Calyx Lobes Research Articles

Resolving the Drymoniakillipii (Gesneriaceae) complex results in a new species from the northwestern Andes of South America.

A new species, Drymoniaquadrangulata Clavijo & J.L.Clark, sp. nov. (Gesneriaceae, Columneinae), is described from the western Andean slopes of southern Colombia and northern Ecuador. The new species has been historically confused with D.killipii, an endemic species to Colombia, restricted to the lowlands of the Chocó biogeographic region in the departments of Cauca, Chocó, and Valle del Cauca. These two species have large foliaceous calyx lobes that cover at least half of the corolla tube, and tubular-infundibuliform corollas. The new species differs by strigose quadrangulate and sometimes winged stems, leaves reticulate abaxially with obtuse to subcordate bases, midveins green, corolla lobes white to yellow with margins incised to short laciniate, and indehiscent berry fruits. Digital photographs, detailed morphological comparisons with the similar species, and an IUCN preliminary risk extinction assessment are provided for the new species.

Perilimnastes aura (Sonerileae, Melastomataceae), a new species from Dak Cheung Plateau, Sekong province, Southern Laos

Perilimnastes aura, a species found in Sekong province, Laos, is described as new. Its habit and morphology of leaves, inflorescences, flowers, and capsules match all diagnostic features of Perilimnastes. It most closely resembles P. suberalata in the quadrangular stems, unequal leaves, and glabrescent, oblanceolate to broadly elliptic leaf blade, but differs in the acute leaf apex (vs. acuminate), 1–3-flowered inflorescence (vs. 1-flowered), quadrangular hypanthium (vs. obtusely quadrangular) and broadly triangular, 1.8–2.2 mm long calyx lobes (vs. linear, 8–10 mm long). Information on habitat, ecology, and a preliminary assessment of the conservation status are also provided for the new species.

Blakea cubarralensis (Melastomataceae: Pyxidantheae): a new species from Colombia

A new species of Blakea (Melastomataceae) from the department of Meta, Colombia is described and illustrated here, with comments on its etymology, distribution and habitat, phenology, conservation status and taxonomic affinities. Blakea cubarralensis sp. nov. is readily distinguished by its floral bracteoles that are longer than the calyx lobes, the outer pair ovate-elliptic with a long-acuminate apex and 3-nerved, the lobed calyx, the anther connective prolonged into a blunt knob and the ovary 12-locular. The new species is categorized as Endangered (EN) according to the IUCN Red List. This novelty highlights the importance of sub-andean forests and the need to conserve and increase botanical explorations in them.

Scrophularia anatolica (Scrophulariaceae): A new species from eastern Anatolia (Turkey)

Scrophularia anatolica sp. nov. (Scrophulariaceae) is described from Eastern Anatolia (Bingöl‒Turkey). The new species is related to S. erzincanica and S. lucida, but it differs from S. erzincanica by scarious bracts and bracteole margins, broad calyx lobes with scarious and dentate margins, and from S. lucida by life duration, plant length, staminode shape, calyx lobes ovate to orbicular, dentate scarious margin and stamens long exerted from corolla. Ecological data and conservation status of the new species are also presented. A distribution map of the new taxon and related species is provided.

A new species of Psidium and notes on Neomitranthes from the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Psidium riobonito, a new species of Myrtaceae from the Atlantic Forest of the northeastern portion of the Brazilian state of São Paulo, was collected in High Montane Dense Ombrophilous Forest and is described here. Morphological characters assign the new species to Psidium sect. Apertiflora, due to its leaves with brochidodromous veins, marginal vein parallel to the margin, inflorescences in auxotelic racemes, flowers with open buds with 5 calyx lobes, in addition to dark purple fruits when ripe, with few seeds. Psidium riobonito is morphologically close to P. involutisepalum and P. myrtoides, but differs by the marginal veins 2 to 5 mm from the margin (vs. 1 to 2 mm in P. myrtoides and 1.5 to 2 mm in P. involutisepalum), glabrous or glabrescent leaves when mature (vs. pubescent or sparsely pubescent mainly along the midrib on the abaxial surface in P. myrtoides and sparsely pubescent in P. involutisepalum), pedicels 14–26 mm long (vs. 3–12 mm in P. myrtoides and 8–10 mm in P. involutisepalum). The relationship of P. riobonito to morphologically close species, comments on its taxonomy, ecology and informal conservation status, and a table with morphological characteristics of P. sect. Apertiflora are also provided. We also present for the first time the descriptions of the fruits of Neomitranthes capivariensis and N. pedicellata.

