Three new species of Bunchosia (Malpighiaceae): B. cuscana, B. hedraiophylla, and B. neillii

Abstract

Three new species of Bunchosia are described and illustrated. Bunchosia cuscana from Andean Peru bears two pseudoracemes per leaf axil, instead of the more common single inflorescence, and is compared with B. argentea with which it shares abaxially densely sericeous leaf blades and a 2-carpellate ovary. The 3-carpellate Mexican B. hedraiophylla has nearly sessile leaves and a paniculate inflorescence, an unusual character in Bunchosia that separates it from the B. macrophylla complex. Bunchosia neillii from Amazonian Ecuador is 3-carpellate and has glabrous leaves and petals with a glandular margin. A key is provided to separate B. neillii from similar species of western Amazonia and the Andes and of eastern Brazil.