Adesmia ephedroides (Fabaceae, Faboideae), a new species from the Mediterranean-type ecosystem of Valparaíso Region, Chile

By

Rosende, Benito
Lavandero, Nicolás
Araneda, Daniela
Perez, Fernanda

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2025-7-10

Original Publication

PhytoKeys

Volume

259

Pages

301--317

Subjects

central Chile , Dalbergieae , endemism , Leguminosae , matorral , new species , Papilionoideae , rupicolous flora , taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers [2010]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.259.156135

 

Abstract

A new species, Adesmia ephedroides, discovered in a restricted area of the coastal mountain range within the Valparaíso Region, Chile, is here described. Molecular phylogenetic analyses, based on five nuclear loci, were carried out to explore the phylogenetic position of the new species. Our findings robustly support A. ephedroides as a distinct species, positioned within a clade of Adesmia, characterised by shrubby growth habit, racemose inflorescences and bristled lomenta. This identified clade exhibits a distribution limited to the semi-arid regions spanning from the southern Atacama Desert to Central Chile. Adesmia ephedroides is readily distinguishable from its closest relatives through a combination of features, including green young branches and distinctive leaf morphology: glabrous, few leaflets and persistent, cylindrical petiole and rachis. A detailed taxonomic description, illustrations, field images, distribution map, ecological insights into its habitat and a preliminary IUCN conservation status assessment are provided.