Hechtia kruseana and Hechtia rosamariae (Bromeliaceae; Hechtioideae), two new species from Guerrero, Mexico

Abstract

Recent botanical explorations carried out in the Guerrero state for the project Bromeliaceae of Mexico led to the discovery of two new species, both endemic to Guerrero: Hechtia kruseana and H. rosamariae. The new taxa are compared with the morphologically similar: H. anarosae, H. caulescens, H. jaliscana and H. stenopetala. Hechtia kruseana differs from these by the diameter of the rosettes (50-60 cm) and by the length of the staminate and pistillate inflorescences (190-275 cm). Hechtia rosamariae differs from morphologically related species by the size of floral bracts (1.5-2.0 × 0.7-1.0 mm) and the length of the petals (3.0-3.2 mm) of staminate flowers; by the length (2.3-2.6 mm) and shape (ovate) of the sepals, and width of the petals (1.7-2.0 mm) of pistillate flowers. Morphological descriptions, images, and a map showing the distribution of the described taxa are included, as well as an identification key for all the species of Hechtia present in Guerrero.