The first epiphytic species of Valeriana in the world: Valeriana rudychazaroi (Caprifoliaceae)

Abstract

The currently known species of Valeriana are herbs, shrubs, small trees and vines. After 20 years without new species of Valeriana in Mexico, here is described and illustrated the first epiphytic species in the genus. The species was found growing on Quercus glabrescens trees of the cloud forests from central Veracruz in eastern Mexico. It is known and described from very few specimens in the type locality. The most morphologically similar Mexican species are the vines V. naidae and V. subincisa, it was compared. Conservation assessment classifies this species under the Critically Endangered CR B1+B2ab(ii,v) category of the IUCN Red List Criteria.