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| Stigmatodon minimus D.R. Couto & Leme, in Couto, Manhães et Leme, 2025. |
Abstract
The authors describe and illustrate Stigmatodon minimus, a new species with the smallest stature within the genus, and discuss its taxonomic affinities and conservation status. Furthermore, this new species is the only one, among all others with typical tubo-laciniate stigma type, to present diurnal anthesis, reddish-wine to purplish-wine bracts, and unappendaged white petals, contrasting with the morphological characteristics of other previously known species of Stigmatodon s.str. The new species is closely to S. amadoi, with which it is compared, and considered a microendemic, Vulnerable [VU: D2] species due to its restricted habitat, reduced population size, and threats from ornamental rock mining.
Bromeliaceae, Poales, rocky outcrops, tubo-laciniate stigma, Vrieseinae, Monocots
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| Stigmatodon minimus. A. General view of Pedra da Fortaleza, the type locality in the municipality of Nova Venécia, Espírito Santo state. B. Close up of the summit of Pedra da Fortaleza. C. The hyperepilithic habitat of S. minimus on vertical rock walls. D-E. Flowering individual of S. minimus growi ng mixed with small islands of rock vegetation (A–B photos by V. Manhães; C–D photos by D.R. Couto). |
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| Stigmatodon minimus (A-Q). A. Habit. B. Side view of the inflorescence. C. Back view of the inflorescence. D. Plantlets developed at the old basal portion of the stem. E. Basal leaf. F. Floral bract. G. Lateral view of the corolla. H. Frontal view of the corolla. I. Flower. J. Sepal. K. Distal part of the petal. L. Petal. M. Pistil. N. Ovules. O. Stigma. P. Frontal view of the anther. Q. Back view of the anther. Stigmatodon amadoi (Leme 5953, R-S). R. Frontal view of the flower. S. Habit (A, D-S photos by E. Leme; B-C photos by D.R. Couto). Bars: A-I, R-S = 10 mm, J-N, P-Q = 2 mm, O = 0.5 mm. |
Stigmatodon minimus D.R. Couto & Leme, sp. nov.
Etymology:— The name of this species is based on the Latin word “minimus”, meaning very small, minimum, the smallest, as a direct reference to its size, which is the smallest within the genus Stigmatodon.
Dayvid R. COUTO, Vitor Da Cunha MANHÃES and Elton M. C. LEME. 2025. A diurnal New Species of Stigmatodon (Bromeliaceae, Tillandsioideae) from vertical rock walls of the Atlantic Forest inselbergs, Espírito Santo state, Brazil. Phytotaxa. 720(2); 149-156. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.720.2.5 [2025-09-30]
