Cremospermopsis galaxias J.L. Clark & Clavijo, 2017

Clark, John L. & Clavijo, Laura, 2017, Cremospermopsis galaxias (Gesneriaceae), a new species from northwestern Colombia, Phytotaxa 323 (3), pp. 282-288 : 283-288

Cremospermopsis galaxias J.L. Clark & Clavijo , sp. nov. ( Figs. 1 & 2 )

Differs from other congeners by obovate leaf blades with ciliate margin; bullate leaf surface with white large white spots on the bullae; peduncle glabrate; inflorescence bracts tomentulose; and glabrate calyx with scattered short glandular trichomes abaxially.

Type:— COLOMBIA. Antioquia: Municipio San Luis, Eastern Slopes of the Cordillera Central. Small trail near bridge over Quebrada Josefina along Highway Medellín– Bogotá, 5º58’22”N, 74º54’41”W, 838 m, 13 May 2012 (fl), J. L. Clark et al. 12890 (holotype COL!, isotypes HUA!, MO!, NY!, US!, UNA!).

Terrestrial herb. Stems erect, to 15 cm tall, unbranched, brownish, sometimes with adventitious roots, glabrate basally and tomentose apically; internodes 0.2–2.3 cm long. Leaves opposite, decussate, equal in a pair, pairs grouped apically; petiole 0.4–1.6 cm long, terete, green, tomentose; blade obovate, 8–12 (20.5) × 3.4–10.5 cm, chartaceous when dry, bullate, upper surface green with large white spots on the bullae, lower surface light green, apex rounded to acute, base cuneate to slightly cordate, margin ciliate, upper surface glabrous, lower surface glabrate; 7–10 pairs of main lateral veins, venation impressed above and raised below, glabrous above and tomentose below, higher order of venation more evident abaxially. Inflorescence axillary or terminal, a congested umbel-like cyme with (4)8–32 flowers per inflorescence; peduncle 3.8–6.4 cm long, green suffused with maroon to completely maroon, glabrate with a tuft of hairs between the larger bracts; 4 inflorescence bracts located at the apex of the peduncle, 2 larger than the other 2, 6–9 × 4–8.5 mm, light green with the margin darker, ovate, the wider bracts concave, apex acute to acuminate, margin subentire, tomentulose; inflorescence rachis sometimes elongated, 5–10 mm long; pedicel 2.8–9.7 mm long, light green, glabrous. Calyx light green with the margin dark green; calyx lobes 5, unequal, 2 ventral lobes wider than the other 3, lobes connate most of their length, 4.3–7 × 1.6–4.5 mm, narrowly to broadly ovate, apex acute, margin entire, revolute, base truncate, both surfaces glabrate with scattered small glandular trichomes, and some long trichomes along the margin. Corolla zygomorphic, oblique relative to the calyx; tube nearly hidden by the calyx, tubular, 4.4–6 mm long, 1.7–1.9 mm wide at the base, narrowing to 1 mm, and widen to 3 mm distally, outer surface white in the proximal half and white with lavender in the distal half, outer and inner surfaces glabrous; throat 3–3.3 mm wide, inside with scattered small glandular trichomes; corolla lobes 5, subequal, 2 dorsal lobes slightly smaller than the other 3, ovate, apex acuminate, margin entire, revolute, densely glandular hairy adaxially, glabrous abaxially, dorsal lobes lavender, 1.9–2 × 2 mm, lateral and ventral lobes white, 2.9–3.3 × 2–2.5 mm. Androecium of 4 stamens, didynamous, filaments adnate to the corolla tube for 1.5–1.8 mm, above free for 0.6–1.9 mm, glabrous, coiling after anthesis; anthers oblong, 0.6–0.8 × 0.3–0.5 mm. Gynoecium with an irregular annular nectary gland that is slightly taller on opposing sides of the ovary and shorter on alternating opposing sides of the ovary, 0.8–1.5 mm long; ovary superior, 1.5–2 × 1–2 mm, globose, glabrous; style 3–3.4 mm long, glabrate; stigma stomatomorphic and covered with glandular trichomes. Fruit a capsule, 4–5 × 3–3.5 mm.

Paratype: — COLOMBIA. Antioquia: along road from cañón of Río Claro west, ca., 25 km west of Río Claro, 12 km west of La Josefina, 23 Mar 1987, H. Wiehler with GRF study group 8756 ( SEL, US).

Cremospermopsis galaxias and C. parviflora are readily differentiated from C. cestroides ( Fig. 4 ). Both species have calyx lobes that are connate, unequal and corolla lobes covered with glandular trichomes ( Figs. 2 & 3 ). A paratype of Cremospermopsis galaxias (H. Wiehler et al. 8756) was previously identified as C. parviflora . Dried herbarium specimens of Cremospermopsis parviflora and C. galaxias resemble each other because the bullae and large white spots are not preserved on herbarium specimens in the latter. A field expedition ( Clark 2012) resulted in studying both species and they are readily differentiated through vegetative and reproductive characters. The bullate leaves and large white spots are the most distinguishing character of C. galaxias ( Figs. 1 & 2 ). Additional characters that distinguish C. galaxias are leaf blades with ciliate margin, tomentulose inflorescence bracts and glabrate calyx lobes with scattered glandular trichomes.

Etymology: —The specific epithet, galaxias , is in reference to the combination of bullate leaf surfaces and large white spotting that resembles the Milky Way of our Solar System’s galaxy.

Distribution and habitat:— Cremospermopsis galaxias grows in abundant and scattered populations of 30+ individuals in shady areas along streams. The vegetation is intact along the streams, but is mostly bordered by areas that are under cultivation (e.g., cow pastures and agriculture). It has been collected in one locality along the eastern slopes of the Central Cordillera in the department of Antioquia in a Montane forest.

Distribution and habitat: —This species has not been found in any formally protected area. According to the IUCN Red List criteria ( IUCN 2001) for limited geographic range (B2a, less than 10 km 2 and known to exist at only a single location) and considering the uncertain future of habitat conservation of the type locality, Cremospermopsis galaxias should be listed in the category CR (Critically Endangered).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Cremospermopsis galaxias. A. Bullate leaf surface with large white spots on bullae. B. Habit. C. Front view of flower. D. Calyx. E. Inflorescence with bracts. F. Lateral view of corolla. G. Lateral view of calyx and corolla. H. Lateral view of opened flower showing androecium and staminode. I. Lateral view of opened flower showing gynoecium. J. Gynoecium showing annular nectary and stigma (from the holotype, J.L. Clark et al. 12890).

FIGURE 2. Cremospermopsis galaxias. A. Lateral view of inflorescence showing bracts. B. Front view of a flower. C. Lateral view of inflorescence showing pairs of bracts. D. Lower view of larger pair of inflorescence bracts. E. Habit showing bullate leaf surface with large white spots on bullae (from the holotype, J.L. Clark et al. 12890).

FIGURE 3. Cremospermopsis parviflora. A. Lateral view of corolla. B. Front view of flower. C. Lateral view of inflorescence showing paired bracts. D. Upper view of mature fruits. E. Habit (A, D & E from J.L. Clark et al. 12898; B & C from J.L. Clark et al. 12912).

FIGURE 4. Cremospermopsis cestroides. A. Lateral view of a flower. B. Front view of a flower. C. Lateral view of inflorescence showing paired bracts. D. Annular nectary. E. Habit (from J.L. Clark et al. 12900).