Gustavia angustifolia

Gustavia angustifolia is a small tree, native to South America, with large white flowers. It is an endangered species.^[1]

Gustavia angustifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Lecythidaceae
Genus:	Gustavia
Species:	G. angustifolia
Binomial name
Gustavia angustifolia Benth.

Description

Leaves

Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of G. angustifolia is its leaves.^[2] G. angustifolia has an abaxial leaf surface that is covered in short, fine velvety hairs which is an uncommon trait among the genus Gustavia.^[2] In general the leaves are sessile but they can have petioles up to 30 mm long.^[2] The leaf blades tend to be narrow, having an oblong to oblanceolate shape, while the leaf bases are attenuate to acute in shape.^[2]

Flowers and reproduction

Gustavia angustifolia has a gametic chromosome number of n=17.^[2] The inflorescence of G. angustifolia is racemose and terminal, occurring at the end of the branches. Each raceme typically has 4–10 flowers and each flower has 8 petals.^[2] The pedicels of the flowers range from 35 to 100 mm in length.^[2] The buds of G.angustifolia are tomentose with a gray coloration.^[2] These flowers can grow to be 10–14.5 cm in diameter. The petals have an elliptical shape and are 50–65 mm long and 20–25 mm wide.^[2] The androecium of G.angustifolia is fused. The fruit are globe shaped with a flat summit.^[2]

Habitat and ecology

Gustavia angustifolia is native to the dry deciduous forests of the coastal plain of Ecuador and Colombia.^[2] Pubescent leaves are beneficial in hot, dry environments such as these.^[3] The tiny hairs help to keep the leaves cool by reflecting light and casting tiny shadows on the leaf surface.^[3] In addition the hairs also provide a barrier between the leaf and the air thereby reducing the amount of exposed surface.^[3] Deflecting sunlight and decreasing exposed surface area of the leaf are both adaptations for preventing water loss in the plant.^[3] The flowers of this plant bloom in October and begin fruiting in November.^[2]

Synonyms and common names

While Gustavia angustifolia is the official scientific name, in the past it has been called Japarandiba angustifolia, Japarandiba ruizana, Gustavia angusta, Gustavia ruiziana, and Gustavia corymbosa.^[4] Its common names are Membrillo de Monte and Membrillo de Montaña (Mountain quince).^[2]