Pernettya prostrata (Cavanilles) A. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 7: 609. 1839.  Andromeda prostrata Cavanilles, Icon. 6: 43, t. 562, f. 2. 1801.  [Pernettya cavanillesiana G. Don, Gen. hist. 3: 837.  1834, nom. illeg.]  Type.  Ecuador.  Tungurahua: Volcán Tungurahua, fl, Nee s.n. (holotype, MA, photo F neg. 29346).  Images:  Habit.  Fruit. Line-drawing.  Leaf variation.  SEM of pollen 1.  SEM of pollen 2.  SEM of seed.
    Gaultheria myrsinoides Kunth in Humboldt, Bonpland & Kunth, Nov. gen. sp. 3: 283. 1819.  Pernettya myrsinoides (Kunth) Zuccarini ex Steudel, Nomencl. ed. 2, 2: 306.  1841.  Pernettya prostrata (Cavanilles) A. P. de Candolle var. myrsinoides (Kunth) Sleumer, Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 12: 646.  1935.  Type. Colombia.  Cauca:  Almaguer, 2377 m, Nov 180  (fl), Humboldt & Bonpland 2078 (holotype, P-H & B; probable isotypes, B-Willd. no. 8270 sub Andromeda glandulosa, HAL--these sheets without locality or collector).
    Gaultheria ciliata Chamisso & Schlechtendal, Linnaea 5: 126.  1830.  Pernettya ciliata (Chamisso & Schlechtendal) Small, N. American Fl. 29(1): 82. 1914.  Type.  Mexico.  Veracruz:  Mount Orizaba, fl, Schiede 268 (holotype, B, destroyed WW II, frag. F;  possible isotypes, L, U--these sheets without Schiede collection number).
    Arbutus pilosa Graham, Bot. Mag. t. 3177.  1832. Pernettya pilosa (Graham) G. Don, Gen. hist. 3: 837.  1841.  Type.  Cultivated in the Royal  Botanical Gardens, Edinburgh (holotype, K;  isotypes, FI-Webb., G, photo F neg. 26651).
    Pernettya ciliaris D. Don ex G. Don, Gen. hist. 3: 837.  1834.  Type. "Native of Mexico", no specimen preserved at E.  "Possibly indirectly referring to Gaultheria ciliata Cham. & Schlecht. from  Mexico" (Sleumer, l985).
    Pernettya purpurea D. Don ex G. Don, Gen. hist. 3: 837.  1834.  Pernettya  prostrata (Cavanilles) A. P. de Candolle var. purpurea (G. Don) Sleumer, Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 12: 290, 644.  1935.  Type.  Peru. Huánuco: Pillao, fl & fr, Ruiz & Pavón anno 1787 (as Andromeda purpurea ms) (lectotype, MA with Herbariu Peruvianum no. 15/77, photo F neg. 29344 plants I and II;  isolectotypes, G, MA, NY).  Syntype:  Peru.  Huánuco:  Churipallana, fl & fr, Ruiz & Pavón s.n. (MA, photo F neg. 29345).
    Pernettya elliptica A. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 7: 587.  39.  Pernettya prostrata (Cavanilles) A. P. de Candolle var. elliptica (A. P. de Candolle) Sleumer, Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 12: 646.  1935.  Type.  Peru. Junín:  Tarma, fr, Ruiz & Pavón (Dombey 420) s.n. (holotype, G-DC; isotypes, MA, P).
    Pernettya pentlandii A. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 7: 587.  1839.  Pernettya purpurea D. Don ex G. Don var. pentlandii (A. P. de Candolle) Kuntze, Revis. gen. pl. 3(2): 193.  1898.  Pernettya prostrata (Cavanilles) A. P. de Candolle var. pentlandii (A. P. de Candolle) Sleumer, Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 12: 290, 647.  1935.  Type.  Bolivia, Pentland s.n. anno 1829 (holotype, G-DC;  isotype, P).
