Four New Species of Maranta L. (Marantaceae) from Brazil

Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158, 131–139. With 4 ﬁgures

Four new species of Maranta L. (Marantaceae) from Brazil

SILVANA VIEIRA1* and VINICIUS C. SOUZA2

1Laboratório de Fitoquímica e Sistemática Molecular, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Caixa Postal 11461, 055422-970, São Paulo, SP, Brazil 2Laboratório de Sistemática, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Escola Superior de Agricultura ‘Luiz de Queiroz’, Caixa Postal 9, 13418-900, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil

Received 1 May 2007; accepted for publication 2 January 2008

Maranta is a neotropical genus, species of which are found in moist and shaded habitats in forests and in the cerrado. During the preparation of Maranta’s monograph for the Flora Neotropica, four new species were discovered and are now described: Maranta longiﬂora S.Vieira & V.C.Souza, Maranta coriacea S.Vieira & V.C.Souza, Maranta pulchra S.Vieira & V.C.Souza and Maranta purpurea S.Vieira & V.C.Souza. These species are found in dry habitats, frequently near watercourses or occasionally in humid and shaded places. Two, M. pulchra and M. purpurea, seem to be endemic to the state of Mato Grosso. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158, 131–139.

ADDITIONAL KEYWORDS: Cerrado – Mato Grosso – taxonomy.

INTRODUCTION of Maranta L., Ctenanthe Eichler and Calathea, which are used as ornamentals in various regions of Although Marantaceae is a pantropically distributed the world (Kirchoff, 1983). family, the majority of species (80%) occurs in the Maranta is an exclusively neotropical genus with neotropical region, compared with 11% in Asia and c. 34 species distributed across Central and South 9% in Africa (Hammel, 1986). The family currently America, but with most of the species concentrated in comprises c. 530 species and 31 genera, of which the Brazilian Atlantic and Amazonian forests and in Calathea G.Mey. is the largest and most widely dis- ‘Brazilian savannas’ or cerrados. tributed (Kennedy, 1977; Andersson, 1986; Kennedy, According to the informal grouping of the genera 1997, 2000). of Marantaceae of Andersson (1988), Maranta was Representatives of this family are found in a included in the Maranta Group, together with two variety of habitats, from gallery forests to semi- other neotropical genera (Koernickanthe L.Andersson deciduous, cloud and rain forests, at altitudes up to and Monophyllanthe K. Schum.) plus the Paleotropi- 1500 m, rarely more (Kennedy, 1977; Hammel, l986; cal genera Afrocalathea K. Schum. and Marantochloa Kennedy, 1997). Brogn. ex Gris. This family includes plants that have importance However, in the phylogenetic study of Andersson & as food for local populations, such as Maranta arun- Chase (2001), the Maranta Group was polyphyletic. dinacea L., rhizomes of which are used to produce The results show that the neotropical members of ‘araruta’ ﬂour, commonly used as food in different the Maranta Group are most closely related to the regions of the world, especially in Central America, as components of the exclusively neotropical Myrosma well as economic importance, such as several species Group, which is composed of the genera Ctenanthe, Hylaeanthe A.M.Jonker & Jonker, Myrosma L.f., *Corresponding author. Saranthe (Regel & Koern.) Eichler and Stromanthe E-mail: [email protected] Sonder.

In this same study, the genus Maranta was not Diagnosis: Marantae phrynioidi Koern. affinis bracteis supported as monophyletic. The clade comprising inflorescentiarum obovatis, distichis et coriaceis, flori- most of the samples of Maranta also included the bus albis et sepalis angustissimis, sed laminis coria- genera Hylaeanthe and Koernickanthe. Based on ceis, manifeste nervatis, et staminodiis callosis, callos these results, the authors suggested that Maranta,in laterales duos prominentes lobatos ferentibus, differt. its present circumscription, is polyphyletic and that the best solution is to enlarge the circumscription of Diagnostic characters: Maranta coriacea resembles the genus, instead of to subdivide it. M. phrynioides Koern., having inflorescences with The last complete treatment of this genus was the obovate, distichous and leathery bracts, white flowers work of Schumann (1902), who subdivided the genus and very narrow sepals; however, it differs from that into the four subgenera currently accepted. As their species in its leathery leaf blades with marked veins circumscriptions are based on few characters that are and in its callose staminodes, which possess two very variable, these subgenera are clearly question- prominent lobed lateral calli. able. After Schumann’s monograph, no attempt has been made to revise the whole genus, except for Description: Caulescent plants 40–50 cm tall; rhi- treatments in some local floras, where authors zomes without any specialization. Leaves homotropic; merged most of the material into one single species, leaf sheath glabrous, 10–12 cm long with prominent Maranta arundinacea L. (Standley, 1937; Woodson & extension 2–3 mm long; petiole proper 0.3–0.5 (–3) cm Schery, 1945) or divided it into two species, M. arun- long, in general absent in basal leaves, glabrous, dinacea and M. divaricata Roscoe (Standley & Stey- pulvinus hirsute just on the adaxial face, the rest ermark, 1952, Jonker-Verhoef & Jonker, 1957). glabrous, 2–4 mm long; leaf blade oblong, leathery, More recently Andersson (1986) published a taxo- with prominent veins on abaxial face, glabrous, nomic revision of Maranta subgenus. Maranta, which 8–12 ¥ 2.5–4 cm, apex acute, base rounded or acute. was established by Schumann (1902). In his work, Inflorescence an axillary synflorescence, with 1–4 Andersson proposed a new circumscription for this florescences; florescence with 5–6 distichous bracts, taxon, described eight new species and proposed the which are lax, obovate, leathery, glabrous, usually exclusion of two species (Maranta cordata Koern. and tearing during anthesis, 2.3 ¥ 0.8 cm, with acute Maranta foliosa Koern.). apex; florescence component of 1–3 cymules, cymule During the preparation of a monograph of Maranta peduncle 3–4 mm long, pedicels 0.5–1 and 1–1.5 mm for Flora Neotropica, which is in preparation, and is long respectively. Flowers white, c. 2.2 cm long; sepals being undertaken as part of the PhD thesis of the first narrowly elliptic to linear, conspicuous veins, gla- author (SV), four new species were discovered and are brous, c.9¥ 2 mm, acute at apex; corolla tube gla- described in this work. In addition to descriptions of brous, straight, 1.5 cm long; corolla lobes elliptic, the four new species, illustrations are also presented. weakly cucullate, c.9¥ 3 mm, with apex acute; two outer staminodes, unequal, the major obovate with apex rounded, c.4 3 mm, the minor elliptic with MATERIAL AND METHODS ¥ apex rounded, c.3¥ 2 mm; callose staminode mem- The data presented in this work are based on biblio- branous, c.5¥ 3 mm, with two prominent and lobed graphic and morphological studies, the latter study calli and apex irregular; cucullate staminode 5 mm being of both populations in their natural habitat and long, with one distal appendix, which is c. 1 mm long, of specimens in the following herbaria: B, BM, C, lobed and deflexed; fertile stamen c. 1.5 mm long, CEN, CEPEC, CESJ, COR, E, ESA, FLOR, HBR, with one diminutive wing adnate to filament; style c. HRB, HRBN, HTINS, HUFU, IAC, IAN, IBGE, ICN, 3 mm long, stigma with a prominent membranous INPA, G, GB, GUA, K, MAC, MBM, MBML, MG, NY, projection; ovary c. 1 mm, densely sericeous. P, PACA, PEL, R, RB, SP, SPF, SPSF, U, UB, UEC, UFG, VIC, W, WU. Specimens examined: BRAZIL. Goiás: Uruaçú, Rio The terminology used in the description is based on Maranhão, 14.i.1972 (fl), Rizzo, J.A. & Barbosa, A. Schumann (1902) and Andersson (1976). 7427 (UFG). Mato Grosso: Chapada dos Guimarães, 28.i.1986 (fl), Andersson, L. & Hagberg, M. 1601 (UB); ′ ′ SPECIES DESCRIPTIONS 15°30 S, 55°28 W, 21.iii.1978 (fl), Sillman, M.S. 115 (RB); Cuiabá, 11.ii.1975 (fl), Hatschbach, G. et al. 1. MARANTA CORIACEA S.VIEIRA & V.C.SOUZA, 36036 (MBM, NY); 12.ii.1974 (fl), Hatschbach, G. SP. NOV. 34070 (MBM); Dom Aquino, 13.xi.1975 (fl), Hatsch- Type: Brazil. Mato Grosso, Chapada dos Guimarães, bach, G. 37465 (MBM); 27.i.1986 (fl), Andersson, L. & 15°3′1.1′S, 55°4′51.2′W, 14.i.2004 (fl), Vieira, S. et al. Hagberg, M. 1596 (UB); Poxoréu, 27.i.1986 (fl), Ander- 153 (holotype: ESA). (Fig. 1) sson, L. & Hagberg, M. 1593 (UB). Tocantins: Pium,

