Abuta panamensis

Abuta panamensis
Preserved specimen of Abuta panamensis, consisting of leaves attached to a stem
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Menispermaceae
Genus: Abuta
Species:
A. panamensis
Binomial name
Abuta panamensis
Synonyms[1]
  • Hyperbaena panamensis Standl.
  • Abuta brunnescens (Standl.) Krukoff & Barneby
  • Hyperbaena brunnescens Standl.
  • Hyperbaena hondurensis Standl.

Abuta panamensis is a species of flowering plant in the family Menispermaceae. It is native to the wet tropical biome of central America and Mexico.

The species was first described in 1925, and received its current name in 1970.

Abuta panamensis is a liana with woody vines and leathery leaves. Its fruits are ovoid drupes.

Distribution

Abuta panamensis is native to the wet tropical biome of central America (Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama) and southern Mexico.[1]

The species is found in wet thickets or forests (sometimes Liquidambar forests), at elevations below 1,600 metres (5,200 ft). It sometimes grows on limestone.[2]

Taxonomy

In 1925, Paul Carpenter Standley described Hyperbaena panamensis, a synonym of Abuta panamensis,[1] from sterile material. Hyperbaena hondurensis was described in 1929, and was later synonymised with Hyperbaena panamensis.[3]

In 1970, the species was moved from the genus Hyperbaena, and described as Abuta brunnescens.[1] Abuta panamensis was given its current name in 1970, by Boris Alexander Krukoff and Rupert Charles Barneby.[4]

Description

Abuta panamensis is a liana[1] with woody vines. The stems can be 15 metres (49 ft) long.[2] The stems have parallel stripes, and older stems have conspicuous pores. The stems are hairless,[3] or have minute golden brown hairs.[3][2]

The leaves are leathery in texture, elliptical or oblong in shape, and have smooth edges. They are smooth on the upper side, and may have minute hairs on the lower side. The leaves are 6–24 centimetres (2.4–9.4 in) long, and 3–14 centimetres (1.2–5.5 in) wide. They grow on stems, which are 1–9 centimetres (0.39–3.54 in) long.[3]

The male inflorescences are up to 20 centimetres (7.9 in) long, and grow on racemes. The male flowers have six sepals. The female inflorescences are around 8 centimetres (3.1 in) long.[3]

The fruits are ovoid drupes.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Abuta panamensis (Standl.) Krukoff & Barneby". powo.science.kew.org. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 Chicago Natural History Museum., Field Museum of Natural History. (1958). Fieldiana. Vol. 24. Chicago Natural History Museum. pp. 263–4.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Missouri Botanical Garden., Henry Shaw School of Botany. (1914). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Vol. 49. Missouri Botanical Garden Press. pp. 164–5.
  4. ↑ "Abuta panamensis (Standl.) Krukoff & Barneby". ipni.org. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 26 May 2026.

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