Five New Species of Aniba (Lauraceae) from Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru

Abstract

Five new species of Aniba Aubl. (Lauraceae) with clustered or verticillate leaves are described and illustrated. Aniba brochidodroma van der Werff from Peru stands out by its short petioles and soft whitish hairs on the lower leaf surface. Aniba glabra van der Werff from Colombia is distinguished by its glabrous flowers and inflorescences. Aniba palaciosii van der Werff from Ecuador can be recognized by the indument of the outer surface of the tepals, with the outer three tepals finely appressed pubescent and the inner three tepals glabrous. Aniba tomentella van der Werff from Peru differs from its congeners in its flower shape; its flowers are wider than long and the tepals are incurved leaving only a small apical pore. Finally, A. verticillata van der Werff from Ecuador differs from morphologically similar species by its subcoriaceous leaves with prominently raised secondary veins and its montane habitat.