A new species of Petiveriaceae, Trichostigma guacharense, is described and illustrated, and its morphological affinities with similar species are discussed. It has been found elevations between 1,800–2,150 m, in tropical montane rainforest of the Cueva de los Guacharos National Natural Park (CGNNP), located in the south of the Colombian Andes. The new species is a shrub, reaching ca. 3 m tall and shares features with two other species, T. octandrum and T. peruvianum. It can be distinguished by the lamina shape, presence of caniculate petioles, the number of stamens, and fruit shape. A morphological description, taxonomic comments, an illustration, a Lankaster plate, and information about its current conservation status are presented. An updated key to species of Trichostigma is also provided.
Tapinella cystidiosa is described here as a new species from the Amazon characterized by possessing lateral to eccentric stipes bearing squamullose-punctate to densely strigose or hispidulous surfaces, and the unusual presence of hymenial cystidia that are narrowly clavate and mucronate-digitate at the apex. Tapinella atrotomentosa and T. panuoides are the only other species of the genus for which DNA sequences have been deposited, and are readily separated by the absence of hymenial cystidia. Paxillus amazonicus also possesses hymenial cystidia and thus might belong to genus Tapinella, but it differs in its habit (growing on soil), its slender basidioma, and the presence of clavate to narrowly clavate, obtusely mucronate-digitate at apex.
Spiraea gracilis var. pirpanjalensis (Rosaceae), a new taxon from the Bhalessa area of Doda district in Jammu and Kashmir, India is described here. The taxon differs from the typical variety, S. gracilis var. gracilis, in having only two bud scales that are triangular-lanceolate to pyramidal in shape, with dense pubescence at the apex, an obconical to funnelform hypanthium with prominent straight ribs, sepals that are sparsely ribbed on the abaxial surface, and seeds with acute apex. Detailed photo-illustrations and a comparative account of diagnostic features with allied taxa are provided to facilitate field identification.
A new species of Doliocarpus (Dilleniaceae) endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest is described. Doliocarpus amplexicarpus has been confused with D. schottianus, the most similar species occurring in the same phytogeographical domain, but the latter is found in the Serra do Mar Coastal Forests ecoregion, while the former occurs in the Bahia Coastal Forests ecoregion. Both species are remarkable for their smooth, whitish stems, compared to the predominantly rough, reddish stems of other taxa. This new species is characterized by large leaves (up to 35 cm long), flowers with angulate and tomentulose pedicels, and fruits with appressed persistent sepals. A morphological description, taxonomic comments, an illustration, field photographs, and preliminary assessment of its conservation status (LC, least concern) are presented. An updated identification key to the species of Doliocarpus occurring in the Bahia Coastal Forests is also provided.
A new geophytic species of Mandevilla (Apocynaceae), found on vertical inselberg walls in Espírito Santo, Brazil, is described and illustrated. Distribution and habitat, etymological and taxonomic notes, as well as a preliminary conservation assessment according to IUCN guidelines are provided for the new species. Mandevilla unica resembles M. declinata and M. angustifolia, but differs from them by having inconspicuous interpetiolar colleters, longer petioles, and linear leaf blades. A key to the white-flowered species of Mandevilla from Espírito Santo illustrates the morphological similarities and differences among these species and the key features that distinguish the new species.