    Pernettya buxifolia Martens & Galeotti, Bull. Acad. Roy. Sci. Bruxelles 9: 538.  1842.  Gaultheria buxifolia Martens & Galeotti, ibid., 539 & 540, in text, apparently Pernettya buxifolia intended, non Willdenow (1801).  Type.  Mexico.  Hidalgo: Real del Monte (=Mineral del Monte, 20°08'N, 98°40'W), Galeotti 1856 (holotype, BR;  isotypes,  BR, K, P, photo F. neg. 38266).
    Gaultheria hirsuta Martens & Galeotti, Bull. Acad. Roy. Sci. Bruxelles 9: 540.  1842.  Pernettya hirsuta (Martens & Galeotti) Camp, Bull.Torrey Bot. Club 66: 23.  1939.  Type.  Mexico.  Oaxaca:  Sierra  Pelada, 2135 m, Galeotti 1817 (holotype, BR;  isotypes, BR, G, photo  F neg. 26625, GH, K, NY, P, US, W).
    Pernettya parvifolia Bentham, Pl. hartw. 219.  1845.  Pernettya pentlandii A. P. de Candolle var. parvifolia (Bentham) Weddell, Chlor. and. 2: 170.  1857.  Type.  Ecuador.  Pichincha:  Volcán Guagua Pichincha, 3655 m, Hartweg 1203 (holotype, K;  isotypes, BM, BR, CGE, E, FI-Webb., G, photo F neg. 26650, K, LD, NY(2x), OXF, P, W).
    Pernettya angustata Bentham, Pl. hartw. 212.  1845. Pernettya purpurea D. Don ex G. Don alpha subsetosa Kuntze var. angustata (Bentham) Weddell ex Kuntze, Revis. gen. pl. 3(2): 192.  1898.  Pernettya  prostrata (Cavanilles) A. P. de Candolle var. angustata (Bentham) Sleumer, Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 12: 290.  1935.  Type.  Ecuador.  Pichincha:  Hacienda de Pinantura, Chillo valley, nr. Quito, Hartweg 1202 (holotype, K;  isotypes, BM, BR, CGE, E,  FI-Webb., G, LD, NY, OXF, P, W).
    Pernettya coriacea Klotzsch, Linnaea 24: 85.  1851.  Type.  Costa Rica. Cartago:  Volcán Turrialba, fl, Warscewicz s.n. (lectotype, B, destroyed WW II;  isolectotypes, BR, P, photo F neg. 38267, W).  Syntype:  Costa Rica, Cartago and Veraguas, Warscewicz s.n. (B, destroyed WW II, K).  Possible syntype:  Costa Rica, Warscewicz s.n.  (BR).
    Pernettya halliana Klotzsch, Linnaea 24: 84.  1851.  Type.  Ecuador.  Pichincha:  Volcán Pichincha, Francis Hall s.n. anno 1831 (holotype,  B, destroyed WW II).
    Pernettya setigera Klotzsch, Linnaea 24: 85.  1851.  Type.  Costa Rica.  Cartago:  Volcán Turrialba, 3000 m, Warscewicz s.n. (holotype, B,  destroyed WW II;  lectotype, designated by Luteyn, 1995, G).
    Pernettya pentlandii A. P. de Candolle var. parvifolia (Bentham) Weddell subvar. humilis Planchon ex Weddell, Chlor. and. 2: 170.  1857.  Type.  Colombia. Cundinamarca:  Bogotá, Goudot s.n. (holotype, P).
    Pernettya robusta Weddell, Chlor. and. 2: 171.  1857.  Type.  Colombia.  Tolima:  Base of Tolima, Linden 915 (holotype, P, photo F neg.38268;  isotypes, BM, BR, CGE, F, FI-Webb., G, K, NY, OXF, W).
    [Pernettya congesta Klotzsch in Ørsted, Amér. Centr. 9.  1863, nom. nud.  Based on:  Costa Rica.  Cartago:  Volcán Irazú, Ørsted, Pl. centroam. 8579 (C, photo F neg. 22768).]
