Hernandez et al. 2026b (Article) Hechtia, Mexico

Hechtia exspectata (Hechtioideae; Bromeliaceae), a new species from Oaxaca, Mexico

Author(s):—R.A. Hernández C., A. Espejo S., A.R. López F., S.A.L. Lara G. & A. Siekkinen

Corresponding email:—rodrigo.hernandez@inecol.mx

Publication:—Botanical Sciences 104 (4): 1170-1181 (online). (2026) — DOI

Abstract:—Background: As a result of botanical explorations in the municipality of San Juan Mixtepec, Oaxaca, Mexico, plants of the genus Hechtia that do not match any of the described species so far, were collected.Question: Do Hechtia populations from San Juan Mixtepec correspond to an undescribed taxon?Studied species: Hechtia galeottii, H. ixtlanensis, and H. sphaeroblasta.Study site and date: San Juan Mixtepec, Oaxaca, Mexico, 2019-2025.Methods: Field work, review of herbarium specimens, protologues, and type material of the most morphologically similar taxa.Results: After a detailed review of the herbarium specimens, we conclude that the collected plants belong to an undescribed taxon that we propose here. A morphological description, images, and a distribution map of the new taxonare included, as well as an appendix of all examined specimens.Conclusions: The discovery of a new species of Hechtia in the state of Oaxaca (29 spp.), Mexico increases the plant diversity of this state, particularly of the Sierra Madre del Sur Province. Hechtia exspectata has unique morphological characters that allow its unequivocal recognition as a new species of the genus.

Keywords:—Mixteca Alta Oaxaqueña, Monocots, Poales, Sierra Madre del Sur.

Published names (1):

Hechtia exspectata