Figure 1. Maranta coriacea S.Vieira & V.C.Souza sp. nov. A, habit. B, ﬂower. C, sepal. D, corolla lobe. E–F, outer staminodes. G, callose staminode. H, cucullate staminode. I, fertile stamen. J, style and stigma (Vieira et al. 153).

Barreira da Cruz, 9.xii.1973 (ﬂ), Rizzo, J.A. 9474 ments, such as riverbanks, and near waterfalls or in (CESJ). the cerrado, as well as in drier habitats that are seasonally subject to ﬂooding. This species occurs in Distribution and habitat: Maranta coriacea is distrib- small populations consisting of few individuals origi- uted throughout the states of Mato Grosso, Goiás and nated from sprouts emerging from the rhizome, a Tocantins, where it can be found in humid environ- common form of reproduction in this genus.

Comments: This species resembles M. phrynioides in blades weakly coriaceous to coriaceous, but these are the form, consistency and disposition of the bracts, as not fibrous and the veins are never strongly marked well as the colour of the flowers and the form of the as are the leaf blades of M. coriacea. sepals. It possesses a singular combination of characters that are the leathery consistency of the leaf blade plus the secondary marked and strong veins, making 2. MARANTA LONGIFLORA S.VIEIRA & V.C.SOUZA the leaf blades very fibrous. Leathery leaf blades are SP. NOV. not common in Maranta where membranous and Type: Brazil. Tocantins, Ponte Alta, 10°25′S, 47°10′W, chartaceous bracts are the most common condition. 16.xi.1998 (fl), Ratter, J.A. et al. 8113 (holotype: UB; Maranta pluriflora (Petersen) K.Schum. also has leaf isotypes: UEC, HTINS, K). (Fig. 2)

Figure 2. Maranta longiflora S.Vieira & V.C.Souza sp. nov. A, branch and inflorescence. B, flower. C, sepal. D, corolla lobe. E–F, outer staminodes. G, cucullate staminode. H, fertile stamen. I, style and stigma (Ratter et al. 8113).

Diagnosis: Marantae coriaceae S.Vieira & V.C.Souza Distribution and habitat: Maranta longiﬂora occurs affinis laminis omnino glabris, corollae lobis leviter in the states of Bahia, Minas Gerais and Tocantins, cucullatis et forma staminodiorum externorum, sed where it can be found in disturbed semi-deciduous laminis papyraceis sine nervis prominentibus et ﬂo- forests and the cerrado, usually on roadsides and in ribus majoribus luteis differt. sunny conditions. It can also be found growing between rocks.

