Novae Gesneriaceae Neotropicarum IV: Alloplectus purpureus and Columnea nematoloba—New Gesneriaceae from northwestern South America

Two species of Gesneriaceae are described:Alloplectus purpureus from the lower montane forests of northwestern Ecuador and adjacent Colombia andColumnea nematoloba from the lowland rain forests of western Colombia. The first with its fimbriate calyx lobes is probably nearest toAlloplectus sprucei, occurring in the same region but mostly at lower elevations. The second is in a group with two recently described species from western Ecuador and Colombia,Columnea fililoba andC. incredibilis, all having filiform corolla lobes.     

Three new species of Cobaea (Polemoniaceae)

Revisionary work has revealed three new species ofCobaea:Cobaea flava of northern Peru,C. paneroi of central Mexico, andC. rotundiflora of Guatemala and extreme southeastern Mexico.Cobaea flava is most similar toC. campanulata and differs mainly in its pedicel pubescence, corolla coloration, and stamen position.Cobaea paneroi is among the large-flowered species (theCobaea scandens group) but is easily distinguished from these by its long-acuminate calyx segments.Cobaea rotundiflora most closely resemblesC. triflora. It differs mainly in its corolla coloration and wider, pubescent calyx segments.     

A new species of Drymonia (Gesneriaceae) from the eastern slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes

A new species, Drymonia ignea (Gesneriaceae, tribe Episcieae), is described from the eastern slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes from the provinces of Tungurahua, Napo, and Morona-Santiago. It differs from other species of Drymonia by the presence of an urceolate corolla, quadrangular stem, and cucullate calyx lobes.     

New and noteworthy South American species of Agalinis (Scrophulariaceae)

Agalinis bandeirensis is a Brazilian species distinguished by linear bracts, short pedicels, and villous stamens.Agalinis ramulifera, from southern Brazil, is distinguished by many, short, leafy branches and small flowers.Agalinis linarioides subsp.rojasi, from Paraguay, is distinguished by paniculate inflorescences, short calyx lobes, and broad corollas.Gerardia bangii, G. digitalis, andG. meyeniana are recognized as species ofAgalinis and appropriate transfers are made.     

Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus (Polemoniaceae), a new species from northern New Mexico

Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus, a new species in sect.Ipomopsis, from the mountains of northern New Mexico is described and illustrated. The purplish calyx, pink corolla, and a short pistil with the stigma situated below the included stamens represent a unique combination of characters. The new species is similar toI. arizonica but differs primarily in corolla color and in length of the pistil.     

Randia lorenceana (Rubiaceae,Gardenieae), una especie nueva del bosque mesófilo de montaña en el estado de Guerrero,México

Randia lorenceana (Rubiaceae), a new species from the cloud forest in the state of Guerrero, Mexico, is described and illustrated. The new species is related to R. matudae, but it differs from that species in having larger stipules, peduncles and calyx lobes, smaller corolla lobes, anthers, and hypanthium in the staminate flowers, and distinctly pendulous fruits due the of the bending of the peduncles.     

A revision of Erythrochiton sensu lato (Cuspariinae,Rutaceae)

In the rutaceous subtribe Cuspariinae, species with relatively large, valvate, colored calyces have been assigned to Erythrochiton, but differences in arrangement of leaves, type of inflorescence, union of petals, of filaments, and of carpels, indument of corolla and testa, appendages of anthers, height of the intrastaminal disc, and exine of the pollen argue for the recognition of three genera. Erythrochiton s. str., characterized by often perennating inflorescences, connate, usually glabrous petals, free carpels, tomentulose seeds, and spinulose exine, consists of seven species of which four are new: E. fallax from the eastern flanks of the Andes from Colombia to Bolivia, E. odontoglossus from western Ecuador and adjacent Peru, E. trichanthus from eastern Peru, and E. gymnanthus from Costa Rica. The assignment to Toxosiphon of four species with woolly, coherent petals, connate carpels, glabrous seeds, and reticulate exine necessitates three new combinations: T. carinatus, T. macropodus, and T. trifoliatus. Recognition of a third unispecific genus with opposite simple leaves, sparsely pubescent, coherent, clawed petals, and spinulose exine requires a new genus name, Desmotes, and a new combination, D. incomparabilis.     

A new species of Mosiera (Myrtaceae) from the Sierra de Nipe,Cuba

A new species, Mosiera nipensis (Myrtaceae), from the crest of the Sierra de Nipe, Cuba, is described and illustrated. This species is readily distinguished from all other species of Mosiera by two diagnostic characters: four-angled, slightly four-winged young twigs, and calyx lobes that are valvate in the bud. We suspect that this species grows on a serpentine substrate. It is known only from the holotype, a collection made in 1941. An assessment of its conservation status is urgently needed.     

Two new species of Odontocarya sect. Somphoxylon (Menispermaceae) from South America

Odontocarya monandra Barneby, resembling O. deminuta in glabrous staminate panicle, 3-merous corolla and solitary stamen, but notably different in shape and venation of leaves and larger staminate flowers, is described from Prov. Maynas, northeastern Peru; and O. septemfida Barneby, the only known member of the genus with lobed leaves, from Edo. Falcón, Venezuela.     

A new species of Myrcia (Myrteae, Myrtaceae) from the Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia, Brazil

Myrcia thomasii, a new species from the Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia, is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to M. micropetala, but differs in having the inflorescence and basal bracts puberulent, lanceolate bracts at the base of flowers, longer calyx lobes and petals, and a 3-locular ovary.     

