Aphelandra pulcherrima (Jacquin) Kunth

Aphelandra pulcherrima (Jacquin) Humboldt, Bonpland, & Kunth

Aphelandra pulcherrima (Jacquin) Humboldt, Bonpland, & Kunth, Nov. Gen. & Sp. 2:236. 1817.

Justicia pulcherrima Jacquin, Enum. Pl. Carib. 11. 1760; Stirp. Amer. 6, pl. 2, fig. 4. 1763.

Justicia arborea Miller, Gard. Dict. ed. 8. 1768.

Aphelandra cristata (Jacquin) R. Brown, sensu Bot. Mag. 38, pl. 1578. 1813 [not as to basionym].

Aphelandra pulcherrima (Jacquin) Humboldt, Bonpland, & Kunth var. deltoidea Nees in de Candolle, Prodr. 11:296. 1847.

Aphelandra glabrata Willdenow ex Nees in de Candolle, Prodr. 11:296. 1847.

Aphelandra daemonia Leonard, Contrib. U.S. Nat. Herb. 31: 223. 1953.

Aphelandra sericophylla Leonard, Contrib. U.S. Nat. Herb. 31:254. 1953.

Aphelandra incerta Leonard, Fl. Trinidad and Tobago 2:362. 1954.

Shrubs or suffrutescent herbs to 4 m high; stems erect, sparingly branched, obscurely quadrangular toward tip, pubescent to tomentose, the lower portions of the stems terete, light grayish green, sparingly pubescent to glabrate; leaf blades ovate to oblong-elliptic, 8–27 cm long, 3.5–11 cm wide, short-acuminate (the tip itself blunt or apiculate to slightly acute), narrowed at base and decurrent on the petiole, entire, undulate or shallowly crenate, the upper surface drying olive, finely pubescent to glabrate, the hairs curved, subappressed, the costa flat or shallowly impressed, the lateral veins (16–20 pairs) 3–4 mm apart, slightly raised, the lower surface drying to light green or gray, usually densely pubescent, mostly denser on costa and veins, these prominent, the veinlets finely reticulate; petioles about 5 mm long, the pubescence similar to that of the costa; spikes solitary or several in a fascicle, quadrangular, terminal, subsessile, to 20 cm long and 8 mm broad, the rachis white-cottony-tomentose; bracts rhombic-ovate, entire, 5–7 mm long, 4.5–6 mm wide at middle, 2–3 mm wide at base, acute at apex, dorsally densely puberulous becoming white-pilose toward base, ventrally glabrous except toward margins, here finely pubescent, obscurely striate-nerved, the costa and a pair of lateral nerves prominent, reticulately veined toward margin, ocelli solitary, in twos, or sometimes several, distinct or more or less fused, conspicuous, orbicular to elliptic, 0.5–1 mm long, about 0.75 mm wide, dark brown or blackish, nitid; bractlets lanceolate, 6–7 mm long, about 2 mm wide near base, acute at apex, falcate, obliquely subcarinate, puberulous without, glabrous within, finely striate-nerved; calyx 7–8 mm long, the posterior segment oblong, 3 mm wide, the lateral segments lanceolate, about 2 mm wide, the middle pair narrowly lanceolate, 1.5 mm wide, all acute and striate-nerved; corolla bright red or scarlet, puberulous, 5–6 cm long, about 3 mm broad at base, narrowed to 1.5 mm at tip of ovary, thence gradually enlarged and slightly ventricose, about 6 mm broad at mouth, the upper lip erect, ovate, 15–20 mm long, 9 mm wide, 2-lobed, the lobes narrowly triangular, 3.5–9 mm long and 1–4 mm wide, slenderly acuminate, the lower lip 3-lobed, erect or spreading with age, the middle lobe linear-oblong, 22–24 mm long and 6–7 mm wide, abruptly acuminate, the lateral lobes about 3 mm long and 1 mm wide, slightly obtuse, adnate in part to the upper lip; stamens exserted about 7 mm beyond the mouth of the corolla tube; ovary and style glabrous; capsules clavate, about 17 mm long, 6 mm broad toward tip, narrowed to 3 mm at base, glabrous, minutely gland-dotted; seeds flat, reddish brown, about 5 mm long and 4 mm broad, flattened, glabrous, or sparingly puberulous.