Diagnostic characters: Maranta longiflora resembles Comments: This species can be easily distinguished M. coriacea S.Vieira & V.C.Souza in possessing com- from the other species of the genus, especially pletely glabrous leaf blades and weakly cucullate through its comparatively large yellow flowers and corolla lobes and in the form of the outer staminodes. leaves with totally glabrous, firm and chartaceous The two species differ in that the former has charta- leaf blades. Such large flowers (3–4.5 cm long) are ceous leaf blades, lacking prominent veins and larger, not common for Maranta. The only other species yellow flowers. with similar floral dimensions (2.5–3.5 cm long) is M. bracteosa Petersen. However, the only similarity between these two species is the dimensions of the Description: Rosulate to subcaulescent plants flowers, which are always white in M. bracteosa with 45–80 cm tall; rhizomes without any specialization. only the cucullate staminode bright yellow, whereas Leaves homotropic; leaf sheath puberulous, 8.7– the outer staminodes of the latter species are strongly 13 cm, with prominent extension 4–5 mm long; unequal rather than subequal. petiole proper absent; pulvinus puberulous just on the The most similar species to M. longiflora is M. adaxial face, the rest glabrous, 2–4 mm long; leaf coriacea S.Vieira & V.C.Souza. Both species have leaf blade broadly elliptic, chartaceous, glabrous, 9–14 ¥ blades totally glabrous, corolla lobes lightly cuculate 4.1–7 cm, apex rounded, abruptly short–acuminate, and subequal outer staminodes that are very similar base acute or rounded. Inflorescence a terminal syn- in their dimensions and form. However, M. coriacea florescence composed by 1–2 florescences, subtended has leaf blades with thicker, coriaceous consistency, by a bract similar to a prophyll, lanceolate and api- with strongly prominent veins and smaller and com- culate or similar to a leaf blade and orbicular; each pletely white flowers (c. 2.2 cm long). florescence with 5–6 distichous bracts, these lax, leathery, glabrous, c.3¥ 1.4 cm, with apex acute to rounded; florescence component of 2–3 cymules, 3. MARANTA PULCHRA S.VIEIRA & V.C.SOUZA cymule peduncle c. 4 mm long, pedicels 1.5–2.3 and SP. NOV. 2–3 mm long respectively. Flowers yellow 3–4.5 cm Type: Brazil. Mato Grosso, Poconé, Rodovia Transpan- long; sepals lanceolate, with conspicuous veins, gla- taneira, 29.i.1986 (fl), Andersson, L. & Hagberg, M. brous, c.7¥ 2 mm, acuminate at apex; corolla tube 1611 (holotype: UB). (Fig. 3) glabrous, weakly curve, 1–2.8 cm long; corolla lobes elliptic, weakly cucullate, glabrous, c. 1.2 ¥ 0.4 cm, with apex acute; two outer staminodes, subequal, Diagnosis: Marantae pluriflorae (Petersen) K.Schum. the major spathulate, c. 1.8 ¥ 1.2 cm, with apex laminis oblongis vel ellipticis et inflorescentiis angus- rounded, the minor similar but narrower; callose tissimis bracteis haud imbricatis similis, sed lami- staminode membranous and with two lobed calli, narum partis distalis margine supra et infra longe c.8¥ 6 mm, irregularly cleft at the apex; cucullate piloso, internodiis inflorescentiae longioribus gracil- staminode 8 mm long, with a distal appendix, this ioribusque et staminis fertilis appendice filiformi, c.5¥ 2 mm, simple and deflexed; fertile stamen nunquam antheram excedenti, interdum ad projec- c. 4 mm long, with a diminutive appendix adnate to turam parvam reducto, differt. the filament; style c. 4 mm long, stigma with a membranous and prominent portion; ovary c. 2 mm long, Diagnostic characters: Maranta pulchra resembles densely sericeous. M. pluriflora (Petersen) K.Schum. in its oblong or elliptic leaf blades and very narrow inflorescences with bracts not imbricate. However, it differs from Specimens examined: BRAZIL. Bahia: Formosa that species in having long trichomes along the do Rio Preto, 11°8′40′S, 45°34′22′W, 11.xi.1997 (fl), margin of the distal portion of the leaf blades on both Silva, M.A. et al. 3557 (SP); 11°8′40′W, 45°34′22′W, faces, longer and thinner internodes in the inflores- 11.xi.1997 (fl), Oliveira, F.C.A. et al. 917 (RB). cence and its fertile stamen with a filiform appendix Minas Gerais: Ituiutaba, Fazenda Santa Terezinha, never exceeding the anther and sometimes reduced to 2.xii.1945 (fl), Macedo, A. 1410 (ESA). a small projection.