    [Pernettya oerstediana Klotzsch in Ørsted, Amér. Centr. 9.  1863, nom. nud.  Based on:  Costa Rica. Cartago:  Volcán Irazú, Ørsted, Pl. centroam. 8591 (C).  (F neg. 22769 of Ørsted 8581 at C is a paratype.)]
    Pernettya ciliaris D. Don ex G. Don var. alpina J. D. Smith, Bot. Gaz. (Crawfordsville) 25: 148.  1898.  Gaultheria alpina (J. D. Smith)  Sleumer, Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 13: 207.  1936.  Type.  Costa Rica.  Cartago:  Cerro de la Muerte, 3100 m, fl, Pittier 10543 (holotype, US, photo Corcoran neg. 50;  isotype, BR).
    Gaultheria sanmartensis Rusby, Descr. S. Amer. Pl. 73.  1920.  Type. Colombia.  Cesar:  Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, H. H. Smith 1721 (holotype, NY;  isotypes, A, BR, E, F, photo F neg. 59483, G, K, MICH, MO, NY, P, S).
    Pernettya albiflora Fedtschenko & Basilevskaja, Notul. Syst. Hort. Bot.USSR 6: 25.  1926.  Type.  Venezuela.  Mérida:  Mérida, Karsten s.n. (holotype, LE;  isotype, W).
    Pernettya densa Rusby, Phytologia 1(2): 70.  1934.  Type.  Bolivia.  La Paz: Cocapunco, fl, Tate 283 (holotype, NY).
    Pernettya schizostigma Rusby, Phytologia 1(2): 70.  1934.  Type.  Bolivia. La Paz:  Pongo, 4000 m, fl, Tate 198 (holotype, NY;  isotypes, F, MO, NY).

    Pernettya leucantha Linden ex Sleumer, Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 12: 644.  1935, pro syn.  Pernettya prostrata (Cavanilles) A. P. de Candolle var. purpurea D. Don ex G. Don.  Type.  Colombia.  Tolima: Volcán de Tolima, Linden 916 (holotype, P;  isotype, BR).

    Pernettya mexicana Camp, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 66: 24.  1939.  Type.  Mexico. Oaxaca:  Top of Zempoaltepetl, Camp 2652 (holotype, NY;  isotypes, A, S, US, W).
    Pernettya obovata Camp, Bull. Torre Bot. Club 66: 24.  1939.  Type.  Mexico. Oaxaca:  Teotitlan, Cumbre de Huehuetlán, Conzatti 4112  (holotype, NY;  isotype, US, photo Corcoran neg. 59).
    Pernettya tomasii Camp, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 66: 25.  1939.  Type.  Mexico. Chiapas:  Volcán Tacaná, 2400-2745 m, MacDougall s.n. (holotype, NY).
    Pernettya saxicola Standley & Steyermark, Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist. Bot. Ser. 23: 139.  1944.  Type.  Guatemala.  San Marcos:  Summit of Volcán Tacaná, 4400 m, fl, Steyermark 36110 (holotype, F).


