 |
| Ceratostema gualaquizensis M.M.Jiménez & H.Garzón, in Jiménez, Iturralde, Kuethe, Lapo-González, Baquero, Vélez et Garzón-Suárez, 2024. |
Abstract
A species of Ceratostema new to science from southern Ecuador, is described and illustrated as part of ongoing research on biodiversity in the Cordillera Real de Los Andes. Ceratostema gualaquizensis is distinguished by the convex leaves with folded margins at the base, and the axillary, solitary, and tubular flowers with a slightly 5-ribbed corolla that is magenta with apically black lobes. Furthermore, we provide additional information on the newly described Ceratostema loucianae. The taxonomic similarities of these two species are discussed and information about their distribution, habitat, and conservation status are provided. Both species are being sold and cultivated with erroneous/fictitious names by nurseries and private collections, information of which is provided in this paper.
Cordillera Real de Los Andes, Morona Santiago, Zamora Chinchipe, southeastern Ecuador, Eudicots
 |
| Lankester Composite Dissection Plate (LCDP) of Ceratostema gualaquizensis. A. Fertile branch with lateral view of a leaf (A1) and a close-up of the trichomes (A2). B. Adaxial (left) and abaxial (right) views of the leaves with a close-up of the basal leaf venation (B1) and trichomes (B2). C. Complete flower (left) with a ventral view of the corolla lobes (C1) and longitudinal section of the corolla without stamens (right). D. Calyx, pedicel and style with a close-up of the bracteole (D1 ) and its longitudinal section with a close-up of the ovary and ovules (D2). E. Stamens with a close-up of the thecae (E1). Elaborated by Nadia Lapo-González based on photographs of the type. |
 |
| Terminal branches with inflorescences. A. Ceratostema gualaquizensis. B. C. pendens. C1–C3. The entire flower, without corolla and stamens of Ceratostema gualaquizensis. C4–C6. The entire flower, without corolla and stamens of C. pendens. D1. Pedicel with a closeup of the base showing the bracteole of Ceratostema gualaquizensis. D2. Pedicel with a close-up of the base showing the bracteoles of C. pendens. Photos by Henry X. Garzón-Suárez based on the type and M. Jiménez 2282. |
Ceratostema gualaquizensis M.M.Jiménez & H.Garzón, sp. nov.
Ceratostema gualaquizensis is distinguished from other members of the genus by the elliptic leaves which are convex with involute margins at the base, the axillary, solitary flowers with the turbinate hypanthium, and the magenta corolla with the apices of the lobes being black, spreading, narrowly linear-triangular, and acuminate.
Etymology:—This new species is named after Gualaquiza, the name of the township and municipality where the
new species was found.
 |
| Ceratostema gualaquizensis in situ. Photos by Henry X. Garzón-Suárez. |
Marco M. Jiménez, Gabriel A. Iturralde, J.R. Kuethe, Nadia Lapo-González, Luis E. Baquero, Leisberth Vélez and Henry X. Garzón-Suárez. 2024. Ceratostema gualaquizensis (Ericaceae: Vaccinieae), A New Species from Ecuador known from previously misidentified specimens and new insights on Ceratostema loucianae. Phytotaxa. 671(2); 113-127. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.671.2.1