TYPE.—Jacquin s.n. (holotype W), Colombia, Bolivar, “Habitat frequens Carthagenae in sylvaticus montis de la Popa.” Typification is made in part on the basis of Jacquin’s illustration consisting of a leaf and a corolla.

DISTRIBUTION.—Woods and thickets, often along streams at various elevations ranging from sea level to 2200 meters. Costa Rica to Andean Bolivia and in a few West Indian localities. COSTA RICA. GUANACASTE: Boca Culebra, 50 m alt, 18 Jan 1898, Pittier 11.988 (US). ALAJUELA: Coyolar, May 1930, Porsch 766 (W). SAN JOSÉ: Along Río Tarroza, between Frailes and San Andres, 1300 m alt, 22 Dec 1966, Burger 4041 (F). PANAMA. CANAL ZONE: Along Río Indio de Gatun, 14 Feb 1911, Maxon 4807 (US). PANAMÁ: Along Charare River, above Chepo, 50–200 m alt, 29–30 Oct 1911, Pittier 4723 (US). SAN BLAS: Headwaters of Río Cuadi, Camp Diablo, 18 Dec 1967, Duke, Robyns, & Verhoek 3611 (MO, US); mainland opposite Ailigandi, from mouth of Ailigandi River to 2.5 m inland, 7–8 Dec 1966, Lewis, Dwyer, Elias, & Solis 172 (MO, US); forests around Puerto Obaldia, San Blas coast, 0–50 m alt, Aug 1911, Pittier 4280 (US); beach E of Puerto Obaldia, 19 Aug 1971, Croat 16890 (MO, US). DARIÉN: Camp Summit, adjacent Darién-San Blas border along Sea Level Canal Route 17, 300–360 m alt, 18 Dec 1967, Oliver, Blackwell, & Nowicke 3676 (MO, US.) “ST. THOMAS”: 1841, Finlay s.n. (P). Urban (Symb. Ant. 3:47–48. 1902) noted that the Finlay collections at Paris, purportedly from “St. Thomas,” were probably collected in Trinidad. “MARTINIQUE”: 1860, Herb. Brongniart s.n. (P), probably collected in the botanic garden. TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO. Trinidad, 27 Nov 1888, Broadway s.n. (Herb. Trin. 4500), (US, holotype of A. incerta Leonard); Trinidad, Richard s.n. (P); Chacachacare, 5 Apr 1921, Britton, Freeman, & Brown 2761 (NY, US); Carrera Island, Feb 1867, Herb. Trin. 2898 (US); Maqueripe, coastal hillside, 3 Mar 1920, Britton, Britton, & Hazen 209 (NY, US); Blue Basin, 17 Apr 1920, Britton, Britton, & Hazen 1906 (NY, US); Aripo Savannah at Waller Field, 9–23 Feb 1950, Howard 10446 (US); Blue Basin, Diego Martin, 1 Jan 1926, Broadway 5875 (K); Montserrat hills, 11 Dec 1952, Herb. Trin. 14776 (K); Quarry Hill, Marac rd., 6 Nov 1929, Herb. Trin. 12291 (K); Lockhart 130 (K); Tobago, 12 Aug 1910, Broadway s.n. (P); Tobago, Calder Hall, Nov 1889, Eggers 5721 (K, P, US); Ridge Forest above Hermitage River, N end of Main Ridge, 150–400 m alt, 12 Apr 1959, Cowan 1549 (P, US); Forest Preserve, Northside Road, near 29.5 milepost, 360 m alt, 23 Aug 1959, Webster, Miller, & Walker 9841 (US); Spreyside, Jul 1961, Snow s.n. (K); Lambeau Hill, 7 Oct 1937, Sandwith 1647 (K); Mt. Dillon, 300 m alt, 7 Dec 1949, Baker & Dennis 14537 (K). GUYANA. Ireng River, Oct–Jan 1884–85, Jenman 14 (US); Jenman 6357 (K, US); western extremity of Kanuku Mountains, in drainage of Takutu River, 200 m alt, A. C. Smith 3239 (LE, P, US, W); 1841, Schomburgh 109 (K); Coast Region, Sept–Oct 1881, Jenman 1532 (K); Ireng River, 11 May 1884, im Thurn 14 (K); Wabuwak, Kanuku Mts., 600 m alt, Oct 1948, Forest Dept. 5863 (K); Rupununi River, 26 Nov 1957, Cook 210 (K). VENEZUELA. SUCRE: Forest of Aricagua, vicinty of Christobal Colon, 5 Jan–22 Feb 1923, Broadway 496 (US); the Balcon, vicinity of Christobal Colon, 5 Jan–22 Feb 1923, Broadway 104 (US); Guacarapo, Feb 1942, Lasser 197 (US); along Quebrada Juajua near Cumanacoa, 31 Dec 1940, Pittier 14676 (US, VEN). MONAGAS: In front of Cerro La Cueva, 0.5 km from the entrance of La Cueva del Guacharo, 975–1050 m alt, 29 Nov 1967, Bunting 2658 (US); Cumanacoa-Caripe highway, between Las Piedras & San Antonio, 30 Nov 1967, Bunting 2693 (US). DELTA AMACURO: Río Cuyubini, Cerro La Paloma, Sierra Imataca, 100–200 m alt, 16 Nov 1960, Steyermark 87587 (US, VEN). ANZOATEGUI: Quebrada Bonita, tributary of Río Querecual, NE of Bergantine, 1200 m alt, 17 Feb 1945, Steyermark 60978 (VEN); Quebrada Negra, tributary of Río Zumbador, NE of Bergantin, 500 m alt, 24 Feb 1945, Steyermark 61147 (US, VEN); steep forested slopes between Cerro San José, along headwaters of Quebrada La Tigra, and Cerro Peonia, 1500–1600 m alt, 20 Mar 1945, Steyermark 61568 (US, VEN). MIRANDA: Around Dos Caminos and Los Chorros, 800–1300 m alt, 14 Mar 1913, Pittier 5928 (P, US); Quebrada de Las Comadres, near Las Mostazas, 1200 m alt, Nov 1924, Allart 260 (US, VEN); Guarenas, Mar 1846, Funck & Schlim 459 (P). DISTRITO FEDERAL: Caracas, Bredemeyer s.n. (W); Caracas, Moritz 70 (FI); Caracas, 1842, Linden 114 (P); Avila, 1300 m alt, 19 Jan 1952, Gines 4435 (US); vicinity of Caracas, Dec 1920–Jan 1921, Bailey & Bailey 484 (US); Chacaito Gorge around Caracas, 800–1000 m alt, 11 Dec 1921, Pittier 9942 (US, VEN); Middle Catuche wood, above Caracas, 1200–1400 m alt, 25 Mar 1917, Pittier 7066 (US, VEN). ARAGUA: Maracay, 1928, Vogl 108 (M); Maracay, 1928–33, Vogl 960 (M, US); Maracay, near El Simon, Jan 1934, Vogl 1477 (M); Guamitas, 22 Apr 1938, Williams 9994 (US, VEN); near Colonia Tovar, 1854–5, Fendler 809, 2035 (K). YARACUY: Cerro La Chapa, N of Nirgua, 1200–1400 m alc, 9–10 Nov 1967, Steyermark, Bunting, & Wessels-Boer 100261 (US, VEN); Sierra de Aroa, Cerro Negro, 500–800 m alt, 13 Nov 1967, Steyermark & Wessels-Boer 100383 (US); Sierra de Aroa, 1200 m alt, 19 Dec 1952, Aristeguieta & Foldats 1492 (VEN). FALCON: 40.5 km S of Coro, 1000 m alt, 25 Jan 1966, Steyermark & Braun 94715 (US, VEN). LARA: Between Yaritagua and Duaca, 1929, Saer 346 (VEN); vicinity of Barquisimeto, 1929, Saer 386 (VEN). ZULIA: Vicinity of Perijá, 1917, Tejera 49 (US); Perijá, Jan 1948, Lasser 2492 (VEN); along Río Negro, W of Machiques, at base of Sierra Perijá, 240 m alt, Dec 1947, Ginés 63 (US). BOLÍVAR: Upata, 1864, Grosourdy 13 (P); 17 km E of Upata, Oct 1965, Blanco 328 (US); NE of Canaima, Sur de Cerro Venado, 200–500 m alt, 17 Feb 1964, Agostini 