Genus Alsodeiopsis Oliv. in Benth.

Figs 6, 7.1–7.9

Description

FRUIT. Oblong to slightly elliptical, asymmetrical at the apex, laterally compressed, red when mature. Epicarp strigose with yellow simple hairs with granular ornamentation, more or less shriveled when dry, revealing the underlying reticulum of endocarp ridges; calyx persistent.

ENDOCARP. Cream to brown, oblong in lateral view, lenticular in transverse section. Keel surrounding the endocarp in the plane of symmetry. Apex asymmetrical in lateral view; base rounded and symmetrical. Outer surface of the endocarp ridged, with a reticulate pattern of thin rounded to angular ridges. Ridges delimit irregular, small to expansive areoles with simple or arbuscular freely ending ridgelets. Vasculature of the endocarp follows the reticulum. Endocarp primary vascular bundle outside the endocarp wall or in a channel on the keel. Endocarp wall forming two or three layers, each with at least one row of periclinally oriented cells; locule surface smooth, often clearly lacunate.

Key to the genus Alsodeiopsis

1. Endocarp brown with thick ridges ............................................................................. A. mannii Oliv. – Endocarp cream with thin ridges ...................................................................................................... 2

2. Endocarp primary vascular bundle outside the endocarp wall, base rounded .................................... ................................................................................................................................... A. staudtii Engl. – Endocarp primary vascular bundle in a channel on the keel, base flattened .................................... 3

3. Endocarp wall ca 180–232 µm thick ......................................................................... A. poggei Engl. – Endocarp wall ca 256–302 µm thick ........................................................................ A. zenkeri Engl.