A new species of Phlogacanthus (Acanthaceae) from India

Phlogacanthus sudhansusekharii, a new species is described here from the state of Arunachal Pradesh, India. This newly described species is closely allied to Phlogacanthus guttatus (Wall.) Nees, but can be differentiated by its strikingly different yellowish-cream colored corolla with yellow patches and brown maculation, ratio of calyx lobes and tube length being ~1:1 and deltoid staminodes (vs. greenish-cream to white corolla with red-maroon maculation, ratio of calyx lobes and tube length ~2:1 and subulate-ensiform staminodes in the latter).

Three new species of Vaccinium L. (Ericaceae) from Mindanao Island, Philippines

Three new species of Vaccinium endemic to the island of Mindanao, Philippines are here described and illustrated. Vaccinium fallax most closely resembles V. myrtoides, but differs by having smaller leaves, caducous bracts, shorter pedicels, a broadly obconical hypanthium, broadly triangular calyx lobes, and a deep pink and broadly urceolate corolla. It grows on exposed areas and among sulfur vents at and near the summit of Mt. Apo. Vaccinium gamay most closely resembles V. gitingense, but differs in having shorter inflorescences, early caducous inflorescence bracts, shorter pedicels, presence of clavate glands on the hypanthium, and an absence of anther spurs. It grows on exposed areas in the ultramafic forest of Mt. Hamiguitan. It is one of only two Philippine Vaccinium species possessing distinctly callose-thickened calyx lobes, the other being V. gitingense. Vaccinium vomicum most closely resembles V. carmesinum, but differs by having smaller leaves, presence of glands on the extreme end of the leaf blade base, presence of clavate glands on the hypanthium, shorter stamens, and presence of stalked glands on the dentate apex of the tubules. It grows in the mossy rainforest of Mt. Kitanglad, and it is the only Philippine species of Vaccinium with glands on the extreme end of its leaf blade base. Following IUCN guidelines, we propose a conservation status of Critically Endangered for V. fallax, Endangered for V. gamay, and Data Deficient for V. vomicum. With these discoveries, the number of Vaccinium species in Mindanao Islands increases to 22 and in the Philippines to 44. Furthermore, the Mindanao Islands can now be considered the center of Vaccinium diversity in the Philippines.

Argostemma mirae (Rubiaceae) a new species from Tago, Surigao del Sur, Mindanao Island, Philippines

We describe Argostemma mirae (Rubiaceae) a new species from Mt. Tingtingan, Badong, Tago, Surigao del Sur, Mindanao Island, Philippines. It grows on a shady mossy limestone forest on a lower elevation. A. mirae resembles A. solaniflorum in having branching and pubescent stems, oblanceolate leaves, pubescent petioles, terminal to axillary inflorescence, and white corollas but differs in having shorter stems, smaller leaf blades, 4 calyx lobes and 4 corollas. Based on IUCN criteria we proposed data deficient (DD) since there is only one population currently known.

Swertia jayantii (Gentianaceae): a new species from North-East India

Swertia jayantii (Gentianaceae), a new species from Jaintia hills, Meghalaya, India is described here with photographic illustration. The new species is described under Swertia subgenus Ophelia sect. Ophelia due to the presence of single, naked nectary on each corolla lobe. It closely resembles S. cordata in having corolla lobes with blue-purple veins and quadrangular, narrowly winged stem. However, it can be distinguished by its deltoid-shaped nectary, calyx lobes shorter than corolla lobes, and obtuse leaf base. A taxonomic description showing detailed morphological characters with a key to the closely related species is provided here to facilitate its proper identification.

Phylogenetics of Cruckshanksia and Oreopolus (Rubiaceae) based on nuclear and plastid DNA sequences

Cruckshanksia Hook. & Arn. and Oreopolus Schltdl. Rubiaceae (Rubioideae – Coussareeae), endemic genera of Chile and Andean Argentina, have historically been highly taxonomically unstable. Molecular analyses have confirmed Oreopolus as the sister group of Cruckshanksia; however, the relationships among its species are still not resolved because previous studies have not considered all species of the genus and the published topologies have many unsupported nodes. For this reason, we carried out a phylogenetic study with all the species currently recognized by recent revisions, using two nuclear DNA regions and five plastid regions, to elucidate the relationships between species. In addition, the evolutionary history of the group was estimated based on divergence times, and a character reconstruction was performed. The results corroborate that Oreopolus is the sister group of Cruckshanksia. Cruckshanksia is monophyletic and composed of two principal clades. Clade I is composed of Subclade I (C. pumila and C. verticillata) associated with C. montiana; Clade II is composed of Subclade II (C. palmae and C. macrantha) and Subclade III (C. lithiophila and C. hymenodon). With 81% probability the common ancestor of the genus Cruckshanksia had petaloid appendices associated with two independent lines of evolution. The probability that the common ancestor of the Oreopolus‒Cruckshanksia clade had equal calyx lobes is 50%.

Ophiorrhizareflexa (Rubiaceae), a new species from a karst region in Guangxi, China.

Ophiorrhizareflexa, a new species from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated in this study. It is morphologically similar to O.alatiflora due to the branched inflorescence, distylous flowers and the tubular-funnelform corolla with five longitudinal wings. The new species can be distinguished from O.alatiflora by its erect inflorescence, its smaller and equal-sized calyx lobes 0.5-0.7 mm long, its corolla tubes winged to the middle and the wings straight and its strongly reflexed corolla lobes at anthesis. Ophiorrhizareflexa is assessed as least concern (LC) according to IUCN Categories and Criteria.

A New Species of Burmeistera (Campanulaceae, Lobelioideae) from the Pacific Slope of the Northwestern Andes of Colombia

A new species of Burmeistera (Campanulaceae, Lobelioideae) from the Pacific slope of the Northwestern Andes of Colombia, in the Antioquia and Chocó departments, is described. Burmeistera luciae is distinguished by being a hemiepiphytic herb with scandent and glabrous stems; ebracteate peduncle, obconic hypanthium, and its most particular feature, the filiform, ascending, and curved calyx lobes in anthesis; corolla lobes forming an obtuse angle in relation to the tube, falcate; ventral anthers barbate; ellipsoid berries that turn a striking fuchsia color when mature. These characters differentiate it from Burmeistera serraniaguae, B. succulenta, and B. crocodila, the three most morphologically similar species that also inhabit the humid Andean regions of the Chocó biogeographic region between Colombia and Ecuador. Additional comments related to its distribution, etymology, and conservation status are presented.

Medinilla campana, M. flammea, M. purpureoviridis and M. rangkong (Melastomataceae), four new species from Borneo

Four new species of Medinilla from Borneo, M. campana, M. flammea, M. purpureoviridis and M. rangkong are described and illustrated based on morphological characteristics. Medinilla campana most resembles M. rubicunda but differs from it by having campanulate hypanthium that thickens significantly towards the distal end (vs. cupuliform and not thickened) and the anther has an underdeveloped, obtuse dorsal spur (vs. well-developed, beak-like dorsal spur). Medinilla flammea is similar to M. rubicunda, but differs in having erect to suberect habit (vs. spreading), the inner pair of lateral veins in the lamina diverges from the midrib above the base (vs. veins diverged from the base) and orange to vermilion petals (vs. white). Medinilla purpureoviridis is somewhat similar to M. laxiflora, but it can easily be distinguished from the latter by its 4-merous flowers (vs. 5-merous) and the cymose branching of approximately 3 times (vs. 5 to 9 times). In addition, the hypanthium is distally thickened (vs. not thickened in M. laxiflora). Medinilla rangkong most resembles M. sessiliflora, but differs in its cordate leaf base (vs. acute), the lateral two veins diverging from the base (vs. departing about 5 mm from the base of midvein), and the hypanthium with four minutely apiculate teeth (vs. with four conspicuous, triangular calyx lobes).

Hydrangeaxinfeniae (Hydrangeaceae), a new species from Sichuan, China.

Hydrangeaxinfeniae W.B.Ju & J.Ru, a new species of Hydrangeaceae from Sichuan Province, China, is described and illustrated. The new species belongs to Hydrangeasect.Dichroa (Lour.) Y.De Smet & Samain, with its distinctive characteristic being the nearly superior ovary. It shares morphological similarities with H.yaoshanensis (Y.C.Wu) Y.De Smet & C.Granados, but can be distinguished by its hirsute trichomes densely covered on the branchlets, leaves, peduncles and pedicels, broadly elliptic to rectangular-elliptic leaf blade with nearly rounded base, coarse teeth leaf margins, 3-4 pairs of lateral veins, corymbose cyme with few and loose branches, lanceolate bract, the calyx tube and lobes margin with sparsely hirsute trichomes, adaxially glabrous and abaxially sparsely hirsute petal, outer whorl filaments are linear, inner ones are awl-shaped, glabrous styles, and the nearly superior ovary. H.xinfeniaesp. nov. currently known from only three relatively small populations of the type locality, and its conservation status is assessed as Data Deficient (DD).

On the identity of Dracocephalum breviflorum (Lamiaceae, Nepetoideae)

As currently circumscribed, the genus Dracocephalum Linnaeus (1753: 594) includes the traditionally defined Hyssopus Linnaeus (1753: 569) and Lallemantia Fischer & Meyer (1840: 52), making it the second largest genus in subtribe Nepetinae (Nepetoideae, Lamiaceae), consisting of ca. 80 species (Chen et al. 2022). Morphologically, the genus is most similar to Nepeta Linnaeus (1753: 570), but it can be easily distinguished from the latter by its calyces with a thickened sinus-like fold between the bases of adjacent calyx lobes (Li & Hedge 1994; Harley et al. 2004). There are approximately 40 species of Dracocephalum distributed in China, of which 19 are endemic (Li & Hedge 1994; Chen et al. 2021, 2022). Among those endemic species, Dracocephalum breviflorum Turrill (1922: 154) was described on the basis of a specimen collected from Mount Everest area, southern Xizang (Tibet), China (A.F.R. Wollaston 255, K000911317). In the protologue, Turrill (1922) thought D. breviflorum is most similar to D. heterophyllum Bentham (1835: 738) but emphasized that the calyx morphology of the species (i.e., remarkably short and more distinctly 2-lipped than any previously known species of Dracocephalum) is unique in Dracocephalum. During our taxonomic revision of Dracocephalum in the Pan-Himalayan region, we found that D. breviflorum does not have a thickened sinus-like fold between the base of the calyx lobes, indicating it should be a member of the genus Nepeta. Given the importance of types in solving taxonomical issues (Wagensommer et al. 2016; Akhil et al. 2022; Perrino et al. 2023), we carefully compared the type specimens of both D. breviflorum and Nepeta coerulescens Maximowicz (1881: 529) (Fig. 1). In addition, we carried out observations of plants in the field (Fig. 2). The results of our research on herbarium specimens and in the field demonstrated that D. breviflorum and N. coerulescens are conspecific, and here we synonymize Dracocephalum breviflorum under Nepeta coerulescens.

Cyrtandraobliquifolia (Gesneriaceae), a new species from Kaua'i, Hawaiian Islands.

Cyrtandraobliquifolia K.R. Wood & W.L. Wagner (Gesneriaceae), a new shrub species known only from Kaua'i, Hawaiian Islands, is described and illustrated with notes on its distribution, ecology, and conservation status. The new species is morphologically most similar to Cyrtandrawawrae C.B. Clarke but differs by its unique combination of oblique, non-peltate, auriculate leaf bases, more deeply divided calyx lobes, inflorescence with fewer flowers and lacking profusely umbellate cymes. Cyrtandraobliquifolia is known from only two localities which have undergone severe habitat degradation from landslides and invasive plants and animals and is determined to be Critically Endangered (CR) when evaluated under IUCN criteria.