315 (US, VEN); Sierra Imataca, Río Toro, between Río La Reforma and Puerto Rico, N of El Palmar, 200250 m alt, 11 Dec 1960, Steyermark 87943 (US, VEN); 12 Dec 1960, Steyermark 87970 (US, VEN); upper part of west-facing wooded slopes, E of Miamo, Altiplanicie Nuria, 300–500 m alt, 8 Jan 1961, Steyermark 88190 (US, VEN); El Hacha, 1906, Brown 102 (K); 15 km W of Kamarata, 450 m alt, 8 Mar 1967, Koyama & Agostini 7544 (VEN). COLOMBIA. GUAJIRA: Between Cuestecita and Carraipía, forested margins of Río Ranchería, 80 m alt, 30 Nov 1959, Cuatrecasas & Romero 25517 (COL, US). MAGDALENA: E of Los Venados, near Caño Sagarriga, 120 m alt, 21 Jan 1961, Dugand 5510 (W); Santa Marta, between Bonda and Río Piedras, 4 Jan 1967, Romero 10.828 (COL); near Bonda, vicinity of Santa Marta, 31 Oct 1898, H. H. Smith 1415 (US, holotype of A. daemonia Leonard, isotypes GH, K, NY, P, PH, S); Tucurinca, 1843, Funck 315 (P); Tucurinca, Dec 1947, Romero 583 (COL); 594 (COL); between Tucurinca and Fundación, 8 Feb 1962, Romero 9199 (COL); between La Gran Vía and Cerro Mico around Ríofrio, 26 Mar 1959, Romero 7637 (COL); slopes of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, 600 m alt, 10 Jan 1948, Cardona, Gutiérrez, & Barkley 18C077 (US); foothill of the Sierra de Perijá, Manaure, 750–790 m alt, 4 Nov 1959, Cuatrecasas & Romero 25012 (COL, US); Cerrejón, 100 m alt, 3 Dec 1949, Haught 6730 (US); near Codazzi, 250–350 m alt, 20 Oct 1943, Haught 3759 (US); Río Magdalena, Weir s.n. (K); Poponte, 12 Dec 1924, Allen 845 (K). ATLÁNTICO: Arroya de Megua, 50 m alt, 13 Jan 1941, Dugand & Jaramillo 2800 (US); Barranquilla, Jan 1928, Elias 440 (US); Los Pendales, 10–20 m alt, 1 Feb 1940, Dugand & Garcia 2549 (US); 6 Jan 1941, Dugand & Jaramillo 2701 (US); Luruaco, Apolinar 491 (US); Piojó, vicinity of Barranquilla, Jan 1929, Elias 705 (US); Porto Colombia, Jan 1932, Elias 860 (US); Tubará, 200–250 m alt, 17 Jan 1946, Dugand & Jaramillo 4053 (US); Usiacurí, 50 m alt, 2 Jan 1949, Araque & Barkley 19At.081 (US); Usiacurí, Arroyo del Higuerón, 100 m alt, 5 Jan 1940, Dugand & Garcia 2237 (US). BOLÍVAR: Vicinity of Cartagena, 1919, Heriberto 268 (US); Castilla La Popa, vicinity of Cartagena, 25 m alt, 4 Jan 1949, Araque & Barkley 19Bo.033 (US); Cerro de la Popa, 4 Feb 1962, Saravia & Johnson 38 (COL); Turbaco, Nov 1920, Heriberto 415 (US); 200–300 m alt, 6–22 Nov 1926, Killip & Smith 14310 (US); N of Arjona, 30–50 m alt, 15 Nov 1926, Killip & Smith 14516 (US); W of El Carmen, 235 m alt, 23 Jan 1962, Beuther 18-A (COL); Caño Papayal, vicinity of Estrella, Lands of Loba, Apr–May 1916, Curran 321 (US); Montería, 50 m alt, 12 Jan 1949, Bechara, Araque, & Barkley 19Bo.218 (US). NORTE DE SANTANDER: Prov. Ocaña, Aquachica, 240 m alt, Nov 1846–52, Schlim 1092 (FI, K, P); vicinity of Esmeralda, 750 m alt, 19 Mar 1927, Killip & Smith 20931 (US); Río Zulia, 700 m alt, 21 Dec 1948, Araque, Otálora & Barkley 18NS.066 (US). BOYACA: