Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #350783
Research Project: Subtropical and Tropical Ornamental Genetic Resource Management, Characterization, and Genetic Improvement

Location: Subtropical Horticulture Research

Title: Two new critically endangered species of Hippeastrum (Amaryllidaceae) from the Brazilian Cerrado

Author
item CAMPOS-ROCHA NETO, ANTONIO - Universidade De Campinas (UNICAMP)
item Meerow, Alan
item DUTILH, JULIE HENRIETTE - Universidade De Campinas (UNICAMP)

Submitted to: Phytotaxa
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/14/2018
Publication Date: 7/13/2018
Citation: Campos-Rocha Neto, A., Meerow, A.W., Dutilh, J. 2018. Two new critically endangered species of Hippeastrum (Amaryllidaceae) from the Brazilian Cerrado. Phytotaxa. 360(2):91-102.

Interpretive Summary: Brazil is the largest center of distribution of the genus Hippeastrum (Amaryllidaceae family), which have given rise through hybridization to the popular horticultural hybrid amaryllis. In the wild, most amaryllis species are known to be of restricted distribution, and threatened by development, over-collection, or other factors. It is thus important to formally describe these new species before they can no longer be found in habitat. In this paper we describe two amaryllis species previously unknown to science, Hippeastrum lunaris and H. mauroi. Both are found only in Brazil in the seasonally dry savannah vegetation type known as cerrado. We also provide illustrations and an identification key to all amaryllis species known from the Brazilian cerrado. Discovery of novel species in the genus can contribute to the breeding of new phenoptypes with novel characters.

Technical Abstract: Monographic work on the genus Hippeastrum in Brazil has revealed two new species endemic to the Cerrado biome, here described and illustrated. Hippeastrum lunaris is a species restricted to the region of Chapada dos Veadeiros; H. mauroi is so far found only in Chapada dos Guimarães. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, and taxonomic comments on the conservation status of these species are provided, in addition to comparisons with morphologically similar species. An identification key to the species of Hippeastrum occurring in the Brazilian Cerrado is presented, accompanied by photographs of these species in their natural habitats.