Scottmoria andinorientalis (Lecythidaceae): a new species from the southeastern Andean slopes of Ecuador
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21829/abm133.2026.2679Keywords:
Ericales, Eschweilera, Morona Santiago, NeotropicsAbstract
Background and Aims: Scottmoria is a monophyletic genus of Neotropical Lecythidaceae that encompasses 46 species, ranging from Honduras to Bolivia. During the revision of the genus, a new species from the Andean slopes of southeastern Ecuador has been found, that is formally described and presented here.
Methods: All specimens in the herbaria AAU, B, COL, GB, GUAY, K, LOJA, MO, NY, QCA, QCNE, and US were studied. Measurements were done from dried herbarium specimens, fresh and preserved material. The used terminology follows that presented in the Lecythidaceae Pages. The new species is mapped and the preliminary conservation status was determined using the coordinates of the studied specimens, as recommended by the IUCN.
Key results: A new species in the genus is formally presented, that is similar to Scottmoria spiralocucullata but differs by the smaller size of leaf blades at maturity (15-27 cm long), narrower petioles (3-4 mm diameter when fresh), and shorter calyx lobes (2.5-4 mm long). A key to the morphologically similar species is presented and the EN B1 B2abiii category is assigned to this new species.
Conclusions: Scottmoria andinorientalis is presented here as a new tree species endemic to southeastern Ecuador of medicinal use against stomach ache and to heal swellings.
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References
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