A New Species of Bauhinia (Fabaceae: Cercidoideae): Morphological and Phylogenetic Insights

A new species of Bauhinia from the Brazilian Cerrado is described. Based on floral morphology, it can be assigned to Bauhinia sect. Pauletia ser. Cansenia, but its vegetative characters distinguish it from all other known members of the group. To elucidate its taxonomic position, we conducted detailed morphological comparisons, and molecular phylogenetic analyses using the nuclear ribosomal ITS region and two plastid markers (matK and trnL–F). Bayesian Inference (BI) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) analyses were performed. Our results support (both PP from BI and BP from ML) the placement of this new species within Bauhinia ser. Cansenia. The new species named B. latistipulata sp. nov. is easily distinguished from other species of Bauhinia ser. Cansenia by its reniform stipules and cymbiform bracts. The species shows morphological similarities to B. ungulata, sharing elliptic to ovate leaf blades with obtuse apices, tomentose ovaries, and clavate stigmas. However, it differs by its hirsute abaxial leaf surface (vs. tomentose), tubular and ribbed flower buds (vs. clavate or subclavate and smooth), tomentose staminal tube (vs. pubescent), and distinct color of the ovary indumentum (white vs. ferruginous).