Contributions to Neotropical botany

Contributions to Neotropical botany

Erythrostemon guatemalensis Eisermann & G.P. Lewis,
a new tree species

Erythrostemon guatemalensis inflorescence
Inflorescence of Erythrostemon guatemalensis Eisermann & G.P.Lewis

Knut Eisermann discovered a tree species new to science, described in an article in Kew Bulletin:

Eisermann K., Lewis G.P., Forest F., Gagnon E., Csiba L., Aju J. & Williamson J. (2025) Erythrostemon guatemalensis (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae: Caesalpinieae), a new Endangered tree species from the Pacific slope highlands of Guatemala. Kew Bulletin 80: DOI 10.1007/s12225-025-10300-0.

Abstract: A new tree species, Erythrostemon guatemalensis Eisermann & G.P.Lewis (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae: Caesalpinieae), is described and illustrated based on morphological characters. The species occurs in montane, seasonally dry, tropical forest in the Pacific slope highlands of Guatemala, Departamento Sacatepéquez. Phenology data is derived from four years of field observations. Erythrostemon guatemalensis is morphologically similar to E. nicaraguensis (G.P.Lewis) Gagnon & G.P.Lewis but differs in several character details. The two species are allopatrically distributed with a distance of 450 km between their population localities and they occur at different elevations. Molecular analyses place this new taxon into a species group with E. exostemma (Sessé & Moc. ex DC.) Gagnon & G.P.Lewis, E. hughesii (G.P.Lewis) Gagnon & G.P.Lewis and E. nicaraguensis. Full-text view-only version

See record of Erythrostemon guatemalensis in the
International Plant Name Index

Erythrostemon guatemalensis flower
Flower of Erythrostemon guatemalensis Eisermann & G.P.Lewis
bark of Erythrostemon
Lenticellate bark of Erythrostemon guatemalensis Eisermann & G.P.Lewis
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