Canna ascendens (Cannaceae), a new species from Buenos Aires Province, and comments on other argentine species of this genus

Abstract

Canna ascendens sp. nov. is described from several populations found in moist coastal and central locations of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, often growing together with another colonial, urban species, C. variegatifolia, having larger plants with variegated leaves. Plants of C. ascendens are tall
and large, yet smaller and more delicate than plants of C. variegatifolia; the leaves are concolorous, green, ovate to ovate-lanceolate in outline, usually conduplicate along their midrib with epicuticular wax over a striated or folded epidermis. More or less abundant intercellular pectic protuberances
(warts) were found on the cell walls of both adaxial and abaxial hypodermis. The inflorescences are polytelic, reduced, with 1-2 paraclades or, eventually, no paraclades at all. Paraclade flowers are few, often only one, wtih a dull, rosy orange color. Plants were investigated anatomically, and a detailed description with diagnostic characters is included. The new species is compared with other species of Canna that grow in the area and also with other argentine species.