[Botany • 2019] Ombrophytum chilensis (Balanophoraceae) • A New Species of Ombrophytum from Chile, with Notes on Subterranean Organs and Vegetative Reproduction in The Family

Ombrophytum chilensis Kuijt & Delprete

in Kuijt & Delprete, 2019

 DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.420.4.2

Abstract

The Chilean desert specimens of Ombrophytum (Balanophoraceae) reported in the literature as O. subterraneum (Asplund) Hansen differ structurally in several respects from that species, which was described from moist tropical forest in Bolivia. Therefore the Chilean specimens are treated as a narrowly endemic, separate species, Ombrophytum chilensis Kuijt & Delprete, on the basis of the type specimen and published photographs. Discussions on morphology, distribution and conservation status are provided for this species. Critical comments on the underground organs and reproduction in Neotropical Balanophoraceae are also presented.

Keywords: Corynaea, Helosis, Langsdorffia, Thonningia, parasitic plants, underground structures, Eudicots

FIGURE 2. Ombrophytum chilensis, details from holotype specimen (Martin 468 (SI [Sheet A]).
 A, Specimen from upper envelope (see Fig. 1), view from external side; B, Same specimen, view from dissected side. Courtesy M. Belgrano. 

FIGURE 3. Inflorescences of Ombrophytum chilensis, from Murata (1997).
Photograph by J.D. Mauseth (near Chiu Chiu, Chile).

Ombrophytum chilensis Kuijt & Delprete, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis:— Ombrophytum chilensis differs from the other species of the genus in the translucent scales on the young peduncle (Fig. 3), while the other species apparently have naked peduncles, except for O. subterraneum having some scattered scales. Equally distinctive are the large, mostly tridentate fertile bracts (i.e., subtending inflorescence branches) that intergrade with the scales below (i.e., on the peduncle), while in other species of the genus they have a truncate-obconical stalk and a hemi-ellipsoid head in O. guayanensis Delprete (2014: 264, figs. 1D, F)), or they are clavate in O. violaceum B. Hansen (1977: 231; Hansen 1980: 58), or with a filiform stalk and distally obtriangular in O. microlepis B. Hansen (1980: 60, figs. 24F, G), or with a flat stalk and a “subulate to bifurcate or irregularly incised dent protruding upward from its lower part” (Hansen 1980: 64) in O. subterraneum.
...

 Distribution and Ecology:— At this time it appears that the above cited Antofagasta site represents the only Chilean one, not just for the genus, but for Balanophoraceae generally. Ecologically, the present species is unusual in existing in one of the most arid regions worldwide, while other species of the genus are mostly found in moist tropical forests, with the possible exception of the Galapagos population that has previously been assigned to O. subterraneum.

 Vernacular name:— Siicha (H.C. Martin 486).

Job Kuijt and Piero G. Delprete. 2019. A New Species of Ombrophytum (Balanophoraceae) from Chile, with Notes on Subterranean Organs and Vegetative Reproduction in The Family. Phytotaxa. 420(4); 264–272. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.420.4.2

Researchgate.net/publication/336566000_A_new_species_of_Ombrophytum_from_Chile

[Botany • 2019] Ombrophytum villamariensis (Balanophoraceae) • A New Species of Ombrophytum, A Genus not previously recorded for Colombia

Ombrophytum villamariensis S. Guzmán-Guzmán

in Guzmán-Guzmán, 2019.

  DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.424.1.6 

Abstract

A new species of Balanophoraceae, Ombrophytum villamariensis Guzmán-Guzmán, is described for Colombia, where the genus has not previously been recorded. At least the first part of the development of the inflorescence is underground. Inflorescences have simple lateral branches, bearing male flowers in the upper part of the inflorescence and female flowers in the lower part. The apical parts (peltas) of the inflorescence branches are morphologically different in the two areas. The first stages of the plants are ball-shaped, within which inflorescences are formed endogenously. When the latter finally emerge, they lift the ball’s surface layer which usually splits, leaving an irregular volva at the base of the inflorescence.

Keywords: Eudicots, Balanophoraceae, Caldas, Cordiaceae, Cordillera Central Andina, endogenous inflorescences, Lophophytoideae, parasitic plant, Oxycorynina

FIGURE 1. Ombrophytum villamariensis in situ.
 A. Inflorescence emerging from the ground; the calyptra is on the left. B. Mature tuber with two lateral tubers in development. C. Bract apex between female branches (red arrow). D. Old male inflorescences where the female part has remained underground.

 Scale bar: A, C, D = 20 mm; B = 4 mm. 

Photos by A. Montaña (A and C) & H. F. Arias (B and D).

Ombrophytum villamariensis S. Guzmán-Guzmán, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Ombrophytum villamariensis is similar to O. microlepis of low Amazonian areas of Peru and Brazil. However, differ in a much shorter peduncle (30 mm or absent vs 60 mm), longer male and female inflorescence branches (9–10 mm vs. 3–7 mm and 4–6 mm vs. 4 mm, respectively) and two entirely different types of peltas.

Etymology: The epithet refers to the municipality where the new species was discovered, a municipality that stands out for the beauty of its landscapes, its beauty immortalized in its hymn: “…De Colombia, Villa de las flores, y de Caldas bella rosa en botón…”

FIGURE 2. Types of rupture of the volva of Ombrophytum villamariensis and ecological interactions.
A. Inflorescence emerging from the tubercle producing a trilobular volva. B. “Calyptra” with irregular ruptures partially covering the inflorescence. C. Beetle of the subtribe Oxycorynina observed between the female and male inflorescence branches (red arrow). D. Bite marks of possible rodent (see enlarged section); tuber and host roots to the left.

Scale bar: A = 6 mm; B, D (and section) = 20 mm; C = 4 mm. 

Photos by A. Montaña (D) & J. C. Tovar (A, C and B).

Habitat and distribution: This species is found in Andean forests of the Central Cordillera of Colombia between 2400–2500 m, in the municipality of Villamaria, department of Caldas, Colombia. In addition to the two hosts mentioned above, other genera found at the site were Brunellia Ruiz & Pavón (1794: 71) (Brunelliaceae), Chamaedorea Willdenow (1806: 638) (Arecaceae), Saurauia Willdenow (1801: 407) (Actinidiaceae), Oreopanax Decaisne & Planchon (1854: 107) (Araliaceae), Cyathea Smith (1793: 416) (Cyatheaceae), Juglans Linnaeus (1753: 997) (Juglandaceae) and Croton Linnaeus (1753: 1004) (Euphorbiaceae).

Santiago Guzmán-Guzmán. 2019. A New Species of Ombrophytum (Balanophoraceae), A Genus not previously recorded for Colombia. Phytotaxa. 424(1); 61–66. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.424.1.6

[Botany • 2014] Balanophora coralliformis • A New Species (Balanophoraceae) from Mt. Mingan, Luzon, Philippines

 Balanophora coralliformis Barcelona, Tandang & Pelser

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.170.4.7

ABSTRACT 

Balanophora coralliformis Barcelona, Tandang & Pelser is described as a new species of Balanophoraceae. It is unique in its coral-like appearance due to the repeated branching of elongated, above-ground tubers and their coarse texture. It most closely resembles B. papuana in details of the staminate inflorescence and is sympatric with this species at its only known site in the montane forest of Mt. Mingan, bordering Aurora and Nueva Ecija provinces, Luzon, Philippines. 

Keywords: Balanophora; Philippines; taxonomy; new species

  

Pieter B Pelser, D.N. Tandang and Julie F Barcelona. 2014. Balanophora coralliformis (Balanophoraceae), A New Species from Mt. Mingan, Luzon, Philippines.
Phytotaxa. 170(4):291-295. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.170.4.7

ResearchGate.net/publication/262805616_Balanophora_coralliformis_(Balanophoraceae)_a_new_species_from_Mt._Mingan_Luzon_Philippines