J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 9(2): 319 – 323. 2015 CALATHEA GALDAMESIANA (MARANTACEAE), A NEW ENDEMIC PANAMANIAN SPECIES Helen Kennedy Rodolfo Flores UCR Herbarium, Dept. of Botany & Plant Sci. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute University of California Riverside Avenida Roosevelt, Edificio Tupper 401 Riverside, California 92521, U.S.A. Balboa, Ancón, Rep. de PANAMÁ ganders@mail.ubc.ca floresr@si.edu, rflores1184@hotmail.com abstract Calathea galdamesiana H. Kenn. & R. Flores, endemic to Panamá, is described as new for inclusion in the Flora Mesoamericana. It occurs in premontane wet forest and is known only from the type locality in Parque Nacional Santa Fe, Veraguas Province. It is characterized by the 5–8 basal leaves per shoot, in which the petiole is absent and the margins of the leaf sheath are spreading and reflexed; and the 1–4 fusiform inflorescences borne on a separate, leafless shoot directly from the rhizome. Calathea galdamesiana shares a similar vegetative habit and leaf morphology with C. panamensis Standl. but differs in the elliptic vs. obovate to obovate-elliptic leaf blade, the 1–4 inflorescences borne on a separate leafless shoot vs. 1 (rarely 2) borne on the leafy shoot, the red-purple vs. green bracts and chasmogamous vs. cleistogamous flowers. The flower morphology of C. galdamesiana is most similar to that of C. cleistantha Standl. which also has the inflorescences borne on a sepa- rate leafless shoot. Calathea galdamesiana differs from C. cleistantha by the absence of a petiole and the margins of the leaf sheath spreading to recurved vs. petiole (0–)3.5–15 cm and the margins of leaf sheath clasping, the usually shorter pulvinus (0.5–1 vs. 0.9–2.3 cm), and the fusiform vs. ovoid inflorescence (length to width ratio 3.2–4.5:1 vs. <2.5:1). resumen Calathea galdamesiana H. Kenn. & R. Flores, endémica de Panamá, es descrita como nueva para inclusión en Flora Mesoamericana. Esta especie se ecuentra en el bosque húmedo premontano y está conocida de sólo de la localidad del tipo en Parque Nacional Santa Fe de Provin- cia Veraguas. Calathea galdamesiana se caracteriza por tener 5–8 hojas basales por brote y la ausencia de pecíolo y las márgenes de la vaina son extendidos a recurvados; y inflorescencias 1–4, fusiformes, en un brote aparte, sin hojas, que sale directamente del rizoma. Calathea galdamesiana tiene hábito similar a C. panamensis Standl., pero se distingue por sus láminas foliares elípticas vs obovadas u obovado-elípti- cas, las inflorescencias 1–4, en un brote aparte, sin hojas vs inflorescencia 1 (raramente 2) en un brote con hojas, las brácteas rojo-púrpureas vs. verdes, y las flores casmogamas vs. cleistogamas. La forma de las flores de C. galdamesiana es más similar a C. cleistantha Standl., la cual también tiene las inflorescencias en un brote aparte, sin hojas. Calathea galdamesiana difiere de C. cleistantha Standl., por la ausencia del pecíolo y los márgenes de la vaina extendidos a recurvados vs. pecíolos (0–)3.5–15 cm y los márgenes de la vaina abrazados, y el pulvínulo usualmente más corto (0.5–1 vs. 0.9—2.3 cm), y las inflorescencias fusiformes vs. ovoides (proporción largo por ancho 3.2–4.5:1 vs. <2.5:1). In preparation for the Flora Mesoamericana treatment, the species of Marantaceae from Panama have been a special focus as with increased collecting several undescribed species have been discovered recently. With considerably more collecting since publication of the Woodson & Schery (1945) treatment for Flora of Pana- ma, listing 23 species, the total has tripled. By 1972, Dressler (1972:184) reported a total of 35 species for Pan- ama. Besides field work, recent herbarium studies at Missouri Botanical Garden and University of Panama have uncovered additional new species. Just since 2011, 11 more species of Marantaceae have been described from Panama. Kennedy (2012:49) had reported a total of 63 species whereas, currently, 69 species are recog- nized (a 200% increase from the original Flora of Panama treatment). Twenty species are recognized as en- demic, including the one described herein plus another as yet undescribed taxon. taxonomic treatment Calathea galdamesiana H. Kenn. & R. Flores, sp. nov. (Figs. 1, 2). type: PANAMÁ. veraguas: Parque Nacional Santa Fe, alrededores de la parcela ubicada por CBMAP II/ANAM, Alto de Piedra, Guabal, 900 m, 8°31'39"N, 81°08'58"W (UTM 0483553 E, 0942618 N), 18 May 2015, R. Flores & N. Guerra 3655 (holotype: PMA; isotypes: scZ, uch, ucr). Haec species quoad partes vegetativas Calatheae panamensi Rowlee ex Standl. similis, sed ab ea lamina foliari elliptica (vs. obovata vel obova- to-elliptica), inflorescentiis 1 ad 4 (vs. 1 raro 2) surculo aphyllo discreto insidentibus, bracteis rubro-purpureis (vs. viridibus) atque