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Lycianthes furcastistellata BitterSolanaceae - Chinese Lantern Family |
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Description. Liana, mature at 2-8 m; stems woody, pubescent with stalked stellate hairs; leaves often paired, densely pubescent, petioles to 2 cm, blades to 5 x 8 cm, stiff erect hairs above, stalked stellate hairs below, ovate, apex acute, base rounded, 4-5 lateral veins, expressed above and below, minor leaf 70% as long as major leaf; flowers almost sessile, arising between leaf pairs, pubescent, pedicel 2 cm, calyx 3-4 mm long, plus 10 linear lobes, 2-3 mm long, corolla 20 mm long, lavender, lobes webbed to apex, anthers 7 mm, slender, beige with purple shading, style 9 mm, style and ovary glabrous; fruit a globose berry to 15 mm, bright red-orange when mature. Similar species. Lycianthes multiflora is a vegetatively very similar climber with larger leaves and white flowers that grows at slightly lower elevations. Local distribution. High peaks and ridges in cloud forest (Ventana, TV towers, Chomogo Trail). Habitat. Sunny trails and road sides, especially in sites exposed to the northeast trade winds. Species range. Costa Rica Abundance. Uncommon Phenology. Flower: apr-may; Fruit: jun-jul.
Herbivores. Pollinators. Bees Seed dispersers. Birds Comments. No ithomiine butterflies are known to use this species at Monteverde. Voucher No. Haber 11035 |
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