DISCUSSION
Araeococcus sessiliflorus is readily recognized by its sessile flowers, or nearly so, which closely links it to A. montanus. The former is easily distinguished from the latter however by leaf blades with an acute, clearly apiculate apex (vs. rounded and obscurely apiculate), inflorescence branches suberect-arcuate and recurved (vs. subspreading), floral bracts broadly ovate to suborbicular, acute and distinctly apiculate (vs. triangular and acuminate), flowers glabrous (vs. subdensely white-floccose), ovary pale green (vs. blackish) and ovules obtuse (vs. caudate).
On the other hand, A. sessiliflorus is also morphologically similar to A, parviflorus. The main traits of this new species that differentiate it from A. parviflorus are the sessile flowers, or nearly so (vs. distinctly pedicellate), usually smaller (6-7 mm vs. 7-11 mm long), with a strong aroma (vs. no detectable odor), floral bracts broadly ovate to suborbicular, acute and distinctly apiculate (vs. ovate and acuminate-caudate), plus obtuse ovules (vs. apiculate).
The geographic distribution of A. sessiliflorus lies slightly farther to the northwest than that of A. parviflorus. This new species is found some 30 km from the coastal zone, beginning at Ubaitaba, and ranges inland to Jequie (13°-14°S; 39°-40° W), 120 km from the coast, while A. parviflorus apparently grows mainly on the coast from 14.° to 17°S and 39°W While A. parviflorus is typical of low altitudes, from restinga forests near sea level to low-montane forests up to 200 m altitude, A. sessiliflorus prefers higher elevations, the holotype being from 650 m altitude. This is similar to that of A. montanus, its nearest relative, found some 70 km from the coast in the mountains of Wenceslau Guimaraes at 700-800 m altitude.
Araeococcus sessiliflorus is an epiphyte or rupicolous in the understory of montane Atlantic forest. It has not yet been found in public or private conservation units. (Frag NE Brazil)
The geographic distribution of A. sessiliflorus lies slightly farther to the northwest than that of A. parviflorus. This new species is found some 30 km from the coastal zone, beginning at Ubaitaba, and ranges inland to Jequie (13°-14°S; 39°-40° W), 120 km from the coast, while A. parviflorus apparently grows mainly on the coast from 14.° to 17°S and 39°W While A. parviflorus is typical of low altitudes, from restinga forests near sea level to low-montane forests up to 200 m altitude, A. sessiliflorus prefers higher elevations, the holotype being from 650 m altitude. This is similar to that of A. montanus, its nearest relative, found some 70 km from the coast in the mountains of Wenceslau Guimaraes at 700-800 m altitude.
Araeococcus sessiliflorus is an epiphyte or rupicolous in the understory of montane Atlantic forest. It has not yet been found in public or private conservation units. —SeeSiqueira & Leme 2007
