A key and three new species for the re-circumscribed genus Deprea (Solanaceae)

Abstract

Three new species of Deprea, found in Ecuador and Peru, are described and illustrated. Deprea pauciflora has close morphological affinities with D. sachapapa, from which it is readily distinguished by the hirsute leaves, heterodynamous stamens, and invaginate-pyriform fruiting calyx always loosely enveloping the berry. Deprea pecaensis shows similarities to D. maculatifolia, D. dilloniana, and D. pumila, although it is characterized by a combination of 1?3 flowers per node, narrowly elliptic leaves without any white macules, corolla lobes-tube length ratio 1.5: 1.75, homodynamous stamens, non-mucronate anthers, exserted style, and membranous leaves. Lastly, D. zakii is similar to D. hawkesii and D. purpureocarpa, but it can be distinguished by a combination of a glabrous to glabrescent vegetative indumentum, a campanulate corolla with revolute lobes which are equal to or shorter than the corolla tube, short calyx lobes, and staminal filaments broadening gradually in width basipetally. Discussions on taxonomy, geographic distribution, and conservation status areprovided, as well as an identification key to the 50 species of Deprea.