THE FLORA OF COLORADO ISLAND, PANAMA

SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS

VOLUME

78,

NUMBER

8

THE FLORA OF BARRO COLORADO

ISLAND, PANAMA

BY

PAUL

C.

STANDLEY

(Publication 2914)

CITY OF WASHINGTON

PUBLISHED BY THE SMITHSONIAN

INSTITUTION

MAY

20, 1927

BALTIMORE,UD.,O.S.A.

THE FLORA OF RARRO COLORADO ISLAND, PANAMA

By PAUL

C.

STANDLEY

The

logicalposition of the

RepubHc

of

Panama

as a center foredu- cational

work

has

been

recognized

throughout

the

American

countries ever since

work was begun upon

the

Panama

Canal. It istherefore particularly appropriate that there should be established here inthe

Canal Zone

a laboratory fortropicalresearchinthebiological sciences.

On

April 17, 1923,

Barro Colorado

Island, in

Gatun Lake, was

set aside

by

the

Governor

of the

Canal Zone

asa

permanent

reservation, topreserveina primitivestatethe

animal and

plantlifeof the region.

This

result

was accomplished

largely

through

the personal interest

and

effortof Dr.

Thomas Barbour and Mr. James

Zetek, thelatter

now

residentcustodian of theisland.

Through

theperseveringefifortofthese

two

persons,also,therehas

been

constructed

upon

theislanda

commodious and

substantiallabora- tory

with ample

livingquarters,in

which one may enjoy

every bodily

comfort

while carrying

on

investigations of the highly diversified

fauna and

^flora.

Although

secluded

from

the distractions of

such towns

as

Colon and Panama, one

iswithin easy reach of theircon- veniences.

From

the

windows

of the laboratory,situated at thetop of a high, steepslope,

one may

seeall

day

long

an ever-changing

pro- cessionof the world's ships,passing almost before the door.

The

laboratoryis operated

by

theInstituteforTropical Research,

under

the directionof the National

Research

Council,

and

acordial

welcome

is

extended

to scientists

who wish

to

make

serioususe of its facilities.

The expenses

of administration are

borne

in part

by

sub- scriptions of scientific

and

educational institutions,

and

in part

by

privateindividuals.

Barro

Colorado, thelargestislandof

Gatun

Lake, covers approxi-

mately

six square miles, being

about

three miles in greatest length

and

width. Itisof ^artificialorigin,

and

before the

water was turned

intothe lake

formed merely

a part of the^hillsalong the

Chagres

River.

Near

the laboratorysiteran

one

of the cuts of the old

French

canal,

and

close at

hand was

the

town

of Bohio,

now submerged.

The

island consists of a

mass

of hills, steepin places,

broken by

ravines

through which run

a

few

smallclear streams. Since the

low

Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, Vol.78,No. 8

2

SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS

VOL.

78

land along the

Chagres was submerged when

the lake

was

filled,there is little

swampy

land

on

the island,

although about

the

upper end

thereisa small

amount

of aquatic

and

semi-aquatic vegetation.

The

shoreline, nearly 25 miles long, is

very

irregular,

with innumerable

indentations, in

some

of

which

are still standing the

gray

trunks of trees killed

when

the

lower

slopes of thehills

were

inundated.

The

highest part of the islandis

537

^feet

above

sea level,

and 450

^feet

above

the

main

levelof

Gatun Lake.

Along

its

north

sidethe islandisseparated

from

the

mainland by

a

narrow

channel,

formed by

a diversion canal of the old

French

days.

Toward

thesouthliesthe

main expanse

of

Gatun Lake,

traversed

by

the Canal,

and on

the distant shoreisFrijoles,astationof the railroad

which

crosses the

Isthmus from Colon

to

Panama.

Most

of

Barro Colorado

Island is

covered with dense

forest

and

jungle.

In

a

few

^places there are patches of

comparatively

level, deforested land, thesites of recently cultivated clearings

now aban- doned and overgrown with

coarse

weeds and second-growth

shrubs.

Within

a

few

years thesefields willbe

invaded by

trees.

It is

probably

true that littleof the island is

covered with

really virginforest, but the

woods have been

so long

undisturbed

that

one

will hardly recognize thefact.

The

^large

^number

of

palms and

tree ferns indicates that

some

of the slopes

and

ravines

have never been wholly

cleared,these being plants

which

disappear

when

the forestis

opened and probably never

reestablishthemselves. In a region

such

as the

Canal

Zone, for

over 400

years

under European

influence

and during

all thistime

an important

traderoute, it isdifficult to

prove

thata giventractofland hasnot

been

clearedor put

under

cultivation at

some time during

these centuries, of

whose

detailed history

we know

solittle.

At any

rate,the present plant covering of

Barro Colorado

has

every

aspectof the typicalvirgin forest

occupying

the

humid lowlands

of Central

America, and

isso

rank and dense

thatinordertopenetrate

ita

way must

be cut

with

a machete.

Many

of the trees

tower

toa vastheight,

and have massive

trunks

swathed

ina

mantle

of epiphytic vegetation thatis stillto

be

studied.

Ropelike

vines orlianas

dangle from

the

crowns

ofthetallesttrees,

whose branches

areloaded

with

aroids,bromeliads, orchids,

and

other epiphytes.

Palms

are unusually

abundant, and many

of the

22 genera known

from

the

Canal Zone

exist here. Ferns, particularly

handsome

tree ferns of the

genus

Hcuiitelia, are plentiful,

although

in Central

America most

speciesof ferns

must

be

sought

at

much

highereleva-

NO. 8

FLORA OF BARRO COLORADO ISLAND STANDLEY

₃

tions. Species of

Piper

are

numerous,

also Araceae, Rubiaceac,

and

Bignoniaceae,

and most

of the important

groups

of

lowland

Central

American

plants are represented.

Thus

far the

cryptogamic

plants

have been

little studied,but there

must

be a wealth of fungi.

The

lichens, hepatics,

and mosses

of thetropics arenot highlydiversified atso

low an

altitude.

The

present list of the plants

known from Barro Colorado

Island is based chiefly

upon

personal collections

and

notes. I visited the island first

on January

17, 1924,

and

collected that

day

about

300 numbers

of plants. Collecting

was

then difficult, because there

was

onlyasingle,inadequatetrail;but

now

trails

have been opened upon

every hand,

and may

be

extended

easily,so thereis littlelimit toone's

range

ofactivity.

During November,

1925, I spent a

week upon

the island as the guest of the laboratory.

About 500 specimens

of plants

were

taken, chieflyof the rarer

and more

interestingspecies,

and

notes

were made

of all the

common

plants observed. Trips

were made

each

day

in

some new

direction,

hence

itis believedthat thelist here ofifered is fairlyrepresentativeof the ^flora.

No one

familiarwithtropicalcon- ditions

would

venture to saythat it is nearly complete, for

by

the

very

nature of its vegetation, such

an

area,

with

its

many

local or infrequent species, it is almost impossibleto exhaust.

Probably

the

next

botanist

who

visits the island will be puzzled

by

the omission

from

thislistof

some

i:)lant

which

to

him

appears

one

of the

common

species.

November

did not

seem

to be

an

especially favorable period for collecting,

and few

plants

were found

inflower.

Probably

thebegin-

ning

of the rainy season,in spring,

would

be the best time for botaniz- ing,

although even

then

one must have good

luckto find in proper condition

some

of thetrees

and

shrubs that flower foronly a brief season.

The

trees aredifficulttostudy, sinceusually

one must

guess at their identity

from

their lofty

branches

as

viewed

from- the

ground,

or sort the bits of leaves

and

flowers

strewn upon

the soil.

There must

be several^speciesoftrees

on Barro Colorado

^thatare not enu-

merated

here,

and more

than a

few

shrubs

and

herbs.

No

botanist can fail to beinterested

by

thetropical vegetation so luxuriantly displayed ^here,

and

^it isto be

hoped

that

many

^botanical

workers

will take

advantage

of the opportunityofifered for studying a characteristic area of tropical vegetation, at slight expense.

This

is

an

excellent place for

making

one's firstacquaintance with tropical

American

plants, for

no

local flora of tropical

America

is better

4 SMITHSONIAN M

ISC l-:i.LAN

KOUS COLLKCTIUNS

\()L.

78

known, and

its variety is ecjual to that oE

most

localities of similar altitude.

For

a study of the ecology of a tyi)ical area of

lowland

tropical vegetation,

Barro Colorado

^ofifers exceptional advantages,

and

the

morphology

of certain

groups

of plants could be investigated profit- ably.