Figure 3. Maranta pulchra S.Vieira & V.C.Souza sp. nov. A, habit. B, detail of apex of the leaf blade. C, ﬂower. D, sepal. E, corolla lobe. F–G, outer staminodes. H, callose staminode. I, cucullate staminode. J, fertile stamen. K, style and stigma (Andersson & Hagberg, 1611).

Description: Caulescent plants 0.70–1 m tall; rhi- ceous, with trichomes along the central nerve and zomes without any specialization. Leaves homotropic; apex on both faces and sparse, long trichomes along leaf sheaths puberulous, 6–8 cm long, with a diminu- the margin of the distal portion of the blade, the other tive prominent extension; petiole proper glabrous, parts glabrous. Inflorescence an axillary synflores- 2–3 mm long, or absent, mainly in basal leaves; pul- cence subtended by one bract similar to the other vinus hirsute on the adaxial face, otherwise glabrous, leaves, composed of 1–2 thin and narrow florescences; 2–3 mm; leaf blade oblong to elliptic, 9–12 ¥ 2–3 cm, these with 6–9 distichous bracts, c.1¥ 0.4 cm, ellip- with acuminate apex, base acute to rounded, charta- tic, chartaceous, glabrous, lax and not imbricate,

© 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158, 131–139 FOUR NEW SPECIES OF MARANTA L. FROM BRAZIL 137 acute to rounded at apex; florescence component of to M. pulchra, the inconspicuous nature of the second 1–2 cymules, cymule peduncle c. 1 mm long, pedicels callus in M. pluriflora suggests to us that they are c. 0.2–0.3 and c. 0.3–0.4 mm long, respectively. closely related. Flowers white, sometimes with staminodes weakly vinaceous, 1–1.2 cm long; sepals oblong, 3 ¥ 1 mm, 4. MARANTA PURPUREA S.VIEIRA & V.C.SOUZA glabrous, acute and apiculate at apex; corolla tube SP. NOV. straight or weakly curved, 5–6 mm long, glabrous; corolla lobes elliptic, 3 ¥ 1 mm, cucullate with apex Type: Brazil. Mato Grosso, Cáceres, 15°58′0.1′S, rounded; two outer staminodes, unequal, the major 57°29′13′W, 10.i.2004, Vieira et al. 142 (holotype: obovate, 5 ¥ 4 mm, with apex rounded, the minor ESA). (Fig. 4) clavate, 5 ¥ 2 mm, irregular at apex; callose staminode membranous, 3 ¥ 2 mm, with one callus lobed Diagnosis: Marantae bracteosae Petersen affinis foliis prominent and lateral and a line of trichomes near amplis, lamina elliptica vel oblonga ferentibus, the base on the adaxial face; cucullate staminode, sepalis lanceolatis et staminodiis externis magnis, 3 mm long, with a distal appendix, which is simple, valde inaequalibus, sed petiolis et bracteis dense hir- deflexed and lobed, c. 1.5 mm long; fertile stamen sutis et inflorescentia multo magis ramosa differt. 1.5 mm long, with a thread-like appendix c. 0.5 mm, or with small portion adnate to filament; style Diagnostic characters: Maranta purpurea resembles c. 1 mm long; ovary c. 1 mm, densely sericeous. M. bracteosa Petersen in having ample leaves with elliptic to oblong leaf blades, lanceolate sepals and large, strongly unequal outer staminodes; however, it Specimens examined: BRAZIL. Mato Grosso: Chapada differs from that species in having the petioles and dos Guimarães, 30.i.1986, Andersson & Hagberg 1622 bracts densely hirsute and the inflorescence much (UB); Chapada dos Guimarães, 28.i.1986 (fl, fr), more ramified. Andersson, L. & Hagberg, M. 1606 (UB); Pontes e Lacerda, 8.xi.1996 (fl), Hatschbach, G. et al. 65418 Description: Rosulate plants 50–60 cm tall; rhizomes (MBM). sometimes thickened, accumulating starch in the axis. Leaves homotropic; leaf sheath densely hirsute Distribution and habitat: Maranta pulchra has only only on its superior portion, otherwise glabrous, or been reported in the state of Mato Grosso and may be completely hirsute, 11–15 (–25) cm long, without endemic to this region. It inhabits humid and shaded prominent extension; petioles hirsute (2–) 14–22 cm places, usually close to small watercourses. long; pulvinus puberulous or hirsute just on the adaxial face, the rest glabrous, 0.5–1 cm long; leaf blades narrowly elliptic to oblong, chartaceous, Comments: This species is easily recognized by its 16–29.5 ¥ 6–11.5 cm, hirsute along the central vein narrow leaf blades and thin branches, which make it and apex on the adaxial face, abaxial face glabrous, inconspicuous in its natural environment because it apex rounded or acute and abruptly acuminate, base blends with the surrounding vegetation. Although at weakly cordate or acute. Inflorescence an axillary first sight M. pulchra can be confused with Maranta synflorescence, subtended by one bract similar to pohliana Koern., especially in their natural habitat, others leaves and composed of 7–10 florescences; by the general aspect of the habit, long and thin florescence peduncles 2.5–3.5 cm, hirsute; florescence internodes, small flowers sometimes violet, and by with 4–6 bracts 2.1–3 ¥ 1–1.3 cm, elliptic, leathery, the densely sericeous ovaries, these similarities are congested and densely hirsute, apex apiculate and superficial. With a more detailed examination, it can base concave; florescence composed of 3–4 cymules, be observed that M. pohliana has smaller flowers cymule peduncle 5–8 mm long, pedicels 1–3 and 2.5– and each florescence of this species has no more 5 mm long respectively. Flowers 3–3.5 cm long, corolla than two bracts, as in M. pulchra. Furthermore, white, outer staminodes with apex purple and cucul- M. pulchra never has a decumbent habit, as M. late staminode yellow; sepals lanceolate to linear, pohliana has. 1 ¥ 0.1 cm, glabrous, with apex acute; corolla tube Maranta pulchra also resembles M. pluriflora, glabrous, straight, 1.8–1.9 cm; corolla lobes elliptic, although the latter is a more robust plant. Both 1.1 ¥ 0.2 cm with apex acute and cucullate; two outer species have oblong to elliptical leaf blades and staminodes, strongly unequal, the major obovate, 0.8– narrow florescences with more than six non- 1.3 ¥ 0.4–1 cm, with apex rounded; the minor elliptic, imbricative bracts. Moreover, although M. pluriflora 0.8–1.2 ¥ 0.2–0.7 cm emarginate; callose staminode has two calli on the callose staminode, one of them is membranous, c.4¥ 3 mm, with one callus lobed and almost inconspicuous. While a single callus is unique lateral, irregularly acute at apex; cucullate staminode

Figure 4. Maranta purpurea S.Vieira & V.C.Souza sp. nov. A, habit. B, bract in dorsal view. C, flower. D, sepal. E, corolla lobe. F–G, outer staminodes. H, callose staminode. I, cucullate staminode. J, fertile stamen. K, style and stigma. L, ovary. M, seed (Vieira et al. 142). c. 6 mm long, with distal appendix c. 2 mm long, lobed Specimens examined: BRAZIL. Mato Grosso: Barra do and deflexed; stamen 4 mm long, petaloid appendix Garças, 25.i.1986 (fl), Andersson, L. & Hagberg, M. c. 0.5 mm long, adnate to filament, not exceeding the 1576 (UB); Cáceres, road Cáceres – Porto Estrela, anther; ovary c. 1 mm long, hirsute. Fruit 1.2–0.4 cm, 16°3′19.7′S, 57°34′30.3′W, 10.i.2004 (fl), Vieira, S. ellipsoid, puberulous, with persistent sepals; seeds et al. 136 (ESA); Cuiabá, 31.i.1986 (fl), Andersson, L. 9 ¥ 4 mm, ellipsoid, with smooth surface, aril c.3mm & Hagberg, M. 1625 (UB); Nobres, road Nobres- long. Marzagão, 22.x.1995 (fl), Hatschbach, G. et al. 63731

(MBM); Torixoréu, 21.i.1977 (ﬂ), Ratter, J.A. & Santos like to thank the reviewers for their helpful com- Neto, A.J. 4122 (UB). ments and criticisms.

