micheli, Journ. de Bot. 6: 146. pi. 5, 6. 1892.

Ojo de buey. Based in part upon Costa Rican specimens. Common

in forests and thickets, Meseta Central to the coasts. Mexico to

Colombia. A large, woody vine; leaflets large, softly pilose beneath;

peduncles greatly elongate and pendent; legume about 18 cm. long

and 4.5 cm. wide, densely sericeous, 3-4-seeded; seeds black, some-

what compressed, 3 cm. long. The name Ojo de buey refers to the

appearance and form of the seeds.

Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. Pica-pica. Abundant in thickets

of the Pacific tierra caliente. A species of wide distribution in

548 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

tropical America. A herbaceous vine; leaflets pubescent; flowers

2-3 cm. long, purple or blue, in short racemes; pods 4-9 cm. long,

1 cm. thick, covered with long, stiff hairs. Of this species Pittier

writes: "It grows naturally in cultivated ground of the Pacific

tierra caliente, and the people do not destroy it, because of a belief

that the plant is good for the soil. Since the velvet bean is one of

the green manures recommended by scientific agriculturists, the

coincidence is curious, to say the least." The pods of this plant are

covered with reddish hairs which easily penetrate the skin, causing

almost unendurable itching, hence the name pica-pica. In the West

Indies, and perhaps elsewhere, these hairs, in sirup, formerly were

administered, especially to the slaves, for the expulsion of intestinal

parasites.

Mucuna urens (L.) DC. Ojo de buey, Ojo de venado, Una de

tigre. Common in thickets and forest, Meseta Central to the coasts,

ascending sometimes to 1,800 meters. A species of wide distribution.

A large, woody vine; leaflets almost glabrous; peduncles very long

and pendent, the racemes umbelliform; flowers greenish or reddish,

4-5 cm. long; pods 8-20 cm. long, 5 cm. wide, covered with irritant

hairs; seeds 3-4 cm. broad. The hairs of the pods are as disagreeable

in their action as those of the preceding species. For this there are

reported the following Indian names: Tsugi-kar (Cabe"cara); Kook-

tsa-kup (Brunka); Kua (TeVraba).

MYROSPERMUM Jacq.

The genus is represented in North America by only the following

species.

Myrospermum frutescens Jacq. Isla de Caballo, Brenes 15692.

Unknown elsewhere in North America, but occurring in Trinidad,

Venezuela, and Colombia. A shrub or small tree; leaves pinnate,

the leaflets 5-7 pairs, oblong or oval, obtuse to retuse at the apex,

glabrous, with many pellucid lines; flowers white, tinged with pink,

racemose; fruit samara-like, indehiscent, 1-2-seeded, extended below

into a broad wing, 5-7 cm. long. The single Costa Rican collection

is sterile, but it seems properly referable here.

The genus Myroxylon (Toluifera is a synonym) probably is

represented in Costa Rica, but I have seen no specimens. From this

tree there is extracted, chiefly in Salvador, the famous balsam of

Peru (balsamo del Peru).

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 549

NISSOLIA Jacq.

In Central America there is a single species, which is not at all

a common plant.

Nissolia fruticosa Jacq.(?) N. costaricensis Donn. Smith, Bot.

Gaz. 44: 108. 1907. Region of Nicoya; San Ramon. Mexico to

Colombia. Plants small, scandent, woody; leaves pinnate, the

leaflets usually 5, oval, 3-7 cm. long, obtuse; flowers yellow, 6 mm.

long, in axillary racemes; fruit indehiscent, composed of a few dis-

articulating joints, terminated by a broad wing. N. costaricensis

was based upon Biolley 7088 from Surubres. and Pittier 9664 from

La Verbena. I have seen neither of these collections, but have

little doubt that they are referable to N. fruticosa.

ORMOSIA Jackson

Two or three species of this genus are represented in Central

America.

Ormosia panamensis Benth. Reported by Pittier from the

mountains near Vijagual de Savegre, Pacific coast. Also in Panama.

A tall tree; leaves pinnate, with few leaflets; flowers paniculate; pods

dehiscent, constricted between the seeds, these red and black. It is

not certain that the collection cited belongs properly to this species.

PACHYRHIZUS Rich.

Another species occurs in some parts of Central America.

Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urban. Jicama. Cultivated in many

localities, and probably naturalized in some places. Native of Mex-

ico. A herbaceous vine; leaflets 3, somewhat lobate or angulate,

sericeous beneath; flowers violet, in elongate, axillary racemes;

legume oblong, compressed, dehiscent. The plant is cultivated

commonly in Central America and Mexico for its large, turnip-like

roots, sometimes as large as a man's head. They are rather watery

in consistency, but sweet and pleasant to eat. They always are

eaten raw.

PAROSELA Cav.

Herbs or small shrubs, erect, usually with small but conspicuous

glands on the leaves and branches ; leaves pinnate, the leaflets small ;

flowers small, racemose or spicate; calyx 10-costate; fruit small, in-

dehiscent, 1-seeded, generally shorter than the calyx. — There are

other Central American species, principally in Guatemala. The

550 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

number of Mexican species is very large. Some authors use for the

genus the name Dalea.

Parosela costaricana Rydb. N. Amer. Fl. 24: 77. 1920. Ala-

crancillo, Gusanillo, Rabo de ratdn. Fincas of Zent and Guacimo,

Atlantic plains, United Fruit Company 21 . Common in pastures of

the Meseta Central. Endemic. It is probable that the locality

indicated for the type is erroneous, although it may be that the plant

really does grow in the coastal region. An annual herb a meter or

less in height, glabrous; leaflets 15-49, oblong, 4-8 mm. long; flower

spikes 2-6 cm. long; calyx pilose; petals white or bluish. Pittier

states that the plant appears to have emollient and sudorific proper-

ties. Specimens have been reported from Costa Rica under the

name Dalea alopecuroides Willd.

Parosela emphysodes (Jacq.) Rydb. Mata-pulgas, Pulguera.

Dalea phymatodes Willd. Dry places of the Pacific slope. Extend-

ing to Venezuela. A slender, branched shrub, the branches glabrous

or somewhat pubescent; leaflets 9-13, almost glabrous, 6-10 mm.

long; flowers spikes 1-2 cm. long, the flowers purple; calyx pilose.

Parosela lagopus Cav. Dalea lagopus Willd. Reported for

Costa Rica, the locality not indicated. Extending to southern

Mexico. A glabrous, annual herb; leaflets 21-51, 4-8 mm. long;

flower spikes 2-10 cm. long, the flowers blue; calyx tube glabrous,

the teeth pilose.

Parosela nutans (Cav.) Rose. Dalea nutans Willd. Hills of

Nicoya. Ranging to Mexico. Plants perennial, slender, glabrous;

leaflets 11-41, oblong, 5-10 mm. long; flowers purple, in small

racemes.

Parosela robusta (Rydb.) Standl., comb. nov. Dalea virgata

Micheli, Bull. Herb. Boiss. 2: 442. 1894, non Lag. Thornbera robusta

Rydb. N. Amer. Fl. 24: 121. 1920. Near San Jose", Pittier. Meseta

Central to the Pacific coast. Guatemala to Panama. A glabrous

annual; leaflets 9-11, linear, 4-10 mm. long; flower spikes 2-5 cm.

long, dense; calyx sericeous; flowers blue or purple.

PHASEOLUS L. Bean

Plants herbaceous, usually scandent; leaflets 3; flowers large or

medium-sized, in axillary, short or elongate racemes; keel petal

twisted twice to form a spiral; legume linear or oblong, compressed

or subterete, dehiscent. — Other species grow in Central America.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 551

Phaseolus adenanthus Meyer. P. truxillensis HBK. Thickets

of the central region, extending to the coasts. A species of wide dis-

tribution. A large or small vine, pubescent or almost glabrous;

leaflets ovate to lanceolate, 5-10 cm. long; flowers white and purple,

2-2.5 cm. long; legume linear, almost straight, 8-10 mm. wide.

Phaseolus anisotrichos Schlecht. Thickets of the Meseta

Central; region of San Ramon. Ranging to Mexico. A pilose

vine; leaflets small, broad, obtuse or acute; flowers small, purple;

legume 2-3 cm. long, oblong, somewhat curved or almost straight.

This species has been reported from Costa Rica under the name

P. leptostachyus Benth.

Phaseolus atropurpureus DC. Buenos Aires, and probably

elsewhere in the Pacific coast. Extending to Mexico and south-

western United States. A small vine, covered with white or gray

hairs; leaflets narrow; flowers very dark purple; legume elongate

and very narrow.

Phaseolus coccineus L. Cubh. Common in forests and thickets

of the central region, also cultivated. Probably native of Mexico

and Central America, but cultivated in many parts of the world for

ornament or for its edible seeds. A large, pilose vine; leaflets large,

broad, acute; flowers large, white, purple, or reddish, in very long

racemes; legume large, compressed, oblong; seeds large, compressed,

about 2 cm. long, brown, black, red, or white. If I am not mistaken,

this species is the one cultivated so abundantly in the Canton de

Dota, where the seeds, called cubaces, occupy the place held else-

where in Costa Rica by the common bean or frijol. Pittier refers

the cubaces to Phaseolus lunatus, but the plants shown to me in the

region of Santa Maria were rather P. coccineus. The plant has

every appearance of being truly wild in Dota, and I believe that it is

native in Costa Rica, and that its cultivation here is probably very

ancient. I have been told that cubaces are almost unknown else-

where in Costa Rica, and I do not remember having seen them in

other parts of Central America, although in this memory may be at

fault. Any one visiting Dota will become thoroughly acquainted

with them, for they appear on the table at almost every meal. The

wild plants are very showy and pretty, with their large, white or

purple flowers. The cubaces, when cooked, have a flavor quite dif-

ferent from that of the common frijol, and a quite agreeable one.

Phaseolus gracilis Poepp. Reported from Costa Rica, the

locality unknown. A species of wide distribution, in Central America

552 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

usually growing in savannas or other grassland. A small, almost

glabrous vine; leaflets linear, obtuse, coriaceous; flowers few, purple,

the peduncles much elongate. P. longipedunculatus Mart. var.

linearifoliolatus Hassl., reported from Costa Rica (Guanacaste),

seems to be merely a form of this species.

Phaseolus lunatus L. Frijolillo. Common in thickets, Meseta

Central to the Pacific coast, and probably also the Atlantic. A

species of wide distribution. A herbaceous vine; leaflets broad,

acute, pubescent or almost glabrous; flowers white or purplish,

small; legume 3-7 cm. long, 1-1.5 cm. wide, somewhat curved, com-

pressed, broadest toward the apex. The wild form is common in

many parts of Central America. There is also in cultivation another

form, which has large, compressed seeds, white or variously colored,

that are used in the same manner as the common bean. This is the

lima bean, native of America, now grown for food in most regions

of the earth.

Phaseolus obvallatus Schlecht. Central region. Extending to

Mexico. Similar to P. coccineus, but the bractlets at the base of the

calyx rounded and as broad as the calyx (in P. coccineus they are

linear or oblong).

Phaseolus oligospermus Piper, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 22:

698. 1926. Cartago, Oersted. Known only from the original col-

lection. Leaflets ovate, acuminate, 3-5 cm. long, pubescent; flowers

few, 12 mm. long, purple; legume linear, pilose.

Phaseolus peduncularis HBK. Common in thickets of the

tierra caliente. Widely distributed in tropical America. A slender

vine, somewhat pubescent or almost glabrous; leaflets ovate or

lanceolate, acute; flowers small, greenish or lilac; legume narrowly

linear, straight.

Phaseolus pilosus HBK. P. hirsutus Mart. Reported from

the region of El General, determined by Morton. Honduras to

Paraguay. A large, herbaceous vine, densely soft-pilose or sericeous

throughout; leaflets broadly ovate or rhombic, obtuse or acute, often

shallowly lobate; flowers bright yellow, 2.5 cm. long; fruit densely

hirsute.

Phaseolus speciosus HBK. Region of San Ramon, at 1,050

meters; reported from El General. Extending to Mexico. A slender,

herbaceous vine, sparsely pilose or glabrate; leaflets 3-5 cm. long,

ovate-deltoid, obtuse or acute, thin; flowers 2-2.5 cm. long, the calyx

broad, its lobes longer than the tube; fruit narrowly linear, long-

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 553

attenuate at the apex. The determination of the Costa Rican mater-

ial referred here is questionable.

