A review of Acianthera subgenus Brenesia, with a new species from Mexico

What is it about?

Brenesia was originally proposed to accommodate an odd taxon among the Orchidaceae subtribe Pleurothallidinae, characterized by its sessile leaves, stems covered by inflated sheaths and a raceme produced at the base of the stem. A few more closely related taxa were discovered afterwards, but the generic name has mostly been placed under the synonymy of Pleurothallis. Recent DNA-based studies showed that Brenesia constitutes a monophyletic group within the genus Acianthera. We present here a review of Acianthera subgenus Brenesia, delimiting each species in the group and providing a key for their identification.

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Why is it important?

Acianthera subg. Brenesia includes five species distributed from central Veracruz, Mexico, to Panama. The species included in this group are Acianthera costaricensis from Costa Rica and Panama; A. herrerae from Chiapas, in Mexico, and Guatemala; A. johnsonii from Chiapas (Mexico) to Honduras; and A. sotoana from Veracruz and Oaxaca (Mexico). For each taxon, a morphological description, drawing, photo, information concerning nomenclature, distribution, habitat, phenology, and comparison with similar taxa are provided. Acianthera rzedowskiarum is described as a new species from Chiapas, based on specimens previously confused with A. johnsonii.

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