Vol. 80 No. 2 (2025)
Articles

A new species of Cordia sect. Gerascanthus P. Browne (Cordiaceae) to the Brazilian semiarid

José Iranildo Miranda de Melo
Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Departamento de Biologia, Bairro Universitário, 58429-500 Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil
Marcio Gleisson Medeiros Gonçalves
Bolsista CNPq/Herbário Virtual da Flora e dos Fungos-Instituto de Pesquisa Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro/HVFF-JBRJ, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Departamento de Biologia, Herbário Manuel de Arruda Câmara (HAC AM), Bairro Universitário, 58429-500 Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil
Lucas Morais Lima
Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Departamento de Biologia, Bairro Universitário, 58429-500 Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil

Published 2025-07-18

Keywords

  • Boraginales,
  • conservation,
  • Cordiaceae,
  • South America,
  • taxonomy

How to Cite

Miranda de Melo, J. I., Medeiros Gonçalves, M. G., & Morais Lima, L. (2025). A new species of Cordia sect. Gerascanthus P. Browne (Cordiaceae) to the Brazilian semiarid. Webbia, 80(2), 267–274. https://doi.org/10.36253/jopt-17763

Abstract

A new species of Cordia (Cordiaceae) is described, Cordia rosangelae J.I.M.Melo, hitherto recorded exclusively in the Brazilian semiarid region. It can be readily recognised by its subcylindrical branches and, mainly, by its lax inflorescences, flowers with an obclavate calyx distinctly smaller than the corolla tube with a reddish stripe in the apical portion, corresponding to the extension of the lacinia, as well as by its corolla up to 5.0 cm long, unguiculate corolla lobes, flattened style, linear, with calluses stigmas and pyriform ovary. A distribution map with known occurrence records as well as data on the habitat, morphological diagnostic characters and reproductive phenology of the species are provided. A key to distinguishing C. rosangelae from the other species of Cordia sect. Gerascanthus from Caatinga domain is presented. In addition, the conservation status of C. rosangelae is preliminary assessed according to IUCN criteria and the species has been classified as Least Concern (LC).

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