Dioscorea compacta (Dioscoreaceae), a new endangered dwarf species from the Jalapão region, Tocantins, Brazil

Abstract

The Jalapao region located in the east of the state of Tocantins, central Brazil is the largest continuous area of protected cerrado, a hotspot of biodiversity. Here we present a new species of Dioscorea, found in dry soils in sandy open cerrado vegetation within the limits of two protected areas. This species differs from other similar species by its combination of dwarf habit, staminate flowers with three stamens plus three staminodes, compact pistillate inflorescences and spheroid unwinged seeds.