A New Species of Aristolochia (Aristolochiaceae) from Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

Aristolochia longispathulata, a new species from the is described and illustrated. The new species belongs to Aristolochia subser. Hexandrae F. Gonzalez. It is easily recognized by flowers that are slightly curved and have a long, spatulate, fimbriate limb, which is pale green on the inner surface. Aristolochia longispathulata is similar to A. arcuata and A. rumicifolia, from eastern and southeastern Brazil. Its floral morphology also resembles that of A. peltata, from the West Indies, and A. sessilifolia, from southern Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. RESUMO. Neste trabalho uma nova especie de Aristolochiaceae da Mata Atlantica, Bahia, Brasil, A. longispathulata, e descrita e illustrada. Esta espc Capellari, 1996; Moore, 1915). A new collection of Aristolochia from Bahia, Brazil, has come to my attention because of its long, spatulate, fimbriate flowers (Fig. 1). This collection does not match any species known to occur in northeastern or eastern South America (see Ahumada, 1967, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1989; Feuillet & Poncy, 1998; Hauman, 1923; Hoehne, 1927, 1942; Masters, 1875; Moore, 1915). There is some resemblance with A. rumicifolia Martius & Zuccarini (see Martius & Zuccarini, 1824, tab. 54), from the states of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, and A. arcuata Masters (Fig. 2), from the states of Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro. However, the last two species differ from the Bahian collection in several important diagnostic characters (Table 1), such as the shape and size of the leaves, the length of the peduncle and ovary, and the overall shape of the perianth. The discovery of a new Aristolochia species comes as no surprise as the area of Bahia is well known for endemism not only for plants but also for various groups of animals (see, e.g., Mori et al., 1983). Unfortunately, only a few patches of undisturbed forest remain in that area, which may be the reason for having no other specimens of this new species besides the type collection. Aristolochia longispathulata F. Gonzalez, sp. nov. TYPE: Brazil. Bahia: Jussari, Serra do Teimoso, 7.5 km N of Jussari on road to Palmira, then 2 km W to Fazenda Teimoso, then 45 min. walk W to Reserva da Fazenda Teimoso, 15010'S, 39035'W, 300-450 m, 8 Feb. 1998 (fl), W W Thomas, A. M. Amorim & J. L. Paixao 11741 (holotype, CEPEC; isotype, NY). Figure 1. Aristolochia arcuata et A. rumicifolia affinis, a qua imprimis differt perianthio subrecto, usque 9.5 cm longo, limbo spatulato longiore usque 7 cm longo, fimbriato, pagina interna viridi-glauca. Glabrescent vine. Petioles to 2.5 cm long; blades narrowly ovate, 8-16 cm long, 3-4.5 cm wide, membranaceous, smooth, base slightly cordate, sinus 5-10 mm deep, lobes parallel, apex obtuse, glabrous and with small white, siliceous bodies above, pale green and puberulous especially along the veins below; venation acrodromous, basal primary veins 3, prominent on the lower side, higher order venation densely reticulate, prominulous on NovoN 10: 371-374. 2000. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.211 on Mon, 08 Aug 2016 06:05:20 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms