Few-flowered Inflorescences Research Articles

Two New Species of Aspidostemon (Lauraceae) from Madagascar

Two new species of Aspidostemon Rohwer & H. G. Richt. (Lauraceae), A. dorrii van der Werff and A. glaber van der Werff, are described. Aspidostemon dorrii differs from related species in its long pedicels and few-flowered inflorescences. Aspidostemon glaber is distinct by virtue of its glabrous condition and profusely branched, many-flowered inflorescences.

Monograph of Doselia (Solanaceae), a new hemiepiphytic genus endemic to the northern Andes.

A new genus, Doselia A.Orejuela & Särkinen, gen. nov., is described in the tribe Solandreae (Solanaceae) consisting of four species of hemiepiphytic lianas endemic to the premontane forests of the Colombian and Ecuadorian Andes. The genus is distinguished based on the membranous leaves, usually sparsely pubescent with eglandular simple trichomes, pseudo-verticillate leaf arrangement, and elongated, pendulous, and few-flowered inflorescences with showy flowers and conical fruits. Three new combinations are made to transfer species to the new genus previously described as part of the polyphyletic genus Markea Rich. (Doseliaepifita (S.Knapp) A.Orejuela & Särkinen, comb. nov., D.huilensis (A.Orejuela & J.M.Vélez) A.Orejuela & Särkinen, comb. nov. and D.lopezii (Hunz.) A.Orejuela & Särkinen, comb. nov.). One new species is described from the western slopes of the eastern cordillera of the Colombian Andes, known only from three localities in the Boyacá, Santander, and Tolima departments (Doseliagalilensis A.Orejuela & Villanueva, sp. nov.). The new species is unique in the genus in having glabrescent adult leaves, green-purplish calyces and long, greenish-white, infundibuliform corollas with delicate purplish veins and large lobes tinged with purple, and pubescent styles. Here we provide a revision of Doselia with a distribution map of all species, an identification key, photographs, preliminary conservation assessments, and line drawings of all four species.

The duration of the life cycle is associated with C-value and affects reproductive features in the Fabeae, the tribe with largest genomes in Fabaceae

The amount of DNA per nucleus, usually expressed in terms of the amount within a haploid chromosome set (C-value), is known to have significant impacts on morphological and physiological features in plants. Among these features, C-value influences replication time and hence duration of the whole cell cycle, as well as sizes of cells. The Fabeae tribe of the family Leguminosae (Fabaceae) is remarkable in having both annual and perennial species and the largest C-values in the family. Polyploidy is rare in this tribe. This work aims to study the correlation between annuality/perenniality, C-value and some morphological characteristics of reproductive organs, such as the number of pollen grains, ovules, flowers per inflorescence as well as pollen and flower size, in annual and perennial species within the tribe Fabeae (Vicieae). The average C-value of perennials is statistically significantly higher than of annuals. Compared with perennials, annuals are mostly characterized by single- or few-flowered inflorescences and fewer ovules per carpel independently of flower size. All floral characteristics exhibit a range of intraspecific variation thus complicating the estimation of precise impact of C-value on phenotype. Features of the reproductive system in the Fabeae are therefore partly correlated with C-value, most probably mediated through the interaction between ecological adaptation of species with their life cycle duration.

<p><strong>An expanded concept of <em>Madisonia</em> including miscellaneous species of Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae): evidence from molecular analysis<br /></strong></p>

Prior taxonomic studies in subtribe Pleurothallidinae have suggested a close relationship between miscellaneous species featuring long-repent, segmented rhizomes, abbreviated ramicauls, few-flowered inflorescences, and flowers with partially connate sepals and trilobed lip. The lack of phylogenetic information for most species has prevented further conclusions or changes in their taxonomy; and as a result, they are currently assigned to several unrelated genera: Anathallis, Madisonia, Pabstiella, Pleurothallis, Sansonia and Specklinia. We performed phylogenetic analyses using nuclear (nrITS) and five plastid (matK, psbD-trnT, rps16-trnQ, trnH-psbA and trnS-trnG) markers and demonstrated that these species form an isolated clade which requires generic recognition. The name Madisonia, previously a monotypic genus endemic of the Amazon basin, is re-circumscribed and expanded to include nine species distributed in the Atlantic Rainforest and the Caribbean. Eight new nomenclatural combinations are proposed.