Phaseolus vulgaris L. Frijol. A plant of American origin, but

unknown in a wild state; no doubt cultivated since the beginnings

of American agriculture. Beans and maize are the basis of diet

throughout Central America and Mexico. They are cultivated

chiefly in temperate and cold regions, but also in the tierra caliente,

for the dry seeds and the young, tender pods. In Costa Rica, as

elsewhere, there are innumerable varieties, differing in shape and

color of the seeds. A list of them is found in Pittier's Plantas Usuales.

For this important plant there are reported only a few Indian names:

Atu, Hatu (Bribri); Kani (Chirripo); Suep (Boruca).

Phaseolus xanthotrichus Piper. Cartago. Also in Guate-

mala. Leaflets ovate, obtuse, 2-3 cm. long, strigose; flowers few,

13 mm. long; legume linear, compressed, glabrous, 4 cm. long.

PLATYMISCIUM Vog.

Tall, almost glabrous trees; leaves pinnate, opposite, the leaflets

few, large; flowers small, in axillary racemes, yellow; legume oblong,

flat, indehiscent, 1 -seeded. —Two other species are known from

Central America.

Platymiscium pleiostachyum Bonn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 56: 54.

1913. Nambar. Hills near Nicoya, Tonduz 13539. Known only

from the original collection. Leaflets 3, rounded, 5-8 cm. long;

racemes fasciculate, the flowers almost sessile, 1 cm. long.

Platymiscium polystachyum Benth. Quira. Forests of the

region of Boruca, and doubtless elsewhere. Nicaragua to Venezuela.

A tall or medium-sized tree, the crown rounded, the bark gray and

rough; leaflets 3 or 5, ovate, 5-20 cm. long; flowers pedicellate, 14

mm. long; fruit rounded at the apex, 9 cm. long, 3.5 cm. wide. The

wood is reddish brown, sometimes striped, hard and heavy, of

medium fine grain, and durable. It is employed locally for construc-

tion and cabinetwork, and is exported under the name Panama red-

wood, for making furniture and tool handles. Pittier reports the

Indian names of Sinkra (Brunka) and Zrok (Ten-aba).

POIRETIA Vent.

In Central America a single species is known.

Poiretia scandens Vent. Thickets, Meseta Central to the

Pacific coast. Widely distributed in tropical America. A scandent

554 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

herb, glabrous; leaves pinnate, the 4 leaflets small, rounded or obo-

vate, rounded at the apex; flowers small, yellow, in short, axillary

racemes; legume linear, composed of few indehiscent joints.

PTEROCARPUS L.

Reference: Paul C. Standley, The Mexican and Central American

species of Pterocarpus, Trop. Woods 28: 10. 1931.

Tall or medium-sized trees; leaves pinnate, the leaflets few,

large, acuminate; flowers yellow, in axillary or terminal racemes or

panicles; fruit samara-like, surrounded by a broad wing, usually 1-

seeded. — From Central America there are known only these two

species.

Pterocarpus Hayesii Hemsl. Forests of the Pacific tierra

caliente. Panama to British Honduras. A tree 15-25 meters or

more in height; leaflets large, lanceolate; flowers 1.5 cm. long, in

axillary racemes, the calyx densely covered with short, brown hairs.

Pterocarpus officinalis L. Chajada amarilla. Forests of the

coasts. British Honduras to the Guianas and West Indies. A tall

tree; leaflets 6 or 8, oblong, lustrous; flowers paniculate, the calyx

glabrous. Known in Nicaragua by the names Sangre, Sangre de

drago, and Sangregado. The wood is white or whitish, not hard,

light in weight, and of medium fine grain. The sap turns red when

exposed to the air. The tree grows most profusely in periodically

inundated lands, often in coastal swamps.

RHYNCHOSIA Lour.

Herbaceous or somewhat woody vines; leaflets 3, with minute

glands on the lower surface, broad; flowers small or medium-sized,

yellow or reddish, in elongate racemes; legume small, oblong, com-

pressed, dehiscent, 1-2-seeded. — Other species grow in Central

America.

Rhynchosia calycosa Hemsl. Pacific coast. Also in Panama.

A large vine, the leaflets large, broad, pubescent or almost glabrous;

calyx deeply lobate, the segments narrow, 3-nerved. Very similar to

R. longeracemosa.

Rhynchosia ixodes Standl. Between Guachipelin and Volcan

de La Vieja, Guanacaste, Brenes 15543. Panama to Yucatan. A

small, slender, herbaceous vine, the stems densely glandular-pilose;

leaflets ovate-deltoid, 1-2.5 cm. long, acute, densely viscid-pubes-

cent on both surfaces; racemes mostly 3-7-flowered, the rachis

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 555

glandular-pilose; calyx 5 mm. long, the lobes twice as long as the

tube; corolla 8-9 mm. long, reddish brown; fruit 16 mm. long, ellip-

tic-oblong, viscid-hirsute and glandular.

Rhynchosia longeracemosa Mart. & Gal. Common in

thickets and forests of the Meseta Central, also in the tierra caliente.

Ranging to Mexico. A slender vine, the stems somewhat angulate;

leaflets ovate, acuminate, densely pubescent, with conspicuous

veins; flowers 8 mm. long, the standard purplish or reddish brown,

the other petals yellow; calyx deeply lobate, the segments linear,

1-nerved; legume 2.5 cm. long and 1 cm. wide, pubescent, 2-seeded.

Rhynchosia minima (L.) DC. Thickets of the Pacific slope.

Widely distributed in tropical America. A slender vine; leaflets

small, broad, pubescent or almost glabrous; flowers greenish, 4-5

mm. long; legume 4 mm. broad, not constricted between the seeds;

seeds very small, gray.

Rhynchosia pyramidalis (Lam.) Urban. Thickets of Guana-

caste and region of San Ramon. Widely distributed in tropical

America. Leaflets densely pubescent or almost glabrous; flowers

greenish, 6-7 mm. long; calyx teeth short; legume 8 mm. wide, pubes-

cent, constricted between the seeds. The seeds are scarlet and black

and very handsome. In some regions they are employed for making

bracelets, necklaces, and other articles.

Rhynchosia quercetorum Standl., sp. nov. — Volubilis, cauli-

bus obtuse angulatis densissime pilosis; foliola saepe latiora quam

longa, 3.5-5 cm. longa, 3-6 cm. lata, abrupte breviter acuta vel

acuminata, basi truncata vel late rotundata, utrinque molliter

breviter pilosa, subtus glandulis minutis conspersa; racemi densissimi

multiflori longe pedunculati 5-6 cm. longi, bracteis lanceolatis dense

viscido-pubescentibus longe acuminatis alabastris longioribus, flori-

bus pedicellatis; calyx dense viscido-pilosus 6 mm. longus, lobis

superioribus tubo paullo longioribus lineari-attenuatis, inferioribus

brevibus triangulari-oblongis; vexillum intense rubro-purpureum

extus pilosulum. — Oak (Quercus) forests, Santa Maria de Dota,

Prov. San Jose", 1,600 meters, Standley & Valeria 43431 (U. S. Nat.

Herb., type). A herbaceous vine; leaflets very broad, densely

pubescent; racemes short, dense, the bracts lanceolate, longer than

the flower buds; calyx lobate to the middle, viscid-pubescent; stan-

dard dark purple or reddish, 1 cm. long.

Rhynchosia reticulata (Swartz) DC. In thickets, region of

San Ramon, at 1,000-1,100 meters. Extending to Mexico and

556 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

West Indies. A stout, herbaceous vine, the stems acutely angulate,

densely pilose with retrorse, whitish hairs; leaflets oblong to broadly

ovate, acute or acuminate, densely pilose or appressed-pilose on

both surfaces, more densely so beneath, conspicuously veined; ra-

cemes long and interrupted, the flowers as much as 1.5 cm. long, the

linear, nerved, greenish sepals equaling the corolla; fruit oblong,

densely pubescent.

SESBANIA Scop.

Other species occur in Central America.

Sesbania Emerus (Aubl.) Urban. Swampy places of the Pacific

coast. Widely distributed in tropical America. An erect, glabrous

herb of 1-2 meters; leaves pinnate, the leaflets 24-50, linear-oblong,

1.5-3 cm. long, rounded at the apex, pale; flowers in short, axillary

racemes, 1.5-2 cm. long, yellow; legume narrowly linear, 20 cm. long,

4 mm. wide, straight, many-seeded.

STYLOSANTHES Swartz

Other species occur in Central America and probably also in

Costa Rica.

Stylosanthes guyanensis (Aubl.) Swartz. Common in pas-

tures and other grassy places, Meseta Central to the Pacific coast.

A species of wide distribution. A small, perennial, erect or ascending

herb, the stems 15-60 cm. long, pubescent; leaflets 3, linear-lanceo-

late, acuminate; stipules large; flowers small, yellow, in dense,

terminal, bracted heads; fruit enclosed in the calyx, indehiscent,

1 -seeded.

SWEETIA Spreng.

Only one species grows in Central America.

Sweetia panamensis Benth. Carboncillo. Forests of the Pacific

tierra caliente. Panama to British Honduras. A medium-sized

tree with rounded crown; leaves pinnate, the leaflets few, ovate or

elliptic, 2.5-5 cm. long, obtuse, glabrous; flowers whitish, 5 mm. long,

in axillary panicles; stamens free, exserted; legume flat, 5-7.5 cm.

long, 2 cm. wide, 1-2-seeded. The tree is known in Panama by the

name Malvecino, and in Salvador as Chichipate.

TEPHROSIA Pers.

Reference: Rydberg, N. Amer. Flora 24: 157. 1923.

Herbs, the leaves pinnate, the leaflets few or numerous; flowers

small or medium-sized, racemose, the racemes terminal or opposite

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 557

the leaves; legume sessile, linear, compressed, dehiscent, with

numerous seeds. — Other species occur in Central America.

Tephrosia decumbens Benth. Los Loros, Pacific coast,

Brenes 21464, 21465. Yucatan to Colombia and Brazil. A small,

perennial herb, the branches short-pilose with spreading hairs; leaf-

lets 5-11, oblanceolate or cuneate, obtuse or retuse, 1-2 cm. long,

grayish-sericeous; racemes few-flowered, the flowers 8-10 mm. long,

purplish; fruit linear, 3-4 cm. long, 4 mm. wide.

Tephrosia Heydeana (Rydb.) Standl. Thickets of the Pacific

tierra caliente, ascending to 1,100 meters; region of San Ramon.

Panama to Guatemala. An erect herb a meter high or less, the

stem pilose with spreading hairs; leaflets 21-29, oblong, rounded at

the apex, 2-4 cm. long, sericeous; flowers 1.5 cm. long; calyx teeth

longer than the tube, narrow, acuminate; legume 5-6 cm. long, 4

mm. wide. The plants of this genus are often employed in various

regions of tropical America as fish poisons.

Tephrosia nicaraguensis Oerst. Plains of Guanacaste. Also

in Nicaragua. Similar to the preceding species; leaflets 15-21;

legume 4 cm. long.

Tephrosia nitens Benth. T. nitens var. lanata Micheli, Bull.

Soc. Bot. Belg. 30, pt. 1 : 286. 1891 (type from Costa Rica). Thickets

and plains of the. Pacific coast. Mexico to Brazil. Plants erect, a

meter high or less; leaflets 9-13, oblong, rounded at the apex, thick,

glabrous above, sericeous beneath; flowers pink, 2 cm. long; legume

5-6 cm. long, 5-6 mm. wide.

Tephrosia toxicaria (Swartz) Pers. Reported for the Pacific

tierra caliente, but no specimens have been seen, and it is probable

that the reports refer to T. Heydeana or T. nicaraguensis. A species

of wide distribution in tropical America. Similar to the second and

third species; leaflets 21-31, linear-oblong, 4-7 cm. long; flowers 1.5-2

cm. long; calyx teeth short and broad, acute; legume 5-7 cm. long,

5-6 mm. wide, 10-15-seeded.

TERAMNUS Swartz

A single species occurs in Central America.

