Taxonomic clarifications, a new combination, and three new species of Neotropical Rinorea (Violaceae)

Based on findings of revisionary studies of Neotropical <i>Rinorea</i>, we propose several taxonomic novelties and clarifications in this study, including the description of three new species, a new combination, the placement of three species in synonymy, and updated descriptions of two poorly known species from South America. One of the new species, <i>Rinoreaidarragae</i>, is described from Mesoamerica and belongs to R.sect.Rinorea. The two other new species are from South America and are placed in R.sect.Pubiflorae: <i>Rinoreacardenasii</i> occurs in the region of the western edge of the Guiana Shield in Colombia, and <i>Rinoreapabongonzaleziorum</i> is from the Amazon Basin in Colombia and Venezuela. Rinorealindenianavar.fernandeziana is elevated to the rank of species, and <i>Rinoreacordata</i>, <i>R.antioquiensis</i>, and <i>R.hymenosepala</i> are synonymized under <i>R.laurifolia</i>, <i>R.squamata</i>, and <i>R.ulmifolia</i>, respectively. Finally, we provide updated descriptions of <i>Rinoreadeflexa</i> from Ecuador and Peru and <i>Rinoreabicornuta</i> from Colombia and Brazil. For the three new species, we provide descriptions, illustrations, distribution maps, and preliminary conservation assessments based on IUCN Red List categories and criteria.