A New Epidendrum (Laeliinae-Orchidaceae) from the Extensively Collected Itacolomi Peak, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

Abstract In this study we describe a new species, Epidendrum itacolomiensis, from the historically well collected region of the Itacolomi peak, Minas Gerais, Brazil. We compare the new species with taxa belonging to the E. proligerum complex. The new species has some of the smallest flowers of the complex and is similar to E. bothryanthum and E. parahybunense, but it is easily distinguished from them by the erect stems, the absence of a distinct ventral vesicle in the pedicellate ovary formed by an inflated cuniculus, and pale pink flowers. It also differs from E. bothryanthum by the entire lip. We also provide an illustration, photographs, and an identification key for the species complex. This study highlights that even extensively collected areas in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest may hide new orchid taxa.