Teramnus uncinatus (L.) Swartz. In thickets, Meseta Central

to the Pacific coast. Widely distributed in tropical America. A

scandent herb; leaflets 3, oblong or lanceolate, sometimes almost

linear, 4-9 cm. long, pale and sericeous beneath; flowers small,

558 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

purple, remote, in long-pedunculate racemes; legume linear, 4-7

cm. long, 3-4 mm. wide, pilose with brown hairs.

TRIFOLIUM L. Clover

Annual or perennial herbs; leaflets 3, denticulate; flowers small,

in dense heads or umbels; calyx teeth almost equal; fruit indehiscent,

with 1 or few seeds, usually shorter than the calyx. — A few other

species are known from Central America.

Tiifolium amabile HBK. Trebol, Acedera, Acedera de mon-

tana. Common in almost all pastures of the central region, abundant

in pastures of the volcanoes, 1,100-2,000 meters. Mexico to the

South American Andes. A prostrate or procumbent perennial,

sparsely pubescent or almost glabrous; leaflets about 1 cm. long,

obovate, emarginate; flowers purple or reddish, in small, pedun-

culate heads.

Trifolium dubium Sibth. Mielilla. Frequent in pastures of

Turrialba and Irazu. A European species, naturalized in various

parts of America. A slender, prostrate annual; flowers yellow, 2.5

mm. long. Doubtless introduced into Costa Rica with grass seeds.

Trifolium repens L. Trebol bianco. Naturalized in pastures

of La Palma de San Jose*, and in the region of Cartago. A European

species, naturalized in many parts of temperate America. A slender

perennial, prostrate and rooting at the nodes; flowers white or pink,

the heads terminating long peduncles. White clover is planted ex-

tensively in temperate regions of North America for pastures and

lawns. Doubtless it has been introduced into Costa Rica unin-

tentionally, with grass seed.

ULEX L.

Ulex europaeus L. A few shrubs of this European plant are

well established in pastures of Volcan de Poas, at an elevation of

about 2,500 meters. A dense shrub a meter high, the short branches

spine-like, sharp-tipped; leaves small, spiniform ; flowers axillary, 1.5-

2 cm. long, yellow.

VICIA L.

Vicia Faba L. Haba. The broad bean is cultivated sometimes

in the region of Cartago for its large, edible seeds, utilized like beans.

It is a European plant.

VIGNA Savi

Herbaceous vines, rarely erect plants; leaflets 3, broad; flowers

clustered at the apex of an elongate, axillary peduncle, yellow;

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 559

calyx 4-5-dentate; legume linear, almost terete, dehiscent. — No

other species are known from Central America.

Vigna repens (L.) Kuntze. V. luteola Benth. Thickets, Meseta

Central to the Pacific coast. A species of wide distribution in

tropical America. A slender vine, the stems sparsely pilose or gla-

brous; leaflets ovate to lanceolate, attenuate, almost glabrous;

flowers yellow, 1.5 cm. long, few or numerous in the raceme; legume

pilose, usually 3.5-4 cm. long.

Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. Sometimes cultivated for its

young pods or for its seeds, both of which are edible, or as a green

manure plant in banana and coffee plantations. A plant of African

origin, the cow pea is grown upon a large scale in many temperate

and tropical regions of the earth.

Vigna vexillata (L.) A. Rich. Thickets, Meseta Central to the

coasts. A species of wide distribution in the tropics. Similar to

V. repens, the stems hirsute with long, brown hairs; flowers yellow,

2-2.5 cm. long, usually 4 or fewer in a raceme; legume 7-10 cm. long.

ZORNIA Gmel.

A single species grows in Central America.

Zornia diphylla (L.) Pers. Trencilla. Grassy places or in

thickets, Meseta Central to the Pacific coast. Widely distributed

in tropical America. A perennial herb, erect or procumbent, about

30 cm. high; leaflets 2, ovate or narrower, acute, pilose or almost

glabrous; flowers small, yellow, spicate, subtended by large, ovate,

2-ranked bracts; fruit articulate, composed of few compressed, inde-

hiscent joints. Employed in Salvador as a remedy for dysentery.

GERANIACEAE. Geranium Family

Reference; Hanks & Small, N. Amer. Flora. 25: 3. 1907.

Herbs, the leaves opposite, often almost all basal, with stipules;

flowers regular, in cymes; sepals 5, persistent, generally mucronate;

petals 5, deciduous; stamens mostly 10, the filaments united at the

base; fruit of 5 one-seeded carpels, the styles united with a central

column. — The only genus native in Central America is Geranium.

GERANIUM L.

In Central America there is a single representative of the genus,

but in Mexico there are numerous species.

560 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Geranium mexicanum HBK. Common in forest and thickets

of the central region, ascending the slopes of the mountains to 3,000

meters; San Ramon. Extending to Mexico. Plants perennial,

ascending or decumbent, loosely branched, the few or numerous

stems 20-60 cm. long, pubescent; leaves 5-angulate, petiolate, 3-5-

parted, l.S^i cm. wide, the segments narrow, dentate, pubescent;

pedicels glandular-pubescent; petals pink.

PELARGONIUM L'HeY. Geranium

Pelargonium graveolens L'He"r. Geranio de olor, Malva de

olor. A plant of African origin, cultivated in gardens for its fragrant

leaves, which are deeply lobate. Flowers large, pink. The English

name is rose geranium.

Pelargonium hortorum L. H. Bailey. Geranio. An orna-

mental plant, very common in gardens. The cultivated geraniums

are plants of artificial hybrid origin, obtained by crossing various

African species. They are favorite house and garden plants in

almost all parts of the earth.

OXALIDACEAE. Oxalis Family

Reference: R. Knuth, Pflanzenreich IV. 130. 1930.

Herbs or trees; leaves alternate, sometimes all basal, with or

without stipules, compound, palmate or pinnate; flowers perfect,

almost regular, in pedunculate, simple or compound cymes; sepals 5;

petals 5; stamens 10; ovary 5-celled; fruit capsular or baccate,

usually containing numerous seeds. — The genus Biophytum is repre-

sented elsewhere in Central America, and probably in Costa Rica.

AVERRHOA L.

Averrhoa Bilimbi L. Tiriguro. Cultivated and perhaps

naturalized in Nicoya, and probably elsewhere. Native of the East

Indies. A shrub or small tree; leaves pinnate, the leaflets numerous,

ovate or oblong, acuminate, pubescent; flowers 1.5-2 cm. long, red-

purple, in axillary or lateral cymes; fruit an oblong or globose berry,

6-9 cm. long, many-seeded. The fruits are eaten either raw or cooked

with sugar.

OXALIS L.

Herbs, often acaulescent and with scaly bulbs; leaves pinnate

or palmate, the leaflets 3 in the Costa Rican species; cymes few-

flowered, the petals yellow or purple; fruit a small, narrow, angulate

capsule. — Other species grow in Central America.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 561

Oxalis Bradei Knuth, Repert. Sp. Nov. 23: 276. 1927. West

slope of Volcan de Irazu, 2,100 meters, Erode 2017. Known to the

writer only from description. Stems almost filiform, simple or

branched, rooting; leaflets 3, broadly triquetrous-obcordate, 9 mm.

wide and 6 mm. long, with a shallow, narrow sinus at the apex,

glabrous above, pilose beneath; peduncles 1-flowered.

Oxalis corniculata L. Acedera. Common in pastures and

other grassy places, or in thickets, Meseta Central to the Atlantic

coast. A species of wide distribution. A slender, prostrate or

procumbent, branched, pubescent herb; leaves palmately 3-foliolate,

on long petioles, the leaflets small, obcordate; flowers small, yellow.

This plant, like most other species, has an acid flavor. Pittier

states that the country people give the leaves to small children to

chew, since they believe them an effective remedy against intestinal

parasites.

Oxalis latifolia HBK. Common in grassy places about San

Jose. Mexico to Peru and West Indies. A small, succulent, acaules-

cent plant, the root bulbous; leaflets ob triangular, large, almost

glabrous, the terminal lobes obtuse or subacute; flowers purple,

8-13 mm. long.

Oxalis Martiana Zucc. TreboL Grassy places, Meseta Central

to the Atlantic coast, sometimes a weed in cultivated ground; also

cultivated for ornament. A species of wide distribution in tropical

America, probably introduced in Costa Rica. Plants acaulescent,

bulbous; leaves palmately 3-foliolate, succulent, the leaflets rounded,

somewhat pubescent, the lobes broadly rounded at the apex; flowers

purple 1.5-2 cm. long.

Oxalis Neaei DC. Common in thickets and savannas of the

Pacific tierra caliente. Mexico to Brazil. A caulescent herb 10-50

cm. high, branched, pubescent; leaves pinnately 3-foliolate, the

leaflets small, lanceolate to ovate, obtuse or emarginate; flowers

yellow. The flowers are open in the morning but close about noon.

Knuth reports for Costa Rica 0. pilosissima Turcz. and 0. Berlandieri

Torr., which probably are mere forms of 0. Neaei.

Oxalis rhombifolia Jacq. 0. acuminata Schlecht. Reported for

Costa Rica by Knuth, without indication of the locality (collected

by Warscewicz). Mexico to Venezuela. An herb, perhaps some-

times frutescent, 1 meter high or less, branched; leaves pinnate,

the 3 leaflets ovate or lanceolate, acuminate, somewhat pubescent;

flowers yellow.

562 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Oxalis vulcanicola Donn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 23: 241. 1897.

Xanthoxalis vulcanicola Small, N. Amer. Fl. 25: 55. 1907. Birris,

Volcan de Irazu, 2,800 meters, Pittier 164. Common in forest and

at the edges of meadows of the central region, especially on slopes

of the volcanoes, 1,300-3,000 meters. Also in Panama. A branched

herb, procumbent or somewhat scandent, the stems dark red ; leaves

palmately compound, the 3 leaflets obovate or almost rounded,

emarginate, pilose beneath; flowers yellow, the petals with red veins.

ERYTHROXYLACEAE. Coca Family

In America the family is represented by a single genus.

Reference: 0. E. Schulz, Pflanzenreich IV. 134. 1907; N. L.

Britton, N. Amer. Flora 25: 59. 1907.

ERYTHROXYLON L.

Glabrous trees or shrubs; leaves alternate, with stipules, petiolate,

entire; flowers small, pedicellate, solitary or fasciculate in the leaf

axils; calyx 5-lobulate or of 5 sepals, persistent; petals 5, small;

stamens 10, biseriate, united near the base to form a tube; ovary

3-celled; fruit a drupe, usually with a single cell and seed. — Other

species occur in Central America. E. Coca Lam., a Peruvian species,

from which is extracted the narcotic drug cocaine, probably is planted

in some Costa Rican gardens. It is cultivated extensively in the

Andes, even as far north as Colombia.

Erythroxylon havanense Jacq. E. havanense var. continentis

Schulz, Pflanzenreich IV. 134: 92. 1907 (Nicoya, Tonduz 13886}.

Dry thickets of Guanacaste. Ranging to Cuba and Ecuador; known

in Costa Rica only from the collection cited. A shrub or small tree;

leaves short-petiolate, the petioles twice as long as the stipules, the

blades elliptic, obtuse; pedicels 4.5-6.5 mm. long; petals 5 mm. long,

white; drupe 4.5-7 mm. long.

Erythroxylon lucidum HBK. E. costaricense Donn. Smith,

Bot. Gaz. 23: 240. 1897 (Santo Domingo de Golfo Dulce, Tonduz

10092). E. lucidum var. costaricense Schulz, Pflanzenreich IV. 134:

25. 1907. Forests and thickets of the Pacific slope. Mexico to

Peru. A shrub or small tree; stipules twice as long as the petioles;

leaves elliptic or obovate, 7-14 cm. long, acute; pedicels 1-10 mm.

long; petals white, 3^.5 mm. long; drupe 5-7.5 cm. long. The var.

costaricense has slightly smaller flowers than the typical form.

FLORA OF COSTA RIGA 563

TROPAEOLACEAE. Nasturtium Family

References: Buchenau, Pflanzenreich IV. 131. 1902; Nash, N.

Amer. Flora 25: 89. 1910.

The family consists of a single genus.

TROPAEOLUM L. Nasturtium

Annual or perennial herbs, usually scandent, sometimes with

tuberous roots; leaves alternate, peltate, entire, angulate, or lobate;

flowers very irregular, perfect, solitary in the leaf axils; sepals 5;

petals 5, one of them spurred; stamens 8, free; ovary 3-celled; fruit

indehiscent, somewhat fleshy.

