A new Malaxis (Orchidaceae: Malaxidinae) from the Campos de Altitude of
the Atlantic Rainforest in southern Brazil
Abstract
Malaxis ybytui is proposed as a new species from the wetlands of the
Campos de Altitude of the Atlantic Rainforest of South Brazil. It is
described, illustrated, and compared with other similar species. The new
species is recognised by its flat to slightly conduplicate leaves,
densely congested inflorescence with small flowers bearing free lateral
sepals and four cavities in the lip. It is similar to Malaxis cipoensis
and Malaxis sertulifera, being distinguished by its vegetative and
floral morphology. The species is found in the mountain’s hillside about
1500m elevation in the Serra do Araçatuba\Papanduva
mountain chain. Due to the high degree of endemism in this environment,
the few collection records and the anthropic pressure in the region, we
infer that the species is Critically Endangered (CR).