Funastrum saganii (Apocynaceae; Asclepiadoideae; Asclepiadeae; Oxypetalinae), a new species endemic to Veracruz, Mexico

ABSTRACT

A new species of Funastrum is described from Veracruz, Mexico. Although Funastrum saganii sp. nov. is morphologically similar to F. elegans and F. lindenianum, there are differences in leaf and flower morphology and geographic distribution. Descriptions, illustrations and the geographic distribution of this species are provided, and its conservation status discussed. Morphological leaf analysis was performed using geometric morphometrics. This discovery highlights Mexico as center of diversity for the genus Funastrum, with 14 of its 19 species located in the country. This finding is important because it is the first new species of Funastrum to be described from Mexico in 127 years.

Keywords:
Apocynaceae; endemism; Funastrum; geometric morphometrics; Oxypetalinae; Veracruz; Mexico