Synopsis of the genus Mapania (Cyperaceae, Mapanioideae, Hypolytreae) in the Colombian Amazon

Abstract

Mapania is a genus placed in the tribe Hypolytreae, subfamily Mapanioideae of the family Cyperaceae. It includes about 100 species worldwide, widely distributed throughout the tropics. In South America, this genus is represented by 14 species, five of them in Colombia. Its presence in the Colombian Amazon is uncertain due to lack of knowledge of the group and dubious records. The aim of this study is to present a taxonomic synopsis of Mapania for the Colombian Amazon. Specimens from COAH and COL herbaria as well as online databases were revised. Presence of five species is reported: Mapania effusa whose occurrence in Colombia is confirmed, M. pycnocephala and M. pycnostachya new records for the Amazon region, M. maguireana and M. theobromina new records for the Colombian flora. Morphological descriptions, information about the habitat, geographic distribution, notes, and photographs for these species are presented along with a key to identify the Colombian species of this genus.