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| Yucca muscipula M. Ayala-Hern., Ríos-Gómez, E. Solano & A. García-Mend., in Ayala-Hernández, Ríos-Gómez, Solano & García-Mendoza, 2022. [photos: R. Ríos-Gómez (a, c, e); E. Solano (b)] |
Abstract
Yucca muscipula is described and illustrated as a new species endemic to the Barranca de Metztitlán Biosphere Reserve, Hidalgo, Mexico. This species is morphologically related to Y. mixtecana but is shorter, has a stem that lacks branching, and has glaucous leaves that are linear, with papillae on both surfaces and an entire margin, separating into recurved filaments. When dry, the leaves of Y. muscipula persist in the distal portion of the stem after the first flowering. It can grow sympatrically with Y. filifera, that also has a pendulous inflorescence and papillose filaments across entire surface, but from which it differs in several traits including glabrous branches, and larger flowers and fruits.
Keywords: Agavaceae, Hidalgo, Sarcocarpa, Sierra Madre Oriental
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| Yucca muscipula: a) plants, b) leaves with margin filaments, c) plants with inflorescence, d) flowers, e) fruits. Y. mixtecana: f) plants, g) inflorescence, h) flowers, i) fruits (photos: R. Ríos-Gómez, a, c and e; E. Solano, b and d; A. García-Mendoza, f–i). |
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| Yucca muscipula M. Ayala-Hern., Ríos-Gómez, E. Solano & A. García-Mend., a) complete plant, b) leaf, c) apex leaf, d) branch inflorescence, e) flower, f) dissected flower, g) stamen, h) gynoecium, i) fruit, j) seeds. Illustration by Albino Luna Sánchez. |
Yucca muscipula M. Ayala-Hern., Ríos-Gómez, E. Solano & A. García-Mend., sp. nov.
Yucca muscipula is morphologically similar to Yucca mixtecana and to a few branched individuals of Y. filifera, from which it differs in the unbranched stem, and longer leaves that are persistent on the distal portion of the stem after the first flowering. Its tepals are 4–5 cm long, with the outer ones being 1.0–1.5 cm wide and the inner ones being 1.4–2.0 cm wide. Its filaments are 1.8–2.8 cm long and papillose, while its ovary is 1.8–2.3 cm long and 3.3–6.3 mm in diameter; the fruit and seeds seeds are larger than those of Y. filifera.
Etymology:—The epithet is derived from the common name by which this plant is known in the type locality,
“mousetrap palm” (mousetrap = muscipula).
Uses:—The whole plant is used to establish living fences and the flowers are edible.
María M. Ayala-Hernández, Ramiro Ríos-Gómez, Eloy Solano and Abisaí García-Mendoza. 2022. Yucca muscipula (Asparagaceae, Agavoideae), A New Species from central Mexico. Phytotaxa. 543(2); 103-112. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.543.2.1
Resumen: Se describe e ilustra Yucca muscipula como especie nueva endémica de la Reserva de la Biosfera Barranca de Metztitlán, Hidalgo, México. Esta especie se relaciona morfológicamente con Y. mixtecana, pero difiere de esta por tener una menor altura, tallo sin ramificarse, hojas glaucas, lineares, con papilas en ambas superficies y margen entero separándose en filamentos recurvados. Cuando secas, las hojas persisten en la porción distal del tallo después de la primera floración. Y. muscipula puede crecer simpátricamente con Y. filifera, que también tiene una inflorescencia péndula y filamentos con papilas en toda su superficie, pero de la que difiere en varios rasgos, como ramas de la inflorescencia glabras, flores y frutos más grandes.
