Phytotaxa 314 (2): 241–250 http://www.mapress.com/j/pt/ Copyright © 2017 Magnolia Press
Article
ISSN 1179-3155 (print edition)
PHYTOTAXA
ISSN 1179-3163 (online edition)
https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.314.2.5
Validation of Calochortus ownbeyi (Liliaceae), a new species from northwestern Mexico MIGUEL A. GARCÍA-MARTÍNEZ1, AARÓN RODRÍGUEZ2 & HUGH P. MCDONALD3
Maestría en Ciencias en Biosistemática y Manejo de Recursos Naturales y Agrícolas (BIMARENA), Centro Universitario de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Apartado postal 1–139, Zapopan 45101, Jalisco, Mexico 2 Herbario Luz María Villarreal de Puga del Instituto de Botánica de la Universidad de Guadalajara (IBUG), Departamento de Botánica y Zoología, Apartado postal 1–139, Zapopan 45101, Jalisco, Mexico; E-mail: aaron.rodriguez@cucba.udg.mx 3 Retired Professor, New York City College of Technology, City University of New York, 300 Jay St. Brooklyn, New York, USA 1
Abstract The name Calochortus ownbeyi has been extensively used even though it was not validly published. Accordingly, we are here validating and illustrating this species. Calochortus ownbeyi can be confused with C. venustulus, but there is morphological and molecular evidence that they are distinct species. A comparison between these two taxa and a distribution map are provided.
Resumen El nombre Calochortus ownbeyi ha sido utilizado extensamente a pesar de que no fue publicado válidamente. Por consiguiente, en este trabajo se valida y se ilustra la especie. Calochortus ownbeyi puede ser confundido con C. venustulus pero existe evidencia morfológica y molecular que apoya la distinción entre ambas. Se presenta una comparación morfológica entre estos dos taxones y un mapa de distribución. Key words: Cyclobothra, geographic information system, Marion Ownbey, Sierra Madre Occidental, Transmexican Volcanic Belt
Introduction Calochortus Pursh (1814: 240) contains approximately 70 species of bulbous plants with scapiform or leafy stems and lanceolate leaves. Calochortus exhibits an extensive range of floral morphology; flowers vary in shape from subglobose to broadly campanulate, and the orientation can be erect, divergent or nutant. The perianth is composed of two series of three tepals each, the inner surfaces glabrous or pubescent. The tepals sometimes possess a nectary variable in size and outline. Perianth shape, distribution of trichomes and morphology of the nectary are the most critical characters for species identification (McVaugh 1989, Ownbey 1940, Fiedler & Zebell 2002). Ownbey (1940) authored the most complete treatment of Calochortus. The latest taxonomic revision of C. section Cyclobothra Sweet (1828: t273) was McDonald (2000), in which he presented an informal description of Calochortus ownbeyi, but the epithet was not validly published. Since then, some confusion is found in herbaria collections with the use of this name, and similar plants have been identified as either Calochortus ownbeyi or C. venustulus Greene (1888: 158). Calochortus ownbeyi is clearly a distinguishable entity based on morphological (McDonald 2000) and molecular evidence (Patterson & Givinsh 2003). According to Ownbey’s classification, C. ownbeyi (McDonald 2000) belongs to Calochortus section Cyclobothra subsection Ghiesbreghtiani Ownbey (1940: 521). Since we are currently involved in a taxonomic and biogeographical study of Calochortus section Cyclobothra, we decided it was necessary to validate the name. We provide a description, illustration, distribution map of Calochortus ownbeyi and comparison with C. venustulus. We examined the specimens of Calochortus ownbeyi and C. venustulus deposited in 18 herbaria collections (ANSM, CAS, CHAP, CHAPA, CIIDIR, ENCB, FCME, GUADA, HUAA, IBUG, Accepted by Mark Chase: 9 Jul. 2017; published: 25 Jul. 2017
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