Tropaeolum bimaculatum Klotzsch ex Buchenau, Bot. Jahrb.

15: 217. 1893. Based upon collections made by Warscewicz on

the volcanoes of Chiriqui and Irazu. Forests of the central volcanoes,

2,800-3,000 meters. Also in Panama. Plants scandent, glabrous;

leaves 3-4 cm. broad, somewhat lobulate, the lobes rounded; flowers

almost 3 cm. long, the upper petals dentate.

Tropaeolum majus L. Capuchina. An ornamental garden

plant, of South American origin. The English name is nasturtium.

Tropaeolum Moritzianum Klotsch. Common in wet forests

of the central mountains, 800-3,000 meters; region of San Ramon.

Guatemala to Venezuela. A glabrous vine; leaves 4-10 cm. wide,

entire or somewhat lobulate, almost orbicular; flowers dark red, the

petals dentate. A very handsome plant because of its brilliantly

colored flowers. It grows profusely in some localities on the slopes

of Irazu, often in association with Impatiens turrialbae. The flowers

of these two plants are exactly alike in color, and confusingly alike

in form, and I have found them twisted together in such a manner

that it was difficult to distinguish them.

Tropaeolum pendulum Klotzsch. Mountain forests of the

central region, 1,500-2,800 meters. Ranging to Colombia. A small,

glabrous vine, the leaves rounded, somewhat lobulate; flowers yellow,

the petals entire or merely crenulate.

Tropaeolum Warscewiczii Buchenau, Bot. Jahrb. 26: 582.

1899. Type collected in Costa Rica or in Veraguas, Panama, by

Warscewicz; a little known species. Plants scandent, glabrous;

leaves somewhat 5-lobulate; flowers 3.5-4 cm. long, the petals pale

yellow, the upper ones dentate.

564 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

ZYGOPHYLLACEAE. Lignum-vitae Family

Reference: Vail & Rydberg, N. Amer. Flora 25: 103. 1910.

Other genera represented in Central America are Guaiacum and

Tribulus.

KALLSTROEMIA Scop.

Annual or perennial herbs, usually procumbent or prostrate,

pubescent; leaves stipulate, pinnate, opposite; flowers axillary,

solitary, yellow; sepals 5; petals 4-6; stamens 10-12; ovary 8-12-

celled; fruit of 8-12 hard, dry, beaked, 1-seeded carpels united with

a central column.— From Central America only the following species

are known.

Kallstroemia caribaea Rydb. Reported for Costa Rica, the

locality not indicated. Yucatan to Venezuela and the West Indies.

Similar to the following species, but the fruit strigose.

Kallstroemia maxima (L.) Torr. & Gray. Takacao. Tribulus

maximus L. Waste ground of the Pacific coast, and probably in

other regions. A species of wide distribution. Plants annual,

branched; leaflets 3 or 4 pairs, oblong or oval, 5-20 mm. long;

petals 8 mm. long; fruit glabrous, 10-carpellate. Pittier states that

in Nicoya the crushed leaves are applied to boils and similar sores,

to bring them to a head.

RUTACEAE. Rue Family

Reference: P. Wilson, N. Amer. Flora 25: 173. 1911.

Trees or shrubs, rarely herbs, with glands in the bark, leaves,

and fruits; leaves alternate or opposite, pellucid-glandular, without

stipules, pinnate or digitate, rarely simple; flowers perfect, poly-

gamous, or dioecious; calyx with 3-5 lobes or sepals; corolla of 3-5

petals; ovary 1-5-carpellate, the carpels sessile or stipitate, free or

united, usually with 2 ovules in each cell; fruit follicular or capsular,

or a samara, drupe, or berry. — Other genera are represented in

Central America.

AMYRIS L.

Shrubs or trees, unarmed ; leaves opposite or alternate, trif oliolate

or sometimes 1-f oliolate, petiolate; inflorescence paniculate, few- or

many-flowered, the flowers perfect, white or whitish; sepals 4 or 5,

the petals of the same number, the stamens twice as many; ovary

1 -celled, the style very short, terminal, the stigma flat or capitate;

fruit a small or large drupe. — Two other species are known from

Central America.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 565

Amyris Brenesii Standl., sp. nov. — Ramuli teretes minute

sparseque griseo-puberuli vel glabrati, lenticellis numerosis pallidis

conspersi, internodiis elongatis; folia magna alterna 8-11 cm. longe

petiolata chartacea, petiolo gracili tereti glabro; foliola 3 et 1.5-4 cm.

longe petiolulata in sicco subfusca lanceolato-oblonga vel ovato-

oblonga 15-21 cm. longa 5.5-7 cm. lata attenuato-acuta, basi obtusa,

dense pellucido-punctata, supra glabra sublucida nervis venisque

prominulis, subtus sparse minutissime puberulis vel fere omnino

glabra, costa gracili elevata; paniculae numerosae angustae foliis

aequilongae vel breviores pedunculatae laxe ramosae, ramis oppositis

minute griseo-puberulis, bracteis latissime ovatis persistentibus ca.

1 mm. longis, pedicellis vix ultra 1 mm. longis; sepala latissime

ovata obtusa ca. 0.8 mm. longa pallida; ovarium sessile glabrum

basi et apice paullo constrictum, stigmate capitate. — San Pedro

de San Ramon, July, 1932, Brenes 16170 (type in Herb. Field Mus.).

In foliage the plant is suggestive of some species of Casimiroa, but

it is apparently referable rather to the genus Amyris.

Amyris costaricensis Standl., sp. nov. — Arbuscula 2-3-metralis

omnino glabra, ramulis gracilibus ochraceis subteretibus lenticellis

numerosis parvis pallidis conspersis; folia subopposita vel alterna

magna longipetiolata crasse membranacea, petiolo gracili ad 18cm.

longo gracili tereti; foliola 3, lateralia 1 cm. longe terminalia 4 cm.

longe petiolulata, elliptica vel oblongo-elliptica 17-21 cm. longa 8-10.5

cm. lata apice obtusa et abrupte breviter apicata, basi rotundata

vel obtusa, supra in sicco viridia nervis venisque gracillimis pro-

minulis, sublucida, subtus multo pallidiora, costa gracili elevata,

venulis prominulis laxe reticulatis; panicula parva ca. 5 cm. longa

breviter pedunculata multiflora, floribus breviter pedicellatis; drupa

ovalis vel ovoidea basi et apice rotundata 1.5-2 cm. longa 1-sperma.

—Forests of La Palma (Piedades) de San Ramon, 1,000 meters,

January, 1927, Brenes 5362 (type in Herb. Field Mus.). Because

of the incomplete state of the material, the generic reference of this

plant is uncertain, but it appears referable here more satisfactorily

than elsewhere.

Amyris sylvatica Jacq. Forests of the Meseta Central, and

perhaps elsewhere. Mexico to Colombia and West Indies. A small,

glabrous tree; leaves alternate or subopposite, the 3-5 leaflets ovate,

3-10 cm. long, acuminate, somewhat crenate; flowers small, white,

in terminal panicles, the petals 3 mm. long; fruit a globose drupe

5-7 mm. long, black or reddish. The wood is yellowish or whitish,

very hard and heavy, fragrant, and brittle.

566 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

CASIMIROA Llave & Lex.

Two other species are known from Central America.

Casimiroa tetrameria Millsp. Matasano. Tierra templada

of the central region, cultivated and also wild in the forests. Ranging

to southern Mexico. A large or medium-sized tree with rounded

crown; leaves alternate, digitate, the leaflets mostly 5, elliptic,

acuminate, 7-16 cm. long, densely and softly pilose; flowers small,

whitish; fruit a large berry, resembling a green or yellow apple, very

juicy, sweet, the flesh white. The tree flowers and fruits through-

out the year. The fruit has an agreeable flavor, somewhat sug-

gestive of a sweet apple, but there is a popular belief that it is "un-

healthy" if much eaten, and that it causes drowsiness. There is

probably a scientific basis for the latter belief. The wood is white.

Costa Rican collections have been referred to C. Sapota Oerst.

and C. edulis Llave & Lex., but I have seen no Costa Rican speci-

mens of these species.

CITRUS L.

All the species of this important genus are natives of the Old

World, principally of China and the East Indies.

Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle. Limon. C. Limetta

of many authors. A small tree, cultivated from sea level to 1,400

meters, also naturalized in many places, especially in the tierra

caliente, where it is sometimes abundant in forests. The small,

acid fruits of the lime are used for preparing refreshing beverages

and conserves.

Citrus Aurantium L. Naranjo acido, Naranjo agrio. Planted

in many places, and perhaps also naturalized. The fruits of the

sour orange are very acid and bitter, and not edible. The juice and

rind are used for preparing certain kinds of preserves.

Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck. Toronja. Grapefruit. Planted in

some places, especially in the Atlantic tierra caliente, and producing

fruit of good quality. Because of its acidity, the grapefruit has

few friends among Central Americans.

Citrus Limonia Osbeck. Limon real. The lemon is planted in

some localities, but it is not a common fruit of Central America, the

lime being preferred for the purposes for which the lemon is em-

ployed in the North.

Citrus Limetta Risso. Lima, Lima dulce. Much grown for

its large, sweet fruits. To the writer this seems one of the poorest

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 567

of all tropical fruits, its flavor suggesting nothing so much as slightly

sweetened, warm dishwater.

Citrus medica L. Cidra, Toronja. Sometimes planted for its

large fruits, similar to the grapefruit, but with a very thick rind

that is utilized for preparing conserves.

Citrus nobilis Lour. var. deliciosa (Ten.) Swingle. Mandarina.

The tangerine is planted rather commonly in the Meseta Central,

and probably in other regions.

Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck. Naranjo, Naranja dulce. The

sweet orange doubtless was imported into Costa Rica in earliest

colonial days from Spain, and now is grown everywhere from sea

level to at least 1,500 meters. It thrives better in mountain regions.

The oranges of Costa Rica are often of superior quality, and they

have been exported in small quantities in past years. The navel

oranges are grown in some localities, those of Navarro being famous

throughout the country. There can be no dispute that tropical

oranges, such as those produced in Costa Rica, are greatly superior

in flavor and sweetness to those cultivated under rather artificial

conditions in the North. Among Indian names reported are: Ash,

Ash-uo (Bribri) ; Nemar-ue, Tshina-ri (Cabe"cara) ; Tshina, Tshina-ue

(Chirripo); Drah tshina (Brunka); Kikure (tree), Kamum (fruit;

Guatuso).

ERYTHROCHITON Nees & Mart.

A single species is known from North America.

Erythrochiton Lindeni (Baill.) Hemsl. Forests of the Pacific

tierra caliente. Ranging to southern Mexico. A glabrous shrub

or small tree; leaves with a single leaflet, this elliptic or oblanceolate,

25-35 cm. long, acuminate, entire; flowers in small, pedunculate

cymes, the sepals 3-4 cm. long; petals united to form a tube; fruit

a 5-celled capsule.

ESENBECKIA HBK.

Another Central American species is found in Guatemala and

British Honduras.

Esenbeckia litoralis Bonn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 23: 242. 1897.

Bahia de Salinas, Pittier 2777. Also in Salvador. A shrub or small

tree; leaves alternate, the 3 leaflets elliptic, 5-12 cm. long, rounded

or short-acuminate at the apex, somewhat pilose beneath; flowers

5 mm. broad, in small, terminal panicles; fruit capsular.

568 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

MURRAYA Koenig

Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack. Mirto. M. exotica L. An

ornamental shrub or small tree, cultivated occasionally. Native of

the East Indies. Leaves pinnate, the 3-9 leaflets small, obovate,

obtuse; flowers small, white; fruit a globose, red berry 1-1.5 cm.

long.

PELTOSTIGMA Walp.

A single species is known from North America.

Peltostigma pteleoides (Hook.) Walp. Summit of Cerro de

La Carpintera, 1,800 meters. Ranging to southern Mexico, and in

Jamaica. A small, glabrous tree; leaves petiolate, digitate, the 3-5

leaflets elliptic or obovate, 5-20 cm. long, acute or acuminate,

entire or crenulate; flowers white, with the odor of orange blossoms,

3-3.5 cm. broad, few, in axillary cymes, the petals rounded, pube-

rulent; fruit a globose capsule.

RAVENIA Veil

Only one species is known in Central America.

