Studies in Neotropical Araliaceae. XII. Taxonomic Revision of the Cotylanthes Group of Sciodaphyllum in Ecuador

Recent field and herbarium studies have led to the recognition of three new species of Sciodaphyllum P. Browne (Araliaceae) from Ecuador belonging to the Cotylanthes group, characterized by cylindrical, paniculate, sparsely branched inflorescences with one to three secondary axes bearing umbellules whose flowers have a calyptrate corolla with a distinctly apiculate or beaked apex and six to 12 stamens, carpels, and styles. Here we present a revision of the group in Ecuador, describing as new all three of its species, which occur in premontane and lower montane forests on the eastern slopes of the Andes in northern Ecuador: Sciodaphyllum bonitense M. M. Mora, Lowry, G. M. Plunkett & H. Garzón, S. napoense M. M. Mora, Lowry & G. M. Plunkett, and S. palaciosii M. M. Mora, Lowry & G. M. Plunkett. We provide an identification key, illustrate each species, and assess its conservation status according to the IUCN Red List criteria, which indicate that S. bonitense is Endangered (EN) and that S. napoense and S. palaciosii are both Vulnerable (VU).