A new species and a new combination in Zanthoxylum (Rutaceae) from Brazil

A new species,Zanthoxylum hamadryadicum, is described, illustrated and compared to its closest relatives. It is unique in its small leaves and leaflets, which are densely stellate-pilose, and its short racemes crowded on new shoots with 4-merous flowers. A new combination,Zanthoxylum hasslerianum (Chodat) Pirani, and some new synonyms among Brazilian species are proposed.     

Novae Gesneriaceae Neotropicarum XVIII: Columnea carinata, a new species of Gesneriaceae from northwestern Ecuador

A new species of Columnea (Gesneriaceae, tribe Episcieae) is described from the Chocó floristic region of the western Andean slopes of northern Ecuador. Columnea carinata differs from other congeners by the presence of elongate shoots, isophyllous leaves, and a uniformly bright red corolla, with nearly complete fusion of the upper two corolla lobes and an elongate keel on the dorsal surface of the corolla tube.     

Stanmarkia,a new genus of Melastomataceae from the volcanic highlands of western Guatemala and adjacent Mexico

A new genus,Stanmarkia, is described from the volcanic highlands of western Guatemala and adjacent Chiapas, Mexico to includeS. medialis, comb. nov. andS. spectabilis, sp. nov. Among the Melastomataceae,Stanmarkia is distinguished by its 5-merous flowers, subequal stamens that lack prominently developed appendages or prolonged connectives, terete hypanthia, and clavate-cuneate seeds that have an enlarged excurrent arilloid raphe and a tuberculate seed coat. A gametic chromosome count ofn=40 is reported here forS. spectabilis. This count, which is clearly of polyploid origin, represents a new definitive number for the family. An emphasis on seed characters suggests placement ofStanmarkia in the Sonerileae which is here interpreted in a broad sense to include all genera previously assigned to the New World Bertolonieae and the Old World Oxysporeae. A consideration of other characters such as configuration of the ovary apex, capsule morphology, and androecial details also provides evidence for placement ofStanmarkia in the Merianieae.     

A new revision of Joosia (Rubiaceae-Cinchoneae)

Joosia comprises 11 species, three of which are here described as new: J. longisepala, J. multiflora, and J. obtusa. Joosia pulcherrima Steere is resurrected from synonymy. Joosia is a close relative of Cinchona, Ladenbergia, and Remijia, from all of which it differs in having wilting rather than caducous stipules, an inflorescence of predominantly monochasial cymes, and corolla lobes with marginal showy appendages. It occurs from western Panama along the Andes south to northern Bolivia, with a pronounced center of diversity in Ecuador. On the basis of a cladistic and biogeographical analysis, it is hypothesized that the genus originated in the lowland forest of the westernmost Amazon Basin.     

Two new species of Agalinis (Scrophulariaceae) from South America

The suffruticoseAgalinis chaparensis is a Bolivian species distinguished by its scabrous, ovate leaves and long, glabrous pedicels. The herbaceousAgalinis pennellii from Cuzco, Peru, is distinguished by its erect habit and long-acuminate calyx lobes.     

Malaxis chica,a new species of Orchidaceae from Nuevo León,Mexico

A new species from northern Mexico,Malaxis chica, is described and illustrated. It is distinguished by its small, unifoliate habit, subumbellate inflorescences, and sagittate lip with long basal lobes.Malaxis chica is compared to three species—M. corymbosa, M. salazarii, andM. rosei—with which it shows some morphological similarity.     

Mycopteris,a new neotropical genus of grammitid ferns (Polypodiaceae)

Mycopteris, a new genus of grammitid ferns, is described and combinations are made for the species that belong to it. Mycopteris is diagnosed by castaneous rhizome scales with turgid cells, usually pectinate laminae, blackish petioles and rachises, blackish pinna costae and veins, reddish setae, cretaceous hydathodes, glabrous sporangia, and the presence of Acrospermum ascomes. It is entirely neotropical, ranging from Mexico east into the West Indies and south to Bolivia. Mycopteris is one of two genera of grammitid ferns that are consistently associated with Acrospermum, an epibiotic ascomycete that produces black clavate fruiting bodies. Seventeen species of Mycopteris are recognized here, including one new species (M. longipilosa) and one elevated from the rank of variety to species (M. costaricensis). The following additional combinations are made here: M. alsopteris, M. amphidasyon, M. attenuatissima, M. cretata, M. grata, M. leucolepis, M. leucostica, M. longicaulis, M. pirrensis, M. praeceps, M. semihirsuta, M. steyermarkii, M. subtilis, M. taxifolia, and M. zeledoniana. Lectotypes are chosen for Ctenopteris leucosticta, Polypodium amphidasyon, and Polypodium pectinatum var. hispidum. For each accepted species, full synonymy and geographical range are provided. Taxonomic discussion is provided for species not widely recognized in previous treatments.     

Cuscuta taimensis (Convolvulaceae,Cuscuteae), a new species from South America

A new species of Cuscuta (Convolvulaceae: Cuscuteae) from South America is described, illustrated, and studied under light and scanning electron microscopy. Cuscuta taimensis is similar to Cuscuta racemosa, but differs in having oblong to elliptic calyx lobes and a circumscissile capsule.     

New taxa and nomenclatural changes in arceuthobium (viscaceae)

The following new taxa are recognized inArceuthobium: subgeneraArceuthobium andVaginata; sectionsVaginata, Campylopoda, andMinuta; seriesCampylopoda,Rubra, andStricta; speciesA. apachecum,A. californicum,A. guatemalense,A. hondurense, andA. pini; new formae spécialesA. abietinum f. sp.concoloris,A. abietinum f. sp.magnificae. New combinations:A. abietinum (Engelm.) Hawksworth & Wiens, andA. microcarpum (Engelm.) Hawksworth & Wiens.