Few

indeed are the Central

American

localities in

which

it is possible to find

comfortable

lodging

with

the jungle but a

few

steps

from

thedoor.

A

large

number

of zoologists

have

visited

Barro

Colo- rado Island,

some

of

them remaining

several

weeks

or

months

to carry

on

their studies,

and

^the list of published papers

based upon work performed

here

forms an

extensive bibliography.

The

botanist also will be interested in the

wealth

of

animal

life that

may

be observed.

Freedom from

molestation has

made

the

mam- mals and

birds tame,

and

^it is possible to see

many

kinds that else-

where

aretimid

and seldom

visible.

Flocks

of chatteringparrots

and

parrakeets fly all

day

long over thetrees,

and

literally

hundreds

of other birds

may

be seen

about

the forest. Peccaries

may

be

encoun-

tered along

any

trail,

and

sitting in the

evening on

the steps of the laboratory,

one may watch

the

monkeys going

to theirsleepingplaces.

Deer

are

found

in the forest,

and

jaguars

have been

seen

from

the laboratory. In the

mud

the tracks oftapirs,thelargestCentral

Ameri-

can

mammal,

are

found now and

then,

and one

is likelyto

meet upon

thetrail other smaller but interesting animals. Insects are not

more

plentifulthan elsewhere,

and

I

do

not

remember

to

have been

troubled

by anything more

disagreeable thanants, the

worst

pests of tropical forests.

Snakes

exist here,

some

of

them venomous,

but they

need

occasiononlyafair

amount

of caution. I

happened

to see

none upon

theisland.

This

list is little

more

than

an enumeration

of the

names

of the s])ecies of plants

now known

to occur

on Barro Colorado

Island. I ho]:)ethat at

some

timeit

may

be practicableto prepare a descriptive floraof theisland,butitisbetter toleave

such

a

work

untilthelistis

more

nearly complete. In thenear future therewillbe published, as

volume 27

of the Contributions

from

the National

Herbarium, an

account of the plants of the

Canal

Zone,

with keys

fortheir deter- mination,

and

it is feltthat topublishherekeystothe species

would

be

an unnecessary

repetition.

Besides

my own

collections. I

have had

accesstoa

few

others

made on

the island: those of Dr. W'illiam R.

Maxon. who

collected here

June

6,

1923

;of Prof. F. L. Stevens, of the University of Illinois,

who

visitedtheisland in

September, 1924

^;

and

ofProf. C.

W. Dodge,

NO.

8 FLORA OF

P.ARRO

COLORADO ISLAND STANDLEY

₅

of

Harvard

University,

who was engaged

instudy of the fungi

during

tlie

summer

of 1925,

and

has furnished a list of the flowering plants

he

collected atthattime.

Among

theother botanists

who have

visited theislandare Dr.

A.

S.

Hitchcock and Mr. O.

F.

Cook,

of the

U.

S.

Department

of Agriculture,

and

Prof. G. R. Jjisby, of

Manitoba

Agricultural College.

In additiontothe species listedthere are still

on hand some

sterile

specimens which

it has

been

impossible to identify.

Most

of these represent additions to the flora of

Panama and

probably to that of

North America. Some

of

them

doubtlesswill

prove

of great inter- est,buttheir recognition

must

await thecollectionof

more complete

material or a fortunate association with

named specimens from

other regions.

The Spanish

vernacular

names

given for the species here listed are those

used

in

Panama, and many

of

them were

verified

upon

the island.

Well

established

English names have been

cited

when

available.

In the present

paper

there are listed for

Barro Colorado

Island 611 speciesofplants.

Of

theseat least

38

speciesare introduced.

FUNGI

The

list of fungi is based partlyupon specimens collected by myself and identifiedby Dr. J. R.

Weir

of the U. S. Departmentof Agriculture. There are includedalsonumerous records suppliedby Prof. F.L. Stevensand Prof.

G. R. Bisby.

Arcyria cinerea Pers.

Auricularia mesentericaBull. This,likemost of thefleshyand

woody

fungi growinguponlogsandtreetrunks,is called in

Panama

as well as elsewhere in CentralAmerica "orejas" or "orejitas."

Bagnisiopsis peribebuyensis (Speg.) Theiss.

&

Syd.

On

Micoiiia argentca.

Camillea cyclopsMont.

CamilleaSagraeana (Mont.) B.

&

C.

Cookeinasulcipes(Berk.) Kuntze.

Cookeinatricholoma (Mont.) Kuntze.

Fomes

Auberianus Mont.

Fomes

ferreus Berk.

Fomes

marmoratusBerk.

Ganoderma sp.

Geastersp.

Gloeoporus conchoides Mont.

Hexagoniatenuis (Hook.) Fr.

Hexagoniavariegata Berk.

Hirneola delicata (Fr.) Bres.

Hirneola polytrichaMont.

Hymenochaete damaecornis Link

&

Lev.

Irenina Shropshiriana Ste\ens,sp.nov.

On

Miconiaargentca.

Laschia auriscalpiumMont.

Laschia pezizoidea Berk.

LentinusstrigellusBerk.

Lentinus velutinusFr.

Meliola Heliconiae Stevens,sp.nov.

On

Heliconiasp.

Meliola

Musae

(Kunze) Mont.

On

Heliconiasp.

Meliola palmicola Winter.

Meliola Panici Earle.

On

Olyra latifolia.

Meliolaperuviana irregulaiis Stevens,var. nov.

On

Bignoniaceae indet.

Meliola Pilocarpi Stevens.

On

Zantho.vyluin (?) Polyporus brachypus Lev.

Polyporusgracilis Kl.

PolyporusinfernalisBerk.

Polyporus licnoidesMont.

PolyporuslignosusKl.

Polyporus subelegansMurr.

Polyporus virgatusB.

&

C.

Polystictusarenicolor Berk.

Polystictus crocatusFr.

Polystictus occidentalis (Kl.) Fr.

Polystictus sanguineus (L.) Fr.

NO. 8

FLORA OF DARRO COLORADO ISLAND STANDLEY

₇

Polystictus Steinheilianus Berk.

&

Lev. "Really a thin formof Trametes rigidaBerk.

&

Mont."

PolystictusversatilisBerk.

Polystictusversicolor (Dicks.) Fr.

Poria vincta (Berk.) Cke.

Schizophyllum

commune

(L.) Fr.

StereumflabellatumPat.

Stereumglabrescens Berk.?

Stereum papyrinum Mont.

Thelephora pusiola Pat.?

Trametes caperatus Berk.

Trametes cubensis Mont.

Trametes hydnoides (Sw.) Fr.

TrametesrigidaBerk.

&

Mont.

XylariaaxiferaMont.

XylariacubensisMont.

The

records of the followingrustshavebeen suppliedbyProf.H.S.Jackson, of Purdue University.

The

specimenswerecollectedbyProf. F. L. Stevens.

PucciniaEmiliaeP.Henn.

On

Neurolaenalobata (L.)R. Br.

UredoDioscoreaeP. Henn,

On

Dioscorea tirophyllaHemsl.

LICHENS

The

followingspecieshasbeen determinedby Mr.G.K.Merrill.

The num-

ber of lichens occurringon Barro Colorado isnot large, but there are other speciesbesides theonelisted.

Leptogiumazureum (Swartz) Mont.

MOSSES

The

followingmosses havebeen determinedby Mr.

Edwin

B. Bartram

:

Bryum

coronatum Schwaegr.

Crossomitrium Wallisi C.

M.

Lepodipilumpolytrichioides(Hedw.) Brid.

Neckeropsis disticha (Hedw.) Fleisch.

Octoblepharum albidum (L.)

Hedw.

Pilotrichumramosissimum Mitt.

Taxithelium

planum

(Brid.) Mitt.

Thuidium

schistocalyx (C.M.) ^Mitt.

SCHIZAEACEAE.

Curlygrass Family'

Lygodium polymorphum

(Cav.) H. B. K.

A

slender vine, very hairy, in cut-overplaces.

Lygodium

radiatum Prantl.

CYATHEACEAE.

Tree Fern Family

Hemitelia petiolata Hook. Frequent; a very handsome plant, the only treefern

known

tooccurontheisland.

*An annotated list of the ferns and fern allies of Barro Colorado has beenpublished recentlybythe writerintheAmerican FernJournal 16:112-120;

17: 1-8. 1927.

The

identificationsareby Dr.William R.Maxon.