floribus chasmogamis; quoad partes florales C. cleistanthae Standl. similis, sed ab ea foliis semper sessilibus, vagina florali marginibus patentibus This document is intended for digital-device reading only. Inquiries regarding distributable and open access versions may be directed to jbrit@brit.org. 320 Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas 9(2) Fig. 1. Calathea galdamesiana H. Kenn. & R. Flores. A. Habit. B. Leaf base, pulvinus and apex of alate leaf sheath. C. Inflorescences subtended by cataphyll. D. Face view of untripped flower. E. Flower on adaxial leaf surface. (Flores & Guerra 3655, PMA, photos by Rodolfo Flores). This document is intended for digital-device reading only. Inquiries regarding distributable and open access versions may be directed to jbrit@brit.org. Kennedy and Flores, A new endemic Panamanian species of Calathea 321 Fig. 2. Calathea galdamesiana H. Kenn. & R. Flores. Holotype. Type scan provided by PMA (Flores & Guerra 3655, PMA). This document is intended for digital-device reading only. Inquiries regarding distributable and open access versions may be directed to jbrit@brit.org. 322 Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas 9(2) usque recurvis (vs. amplexicaulibus), pulvino plerumque breviore (0.5–1 vs. 0.9–2.3 cm longo) atque inflorescentia fusiformi (vs. ovoidea) longitudinis cum latitudine proportione 3.2–4.5 (vs. ca. 2.5) distinguitur. Plants rhizomatous, rosulate herbs, 50–80 cm; the inflorescences are borne on a leafless shoot directly from the rhizome; roots bearing swollen “root tubers” 4.3–6.5 × 2–3 cm; cataphylls narrowly ovate, apiculate, green. Leaves 5–8 basal; leaf sheath alate, the wings spreading, recurved, the abaxial surface, both wings and central back portion, light green, adaxial portion of wings deep green, central portion of leaf sheath lighter, 18–48 cm; petiole absent; pulvinus light yellow-green to cream-colored, minutely tomentose adaxially, 0.5–1 cm; leaf blade herbaceous, with pleated appearance (tissue between two adjacent veins planar), elliptic, apex obtuse to rounded with acumen, base obtuse to rounded, 23.5–46.2 × 19–25.5 cm (length:width ratios [1.34–]1.81– 2.16:1) lateral veins 11 to 14 per 3 cm (measured at midpoint of each side of blade), vein angles from midrib 35°–42°, measured at midpoint of blade, adaxial surface grass-green, midrib yellow-green, noticeably lighter than blade, abaxial surface pale grey-green, midrib cream-colored. Inflorescences 1–4 per shoot, the first ter- minal, subsequent ones in the axil of the subtending cataphyll, imbricate, fusiform, 5.8–10.8 × 1.3–2.5 cm; peduncle red-purple, white if covered by cataphyll, 2.4–6.5 cm, the basal portion, ca. 2 cm, swollen, tissue growth more on one side, causing the inflorescence to be deflexed onto the ground. Bracts 6–12, spirally ar- ranged, ovate, apical ones proportionally longer and narrower, apex acuminate, 4–5.9 cm long, abaxial surface of bracts red-purple to brownish purple, darker at margins and apex, becoming very dark, almost blackish purple, in age. Flowers open spontaneously. Sepals red-purple apically, basal half white, ca. 19 mm long. Co- rolla tube cream-colored to white, ca. 35 mm; corolla lobes subequal, elliptic, apex obtuse, red-purple abaxi- ally, white adaxially with the veins seen as fine purple lines, 17–19 × 5–6 mm. Staminodes 3; outer staminode obovate, apex emarginate, yellow, ca. 14–17 × 8 mm; callose staminode totally callose, apex reflexed, obtuse with minute acumen to rounded or somewhat irregular, yellow basally, apical 1⁄3 dark red-purple, ca. 7 mm wide; cucullate staminode yellow, ca. 10 mm; stamen pale yellow with lateral petaloid appendage 1–3 mm wide; ovary pink, ca. 3mm. Fruits and seeds unknown. Additional specimens: PANAMÁ. Veraguas: Parque Nacional Santa Fe, alrededores de la parcela ubicada por CBMAP II/ANAM, cerca a la estación de ANAM, Alta de Piedra, Guabal, E483553 N942618, 3 Sep 2014, R. Flores, R. Vergara, R. Carranza & J. Aguirre 3654 (MO, PMA). Distribution and habitat.—Calathea galdamesiana is endemic to Panamá. It is known only from the type locality in Parque Nacional Santa Fe, Veraguas Province. It occurs in premontane wet forest habitat. The only collec- tions of it were at 900 m elevation. Discussion.