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Issue: Vol. 748 No. 1: 19 Mar. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-03-19
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.748.1.2
Page range: 34-42
Abstract views: 0
PDF downloaded: 0

A new species of Melochia L. (Malvaceae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
Brazilian Flora Endemic species Hermannieae Restinga Taxonomy Eudicots

Abstract

During an ongoing systematic study of Brazilian Melochia species (Byttnerioideae, Malvaceae), we discovered an unusual species with homostylic flowers, characterized by the presence of glandular trichomes on both surfaces of the leaf blade, a reduced number of veins in the leaf, and smaller calyx, stamen, and fruit stipe sizes. Melochia cristobaliae is described here as a new species, endemic to the Atlantic Forest in the states of Alagoas and Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil, found in areas under human pressure. We provide a detailed morphological description, illustrations, preliminary conservation status assessments following IUCN Red List guidelines, and an identification key for Melochia species from the states of Alagoas and Pernambuco.

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How to Cite

Costa, F.C.P.D., Rocha, A.M. & Buril, M.T. (2026) A new species of Melochia L. (Malvaceae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Phytotaxa 748 (1): 34–42. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.748.1.2