Distribution and habitat: Maranta purpurea has been REFERENCES collected only in the state of Mato Grosso and may be endemic to this region. It inhabits shaded places in Andersson L. 1976. The synflorescence of the Marantaceae. the cerrado and disturbed semi-deciduous forests. Organization and descriptive terminology. Botaniska Notiser 129: 39–48. Comments: It is easily distinguished from all other Andersson L. 1986. Revision of Maranta subgen. Maranta species of this genus, through its densely hirsute leaf (Marantaceae). Nordic Journal of Botany 6: 729–756. sheaths, petioles and bracts. Moreover, its synflores- Andersson L. 1988. Marantaceae. In: Kubitzki K, ed. The cence possesses a very short peduncle, which usually families and genera of vascular plants IV. Flowering plants grows close to the ground. The rhizome is sometimes – Monocotyledons: Alismatanae and Commelinanae (except thickened, accumulating starch in the axis, and has Gramineae). Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 278–293. persistent and fibrous cataphylls that, together with Andersson L, Chase MW. 2001. Phylogeny and classification of Marantaceae. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society the basal prophylls, disintegrate rapidly and turns 135: 275–287. into a disordered fibre mass, which gives it a charac- Hammel BE. 1986. The vascular flora of La Selva Biological teristic aspect. Station, Costa Rica. Marantaceae. Selbyana 9: 234–242. Although M. purpurea shares some important and Jonker-Verhoef AME, Jonker FP. 1957. Marantaceae. In: usually diagnostic characteristics with M. bracteosa, Pulle, AA, Lanjouw J, eds. Flora of Suriname 1: 149–208. such as the form of leaf blades and the outer stami- Leiden. nodes, its dense and hirsute indument on the petioles, Kennedy H. 1977. Systematics and pollination of the ‘closed- leaf sheaths and bracts make this species a very flowered’ species of Calathea (Marantaceae). University of distinctive taxon in the genus. Moreover, the struc- California Publications in Botany 71: 1–90. ture of the inflorescence is unique in the genus. Dense Kennedy H. 1997. New species of Calathea (Marantaceae) and highly ramified inflorescences are common in endemic to Costa Rica. Canadian Journal of Botany 75: Calathea, but have not been encountered before in 1365–1362. Maranta. Kennedy H. 2000. Diversification in pollination mechanisms in the Marantaceae. In: Wilson, KL, Morrisson DA, eds. Monocots – Systematics and evolution. Melbourne: CSIRO, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 335–343. Kirchoff BK. 1983. Floral organogenesis in five genera of the We are very grateful to the Conselho Nacional de Marantaceae and in Canna (Cannaceae). American Journal Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) of Botany 70: 508–523. for granting us a PhD fellowship to Silvana Vieira, Schumann K. 1902. Marantaceae. In: Engler A, ed. Das to Fundação de Amparo à Pequisa do Estado de São Pflanzenreich 4. Leipzig. Paulo (FAPESP) for their support towards the Standley PC. 1937. Flora of Costa Rica: Marantaceae. Field accomplishment of the project, to the International Museum of Natural History, Botanical Series 18: 191–196. Association of Plant Taxonomy (IAPT) for a grant to Standley PC, Steyermark JA. 1952. Flora of Guatemala: support some collecting expeditions, to Dr. Tarciso Marantaceae. Fieldiana: Botany, 23: 207–221. Filgueiras for the Latin revision and to Eugeniya Woodson RE, Schery RW. 1945. Flora of Panama: Maranta- Khromina for the English revision. We would also ceae. Annals of the Missoun Botanical Garden 32: 81–105.