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| Malaxis excentrica Chinchilla, Karremans & M.A.Blanco, in Chinchilla, Karremans et Blanco, 2022. |
Abstract
We describe and illustrate a new species and a new record of Malaxis from the lower montane and montane forests of Costa Rica. Taxonomic descriptions, illustrations, distribution maps, and conservation assessments are provided for each species. Malaxis excentrica sp. nov. is morphologically similar to Malaxis simillima, from which it can be distinguished by having a single leaf per sympodial unit, shorter, obovate, erect petals parallel to the column, the lip with triquetrous, acute, convex apical margin and the disc cavity divided by a costa. Malaxis pittieri is formally recorded for the flora of Costa Rica; Costa Rican specimens of this species were previously confused with Malaxis majanthemifolia. A lectotype for Microstylis pittieri is formally designated.
Keywords: Malaxis acianthoides, Malaxis excentrica, Malaxis fastigiata, Malaxis majanthemifolia, Malaxis pittieri, Malaxis simillima
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| Malaxis excentrica. A. Habit. B. Floral bract, adaxial view. C. Flower, oblique view. D. Dissected perianth (the lip on the right), flattened. E. Apex of ovary, petals and column, lateral view. F. Ovary, lip and column. G. Column, dorsal (left) and ventral (right) views. H. Pollinia. Drawn from the holotype by Isler F. Chinchilla. |
Malaxis excentrica Chinchilla, Karremans & M.A.Blanco sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Vegetatively similar to Malaxis simillima (Rchb.f.) Kuntze, but differs in having one leaf (vs. two leaves) per sympodial unit, shorter (1.0−1.2 mm vs. 2.3−3.8 mm) petals that are obovate, erect, paral-lel to the column (vs. linear, recurved, surrounding the ovary), the lip with triquetrous, acute, convex (vs. tri-fid, concave) apical margin, and the disc cavity divided (vs. non-divided) by a costa.
Etymology: The specific epithet comes from the Latin excentricus, meaning eccentric or out from the center, in reference to the shape and position of petals, which are atypical in Malaxis.
Isler F. Chinchilla, Adam P. Karremans and Mario A. Blanco. 2022. A New Species and A New Record of Malaxis (Malaxidinae) from Costa Rica. Lankesteriana. 22(1); 37–51. DOI: 10.15517/lank.v22i1.50848
