Louzada & Versieux 2010 (Article) Lapanthus

Lapanthus (Bromeliaceae, Bromelioideae): A New Genus from the Southern Espinhaço Range, Brazil

Author(s):—R.B. Louzada & L.M. Versieux

Publication:—Systematic Botany 35(3): pp. 497–503. (2010)

Abstract:—In this paper we describe a new genus of Bromeliaceae, Lapanthus , restricted to the southern portion of the Espinhaço Range, Minas Gerais State, in southeastern Brazil. Two new combinations to accommodate species previously described in the genera Orthophytum and Cryptanthus and one new synonym are proposed. Lapanthus has morphological affinities with both Cryptanthus and Orthophytum , but nevertheless differs by the combination of margins of the petals ciliate, presence of lanceolate petal appendages and free stamens, and also by molecular data. Cryptanthus and Orthophytum have petals entire along the margins, and the filaments of the most internal whorl are adnate to the petals. Lapanthus stands out by having a pair of lanceolate petal appendages, which are almost completely adnate to the pet- als. In Orthophytum , however, appendages are cupuliform or sacciform and they are totally absent in the genus Cryptanthus . Lapanthus and Orthophytum present meiotic and mitotic chromosome numbers equal to n =25 and 2 n =50, 100 and 150 respectively, while Cryptanthus presents meiotic and mitotic chromosome numbers n =17 and 2 n =34, 36, 54 respectively, and this difference is considered to be an autapomorphic fea- ture of Cryptanthus . Descriptions of the genus and species, identification keys, illustrations, photographs of living specimens, and taxonomic comments are provided.

Keywords:—Campo Rupestre , flora , Minas Gerais , Orthophytum , Pico do Itambé , Serra do Cipó.

Published names (3):

Lapanthus
Lapanthus duartei
Lapanthus itambensis

Taxonomy:—Orthophytum itambense Transferred to the Genus Lapanthus .—Orthophytum supthutii Treated as a synonym of Lapanthus duartei (L.B. Smith) Louzada & Versieux (p.500).