Pajarito, quebrada Curisi, 1100 m alt, 10 Oct 1963, Uribe 4555 (US); Pajarito, highway between Sogamoso and Casanare, 900 m alt, 12 Dec 1969, Uribe 6348 (US). CUNDINAMARCA: Between Fusagasugá and Pandi, Humboldt s.n. (B, destroyed, F photo 8708, holotype of A. glabrata Willdenow ex Nees); Fusagasugá, 25 Dec 1852, Holton 595 (K); Guaduas, Jul 1923, Ariste-Joseph 1019 (US); E of Guaduas, between Guaduas and Alto de Aguaclara, 1040–1320 m alt, 24 Jul 1947, García 12358 (US); highway between Guaduas and Guaduero, 700–800 m alt, 29 Jun 1956, Uribe 2791 (COL); Anolaima “La Florida,” Jan 1933, Pérez 2120 (COL); hillside E of Apulo, along trail to Anapoima, 460–600 m alt, 4 May 1944, Killip, Dugand, & Jaramillo 38155 (P, US); N of Apulo, 460–480 m alt, 5 May 1944, Killip, Dugand, & Jaramillo 38237 (US); La Paila, prov of Cauca, 1000 m alt, Jul 1853, Triana 4174 (COL, K); between Tocaima and Pubenza, 1000 m alt, 14 Apr 1952, Uribe 2308 (US); Nariño, 500 m alt, Perez 417 (COL, US); Nilo, near the Azufrada, 400 m alt, 19 Jul 1961, Murillo & Jaramillo 231 (COL); between Nilo and the Quebrada de Agua de Diosito, 530 m alt, 3 Aug 1961, Murillo, Jaramillo, & Fayad 292 (COL); páramos of Guasca, toward Gachetá, Ariste-Joseph s.n. (US); Casas Viejas, Limba, 400 m alt, Feb 1858, Triana 2366 (COL, holotype of A. sericophylla Leonard, isotypes P, W). CUNDINAMARCA-TOLIMA: Puente Natural de Icononzo, 820 m alt, 31 Mar 1948, Uribe 1691 (US). TOLIMA: Honda, Aug 1919, Ariste-Joseph A360 (US); Angustura de Honda, 9 Dec 1875, André 287 (K); Mariquita, junction of the Ríos Guamo & Murillo, 450 m alt, 15 Jul 1958, Uribe 3182 (COL); Doima, 23 Nov 1938, Haught 2449 (US); Río Coello, 1844, Goudot s.n. (K, P); Ibagué, 700–800 m alt, 2 Aug 1952, Køie 5110 (US); Guamo, 350 m alt, 3 May 1963, Uribe 4313 (COL); El Guamo, in Caracoli, 400 m alt, 17 Apr 1954, Uribe 2576 (US); Guamo, 400 m alt, Jun 1961, Uribe 3750 (COL); E of Chaparral, ca. 38 km on road to Coyaima, 600 m alt, Jul 1950, S. Galen Smith 1314 (US). HUILA: Alto de Limba, 1844, Goudot s.n. (K, P); E of Neiva, 800–1000 m alt, 31 Jul 1917, Rusby & Pennell 409 (NY, US). ANTIOQUIA: Dabeiba, 350 m alt, 11 Jan 1947, Uribe 1436 (COL); vicinity of Dabeiba, 21 Mar 1948, Johnson & Barkley 18C.409 (US); Urabá, Río Urama, between Dabeiba and Urama, 500 m alt, 20 Jan 1947, Uribe 1516 (COL); 1517 (COL); San Luis de Cocorná, 3 km from the junction of the Ríos Cocorná and Magdalena, 19 Nov 1963, Romero 10.104 (COL); La Pintada, 800 m alt, Mar 1963, Espinal 877 (COL). VALLE: Cisneros, along Río Dagua, 300–500 m alt, 5 May 1939, Killip 35586 (US); along Río Dagua, 300–1000 m alt, Lehmann s.n. (K); between Las Juntas and El Naranjo, on the Río Dagua, 300–1000 m alt, Lehmann 5506 (K); La Cumbre, 1600–1800 m alt, 14–19 May 1922, Pennell 5676 (US); Cali, 2200 m alt, Jul 1941, Herrera 944 (US); around Palmira, Canta Claro, 11 Oct 1962, Figueiras 8.068 (US). WITHOUT LOCALITY:Triana s.n. (NY, US); 