Botanical novelties from the Sierra de Maigualida, southern Venezuela III: revision and two new species of the genus <em>Ilex (Aquifoliaceae)</em>

Abstract

The Sierra de Maigualida is a poorly explored mountain range in the central Guayana Shield with high levels of endemism. In the present installment, this area is further delimited and mapped, toponymy is reviewed, and the genus Ilex L. is locally reviewed, with two species, namely I. huberi J.R.Grande sp. nov. and I. maigualidensis J.R.Grande sp. nov., described as new to science. Ilex huberi sp. nov. can be distinguished by its leaf blades strongly revolute, mucronate, and with obscure secondary venation, simple dichasia, and depressed-lunate sepals; I. maigualidensis sp. nov. by its dull leaves, flowers with undeveloped styles, and capitate-subcoronate stigmata. Stem buds and cataphylls are proposed as useful characters in species delimitation within the genus, while I. magnifructa Edwin is illustrated for the first time. A key is presented to differentiate all the species of Ilex of the Sierra de Maigualida.