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Phytotaxa 502 (3): 230–236
https://www.mapress.com/j/pt/
Copyright © 2021 Magnolia Press Article PHYTOTAXA
ISSN 1179-3155 (print edition)
ISSN 1179-3163 (online edition)
230 Accepted by Mario Martínez-Azorín: 14 May 2021; published: 25 May 2021
https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.502.3.2
Miersia putaendensis sp. nov. (Gilliesieae, Amaryllidaceae), a new species endemic
to Central Chile
ARÓN CÁDIZ-VÉLIZ
Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Campus Curauma, Avenida Universidad
330, Valparaíso, Chile.
�
aron.cadiz.veliz@gmail.com; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7548-1764
Abstract
A new species, Miersia putaendensis (Amaryllidaceae), endemic to Central Chile, is described. The new species differs from
all known species of Miersia by featuring a white staminal tube with a purple spot and two upper linear, cuneiform floral
appendages directed towards the front in its frontal lobe, the apex of which is toothed and deflexed. It inhabits southern
slopes of sclerophyll woodlands and scrubs, particularly along rocks. Currently, the species is critically endangered. A
detailed description, illustration, distribution map of the new species, and a dichotomous key with all accepted species of
Miersia are provided.
Keywords: Chile, geophyte, hotspots, Mediterranean ecosystems, taxonomy
Introduction
The flora of Chile is characterized by possessing the highest number of endemic plant families and genera within
South America (Urbina-Casanova et al. 2015, Scherson et al. 2017). Their taxonomic richness is highest in the Central
Chilean hotspot (Arroyo et al. 2008, Mittermeier et al. 2011, Moreira-Muñoz 2011, Bannister et al. 2012), where a
sizeable number of species of restricted-range can be found. These species face a high degree of threat because of
habitat destruction as a result of urban expansion, industrial and agroforestry activities, among other anthropogenic
impacts (Myers et al. 2000, Arroyo et al. 2008, Mittermeier et al. 2011, Torres-Mellado et al. 2012).
The genus Miersia Lindley (1826: 992) (Amaryllidaceae) belongs to the South American tribe Gilliesieae Baker
(1879: 413), it is endemic to the Mediterranean-type climatic zone of central Chile and its diversification is estimated to
have occurred during the Pliocene-Pleistocene (Rudall et al. 2002, Escobar 2012, Urbina-Casanova et al. 2015, Costa
et al. 2020, Escobar et al. 2020). The species of Miersia are characterized as bulbous herbs with strongly to slightly
zygomorphic flowers, with a perianth of six purple-green free tepals, between two and six floral appendages and a
staminal tube formed by six connate fertile stamens (Rudall et al. 2002, Escobar 2012). The flowers lack nectaries and
feature floral appendages with epiderm papillate that function as osmophores. Therefore, deceptive pollination has
been suggested for these flowers, as reported in some Orchidaceae (Rudall et al. 2002). However, this hypothesis has
not been proven yet (Rudall et al. 2002, Escobar 2012). In general, populations of Miersia inhabit the understory of
sclerophyllous woodlands, or within scrubs near to such sclerophyllous woodlands, where they are often associated
with arbuscular mycorrhizae (Torres-Mellado et al. 2012). The distribution and population sizes are very variable
among species (Navas 1973, Torres-Mellado 2012, Escobar et al. 2010, García 2010, Escobar 2012).
The genus was described in 1826 by Lindley with Miersia chilensis Lindley (1826: 992), which was probably
collected near Valparaíso (33º3’S; 71º36’W), Valparaíso Region (Lindley 1826, Muñoz-Schick 2003, Escobar 2012).
In 1873, Philippi characterized M. cornuta Phillipi (1873: 548) with material collected at Cuesta El Melón (32°36’S;
71°14’W), Valparaíso Region (Philippi 1873, Escobar et al. 2010). Later, Ravenna (2000) described two species, M.
leporina Ravenna (2000: 31), from samples collected in Cuesta Cavilolén (31°46’S; 71°19’W), Coquimbo Region,
and M. tenuiseta Ravenna (2000: 32) gathered at Cuesta Barriga (33°32’S; 70°56’W), Metropolitan Region (Ravenna
2000). Finally, Escobar (2012) carried out a taxonomic revision of the genus, reinstating M. minor Kunth (1843: 487),
A NEW SPECIES OF MIERSIA PUTAENDENSIS SP. NOV. Phytotaxa 502 (3) © 2021 Magnolia Press • 231
a species depicted by Kunth in 1843 from material collected by Bertero in the surroundings of Rancagua (34° 9’S;
70°42’W), O’Higgins Region, which was previously considered a synonym of M. chilensis (Escobar 2012). Currently,
the genus includes five accepted species in Chile’s flora distributed between the regions of Coquimbo (31ºS) and La
Araucanía (39ºS) (Escobar 2012, Rodríguez et al. 2018). However, recent phylogenetic analyses of plastid and nuclear
DNA sequences retrieve a clade formed by monotypic Speea Loesener (1927: 63) and all species of Miersia, raising
doubts on the monophyly of the latter; this issue requires further studies and could be caused by a lack of a clear
phylogenetic signal possibly due to the recent diversification of the group (Escobar et al. 2020).
