Vanilla sprucei Rolfe 1896

1. Vanilla sprucei Rolfe (1896: 461) (Figures 3D–E, 5 A–F)

Type:— COLOMBIA. In shady woods near the Uaupes River, on the Upper Amazon, Spruce 2727 (holotype: K001382262!).

Distribution:— Colombia, Guyana, Venezuela (Figure 4).

Taxonomic Discussion:—The distinguishing features of this species are its slender leaves, which dry black and have prominent secondary veins. The inflorescences are usually paniculate, with whitish flowers that have linear petals and a cushion-like apex lip. This report is the first to identify the species in the Guiana Shield regions of Guyana, and Venezuela. Vegetatively, the plant shares some similarities with V. trigonocarpa, but it is easily distinguishable by the branching (vs. ramose) inflorescences. The flowers of V. trigonocarpa are twice as large as those of V. sprucei, with the sepals of the former measuring 10.5–11.5 × 1.6–2 cm (vs. 4.9–5.0 × 0.5 cm). Furthermore, V. trigonocarpa has an emarginate lip apex, while V. sprucei exhibits a sub-acute shape.

Szlachetko (2016) assigned one of the specimens cited below (Redden 2518) to V. guianensis, which can be easily distinguished from V. sprucei by its elliptic (vs. obovate) leaves and distinct floral morphology, including a hexagonal lip and the absence of a penicillate callus.

Specimens examined:— GUYANA. Pkaraima: Mts, Mazaruni River., 6 2’ 26.6”N 60 39’ 9.6”, 11 February 2004, K.M. Redden, C. Perry, R. Williams, C. Paul, M. Lyle 1843 [flower] (US01073614); Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region, NW of Chi-Chi Falls, 5 35’48.6”, 60 12’48.8”, 762 m, 1 February 2004, K. Redden, M. Lyle, R. Williams, C. Perry, C. Paul 2518 [buds] (US 04170470, NY04170470). VENEZUELA. Amazonas: Casiquiare, R. Casiquiare, 162 kms de la boca del Casiquiare, 3 February 1991, M. Colella, J. Velazco, E. Guayamare, S. Camico 1766 [fruit] (NY01075152). COLOMBIA. Amazonas-Vaupes: Rio Apaporis, 10 June 1951, R. Schultes & I. Cabrera 12497 [buds] (AMES111703, AMES112493); ibid. 4 February 1953, A. Fernandez 2146 [fruit] (US 0110316).