         Prostrate and stoloniferous, to erect or ascending shrub, sometimes forming dense tufts or extensive mats, (0.1-)0.2-1(-3) m tall, bisexual;  stems terete to subterete (sharply angled), glabrous or weakly to densely puberulous or laxly crisped pilose, and also usually moderately to densely strigose or hirsute-setose with basally swollen ferruginous, appressed or spreading eglandular and/or rarely bgland-tipped hairs 0.5-3 mm long.  Leaves subcoriaceous to coriaceous, narrowly to broadly elliptic, oblong, or ovate-oblong to linear-oblong, (2-)6-14(-40) x (2-)4-7(-12) mm, base rounded, obtuse, attenuate or cuneate, apex obtuse, acute or subacuminate, rarely short-mucronate or rounded, margin slightly to conspicuously thickened, usually slightly revolute, minutely  renate-serrulate with 6-12(-17) caducous teeth per side, these bristle-tipped or gland-tipped and 0.2-0.3 mm long, to hirsute-setose and eglandular to 2 mm long, blades themselves usually glabrous or rarely weakly short-pilose along the basal half of midrib above, rarely strigose beneath;  midrib and secondary veins slightly impressed or raised above, raised and ± prominent beneath;  petiole 1-4 mm long, often canaliculate above, glabrous to puberulous above.  Flowers with pedicels (1-)4-10(-13) mm long, glabrous or puberulous (bearing short-strigose or hirsute-setose, straight or crisped, eglandular or gland-tipped hairs);  bracts 5-10 ovate, ciliate, appressed, persistent, at the base and 1-6  cattered along pedicel, these (1.5-)2-4 mm long;  calyx lobes membranaceous or rarely becoming fleshy after anthesis, ovate, 2-4 mm long, acuminate to acute, weakly to densely ciliate (also basally with short, gland-tipped hairs);  corolla cylindric to campanulate-urceolate, (3.5-)5-6(-7) mm long, white to rose tinted when fresh, lobes 1-1.5 mm long, reflexed;  stamens with filaments 1.5-3 mm long, glabrous (pilose);  ovary glabrous to densely short-pubescent, style 2-4 mm long, glabrous (short-pilose in lower half).  Berry subglobose, 6-16 mm  diam., glabrous to densely short-pubescent, dark blue-black, rarely light purple to almost white. Chromosome number:  n=11 (Luteyn et al. 7966).

        Distribution (Map).  Widespread from central Mexico south through Central America and the Andes to extreme NW Argentina.  Found in pine-fir forest undergrowth with Arbutus, Gaultheria, and Comarostaphylis (Mexico-Guatemala), grasslands or scrub vegetation, cloud forest, subpáramo to páramo, from montane to the alpine zone, scattered or sometimes dominant and covering square kilometers on exposed slopes or in the Guatemalan highlands sometimes covering thousands of acres fide Flora of Guatemala, often on coarse rocky soil among shrubs, or over exposed banks and boulders, occasionally in wet meadows, frequently a pioneer species in new habitats created by road building, landslides or volcanic activity, at elevations of (900-)2000-3900(-4630) m.  Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.

         Common names and uses.  Mexico:  arrayán, lumal ajate'es (Chiapas);  capulincillo, tlal capuline (Mexico);  gamambouya, garambullo (Veracruz).  Guatemala:  cacalote (San Marcos).  Colombia:  colorado (Cauca);  chirriadera, cimarrón, gateadero, mortiño, reventadera (Cundinamarca);  moridera (Nariño); bichacha (Santander).  Venezuela:  albricia negra, albricias, borracherito, borrachero, borrachero de perro, chivacú, fruta de perro, laurelito, sarna de perro (Mérida);  borracherito, chivacoa, fruta de perro (Trujillo).  Ecuador: perro guanuna, tirac (Azuay);  moridera, mortillo (Carchí);  mortiño (Imbabura); mortillo (Loja);  Shanshi (?);  Taglli (Pichincha).  Peru:  macha macha (Cuzco, Huánuco).  Bolivia:  macha marca (Island of Titicaca);  macha macha (Cochabamba).  The berries are used in Edo. Mexico (Mexico) for making black ink (Balls4187).  On the Galápagos Islands Taylor G22 records the berry as "sweet and good."  However, it is more frequent to hear the following:  "said to poison mules" (Leavenworth 281, Michoacán, Mexico) or "sheep get drunk, often die, also people (children)" (Woythowski 5272, Peru).  Reports vary in that some people eat the berries without ill effects (e.g., P. C. Standley, Flora of Guatemala; various others, pers. comm.) while others have been made ill (H. Pittier, Flora of Guatemala;  various others, pers. comm.).  Therefore, it is probably safest to avoid them.

        Cultivated:  E, K, NCSC, NY.