Reestablishment of Passiflora toxicaria and P. velutina, with the Division and Synonymization of P. araujoi

The taxonomic review of Passiflora araujoi Sacco, P. toxicaria Barb. Rodr., P. velutina DC., and related species aims to resolve the long-standing synonymization issues within Passiflora supersect. Coccinea Feuillet & J. M. MacDougal. Although P. toxicaria and P. velutina were previously synonymized with P. coccinea Aubl., this study presents new morphological, palynological, and geographic data corroborating that they represent distinct species. Specimens formerly identified as P. araujoi from the Brazilian states of Maranhão, Pará, and Tocantins are now synonymized, along with P. coccinea var. minor Mast., as P. toxicaria. Conversely, specimens from Mato Grosso, Rondônia, and border areas shared with Amazonas and Pará exhibit consistent morphological characters that support their reestablishment as P. velutina. Morphological analysis of vegetative and floral characters distinguishes P. toxicaria from P. velutina, and differences in pollen morphology, supported by multivariate analysis, further validate the separation of these species. Additionally, two new occurrences of P. toxicaria were recorded in Tocantins, expanding the known distribution of the species. The study also designates a lectotype and epitype to clarify the taxonomic status of P. toxicaria.