Abstract
Dendrothrix condorensis K.Wurdack, sp. nov. from the sub-Andean cordilleras of Ecuador and Peru is described and illustrated. The new species is geographically widely separated from its likely closest relative, D. yutajensis, which is endemic to the Guiana Shield region of southern Venezuela and adjacent Brazil, and notably differs in leaf morphology. Vegetative (i.e., epidermal micropapillae, trichomes) and reproductive (i.e., cymule glands, flowers, pollen) micromorphological features were examined with SEM. Rare tristaminate flowers were documented among the typical bistaminate ones. Seeds and diagnostic features among the four species of Dendrothrix are compared.
Highlights
One of the most challenging groups of Euphorbiaceae with regard to identification and classification is the hippomanoid clade of subfamily Euphorbioideae
Dendrothrix condorensis and D. yutajensis are likely closely related as they have nearly identical floral features. They are distinguished by foliar characters, seed caruncle differences, and biogeography
Leaf architecture has not been rigorously compared through clearings and anatomy, several orders of the varyingly prominulous venation are evident in unprepared specimens that allow gross comparisons such as were shown by Esser (1993) to be informative for the group
Summary
Dendrothrix contains four species of trees and shrubs with white latex, tiny apetalous flowers, and an unusual distribution in northern South America that includes tepuis in the Guiana Shield region and two disjunct outliers (Fig. 1). Differs from Dendrothrix yutajensis in larger, thinner leaves with more secondary veins, percurrent tertiary venation, acuminate leaf apex, and seeds lacking a caruncle.
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