[Botany • 2018] Miconia rheophytica (Melastomataceae: Miconieae) • A New and Endangered Species from the Magdalena Medio Region of Colombia

Miconia rheophytica Posada‒Herrera & Almeda

in Posada-Herrera & Almeda, 2018

  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.371.1.7 

Abstract

Miconia rheophytica is described, illustrated, and compared with presumed relatives in the Octopleura clade. It is distinguished by its narrowly elliptic to ovate-lanceolate leaf blades with entire to subentire margins that have evenly spaced spreading smooth eglandular trichomes 0.8−1.4 mm long, an indumentum of dendritic trichomes with short axes and terete radiating arms on distal internodes, adaxial petiole surfaces, and primary and secondary veins on abaxial leaf surfaces, unribbed hypanthia that are constricted and tapered distally below the torus and covered with a mixture of basally roughened trichomes and dendritic trichomes with short axes, anthers with two ± truncate apical pores, eglandular anther appendages, 3-locular ovary, and berries that are bright blue at maturity. It is known only from flash-flooded riverbanks in three river canyons in the Magdalena Medio region of Antioquia, Colombia. A conservation assessment of “Endangered” is recommended for this species based on IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Keywords: Andes, rheophyte, endangered species, neotropics, Octopleura clade, Eudicots

Figure 1. A. Habit. B. Cauline node and internode enlargement. C. Leaf apex, showing evenly spaced smooth marginal trichomes. D. Dendritic trichome with terete radiating arms. E. Simple axillary dichasium. F. Flower at anthesis (profile view). G. Elongated trichome with roughened base. H. Petal, showing reflexed posture. I. Stamen (profile view). J. Seeds, dorsal view (lower) and profile view (upper). All drawn from the holotype.

Figure 2. Images of Miconia rheophytica.
A. Habit with immature and mature berries. B. Flower and immature berries. C. Flower (at anthesis) and flower bud. D. Berry at maturity. Image credits: A, C, Rodrigo Bernal; B, D, Saúl E. Hoyos-Gómez.

Miconia rheophytica Posada‒Herrera & Almeda, sp. nov. 

Type:— COLOMBIA. Antioquia: Municipio de San Luis, río Samaná Norte, 2 km abajo del puente de la carretera Medellín‒Bogotá. ..., 430 m, 18 diciembre 2016 (fl, fr), S. E. Hoyos-Gómez 3105 (holotype: HUA!). Figs. 1, 2. 

Diagnosis: Unusual and unique among species of the Octopleura clade in being rheophytic and in having a combination of narrowly elliptic to ovate-lanceolate leaf blades with entire to subentire margins that have evenly spaced spreading smooth eglandular trichomes 0.8−1.4 mm long, unribbed hypanthia covered with a mixture of basally roughened trichomes and dendritic trichomes with short axes, anthers with two ± truncate apical pores, eglandular anther appendages, 3-locular ovary, and berries that are bright blue at maturity.

....

Distribution and habitat:— Miconia rheophytica appears to be largely restricted to the Magdalena Medio region of Colombia where it is known only from the Department of Antioquia (Fig. 3). It grows along rocky banks of Río Nechí, and in the Río Samaná Norte and Río Claro river canyons in the municipalities of Anorí and San Luis at elevations of 110−600 m.

 Etymology:— The specific epithet is derived from the word rheophyte, a plant that grows along margins of fast moving river currents with frequent flooding. This is an environment that is particularly harsh for many organisms. 

Juan Mauricio Posada-Herrera and Frank Almeda. 2018. Miconia rheophytica (Melastomataceae: Miconieae), A New and Endangered Species from the Magdalena Medio region of Colombia. Phytotaxa. 371(1); 55–61. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.371.1.7

[Botany • 2017] Athyrium haleakalae • A New Rheophytic Fern Species (Athyriaceae) from East Maui, Hawaiian Islands: with Notes on Its Distribution, Ecology, and Conservation Status

Athyrium haleakalae K.R. Wood & W.L. Wagner   

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.76.1163 

Abstract

Athyrium haleakalae K.R. Wood & W.L. Wagner (Athyriaceae), a small lithophytic fern from East Maui, Hawaiian Islands, is described and illustrated. Notes on its distribution, ecology, and conservation status are also presented. The new species appears to be an obligate rheophyte, preferring sites of fast moving water along concave walls of streams and waterfalls. Athyrium haleakalae differs from the only other known Hawaiian Athyrium, A. microphyllum (Sm.) Alston, in having rhizomes 1–3 cm long and lanceolate blades 1- to 2-pinnate-pinnatifid, 3–8(–11) × 1–3(–4) cm, as compared to A. microphyllum having rhizomes (10–)15–30 cm long and ovate to ovate-triangular blades 3-pinnate-pinnatifid to 4-pinnate, 30–82 × 20–50 cm.