8 SMIIHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS

VOL.

78 MARATTIACEAE.

Marattia Family

Danaea nodosa (L.) J. E.Sm. Frequentintheforest.

POLYPODIACEAE.

Polypody Family

Acrostichum sp.

A

^species of thisgenus grows inshallow water about the edge of thelake,butspecimenshavenotbeen collected. ItiseitherA.aureuni L.orA. dancacfolhimLangsd.

&

Fisch.,both ofwhichare

common

intheregion.

Adiantum

lucidumSwartz.

Common

in the forest.

Adiantum

philippenseL. Infrequent.

Adiantum

sp. {Standlcy 31330).

An

unidentified and perhaps undescribed species.

Ananthacorusangustifolius (Swartz) Underw.

&

Maxon.

An

epiphyticplant.

Anetium

citrifolium (L.) Splitg. Epiphytic.

Asplenium serratum L.Epiphytic.

The

Americanbirds-nest fern.

Cyclopeltis semicordata (Swartz)_J. Sm. Abundant.

Dictyoxiphiumpanamense Hook.

Diplazium delitescens Maxon. Abundant.

Diplaziumgrandifolium Swartz.

Dryopteris dentata (Forsk.) C.Chr.

Dryopteris Poiteana (Bory) Urban. Frequent in the forest.

ElaphoglossumHerminieri (Bory

&

Fee) Moore. Epiphytic.

Eschatogramme furcata (L.) Trev. Epiphytic.

Leptochilus cladorrhizans (Spreng.) Maxon.

Common.

Nephrolepispendula (Raddi) J. Sm. Epiphytic.

Pityrogramma calomelaena (L.) Link. Inopenplaces.

Polybotrya caudata Kunze.

A

creepingand climbing epiphyte.

Polybotryaosmundacea

Humb. &

Bonpl.

A

largeclimbing epiphyte.

Polypodium ciliatum Willd. Epiphytic.

Polypodium crassifoliumL.

A

coarse epiphyte.

Polypodium occultum Christ. Epiphytic.

Polypodium pectinatumL., form.

An

epiphyte.

Polypodium percussumCav. Epiphytic.

Saccoloma elegans Kaulf.

A common

handsome terrestrial plant.

Stenochlaena vestita (Fourn.)^'Underw.

A

largecreeping epiphyte.

Tectariaeuryloba (Christ)

Maxon.

Tectaria martinicensis (Spreng.) Copel.

Common

intheforest.

Vittaria lineata (L.) J.E. Smi.

A common

epiphyte, with grasslike leaves.

HYMENOPHYLLACEAE.

^Filmy-fern Family

Trichomanes

Godmani

Hook. Epipliytic, like tlie other local speciesof the genus.

TrichomanesKrausiiHook.

&

Grev.

Trichomanes sphenoides Kunze.

SALVINIACEAE.

SalviniaFamily Salvinia auriculata Aubl. Floatingin quiet water.

NO.

8 FLORA OF

IJARRU

COLORADO ISLAND STANDLLV

₉

LYCOPODIACEAE,

Clubmoss Family Lycopodium cernuumL. Reported byProf.C.

W.

Dodge.

SELAGINELLACEAE.

SelaginellaFamily Selaginella conduplicata Spreng.

Common

intheforest.

Selaginella Fendleri Baker.

Selaginellahaematodes (Kunzc) Spring.

Common;

easilyrecognizedbyits

darkred stems.

SelaginellaSchrammii Hieron.

Selaginella sylvatica Baker.

TYPHACEAE.

Cattail Family

Typha

angustifolia L. Cattail. In shallow water attheedgeof thelake.

POACEAE.

Grass Family

The

identifications in thisfamilyhavebeen

made

byDr.A.S.Hitchcock and Mrs.AgnesOiase.

Andropogoncondensatus H. B. K. In clearing; scarce.

Arthrostylidium racemiflorum Stend.

A common

slender bamboo.

Axonopus compressus (Swartz) Beauv. Carpetgrass.

Common.

CenchrusviridisSpreng. Sandbur. Inopenplaces.

Chloris radiata (L.) Swartz. In clearings; rare.

ChusqueasimplicifloraMunro.

A

slenderbamboo,

common

inthe forest.

Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.

Bermuda

grass. Inopen places;introduced.

Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. Crabgrass.

Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. Inopenplaces.

Gynerium sagittatum (Aubl.) Beauv. Cane.

A

tall coarse grass, in wet places.

Hymenachne

amplexicaulis (Rudge) Nees. In shallow water.

Ichnanthus nemorosus Doell.

Common.

Ichnanthuspallens (Swartz) ]\Iunro.

Common.

Ischaemum

rugosumSalisb. Inclearings.

Lasiacis sorghoidea (Desv.) Hitchc.

&

Chase.

A common

coarsevine.

OlyralatifoliaL.

Common

in forest.

Oplismenus

Burmanni

(Retz.) Beauv. Very common. •

Oplismenus^hirtellus (L.) Beauv.

Common.

Orthoclada laxa (Rich.) Beauv. In forest.

Oryza sativa L. Rice. Arroz. Upland rice has been planted ontheisland.

Panicum

pilosumSwartz. Inclearing.

Panicum^{trichoidesSwartz.}

Common.

Paspalum conjugatum^Berg.

Common.

Paspalum

paniculatumL. Inclearing.

PharusglaberH. B. K. Frequent inforest.

Pharus latifoliusL. Frequent.

Polytrias amaurea (Biise) Kuntze. Well established in the lawn at the laboratory.

lO

SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS

VOL.

78

Saccharumofficinarum L.

Sugar

cane. Cana. Planted at the laboratory, and about the oldclearings.

Setaria geniculata (Lam.) Beauv.

Common

inopenplaces.

Setaria vulpiseta (Lam.) Roem.

&

Schult. In a clearing;rare.

Streptochaeta Sodiroana Hack. In the forest.

StreptogynecrinitaBeauv. In theforest;occasional.

Zea

mays

L. ]\L\ize. Maiz. Plantedatthe laboratory.

CYPERACEAE.

Sedge Family CyperuscaracasanusKunth. Junco. Inopenplaces.

Cyperusferax Rich. Junco. Occasionalinclearings.

Cyperus giganteus Vahl.

A

giant plant in water atthe edge of the lake;

inhabitresembling theAfricanpapyrus.

Dichromenaradicans Schlecht.

& Cham.

Clavo. Inopenplaces.

Fimbristylis diphylla (Retz.) Vahl. In clearings.

FuirenaumbellataRottb. In shallowwaterattheedgeof thelake.

Kyllingapumila Michx. Inopenplaces.

Mariscus jamaicensis (Crantz) Britton. Sawgrass.

Common

in shallow waterattheedge of thelake.

Rynchosporacephalotes (L.)Vahl.

Paja macho

de

monte

("tapirgrass").

Inopen places.

Scleriabracteata Cav. Cortadera, Cuchillito.

The

Spanish

name

alludes tothefactthatthesharp edges of the leavescutthe skinlikeaknife.

ScleriamelaleucaSchlecht.

&

Cham.

PHOENICACEAE. Palm

Family Other palms than thoselisted probably occur here.

AcanthorrhizaWarscewiczii Wendl. Noli,

Palma

de escoba. Scarce.

The

onlyfanpalmof theregion.

The

leavesareused forbrooms and forthatching.

Asterogynesp.

(Geonoma

ctineafaWendl.?)

Rabo

ahorcado.

A

nearlystem- less, small plant, themostly simple leavesdeeply lobedat the apex; flowers insimplespikes.

Astrocaryum polystachyum Wendl.

A

tallplantwith spiny trunk.

Bactrissp. (Subgenus Trichobactris.)

A

slender,very spiny palm,in forest;

common.

Calyptrogyne sp.

A

small plant, stemless or with a short trunk; leaves withnumerous narrow segments; flowersinsimple spikes.

Chamaedorea Wendlandiana (Oerst.) Hemsl.

Cana

verde, Bola.

A

slender gracefulpalmwithsmoothgreen stems.

Cocos nucifera L. Coconut. Coco.

A

fewtrees about the sites of former houses; introduced.

Geonoma

sp. Probably two species

grow

here. Slender plantswith pinnate leaves, unarmedstems, and branchedinflorescences.

Iriarteaexorrhiza Mart. Stiltpalm. Jira.

A

tallpalmwith slendersmooth green trunk, the trunk supportedbystout prop roots, which arecovered with very short spines.