During a field trip to the slope of Estero El Arrayán, Putaendo (32° 30’S; 70° 47’W, 850 m), Valparaíso Region,
Chile, in early August 2020, a population of fewer than 50 individuals of an undescribed species of the genus was
discovered. This paper describes this new species of Miersia endemic to central Chile and provides an illustration of
the species, a map of its distribution, and a dichotomous key to distinguish all species of Miersia.
Taxonomy
Miersia putaendensis A. Cádiz-Véliz, sp. nov. (Fig. 1, 3B1–2)
Diagnosis:—Miersia putaendensis differs from Miersia leporina Ravenna by its hyaline-white gibbous staminal tube with frontal purple-
spotted lobe and its floral appendages which are directed frontward, entire, linear to cuneiform, dorsally purple-spotted, and apically
deflexed.
Type:—CHILE. Valparaíso: Provincia de San Felipe de Aconcagua, Comuna de Putaendo, Cuesta El Manzano, Quebrada Estero El
Arrayán, 32°30‘12“S 70°47‘19“W, 850 m of elevation, 09 August 2020, A. Cádiz-Véliz 548 (holotype: JBN 4069!; isotypes: EIF
14041!, SGO!, CONC!,).
Description:—Herbaceous geophytic plant from a bulb. Bulb spherical to ovoid, 1‒2 × 1‒2.5 cm; cataphylls 1.5‒2.5
× 1.5‒2.5 cm. Leaves 1‒2(3), linear, 20‒30 × 0.3‒0.4 cm, with five parallel veins. Scape 1(2), cylindrical, hollow,
20‒30 × 0.25‒0.3 cm, longitudinally striated; spathe 2-valvate, herbaceous, oblong, acuminate, 1.2‒2 × 0.6‒1 cm;
bracts fused 1/3‒1/2 of its length. Inflorescence a pseudo-umbel with 2‒5 zygomorphic flowers; pedicels unequal,
longitudinally striated, 1.2‒8.5 × 0.01‒0.15 cm. Tepals 6, free, membranous, greenish, occasionally with purple tones,
with 3‒5(7) inconspicuous green-purple veins edges hyaline, lanceolate, acuminate, base rounded, 1.6‒2.5 × 0.25‒0.3
cm, apex reflexed in its distal third, somewhat coiled at the tip. Outer tepals 3, 2 upper, 1 lower. Inner tepals 3, upper
one leaned towards the front, with purple wide edges along 1/3‒1/2 of its length from the base, 2 tepals laterally
pointing downwards. Appendages 2, 8‒12 × 1‒1.5 mm, fused along 1/3 of its length to the upper area of the staminal
tube, the distal 2/3 free, whitish or greenish, linear to cuneiform, entire, apex truncate and deflexed, with 4‒6 uneven
teeth, with a purple dorsal region varying in size. Stamens 6, fused forming a staminal tube, 5‒8 (length) × 1‒1.5
(width) × 5‒8 (height) mm, gibbous, hyaline-white, with lateral depressions and folds, a white frontal lobe, 2‒3.5
(length) × 2‒3.5 (width) ×1.5‒3 (height) mm, with a purple spot varying in intensity, a central depression forming
an arc immediately below the lobe, lower portion forming a tube 1.5‒2 × 1‒1.5 mm, directed towards the front and
enclosing all anthers at the apex; anthers 6, yellow, <0.7 mm long; style declinate, 6‒7 mm long; stigma capitate,
reaching the anthers or slightly exerted, projecting up to 1 mm; ovary superior, spherical to ovoid, trilocular, 1‒2 mm
long. Capsule obpyramidal, 1‒1.3 × 1.5‒1.7 cm, 3-valved, connate along the basal 1/2, each valve with thickened
edges, surface slightly rugose and greenish, style generally as a remnant. Seeds numerous, pyramidal, whitish, 2‒2.5
×2 mm, papillose surface, mature seeds unknown.
Etymology:—The specific epithet refers to Putaendo, the locality where the species was discovered.
Ecology and distribution:—Miersia putaendensis inhabits south-facing hillsides, on cliffs or steep slopes with
abundant vegetation, within the interior of Mediterranean sclerophyllous woodlands with Quillaja saponaria Molina
(1782: 354) and Porlieria chilensis Johnston (1938: 253), Lithraea caustica Hooker & Arnott (1833: 175) (Luebert
& Pliscoff 2017), and Colliguaja odorifera Molina (1782: 354) on relatively shaded sites under the canopy. It occurs
across an elevational range of 830 to 920 m above sea level. The species distribution is restricted to the type locality
(Fig. 2); within an area of ca. 500 m2, its presence in surrounding areas has not been confirmed.
