 |
| Ceratostema revoluta M.M.Jiménez, H.Garzón & Iturralde, in Jiménez, Garzón-Suárez et Iturralde, 2025. |
Abstract
A new species of Ceratostema from the Cordillera del Cóndor in Ecuador is described and illustrated. Ceratostema revoluta is distinguished by its nearly tubular leaves with revolute margins, pulvinate petioles, reddish flowers with white base and brownish to black lobes, short, complanate pedicel with carinate bracteoles appressed to the base and calyx lobes appressed to the corolla and overlapping each other below the middle. The taxonomic similarities of the new species are discussed and information about its distribution, habitat and conservation is provided.
Key words: Northern Andes, Morona Santiago, south-eastern Ecuador, taxonomy
 |
| Ceratostema revoluta. A. Fertile branch, with petiole of leaf with axillary bud (B) and rachis bracts (C); D. Abaxial (left) and adaxial (right) views of leaves with transverse section of leaf (E) and expanded leaf showing venation under backlighting (F); G. Inflorescence; H. Bracts, abaxial (left) and adaxial (right) views; I. Bracteoles, adaxial (left) and abaxial (right) views; J. Flower; K. Hypanthium, calyx, pedicel and style, with longitudinal section of pedicel, hypanthium, nectariferous disc and ovary (L); M. Corolla; N. Mature fruits; O. Stamens, dorsal (P) and lateral (Q) views. Prepared by G.A. Iturralde and H.X. Garzón-Suárez from photographs of the holotype. |
 |
| Species of Ceratostema with similar flowers. A. Ceratostema revoluta; B. C. agettiorum; C. C. bracteolatum; D. C. doucettei. A, B. Photographed by H.X. Garzón-Suárez; C. By G. Harling; D. By A. Ito. |
Ceratostema revoluta M.M.Jiménez, H.Garzón & Iturralde, sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Ceratostema revoluta is distinguished from other members of the genus by its nearly tubular, linear-lanceolate leaves with revolute margins, pulvinate petioles, sessile inflorescences with reddish flowers with white base and brownish to black lobes, short complanate pedicels with basal carinate appressed bracteoles and appressed calyx lobes that overlap each other below the middle (Fig. 1).
Etymology. The new species is named by the strongly revolute margins of the leaves.
Marco M. Jiménez, Henry X. Garzón-Suárez and Gabriel A. Iturralde. 2025. A New Species of Ceratostema (Ericaceae) with nearly tubular leaves from the Cordillera del Cóndor, Ecuador. PhytoKeys. 261: 77-86. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.261.156555