A new species and a new combination in Matelea (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae) from Southern South America.

EZCURRA, C.; BELGRANO, M.

SYSTEMATIC BOTANY

American Soc. Plant Taxonomy

Lugar: Laramie, USA; Año: 2007 vol. 32 p. 856 - 861

0363-6445

ABSTRACT. Gonolobus foetidus, a species from southern South America, is transferred to Matelea, being characterized by its horizontal pollinia and anthers lacking dorsal appendages (Matelea foetida). A new species, Matelea calchaquina, from arid environments of northwestern Argentina, is described and illustrated; data on its habitat, distribution, and phenology is provided. This is a distinctive species within Matelea due to its white flowers with narrow, tubular corollas, which suggest pollination by nocturnal moths. The difficulties in delimiting genera of Gonolobinae based on floral characters are discussed. A key to the species of Matelea from Argentina is included.KEYWORDS: flower morphology, Gonolobinae, pollination syndromes, taxonomy.