—Calathea galdamesiana belongs to Calathea section Breviscapae Benth. It is characterized by the 5–8 basal leaves per shoot, the elliptic leaf blades, the absence of a petiole proper, the margins of the leaf sheath are spreading and reflexed, the 1–4 fusiform inflorescences borne on a separate, leafless shoot directly from the rhizome, the petals red-purple abaxially, the outer and cucullate staminodes yellow and callose sta- minode yellow basally, apical 1⁄3 red-purple. Calathea galdamesiana shares a similar vegetative habit and leaf morphology with C. panamensis Standl. but differs in the elliptic vs. obovate to obovate-elliptic leaf blade, the 1–4 inflorescences borne on a separate leafless shoot vs. 1 (rarely 2) borne on the leafy shoot, the red-purple vs. green bracts and chasmogamous vs. cleistogamous flowers. The uncommon leaf morphology, shared with C. panamensis (alate, spreading, marginally recurved leaf sheath and lack of petiole) together with the inflores- cences borne on a separate, leafless, shoot distinguish C. galdamesiana not only from other Panamanian spe- cies but from all Central American species and probably South American as well. The Brazilian species, C. albo- vaginata K. Schum., also has an alate leaf sheath, but there, the inflorescence is borne on the leafy shoot. The flower morphology of C. galdamesiana is most similar to that of C. cleistantha Standl. which also has the inflo- rescences borne on a separate leafless shoot. Calathea galdamesiana differs from C. cleistantha by the absence of a petiole and the margins of the leaf sheath spreading to recurved vs. petiole (0–)3.5–15 cm and the margins of leaf sheath clasping, the usually shorter pulvinus (0.5–1 vs. 0.9–2.3 cm), and the fusiform vs. ovoid inflores- cence (length to width ratio 3.2–4.5:1 vs. <2.5:1). The presence of the swollen “root tubers” in C. galdamesiana together with the thin textured, plicate leaf, This document is intended for digital-device reading only. Inquiries regarding distributable and open access versions may be directed to jbrit@brit.org. Kennedy and Flores, A new endemic Panamanian species of Calathea 323 are commonly found in deciduous species such as C. panamensis, C. latifolia (Willd. ex Link) Klotzsch and C. macrosepala K. Schum. Whether this new species is possibly deciduous is not yet known. Calathea micans (L. Mathieu) Körn., C. microcephala (Poepp. & Endl.) Körn. and C. fucata H. Kenn., in Calathea section Microcephalum Benth. also exhibit the swollen, and subsequent unequal-sided growth, of the base of the peduncles observed in C. galdamesiana. The growth of the base of the peduncle acts to deflex the inflorescence to the ground, usually when in fruit, in the case of C. micans and the related species, which are dispersed by ants (Horvitz & Beattie 1980). It is possible this is also the case in C. galdamesiana and merits further observation in the field. Etymology.—The specific epithet, galdamesiana, is in honor botanist Carmen Galdames, research assis- tant at SCZ herbarium, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Ancon, Panamá. It is a pleasure to thus recog- nize her contribution to our knowledge of the Panamanian flora through her collections, photographs, co-au- thorship of the Catálogo de las Plantas Vasculares de Panamá, her ethnobotanical studies and her generous assistance to the authors in the SCZ herbarium, including sharing her botanical knowledge. acknowledgments We acknowledge the functional and logistic support of the Ministry for the Environment (Miambiente in Spanish) with regards to the Mesoamerican Biological Corredor of the Panamanian Atlantic watershed (Loan Contract No. BIRF 7439-PAN and donation agreement for World Environment (FMAM) No. GEF TF 056628) in light of implementing the Biological Diversity Natural System of information and Monitoring (SNIMDB). We equally acknowledge the support of the Ministry for the Environment for the necessary permits for collection. We thank the staff of the PMA Herbarium for the scan of the type. We appreciate the help of the David Mitre of SNIMDB for managing and streamlining the permits to make the specimens available for study. We acknowl- edge the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) through the Nagoya Protocol Project for support to one of the authors (RF). Last but not least, we acknowledge the help of Alberto S. Taylor, Professor Emeritus of Botany, University of Panama, for the Spanish translation, Roy Gereau for the Latin diagnosis, and Barney Lipscomb and the three anonymous reviewers for their helpful corrections and comments. references dressler, R.L. 1972. Terrestrial plants of Panama. Bull. Biol. Soc. Wash. 2:179–186. horVitZ, C.C. & A.J. Beattie. 1980. Ant dispersal of Calathea (Marantaceae) seeds by carnivorous ponerines (Formicidae) in a tropical rain forest. Amer. J. Bot. 67:321–326. kennedy, H. 2012. Calathea rhizanthoides and C. peregrina (Marantaceae), new species endemic to Panama. J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 6:49–54. Woodson, R.E., Jr. & R.W. shery. 1945. Marantaceae. In Flora of Panama. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 32:81–105. This document is intended for digital-device reading only. Inquiries regarding distributable and open access versions may be directed to jbrit@brit.org.