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Type: Article
Published: 2014-11-07
Page range: 223–234
Abstract views: 20
PDF downloaded: 1

Two new species of Dichorisandra (Commelinaceae) from Rio de Janeiro and comments on the two species included in Vellozo’s “Flora Fluminensis”

Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Ambientais e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, Campus Universitário, Rua Rui Barbosa, 710, Centro, 44380–000, Cruz das Almas, BA, Brazil
Rua Dr. Mario de Nucci 500, 13083-290 Campinas, SP, Brazil
Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Instituto de Biologia, Caixa Postal 6109, Universidade Estadual de Campinas - UNICAMP, 13083–970, Campinas, SP, Brazil
Flora of Brazil Atlantic rain forest Dichorisandra Commelinaceae Flora Fluminensis

Abstract

Two new species of Dichorisandra collected  in Rio de Janeiro state are described based on studies in the field, herbarium specimens and cultivated plants. Dichorisandra odorata can be distinguished by its small stature, leaves congested at the apex of the stems, with the lamina densely pilose on both sides, fragrant flowers (unusual for the genus), six anthers with pilose connectives and dehiscent by an apical pore; Dichorisandra nana resembles D. thyrsiflora by the presence of six yellow anthers dehiscent by apical pores, however it differs being smaller, reaching only 30 cm tall, and by the position of the stamens in relation to the petals. Illustrations of the species, comparisons with species looking morphologically similar, discussion of the diagnostic characters, as well as their conservation status are presented. Vellozo´s Flora Fluminensis includes two names that belong to Dichorisandra, both treated under the genus Convallaria. The first one, C. diffusa, is a synonym of D. hexandra while the other, thought by Vellozo to be C. racemosa (= Maianthemum racemosum), is in fact D. thyrsiflora.