Passiflora coelestis, a new species of Passiflora section Dysosmia (Passifloraceae sensu stricto) from Southern Brazil

Abstract

Passiflora coelestis is morphologically and anatomically described from living material as a new species belonging to the section Dysosmia, supersection Stipulata and subgenus and genus Passiflora. The species occurs in Araucaria Moist Forest, a phytophysiognomy of the Atlantic Forest biome. The section has been characterized as one of the most taxonomically complex groups within Passiflora. Passiflora coelestis is related to species within the Dysosmioides group and is similar to P. campanulata, differing mainly in the stipules, petiole, bracts, and corona filaments. The new species is morphologically compared with taxa of the section; moreover, additional anatomic, palynological and molecular data are also discussed with regard to taxonomic classification.