Two new remarkable Dendropanax (Araliaceae) from Costa Rica

J. Francisco Morales

doi:10.14522/darwiniana.2022.102.1060

Authors

J. Francisco Morales National Herbarium of Trinidad and Tobago, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago; Research Associate, Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8906-8567

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14522/darwiniana.2022.102.1060

Keywords:

Apiales, Central America, Mesoamerica, Monteverde, Tarrazú, taxonomy

Abstract

Two new species of Dendropanax (Araliaceae) endemic to Costa Rica are described. Dendropanax aberrans J.F. Morales resembles D. grandiflorus but differs by the inflorescence structure (panicle of umbels vs. single umbel), and the smaller sizes of both the hypanthium and the petals. Dendropanax zarratu J.F. Morales is unique among Central America and West Indian taxa. It is recognized by its panicle of umbels, with the peduncles agglomerate, flowers 8-9-merous, hypanthium 7-8 mm long, and fruits 1.2-1.4 cm long. Illustrations of the new species and a key to the four Dendropanax having elongated hypanthia (≥ 4 mm long) in Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, and Colombia are provided.