Ardisia callejasii (Myrsinaceae): A New Species from the Antioquian Chocó of Colombia

Abstract

Continuing studies in Myrsinaceae for Flora de Colombia revealed a heretofore undescribed species of Ardisia closely related to Ardisia pittieri Mez of Costa Rica and Panama. While determining specimens in Colombian herbaria for my treatment of the Myrsinaceae for Flora de Colombia, I discovered a fine series of specimens representing an unknown taxon, described herewith. Ardisia callejasii Pipoly, sp. nov. TYPE: Colombia. Antioquia: Mpio. Mutata, N of Hacienda El Darien, right margin of Rio Chontadural, 28 July 1978 (fl, fr), R. Fonnegra & E. Renteria 953 (holotype, HUA; isotypes, COL, MEDEL, MO). Figure 1. Quoad ramulos furfuraceo-lepidotos, folia magna coriacea oblanceolata brevipetiolata, panicularum ramulos corymbosos, stamina in tubum connata, ad A. pittieri valde arcte affinis, sed ab ea laminis ad apicem longiattenuatis (non acutis), sepalis chartaceis (non coriaceis) 2-2.8 (nec 3-3.5) mm longis, symmetricis (nec asymmetricis) ad apices obtusis (nec emarginatis), petalis ovatis (nec ellipticis), 5.3-5.9 (nec 10-11) mm longis, manifeste (nec obscure) punctatis, staminibus 4.9-5.4 (non 8.79.1) mm longis, tubo staminali 1.2-1.3 (nec 1.8-2) mm longo, antheris ad basem inter se liberis (nec conniventibus), denique fructibus luteis (non ruberis) statim separabilis. Tree to 7 m; branchlets terete, 0.7-1 cm diam., densely and minutely furfuraceous lepidote. Leaves coriaceous, oblanceolate, (25-)31-45.5 cm long, (5-)7-12.2 cm wide, apex long-attenuate, gradually tapering to a cuneate base, costa slightly raised above, prominently raised below, secondary veins 16-20 pairs, slightly depressed or not visible above, prominently raised below, glabrous and dull above, sordid and sparsely and minutely sessile rufous furfuraceous-lepidote below, glabrescent, the margin regular, entire, flat; petioles marginate (0.6-)1-1.2 cm long, glabrous above, densely and minutely rufous furfuraceous-lepidote below. Inflorescence subterminal, pinnately or bipinnately paniculate, (7.5-) 12.5-24.5 cm long, pyramidal, primary and secondary bracts unknown, secondary branches 3-12 cm long, the rachis minutely densely furfuraceouslepidote, glabrescent; floral bracts unknown (presumably early caducous); pedicels cylindrical, 0.71.8 cm long, densely furfuraceous-lepidote, persistent. Flowers 5-merous, corymbose, the corymb with 7-12 flowers, pink; sepals quincuncial, almost free, c artaceous, ovate, 2-2.8 mm long, 1-1.3 mm wide, symmetrical, apex obtuse, thickened and prominently black punctate medially, densely and minutely furfuraceous-lepidote, the margin irregular, scarious, hyaline, sparsely glandular-ciliolate, entire; petals quincuncial, basally connivent, coriaceous, ovate, 5.3-5.9 mm long, apex acute, highly reflexed in anthesis, medially thickened, prominently pellucid punctate without, somewhat verruculose medially within, the margin scarious, hyaline, entire, glabrous; stamens 4.9-5.4 mm long, the filaments connate into a coriaceous elobate tube 1.2-1.3 mm long, epunctate, glabrous, the anthers free, lanceolate, 3.5-4.2 mm long, 1.3-1.6 mm wide, sessile on the staminal tube, apex attenuate, base cordate, longitudinally dehiscent by narrow, sublatrorse slits, the connective inconspicuously pellucid punctate; pistil obclaviform, 5.3-5.6 mm long, 1-1.2 mm diam., the ovary 1.5-1.7 mm long, glabrous, the style 3.8-4 mm long, erect, inconspicuously pellucid punctate, glabrous, the placenta ellipsoid, 0.8-1 mm long, 0.3-0.4 mm diam., apex apiculate, the ovules 12-15, pluriseriate, stigma punctiform. Fruit globose, ca. 1 cm diam., green, then yellow at maturity, densely and prominently black punctate, the style base persistent. Distribution. Ardisia callejasii is endemic to the Municipality of Mutata, located in the northwestern cor er of the Department of Antioquia, Colombia, at 100-180 m elevation. Ecology and Conservation Status. This new species occurs in lowland pluvial forests, in a narrow valley belonging to the Rio Sucio drainage basin, located in the Department of Antioquia between the southwestern corner of the Department of C6rdoba and the northwestern corner of the Department of Choc6. Label data from the Fonnegra et al. collections indicate it is a common species in forests preserved on Hacienda El Darien. However, because the region is traversed by the Medellin-Turbo highNOVON 2: 389-391. 1992. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.181 on Thu, 29 Sep 2016 06:16:23 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms