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| Desmopsis terriflora G.E.Schatz, T.Wendt, Ortiz-Rodr. & Martínez-Velarde, in Martínez-Velarde, Rodrigues-Vaz, Soulé, Nge, Schatz, Couvreur et Ortiz-Rodriguez, 2023. |
Abstract
Flagelliflory refers to the production of inflorescences exclusively on long, whip-like branches which emerge from the main trunk and extend along the ground or below it. It is the rarest type of cauliflory and only a few cases have been reported in the world. Here, a new species of Annonaceae with flagelliflory is described and illustrated. The phylogenetic relationships of the new species were inferred using a hybrid-capture phylogenomic approach and we present some notes on its reproductive ecology and pollen characteristics. The new species, namely Desmopsis terriflora sp. nov., is part of a clade composed of Mexican species of Stenanona with long, awned petals. Desmopsis terriflora is distinguished by its flageliflorous inflorescences, basely fused sepals, thick red petals, reduced number of ovules per carpel, pollen grains with a weakly rugulate to fossulate exine ornamentation, and its globose, apiculate fruits with a woody testa. The morphological characteristics of the flagella suggest that these are specialized branches rather than inflorescences, and the absence of ramiflory implies an exclusively reproductive function. The flowers are infrequently visited by insects, their potential pollinators being flies and ants.
Key words: Anatomy, Cauliflory, Mexico, phylogeny, tropical rain forest
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| Desmopsis terriflora G.E.Schatz, T.Wendt, Ortiz-Rodr. & Martínez-Velarde A multiple flagella emerging from the base of the main trunk B flagella lying on the rocky ground C, D lateral inflorescences on the flagellum E flower in anthesis F monocarps G male flower releasing pollen H female flower. |
Desmopsis terriflora G.E.Schatz, T.Wendt, Ortiz-Rodr. & Martínez-Velarde, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Desmopsis terriflora is similar to Stenanona flagelliflora since both species have flowers and inflorescences growing exclusively on flagella. Desmopsis terriflora differs from it by the combination of larger-sized individuals, flowers with rigid petals, food bodies at the base of the inner petals, fused sepals, a greater number of carpels and ovules per carpel, by its monocarps with a hard and woody testa, and its flagella up to 15 meters in length (Table 2).
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Etymology: The specific epithet “terriflora” refers to its flowers emerging from the ground.
María Fernanda Martínez-Velarde, Carlos Rodrigues-Vaz, Vincent Soulé, Francis J. Nge, George E. Schatz, Thomas L. P. Couvreur and Andrés Ernesto Ortiz-Rodriguez. 2023. Desmopsis terriflora, An Extraordinary New Species of Annonaceae with Flagelliflory. PhytoKeys. 227: 181-198. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.227.102279
