Pleurisanthes flava Sandwith

Fig. 23.1–23.9

Material examined

Specimen used for endocarp and fruit description

GUYANA • Potaro-Siparuni; 1987; J.J. Pipoly 10168; P [MNHN-P-P05279044].

Description

FRUIT. Elliptical, acuminate and slightly elongate at the apex, red when mature. Epicarp puberulent, with small ovoid hairs with an acuminate apex, rugose-ridged when dry, revealing the underlying endocarp ornamentation. Mesocarp 131–163 µm thick when dry. Calyx not persistent. Length 11.0– 12.7 mm, width 9.0– 10.2 mm, thickness 8.0– 8.5 mm.

ENDOCARP. Cream, tomentose with long simple hairs forming a distinct ‘layer’ in transversal view ca 200 µm thick, elliptical in lateral view, lenticular to globose and folded in transverse section, length ca 11.6 mm, width ca 10.2 mm, thickness ca 8.6 mm. Channel surrounding the endocarp in the plane of symmetry. Apex asymmetrical in lateral view, with a central pit in apical view; base rounded, symmetrical. Outer surface of the endocarp rugose with some elongate and large mounds organized in 4–5 longitudinal lines separated by four channels. Vasculature resting in the channels. Endocarp primary vascular bundle in the channel surrounding the endocarp. Endocarp wall 260–353 µm thick with and without mounds (the rugosities of the endocarp surface are formed by folds in the wall rather than thickenings). Endocarp wall with two cell layers: outermost layer with 6–7 rows of anticlinally oriented cells, cells 24.7–57.2 µm in length; innermost layer with 2–3 rows of periclinally oriented cells, cells 9.5–17.3 µm in width. Locule smooth, highly lacunate.