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| Solanum stellaticalycinum M.A.Cueva, Treviño & D.Sotomayor, in Cueva Manchego, Treviño, Sotomayor, Villalba et Knapp, 2025. Photos by M.A. Cueva. |
Abstract
A new species from the montane forests in central Peru belonging to the Pteroidea clade of Solanum is described and illustrated. Solanum stellaticalycinum M.A.Cueva, Treviño & D.Sotomayor, sp. nov. is known only from the Yanachaga-Chemillén National Park and adjacent areas (Prov. Oxapampa, Dept. Pasco, Peru). With simple leaves, it is morphologically similar to S. anceps Ruiz & Pav., a widespread species in South America, and to S. angustialatum Bitter and S. incurvum Ruiz & Pav., both known from the montane forests of northern and central Peru. Solanum stellaticalycinum is distinguished from all these by its purple pedicels and flowers with linear to narrowly triangular calyx lobes, a membranous corolla with lanceolate lobes and ovoid-conical, smooth or slightly rugose fruits. Here we discuss the taxonomic affinities, distribution and conservation status of this new species. We also include a key to all species of Pteroidea with complete distributions at the country level and department level distributions within Peru.
Key words: Andes, cloud forest, Solanum, taxonomy, Yanachaga-Chemillén
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| Solanum stellaticalycinum M.A.Cueva, Treviño & D.Sotomayor. A. Habit; B. Inflorescence; C. Flower; D. Floral dissection; E. Anther detail; F. Gynoecium detail. G, H. Fruit longitudinally dissected to reveal seeds (based on M. Cueva et al. 645). Illustration by Maria I. Villalba. |
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| Solanum stellaticalycinum M.A.Cueva, Treviño & D.Sotomayor. A, B. Habit; C. Inflorescence; D. Flower at full anthesis; E. Floral buds; F. Fruit (M. Cueva et al. 645). Photos by M.A. Cueva. |
Solanum stellaticalycinum M.A.Cueva, Treviño & D.Sotomayor, sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Solanum stellaticalycinum differs from all other species of the Pteroidea clade in its calyx with narrow linear lobes and corolla with narrow lanceolate lobes with elongate, acuminate apices that are spreading at anthesis. It differs from the sympatric S. anceps Ruiz & Pav. in its larger flowers and fruits on pendent rather than erect pedicels, and from S. mite Ruiz & Pav. and S. conicum Ruiz & Pav. in its simple, rather than deeply pinnatifid, leaves.
Etymology. The species epithet refers to the shape of the calyx, which is like a star (see Figs 1, 2). This character is not present in any other species of the Pteroidea clade.
Marco A. Cueva Manchego, Italo F. Treviño, Diego A. Sotomayor, María I. Villalba, Sandra Knapp. 2025. Solanum stellaticalycinum, A New simple-leaved Species of the Pteroidea Clade from Peru (Potato Clade, Solanum, Solanaceae). PhytoKeys. 266: 117-128. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.266.166870
Resumen: Se describe e ilustra una nueva especie de los bosques montanos del centro del Peru, perteneciente al clado Pteroidea de Solanum. Solanum stellaticalycinum M.A.Cueva, Treviño & D.Sotomayor, sp. nov. se conoce únicamente del Parque Nacional Yanachaga-Chemillén y áreas adyacentes (Prov. Oxapampa, Depto. Pasco, Perú). Con hojas simples, es morfológicamente similar a S. anceps Ruiz & Pav., una especie ampliamente distribuida en Sudamérica, y a S. angustialatum Bitter y S. incurvum Ruiz & Pav., ambas conocidas de los bosques montanos del norte y centro del Perú. Solanum stellaticalycinum se distingue de todas estas por sus pedicelos morados y flores con lóbulos del cáliz lineales a estrechamente triangulares, una corola membranosa con lóbulos lanceolados y frutos ovoide-cónicos, lisos o ligeramente rugosos. Aquí discutimos las afinidades taxonómicas, la distribución y el estado de conservación de esta nueva especie. También incluimos una clave para todas las especies de Pteroidea con distribuciones completas a nivel de país y distribuciones a nivel de departamento dentro del Perú.