Scaevola subalpina (Goodeniaceae), a new species from Mount Mantalingahan Protected Landscape, Palawan, Philippines

A new species, Scaevola subalpina, is described and illustrated from the subalpine forest of Mount Mantalingahan Protected Landscape on the island of Palawan in the Philippines. The new species is most similar to Scaevola glabra, a species endemic to the Hawaiian archipelago. Both species grow at high elevations and share solitary or few-flowered inflorescences and yellow corollas but can be differentiated by flower size and structure. The flowers of S. subalpina are much shorter, and the corolla is half open from the base (as in most other species of the genus), whereas in S. glabra the corolla is fused to form a tube that splits open in only the distal portion to form lobes. Scaevola subalpina is the only Phillippine-endemic of four species of the genus that are native to the Philippines. It appears to be critically endangered.

Discovery of Aconitum haridasanii (Ranunculaceae), a new species from Arunachal Pradesh, India

Aconitum haridasanii, a new species from Tawang, India, is described and illustrated. This new species differs from its allied species Aconitum spicatum in having a taller and flexuous stem, pale yellow to whitish flowers in a shorter few-flowered inflorescence, densely pubescent shorter pedicels, bract shorter than pedicel, shorter sepals, longer petals, and only 3 carpels. Threat assessment was undertaken for the species following IUCN criteria (IUCN 2017 version 13) and the species was classified as Critically Endangered.

Ladenbergia siranensis (Rubiaceae: Cinchoneae), a new species from the Sira Mountains, Eastern Andes of Central Peru, and the identity of Ladenbergia acutifolia

A new species of Ladenbergia (Rubiaceae) has been found in the Cordillera de Sira in the eastern Andes of central Peru. It is here described as Ladenbergia siranensis, and it is morphologically similar to L. acutifolia, L. graciliflora and L. shawistigma. It differs from these by a shrubby habit, coriaceous, narrowly elliptic leaves, few-flowered inflorescences, the hypanthium hirtellous outside, small and deeply lobed calyx, a glabrous style, and fruits with reddened hirtellous pubescence. A key to these four species is provided.

Salicornia cuscoensis (Amaranthaceae/Chenopodiaceae), a new species from Peru (South America)

The name Salicornia cuscoensis given to a plant from high Andean saltmarshes near Cusco [Cuzco] and Ayacucho, Peru (South America) is validated by a diagnosis and description. The main morphological characters that separate S. cuscoensis from other closely related species are creeping habit, delicate branches, inflorescence of short and thin spikes, and seed indumentum. The new species clearly differs from other perennial Salicornia taxa growing in high Andean saltmarshes such as S. pulvinata and S. andina. The former forms small compact cushions producing very short, few-flowered inflorescences. The latter shows woody stems and forms larger rounded carpets. Morphologically, S. cuscoensis is also similar to S. magellanica, a species growing along the seashore in southern Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, but the latter has shorter and wider inflorescences and larger seeds with a different type and arrangement of indumentum. Molecular analyses also supported the separation of S. cuscoensis. Data on habitat, distribution and phylogenetic relationships are presented for the new species and its relatives, and an identification key is given for the South American taxa of the genus Salicornia.

Bituminaria antiatlantica (Psoraleeae, Fabaceae), a new species from Morocco.

A new species of Bituminaria is described and illustrated: Bituminaria antiatlantica Brullo, C. Brullo, Cambria, Cristaudo & Giusso, sp. nov., which is endemic to Anti-Atlas Mountains (Morocco). It is a true chasmophyte, characterized by a suffruticose habit, several woody branches, leaflets coriaceous, rounded to ovate, small, few-flowered inflorescences and corolla pale coloured.

Novelties in Costa Rican Stelis (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae): two new species and a new record in the "Dracontia group"

Stelis dies-natalis y Stelis aenigma, pertenecientes a un grupo de especies en su mayoría Centroamericanas colocadas alternativamente en el género Dracontia, son descritas e ilustradas basadas en material vivo. Ambas se encontraron en robledales de altura en diferentes picos de la Cordillera de Talamanca en Costa Rica. La primera, S. dies-natalis, se encontró en los Cerros Buena Vista y Urán, es similar a S. hydra pero se puede distinguir por la inflorescencia relativamente corta, las flores morado oscuro con un labelo amarillo cubierto por verrugas morado oscuro, los pétalos apiculados y el labelo con un apículo brevemente acuminado. La segunda, S. aenigma, que se pensaba inicialmente que se trataría un segundo espécimen de S. dies-natalis cuando se colectó en el Cerro Utyum, pero se puede distinguir fácilmente por las inflorescencias con pocas flores que apenas supera el tamaño de la hoja, las flores rojizas, el labelo sigmoideo y la antera obtusa y cuculada. Stelis platystylis, una especie previamente conocida de México a Nicaragua, es ilustraba basada en material vivo de Costa Rica.

A new species of Bituminaria (Fabaceae) from Tunisia

Bituminaria tunetana a new species occurring in Tunisia is described and illustrated. It shows some relationships with B. basaltica from Aeolian Archipelago (Sicily), mainly for having very small flowers and also with B. flaccida from Middle East in having pale colored corolla and few-flowered inflorescences, but the three species differ among them in many diacritic features regarding the leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds. Besides, it is well distinct from B. bituminosa, species widely spread in Sicily and in several countries of the Mediterranean area, for many morphological features, as well as in micro-morphology of seed testa and pod indumentum. Its distribution, ecology and conservation status are also examined. An analytical key of the species belonging to Bituminaria subgen. Bituminaria is also provided.

Keetia namoyae (Rubiaceae, Vanguerieae), a new species from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract Lachenaud, O., Q. Luke & B. Bytebier (2017). Keetia namoyae (Rubiaceae, Vanguerieae), a new species from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Candollea 72: 23–26. In English, English and French abstracts. A new species of Rubiaceae from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Keetia namoyae O. Lachenaud & Q. Luke, is described and illustrated. The species resembles Keetia tenuiflora (Hiern) Bridson and Keetia mannii (Hiern) Bridson, but differs from both in having alternate (not opposite) flowering twigs with stiff appressed hairs, few-flowered inflorescences, a longer corolla tube, and larger fruits. The species is only known from the type locality in Maniema Province, and is assessed to be “Critically Endangered” according to IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Syzygium komatiense (Myrtaceae), a new species from South Africa

A new species of Syzygium (Myrtaceae), S. komatiense, is described from the Komatipoort area of Mpumalanga, South Africa. This species is endemic to the Komati River system on the South Africa-Mozambique border and differs from any other species in the region by its combination of terete branchlets, petiole length, often asymmetric or oblique leaf base, few-flowered inflorescence, persistent bracts and bracteoles and pseudostalk absent. Syzygium komatiense is known only from the Komati River and merits the conservation status of Critically Endangered (CR C2a(i, ii); D).

Impatiens tianlinensis (Balsaminaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China

Impatiens tianlinensis S. X. Yu & L. J. Zhang, a new species of the Balsaminaceae from Cenwang Laoshan Mountain, Tianlin County, Guangxi Region, is described and illustrated. This species closely resembles I. apalophylla and I. clavigera var. auriculata in having racemose inflorescences, 4 lateral sepals, hammer-shaped capsules and ellipsoid seeds, but differs in having sessile glanduliferous petioles, few-flowered inflorescences, incurved spur, yellow lower sepal without reddish patches, yellowish petals and lower sepal, and acuminate dorsal petal apex. The molecular data, from nuclear ribosomal and plastid genes, as well as pollen characters also support that the species is new to science.

Floral cost vs. floral display: Insights from the megadiverse Myrtales suggest that energetically expensive floral parts are less phylogenetically constrained.

Floral display describes the effect of flower size combined with the number of flowers per inflorescence. There is strong evidence that a floral-display trade-off operates under energetic constraint, with few-flowered inflorescences likely to have larger flowers than many-flowered inflorescences. Flower size can be estimated by different variables; thus, we propose that the variable for flower size that is most highly (negatively) correlated with the number of flowers per inflorescence will also be the best estimate of floral cost. Ranking the correlation with the phylogenetic signal of the variable can provide additional insight into the evolution of floral display. The Myrtales were chosen as a model order based on age, worldwide distribution, and diversity of reproductive strategies. Ninety-nine species representing all families and one quarter of generic diversity across its geographic and ecological range were sampled to reconstruct a phylogeny based on rbcL and ndhF sequences. Correlation coefficients were calculated for flower size variables vs. the number of flowers per inflorescence. Phylogenetic signal was measured for all variables and for floral display. Flowers per inflorescence showed significant negative correlation with the following flower size variables (weakest to strongest): filament length < anther size < flower depth < flower diameter. As the correlation of each character with number of flowers per inflorescence rose (suggesting increased cost), the values for phylogenetic signal diminished (suggesting less constraint). We conclude that energetically costly floral characters appear to be less phylogenetically constrained, while low-cost floral characters maintain higher levels of phylogenetic inertia.

