A New Species of Citharexylum (Verbenaceae) from the Andean foothills of Peru

O'LEARY, NATALY; FROST, L.

SYSTEMATIC BOTANY

AMER SOC PLANT TAXONOMISTS

Lugar: Laramie; Año: 2018 vol. 43 p. 1046 - 1050

0363-6445

A new species of Citharexylum from the foothills of inter-Andean dry valleys in Peru, Citharexylum peruvianum, is described and illustrated herein. It is distinguished from other closely related species with caulinar spines (C. andinum, C. flexuosum, C. herrerae, C. montevidense, and C. weberbaueri) by inflorescence morphology, leaf size, and pubescence. The newly defined taxon has 15?40 flowered racemes, rachis 7?12 cm long, and coriaceous leaves, with the leaf blade 4?6(8) × 2?3 cm and densely hirsute on the abaxial surface. A brief discussion on closely related species is provided. Citharexylum peruvianum is known exclusively from northwestern Peru, from the departments of Cajamarca, Lambayeque, and La Libertad. The species grows in the Andean foothills at mid-elevations between 1400?3000 m a.s.l., in rocky soils and on steep slopes with thorny scrubland. It is occasionally found in moist areas. This species has a restricted distribution and limited numbers of individuals, which will likely result in threatened status following formal review.