YUCCA CERNUA (AGAVACEAE: SERIES RUPICOLAE), A NEW SPECIES FROM NEWTON AND JASPER COUNTIES IN EASTERN TEXAS

A new species of Yucca from the series Rupicolae is described from Jasper and Newton counties in eastern Texas. Series Rupicolae is distinguished by its characteristically denticulate leaves and beaked fruits. This new species, Yucca cernua, sp. nov. is described, illustrated, and distinguished from...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:SIDA, contributions to botany contributions to botany, 2003-07, Vol.20 (3), p.891-898
Main Author: Keith, Eric L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acid soils
Agriculture
Herbaria
Inflorescences
Leaf blade
Leaves
Mature plants
New species
Plants
Stamens
Ststematics
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Summary:A new species of Yucca from the series Rupicolae is described from Jasper and Newton counties in eastern Texas. Series Rupicolae is distinguished by its characteristically denticulate leaves and beaked fruits. This new species, Yucca cernua, sp. nov. is described, illustrated, and distinguished from other acaulescent species in ser. Rupicolae. The combined characteristics of a tall flowering scape; the tendency of the branches of the inflorescence to recurve and droop as they lengthen; the moderately to densely floccose inflorescence; large leaves typically growing erect; relatively short capsules, pistils, and stamens; unique habitat; and disjunct distribution distinguish this species from other acaulescent species in ser. Rupicolae. The rarity of this species warrants its consideration as a candidate for state and federal regulatory protection. Also included is a key of the entire or denticulate, nonfiliferous leaved North American species of Yucca. Se describe una nueva especie de Yucca de la serie Rupicolae de los condados Jasper y Newton en el Este de Texas. La serie Rupicolae se distingue por las hojas denticuladas y frutos picudos. Esta nueva especie, Yucca cernua sp. nov., se describe, se ilustra y diferencia de las otras especies de la serie Rupicolae. Un conjunto de varias características distingue esta especie de las otras especies acaulescentes de la serie Rupicolae. Estas características son la presencia de un escapo alto con flores, la tendencia de las ramas de la inflorescencia a retorcerse y colgar cuando se alargan, la inflorescencia de mediana a densamente flocosa, cápsulas, pistilos y estambres relativamente cortos, las hojas grandes que típicamente se desarrollan de forma erecta, un hábitat único, y su distribución disyunta. La rareza de esta especie justifica su consideración como candidata para la regulación de protección estatal y federal. También se incluye una clave de todas las especies de Yucca norteamericanas con hojas denticuladas y filíferas.
ISSN:0036-1488
2334-3273