Gaya xiquexiquensis C. Takeuchi & G. L. Esteves, sp. nov.

Type: — BRAZIL. Bahia: Município de Xique-Xique, Lagoa Itaparica, 24 March 2014, C. Takeuchi 144 (holotype SP, isotype HUEFS). Figs. 1A–G, 2A–G

Affinis Gaya aurea A. Saint Hil. indumento velutino trichomabitus stellatis et glandularis, laminis foliaribus ovatis ad oblongas et calyce nervis centralibus prominentibus munitis, sed laminis apicibus generaliter obtusis ad rotundatos, fructibus 10–13 mericarpiis, endoglossum glabrum et vestigiali differt.

Subshrubs 0.4–2.5 m tall. Plants with yellowish indumentum, the trichomes stellate, usually glandular, branches velutinous. Stipules 3 mm long, filiform; petioles 0.3–1 cm long; leaf blades 1.2–3 × 0.3–2.1cm, discolorous, chartaceous, entire, lanceolate, ovate to oblong, base cordate, apex obtuse, rounded or acute, margin serrate, abaxial surface velutinous, adaxial surface puberulent, palmate with 7–9 basal nerves. Flowers solitary, epicalyx absent, calyx lobes 0.7–1.1 cm long, cupuliform, externally velutinous, central nerves ribbed, basal portion rounded, 5-lobed, lobes ovate, apex caudate; petals 1.5–1.8 cm long, yellowish, apex emarginate and apical margin dentate; stamens numerous, yellow; staminal tube glabrous, yellow; styles as many as carpels (10–13), ovary uni-ovulate. Schizocarp 4–7 × 7–8 mm, erect when mature and pendulous when immature, globose, partially enclosed in the calyx; mericarps as many as styles, muticous, generally wider at the base than the apex, dorsal side with glandular trichomes, endoglossum vestigial, glabrous, constriction on ventral or basal margin, 1-seeded; seed 2 × 2 mm, trigonous, trichomes stellate and bi-radiate.

Distribution, Habitat and Ecology— Known only from Xique-Xique, Bahia. It grows in the Caatinga biome on riverbanks, lakefront and roadsides.

Etymology— The epithet recognizes the type locality, the municipality of Xique-Xique.

Conservation status— According to IUCN criteria, G. xiquexiquensis should be included in the endangered category (EN) due to the existence of only a single known locality.

Additional specimens examined— BRAZIL. Bahia: Município de Xique-Xique, margem do Rio Verde, 10 June 1986, G. C. P. Pinto 57/86 (CTES, HUEFS, HRB, RB); Lagoa Itaparica, 26 February 1977, R. M. Harley 19102 (CTES).

The new species described in this study is similar to Gaya aurea due to its velutinous indumentum consisting of stellate trichomes, calyx with ribbed nerves and lobes with caudate apex. However, Gaya xiquexiquensis differs from G. aurea mainly due to leaf blades with generally rounded or obtuse apices (Fig. 2D), 10–13 mericarps per fruit and a glabrous and vestigial endoglossum (Fig. 1A–G). Gaya aurea has leaf blades with generally acute to attenuate apices, 15–19 mericarps per fruit and a developed endoglossum with glandular trichomes (Fig. 1H–K).

Gaya aurea is known from both Pernambuco and Bahia states, in localities near Xique-Xique, occurring in the Caatinga, often on riverbanks. Probably because of these reasons, the specimen G.C.P. Pinto 57/86 was labeled in herbaria and cited in Krapovickas (1996) as G. aurea.