Macleania pentaptera, also known as gualicón or hualicón, is a species of tropical plant endemic to Ecuador.Macleania pentaptera Hoerold. (n.d.). Plants of the World Online. Retrieved March 16, 2025, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:148710-2
Description
Vegetative characteristics Macleania pentaptera is an epiphytic or terrestrial, branched shrub with up to 3 m long branches. The terete, glabrous branches have smooth, brown bark. The internodes are 2–3 cm long. The glabrous, coriaceous, ovate to elliptic leaves with an entire margin are (3–)7–14.5 cm long, and (2–)3.5–9 cm wide. The pinnate leaf venation is impressed above, and is prominent on the abaxial leaf surface. The glabrous petiole is 2–6 mm long. Generative characteristics The axillary or terminal, racemose inflorescence with an up to 4 cm long rhachis bears 2–7(–8) fleshy, waxy, nectariferous, pedicellate, tubular, vibrant, orange-red, green-tipped flowers with 9–25(–33) mm long pedicels. The five-winged, obconical, 0.8–1 cm long, and 0.6 cm wide calyx has five acute teeth. The tubular, fused, urceolate, pentagonal corolla is 1.7 cm long, and 0.4–0.5 cm wide. The throat is densely pilose. The androecium consists of 10 stamens, which are 10–12.5 mm long. The gynoecium consists of 5 carpels. The translucent, white to green, globose, 20 mm wide berryLuteyn, J. L., & Pedraza-Peñalosa, P. (n.d.). Macleania pentaptera Hoerold. New York Botanical Garden. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://sweetgum.nybg.org/science/projects/ericaceae/taxon-details/?irn=112434 bears numerous seeds.National Gardening Association. (n.d.-b). Tropical Blueberry (Macleania pentaptera). Garden.org. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://garden.org/plants/view/463164/Tropical-Blueberry-Macleania-pentaptera/
Taxonomy It was published by Rudolf Hoerold in 1909.Hörold, R. (1909). Systematische Gliederung und geographische Verbreitung der amerikanischen Thibaudieen. Botanische Jahrbücher Fur Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte Und Pflanzengeographie, 42, 251–334. The variety Macleania pentaptera var. longicalyx published by Alexander Gilli in 1983 is not accepted and is widely regarded as a synonym of Macleania pentaptera.Macleania pentaptera Hoerold. (n.d.-b). WFO Plant List. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://wfoplantlist.org/taxon/wfo-0001046917-2024-12?page=1 Within the subfamily Vaccinioideae, it is placed in the tribe Vaccinieae.USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Plant Germplasm System. 2025. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN Taxonomy). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. URL: https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomydetail?id=466145. Accessed 17 March 2025. Etymology The specific epithet pentaptera from the Greek pente meaning five, and pteryx meaning wing, refers to the five-winged calyx.Macleania pentaptera. (2024, April 2). An Eco-sustainable World. Retrieved March 16, 2025, from https://antropocene.it/en/2024/04/02/macleania-pentaptera-2/ Homonyms The correct name of the homonym Macleania pentaptera published by Hermann Otto Sleumer in 1936Macleania pentaptera Sleumer. (n.d.). International Plant Names Index. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.ipni.org/n/148709-2 is Macleania ericae published by Hermann Otto Sleumer in 1938.Macleania ericae Sleumer. (n.d.). Plants of the World Online. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:148692-2
Distribution and habitat It occurs in montane forests of Ecuador at elevations of 150–2100(–4000) m above sea level.
Ecology Pollination The flowers are pollinated by hummingbirds.Puccio, P. (n.d.). Macleania pentaptera. Monaco Nature Encyclopedia. Retrieved March 16, 2025, from https://www.monaconatureencyclopedia.com/macleania-pentaptera-2/?lang=enNg Yu Qin. (n.d.). Macleania pentaptera. Gardens by the Bay. Retrieved March 16, 2025, from https://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/learn-with-us/explore-resources/whats-blooming/macleania-pentaptera.html Herbivory The leaves are gathered by Atta leaf-cutter ants.Baetz, A. (2019). Foraging Behavior in Atta Leaf-Cutter Ants: A comparison of disturbed versus undisturbed nests.
Use It is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental plant, but it is rare in cultivation.Macleania pentaptera. (n.d.). Strange Wonderful Things. Retrieved March 16, 2025, from https://www.strangewonderfulthings.com/366.htm The very sweet and pleasant fruitPatiño, V. M. (2002). Historia y dispersión de los frutales nativos del neotrópico. p. 148. Kolumbien: Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical. is edible.
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