Abuta velutina
| Abuta velutina | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Ranunculales |
| Family: | Menispermaceae |
| Genus: | Abuta |
| Species: | A. velutina |
| Binomial name | |
| Abuta velutina | |
Abuta velutina is a species of flowering plant in the family Menispermaceae. It is native to a broad area of South America.
Abuta velutina is a tree or climbing plant, with velvety branches, subleathery leaves and obliquely ellipsoid fruits.
The species was described in 1931. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Taxonomy
Henry A. Gleason described Abuta velutina in 1931.[2]
Distribution
Abuta velutina is native to the wet tropical biome of Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.[3] Its estimated extent of occurrence is 3,969,697 square kilometres (1,532,709 sq mi).[1]
Description
Abuta velutina is a climber,[3] or a tree around 25 feet (7.6 m) high. The smaller branches are straight, somewhat cylindrical, and thinly velvety.[4]
The leaves are subleathery, approximately oval-shaped, 9–10 centimetres (3.5–3.9 in) long, and 7.5–8.5 centimetres (3.0–3.3 in) wide when mature. The leaf stems are slender, swollen at the base and apex, and 6–8 centimetres (2.4–3.1 in) long.[4]
The inflorescences have fifteen to twenty flowers. The flower stalks are woody, and 6–8 millimetres (0.24–0.31 in) long. The fruits are obliquely ellipsoid in shape, grey and velvety. The fruits are 2.5–3 centimetres (0.98–1.18 in) long.[4]
Abuta velutina resembles Abuta imene, but the former has broader leaves.[4]
Conservation
In 2023, the IUCN assessed Abuta velutina as of Least Concern. It has a large, stable, population, and faces no major threats. The species is present in protected areas.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 "Abuta velutina". IUCNRedList.org. IUCN Red List. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
- ↑ "Abuta velutina Gleason". International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries; Australian National Botanic Gardens.
- 1 2 "Abuta velutina". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
- 1 2 3 4 Gleason, Henry A. (June 1931). "Botanical Results of the Tyler-Duida Expedition (Continued)". Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club. 58 (6): 361. doi:10.2307/2480734. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
External links
Data related to Abuta velutina at Wikispecies