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| Valeriana rudychazaroi Cházaro, Franc.Gut. & J.R.Carral, in Francisco-Gutiérrez, Cházaro-Basáñez et Carral-Domínguez, 2023. |
Abstract
The currently known species of Valeriana are herbs, shrubs, small trees and vines. After 20 years without new species of Valeriana in Mexico, here is described and illustrated the first epiphytic species in the genus. The species was found growing on Quercus glabrescens trees of the cloud forests from central Veracruz in eastern Mexico. It is known and described from very few specimens in the type locality. The most morphologically similar Mexican species are the vines V. naidae and V. subincisa, it was compared. Conservation assessment classifies this species under the Critically Endangered CR B1+B2ab(ii,v) category of the IUCN Red List Criteria.
Key words: Cloud forest, Dipsacales, endemic species, epiphytic species, Mexico
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| Valeriana rudychazaroi Cházaro, Franc.Gut. & J.R.Carral. A habit of flowering branch B staminate flower C fruit. Drawn from the holotype Carral-Domínguez & Cházaro-Basáñez 766 (XAL). Illustration by Gerardo Andrade–Quintos. |
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| Valeriana rudychazaroi on Quercus glabrescens trees in the field. Photograph taken by Rodrigo Carral-Domínguez. |
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| Valeriana rudychazaroi in the field. A habitat at an altitude of 3–6 m on Quercus glabrescens trees B detail of inflorescence with flowers and fruit C hosts in cloud forests from central Veracruz, Mexico. Photographs taken by Rodrigo Carral-Domínguez. |
Valeriana rudychazaroi Cházaro, Franc.Gut. & J.R.Carral, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Valeriana rudychazaroi can be distinguished from all the known species of the genus by its epiphytic habit on trees of Quercus glabrescens Benth. (vs. herbs, shrubs, subshrubs, small trees or climbing vines in the rest of the genus). It is morphologically similar to V. naidae Barrie and V. subincisa Benth., from which it differs by having thinner stems (0.25–0.6 cm vs. up to 2 cm in diameter in both species), leaves elongately spatulate (vs. ovate to elliptic or narrowly ovate to elliptic, respectively), inflorescence corymboid (vs. paniculoid in both species), inserted stamens in flowers (vs. exserted in both species), different shape of fruits (ovate vs. oblong to lanceolate in both species) and longer fruits (3–5 mm vs. 2–3 mm in both species).
Etymology: Miguel Cházaro dedicates the name of the species to Rudy Miguel Cházaro-Hernández, his beloved son, who, since an early age, has accompanied him on numerous botanical trips (Fig. 5).
Antonio Francisco-Gutiérrez, Miguel Cházaro-Basáñez and Rodrigo Carral-Domínguez. 2023. The First Epiphytic Species of Valeriana in the World: Valeriana rudychazaroi (Caprifoliaceae). PhytoKeys. 236: 145-156. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.236.110905