Trees as huge flowers and flowers as oversized floral guides: the role of floral color change and retention of old flowers in Tibouchina pulchra.

Floral color changes and retention of old flowers are frequently combined phenomena restricted to the floral guide or single flowers in few-flowered inflorescences. They are thought to increase the attractiveness over long distances and to direct nearby pollinators toward the rewarding flowers. In Tibouchina pulchra, a massively flowering tree, the whole flower changes its color during anthesis. On the first day, the flowers are white and on the next 3 days, they change to pink. This creates a new large-scale color pattern in which the white pre-changed flowers contrast against the pink post-changed ones over the entire tree. We describe the spectral characteristics of floral colors of T. pulchra and test bumblebees’ response to this color pattern when viewed at different angles (simulating long and short distances). The results indicated the role of different color components in bumblebee attraction and the possible scenario in which this flower color pattern has evolved. We tested bumblebees’ preference for simulated trees with 75% pink and 25% white flowers resembling the color patterns of T. pulchra, and trees with green leaves and pink flowers (control) in long-distance approach. We also compared an artificial setting with three pink flowers and one white flower (T. pulchra model) against four pink flowers with white floral guides (control) in short-distance approach. Bumblebees spontaneously preferred the simulated T. pulchra patterns in both approaches despite similar reward. Moreover, in short distances, pollinator visits to peripheral, non-rewarding flowers occurred only half as frequently in the simulated T. pulchra when compared to the control. Thefore, this exceptional floral color change and the retention of old flowers in T. pulchra favors the attraction of pollinators over long distances in a deception process while it honestly directs them toward the rewarding flowers at short distances possibly exploring their innate color preferences.

Rhynchosia bolusii (Phaseoleae, Fabaceae), a new species from the Western Cape Province of South Africa

A new species, Rhynchosia bolusii, is described. It is closely similar to R. capensis in the details of its leaves and long, slender peduncles, but differs mainly in its shrubby, non-twining habit and few-flowered inflorescences. It is known only from the summit of the Great Swartberg Mountains in the Western Cape Province.

Estudios Sobre Rubiáceas Méxicanas XXXVII

Two new Randia species are described from the aculeata-complex, characterised by small leaves, flowers and fruits, the later with soft exocarpium. This group apparently has its diversification centre in Mexico represented actually by 19 species and 3 varieties. Randia crucis is a deciduous tree up to 6mhigh in Oaxaca, characterised by terminal pairs of spines and many-flowered lateral inflorescences with very small naked flowers and white tomentose hypanthium. Randia manglaris is a very special shrub of Veracruz, living in the mangrove bush, completely glabrous, characterised by lateral pairs of spines, few-flowered inflorescences and flowers with corolla lobes twice longer than the tube.

Estudios Sobre Rubiáceas Méxicanas XXXVIII

A new species of the genus Deppea was collected in the zone of Chimalapas (Oaxaca), area especially rich in rare and endemic species. It is named as D. chimalaparum and belongs to the section Deppea and to the group of small-flowered species with unequal calyx lobes. Within this group it differs from D. obtusiflora (Benth.) Benth. by having deciduous stipules and non-domatiate leaves, from D. inaequalis Standl. et Steyerm. and from D. pubescens Hemsl. by its naked leaves and short, few-flowered axillary inflorescences.

Spiranthera atlantica (Rutaceae, Galipeae), a New Species and the First Record of the Genus for the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

A new species of Spiranthera A. St.-Hil. (Rutaceae, Galipeinae) is illustrated and described from Espírito Santo, Brazil. Spiranthera atlantica Pirani represents the first species record for the genus in the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil. The new taxon resembles the Amazonian S. guianensis Sandwith but differs by its smaller, few-flowered inflorescences and by the fruit and leaflet morphology.