Phenology:—Flowering between July and August, in fruit between September and October.
CÁDIZ-VÉLIZ
232 • Phytotaxa 502 (3) © 2021 Magnolia Press
FIGURE 1. Illustration of Miersia putaendensis: (A) Habit, (B) Detail of flower (frontal view), (C) Detail of flower (lateral view), (D)
Fruit (lateral view), (E) Fruit (apical view), (F) Fruit (medial transverse section), and (G) Seed. Drawn by Arón Cádiz-Véliz.
Conservation status:—This new species grows within Chile’s most threatened region due to the high exploitation
of natural resources (Myers et al. 2000). There are human settlements related to the livestock farming of goat and
cattle in the nearby areas, numerous low and medium scale mining projects can also be found (Cádiz-Véliz & Aliaga-
Reyes 2019). Climbers also visit the area, being a potential risk for the individuals growing in the cliffs. However, the
A NEW SPECIES OF MIERSIA PUTAENDENSIS SP. NOV. Phytotaxa 502 (3) © 2021 Magnolia Press • 233
current population inhabits a slope in a good state of conservation, with abundant native vegetation. Due to the limited
extension of the single known population, being lower than 100 km2, M. putaendensis is proposed to be classified as
Critically Endangered (CR) as it meets the B1 criterion (IUCN 2012).
FIGURE 2. Distribution map of Miersia putaendensis: (A) Continental Chile (B) Región de Valparaíso. Elaborated by Simón Olfos.
Taxonomic relationships:—Miersia putaendensis is morphologically similar to M. leporina in having two upper
floral appendages. However, they differ in shape and arrangement. The former displays the floral appendages towards
the front, and these are entire, linear, with a truncate apex, toothed, and deflexed. In the latter, the appendages are erect,
entire or divided, and lanceolate. The species is also similar to M. cornuta by featuring a white gibbous staminal tube
and reflexed tepals. Nonetheless, the latter has six floral appendages around a reflexed purple staminal tube, whereas
M. putaendensis has two appendages, a white staminal tube with a purple spot with its lobe directed frontward.
CÁDIZ-VÉLIZ
234 • Phytotaxa 502 (3) © 2021 Magnolia Press
FIGURE 3. Flowers of Miersia species: (A) M. leporina, (B) M. putaendensis (B1) frontal view, (B2) lateral view, (C) M. cornuta, (D) M.
chilensis, (E) M. tenuiseta, (F) M. minor. Scale bar 5 mm. Photography: (A, E and F) Nicolás García, (B1, 2) Arón Cádiz-Véliz, (C)
Patricio Novoa, (D) Óscar Ovalle.
A NEW SPECIES OF MIERSIA PUTAENDENSIS SP. NOV. Phytotaxa 502 (3) © 2021 Magnolia Press • 235
Identification key to the species of Miersia (Fig. 3)
1. Flowers with 2 appendages above the staminal tube ..........................................................................................................................2
2. Entire or divided floral appendages, lanceolate and erect. Bluish-green staminal tube with an erect, short, upper lobe without a
purple spot ..........................................................................................................................................................M. leporina (Fig.3A)
- Entire floral appendages, linear to cuneiform, with a truncate toothed and deflected apex and oriented frontward. White staminal
tube featuring an elongated frontal lobe with a purple spot on its apex ......................................................M. putaendensis (Fig.3B)
- Flowers with 6 appendages around the staminal tube ........................................................................................................................3
3. Tepals clearly reflexed. Staminal tube with a globose deflected base. Floral appendages entire and filiform ... M. cornuta (Fig.3C)
- Tepals generally non reflexed. Staminal tube not globose at base. Floral appendages divided .........................................................4
4. Strongly zygomorphic flowers. Tepals acuminate, generally reflexed. Floral appendages flat, bifid, divided up to half of their
length ................................................................................................................................................................. M. chilensis (Fig.3D)
- Slightly zygomorphic flowers. Tepals acute, tips straight. Floral appendages filiform or flat, bifid to trifid ....................................5
5. Tepals linear-lanceolate, generally with a purple central stripe. Appendages filiform, staminal and tepaline similar, bifid, 0.12-0.2
cm long. Staminal tube narrowed and exerted .................................................................................................. M. tenuiseta (Fig.3E)
- Tepals external ovate or oval-lanceolate, obtuse, internal linear-lanceolate. Appendages flat, wide, bifid or trifid, tepaline flats,
bifid or slightly lobed, 0.06-0.12 cm long. Staminal tube 3-lobed, not-exerted .................................................... M. minor (Fig.3F)
Acknowledgements
The author is grateful to his family for collaborating in the field trips, to Nicolás García, Patricio Novoa, Nicolás
Lavadero and Óscar Ovalle for sharing photographs and bibliographic material, to Simón Olfos for elaborating a
species distribution map, to Bárbara Palma for photography editing, and to Nicolás García, Mario Martínez and
Carolina Aliaga Reyes for her helpful suggestions about the manuscript.
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