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Issue: Vol. 491 No. 3: 23 March 2021
Type: Article
Published: 2021-03-23
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.491.3.4
Page range: 239–248
Abstract views: 18
PDF downloaded: 1

Lectotypification and notes on the distribution of the giant herb Phenakospermum guyannense (Rich.) Miq. (Strelitziaceae)

Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão 277, 05508-090, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão 277, 05508-090, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Cidade Universitária Dom Delgado, Av. dos Portugueses 1966, Bacanga, 65080-805, São Luís, MA, Brazil
Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Cidade Universitária Dom Delgado, Av. dos Portugueses 1966, Bacanga, 65080-805, São Luís, MA, Brazil
Departamento de Química e Biologia, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, Praça Duque de Caxias s/n, Morro do Alecrim, 65604-090, Caxias, MA, Brazil
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Agroecologia, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Av. Lourenço Vieira da Silva 1000, Jardim São Cristovão, 65055-310, São Luís, MA, Brazil
Monocots Amazon Maranhão Nomenclature Taxonomy Zingiberales

Abstract

Phenakospermum guyannense is the only native species of Strelitziaceae in South America and occurs in the Amazon domain in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela. The species presents a negative sampling bias, probably due to the great effort necessary to collect it, as it presents long leaves and coriaceous bracts. In the course of the studies for the monograph of Strelitziaceae for Flora do Brasil 2020 project and with an increase in plant collecting in Maranhão state, Brazil, we have detected two necessary adjustments to the knowledge of the species: 1) lectotypification of the basionym Urania guyannensis described by L.C.M. Richard and 2) reevaluation of the geographic distribution of the species, highlighting new records for the Brazilian Northeast region. Both issues are addressed here. Additionally, we present a description, a preliminary conservation status, a distribution map and notes on the ecology of the species.