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| Paypayrola panamensis H. E. Ballard, in Ballard, 2022. |
Abstract
A new species of Paypayrola is described from multiple exsiccatae from west-central and east-central Panama. Paypayrola panamensis sp. nov. is represented by dozens of herbarium specimens from 26 putatively distinct populations located at lower elevations on the northern slope, in wet evergreen tropical forest on slopes and ridgetops, as well as along streams and rivers. By in its moderately short-petiolate leaves and yellow corollas, the new species resembles northern South American P. guianensis and P. hulkiana. It differs from P. guianensis in its proportionally longer leaf blades, subsessile to short-pedunculate, short inflorescences, and puberulent sepals longer than broad. It differs from P. hulkiana in its proportionally broader leaf blades, and proportionally broader elliptical to suborbicular sepals, commonly with two (rarely four) distinct lateral nerves besides the medial nerve, and a broadly rounded to frequently truncate or retuse apex. The new species also differs from both in its larger leaf blades with more lateral nerves, tapering to a narrowly rounded or weakly subattenuate apex, and a more densely flowered inflorescence. A key differentiating it from other species of Paypayrola is provided. In discussing the genus, three species complexes are well separated based on corolla color and inflorescence features.
Keywords: Eudicots, Violaceae, Paypayrola, Panama
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| Features in life of flowering Paypayrola panamensis. A. Branch with leaves and inflorescences. B. Closeup of flowers. Photos by Barry Hammel. |
Paypayrola panamensis H. E. Ballard, sp. nov.
Paypayrola panamensis differs most obviously from P. guianensis in its proportionally longer leaf blades, subsessile to short-pedunculate, short inflorescences, and puberulent sepals that are commonly slightly to distinctly longer than broad; from P. hulkiana in its proportionally broader leaf blades, proportionally broader elliptical to suborbicular sepals commonly with two (rarely four) distinct lateral nerves in addition to the medial nerve and a frequently truncate or retuse apex; and from both in its larger leaf blades with more lateral nerves, blade apex weakly subattenuate to narrowly rounded, and a densely flowered inflorescence.
Etymology:—Being the sole Paypayrola in Mesoamerica and well represented by many collections in a bimodal distribution of west-central and east-central Panama, the species is named for the country of Panama to which it is endemic.
Distribution and habitat:—Paypayrola panamensis is presently confirmed from 48 herbarium specimens representing 26 separate localities inferred as distinct populations in central Panama (Fig. 3). The species grows in moist to wet evergreen forest on low slopes and low local ridgetops often near or along streams and rivers but rarely in riparian forest, on the Atlantic slope, to the west and east of the Canal Zone but not near it, at 30–500 m in elevation
Harvey E. (Jr.) Ballard. 2022. A New Paypayrola (Violaceae) from Panama, with Notes About the Species Complexes for the Genus. Phytotaxa. 542(3); 283–292. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.542.3.4