Keywords: Athyriaceae, Athyrium, new species, rheophyte, Hawaiian Islands, East Maui endemic, Critically Endangered

Figure 4. A Mature plants of Athyrium haleakalae, showing habitat preference along concave hollow of stream, Hana Forest Reserve, East Maui, HI (22 Aug 2013, Wood & Oppenheimer 15639) B Mature plant of Athyrium microphyllum, showing terrestrial habitat preference, erect rhizome, and large size, Mohihi, Kaua‘i, HI (18 Dec 2014, Wood & Flynn et al. 16175). Photos by K.R. Wood. 

Figure 3. Typical habitat of Athyrium haleakalae around stream plunge pools, Hana Forest Reserve, East Maui, HI. Photo by K.R. Wood, 21 Aug 2013. 

Athyrium haleakalae K.R. Wood & W.L. Wagner, sp. nov.

  Diagnosis: Athyrium haleakalae differs from the only previously known Hawaiian Athyrium, A. microphyllum, in having rhizomes 1–3 cm long and lanceolate blades 1- to 2-pinnate-pinnatifid, 3–8(–11) × 1–3(–4) cm, as compared to A. microphyllum with rhizomes (10–)15–30 cm long and ovate to ovate-triangular blades 3-pinnate-pinnatifid to 4-pinnate, 30–82 × 20–50 cm.

Etymology: The new species is named after Haleakalā, East Maui, a massive, dormant shield volcano (3,057 m tall) and the only known location of Athyrium haleakalae.

Kenneth R. Wood and Warren L. Wagner. 2017. Athyrium haleakalae (Athyriaceae), A New Rheophytic Fern Species from East Maui, Hawaiian Islands: with Notes on Its Distribution, Ecology, and Conservation Status.
PhytoKeys. 76; 115-124. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.76.1163

[Botany • 2016] Plantago humboldtiana • An Extremely Narrow Endemic New Species (Plantaginaceae) from A Waterfall in southern Brazil: Yet Another New Species from One of the Best-studied Neotropical Areas

Plantago humboldtiana  Hassemer  

Plantago humboldtiana  Hassemer 

Abstract

This article presents and describes Plantago humboldtiana, an extremely narrow endemic rheophytic new species from a waterfall in Corupá, Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil. The new species is unique in presenting a combination of type-G antrorse trichomes on scapes, pendulous inflorescences and 1-seeded pyxidia. Only one population is known to exist, despite intensive search efforts in nearby, similar environments. Its conservation status is assessed as critically endangered (CR) as the only known population is restricted to a dramatically small area, and is subject to extreme fluctuation due to occasional floods, and also to intense visitation by tourists, which can disturb its fragile habitat. We also present an updated identification key to the species of Plantago that occur in Santa Catarina. The recent description of three narrow endemic, threatened new species of Plantago in Santa Catarina, which is the Brazilian state with its flora best studied, highlights the need for more taxonomic research, especially in the neotropics.

Keywords: Lamiales, Identification key, Neotropics, Plantagineae, Rheophyte, Santa Catarina,  South America, Threatened species

Figure 4: Photographs of Plantago humboldtiana. (A) The only known population of Plantago humboldtiana. (B) Detail of the environment. (C) Isolated individual clearly displaying the pendulous inflorescences, one of the key characters of this species. (D) Detail of inflorescence (photograph by Luís Adriano Funez). (E) Overview of Salto Grande waterfall, in Corupá municipality, Santa Catarina state. 

Gustavo Hassemer and Nina Rønsted. 2016. Yet Another New Species from One of the Best-studied Neotropical Areas: Plantago humboldtiana (Plantaginaceae), An Extremely Narrow Endemic New Species from A Waterfall in southern Brazil.
 PeerJ. 4:e2050. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2050

researchgate.net/profile/Gustavo_Hassemer

[Botany • 2015] Sarcolobus cambogensis • A New rheophytic Shrub (Marsdenieae, Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae) from the Central Cardamom Region, Koh Kong Province, Cambodia

Sarcolobus cambogensis McHone & Livsh.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.197.1.5

Abstract

A new species of Apocynaceae from Cambodia, Sarcolobus cambogensis McHone & Livsh., is described and illustrated. Specimens of the new species, all from the Central Cardamom Region, Koh Kong Province, have morphological characters diagnostic of Sarcolobus (truncate stylehead apices and oblong corpuscula). Like Sarcolobus luzonensis (Warb.) P.I. Forst. and S. borneensis (van Steenis) P.I. Forst., S. cambogensis has a rheophytic, shrubby habit, unusual in both Sarcolobus and Apocynaceae. It differs from the latter two species in its broader leaves, larger corona, and wider caudicles.

Keywords: Cambodia; Indochina; Cardamom Region; Koh Kung Province

Elizabeth McHone, Hyosig Won and Tatyana Livshultz. 2015. Sarcolobus cambogensis (Marsdenieae, Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae): A New rheophytic shrub from Cambodia. Phytotaxa. 197 (1): 45–53. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.197.1.5

http://mapress.com/phytotaxa/content/2015/f/pt00197p053.pdf