Physalis mahindae (Solanaceae), a new endemic species from Querétaro, México

Mexico is the primary center of diversity for Physalis , harboring most of its known species. In recent botanical explorations in the state of Queretaro, Mexico, a new perennial species, Physalis mahindae sp. nov., was discovered. Morphologically, P. mahindae superficially resembles P. longifolia and P. caudella but it can be distinguished by its densely pubescent stems with long, multicellular eglandular trichomes, completely sessile, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate leaves, and corollas featuring broad interpetalar tissue. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the nuclear LEAFY marker places P. mahindae in a clade with P. gracilis, which is a siter group of a clade containing P. peruviana and P. longifolia . This placement is biogeographically rather surprising, as neither of those two species are naturally distributed in México. Following IUCN guidelines, P. mahindae is assessed as Critically Endangered due to its restricted range and the existence of only two known populations. The description of this new taxon increases the known species diversity for the genus in Mexico and highlights the need for floristic and systematic research in the region.