A new tree species from seasonally dry tropical forest in southern Ecuador, Spirotheca zapotillana sp. nov. (Malvaceae), resolves a putatively disjunct distribution

By

Armijos-Barros, Jorge
González-Sánchez, Diego
Nole-Nole, Darío
Markesteijn, Lars
Escudero Alcántara, Adrián
Jara-Guerrero, Andrea
Espinosa, Carlos Iván

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2025-10-31

Original Publication

PhytoKeys

Volume

265

Pages

181--192

Subjects

Bombacoideae , disjunction , endemism , Equatorial Pacific , plant taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers [2010]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.265.162409

 

Abstract

<br> A new species of Malvaceae,<br> Spirotheca zapotillana<br> , is described from the Equatorial Pacific region of South America. The species occurs in seasonally dry tropical forests of El Oro and Loja provinces in southern Ecuador. It is characterized by a strictly tree-like habit, elliptical leaflets with acute apices, glandular floral receptacles, glabrous styles, oblong capsules, and reniform seeds. A morphological description of the new species is provided, along with data on its habitat and distribution, an assessment of its conservation status, and an updated key for the genus.<br>