Chamaecrista marinasilvae sp. nov. (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae): a threatened new species from the deforestation frontier of the Brazilian Cerrado

Abstract

During a field expedition to the Jalapão region (Tocantins State, Brazil), a morphologically distinct specimen was collected and identified as a new species, Chamaecrista marinasilvae . Further herbarium investigations revealed additional collections of this taxon from the same state that had been misidentified as Chamaecrista juruenensis . The new species is similar to C. juruenensis in habit, leaflet shape, texture, and coloration, as well as in the general appearance of the inflorescence, but differs in branch color and indumentum, petiolule and pulvinus size, leaflet venation and orientation, and ovary and fruit indumentum. This paper provides a detailed description of the new species, including notes on its morphology, distribution, phenology, taxonomic affinities, and conservation status. A key to the species of Chamaecrista sect. Absus subsect. Absus ser. Absoideaeoccurring in Tocantins State is also provided.