Two New Species and a Key to Passiflora subg. Astrophea

Abstract

Two new species, Passiflora amoena and Passiflora callistemma, were discovered during a taxonomic revision of subgenus Astrophea. The first is placed in section Botryastrophea, the second in section Astrophea. A key is provided for all the species of Passiflora subgenus Astrophea. Passiflora L. subgenus Astrophea (DC.) Masters is composed of 50 species of trees, shrubs, or lianas confined to tropical areas of South Amer- ica, with two species ranging north into Me- soamerica. As did Killip (1938), I recognize six sections in the subgenus. Members of sect. Bot- ryastrophea (Harms) Killip, are lianas with strong axillary tendrils, anomalous secondary growth, and brightly colored, orange to purple flowers with an elongated hypanthium. Flowers are borne on very short to very long racemes pro- duced from thick stems close to the forest floor, or at the edge of forest vegetation, and are prob- ably pollinated by hummingbirds. Species of sect. Astrophea DC., are trees or lianas with con- centric rings of secondary xylem and white to greenish-white flowers with mostly yellow co- ronal filaments. The floral hypanthium is short, and the species are probably pollinated by large bees. More than 50 years have passed since the last comprehensive taxonomic treatment of subge- nus Astrophea, (Killip 1938), and many new spe- cies have been published since that time. To facilitate identification of plants in this large and difficult group, a key is provided for all the species of the subgenus. at apex of petiole, with raised oval nectaries 1.5- 2.3 mm long and 1.0-1.2 wide; stipules seta- ceous, ca. 0.3 mm long, deciduous. Flowering branches to 4 cm long, mostly on thick stems close to base of plant; peduncles stout, 2.0-3.5 mm long, 1.3-1.7 mm diam.; bracts triangular, 1.0-1.3 mm long, 0.4-0.8 mm wide. Flowers sal-