A new generic record of Indian Costaceae with the discovery of new species Parahellenia mizoramensis from Northeast India

Parahellenia mizoramensis sp. nov. from Costaceae is described and illustrated as a new species from Northeast India (Mizoram) and represents the only existing species under the genus from India. It differs from its allied species, Parahellenia tonkinensis (Gagnep.) Juan Chen, N.H. Xia, L.Y. Zeng, S. Jin Zeng, and Parahellenia yunnanensis S. Jin Zeng, N.H. Xia, L.Y. Zeng, and Juan Chen by the size and shape of axillary buds, wider bracts, longer calyx and corolla lobes, crenulate margin of labellum, prominent overlapping of labellum margin to form trumpet-shaped, presence of bright red streaks in anther crest, and shape of dorsal appendage in stigma. The newly described species is provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) based on the available data as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Categories and Criteria.

Microlicia crenatifolia (Melastomatacae), a new species from the westernmost limits of the Diamantina Plateau, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Microlicia crenatifolia is described from the Diamantina Plateau, a well-known hotspot of plant endemism in southeastern Brazil. It can be recognized by its small leaves (up to 8.3 mm long) that are conspicuously crenulate to slightly serrate, short floral pedicels (0.7–1.0 mm long), and linear calyx lobes that are externally glandular-punctate and covered with short gland-tipped trichomes 0.1–0.3 mm long. We provide line drawings, SEM photos of leaves, seeds and indumentum, a distribution map, and an identification key to M. crenatifolia and putative relatives (M. canastrensis, M. pabstii, M. serratifolia, and M. thomazii).

A Taxonomic Revision of Monopteryx (Leguminosae): a Florally Divergent and Ancient Papilionoid Genus of Large Amazonian Trees

Abstract— Monopteryx is a florally divergent genus of Dipterygeae, an early-branching papilionoid legume clade largely marked by winged papilionate floral architecture, expanded upper calyx lobes often assuming a wing-shaped orientation, and petals differentiated into standard, wings, and a keel enclosing the basally connate stamens. In contrast to the remaining Dipterygeae genera, Monopteryx has differentiated petals but the marginally coherent keel with interlaced trichomes exposes the free stamens and the expanded upper calyx lobes are nearly entirely fused with a standard-like dorsal orientation. Monopteryx species are restricted to the Amazonian rainforests, where they have diversified since the last ∼15 Ma, but the divergence of the genus is estimated to be as old as ∼39 Ma. They grow as large buttressed trees usually with a uniquely “flying” architecture, which are arched from the trunk to the ground and separated from one another, unlike that found in any other species of leguminaceous trees. Its fruits are elastically dehiscent pods and in some species they bear marginally crimped wings along the sutures. Our taxonomic revision of this ecologically and evolutionarily important, ancient genus includes an analysis of about 135 specimens from across 14 herbaria, including both type and historical collections, as well as recently collected samples from our extensive fieldwork across remote areas of the Amazon. Grounded on a densely-sampled dated molecular phylogeny of nuclear and plastid data, here we recognize three phylogenetically and morphologically distinct taxa: M. angustifolia, M. inpae, and M. uaucu. After a careful revision of their nomenclatural history, we also found that M. inpae was not validly published. We subsequently have provided typification of all names associated with species of the genus. This revision also includes morphological descriptions, illustrations, and distribution maps for all species. We also discuss the phylogenetic relationships between the species and the evolution of selected taxonomically key morphological characters in the context of the entire Diptergyeae clade.

Microlicia indurata (Melastomataceae: Lavoisiereae), a new narrow endemic from Serra dos Pireneus, Goiás, Brazil

Microlicia indurata is described as a new species from cerrado rupestre in the Serra dos Pireneus of Goiás, Brazil. Illustrations, photos taken in the field, a distribution map, a recommended conservation assessment, and a discussion of putative related species based on morphological similarities are provided. Microlicia indurata is readily recognized by its openly branched shrubby habit, sessile elliptic-lanceolate to elliptic-ovate 5–7-nerved leaf blades that are moderately to copiously covered with short (mostly 0.5–0.7 mm) gland-tipped trichomes on both surfaces, 6-merous, solitary, sessile flowers, caducous calyx lobes that greatly exceed the hypanthia at anthesis, white petals, red antesepalous (large) anthers, 6-locular ovaries that are ca. ⅓ inferior, and mature capsules that are hard and woody with a somewhat protruding tapered acute apex. It is compared with M. pohliana, its presumed closest relative, and the superficially similar M. mucorifera and M. nervulosa.