Pyrenoglyphis major (Jacq.) Karst. Lata,

Palma

brava.

A

very spiny plant, similartoBactris, but with

much

larger fruits.

Synechanthus Warscewiczianus Wendl. Palmilla, Bola.

A

slender palm, similar inappearance toChamaedorea.

NO.

b FLORA OF KARRO COLORADO ISLAND STANDLFV

11

CYCLANTHACEAE.

Cyclanthus Family

Carludovicapalmata Ruiz

&

Pav.

Panama hat

palm. Portorrico, Jipijapa, Rampira,Iraca.

a

stemlessplantwithnumerouslong-stalkedleaves,theblades cleft so as to resemble a Maltese cross. Itis fromthe youngleaves of this plant that thefamous

"Panama"

hats aremade, in Ecuador.

Cyclanthus bipartitus Poit. Portorrico.

A

stemless plant, theleaves cleft into two broad divisions. Easily recognized by the fruit, which resembles a large screw.

ARACEAE. Arum

Family

Plants of this family are particularly abundant on Barro Colorado.

The

epiphyticspecies constitutea large part of the vegetation seenupontreetrunks.

AnepsiasMoritzianus Schott.

Anthurium

aemulum

Schott.

A

largeepiphyticvinewith partedleaves.

AnthuriumFriedrichsthaliiSchott.

A

small acaulescent epiphytewithlinear leaves.

Anthurium Holtonianum Schott.

A

very showy species, a large vine with huge leaves,digitately parted into several broad segments.

Anthurium

maximum

(Desf.) Engler.

An

acaulescentepiphyte, with large broadsimpleleaves.

AnthuriumSchlechtendaliiKunth.

An

acaulescentepiphyte.

Anthurium scolopendrinum (Ham.) Kunth. Acaulescent,with narrowentire leaves.

Anthurium triangulumEngler. Leavessagittate.

Dieffenbachia Oerstedii Schott.

Ot6

de lagarto. Called ^"dumb-cane^"

by the

West

Indians.

A

coarse terrestrial herb with erect stems and broad leaves.

The

crushedplant has a skunklike odor.

The

juiceis very irritant in contact with the skin, and care must be exercised, in handling the plant.

Monstera dilacerata Koch.

A

large and handsome epiphytic vine with deeplypinnatifid,broadleaves.

Monsterapertusa (L.) de Vriese.

A

coarsevine,recognized atoncebythe broad leaves perforated withnumerous largeholes.

Philodendron coerulescens Engler. Epiphytic vine with ovate entire leaves.

Philodendron grandipes Krause.

An

acaulescentterrestrialplantwithrounded- cordate leaves; verycommon.

Philodendron Karstenianum Schott.

An

epiphyte with oblong leaves.

Philodendron radiatumSchott.

Azota

cabeza, Chalde.

A

largehandsome vine,the leaves deeplypinnatifid intonarrowsegments; verycommon.

Philodendron rigidifolium Krause. Cinchadora. Epiphytewithbroadovate leaves.

Philodendron tripartitum (Jacq.) Schott.

A common

vine,recognizedreadily by the leaves, which are parted into 3 oblong entire segments.

PhilodendronWendlandii^Schott. Epiphytic vine with oblongleaves, cordate at base.

Pistia stratiotes L. Water-lettuce. Floatinginquiet water. Very unlike the other

members

of the family, theplant consisting ofa rosette ofspongy, broadly wedge-shaped, pale green^leaves.

Spathiphyllum Patini

(Hogg)

N. E. Brown. Acaulescentterrestrial plant.

StenospermationsessileEngler. Largeepiphytic vine with lance-oblong^leaves.

12

SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS

VOL.

78 Xanthosoma

helleborifolium (Jacq.) Schott. Papayuelo. Terrestrial plant with asingle leaf, thispartedinto 5 to13 lobedsegments; petiolehandsomely blotched withbrown.

Xanthosoma

violaceum Schott. Ot6. Called " l)adu " and ^"coco" by the

West

Indians. Plantedatthe laboratory;cultivated

commonly

inthelowlands oftropical Americafor its tuberous roots,which are cooked andeaten

much

likepotatoes.

The

plantresembles the caladium or elephant-ear cultivated for ornament.

LEMNACEAE. Duckweed

Family

Lemna

cyclostasa(Ell.) Chev.

Duckweed.

Mr.Zetek reportsthathe has seen a plant of this family inquiet water about the island.

The

species listed is theonly

member

of the family

known

atpresent fromthe CanalZone,butit is possible that othersoccur here.

BROMELIACEAE.

Pineapple Family

Ananas magdalenae (Andre) Standi. Pita, Pinuela. Called ^"pingwing

"

bythe

West

Indians.

Common

in forests. Similarin habittothe pineapple, the red flowers formiing a large hard globose head.

The

long, very spiny leaves furnishoneofthe bestfibersknown,the"pita floja."

The

plants often formdensethicketswhichare almost impenetrable.

Ananassativus Schult. Pineapple. Pina. Plantedatthe laboratory.

Billbergia pallidiflora Liebm.

An

epiphyte with pendent flower spikes, the fewlongleavesspiny-marginedand handsomelyblotchedwithsilver.

Catopsis tenella Mez.

A

small epiphyte with dioecious flowers and broad, thin,bright greenleaves.

Guzmania minor Mez.

An

epiphytewitbbroad, bright green,thin leaves,the inflorescence shortanddense,withshowy,redor purplebracts.

TillandsiabulbosaHook.

An

epiphytewith a hard, dark, bulblikebase.

Tillandsia digitataMez.

An

epiphytewith aclusterof

many

grayleaves.

COMMELINACEAE.

DayflowerFamily

Campeliazanonia (L.) H. B. K.

An

erect herb about a meter high, with conspicuous, darkblue, juicy fruit.

Commelina elegans H. B. K. Dayflower. Codillo.

A

fleshy procumbent herb with bright blueflowers,resembling theWandering

Jew

of gardens.

Dichorisandrahexandra (Aubl.) Standi.

An

erect branched herb, about a meter high,with small blueflowers.

Tradescantia geniculata Jacq.

An

inconspicuous, procumbent, very hairy herb with small whiteflowers.

PONTEDERIACEAE.

PickerelweedFamily

Piaropus azurea(Swartz)Raf.

Water-hvacinth.

Ihavenorecord of having seen this plant on Barro Colorado, but it certainly must occur somewhere about theshores, sinceitis frequentinGatunLake. If left to itselfitwould overgrowthelake,buteff^ortshavebeen

made

toexterminate theplant, hence

it isnotabundant anywhere.

NO.

8 FLORA OF BARRO COLORADO ISLAND STANDLEY

1

3

LILIACEAE.

LilyFamily

Taetsia fruticosa (L.) Merrill. Planted atthe laboratory.

One

of the so- called Dracaenas;

much

planted forornament in Panama.

A

tall plantwith green or

more commonly

red or purple leaves.

SMILACACEAE.

Sarsaparilla Family Smilaxmollis Willd.

A common

small vine with pubescentfoliage.

Smilax panamensis Morong. Greenbrier. Zarza.

A common

large vine with very prickly stemsandglabrousfoliage.

HAEMODORACEAE.

BloodwortFamily

Xiphidium caenileum Aubl. Palmita.

Common

inthe forest.

An

herb, marked by its fleshy, vertically 2-ranked leaves, suggesting those of an iris

;

flowers small and ^whitish, the fruita small redberry.

AMARYLLIDACEAE.

AmaryllisFamily

Hymenocallis americana (L.) Salisb. Spiderlily. Called ^"euchar lily"by the

West

Indians. I found it in the forest onone of thehillsof the island, atthesiteofaformer dwelling. It isnormally a seashore plant,butis often

grown

forornamentbecause of its handsome whiteflowers.

DIOSCOREACEAE. Yam

Family

Dioscorea alataL.

Yam. Name. The common

yam,plantedatthe laboratory.

Dioscorea urophylla Uline. Bejucodesaina.

A

nativespecies,growinginthe forest.

IRIDACEAE.

IrisFamily

Marica^{gracilisHerb.}

An

inconspicuousherb withnarrowleaves,occasional inthewet forest.

MUSACEAE. Banana

Family

Heliconia acuminata Rich.

A

small herbaceous plant with small leaves

;

inflorescence erect, withdeep redbracts.

The

Heliconias are

known

in

Panama

as^"platanillo,"orsometimesas^"lengua de vaca."

They

are conspicuousplants in the forests and in swamps.

