30. PYROSTEGIA C. Presl, Abh. K–nigl. B–hm. Ges. Wiss. ser. 5, 3: 523. 1845.

Lianas, the branchlets subangulate with 6-8 inconspicuous ribs, without interpetiolar glandular fields; pseudostipules small and inconspicuous. Leaves 2-foliolate, often with a trifid tendril. Inflorescence a terminal or axillary panicle. Calyx cupular, truncate, minutely 5-denticulate, ± glandular-lepidote; corolla orange-red, narrowly tubular-funnel-shaped. Stamens exserted, the anthers glabrous. Ovary linear-tetragonal, lepidote; disk annular-pulvinate. Fruit a linear, compressed capsule, the valves compressed parallel to the septum, smooth, the median vein ± raised. Seeds thin, 2-winged, the wings brown with hyaline margins.

Southern Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay; 4 species, 1 in Venezuela.

Pyrostegia dichotoma Miers ex K. Schum. in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenfam. 4(3b): 223. 1894. -Barqui.

Liana. Nonflooded evergreen lowland forests, 50-400 m; Delta Amacuro (Serranía de Imataca), northern Bolívar, scattered in western Amazonas. Colombia, Guyana, Suriname, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia. Fig. 408.

The orange-red, hummingbird-pollinated flowers are narrow and very distinctive.


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