Fungal and Plant Diversity of Central French Guiana

Asplundia brachyphylla Harling

     Robust terrestrial herbs, to 2 m tall. Leaves from stout, short rhizome; petiole 52-77 cm long, D-shaped in transverse section distally, canaliculate proximally, the younger ones covered with rust-colored pubescence; blade obliquely oriented in clusters of 9-12, 48-72 cm long, about as long as petioles, divided to slightly below middle, each half with 11-14 major veins, also with minor veins between major veins, with scattered, rust-colored pubescence on abaxial surface. Inflorescences with peduncle 8-8.5 cm long; spadix 2-4 x 0.8-1.3 cm at anthesis, becoming much larger in fruit. Fr (Sep); common in forest understory and in swampy areas. A similar terrestrial species, A. glandulosa (Gleason) Harling, may also be present.

Asplundia heteranthera Harling                                         FIG. 114, PL. XXXIXa,b

     Usually lianas, with fine aerial roots from stem, infrequently terrestrial. Leaves not clustered, arising along stem; petiole (11.5)25-50 cm long; blade (27)50-80 cm long. Inflorescences with peduncle 7-15 cm long; spathes 3-5. Flowers opening at night. Fl (Sep, Nov), young fr (May, Jul).