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Issue: Vol. 777 No. 2: 30 Sept. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-09-30
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.777.2.1
Page range: 101-111
Abstract views: 55
PDF downloaded: 19

Amphoria, a new monotypic genus of Amaranthaceae from the Pacific Coast of Mexico

Prinzessin Therese von Bayern Chair for Systematics; Biodiversity and Evolution of Plants; Faculty of Biology; Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München; Menzinger Str. 67; 80638 Munich; Germany
Department of Biology; Fort Lewis College; 1000 Rim Dr.; Durango; CO 81301; USA
Eudicots Celosieae Lagrezia

Abstract

Lagrezia monosperma has long posed a taxonomic challenge due to its strikingly disjunct distribution along the Mexican Pacific coast, far from the center of diversity of Lagrezia in the Western Indian Ocean. Through morphological study of herbarium material, evaluation of pollen characters, and integration of recent molecular phylogenetic evidence, we demonstrate that Lagrezia monosperma is neither closely related to Lagrezia nor assignable to Celosia. Instead, it represents a distinct lineage within the tribe Celosieae. We therefore describe Amphoria, a new monotypic genus, to accommodate this species, and make the new combination Amphoria monosperma. Amphoria is distinguished by its tapered ovary base, uniovulate ovary, smooth shiny seeds, narrow lanceolate tepals, and a short androecial cup, as well as by its microechinate, pantoporate pollen. The genus is endemic to the Pacific lowlands of Mexico, occurring from Jalisco to Oaxaca.

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How to Cite

Kiedaisch, T. & Mccauley, R.A. (2026) Amphoria, a new monotypic genus of Amaranthaceae from the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Phytotaxa 777 (2): 101–111. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.777.2.1