Rudgea infundibuliformis (Palicoureeae, Rubiaceae), a new species from Southeastern Brazil

Abstract

A new species of Rudgea (Rubiaceae) was discovered in a forest remnant in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, within the Atlantic Rainforest, and is distinguished by its relatively small leaves, reduced inflorescences, and the broadly infundibular, externally densely tomentose corolla. Rudgea infundibuliformis is categorized as Critically Endangered, and is known so far from a single locality, the “Mata do Quimbira”, in the municipality of Italva. This rare species is probably related to other species of the Jasminoides informal Group, sharing characters as the leaf blade with axillary domatia in the secondary veins beneath, terminal and pedunculate inflorescences, lobed calyx, infundibular corolla, and ripe fruits orange or red.