The

bracts hold water in which mosquitoes sometimesbreed.

Heliconia latispatha Benth. Platanillo,

Guacamaya.

Similar to thelast species,but

much

larger;inflorescence erect,the bracts red,tinged with yellow or orange.

HeliconiaMariae Hook. Beefsteak Heliconia. Platanillo. Calledbythe

West

Indians^"wild plantain^"or^"wild banana."

The

largestand most showy species of theregion, often formingdensethickets, the plants several meters high, with leaves as largeas those of the banana. Inflorescence very large, thick,andheavy, pendent, with broad,closelycrowded, redbracts.

Heliconia pendula

Wawra. A

medium-sized plant with tomentose, pendent, darkredinflorescence.

14

SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS

VOL.

78 Musa

paradisiaca L. Plantain. Platano. Planted atthe laboratory and elsewhere.

Musa

sapientum L.

Banana.

Planted atthe laboratory and about the old clearings.

ZINGIBERACEAE.

Ginger Family

Costus sanguineus Donn. Smith.

The

species ofCostusare

common

inthe forests.

They

aretall plants with simple leafy stems, the stems formed by thetightlyrolled leaf petioles. Inthisspecies the flower spikes arefusiform, withcloselyappressed,unappendaged,redbracts.

Costus spicatus (Jacq.) Swartz. Spikescylindricor subglobose, the bracts not appendaged,inagelooseandspreading.

Costus villosissimus Jacq. Canagria,

Cana

de mico. Plant very villous;

bracts withleafy,green or red appendages.

Dimerocostusuniflorus (Poepp.) Schum.

A

^tallplant, usually 3to4 meters high,resembling theCostusspecies; usuallygrowinginwater. Flowerswhite, 7^to8 cm. long,opening oneata timeoneachplant.

Renealmia occidentalis (Swartz) Sweet. Stems leafy, in clumps, i to 2.5 meters high; inflorescences short,arising fromthe ground atthebase of the plant; berriesred ordarkblue,withorangepulp.

Renealmia strobilifera Poepp.

&

Endl. Stems leafy, 1.5 to 3 meters high;

inflorescence conelike,brightorange.

MARANTACEAE.

Arrowroot Family

Calatheainsignis Peters.

The

Calatheas,

common

inwetforestand

swampy

places,are coarse herbs withbroad leaveslikethose of cannas, the flowers in dense spikes. In this species the spikes are strongly compressed, the bracts thinand parchment-like.

Calathea lutea (Aubl.) Meyer.

Hoja

blanca. Leaves whitish beneath;

bracts distichousbut not strongly compressed, thickand leathery.

CalatheamacrosepalaSchum. Bijao. Spikes smallandheadlike,very dense, notcompressed.

Ischnosiphon leucophaeus (Poepp.

&

Endl.) Koern. Leaves white beneath;

Flowers inveryslender, terete spikes.

Myrosma

panamesis Standi.

A

stemless plant with broad lea\es about a footlong, the flowers insimplespikes.

Pleiostachya pruinosa (Regel) Schum. Easily recognized by the broad leaves,which are darkred or purple beneath.

Common

in forest.

BURMANNIACEAE. Burmannia

Family

Ophiomerispanamensis Standi.

Known

onlyfrom BarroColorado, whereit

wascollectedby Prof.C.

W.

Dodge.

A

small delicatewhitish saprophyte, the slenderstembearingasingle lopsided flower, threeofwhoselobesendinlong filiformappendages.

ORCHIDACEAE.

Orchid Family ^•

The

identificationshavebeen

made

chieflyby Mr. Oakes Ames.

Aspasiaprincipissa Reichenb. f. Epiphytic.

NO.

8 FLORA OF BARRO COLORADO ISLAND STANDLFY

1

5

Bulbophyllum pachyrrachis (A. Rich.) Griseb.

An

epiphytic orcliid with very small flowers inpendent spikeswhich havea thickfleshy rachis.

Catasetum viridiflavum Hook.

A

showy epiphytic species, the green and yellow flowers resembling those of the northernlady's-slippers.

Epidendrumanceps Jacq. Epiphytic.

Epidendnimdifforme Jacq. Epiphytic.

Epidendrum Rousseauae Schlechter. Epiphytic.

Epidendrum stenopetalum Hook.

An

epiphyte.

Maxillaria Macleei Batem. Epiphytic.

OncidiumampliatumLindl. Butterflyorchid.

A

handsomeplantwithlarge, yellow and

brown

flowers which suggest butterflies.

Ornithocephalus bicornis Lindl. Epiphytic; easilyrecognizedby itsequitant leaves, suggesting those of iris. Flowers very small, resembling in form a bird'shead,hence the genericname.

Peristeria elata Hook.

Dove

orchid or

Holy Ghost

flower. Espiritu Santo.

A

^tallterrestrialspecies,famedforitshandsomewhiteflowers,whose centralorgans suggestbytheirformadovewith outspread wings.

PleurothallisBrighamii Wats. Epiphytic.

PleurothallismarginataLindl. Boththesespecies arevery smallplantswith inconspicuous flowers.

SobraliapanamensisSchlechter.

A

terrestrialplantwithtallleafystemsand handsome large purple flowers,which last only part of a single day, closing about noon.

Vanilla

pompona

Schiede. Vanilla. Vainilla.

A

large vine,

common

nearlyeverywherein thispart ofPanama.

PIPERACEAE,

PepperFamily

Peperomia caudulilimba longependulaC.

DC.

All the speciesofPcpcromia occurringontheislandare small succulent epiphyticherbs.

PeperomiaconjungensTrel.

Type

from BarroColorado.

PeperomiagatunensisC.DC.

Peperomiarotundifolia (L.) H.B.K.Poleo. Leaves rounded, verythickand lens-like.

Piper acutissimum Trel. Cordoncillo. All the species of Piper growing here areterrestrial shrubs.

They

areabundant inwet forest,and often

grow

inopenplaces.

The

namesgiventothespecies are" cordoncillo," " gusanillo,"

and "hinojo."

The West

Indians use thename ^"cowfoot."

Piperauritum H.B. K.

Santa Maria

de anis.

A

large coarse suffrutescent plant, easily recognizedby its very broad, deeply cordate leaves,and by the characteristicodorof the crushedleaves, suggestive ofsarsaparilla.

PipercordulatumC.DC.

PiperculebranumC.

DC.

Piper imperiale (Miquel) C.

DC. A

plant with very large leaves, the petioles withnumerous fleshy wartlike protuberances.

Piper laxispicum ^Trel. Type from Barro Colorado.

PiperpaulownifoliumC.DC.

Piper pseudo-cativalense^Trel.

Piperpseudo-garagaranumTrel. Type from BarroColorado.

Piper pseudo-variabile ^Trel.

l6

SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS

VOL.

78

Piperpubistipulum estylosumTrel.

Type

from BarroColorado.

Pipersan-joseanumC.

DC.

Hinojo.

Piper smilacifoliumC.

DC.

PipersubnudispicumTrel.

Piperviridicaule Trel.

Type

from Barro Colorado.

Pothomorphepeltata (L.) Miq.

Santa

Maria.

A

suffrutescent plant with rounded-cordateleaves,the spikes inumbels.

ULMACEAE. Elm

Family

Celtis iguanaea (Jacq.) Sarg. Shrub or small tree, the branches usually pendent or clambering, armedwith recurved spines.

Trema

micrantha (L.) Blume. Small tree with narrow gray leaves and verysmall, redfruits.

MORACEAE.

Mulberry Family

Artocarpus

communis

Forst. Breadfruit. Arbol de pan,

Fruta

de pan.

Plantedatthe laboratory.

Castilla panamensisCook.

Rubber

tree. Caucho, Hule, Ule.

A common

forest tree,theonlyspeciesof theimmediateregion.

Cecropia sp.

Guarumo.

Three species of Cecropia are

known

from the Canal Zone, andall

may

occur on BarroColorado.

No

specimenssuitable for identification have been collected on the island.

The

^species are small trees with prop-roots, and verylarge,deeplypalmate-lobed leaves whichare white- tomentose beneath.

The

hollowbranches are inhabitedbyants.

Coussapoa panamensis Pittier.

A

tree, usually epiphytic, at least at first, with large ovate leaves white-tomentose beneath.

Ficus costaricensis (Liebm.) Miquel.? Sterile specimens only, and the determination therefore somewhat doubtful. In

Panama

the wild figs are usuallycalled "matapalo," " higo," or ^"higuero."

They

are large trees, often stranglingor epiphytic, and frequently with large buttresses.

Ficus crassiusculaWarb.

Ficus glabrataH. B.K. Higueron.

A common

tree, with very large fruits.

FicusHemsleyana Standi.

Ficus Tonduzii Standi.

Common;

leavesvery broad,withfewcoarse nerves.

Helicostylis latifolia Pittier. Berba, Choyba, Querendo. Large tree with oblong toobovate, entire leaves.

Inophloeum

armatum

(Miquel) Pittier.

Namagua, Maragua,

Cocua. Large treewith narrow roughleaves.

From

thebarkofthistreethe

Panama

Indians formerly

made

a coarse cloth which they used for hammocks, blankets, women'sclothes, andsails forboats.

The

^clothis still

made

insomepartsof thecountry.

OlmediaasperaRuiz

&

Pav. Shruborsmalltreewithoblong long-cuspidate rougli leaves.

Common.

SoroceaaffinisHemsl. Shrubor smalltree,withsmall redfruits inracemes.

Trophis racemosa (L.) Urban. Tree of

medium

or largesize.

URTICACEAE.

NettleFamily

Boehmeria cylindrica (L.) Swart/.

An

lierb in water about the edge of the lake.

NO.

8 FLORA OF BARRO COLORADO ISLAND STANDLEY

1

7

Myriocarpa yzabalensis (Donii. Smith) Killip. Large shrub, the minute whitish flowersinnumerouspendent,very slender spikessometimes60cm.long.

Urera baccifera (L.) Gaud. Ortiga. Shrulj or small tree,armedwithspine- likehairs that sting theflesh painfully.

Urera elata (Swartz) Griseb.

A

tree 6to 9 meters high, in this region

known

onlyfrom Barro Colorado.

PROTEACEAE.

Protea Family

Roupala darienensis Pittier. Small tree with a skunklike odor; leaves partly pinnateand partly simple.

OLACACEAE.

OlaxFamily

HeisteriacostaricensisDonn.Smith.

The

speciesof Hcisteria areshrubswith alternateentire leaves, andare easily recognized by the saucer-shaped calyx whichpersistswith the fruitandiscolored brightred.

Heisteria macrophylla Oerst. Ajicillo.

ARISTOLOCHIACEAE.

Birthwort Family Aristolochia ^sylvicola Standi. Small slender

woody

vine.

POLYGONACEAE.

Buckwheat Family Coccolobaacuminata 11.B.K. Shrub.

Coccaloba leptostachya Bentli. Small tree.

Coccolobanematostachya (Griseb.) Lindau. Hueso. Smalltree.

Triplarisamericana L.

Guayabo

hormiguero,

Palo

santo. Large treewith dense racemes of purple-red flowers.

The

flowers appear about the firstof February andare very showy,lasting forseveral weeks.

The

liollowbranches areinfestedwith savageants,usuallya speciesofPscudomyrina.

AMARANTHACEAE. ^Amaranth

^Family

Alternantheraficoidea (L.) R. ^Br.

A

smallweedy herli.

Alternantherasessilis (L.) R.^Br.

Celosia argentea ^L. Rare^{; a} fewplants found, probably escaped from culti- vation.

The

cristateformofthis species,C. cristataL., isthecultivatedcocks-

comb

("abanico").

Cyathulaprostrata (L.) Blume. Cadillo. Smallherl), introduced fromthe Old World.

Iresine celosia L.

A common

herljaceous weed.

NYCTAGINACEAE.

Four-o'clock Family Neea ^{PittieriStandi.} Shrubor smalltree.

Pisonia aculeata L. Large shrub or small tree,with long, oftenclambermg branches,armed with hooked ^{spines; fruit small,}club-shaped, covered onthe angles with small sticky glands.

t8

SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS

VOL.

78 PHYTOLACCACEAE.

PokeberryFamily

Petiveria alliacea L.

Anamu.

Herbaceous or suffrutescent, the crushed leaves withthe odor ofgarlic; flowers appressedto the rachisof the spike;

fruitbearing 4 smallhookedbristles.

PORTULACACEAE,

Purslane Family Portulaca oleraceaL. Purslane. Verdolaga.

A

rareweed.

NYMPHAEACEAE.

WaterlilyFamily

CastaliaamplaSalisb. Watkrlilv. Called^"duckweed^"by the

West

Indians.

Inquietwater.

A

plantwithhandsomewhiteflowers.

MENISPERMACEAE.

Moonseed Family

Cissampelos pareira L.

A

slender vine withrounded hairy leaves,

common

almost throughout Central America.

Cissampelos tropaeolifolia

DC.

Hyperbaena panamensisStandi.

Woody

vine with ovatetooblong,3-nerved leaves.

Sciadotenia sp.

A woody

vine,perhaps of thisgenus,grows onthe island, butonly sterile specimens havebeen collected, hence its identification is un- certain.

The

broadleaves arecloselywhite-tomentose beneath.

ANNONACEAE.

Custard-appleFamily

Annona

acuminata Safford.

Camaron.

Shrub, or small tree, the leaves glabrousor nearly so,narrow; fruit small, tuberculate,opening atmaturity.

Annona

Hayesii Safi"ord. Shrub or small tree; fruit smooth, subglobose, about5 cm.long.

Annona

SpragueiSafford. Chirimoya,Negrito. Tree;leaves densely pubes- cent beneath; fruit small,covered with clawliketubercles.

Desmopsis panamensis (Robinson) Safford. Shrub or small tree; fruit a clusterof stalkedpubescentberries.

Guatteria amplifolia Triana

&

Planch. Shrub or small tree with large oblong leaves;fruita clusterof small ovalberries.

Xylopia macrantha Triana

&

Planch. Coroba,Rayado. Smalltree.

MYRISTICACEAE. Nutmeg

Family

Virola panamensis (Hemsl.)

Warb.

Bogamani,

Malagueta

de

Montana.

Largetree withentireoblongleaves,stellate-tomentose beneath.

Common.

MONIMIACEAE. Monimia

Family

Siparuna pauciflora (P.eurl.) A. DC. Large shrub, strong-scented, with broad pubescentleaves.

NO.

8 FLORA OF BARRO COLORADO ISLAND — ^STANDLF.Y

^I9

LAURACEAE.

LaurelFamily Ocotea cernua (Nees) Mez. Sigua.

A

frequenttree.

Persea americana Mill. Avocado, Alligator pear. Aguacate. Planted at the laboratory.

CAPPARIDACEAE.

CaperFamily CapparisbaduccaL.Shrub.

ROSACEAE.

Rose Family

Rosasp.

One

ofthe

common

roses, plantedattlielaboratory.

AMYGDALACEAE. Almond

Family

Licaniahypoleuca Benth. Tree; leaves small, entire,white-tomentose beneath.

CONNARACEAE.

Connarus Family

Cnestidiumrufescens Planch. Largewoody vinewith pinnateleaves;leaflets densely pubescent beneath.

Connarus panamensisGriseb.

Woody

vine;leaflets 3,glabrous or nearlyso.

RoureaglabraH.B.K. Large

woody

vine;leafletsglabrate.

MIMOSACEAE. Mimosa

Family Acacia Hayesii Benth.?

Una

de gato.

Acacia melanoceras Beurl., one of the ant-inhabitedbullhorn acacias,

may

occurhere, but the writer has not seen it ontheisland.

Entada scandens (L.) Benth. Javilla. Large woody vine with enormous pods several inches broad.

Ingaedulis Mart. Guavo. Like the otherspecies, agood-sizedtree.

Inga Goldmanii Pittier.

Guavo

^de

mono

Inga marginata Willd.

Inga panamensis Seem. Guavo.

Mimosa

pudicaL.Sensitive-plant. Dormidera,Cierrate,Cierra tuspuer- tas. Called by the

West

Indians^"shameweed^"and^"shame-face." Small herb withroundheads of pink^flowers.

CAESALPINIACEAE.

Senna Family

Bauhinia excisa (Griseb.) Hemsl. Bejuco de mono. Large

woody

vine with bilobateleaves.

The

stems arecompressed andribbon-like,andperforated with large holes.

Bauhinia sp. Onlysterilematerial collected. Leaflets2, very silkybeneath, acute.

Cassia bacillaiis L. Shrubwithshowyyellowflowers.

Peltogyne purpurea Pittier. Nazareno, Morado.

A

large tree, reported to exist here.

Prioriacopaifera Griseb. Cativo,

Amansa

mujer.

