Taxonomy and Biology of Andean Velloziaceae: Vellozia andina sp. nov. and Notes on Barbaceniopsis (including Barbaceniopsis castillonii comb. nov.)

Abstract

Abstract All published information on the Andean Velloziaceae is summarized and augmented by our own data obtained by revision of herbarium material, studies of cultivated plants and observations in the field. A new species from the central Andes within the department of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, is described and illustrated. Vellozia andina sp. nov. is distinguished by, among other characteristics, short, stout and trigonous stems and by the irregular pollen aggregates of more than eight grains. Habitat and ecology of the new taxon are described. This first Andean record considerably amplifies the known range of the genus Vellozia. The new species is a poikilohydrous and poikilochlorophyllous resurrection plant. Within the exclusively Andean genus Barbaceniopsis four species are recognized. Barbaceniopsis castillonii comb. nov., found in southern Bolivia and northern Argentina, with blue-violet and triangular-acute tepals forming a hypanthium, is differentiated from B. boliviensis, which has white, shorter, rather obtuse tepals and a shorter hypanthium. For both taxa new biological information and illustrations are provided. A distribution map and an identification key for all Andean Velloziaceae are presented. Communicating Editor: John V. Freudenstein