Ravenia rosea Standl. Forests of the Atlantic coast. Also in

Nicaragua. A shrub of 2-2.5 meters or a small tree; leaves opposite,

simple, short-petiolate, oblong or oblanceolate, 16-25 cm. long,

narrowly acuminate, almost glabrous; flowers few, terminal, pedi-

cellate, pink, 4 cm. long; fruit composed of few carpels. The wood

when first cut is yellowish white.

RUTAL. Rue

Ruta chalapensis L. Ruda. Rue is cultivated commonly in

gardens, an importation from Europe. An aromatic, perennial

herb with pale green foliage. The plant rarely flowers in Central

America. It is much used in domestic medicine as a sudorific and

vomitive.

TRIPHASIA Lour.

Triphasia trifolia (Burm.) P. Wilson. An ornamental shrub,

planted in some localities. Native of the East Indies. Branches

armed with axillary spines; leaves alternate, the 3 leaflets ovate or

oval, 1-3.5 cm. long, obtuse; flowers in small cymes, white, fragrant,

1.5 cm. long; fruit a globose berry 1-1.5 cm. in diameter, red and

aromatic, 1-3-seeded.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 569

ZANTHOXYLUM L.

Trees or shrubs, generally armed with prickles, these often large

and greatly thickened, the bark aromatic; leaves alternate, pinnate,

rarely with a single leaflet, the leaflets opposite or alternate, entire

or crenulate, with pellucid glands; flowers small, whitish or yellowish,

in terminal or axillary panicles or clusters, the sepals 3-5, generally

somewhat united; fruit of 1-5 follicles. — Other species are known

from Central America. In some species the trunk is covered with

short, pyramidal prickles almost cork-like in texture. It is possible

to separate them from the bark, with a flat basal surface, on which

there are sometimes cut letters or figures, the seal so produced

being used for printing figures on paper or cloth. The wood in

this genus is yellow, hard, and heavy.

Zanthoxylum chiriquinum Standl., sp. nov. — Frutex glaber

inermis; folia petiolata, petiolo 2-5 cm. longo; foliola 7-9 oblonga

vel elliptico-oblonga 4-7.5 cm. longa 1.5-3 cm. lata obtusa vel

breviter acutata, basi acuta vel abrupte contracta, crenata vel sub-

integra, subcoriacea, petiolulata, subtus paullo pallidiora, conspicue

glanduloso-punctata, floribus viridescentibus, pedicellis 2-3 mm.

longis crassis; sepala 5 ovata acuta vix 1 mm. longa; petala 3.5-4

mm. longa; folliculi 1-2 oblique subglobosi 7 mm. longi crasse

stipitati, seminibus subglobosis nigris lucidissimis. — Rio Ladrillo,

above El Boquete, Chiriqui, Panama, 1,200 meters, Pittier 3060

(type in Herb. Field Mus.). From Costa Rica I have seen the

following collections: Laguna de La Escuadra, near El Copey, 2,000

meters, Standley 42042; near Los Lotes, north of El Copey, 2,100-

2,400 meters, Standley 42647; Cerros de Zurqui, northeast of San

Isidro de Heredia, 2,000-2,400 meters, Standley & Valeria 50619.

A glabrous shrub 2-3 meters high; leaflets 7 or 9, oblong, obtuse or

acute, crenulate; panicles equaling the petioles, pedunculate, com-

posed of few pedicellate flowers; sepals and petals 5.

Zanthoxylum elephantiasis Macfad. Lagartillo. Forests of

the Meseta Central and Guanacaste; San Ramon. Ranging to

Mexico and West Indies. A tree of 6-15 meters, the trunk armed

with short, thick prickles, the crown rounded; leaflets 5-17, ovate

or oblong, 4-10 cm. long, acute or acuminate, crenulate, glabrous;

panicles terminal or axillary, with very thick branches; sepals and

petals 5; follicles 5, stipitate, 7-9 mm. long. Easy to recognize by

the very thick branches of the panicles.

570 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Zanthoxylum ferrugineum Bonn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 24: 391.

1897. Alajuela, 900 meters, J. D. Smith 6468. Known only from

the original collection. An unarmed tree with grayish bark, the

young parts covered with a brown tomentum that disappears when

the leaves are fully developed; leaflets 13-17, oblong, 4-6.5 cm. long,

acuminate, crenate or almost entire; panicles 6-10 cm. long; petals

9 or 10; follicle 1.

Zanthoxylum insulare Rose. Lagartillo. Forests of Guana-

caste. Mexico to Jamaica and northern South America. A tree of

6-12 meters, the trunk very prickly, the crown broad; leaflets

7-15, oblong, 2-7 cm. long, obtuse, crenate, glabrous, somewhat

blackish when dried; panicles axillary, very short; sepals and petals

4; follicles 1 or 2, stipitate or almost sessile, 5-7 mm. long.

Zanthoxylum Limoncello Planch. & Oerst. Limoncillo, Zo-

rrillo. Z. costaricense Donn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 12: 190. 1888 (near

Cartago, Cooper 176). Common in hedges of the Meseta Central.

Panama to Mexico. A densely branched, very prickly shrub of

2-5 meters, almost glabrous; leaflets 3, oblong-elliptic, acute, 3-7

cm. long, crenulate or almost entire; sepals and petals 4; follicles

1 or 2, stipitate or almost sessile, 5-7 mm. long. All parts of the

plant have a strong and characteristic odor that suggests lemon.

Zanthoxylum melanostictum Schlecht. & Cham. Lagarto

Colorado. In forest, region of San Ramon, collected only by Brenes.

Extending to Mexico. A tree, the smooth, gray bark with scattered,

large, conical prickles, the branches armed or unarmed; leaflets 3-7,

oblong to elliptic or oblong-obovate, 6-12 cm. long, obtusely short-

acuminate to rounded at the apex, coriaceous, entire or crenulate,

glabrous; panicles axillary and terminal, lax, 5-10 cm. long; sepals

5; follicles 1-5, obovoid, 6-7 mm. long.

Zanthoxylum microcarpum Griseb. Lagartillo, Lagarto bianco.

Thickets of the Meseta Central; San Ramon. Ranging to southern

Mexico and West Indies. A shrub or tree of 3-6 meters, the trunk

very prickly; leaflets 11-20, oblong, 3-9 cm. long, acute or obtuse,

crenate, the scant pubescence of minute, stellate hairs; panicles

terminal, 10-15 cm. long; sepals and petals 5; follicles 1 or 2, about

4-5 mm. long. The species may be recognized by the stellate hairs.

Zanthoxylum monophyllum (Lam.) P. Wilson. Lagarto

negro, Lagarto amarillo. Near San Jose and at San Ramon. Also

West Indies and northern South America. A prickly shrub or small

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 571

tree, 4-8 meters high, almost glabrous; leaflet only 1, oval or elliptic,

5-15 cm. long, acute or rounded at the apex; panicles terminal or

lateral, 2-5 cm. long; sepals and petals 5; follicles 2 or 3, mostly

3.5-4.5 mm. long. Because of its single leaflet, this species is very

unlike other local representatives of this genus.

Zanthoxylum panamense P. Wilson. Lagarto bianco. Pan-

ama. A tree sometimes 20 meters high, with a trunk 40 cm. in

diameter, this armed with broad, hard, corky prickles, the branches

more or less prickly or sometimes unarmed ; leaflets 6-8, oval-oblong

to oval, 8-14 cm. long, rounded and mucronate at the apex or

sometimes abruptly short-acuminate, somewhat puberulent beneath

or glabrate, subcoriaceous, entire; panicles 20-25 cm. long, minutely

hispidulous or glabrate; sepals and petals 5; follicles subglobose,

4-5 mm. long.

Zanthoxylum procerum Donn. Smith, Bot. Gaz. 23: 4. 1897.

Lagartillo, Palo de lagarto. Santa Maria de Dota, 1,170 meters,

Tonduz 2348. Common in forests of the central region, and extend-

ing to both coasts, ascending to 1,700 meters. Ranging to southern

Mexico. A tree of 5-15 meters, somewhat prickly, almost glabrous;

leaflets 4-12, oblong to oval or obovate, 7-15 cm. long, acuminate,

crenate or entire; flowers white, in terminal corymbs; sepals and

petals 3; follicle 1, usually 5.5-7 mm. long. Indian names are

Nori (Bribri) and Ku-kra (Brunka).

SIMARUBACEAE. Simaruba Family

Reference: J. K. Small, N. Amer. Flora 25: 226. 1911.

Trees or shrubs; leaves mostly alternate and pinnate, the leaf-

lets entire, rarely dentate, mostly alternate; flowers perfect or of

2 sexes, small, paniculate or clustered in the leaf axils; sepals 3-7,

distinct or united; petals 3-7; stamens as many as the sepals or

twice as many; ovary of 2-5 distinct or united carpels, these 1-2-

ovulate; fruit a drupe, berry, capsule, or samara. — All the known

Central American genera are represented in Costa Rica.

ALVARADOA Liebm.

A single species grows in Central America. The genus was

named for Pedro de Alvarado, associate of Cortes and conqueror

of Guatemala and Salvador.

Alvaradoa amorphoides Liebm. Diquis Valley. Ranging to

Mexico, Florida, and the West Indies. A shrub or small tree;

572 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

leaflets 19-51, oblong, 1-2.5 cm. long, rounded at the apex, glabrous

above, pubescent beneath; flowers small, dioecious, in bracted

racemes, apetalous; fruit a winged samara, lanceolate or oblong,

acute, 1-1.5 cm. long, pilose.

PICRAMNIA Swartz

Slender trees or shrubs; leaflets few or numerous, entire; flowers

small, green, dioecious, in elongate spikes which are simple or

branched; petals and sepals 3-5; stamens 3-5; fruit a 1-2-seeded

berry. — One or two other species are found in Central America.

Picramnia carpinterae Polak. Linnaea 41 : 553. 1877. Caregre.

Forests of Cerro de La Carpintera, Polakowsky. Common in

forests of the whole central region, 1,000-1,800 meters. Also in

Panama. A shrub or small tree of 2-6 meters; leaflets about 11,

ovate or elliptic-oblong, obtuse-acuminate, soft-pubescent beneath,

at least on the veins, which are very conspicuous; staminate flowers

in very long and slender spikes, the pistillate racemes elongate;

berries bright red, 1.5 cm. long. The shrub is a handsome and

ornamental one when loaded with its beautiful fruits. Costa Rican

collections have been referred to P. antidesma Swartz. Small listed

P. carpinterae as a synonym of P. latifolia, which is certainly an

error. The leaves are somewhat yellowish when dried.

Picramnia latifolia Tulasne. Common in forests of the

Atlantic coast, also in the Pacific tierra caliente; region of San Ramon.

Extending to Colombia. A shrub or small tree; leaflets few, ovate or

elliptic, 6-15 cm. long, narrowly acuminate, almost glabrous;

racemes simple; sepals 5; fruits red. The species may be recognized

by its large leaflets.

Picramnia longifolia Standl. Journ. Wash. Acad. Sci. 17: 312.

1927. Forests of Cerro de Las Caricias, north of San Isidro, Prov.

Heredia, 2,400 meters, Standley & Valeria 52211. Known only

from the region of the type. A shrub of 3 meters; leaflets 17-21,

ovate to oblong, 3-4.5 cm. long, acuminate, puberulent beneath on

the costa, glabrous elsewhere; pistillate inflorescence branched, the

staminate simple; sepals 4; berries dark red, 1 cm. long.

Picramnia quaternaria Donn. Smith. Caregre, Sartalillo.

Common throughout the central region, in forests and hedges, also

in Guanacaste. Extending to Guatemala. A shrub of 2-5 meters;

leaflets 9-15, ovate to oblong, mostly 3-6 cm. long, acuminate,

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 573

almost glabrous; inflorescences of both sexes simple; berries red,

or black when perfectly mature. The name Urruca is sometimes

given to this shrub, but probably in error, because of confusion with

Trichilia. The plant is abundant in hedges of the Meseta Central,

where the branches with fruits are often employed for decorating

altars and houses.

QUASSIA L.

A single species grows in Central America.

Quassia amara L. Hombre grande, Hombron, Guavo. Forests

of the tierra caliente. Mexico to northern South America. A shrub

or small tree; rachis of the leaf winged, the leaflets 5, opposite,

oblong or obovate, 5-10 cm. long, glabrous; flowers bright red, 3 cm.

long, in elongate racemes; fruit of 5 black drupes 1-1.5 cm. long.

