Taxonomic novelties and synopsis of the genus Digitaria (Poaceae, Panicoideae, Paniceae) in Central America

Abstract

This paper includes 10 new reports for the genus Digitaria: D. abyssinica, D. aequiglumis var. aequiglumis, D. lanuginosa, D. nuda, and D. venezuelae var. fendleri are reported for the first time in Panama; D. argillacea var. nulliseta and D. fuscescens in Honduras; D. sacchariflora in El Salvador and Guatemala; D. sanguinalis in Costa Rica; and D. similis in El Salvador, Guatemala and Panama. Six of these taxa are new reports from Central America: D. aequiglumis var. aequiglumis, D. argillacea var. nulliseta, D. lanuginosa, D. sacchariflora, D. similis y D. venezuelae var. fendleri. Four species are excluded from Central America. Panicum gavanianum is here synonymized under Digitaria similis, a new report from Perú, and Digitaria clavitricha is synonymized under D. venezuelae var. fendleri. Four species are illustrated for the first time. This paper includes synonymy, iconography, geographical distribution and habitat, vernacular names, specimens examined and observations. A key for the identification of taxa is also provided.