A revision of Tecoma Juss. (Bignoniaceae) in Bolivia

Abstract

A revision of the genus Tecoma in Bolivia based on the author's herbarium research and extensive field observations is presented. Species delimitation is re-evaluated, resulting in the recognition of only four species, one of which, T. beckii J. R. I. Wood, is described as new. Tecoma sambucifolia is treated as var. sambucifolia (Kunth) J. R. I. Wood of the widespread and variable T. stans (L.) Juss., as it can only be distinguished on the basis of minor morphological characters and is not as geographically restricted as has been supposed. Tecoma fulva (Cav.) D. Don is treated as a variable species extending from central Peru to Chile and northern Argentina with six subspecies: ssp. fulva, ssp. guarume (A. DC.) J. R. I. Wood, ssp. tanaeciiflora (Kränzlin) J. R. I. Wood, ssp. arequipensis (Sprague) J. R. I. Wood, ssp. garrocha (Hieron.) J. R. I. Wood, and ssp. altoandina J. R. I. Wood, the latter described as new. The differences between T. tenuiflora (A. DC.) Fabris and the Peruvian T. rosifolia Kunth are discussed. Hybrids are formally recognized in the genus for the first time, and the implications for the accepted corolla morphology and pollination syndromes are discussed. Maps illustrate the geographical distributions of the species. All taxa discussed in the paper are illustrated. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London.