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| Iochroma orozcoae A.Orejuela & S.D.Sm, in Orejuela, Smith, Villanueva et Deanna, 2023. |
Abstract
Iochroma orozcoae A.Orejuela & S.D.Sm., sp. nov. (Solanaceae) is described from the Andean forests of Cundinamarca in the eastern cordillera of Colombia. Iochroma orozcoae was first collected by the eminent Spanish priest and botanist José Celestino Mutis in the late part of the 18th century, but the specimens have lain unrecognised in herbaria for over 200 years. The species shares many features with its closest relative, Iochroma baumii S.D.Sm. & S.Leiva, but it differs from it in having small flowers with five corolla lobes and few inflorescences per branch, located near the shoot apex with 1 to 4 (–8) flowers, fruits that are greenish-yellow when ripe and its restricted geographic distribution. A description of I. orozcoae is provided, along with a detailed illustration, photographs of live plants, a comparison with closely-related species and a key to all Colombian species of Iochroma Benth. In closing, we emphasise the value of historical collections for the knowledge of biodiversity.
Key words: Andes, Colombia, Iochroma, Iochrominae, IUCN Red List, Solanaceae
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| Iochroma orozcoae A.Orejuela & S.D.Sm. A young branch B stem detail C, D leaf detail showing the abaxial and adaxial sides E floriferous branch with flowers in lateral view F floriferous branch with a flower in frontal view G fruits showing the accrescent appressed calyx. Photos by Andrés Orejuela. |
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| Iochroma orozcoae A.Orejuela & S.D.Sm. A flowering branch B inner corolla surface, showing the stamens C flower. Detail is shown for the simple and branched hairs on the corolla D gynoecium E, F details of the stamens and anthers G fruit with persistent calyx H seed. Drawn by Omar Bernal from Orejuela & Castillo 2942 & Orejuela et al. 3407. |
Iochroma orozcoae A.Orejuela & S.D.Sm., sp. nov.
Diagnosis:
A Iochroma baumii S.D.Sm. & S.Leiva affinis, sed paucarum inflorescentiae in ramum prope apicem germinis dispositae sunt, quae 1 ad 4 (–8) floribus, flores minores 1.5–2 cm longi; corolla quinque lobis constat, et fructus viridis-flavus colore maturo differt.
Etymology: This species is named in honour of Clara Inés Orozco Pardo, an Associate Professor of botany at the Instituto de Ciencias Naturales of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Her dedication to the understanding of Colombian flora, particularly in the fields of taxonomy and systematics of the Brunelliaceae and Solanaceae families, has been remarkable. She has also played a crucial role in mentoring several Colombian botanists, including the first author of this paper.
Andrés Orejuela, Stacey D. Smith, Boris Villanueva and Rocío Deanna. 2023. A New Species of Iochroma Benth. (Solanaceae) from the eastern Andes of Colombia. PhytoKeys. 232: 133-144. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.232.108474
Resumen: Iochroma orozcoae A.Orejuela & S.D.Sm., sp. nov. (Solanaceae) se describe a partir de los bosques andinos de Cundinamarca, en la cordillera oriental de Colombia. Iochroma orozcoae fue recolectada por primera vez por el eminente sacerdote y botánico español José Celestino Mutis a finales del siglo XVIII, pero los especímenes han permanecido sin ser reconocidos en herbarios durante más de 200 años. La especie comparte muchas características con su pariente más cercano, Iochroma baumii S.D.Sm. & S.Leiva, pero difiere de esta en sus flores más pequeñas con cinco lóbulos de la corola y pocas inflorescencias por rama ubicadas cerca del ápice de la rama, con 1 a 4 (–8) flores por inflorescencia, frutos verde-amarillentos al madurar, y su distribución geográfica restringida. Se presenta una descripción de I. orozcoae, junto con una ilustración detallada, fotografías en vivo, una comparación con las especies cercanamente relacionadas y una clave para las especies colombianas de Iochroma Benth. Finalmente, enfatizamos el valor de las colecciones históricas para el conocimiento de la biodiversidad.