Habitat : in thickets and low forest near granitic outcrops of several morros in north-central Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil and also near Nova Friburgo, Santa Maria Madalena, as well as in the Serra dos Órgãos between Teresópolis and Petrópolis
Elevation : 100-1600
Native country : Brazil
Synonyms : F. mollis, Krause 1906, F. regia var. alpestris
Gametic chromosome number n = 22 or 44
FOLIAGE
Leaves : opposite, occasionally ternate, membranous, sometimes purple-flushed when young, often yellowing before dehiscing, petioles densely pubescent, 3-6 mm long, stout and 2 to 4 mm thick on older leaves, canaliculate above, stipules narrowly triangular, 1 to 2 mm long, 0.8 to 1.5 mm wide, adjacent ones sometimes fused, generally covered by hairs
Foliage color upper side : moderately pilose
Foliage color lower side : densely pilose
Leaf dimensions : (55-) 60-140mm long x 20-70mm wide
Leaf shape : oblong, broadly ovate or narrowly elliptic-ovate
Leaf margin : entire to subdenticulate
Leaf tip : acute to acuminate
Leaf base : rounded to subcordate or subauriculate
Pubescence :
Veins : secondary veins 5 to 9 (to 10) per side
Stems :
Branches : branchlets reddish tan, densely pilose with erect, whitish hairs about 1 mm long