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Type: Article
Published: 2019-11-18
Page range: 71–86
Abstract views: 19
PDF downloaded: 1

A new species of Cyrtopodium (Orchidaceae: Cyrtopodiinae) from Belize

Orchid Herbarium of Oakes Ames, Harvard University Herbaria, 22 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, U.S.A.
Orchid Herbarium of Oakes Ames, Harvard University Herbaria, 22 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, U.S.A. Herbarium CICY, Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, A. C., Calle 43 #130 x 32 y 34, Colonia Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida 97205, Yucatán, México
Herbarium CICY, Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, A. C., Calle 43 #130 x 32 y 34, Colonia Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida 97205, Yucatán, México
Herbarium CICY, Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, A. C., Calle 43 #130 x 32 y 34, Colonia Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida 97205, Yucatán, México Tecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de Chiná, Chiná, Campeche, México
Herbarium CICY, Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, A. C., Calle 43 #130 x 32 y 34, Colonia Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida 97205, Yucatán, México
Herbarium CICY, Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, A. C., Calle 43 #130 x 32 y 34, Colonia Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida 97205, Yucatán, México
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 811 South Palm Avenue, Sarasota, Florida 34236, U.S.A. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 811 South Palm Avenue, Sarasota, Florida 34236, U.S.A.
Monocots Anatomy Central America Conservative floral morphology Hyperseasonal savannas Megamexico Marcescent leaves Taxonomic novelties

Abstract

A new species of Cyrtopodium from Belize, C. vestitum, is described and illustrated. Its flowers are indistinguishable from those of Cyrtopodium macrobulbon, but the pseudobulbs are relatively shorter and thicker, ovoid ellipsoid, bearing proportionately more, densely packed internodes, and the leaves do not present an articulation, i.e., an abscission layer, between the sheath and the blade and are thus marcescent. A comparative anatomy study of this tissue is presented, contrasting its presence in C. macrobulbon and the lack thereof in the new species. This species should be considered Endangered (EN) because of its restricted geographical distribution in central Belize. An updated key to the species of Cyrtopodium from North America, the Caribbean, and Central America is also included.