Passiflora metae, a new species of Passiflora series Laurifoliae (Passifloraceae) of the Andean piedmont in the Colombian Orinoquia

Abstract

A new species, Passiflora metae of the supersection Laurifolia ser. Laurifoliae occurring in Andean Colombia, on the eastern piedmont of the Cordillera Oriental in the Meta Department, is described and illustrated. Passiflora metae differs from the most morphologically closely related species of this series, P. nitida and P. acuminata, by its elliptical leaves with cuspidate apex, ensiform bracts (15–20 × 4.5–5 mm) with prominent glands, lanceolate sepals, corona with 5 series of filaments, slender, outermost 2 series, banded red and white at base, purple and white towards the apex, ovary ellipsoid and glabrous. Information about its habitat, ecology, distribution and conservation is provided. Taxonomic comments on the related species are also included. A key to the Colombian species of Passiflora series Laurifoliae and an updated list of the species that belong to the series Laurifoliae for Meta Department is presented.

Resurrection of Passiflora acuminata DC. and synonymization of P. tolimana Harms, P. gleasonii Killip, P. metae M. Bonilla, C. Aguirre & Caetano (Passifloraceae) following a study of their morphology and ecogeography

“…We first compare the descriptions of P. acuminata by Killip (1938) and Tillett (2003), P. tolimana by Harms (1894) and Killip (1938), the original description of P. metae by Bonilla Morales et al (2016) and those of P. gleasonii by Killip (1924Killip ( , 1938 and Tillett (2003). This comparison is focused on traits relative to stems, stipules, petiole, leaves, bracts, calyx, corolla, corona (outer and innermost series of filaments), operculum, limen, ovary, and fruit.…”

“…Caetano are very similar taxa that belong to series Laurifoliae not followed, and many authors (e.g. Vanderplank and Zappi 2011, Silva et al 2013, Bonilla Morales et al 2016 still mention it as a distinct species.…”

Delimitation of the series Laurifoliae in the genus Passiflora (Passifloraceae)

“…One year later, Vásquez (1998) revised the Laurifoliae from Bolivia and added a diagnostic trait for the group: bracts with glandular margins. Killip (1938) ; P. ambigua by Killip (1938); P. capparidifolia by Killip (1938); P. cerasina by Annonay & Feuillet (1997); P. chaparensis by Vásquez (1998); P. crenata by Feuillet & Cremers (1984); P. fernandezii by Escobar (1989) Killip (1938); P. maliformis by Killip (1938) and Ulmer & McDougal (2004); P. metae by Bonilla et al (2016); P. nigradenia by Vásquez (1998); P. nitida by Killip (1938); P. odontophylla by Killip (1938); P. pachyantha by Killip (1939) Killip (1938); P. venusta by Vásquez & Delanoy (2007). A light grey shade is used to underline trait variation in both typical and atypical species and three morphological criteria invalidated for their lack of consistency and/or documentation across the series (petiole nectar atrophy in P. popenovii is not considered significant).…”