The shrub is a highly ornamental one in the dark forests that it

inhabits, because of its large and vividly colored flowers. All parts

of the plant are as bitter as quinine, and it has long been employed

in the same manner. Pittier writes: "It is one of the principal

remedies of the Indians. They cut the trunk into pieces 30-60 cm.

long, one of which they always carry upon their voyages, and which

they sometimes carry for sale to the markets of the interior. For

fevers and as an aperitive they take an infusion of shavings from one

of these sticks." The plant furnishes quassia of commerce, employed

in the preparation of insecticides and proprietary medicines. Small

(N. Amer. Flora) states that the species is "cultivated and locally

naturalized" in Mexico and Central America. I can not guess at

the data upon which so ridiculous a statement was based, since the

plant is one of the conspicuous elements of the virgin forest.

SIMABA Aubl.

A single species grows in Central America.

Siniaba Cedron Planch. Cedron. Golfo Dulce. Ranging to

Colombia. A shrub or small tree of 4-8 meters, terminated by a

cluster of huge leaves; leaflets numerous, oblong or lanceolate, 10-20

cm. long, acuminate, entire, glabrous; flowers perfect, 2.5-3.5 cm.

long, in large panicles; fruit an oval drupe about 10 cm. long. A

bitter plant, having a high reputation in Central America as a remedy

for fevers and snake bites. The part used is the cotyledons of

the seeds, which are said to be exported in small quantities from

Puntarenas.

574 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

SIMARUBA Aubl.

A single species is known in Central America.

Simaruba glauca DC. Olivo. Dry forests of the Pacific coast;

El General. It is abundant along the Pacific coast of Central

America. A medium-sized tree; leaflets 11-21, oblong, 5-10 cm.

long, obtuse, glabrous, very pale beneath; flowers small, whitish, in

large panicles; drupes oval, 2 cm. long, white or black. The fruits,

in appearance much like ripe olives, are edible. The pulp is astringent,

somewhat sweet or insipid, and not very appetizing. In other parts

of Central America the tree is known by the names Aceituno and

Jucumico. The wood is yellowish white, light in weight, and not

durable.

BURSERACEAE. Torchwood Family

Reference: Rose, N. Amer. Flora 25: 241. 1911.

Aromatic shrubs or trees; leaves alternate, without stipules,

pinnate, the leaflets few, entire or dentate; flowers small, generally

perfect and paniculate; sepals 3-5, united at the base; petals 3-5,

alternate with the sepals; stamens 6-10, the filaments free; ovary

superior, 4-5-celled, the cells 2-ovulate; fruit drupaceous, 1-5-

seeded. — The genus Tetragastris is represented in Central America

and probably in Costa Rica, although I have seen no collections

from the country.

BURSERA P. Br.

Trees or shrubs, the leaves deciduous, pinnate in the Central

American species, the leaflets entire or crenate; flowers small, solitary

or in axillary panicles; petals imbricate; fruit a small, 3-angled drupe,

dehiscent, containing a single large seed. — At least one other species

is known from Central America. The genus is most abundantly

represented in Mexico.

Bursera graveolens (HBK.) Triana. Carana. Isla de Caballo,

Brenes 15697. Yucatan to Peru. A small tree; leaflets 5-7, mem-

branaceous, glabrous in age, lance-oblong, long-acuminate, coarsely

crenate, the rachis broadly winged.

Bursera Simaruba (L.) Sarg. Jinote, Almacigo (Limon),

Carana. Meseta Central to the coasts. Mexico to Colombia and

Florida. A small or sometimes a very large tree, the trunk thick,

the bark reddish, constantly renewed and peeling off in large, paper-

like sheets; leaves deciduous, the leaflets 3-11, ovate or elliptic,

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 575

acuminate, glabrous or somewhat pubescent; flowers small, whitish;

fruit dehiscent, 3-angulate, 1 cm. long. In some parts of Central

America this tree receives the descriptive name of Indio desnudo,

in allusion to the appearance of the trunk, which in a dark forest

often startles one by its resemblance to the bronzed body of an

Indian. The trunk and branches exude a gum known as Elequeme

or Tacamahaca, which is considered an efficient remedy for venereal

diseases and chronic ulcers. The tree is planted commonly for

living fence posts. The gum is employed also for mending broken

dishes, and by the Indians of some regions for protecting their

canoes against insect attacks. The wood is whitish or pale brown,

light in weight, and not hard. It is little used in Central America

except for firewood. The gum of certain Mexican species supplies

commercial copal, employed in varnish making and as incense.

Indian names are: Kar-mari (Cabe*cara); Dori-tshka (Bribri); Dibit-

kra (Brunka); Tshutshu-kara (Guatuso).

Bursera tomentosa (Jacq.) Triana & Planch. Between Guachi-

pelin and Liberia, Guanacaste, Brenes 15506, 15589. Also in Vene-

zuela and Colombia. A small tree; leaflets 9-11, oblong to ovate,

obtuse, coarsely crenate, densely pubescent, the rachis broadly

winged.

PROTIUM Burm.

Glabrous or somewhat pubescent trees, the sap aromatic; leaves

pinnate, the leaflets few, petiolulate, large, entire; flowers small,

greenish or whitish, paniculate; calyx 4-5-1 obulate; petals 4 or 5;

fruit an indehiscent drupe. — A few additional species are represented

in Central America.

Icica confusa Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 25: 260. 1911. Diquis Valley,

between Rios Volcan and Convento, Pittier 12106. Known only

from the original collection. Leaflets 5-7, lanceolate, somewhat

pubescent when young, acuminate, 8-12 cm. long; panicles narrow,

pubescent; petals and ovary pubescent. I have not transferred this

species to Protium because it probably should be reduced to syn-

onymy. Probably there are in Costa Rica not more than two species

of Protium, P. sessiliflorum with sessile flowers, and another with

pedicellate flowers which may well be only a form of the Mexican

P. Copal (Schlecht. & Cham.) Engler. In order to decide the matter,

it is necessary to have a greater amount of Central American material

than is now available for study.

576 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Protium costaricense (Rose) Engler, Nat. Pflanzenfam. ed. 2.

19a: 414. 1931. Idea costaricensis Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 25: 259. 1911.

Las Delicias, Santa Clara, Biolley 10665. Forests of the Atlantic

coast; region of San Ramon. Endemic. A tall tree; leaflets 5-9,

lanceolate, pubescent when young, acuminate, 7-15 cm. long;

panicles 5 cm. long, pubescent; petals pubescent; ovary pubescent.

The name Copal is given in Costa Rica to the various species of

Protium, and probably to this. From wounds in the bark there

runs a transparent resin.

Protium glabrum (Rose) Engler, Nat. Pflanzenfam. ed. 2. 19a:

414. 1931. Idea glabra Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 25: 259. 1911. Forests

of Buenos Aires, Tonduz 6682. Also in Panama. A glabrous tree;

leaflets 5, oblong or elliptic, 10-15 cm. long, short-acuminate;

panicles almost glabrous, slender, 5-7 cm. long; petals pubescent;

ovary glabrous.

Protium lucidum (Rose) Engler is a species of Mauria (Anacardi-

aceae).

Protium Pittieri (Rose) Engler, Nat. Pflanzenfam. ed. 2. 19a:

414. 1931. Idea Pittieri Rose, N. Amer. Fl. 25: 260. 1911. Rio

Blanco, Llanuras de Santa Clara, Pittier 13426. Known only from

the original collection. Leaflets 3 or 5, elliptic, short-acuminate,

10-20 cm. long, pubescent when young; panicles 5-7 cm. long,

pubescent; petals pubescent.

Protium sessiliflorum (Rose) Standl. Idea sessiliflora Rose.

Golfo Dulce. Also in Panama and Nicaragua. A tall, glabrous

tree; leaflets 5 or 7, oblong or elliptic, 10-20 cm. long, short-acumin-

ate; panicles somewhat pubescent, the flowers sessile (pedicellate

in the other species listed here).

MELIACEAE. Mahogany Family

Reference: P. Wilson, N. Amer. Flora 25: 263. 1924.

Trees or shrubs; leaves usually alternate, pinnate, without

stipules, the leaflets entire or lobulate; flowers regular and perfect,

the inflorescence terminal or axillary; sepals 4 or 5, free or united;

petals 4 or 5, distinct; stamens 8 or 10, the filaments commonly

united to form a tube; ovary 2-5-celled, the ovules 2 or more in each

cell; fruit capsular, drupaceous, or baccate. — Another genus repre-

sented in Central America is Cabralea, with one species in Guatemala.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 577

GARAPA Aubl.

Trees; leaflets few or numerous, large, entire; flowers in terminal

or axillary panicles; stamens united to form a lobulate tube, the

anthers sessile inside the tube; ovary 4-5-celled, the ovules 4-8 in

each cell; capsule large, globose, woody or fleshy. — Another Central

American species occurs in Nicaragua.

Carapa guianensis Aubl. Forests of the Atlantic coast. Central

America to Brazil. A large or medium-sized tree; leaflets 10-14 or

more, oblong, 15-27 cm. long, obtuse and short-acuminate, glabrous;

flowers glabrous, 5 mm. long, in large, axillary panicles; fruit 7-10

cm. broad. The wood is reddish brown, hard and compact, not

very fine-grained, and durable. In some regions it is used for

general construction, and it has many of the properties of mahogany

without its handsome appearance. It is suitable for cabinetwork

and many other purposes. It is said that the tree is sometimes known

in Costa Rica by the name Caoba.

Carapa nicaraguensis C. DC. Golfito de Golfo Dulce, col-

lected only by Brenes. Nicaragua. An almost glabrous tree; leaflets

6-8, oblong-elliptic or oblong-obovate, 10-30 cm. long or larger,

rounded and inconspicuously mucronate at the apex, obtuse at the

base, coriaceous; sepals and petals 4, the sepals glabrous; petals

5 mm. long.

Carapa Slateri Standl. Cedro macho. Forests of the Atlantic

coast. Also in Panama. A tall tree; leaflets about 6 pairs, oblong,

13-20 cm. long or larger, rounded at the apex, glabrous; inflorescence

pubescent, 14 cm. long, the petals 3-3.5 cm. long. The tree is known

in Panama by the name Cedro bateo.

CEDRELA P. Br. Spanish cedar

Medium-sized or large trees; leaves pinnate, the leaflets numerous,

entire; flowers in terminal or subterminal panicles; petals 4 or 5;

stamens 4-6, the filaments free; ovary 5-celled, the ovules 8-12 in

each cell; capsule woody, opening by 5 valves; seeds samara-like,

winged. — Other species occur in Central America. These trees are

well known for their wood, which is reddish, fragrant, not heavy,

and rather soft. It is exported from Central America for manufacture

of cigar boxes, being the only wood commonly used for the purpose

in the United States. In Costa Rica it is employed for all kinds of

construction and for furniture, also for canoes. It has the great

578 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

advantage of not being attacked by insects. It receives its name

of Cedro (cedar) because of the resemblance of its wood to that of

the Old World Cedar, of the genus Cedrus (Coniferae).

Cedrela fissilis Veil. Dry forests of the Pacific coast. Ranging

to Brazil. A large or medium-sized tree with broad crown; leaf

rachis short-pilose, the leaflets 16-26, oblong, acuminate, pilose

beneath; flowers 8-9 mm. long; capsule 3 cm. long. In Panama this

species is known by the names Cedro grenadino and Cedro real.

Cedrela mexicana Roem. Cedro amargo, Cedro bianco, Cedro

dulce, Cedro Colorado, Cobano, Cedro cobano. C. Glaziovii C. DC.

Common in the tierra caliente of both coasts. Mexico to the Antilles

and South America. A large or medium-sized tree, the trunk short

or tall, the crown rounded or elongate, the bark dark-colored; leaf

rachis usually glabrous, the leaflets 10-30, lanceolate, 7-13 cm. long,

glabrous, or sometimes puberulent beneath on the veins; flowers

white, 6 mm. long; capsule 4 cm. long. The most common species

of Central America, abundant in many regions and exported in large

quantities to foreign countries. Indian names reported for this or

other species are: Uruk (Cabe"cara, Bribri); Runkra (Brunka);

Rru-rruga, Rruk (TeYraba) ; Aluk (Bribri) ; Uluk (Tucurrique) ; Tali ;

Taali (Guatuso); Tiri-gu, Tirikru (Cabe"cara); Uara-kra (Brunka),

Rru-arga (TeYraba).

