Three new species of Markea (Solanaceae, Juanulloeae) from Colombia

Abstract

Three new species of Markea from Colombia are described and their morphological affinities and conservation status are discussed. Markea hunzikeri is different from other species of Markea because it presents a 3-lobed calyx and 3-lobed stigma. Markea huilensis shows affinity with Markea lopezii and Markea epifita, from which it differs by its exerted anthers, tubular-campanulate corolla and fruit with leathery, black, non-translucent exocarp when dry. Markea purpurea is clearly differentiated from other species in this genus by its very reduced, extra-axillary, short-pedunculate inflorescence, generally bearing one short-pedicellate or sessile flower with corolla dark purple or black inside. For new species illustrations, photographs of live plants and distribution maps are presented. As a tool for species identification of Markea, this paper is accompanied by a key to all species currently recognized in the genus. Additionally, photographs of live plants for most of the species of the genus are included.Key words: Colombia, Hawkesiophyton, Juanulloeae, Markea, Solanaceae, taxonomy ResumenSe describen tres especies nuevas de Markea para Colombia y se discuten sus afinidades morfológicas y estado de conservación. Markea hunzikeri se distingue fácilmente de otras especies de Markea por su cáliz y estigma 3-lobulados. Markea huilensis es semejante a Markea lopezii y Markea epifita, de las que se diferencia por sus anteras exertas, corola tubular-campanulada y fruto con exocarpo coriáceo, negro y no translúcido en material de herbario. Markea purpurea se diferencia fácilmente de otras especies del género por su inflorescencia muy reducida, corto pedunculada, de posición extra-axilar, generalmente con una flor cortamente pedicelada o sésil, de corola púrpura en su interior. Para las nuevas especies se presentan ilustraciones, fotografías en vivo y mapas de distribución. Como herramienta para la identificación de las especies de Markea, este artículo va acompañado de una clave para todas las especies reconocidas actualmente en el género. Adicionalmente, se incluyen fotos en vivo para muchas de las especies del género.

Phylogeny of the tribes Juanulloeae and Solandreae (Solanaceae)

“…(1994) identified the pollen from Markea lopezii as distinctive in the tribe and termed it the "M. lopezii type", which differs in having prominent spiny projections on the surface of the grains. These projections, however, are not found on the pollen grains of M. huilensis (Orejuela & al., 2014).…”

“…2). These species are found in the Andes of Colombia and Ecuador and are distinguished by their lianescent habit with very long branches, abundant persistent pubescence of simple eglandular hairs, membranaceous leaves, pendulous long-pedunculate inflorescences (to 50 cm long) with few (1-2(-7)) flowers, distally winged pedicels, large calyces with long-acuminate lobes, and large showy corollas 9-12 cm long (Hunziker, 1985;Knapp, 1998;Orejuela & al., 2014) (Fig. 1I).…”

“…Markea fosbergii was recovered as sister to Poortmannia (74/0.99). This species is said to have a 4-locular ovary (Orejuela & al., 2014), in contrast to the typical 2-locular ovary of other Markea species. The proliferation of carpels/locules, in addition to its position in the molecular phylogeny, may argue for the removal of this species from Markea and inclusion in Poortmannia.…”

“…The two species are terrestrial shrubs of the forest understory or, if epiphytic, occur in lower parts of the host tree near the ground (Orejuela, 2016). Both species also have very large leaves arranged in verticillate whorls, short inflorescences (< 10 cm), very large membranaceous calyces (more than half the length of the corolla), and conspicuous bracts in the inflorescence (Knapp, 1998;Orejuela & al., 2014;Orejuela, 2016) (Fig. 1J).…”

“…(1997) and Hunziker (1979Hunziker ( , 2001. The number of species in Markea includes seven species recently described by Knapp (1998), Stehmann & Giacomin (2012), and Orejuela & al. (2014).…”