Geonoma maxima subsp. ambigua (Spruce) Henderson, 2011

37b. Geonoma maxima subsp. ambigua (Spruce) Henderson View in CoL , comb. & stat. nov.

Basionym: Geonoma ambigua Spruce (1871: 111) View in CoL . Geonoma maxima var. ambigua (Spruce) Henderson (1995: 278) View in CoL . Type: GUYANA. Without locality, no date, C. Appun 566 ( holotype K!).

Geonoma schomburgkiana Spruce (1871: 111) View in CoL . Type: GUYANA. Without locality, 1837, R. Schomburgk 705 ( holotype K!, excluding leaf).

Leaves irregularly pinnate (sometimes with 1-veined pinnae present), not plicate; rachis 40.0(13.0–59.0) cm long; pinnae 4(2–12) per side of rachis; basal pinna 7.5(1.9–22.0) cm wide, forming an angle of 40(20–60)° with the rachis. Inflorescences rachillae 18(5–39).

Distribution and habitat:— From 1°55’– 8°34’N and 57°52’– 62°55’W in Guyana and adjacent Venezuela and Brazil at 337(35–900) m elevation in lowland rainforest in a variety of habitats, including flooded and non-flooded areas ( Fig. 25 View FIGURE 25 ).

A specimen from Guyana ( McDowell 4479) has more pinnae than others and approaches subsp. maxima in its leaf morphology. Although subsp. ambigua has fewer pinnae per side of the rachis than subsp. m axima, it usually has a few, 1-veined pinnae present.