Reinterpretation of the nomenclatural type of Pseudobombax heteromorphum (Malvaceae, Bombacoideae) reveals an overlooked new species from Bolivia

In the course of a taxonomic revision of Pseudobombax Dugand, one of us (JGCS) frequently has observed herbarium specimens of Bombacoideae that comprise a mixture of different Angiosperm families. In particular, P. heteromorphum (Kuntze) A.Robyns, a frequent name in checklists of the Bolivian flora,...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jefferson de Carvalho-Sobrinho, Luciano de Queiroz, Bil Alverson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Pensoft Publishers 2013-05-01
Series:PhytoKeys
Online Access:http://phytokeys.pensoft.net/lib/ajax_srv/article_elements_srv.php?action=download_pdf&item_id=1459
Description
Summary:In the course of a taxonomic revision of Pseudobombax Dugand, one of us (JGCS) frequently has observed herbarium specimens of Bombacoideae that comprise a mixture of different Angiosperm families. In particular, P. heteromorphum (Kuntze) A.Robyns, a frequent name in checklists of the Bolivian flora, is based on type material of Bombax heteromorphum Kuntze that is clearly a mixture of Pseudobombax flowers and Tabebuia Gomes ex DC. (Bignoniaceae) leaves. We herein designate as the lectotype of B. heteromorphum the flowers of an herbarium sheet deposited in NY and as epitype a complete specimen (leaves, flowers, and fruit) in HUEFS. We consider Bombax heteromorphum to be a synonym of P. longiflorum (Mart.) A. Robyns, a species widespread in Neotropical seasonally dry forest of Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Peru. Furthermore, we describe a new species, P. pulchellum Carv.-Sobr., apparently endemic to seasonally dry tropical forest (SDTF) in Bolivia (Chiquitano dry forest), based on specimens commonly but incorrectly identified as P. heteromorphum. We also comment on the morphology, distribution, and conservation status of this new species.
ISSN:1314-2011
1314-2003