Macleania pentaptera
| Macleania pentaptera | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Macleania |
| Species: | M. pentaptera
|
| Binomial name | |
| Macleania pentaptera | |
.svg)
| |
| It is endemic to Ecuador[2] | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
Macleania pentaptera, also known as gualicón or hualicón,[4][5][2] is a species of tropical plant[5] endemic to Ecuador.[3]
Description
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Vegetative characteristics
[edit]Macleania pentaptera is an epiphytic or terrestrial, branched shrub[5] with up to 3 m long branches.[2] The terete, glabrous branches have smooth, brown bark. The internodes are 2–3 cm long.[1] The glabrous, coriaceous,[1] ovate to elliptic leaves[2] with an entire margin[1] are (3–)7–14.5 cm long, and (2–)3.5–9 cm wide.[2] The pinnate leaf venation is impressed above, and is prominent on the abaxial leaf surface.[1] The glabrous petiole is 2–6 mm long.[2]
Generative characteristics
[edit]The axillary[2][1] or terminal,[1][5] racemose inflorescence with an up to 4 cm long rhachis[1] bears 2–7[2](–8) fleshy, waxy, nectariferous,[5] pedicellate,[2] tubular, vibrant, orange-red, green-tipped flowers[6] with 9–25(–33) mm long pedicels.[2] The five-winged, obconical,[1] 0.8–1 cm long, and 0.6 cm wide calyx[5] has five acute teeth.[1] The tubular, fused,[6] urceolate, pentagonal corolla[5] is 1.7 cm long, and 0.4–0.5 cm wide.[1] The throat is densely pilose.[2] The androecium consists of 10 stamens,[5][1] which are 10–12.5 mm long.[2] The gynoecium consists of 5 carpels.[1] The translucent, white[6] to green, globose, 20 mm wide berry[2] bears numerous seeds.[7]
Taxonomy
[edit]It was published by Rudolf Hoerold in 1909.[1] The variety Macleania pentaptera var. longicalyx Gilli published by Alexander Gilli in 1983 is not accepted and is widely regarded as a synonym of Macleania pentaptera.[5][8][2][3] Within the subfamily Vaccinioideae, it is placed in the tribe Vaccinieae.[9]
Etymology
[edit]The specific epithet pentaptera from the Greek pente meaning five, and pteryx meaning wing, refers to the five-winged calyx.[5][10]
Homonyms
[edit]The correct name of the homonym Macleania pentaptera Sleumer published by Hermann Otto Sleumer in 1936[11] is Macleania ericae Sleumer published by Hermann Otto Sleumer in 1938.[12]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]It occurs in montane forests of Ecuador[6] at elevations of 150–2100(–4000) m above sea level.[2]
Ecology
[edit]Pollination
[edit]The flowers are pollinated by hummingbirds.[5][6][13]
Herbivory
[edit]The leaves are gathered by Atta leaf-cutter ants.[14]
Use
[edit]It is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental plant,[13] but it is rare in cultivation.[13][6][10] The very sweet and pleasant fruit[4] is edible.[6][2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Hörold, R. (1909). Systematische Gliederung und geographische Verbreitung der amerikanischen Thibaudieen. Botanische Jahrbücher Fur Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte Und Pflanzengeographie, 42, 251–334.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Luteyn, J. L., & Pedraza-Peñalosa, P. (n.d.). Macleania pentaptera Hoerold. New York Botanical Garden. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://sweetgum.nybg.org/science/projects/ericaceae/taxon-details/?irn=112434
- ^ a b c Macleania pentaptera Hoerold. (n.d.). Plants of the World Online. Retrieved March 16, 2025, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:148710-2
- ^ a b Patiño, V. M. (2002). Historia y dispersión de los frutales nativos del neotrópico. p. 148. Kolumbien: Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Puccio, P. (n.d.). Macleania pentaptera. Monaco Nature Encyclopedia. Retrieved March 16, 2025, from https://www.monaconatureencyclopedia.com/macleania-pentaptera-2/?lang=en
- ^ a b c d e f g Ng Yu Qin. (n.d.). Macleania pentaptera. Gardens by the Bay. Retrieved March 16, 2025, from https://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/learn-with-us/explore-resources/whats-blooming/macleania-pentaptera.html
- ^ National Gardening Association. (n.d.-b). Tropical Blueberry (Macleania pentaptera). Garden.org. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://garden.org/plants/view/463164/Tropical-Blueberry-Macleania-pentaptera/
- ^ Macleania pentaptera Hoerold. (n.d.-b). WFO Plant List. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://wfoplantlist.org/taxon/wfo-0001046917-2024-12?page=1
- ^ USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Plant Germplasm System. 2025. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN Taxonomy). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. URL: https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomydetail?id=466145. Accessed 17 March 2025.
- ^ a b Macleania pentaptera. (2024, April 2). An Eco-sustainable World. Retrieved March 16, 2025, from https://antropocene.it/en/2024/04/02/macleania-pentaptera-2/
- ^ Macleania pentaptera Sleumer. (n.d.). International Plant Names Index. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.ipni.org/n/148709-2
- ^ Macleania ericae Sleumer. (n.d.). Plants of the World Online. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:148692-2
- ^ a b c Macleania pentaptera. (n.d.). Strange Wonderful Things. Retrieved March 16, 2025, from https://www.strangewonderfulthings.com/366.htm
- ^ Baetz, A. (2019). Foraging Behavior in Atta Leaf-Cutter Ants: A comparison of disturbed versus undisturbed nests.