Closing the Passiflora spectabilis debate: identifying the true species and a new member from the Andean transition forests of central Perú

Kuethe J.R.; Chávez-Corcuera G.; Allen J.P. · Phytotaxa (2026) · DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.767.1.3

Resumen

The genus Passiflora (Passifloraceae) exhibits remarkable diversification across Peru’s heterogeneous landscapes, where ecological variation promotes high species endemism. During targeted fieldwork and herbarium studies in 2025, comparative analyses of populations historically attributed to Passiflora spectabilis revealed consistent morphological, ecological, and phenological differences between lowland Amazonian and premontane Andean populations. The latter, characterized by smaller reniform stipules, shorter floral diameter, corniculate sepals with elongated fleshy awns, and a distinct lavender-magenta corona, is herein described as Passiflora ruparupa sp. nov. The new species inhabits Andean cloud forests above 900 m, entirely allopatric from P. spectabilis which occurs only below 250 m in Amazonian floodplain habitats. Integrating field, herbarium, and photographic data, this study highlights the significance of ecological context in disentangling cryptic diversity within Passiflora and enriches understanding of Peru’s rapidly diversifying flora. Copyright

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos