Maxillaria luizotavioi (Orchidaceae: Maxillariinae): a new species from the Oriental Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

We describe and illustrate Maxillaria luizotavioi, a new orchid species from the Brazilian Amazon belonging to Maxillaria sect. Rufescens. The new species can be distinguished from Maxillaria cruentata from Colombia, the morphologically most similar species, by having pale yellow sepals and petals, lanceolate lateral sepals and dark vinous lip with rounded to obtuse apex. Additionally, we provide an identification key to the species of the section that occurs in Brazil.

new species of <i>Maxillaria</i> (Maxillariinae) from the northern Andes and a new synonym of <i>Maxillaria floribunda</i>

“…Maxillaria Ruiz & Pav. sensu lato is one of the most diverse orchid genera in the world, embracing about 651 species (Christenson et al 2012, Engels & Smidt 2023, Lipińska et al 2022, Schuiteman & Chase 2015. Plants of Maxillaria grow as epiphytes, lithophytes, or terrestrials in cloudy, wet, or more rarely in seasonally dry forests, from the United States (Florida) and Mexico to northern Argentina, including the Antilles (Schuiteman & Chase 2015).…”