''Xylopia densiflora'' is a species of
plant in the
Annonaceae family. It is native to
Peru.
Robert Elias Fries, the botanist who first
formally described the species, named it after its dense ( in Latin) clusters of flowers.
Description
It is a tree reaching 20 meters in height. The young branches are covered in coarse hairs that lay flat. Its lance-shaped, papery leaves are 7-10 by 2-2.5 centimeters. The leaves have gradually pointed bases and gradually narrowing tips. The leaves are hairless on their upper surfaces, and have long soft hairs that lay flat on their lower surfaces. Its
petioles are 5-6 millimeters long. It has numerous densely clustered flowers. Its flowers have 3 oval
sepals
A sepal () is a part of the flower of angiosperms (flowering plants). Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom., p. 106 The term ''sepalum'' was coined b ...
that have silky hairs on their outer surface. The sepals are 2-2.5 millimeters long. Its flower buds are shaped like rounded triangles. Its 6 petals are arranged in two rows of 3. The oblong, outer petals are 8-10 millimeters long and covered in grey, silky hairs on their outer surface.The linear to club-shaped to triangular, inner petals are about 9 millimeters long. The flowers have
stamen
The stamen (plural ''stamina'' or ''stamens'') is the pollen-producing reproductive organ of a flower. Collectively the stamens form the androecium., p. 10
Morphology and terminology
A stamen typically consists of a stalk called the filame ...
s that are 0.7-0.8 millimeters long. The flowers have up to 5
carpels
Gynoecium (; ) is most commonly used as a collective term for the parts of a flower that produce ovules and ultimately develop into the fruit and seeds. The gynoecium is the innermost whorl of a flower; it consists of (one or more) ''pistils'' ...
. The styles bent, knee-like shape. The carpels have 2 millimeters long, hairless
stigmas.
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Reproductive biology
The pollen of ''Xylopia densiflora'' is shed as permanent tetrads.
Distribution and habitat
It has been observed growing in forests at elevations of 200 meters.
References
{{Taxonbar, from= Q15366829
Plants described in 1938
Flora of Peru
Taxa named by Robert Elias Fries
densiflora