A

very common, large tree; leaves with 4 ^leaflets.

The

shortbroad flat fruits are

much

soughtby peccaries.

Tounatea simplex (Swartz) Taub. Shrubor smalltree.

20 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS

^VOL.

78 FABACEAE.

Bean Family

Aeschynomene americana^{L. Pega-pega.}

Herb

with buffflowers.

Aeschynomenesensitiva Swartz.

AndirainermisH.B. K. Cabbage-bark. Cocu. Largetree; leaflets7 to13, opposite, oblong, glabrous^; flowers purple,in panicles.

The wood

is ofgood qualityand is

much

usedlocally.

Cajanus bicolor DC. Pigeon-pea.

Guandu,

Frijol de palo. Shrub;

much

cultivatedin this regionfor its edibleseeds,andalsonaturalized.

Clitoriaarborescens Ait.

An

erectorscandent shrub; one of themostbeau- tiful plants of Central America, bearing clusters of shell-pink flowers about 7cm. long.

Coumarouna panamensis Pittier.

Almendro. Common. A

largetree; leaves pinnate, the leaflets Sto8pairs, large,oblong, the costa closetothe margin;

flowerspink, in panicles.

The

fresh fruitis filled with,anoilyfragrant liquid that crystallizes

when

dry.

DiocleareflexaHook.? Large

woody

vine.

Erythrina panamensis Standi. Shrub or small tree with narrow, bright red flowersand red seeds.

Machaerium marginatum Standi.

Machaerium microphyllum (Meyer) Standi. Spiny

woody

vine with purple flowers.

MachaeriumpurpurascensPittier.

Machaerium SeemanniBenth.

Meibomiaadscendens (Swartz) Kuntze.

A

frequent weed.

Meibomia axillaris (Swartz) Kuntze.

The

pods are sometimes called

"guavitas."

Meibomia cana (Gmel.) Blake. Pega-pega, Pegadera.

Known among

the Jamaicansas"strong-back,"andused by themindomestic medicine.

Meibomia purpurea (Mill.) Vail.

Meibomiascorpiurus (Swartz) Kuntze.

Mucuna

urens (L.)

DC.

Chocho. Largevine;pods covered withstifYbristles thatpenetratethe skineasily.

Phaseolus pedunculaiisH. B. K. Smalllierbaceous vine.

Phaseolus vulgaris L. Bean. Fkijol. Planted atthe laboratory.

PlatymisciumpolystachyumBenth. Ql'ira. Largetreewithracemesofsmall yellow flowers.

The wood

is of good quality, being

known

in commerce as

Panama

redwood.

Platypodium

Maxonianum

Pittier. Carcuera. Large tree; fruit i-seeded, winged, samara-like.

Pterocarpusofficinalis_Jacq. Largetree with small thin winged fruits.

The

sap turns red upon exposure tothe air.

Khynchosia pyramidalis (Lam.) Ur1)an.

A

herbaceous vine with redand black seeds.

ERYTHROXYLACEAE.

CocaFamily Erythroxylon

amplum

llentb. Slirnbwitli entire leaves.

Erythroxylon panamenseTurcz.

NO.

8 FLORA

OJ' J'.ARRO

COLORADO ISLAND STANDLEV

21

RUTACEAE.

Rue Family

Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle. Lime.

Limon.

Naturalized in the forest.

Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck. Orange. Nar.\njo.. Plantedatthelal)oratory.

Zanthoxylum panamense P.Wilson. Arcabu, Acabu, Alcabu. Largetree;

trunk covered with large pyramidalprickles.

SIMAROUBACEAE.

Simaruba Family

Quassia amara L. Quassia. Guavito amargo, Puesilde,Cruceta. Shrub or small treewith pinnateleavesand

showy

redflowers.

The

leavesand bark areas bitterasquinine.

BURSERACEAE.

Torchwood Family

Protium asperumStandi. Carano.

A

largetree.

From

woundsin tlietrunk therearedistilledlargequantitiesofa fragrantresinorbalsam,whichcollects upontheground. Leafletsvery rough.

Protiumsessiliflorum (Rose) Standi. Anime. Largetree;

common;

leaflets smooth.

Tetragastris panamensis (luigler) Kuntze? Large tree; common.

MALPIGHIACEAE.

MalpighiaFamily

Hiraeafaginifolia (DC.) Juss.

Woody

vine,the leavesdenselysilkybeneath.

Stigmaphyllon

Humboldtianum

Juss.

Woody

vinewith yellowflowers.

The

broadleavesbearnumerousstalkedglandsalongthemargins.

TRIGONIACEAE.

TrigoniaFamily

Trigonia floribunda Oerst.

Woody

vine with entire leaves, densely white- tomentose beneath; flowers smallandwhite.

POLYGALACEAE.

Polygala Family

Securidaca diversifolia (L.) Blake. Large

woody

vine with small entire leaves; flowers pink, showy.

EUPHORBIACEAE.

Spurge Family Acalypha diversifoliaJacq.

A common

shrub.

Acalypha macrostachyaJacq. Shrub.

AcalyphavillosaJacq.

Common

shrub.

Alchorneacostaricensis

Pax &

Hofi'm. Smalltreewith ovate crcnateleaves

;

staminate flowersinlong slender droopingspikes.

Codiaeum variegatum (L.) Blume.

A

shrub with coloredleaves; one of the tropical " crotons," planted atthe laboratory.

Croton Billbergianus Muell. Arg. Large shrub or small tree growing

in the wet ^forest.

Dalechampia panamensis

Pax &

Hofifm. Vinewith 3-parted leaves;inflores- cense subtended by 2 green bracts; calyx furnished with stiff hairs which penetrate the skineasily.

Euphorbia hirta L. Hierba de i-oi.lo. Called "milkweed" by the

West

Indians.

A

small annualherb.

22 SMITJISONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS

VOL.

78

Euphorbia hypericifoliaL. Hierbade pollo.

A

small glabrous annual.

Huracrepitans L. Sandbox. Javillo.

A

giantforest tree,thetrunk covered with small sharpspines.

The

milkysap causesblistersupontheskin.

Hieronyma alchorneoides Allem. Pantano. Large tree with broad entire leavesbearingminutestellatescales.

Mabea

occidentalis Benth. Shrubor smalltreewith oblong leaves;liowersin raceme-like terminal panicles.

Manihotesculenta Crantz. Cassava. Yuca.

Much

cultivatedin

Panama

for itsedible roots. Planted atthe laboratory.

Phyllanthus conamiSwartz. Shruborsmalltreewith small distichous ovate leaves.

Phyllanthus niruri L. Called by the

West

Indians ^"seed on the leaf."

A

smallannualherl).

Phyllanthus nobilis (L. f.) INIuell. Arg. Shrul) or small treewith oblong- ellipticleaves.

ANACARDIACEAE, Cashew

Family

Anacardium excelsum (Bert.

&

Balb.) Skeels. Espave.

A common

large tree with entire leaves.

The

bark is used in some parts of

Panama

as a fishpoison.

Astronium graveolens Jacq. Zorro.

A common

tree with pinnate leaves having serrateor entire leaflets.

Mangifera indica L.

Mango.

Naturalized andplanted.

Spondias

mombin

L.

Hogplum.

Jobo. Tree with pinnate leaves and a juicyyellowedible fruit.

HIPPOCRATEACEAE.

HippocrateaFamily

Hippocratea volubilis L. Large

woody

vine, on the highest trees.

The

capsuleislarge, verticallycompressedandnearly flat,anddeeply 3-lobed.

Salacia praecelsa (Miers) Griseb. Garrotillo. Large

woody

vine with globosefruit.

SAPINDACEAE.

SoapberryFamily

Allophylus psilospermus Radlk. Slu-ub or smalltree with3-foliolate leaves and wingedfruit.

Cupania cinerea Poepp. Gorgojo, Gorgojero. Shrub or small tree with pinnateleaves,whitish beneath.

CupaniafulvidaTriana

&

Planch. Candelillo, Gorgojo, Gorgojero. Shrub or smalltree, oftensimple,densely brown-hirsute.

The

leavesarepinnate,but onyoungplants they are simple.

Cupania latifolia Kunth. Leafletsglabrous, rounded or retuseatapex.

Cupania Seemanni Triana

&

Planch.. Leaflets glabrous, acuminate.

Paullinia alata Don. All the species of Paullinia are

woody

vines. They are usedintropicalAmericaasfishpoisons.

Paullinia bracteosa Radlk.

Paulliniaglomerulosa Radlk.