Cedrela salvadorensis Standl. Cedro dulce. Dry forests of

Guanacaste. Also in Salvador. A large tree; leaflets densely and

softly pubescent; capsule 8-12 cm. long. Distinguished by its

exceedingly large capsules. In Salvador the tree is called Cedro

macho.

Cedrela Tonduzii C. DC. Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 5: 427. 1905.

Cedro, Cedro duke. El Copey, 1,800 meters, Tonduz 7357. Known

only from the region of the type. A medium-sized tree; leaf rachis

densely puberulent, the leaflets 8-16, oblong-lanceolate or oblong-

ovate, soft-pubescent beneath; flowers 8 mm. long.

GUAREA Allamand

Trees or shrubs; leaves even-pinnate, the leaflets opposite or

alternate, entire; inflorescence axillary; sepals usually united, rarely

free; petals 4 or 5; stamens united, the anthers included within the

tube; ovary 4-5-celled, the ovules 1 or 2 in each cell; capsule woody

or coriaceous, generally larger than in Trichilia. — Other species

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 579

grow in Central America. The wood is similar to mahogany and

Spanish cedar and has the same local uses, but it is not exported.

Most trees of this genus are small or medium-sized. Most of the

species are much alike and distinguishable only by details of flower

structure.

Guarea brevianthera C. DC. Smiths. Misc. Coll. 68, No. 6:

1. 1917. Forests of La Palma, Tonduz 12592. Common in forests

of the Atlantic slope, ascending to 1,400 meters; also in forests of

Guanacaste ; San Ramon. Endemic. A shrub or small tree, glabrous ;

leaflets 4-6, elliptic, 10-15 cm. long or larger, short-acuminate;

panicles 4-7 cm. long; flowers white, 6 mm. long, glabrous; capsule

red and yellow.

Guarea bullata Radlk. Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 5: 192. 1905.

Pastures of Las Vueltas, Tucumque, Tonduz 12838. Reported from

El General. Endemic. A tree, the young leaves villous; leaflets

10-12, oblong, 17-22 cm. long, obtuse or short-acuminate, pilose

beneath; panicles 6-10 cm. long; capsule globose, 2-2.5 cm. long.

Guarea Caoba C. DC. Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 5: 421. 1905.

Caoba. Forests of Trejos, Las Vueltas, Tucurrique, 700-1,000

meters, Tonduz 13113. Known only from the original collection.

A tree; leaflets 10-12, oblong, 10-15 cm. long, short-acuminate,

puberulent or glabrous .beneath; panicles raceme-like, 9-12 cm.

long, the flowers 6-7 mm. long, the petals glabrous or with a few

hairs; capsule 3 cm. broad.

Guarea Donnell-Smithii C. DC. Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 5:

419. 1905. Boca Culebra, Prov. Limon, Pittier 12093. Pacific

tierra caliente; San Ramon. Endemic. A tree, sometimes 12 meters

high, the branchlets somewhat pilose; leaflets 4-6, elliptic or oval,

10-15 cm. long, short-acuminate, setose-pilose; petals 3.5 cm. long,

pilose.

Guarea erythrocarpa C. DC. Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 5: 420.

1905. Forests of Trejos, Las Vueltas, Tucurrique, 635-700 meters,

Tonduz 13112. Forests of the Atlantic slope, 600-1,500 meters.

Endemic. A medium-sized tree with rounded crown; leaflets 6,

glabrous, as much as 24 cm. long and 10 cm. wide; petals glabrous,

12 mm. long; capsule 3 cm. long, red.

Guarea excelsa HBK. Sota-caballo (probably an erroneous

name). Forests of the tierra caliente; San Ramon; at 1,100 meters

or less. Extending to Mexico. A medium-sized tree or sometimes

580 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

only a shrub; leaflets 4-6, oblong to elliptic, 6-18 cm. long, barbate

beneath in the axils of the nerves, glabrous elsewhere; petals 3.5-5

mm. long, puberulent; capsule 2 cm. long.

Guarea Guara (Jacq.) P. Wilson. G. trichilioides L. Forests of

the Atlantic tierra caliente. Ranging to West Indies and South

America. A small or medium-sized tree; leaflets 8-20, elliptic to

oblong, 8-20 cm. long, glabrous; petals 5-7.5 mm. long, white,

pubescent; capsule 1.5-2 cm. broad.

Guarea Hoffmanniana C. DC. in DC. Monogr. Phan. 1: 570.

1878. Without definite locality, Hoffmann 755. Endemic. Leaf-

lets 12, oblong or elliptic-oblong, 16 cm. long, somewhat pubescent

beneath on the veins, short-acuminate; petals sericeous, 14 mm. long;

ovary villous.

Guarea microcarpa C. DC. Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 5: 420. 1905.

Cocora. Forests of Trejos, Las Vueltas, Tucurrique, 700 meters,

Tonduz 13114- Known only from the region of the type. A tree;

leaflets 4-10, oblong-lanceolate, acute, 9-15 cm. long, glabrous;

panicles 4-7 cm. long; petals 5-6 mm. long; ovary glabrous; capsule

1.5 cm. long.

Guarea Pittieri C. DC. Smiths. Misc. Coll. 68, No. 6: 6. 1917.

Tuis, 600 meters, Pittier 11245. Forests of the Atlantic tierra

caliente. Endemic. A tree; leaflets 4-8, oblong to elliptic, 12-20

cm. long, short-acuminate, somewhat puberulent beneath on the

veins; panicles large, as long as the leaves; petals 10 mm. long,

pilose.

Guarea rhopalocarpa Radlk. Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 5: 191.

1905. Forests of Tuis, 650 meters, Tonduz 11306. Known only

from the region of the type. A medium-sized tree; leaflets 6-8,

oblong, short-acuminate, 15-20 cm. long, glabrous; capsules 3-4.5

cm. long, pyriform.

Guarea Tonduzii C. DC. Smiths. Misc. Coll. 68, No. 6: 4. 1917.

Cerros de Tremendales, near San Ramon, 1,300 meters, Tonduz

17677. Region of San Ramon. Endemic. A tree of 4-6 meters;

leaflets 10-12, oblong-elliptic, 9-20 cm. long, densely soft-pubescent

beneath; capsule 2 cm. long.

Guarea tuisana C. DC. Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 5: 421. 1905.

Tuis, Pittier 11418. Known only from the original collection. A

tree; leaflets 4-8, oblong, 14-20 cm. long, short-acuminate, some-

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 581

what puberulent beneath on the veins; panicles spike-like, much

shorter than the leaves; petals 7 mm. long, puberulent; ovary pilose.

Guarea xiroresana C. DC. Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 5: 418. 1905.

Shirores, Talamanca, Pittier 9168. Known only from the original

collection. Leaflets 10, glabrous, oblong, as much as 16 cm. long,

acuminate; petals 5 mm. long, sericeous; capsule 1.5 cm. long.

Probably a synonym of G. Guam.

MELIA L. Chinaberry

Melia Azedarach L. Paraiso. Often planted as an ornamental

or shade tree; probably naturalized in some localities. Native of

Asia. The tree grows rapidly but is short-lived. The wood is soft

and brittle, and the branches are easily broken by wind or other

agents.

SWIETENIA L. Mahogany

Large or small trees; leaves alternate, even-pinnate, the leaflets

opposite; flowers small, white, in axillary or subterminal racemes;

calyx 5-lobulate; petals 5, free; stamens united to form a short tube,

the anthers included in the tube; ovary 5-celled, the ovules numerous;

fruit a large, woody capsule. — In Central America there are only

two species, which range to Mexico. Another species (S. Mahagoni)

grows in the West Indies, while from South America there are de-

scribed three other species, which are probably mere forms of S.

macrophylla. The genus extends to eastern Peru and western

Brazil. The mahoganies are not so plentiful in Costa Rica as in

Panama and Honduras, but they grow in both coasts, and the

lumber is sometimes exported. This is the most celebrated of all

American woods, known in all civilized parts of the globe, and highly

esteemed for furniture. It is, in fact, the standard by which all

fine woods are judged. In Costa Rica mahogany is employed for

making fine furniture, and also for the most ordinary purposes that

would seem quite impossible in foreign countries, where it sells at

a high price.

Swietenia humilis Zucc. Caoba. I have seen no Costa Rican

specimens, but it is reported that the tree grows in the Pacific coast,

although not in large amounts. Leaflets sessile or nearly so, the

apex much elongate and slender, 6-10 cm. long. This species extends

to Mexico.

Swietenia macrophylla King. Caoba. Honduras mahogany.

This tree is reported to be plentiful in the region of the Rio San Juan

582 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

and its tributaries, Atlantic coast, and it probably grows elsewhere

in the same coast, for it ranges from Mexico to Panama, and perhaps

even to Colombia, Brazil, and Peru: Leaflets larger than in S.

humilis, 7.5-15 cm. long or larger, acute or acuminate, petiolulate.

TRICHILIA L.

Trees or shrubs; leaves alternate, pinnate, the leaflets alternate

or opposite, entire; flowers in terminal or axillary panicles or cymes;

sepals 4 or 5, united or rarely distinct; petals 4 or 5; filaments winged,

more or less united to form a tube, the anthers exserted; ovary 2-3-

celled, with 2 ovules in each cell; capsule 2-3-celled, dehiscent. —

Other species grow in Central America.

Trichilia acutanthera C. DC. Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 5: 422.

1905. Forests of Curris, Diquis Valley, 50 meters, Pittier 12036.

Forests of the Pacific coast; San Ramon. Also in Panama. A tree

of 6 meters; leaflets 7-9, oblanceolate or obovate, 12-15 cm. long,

short-acuminate, densely and softly pubescent beneath; panicles

5-12 cm. long; petals 3-3.5 mm. long, strigillose; ovary pilose.

Trichilia Adolfi Harms, Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin 9: 433. 1925.

Rio de Las Vueltas, Tucurrique, 630 meters, Tonduz 13360. Known

only from the original collection. A tree of 7 meters; leaflets 6-8,

oblong-elliptic, 4-10 cm. long, somewhat puberulent or glabrous;

panicles equaling the petioles; petals 4 mm. long, pubescent.

Trichilia albiflora C. DC. Smiths. Misc. Coll. 68, No. 6: 7.

1917. Ojos de Agua, Prov. Alajuela, 900 meters, Pittier 3677.

Known only from the original collection. A tree; leaflets 11-17,

oblong-elliptic to lanceolate, 4-8 cm. long, acuminate, pilose; panicles

15-30 cm. long, the peduncles elongate; petals 5.5 mm. long, gla-

brous; ovary pilose.

Trichilia anisopleura C. DC. Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 5: 424.

1905. Cedro macho, Cedro dulce. Roadside near Nicoya, Tonduz

13985. Forests of Guanacaste. Endemic. A tree of 12 meters;

leaflets about 11, ovate, 8-11 cm. long, narrowly acuminate, densely

and softly pubescent beneath; panicles large but shorter than the

leaves; petals 4 mm. long, glabrous; ovary pilose.

Trichilia arborea C. DC. Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 5: 426. 1905.

Roadside near Nicoya, Tonduz 13859. Also in Yucatan. A tree;

leaflets 9-11, ovate, 2.5-4.5 cm. long, acuminate, villous beneath;

panicles subterminal, 5-8 cm. long; petals 4.5-5 mm. long, puberu-

lent; ovary pilose.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 583

Trichilia Brenesii Standl., sp. nov. — Ramuli gracillimi dense

breviter subadpresso-pilosi, internodiis brevibus; folia inter minora,

petiolo gracili 4-5 cm. longo densiuscule pilis brevibus et longioribus

intermixtis piloso, rhachi gracili 4.5-6 cm. longa lit petiolo pilosa;

foliola trijuga membranacea graciliter 4-5 mm. longe petiolulata

lanceolato-oblonga vel anguste elliptico-oblonga 5.5-8 cm. longa

1.8-2.5 cm. lata subabrupte anguste obtuso-acuminata, basi obtusa

vel acutiuscula, supra in sicco obscure viridia praesertim ad costam

pilosa, subtus paullo pallidiora sparse breviter pilosa vel glabrata,

costa gracili elevata, nervis lateralibus utroque latere ca. 12;

paniculae pyramidales vel thyrsiformes ca. 5.5 cm. longae brevis-

sime pedunculatae laxe multiflorae, ramis puberulis, pedicellis

gracilibus 1-2 mm. longis; calyx parvus vix ultra 1.5 mm. latus,

sepalis basi longe connatis brevibus late triangularibus acutis extus

puberulis; petala 4 vix 2 mm. longa ovato-oblonga acutiuscula extus

sparse minutissime pilosula; stamina petalis paullo breviora, fila-

mentis subulatis fere ad basin liberis. — Colinas del Tremendal (San

Pedro) de San Ramon, April, 1935, Brenes 20510 (type in Herb.

