There is a need to identify this plant, an important host plant for some leaf-mining insects in Bolivia (paper in prep.). We would greatly appreciate any your help.
Photographed in June 2018, in Bolivia: Coroico (the Yungas province), elevation 1600 m. It‘s a rather large tree, growing close to a village. Unfortunately, no more photos available. No flowers.
Respected Professor Jonas Rimantas Stonis Sir
It's certainly some species of Symplocos (Symplocaceae). It would be better to consult regional floras or expert of neotropical flora to trace the name of species. It is quite possible that this could be some new species of Symplocos.
Regards,
Arvind
Definitely Persea. It looks similar to Beilschmiedia tarairi, which is a New Zealand tree in Lauraceae :)
Spondias purpuresa Jocote Anacardiceae? What size are the fruits? Do the fruits change in color?
Dear Karen,
the fruits were about 2-2.3 cm long. Unfortunately we do not know do they change in color or not.
If it is Persea americana then of course it changes colour from green when unripe to dark purple when ripe.
I do not think it's Lauraceae, because it has dentate-crenate leaf margin.
I think it can be a kind of Symplocos, close to S. peruviana Brand (Symplocaceae). It is necessary to study the fruit well in order to confirm.
José Luis Fernández
Dear José,
many thanks for your opinion! I will contact you on e-mail.
Kind regards,
Jonas
Definitively is a Symplocos, probably S. arechea. S. peruviana is not found in Bolivia
Dear Alfredo,
many thanks! Most likely you are right. Can you find a photo of fruits of Symplocos arechea from Bolivia? I have tried but could not find anything decent.
Kind regards,
Jonas ([email protected])
Altough it looks something like Persea americana, leaves seem to be longer (or less wide), and fruits are also quite different. I didn't know Symplocos, but it looks like a good option when compared to pictures available on the internet. I suggest you could upload the pics to ¡Naturalist or another app more specialized in plants, so experts can give you a hand with the ID.
Respected Professor Jonas Rimantas Stonis Sir
It's certainly some species of Symplocos (Symplocaceae). It would be better to consult regional floras or expert of neotropical flora to trace the name of species. It is quite possible that this could be some new species of Symplocos.
Regards,
Arvind
From leaves and fruits - definitely species of genus Symplocos, check flora of Bolivia and adjacent region, may be new addition or novelty.
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