Paullinia turbacensisH.B. K.

Serjania trachygona Radlk.

Woody

vine.

Talisia nervosa Radlk. Smalltreewithverylarge,pinnateleaves.

NO.

8 FLORA OF

BARRt)

COLORADO ISLAND STANDLEY 23 RHAMNACEAE.

BuckthornFamily

Gouanialupuloides (L.) Uriian.

Wtmdy

vine.

Gouaniapolygama (Jacq.) Url)an. Jaboncillo. Called" cliewstick^" inthe

West

Indies.

The

stems

when

chewedproducelather.

VITACEAE.

Grape Family

Cissus salutarisH. B. K.

Woody

vinewith 3-foliolateleavesandsmallred flowers.

Cissus sicyoides L. Vine with, simple leaves.

The

inflorescences of this speciesarefrequentlydistortedbyasmut,MycosyrinxCusi.

Vitistiliaefolia

Humb. &

Bonpl. Grape. Uva, Bejucodeagua.

The

fruit issmalland verysour.

TILIACEAE.

Bass-wood Family

Apeiba aspera Aubl. Treewithentire leaves. Fruitresembling asea-urchin, andcoveredwithstiffspines.

Apeiba tibourbouAubl. Peinede mico, Cortezo. Leaves finelydentate.

Belotiapanamensis Pittier. Tree withveryshowy flowers, thesepalspink, thepetals violet; fruit compressed, obcordate,2-celled.

Heliocarpus popayanensis H. B. K. Majaguillo. Tree, the small flowers panicled; fruits very small, compressed, the margin bearing a row of stiff radiatinghairs.

Luehea Seemannii Triana

&

Planch. Guacimo.

A

common,very largeforest tree;leaves tomentose beneath;fruit small,woody,obtusely5-angled.

Triumfetta lappula L. Cadillo, Cepa de caballo. Shrub bearing small globose spiny burs.

MALVACEAE.

Mallow Family

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.

Chinese

hibiscus. Papo, Tapo. Planted atthe laboratory.

Pavoniadasypetala Turcz. Shrubwithshowypink flowers 4^to6 cm. long

;

leaves broadandvelvety.

Pavoniarosea Schlecht. Herbaceousorsuffrutescent,with small pink flowers

;

fruitarmedwithbarbedspines.

Sidarhombifolia L. Escobilla.

One

of themost

common

weedyplantsof tropical America.

BOMBACACEAE,

Cotton-treeFamily

Bombacopsis Fendleri (Seem.) Pittier. Cedro espinoso. Large ^{tree with} spiny trunk, flowering in winter

when

leafless.

Bombacopsis^{sessilis (Benth.) Pittier. Ceibo.}

Trunk

unarmed.

Cavanillesia platanifolia IL B. K. Cuipo, Bongo, Quipo. Large tree with, smoothswollen trunk; leavesdeciduous, 5or 7-lobed; flowers small,with red petals.

The

trees are conspicuous

when

in flower, in late

March

and early April.

The wood

is verysoft andlight.

OchromalimonensisRowlee. Balsa. Largeormedium-sizedtree,thecordate leaves 3-angled or shallowly^{3-lobed, pale}beneath; flowers large and whitish.

The

balsatrees haveone of thelightestwoods known.

24 SMITIISOXIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS

\01-.

/8

STERCULIACEAE.

Cacao Family

Buettneria aculeata Jacq. Espino hueco, Zarza,

Rabo

deiguana. Prickly slirub,oftenscandcnt;youngleaves often blotched withsilver.

Sterculia apetala (Jacq.) Karst.

Panama.

Large tree with 3or s-lobcd leaves, stellate-tomentose licneath; flowers without petals, the large calyx 5-lobed,reddish;fruitof5 carpels,the large

brown

reeds resembling chestnuts.

It is fromthe Indian

name

ofthistreethat the Republic of

Panama

derives itsname.

Theobroma cacao L. Cacao. Planted and ^also naturalized in the forest.

Theobroma purpureum Pittier.

Cacao

cimarron, Chocolatillo. Shrub or smalltree;leavesdigitatclycompound,with5largeleaflets; fruitsmall,covered withstiffhairswhich penetrate the skinreadily.

DILLENIACEAE.

DilleniaFamily

Davillarugosa Poir.

Woody

vine with rough, obovate, nearlyentire leaves andyellow flowers.

Dillenia indica L. Planted at the laboratory.

A

liandsome tree with large toothed obovate leaves, very large white flowers, and a huge globular green fruit.

DoliocarpusmajorGmel.

Woody

vinewith glabrous but punctate leaves.

OCHNACEAE.

OchnaFamily

Ouratea Wrightii

(Van

Tiegh.) Riley. Shrub witlinarrow lustrous leaves;

flowers yellow,interminalpanicles; fruitsseveral, black,borne on ared disk.

HYPERICACEAE.

St.Johnswort Family

VismiaferrugineaH.B.K.

Sangre

de perro. Shrubwith ovateentire leaves, brownishbeneath.

The

sap turns redupon exposuretotheair.

CLUSIACEAE.

Clusia Family

Calophyllum longifolium Willd. Makia. Large tree with very handsome, narrow,oblong leaves,30 cm. long or larger; sap yellowish.

Clusia roseaL. Copey. Tree; leavesthick, nearly asbroad aslong; flowers pink,

waxy

;fruita leatheryfleshycapsule; sap milky,sticky.

Rheediamadruno (H.B. K.) Planch.

&

Triana. Cerillo,

Tome,

Maciiari.

Treewithoblongtoelliptic,acuminateleaves.

Symphonia

globulifera L. f. Cerillo. Tree with small ol)long-lanccolatc leaves.

Tovomitopsis nicaraguensis (Oerst.) Triana

&

Planch. Shrub or small tree;flowerssmall,whitish.

VIOLACEAE.

VioletFamily

Hybanthus anomalus (H.B. K.) Standi. Shrubwithalternate leaves.

Rinorea squamata Blake. Molenillo. Shrub with opposite leaves.

Rinorea sylvatica (Seem.) Kuntze.

NO.

5 FLORA OF BARRO COLORADO ISLAND STANDLFY

25

FLACOURTIACEAE.

FlacourtiaFamily

CaseariaargutaH. B.K. Raspa-lengua. Shrub.

Casearia guianensis (Aubl.) Urban.

Palo

delacruz.

Casearia nitida (L.) Jacq. Raspa-lengua.

CaseariasylvestrisSwartz. Shrubwithentire leaves.

Hasseltia floribunda H. B. K. Raspa-lengua. Small tree with oblong to elliptic,coarsely serrate, glabrateleaves,and small whiteflowers.

Oncobalaurina (Presl) Warb.

Guavo

cimarron, Carbonero. Smalltreewith spiny globosefruit.

TURNERACEAE.

Turnera Family

Turnera panamensis I'rban. Shrub with lance-ol)long leaves and yellow flowers.

PASSIFLORACEAE.

PassionflowerFamily

Passiflora auiiculata^IT. B. K. Leavesovate-lanceolate,3-lobedorsubentire.

Passifloravitifolia H. B. K. Guate-guate.

A

^very

^showy

^species,a

^woody

vine,withlarge,deepredflowers.

CARICACEAE. Papaya

Family

Carica papaya L. Papaya. Planted at the laboratory; also wild or naturalized.

BEGONIACEAE.

Begonia Family BegoniafilipesBenth.

A

smalland inconspicuousplant.

CACTACEAE.

CactusFamily

Epiphyllum phyllanthus (L.)

Haw. An

epiphyticspineless plantwith large whiteflowers.

LYTHRACEAE.

Loosestrife Family

AdenariafloribundaH. B. K.

Fruta

de pavo. Shrub with entire, opposite, nearlysessile leaves.

LECYTHIDACEAE.

BrazilnutFamily

Grias Fendleri Seem. Treewith largesessile leaves,entireor nearlyso.

Gustaviasuperba Berg. Membrillo. Medium-sized^treewithfewbranches

;

leaves 30to 100 cm. long, serrate; flowers about 10 cm. broad, white; fruit edible.

Common.

RHIZOPHORACEAE.

Mangrove Family

Cassipoureaelliptica Poir. Huesito, Limoncillo. Shrubor small treewith glabrousentireoppositeleaves.

COMBRETACEAE. Combretum

Family

Terminalia Hayesii Pittier.

Amarillo

real.

A common

large tree; leaves obovate,^entire;flowers minute, green,inlongspikes.