Resolving paramo Poa (Poaceae): morphometric and phylogenetic analysis of the 'Cucullata complex' of north-west South America

Species delimitation in the Poa taxa of the 'Cucullata complex' from the paramos of north-west South America, morphologically defined by open panicles and webbed calluses, among other characters, has been complicated by their large morphological variability coupled with a lack of available taxonomic treatments. Using multivariate morphometric and phylogenetic analyses, distinct groupings of taxa were identified including the new paramo taxa, P. bricenoi sp. nov. from Venezuela and P. cucullata subsp. cucullatella subsp. nov. from Ecuador, which are described and illustrated. Poa scabrivaginata is also presented as a new record for Ecuador and paramo vegetation in general. Based on the results from this study, updated descriptions and images are also presented for P. chirripoensis, P. cucullata s.s., P. petrosa and P. scabrivaginata, and an identification key is provided for the species of the Cucullata complex and other open-panicled Poa spp. from Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela.

Automated summary

Species delimitation in the Poa taxa of the 'Cucullata complex' from the paramos of north-west South America has been complicated by their large morphological variability and a lack of available taxonomic treatments. New paramo taxa were identified and described using multivariate morphometric and phylogenetic analyses, with updated descriptions and images provided for existing species and an identification key for the complex and other related species from Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela.