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Issue: Vol. 691 No. 1: 3 Mar. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-03-03
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.691.1.5
Page range: 63-73
Abstract views: 184
PDF downloaded: 15

A new species of Bertolonia with thickened stems, a rare feature in Melastomataceae living in dry areas

Programa de Pós-graduação em Botânica, Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
Departamento de Botânica, Campus Reitor João David Ferreira Lima, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia, 45622-900, Brazil
Center for Biodiversity & Evolution, The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY, USA
Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Centro Politécnico, Postal Box 19031, Curitiba, Paraná, 81531-970, Brazil
Atlantic Forest Bahia Bertolonieae Critically Endangered Microendemism Eudicots

Abstract

Bertolonia crassicaulis is described here as a new species from southeastern areas of the state of Bahia, Brazil. Diagnostic illustrations, field photographs, distribution map, recommended conservation assessment, and a discussion on putative related species based on morphological similarities are provided. This new species can be recognized by the thickened stems in part hidden in the leaf litter and probably with a water storage function, alternate leaves, light green leaf blades with a markedly cordate base, and main veins that are light pink on the abaxial surface. Bertolonia crassicaulis is suggested to be critically endangered (CR).

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How to Cite

Bisewski, G.C., Bacci, L.F., Amorim, A.M., Michelangeli, F.A. & Goldenberg, R. (2025) A new species of Bertolonia with thickened stems, a rare feature in Melastomataceae living in dry areas. Phytotaxa 691 (1): 63–73. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.691.1.5