A new Epidendrum (Laeliinae-Orchidaceae) from the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil: Evidence from morphology and cytogenetics

A new epiphytic species, Epidendrum sanchezii, is described from northeastern Brazil. The new species grows in the montane Atlantic forest of the states of Ceara and Pernambuco. It belongs to the E. difforme complex and is morphologically similar to E. angustatum, but the new species differs because it has smaller flowers, 7-veined sepals, a lip with a cuspidate apex, and a column that is strongly sigmoid. A karyological description of the new species is presented, including the pattern of CMA/DAPI bands, and this is compared with E. campaccii. A key is provided to distinguish species of the E. difforme complex in northeastern Brazil.