Field Mus.).

Trichilia cuneata Radlk. T. Biolleyi C. DC. Bull. Herb. Boiss.

II. 5: 423. 1905 (Nuestro Amo, Llanos de Turrucares, Pittier 16495);

T. Biolleyi var. nicoyensis C. DC. op. cit. 424 (Nicoya, Tonduz

13959). Thickets and forests, Meseta Central to the Pacific coast;

region of San Ramon. Panama to Guatemala. A tree of 4.5-10

meters; leaflets 5-9, obovate, 6-15 cm. long, short-acuminate, softly

pubescent beneath; panicles sub terminal or axillary, much shorter

than the leaves; petals 3-3.5 mm. long, pilose; ovary pilose.

Trichilia havanensis Jacq. Urruca. T. alajuelana C. DC. ex

Donn. Smith. Enum. PI. Guat. 5: 13, nomen. 1899 (type from Costa

Rica); T. havanensis var. pilipetala C. DC. Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 6:

985. 1906 (type from Costa Rica). Common in thickets and hedges

of the Meseta Central, 1,100-1,400 meters, sometimes ascending to

2,100 meters, and then growing in wet forest, extending also to the

Pacific coast. A species of wide distribution. A shrub or tree of 2-9

meters, glabrous; leaflets 3-9, obovate or oblanceolate, rounded or

acute at the apex; panicles small, axillary, shorter than the petioles,

the flowers greenish white, the petals 4-4.5 mm. long, somewhat

pilose; capsule 9-13 mm. long; ovary glabrous. The branches are

sometimes employed as decorations in houses and churches.

584 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Trichilia hirta L. T. spondioides Jacq. Canton de Dota and

in the Pacific coast. A species of wide distribution. A shrub or

small tree; leaflets 9-21, lanceolate, 4-12 cm. long, acute or acumin-

ate, somewhat pilose beneath or almost glabrous; panicles large but

shorter than the leaves; petals white, 5-6 mm. long, glabrous; ovary

pilose; capsule globose, 1-1.5 cm. long, tomentulose.

Trichilia montana HBK. T. montana var. acutivalvis C. DC.

Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 5: 422. 1905 (Santo Domingo de Osa, Tonduz

10031). Pacific coast. Guatemala to Colombia. A small tree;

leaflets 3-5, oblong-elliptic, 9-16 cm. long, acuminate, coriaceous,

glabrous or pubescent beneath; panicles shorter than the petioles;

petals puberulent; ovary pilose; capsule 1-1.5 cm. long, densely

pilose.

Trichilia obtusanthera C. DC. Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 5: 423.

1905. IT. Tonduzii C. DC. l6c. cit. (forests of Rio Naranjo, 200

meters, Pittier 7709). Forests of Rio Naranjo, 200 meters, Tonduz

7709. Forests of the tierra caliente, and in Canton de Dota, ascend-

ing to 1,600 meters. A tree of 7 meters; leaflets about 7, oblong-

lanceolate or oblong, 8-15 cm. long, acuminate, somewhat puberu-

lent; panicles equaling or longer than the petioles; petals 3 mm. long,

puberulent; ovary pilose.

Trichilia Oerstediana C. DC. Region of San Ramon, at 1,000

meters, collected only by Brenes. Ranging to Guatemala. A shrub

or small tree of 1.5-6 meters; leaflets 5-11, obovate or oblong-obo-

vate, 5-8 cm. long, rounded or obtusely short-acuminate at the

apex, sparsely hispidulous above, densely and softly pilose beneath,

the rachis sometimes winged; panicles axillary, shorter than the

petioles; flowers 4-5-parted, the petals 4-4.5 mm. long; capsule

about 1 cm. long.

Trichilia Pittieri C. DC. Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 5: 425. 1905.

Cedro cobano. Tuis, Pittier 11235. Endemic. A tree of 25-30

meters; leaflets 9-17, oblong or oblong-elliptic , 14-20 cm. long,

acuminate, somewhat puberulent; panicles 15-20 cm. long; petals

3.5-4 mm. long, puberulent; ovary puberulent.

Trichilia polyneura C. DC. Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 5:426. 1905.

Hacienda Chirripo, Zent, Pittier 16053. Forests of the Atlantic

coast. Also in Panama. A tree of 12 meters; leaflets 7-11, elliptic

or oblong-lanceolate, 8-20 cm. long or larger, acuminate, puberulent

beneath; panicles 15-25 cm. long; petals 6 mm. long, pubescent;

ovary villous.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 585

Trichilia propinqua (Miq.) C. DC. Cara/we(?). Forests of the

Atlantic coast. Nicaragua to northern South America. A small

tree; leaflets 5-9, lance-oblong, 10-16 cm. long, somewhat coriace-

ous, pilose or almost glabrous beneath; panicles shorter than the

leaves; petals puberulent; capsule oblong, very narrow, 2 cm. long.

In Panama this tree is sometimes given the name of Alfajillo.

Trichilia tuberculata (Triana & Planch.) C. DC. Goto. Also

in Panama. A tree of 9-12 meters; leaflets 5-7, oblong-elliptic or

oblong-lanceolate, 4-12 cm. long, acuminate, almost glabrous;

panicles much shorter than the leaves; petals 2.5 mm. long, puberu-

lent; ovary pilose; capsule narrow, tuberculate. Easy to recognize

in fruiting state because of the tuberculate capsules.

MALPIGHIACEAE. Malpighia Family

References: Niedenzu, Pflanzenreich IV. 141. 1928; J. K. Small,

N. Amer. Flora 25: 117. 1910.

Vines, shrubs, or small trees, the pubescence most often of

appressed, shining hairs attached by their middle; leaves chiefly

opposite, with stipules upon or at the base of the petiole, dentate,

lobate, or entire; flowers perfect, small or large; sepals 5, usually

furnished with dorsal glands; petals 5, unequal, unguiculate, often

dentate or lobulate; stamens 5 or 10, the filaments more or less

united; ovary commonly of 3 carpels; fruit a drupe or capsule, or

composed of usually 3 nutlets or samaras. — Other genera are known

in Central America. The plants have little economic value, although

some bear edible fruits. The flowers are chiefly large and showy,

most often bright yellow.

BANISTERIA L.

Woody vines; leaves entire, petiolate; calyx with 8 or 10 glands,

sometimes eglandular; petals denticulate; fruit of 3 samaras, the

wing thickened along the interior margin. — Other species are known

from Central America.

Banisteria argentea (HBK.) Spreng. B. Schomburgkiana

Benth. ; B. argentea var. obtusiuscula Ndzu. Common in thickets,

Meseta Central to the Pacific coast. Guatemala to Peru. A small

or large vine; leaves ovate or oval, 3-12 cm. long, short-acuminate,

green above, densely sericeous and whitish beneath; flowers yellow,

in paniculate umbels; samaras 3 cm. long.

Banisteria cornifolia (HBK.) Spreng. Nance Colorado. B.

maracaybensis Juss. ; Banisteriopsis cornifolia C. B. Robinson.

586 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. XVIII

Thickets of the Pacific tierra caliente; region of San Ramon, at 1,200

meters or less. Nicaragua to Colombia. Leaves oblong or elliptic,

acute or short-acuminate, almost glabrous; flowers yellow, in panicu-

late racemes; samaras 2.5-3.5 cm. long.

Banisteria discolor (Bonn. Smith) Niedenzu, Pflanzenreich IV.

141: 451. 1928. B. cornifolia var. discolor Donn. Smith, Bot. Gaz.

24: 391. 1897. Banisteriopsis discolor Small, N. Amer. Fl. 25: 132.

1910. San Pedro de La Calabaza, 1,100 meters, Tonduz 10924.

Known only from the original collection. Similar to B. cornifolia,

but the leaves sericeous and whitish beneath.

BUNCHOSIA Rich.

Shrubs or small trees; leaves usually with glands on the petioles

or blades, entire, petiolate; flowers yellow, paniculate; fruit a red

or orange drupe. — There are other species in Central America. All

the species are much alike, and it is improbable that there really

are in Costa Rica as many distinct species as there are names in the

following list.

Bunchosia cornifolia HBK. Cerezo. Forests and thickets of

the coasts; San Ramon; at 1,200 meters or less. Mexico to Ecuador.

A shrub, the leaves ovate or oval, 5-15 cm. long or larger, sparsely

pilose beneath, acute or short-acuminate; petals 5-6 mm. long;

drupes 1-1.5 cm. long.

Bunchosia gracilis Niedenzu. Regions of Aguacate and Nicoya.

Mexico to Panama. A shrub ; leaves oblong to elliptic, 5-15 cm. long,

acute, green, sparsely pilose beneath; petals 5-7 mm. long. One

Costa Rican collection was cited by Hemsley as B. Lindeniana Juss.

Known in Panama by the name Cerezo, the fruits somewhat resem-

bling cherries in size and color.

Bunchosia lanceolata Turcz. Forests of the tierra caliente;

region of San Ramon; at 1,800 meters or less. Mexico to Bolivia. A

shrub; leaves oblong or elliptic, 6-15 cm. long, acuminate, almost

glabrous; drupes 1.5-2 cm. long.

Bunchosia macrophylla Rose ex Donn. Smith in Pittier, Prim.

2: 64. 1898. Between Sipurio and Tsuritkub, Talamanca, 100 meters,

Pittier & Tonduz 8686. Forests of the Atlantic coast. Endemic. A

tree of 4 meters; leaves very large, oval, 15-38 cm. long, rounded

at the base, obtuse, densely villous beneath; petals 1 cm. long.

Probably nothing more than a form of B. pilosa.

FLORA OF COSTA RICA 587

Bunchosia media (Ait.) DC. Region of San Ramon, 900 meters

(Niedenzu}. Yucatan and West Indies. Leaves elliptic to obovate,

4-12 cm. long, acute or acuminate, almost glabrous; petals 7-9 mm.

long; fruits 1 cm. long.

Bunchosia pilosa HBK. Cerezo. B. costaricensis Rose ex Bonn.

Smith in Pittier, Prim. 2: 64. 1898 (Rio Tiliri, San Jos£, Pittier 4286) .

Common in thickets of the central region, 1,100-1,800 meters;

region of San Ramon. Ranging to Colombia. A shrub or small tree;

leaves oblong to oval, 10-18 cm. long, obtuse or rounded at the base,

villous beneath.

BYRSONIMA Rich.

One other Central American species occurs in British Honduras.

Byrsonima crassifolia (L.) DC. Nance. Meseta Central to the

coasts, most abundant on the Pacific slope, in some places forming

characteristic small thickets called nancitales. A species of wide

distribution in tropical America. A shrub or small tree; leaves

oblong to elliptic or obovate, 5-16 cm. long, acute, almost glabrous

above, lanate beneath with a brownish tomentum ; panicles short or

elongate, raceme-like, the flowers showy, yellow, turning reddish

as they wither; fruit a globose, yellow drupe 1 cm. or more in diam-

eter. The small fruits are edible and have a flavor suggestive of

apple, but they are little eaten except by children, although some-

times they are offered for sale in the markets. They are employed

occasionally for making the beverage called chicha. It is said that

an infusion of the bark is given for chest colds. The wood is reddish

or pinkish brown, rather hard and heavy, and brittle. In some

regions it is employed for making charcoal and for construction.

Local Indian names are Bek (Cabe"cara) and Shkir-ko (TeYraba).

Niedenzu reports for Costa Rica B. pulchra DC., but it seems more

satisfactory to refer all Central American material to a single variable

species, B. crassifolia. It is certain that the differences between the

numerous species recognized by that author are variable and minute,