El Incienso de Bolivia: Una Especie Nueva de Clusia (Clusiaceae) de los Bosques Montanos del Norte de La Paz, Bolivia

Abstract

A Clusia L. incense tree, Clusia pachamamae Zenteno-Ruíz & A. Fuentes (Clusiaceae), is described and illustrated. This new species from the montane Yungas forests of northwestern Bolivia differs clearly from other species of section Anandrogyne Planchon & Triana in having spicate short-pedunculate inflorescences with six to 16 sessile and decussate flowers. The species differs from various others to which it is morphologically close (and which also have sessile flowers) in the following ways: from C. tarmensis Engler by having 5- or rarely 6- (vs. always 6-)locular fruits and leaves with winged petioles 1.5–2.6 × 0.6–1.8 cm (vs. 0.4–0.8 × 0.2–0.3 cm); from C. peruviana Szyszylowicz by having obovate to rarely elliptic leaves more than 9 cm long (vs. elliptic and less than 9 cm), and a male inflorescence with six to 16 (vs. three to five) flowers; from C. cajamarcensis Engler by having flowers with five (vs. six) petals and a 5- or rarely 6- (vs. always 6-)locular ovary. This species exudes from its bark and branches a yellow resin that is collected and marketed by local villagers northwest of Bolivia where it is used traditionally for incense in Andean and Catholic rituals.