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Issue: Vol. 760 No. 3: 9 Jun. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-06-09
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.760.3.3
Page range: 230-240
Abstract views: 0
PDF downloaded: 0

New species of Blakea (Melastomataceae: Pyxidantheae) from Costa Rica and Panama

California Academy of Sciences; Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability; Department of Botany; 55 Music Concourse Drive; Golden Gate Park; San Francisco; California 94118-4503; USA
Herbario Nacional; Museo Nacional de Costa Rica; Apartado 749-1000; Costa Rica; San José; Costa Rica
Department of Biology and Marine Biology; University of North Carolina Wilmington; 601 S. College Rd.; Wilmington; North Carolina 28403; USA
California Academy of Sciences; Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability; Department of Botany; 55 Music Concourse Drive; Golden Gate Park; San Francisco; California 94118-4503; USA
Eudicots Central America conservation epiphyte neotropics new species

Abstract

Blakea barbellata and B. loboana from Panama and Costa Rica respectively, are described, illustrated, mapped, and compared with morphologically similar species. Blakea barbellata is readily distinguished by its indumentum of barbellate trichomes, solitary flowers in upper leaf axils, uppermost nodes densely covered with and concealed by appressed ± flattened straw-colored trichomes; free outer and inner floral bracts of differing shapes and sizes; laterally coherent anther thecae, and dorso-basal triangular deflexed rugose appendages 1.5 mm long. Blakea loboana can be recognized by its floral peduncles 4–8 mm long, flowers mostly paired in upper leaf axils, elliptic-lanceolate to lanceolate floral bracts (the outer of which are longer than the inner ones), linear-oblong calyx lobes that equal or exceed petal length in bud, bluntly retuse petals, and ovary apex beset with gland-tipped white trichomes 3 mm long. Based on IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, a conservation assessment of Data Deficient and Vulnerable are recommended for Blakea barbellata and B. loboana, respectively.

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How to Cite

Almeda, F., Solano, D., Penneys, D.S. & Kriebel, R. (2026) New species of Blakea (Melastomataceae: Pyxidantheae) from Costa Rica and Panama. Phytotaxa 760 (3): 230–240. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.760.3.3