Agave guadarramae (Asparagaceae: Agavoideae), a new species from southeastern Mexico

Abstract

Agave guadarramae N.C. Jiménez et García-Mend., a new species from the Sierra Madrigal, Municipality of Teapa, Tabasco, Mexico, is described and illustrated. It belongs to section Guatemalenses; it is compared with A. calderonii Trel. (the correct binomial for the taxon known as A. parvidentata Trel.), and A. pachycentra Trel., of the same section, and A. acicularis Trel., of the section Antillares. The species is characterized by the open medium-sized solitary rosettes, dark green spathulate or broadly lanceolate leaves, margin denticulate to entire, teeth closely spaced; open panicles, with compact umbels, bulbiferous, peduncle equal or longer than the leaves, and small flowers and fruits. Due to its limited area of occupation and distribution known from a single locality, the new species is considered as Vulnerable (VU D2), according to the IUCN criteria.