Resolution of the Hiraea cephalotes complex (Malpighiaceae)

Abstract

The assemblage of specimens from Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and western Venezuela that had been determined as a variable species, H. cephalotes Triana & Planch. (Malpighiaceae), was found to comprise seven species in addition to H. cephalotes (Colombia, Ecuador). Six are newly described: H. amazonica C.E. Anderson (Brazil), H. angustipetala C.E. Anderson (Ecuador), H. breteleri C.E. Anderson (Venezuela), H. ecuadorensis C.E. Anderson (Ecuador), H. escobariae C.E. Anderson (Colombia), and H. peruviana C.E. Anderson (Peru). Hiraea spruceana var. mortoniana J.F. Macbr. is elevated to the rank of species as H. mortoniana (J.F. Macbr.) C.E. Anderson (Peru). The name Hiraea spruceana Nied. is confirmed as a synonym of H. cephalotes. All eight species are characterized by having the flowers borne in axillary, multiflowered umbels. All but one have styles with a blunt apex; in H. amazonica the apex of the styles is drawn out into a short spur. All species are illustrated.