36. TANAECIUM Sw., Prodr. 2: 91. 1788.

Lianas, the branchlets terete, with or without interpetiolar glandular fields; pseudostipules inconspicuous or lacking, often with a strong vegetative odor, sometimes almond-like. Leaves 2- or 3-foliolate; terminal leaflet often replaced by a simple tendril. Inflorescence an axillary or terminal raceme or racemose panicle. Calyx cupular, ± truncate, 5-denticulate, often with plate-shaped glands in the upper part; corolla white, elongate-tubular to salverform, pubescent or glabrous outside. Stamens usually ± exserted, the anthers glabrous, the thecae straight or arcuate, ± divergent. Ovary oblong, lepidote; ovules multiseriate in each locule; disk cupular-pulvinate. Fruit an oblong-cylindric capsule, the valves parallel to the septum, thick, woody, not at all compressed, smooth, the median vein invisible or furrowed. Seeds wingless or 2-winged with brownish, irregularly edged, poorly demarcated membranous wings.

Costa Rica, Panama?, Jamaica, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Ecuador, Peru, Amazonian Brazil, Bolivia; 6 species, 3 in Venezuela, 1 in the flora area.

An Amazonian species, Tanaecium nocturnum (Barb. Rodr.) Bureau & K. Schum., may eventually be found in the flora area.

Tanaecium jaroba Sw., Prodr. 92. 1788.

Tanaecium praelongum Miers, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 3. 8: 117. 1861.

Liana. Seasonally flooded swamps, riverside forests, 100-400 m; Delta Amacuro (Serranía de Imataca), northern Bolívar, Amazonas (scattered). Apure, Carabobo, Guárico, Zulia; Costa Rica, Panama?, Jamaica, Colombia, Guyana, Ecuador, Peru, Amazonian Brazil, Bolivia. Fig. 423.


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