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| Scottmoria umbonata S.A.Mori ex J.E.Bat., in Batista-Guerra, Campos-Pineda et Carrión, 2026. |
Abstract
A new species, Scottmoria umbonata, from wet Caribbean forests on the slopes of Sierra Llorona, Province of Colón, Panama, is described and illustrated. We provide a comprehensive description of the new taxon, discuss its affinities with similar species, and include line drawings, field photographs, a distribution map, and a preliminary conservation status assessment.
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| Plate comparing Scottmoria umbonata (A–E) and Scottmoria woodsoniana (F–J). Scottmoria umbonata: A. Laminated grey bark. B. Abaxial leaf blade, showing 1–2 intersecondary veins not impressed to slightly impressed adaxially. C. Inflorescence. D. Close up of bud, showing calyx lobes and pedicel-hypantium zone. E. Lateral view of mature fruit. S. woodsoniana: F. Smooth reddish-brown bark. G. Abaxial leaf blade, showing 1–2 intersecondary veins strongly impressed adaxially. H. Inflorescence. I. Close up of bud, showing calyx lobes and pedicel-hypantium zone. J. Lateral view of mature fruit. (A, E, J. Batista et al. 2174; B–D, Galdames et al. 6359; F, I, H, J. Batista 1449; G, J. Batista 1455; J, J. Batista 1659). Photos by Juvenal Batista and Carmen Galdames. |
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| Scottmoria umbonata. A. Apical and lateral views of flowers. B. Androecial hood in cross section showing yellow staminodes and nectaries. C. Androecial hood in cross section showing pink staminodes and yellow nectaries. D. Clustered or agglomerated inflorescences. E. Agglomerated inflorescences showing buds, robust rachis and lateral view of flowers. F. Rachis of inflorescences in groups of 5–6 per node. (A, B, D–F, J. Batista et al. 2174; C, J. Batista et al. 2173). Photos by Juvenal Batista. |
Scottmoria umbonata S.A.Mori ex J.E.Bat., sp. nov.
Diagnosis:—Scottmoria umbonata and Scottmoria woodsoniana (Dwyer) (1965:362) Cornejo (2025: 489) are morphologically closely related species due to their similar flower color and depressed-globose fruits, but S. umbonata differs by presenting leaf blades with secondary veins slightly impressed adaxially (vs. strongly impressed in S. woodsoniana); 1–2 intersecondary veins not impressed to slightly impressed adaxially (vs. strongly impressed); leaf blade base cuneate, acute to slightly attenuate (vs. obtuse to rounded or truncate); inflorescences 2–5 per node, clustered, sometimes 1 per node (vs. solitary or 1 per node); rachis 0.5–3 (–7) cm long, thick and robust (vs. 2–8.5 cm, thin and slender); hypanthium verrucose with crowded lenticels (vs. smooth with scattered lenticels); sepals widely ovate (vs. ovate to oblong); flowers with style finely grooved (vs. smooth); style obconical (vs. columnar); stigma long-apiculate (vs. rounded to short-apiculate); mature fruits 6–7 × 3.5–8 cm (vs. up to 2.5 × 6 cm); supra-calycine zone 1.5–2.5 cm long (vs. 1–1.5 cm); the operculum with well-developed umbo from immature fruit to maturity (vs. convex operculum to poorly-developed); seeds 2–13 per mature fruit (vs. 5–6), with a flattened funicle (vs. thickened).
Vernacular name:—The people of the Santa Rita and Sierra Llorona communities call this species “Coquito de potrero”. Its vernacular name refers to its peculiar pyxidium and the fact that it is one of the few trees that survives in pastures (“potreros”) that were once primary forests its hard wood, short height, and seeds that are edible for cattle are among the reasons why it is not cut down in the area.
Juvenal E. BATISTA-GUERRA, Ernesto CAMPOS-PINEDA and Juan F. CARRIÓN. 2026. Scottmoria umbonata sp. nov. (Lecythidaceae) from Panama’s Caribbean rainforests. Phytotaxa. 750(3); 147-156. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.750.3.1 [2026-04-07]