1760–1808, Mutis 720 (US), 1540 (US); 11 May 1921, Husnot s.n. (P); Moritz s.n. (W); Valle de Caesar, Dawe 606 (K). ECUADOR. MANABÍ: El Recreo, Eggers 14841 (K, LE, P, S, US). GUAYAS: Guayaquil, Haenke s.n. (PR); 12 km W of Guayaquil, 4 Apr 1962, Gilmartin 668 (US); Guayaquil, Cerro Azul, 22 Oct 1958, Harling 3045 (S); vicinity of Guayaquil, Cerro Azul, 14 Jun 1955, Asplund 16643 (S); Hacienda Santa Barbarita, Rio Duale below Pichincha, 18–26 Apr 1959, Harling 4818 (S). CHIMBORAZO: Vicinity of Huigra, mostly on the Hacienda de Licay, 8 Sep 1918, Rose & Rose 22591 (US); Cafion of the Río Chanchan, from Naranjapata to below Huigra, 600–900 m alt, 19 Jun 1945, Camp E-3891 (NY, US); in Valle Pallatange, Sep 1891, Sodiro 122/8 (P). LOJA: Between San Pedro and Santa Ana, 1065–1220 m alt, 5 Aug 1943, Steyermarh 53751 (US). WITHOUT EXACT LOCALITY: Feb 1877, Vidal-Senege s.n. (P). PERU. TUMBES: Zarumilla: Bosque Nacional de Tumbes, Campo Verde, 600–800 m alt, 13 Dec 1967, Schunke 2386 (F, US). CAJAMARCA: Jaen, 500–600 m alt, 27 Mar 1950, Woytkowski 5607 (MO, US). AMAZONAS: Bagua-Ingenio, prov. Bagua, 550 m alt, 27 May 1963, López, Segóstegui, & Collantes 4244 (US); prov. Bagua, Río Utcubamba between Bagua and Campomiento Ingenio, km 275 E of Olmos at Aseraderro, 630 m alt, 19 Mar 1964, Hutchison & Wright 4451 (UC, US). SAN MARTIN: Alto Río Huallaga, 360–900 m alt, Dec 1929, Williams 5756 (US); Juanjui, Alto Río Huallaga, 400 m alt, Oct 1934, Klug 3890 (US); around Juanjui, prov. Mariscal Caceres, 300–400 m alt, 17 Aug 1948, Ferreyra 4494 (US); San Martín: Juan Guerra, Dec 1902, Ule 6492 (K). HUANUCO: Cueva Grande station near Poduzo, 1050 m alt, 23 Jun 1923, Macbride 4795 (NY, US); vicinity of Tingo María, 800 m alt, 25 Sep 1962, Schunke 6178 (US). JUNIN: Satipo: West bank of the Río Ene near the mouth of the Río Chiquireni, 350 m alt, 21 Aug 1970, Madison 10448–70 (NA). HUANCAVELICA: Tayacaja, SE of Tintay, 750 m alt, 11 Apr 1964, Tovar 4609 (US). BOLIVIA. LA PAZ: Guana-Tipuani, Apr–Jun 1892, Bang 1368 (US); Guania, 600 m alt, May 1886, Rusby 1107 (US); prov. of S. Yungas, basin of Río Bopi, San Bartolome (near Calisaya), 750–900 m alt, 1–22 Jul 1939, Krukoff 10010 (NY, US). BRAZIL. AMAZONAS: Basin of Río Jurua, near mouth of the Río Embira (tributary of Río Tarauaca), 19 Jun 1933, Krukoff 4925 (NY, US). ACRE: Río Acre, near Porto Carlos, Feb 1911, Ule 9809 (K). Robert Brown (1813) proposed the combination A. cristata (Jacquin) R. Brown for a West Indian shrub, introduced into cultivation by Lord Seaforth, He did not designate any type but illustrated the species. Under his synonymy for this species he listed Justicia arborea Miller; the holotype of this species was not seen, but is presumably in the British Museum.

Nees did not designate a type for his A. pulcherrima var. deltoidea; from his brief description I conclude that the variety is a mere ecological variation from the typical species.