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| Vellozia mellosilvae Andr.Cabral, Magri & J.C.Lopes, in Cabral, Magri & Lopes, 2022. |
Abstract
Background and aims – Two new species of Vellozia (Velloziaceae) are here described and illustrated, Vellozia albohexandra and V. mellosilvae. These new species are morphologically similar to Vellozia armata, V. luteola, and V. inselbergae, probably belonging to the same informal group.
Material and methods – Morphological and anatomical descriptions were based on herbarium specimens and in situ observations. Standard taxonomy and plant anatomy practices and methods were applied.
Key results – Vellozia albohexandra can be easily distinguished from the other species of the group of V. luteola by its sessile flowers with white and smaller petals and sepals, six stamens, and smaller style and stigma. The species is endemic to the Cristália municipality, Minas Gerais state, and has been classified as Data Deficient according to IUCN criteria. Vellozia mellosilvae shares morphological affinities with V. armata, but it is distinguished by the leaves with serrate margin and abaxial furrows, longer and evident pedicel, and larger petals and sepals. This species is endemic to the Itacambira municipality, and should be considered Critically Endangered.
Keywords: endemism, leaf anatomy, Pandanales, rocky outcrops, taxonomy
Vellozia albohexandra Mello-Silva ex Andr.Cabral & Magri, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Vellozia albohexandra is similar to V. armata by the tristichous leaves roughly of the same dimensions. However, V. albohexandra has sessile flowers (vs pedicel approx. 1.5 cm long in V. armata), white sepals and petals (vs violet in V. armata), 6 stamens (vs 18 stamens in V. armata), and capsule 5.7–6.7 × 5.3–6.2 mm (vs 10 × 6–9 mm in V. armata).
Etymology: The epithet refers to the flowers with white perianth and six stamens.
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| Vellozia mellosilvae Andr.Cabral, Magri & J.C.Lopes. A. Habitat of the species. B. Habit of the species. C. Frontal view of a flower. D. Lateral view of a flower and an immature fruit. E. Longitudinal section of a flower. F. Floral bud. G. Immature fruit. Photos by Renato Mello-Silva (A–E) and Andressa Cabral (F–G). |
Vellozia mellosilvae Andr.Cabral, Magri & J.C.Lopes, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Vellozia mellosilvae resembles V. armata by their tristichous phyllotaxis, violet perianth, and overlapping number of stamens, and dimensions of anther, style, and stigma. However, V. mellosilvae differs by the longer (1.6–4.2 cm vs 1.5 cm in V. armata) and evident pedicel (vs completely hidden by the leaves in V. armata), larger petals and sepals (2.5–4.2 × 0.9–1.2 cm vs 1.5–2.3 × 0.5 cm in V. armata), leaf furrows (present vs absent/reduced in V. armata), and margin (serrate vs spinescent in V. armata).
Distribution and habitat: Vellozia mellosilvae occurs in the campo rupestre of Itacambira municipality, southern Espinhaço Range, Minas Gerais state, Brazil (Fig. 3). This species is found in rocky outcrops among shrubs in sandy soil and rock crevices at elevations from 1,200 to 1,280 m.
Etymology: The epithet is named after Renato Mello-Silva (1961–2020), the greatest authority in the systematics of Brazilian Velloziaceae and who also collected the holotype of Vellozia mellosilvae.
Andressa Cabral, Renato Albuquerque Magri and Jenifer de Carvalho Lopes. 2022. Increasing Knowledge on the Diversity of Canelas-de-ema in the campo rupestre: Two New Species of Vellozia (Velloziaceae) from the southern Espinhaço Range, Brazil. Plant Ecology and Evolution. 155(3): 343-352. DOI: 10.5091/plecevo.94326
