Three new species of Vallesia, V sinaloensis, V spectabilis, and V vaupesana, are described. In addition, a new combination, Vallesia aurantiaca (M. Martens & Galeotti) J. F. Morales, is proposed. New synonymies are also provided. In the process of preparing the Apocynaceae treatment for the Flora Mesoamericana, the following novelties were found. Vallesia aurantiaca (M. Martens & Galeotti) J. F. Morales, comb. nov. Basionym: Neriandra (?) aurantiaca M. Martens & Galeotti, Bull. Acad. Roy. Sci. Bruxelles 11: 356. 1844. TYPE: Mexico. Veracruz: Santiago de Huatusco, Apr. 1841 (fl), Galeotti 1591 (holotype, BR; photograph INB ex BR). Vallesia mexicana Muiller Argoviensis, Linnaea 30: 393. 1859. Syn. nov. TYPE: Mexico. Veracruz: near Orizaba, Feb. 1854, Botteri 473 (holotype, G-DC; isotype, MO; photograph INB ex G-DC). Vallesia flexuosa Woodson, Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 24: 14. 1937. Syn. nov. TYPE. Costa Rica. Alajuela: Zarcero de Alfaro Ruiz, 21 Dec. 1924 (fl), Brenes 4156 (holotype, F; isotype, CR; photograph, INB ex F). In the last monograph of Vallesia, Meyer (1955) suggested the possibility that Neriandra (?) aurantiaca M. Martens & Galeotti is synonymous with V mexicana Muiller Argoviensis, as was pointed out by Standley (1924). Examination of the type material confirmed that V mexicana must be reduced to the synonymy of V aurantiaca. In her monograph of Vallesia, Meyer (1955) recognized eight species, including two new species and two varieties. However, her thesis was never published. Therefore, these two unpublished names are validly published here. Vallesia sinaloensis E. Meyer ex J. F. Morales, sp. nov. TYPE: Mexico. Sinaloa: Quebrada de PlItano, Sierra Monterrey, Gentry 5907 (holotype, MO; isotypes, GH, NY, UC; photograph INB ex MO). Arbor parva, ramulis maturitate fuscis. Folia elliptica vel auguste-elliptica, 7-11.5 X 2.5-3.5(-4) cm, subtus tomentulosa, apice acuminata. Inflorescentiae subumbelliformes, subterminales. Corollae tubo 8-10 mm, lobis 5 X 1.5-2 mm. Drupa 12-17 mm. Shrub 3-7 m high; branchlets tomentulose. Leaves petiolate; petiole 7-11 mm long, glabrate; blade membranaceous, elliptic to narrowly elliptic, 7-11.5 x 2.5-3.5(-4) cm; acuminate at the apex, acute basally; upper surface glabrate, lower surface tomentulose; tertiary veins anastosoming beneath; stipules acute. Inflorescence subterminal, manyflowered, subumbelliform, glabrate; peduncle 6-11 mm long; pedicels 2.5-3 mm; bracts scarious and inconspicuous. Flowers: sepals broadly ovate, 11.5 x 1 mm, acuminate, glabrous; corolla salverform, inflated near the orifice, yellowish, glabrous without; tube 8-10 mm long; lobes very narrowly elliptic, 5 x 1.5-2 mm, obtuse to somewhat acute; stamens sessile or subsessile, inserted near the orifice of the tube; anthers narrowly ovate, ca. 2 mm long, apiculate; ovary 1-1.5 mm; style head cylindric, ca. 1 mm, bifid. Fruits obovate, 12-17 mm long; seeds unknown. This species occurs in northwestern Mexico, in the state of Sinaloa, where it grows at elevations of 900-1000 m. Vallesia sinaloensis could be confused with V spectabilis but is easily distinguished by its tomentulose leaves beneath and smaller flowers. Vallesia spectabilis E. Meyer ex J. F. Morales, sp. nov. TYPE: Mexico. San Sebastian, Mexia 1915 (holotype, MO; isotypes, F, GH, NY, UC, US; photograph INB ex F). Arbor parva, ramulis maturitate glabris. Folia elliptica vel auguste-elliptica, 10-15 x 3-4.5 cm, glabra, apice acuminata. Inflorescentiae subumbelliformes, subterminales vel terminales. Corollae tubo 11-13 mm, lobis 4-5 X 2 mm. Drupa 13-17 mm. Shrub 4-7 m high; branchlets glabrous. Leaves petiolate; petiole 7-10 mm long, glabrous; blade firmly membranaceous, elliptic to narrowly elliptic, 10-15 x 3-4.5 cm; acuminate at the apex, obtuse NovoN 8: 263-264. 1998. This content downloaded from 207.46.13.172 on Tue, 23 Aug 2016 06:04:05 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms