Ramirez et al. 2026 (Article) Hechtia, Mexico

Hechtia aragonii (Hechtioideae: Bromeliaceae), a new species from Oaxaca, Mexico

Author(s):—I.M. Ramírez M., C.F. Jiménez N. & R. Rivera M.

Corresponding email:—ramirez@cicy.mx

Publication:—Botanical Sciences 104(3): 952-959. (2026) — DOI

Abstract:—Background: Oaxaca is the Mexican state with the highest number of species of Hechtia (30). Recent botanical collections in the Sierra Madre del Sur region in the state revealed a species unknown to science.
Question: Are there characters present in the taxon from Río Cajonos in Oaxaca that indicate it is a new species?
Studied species: Hechtioideae, Hechtia sp. nov.
Study site and dates: Oaxaca, 2021-2025.
Methods: Live Hechtia plants and herbarium material were analyzed and compared to other species of the genus described from the state of Oaxaca and neighboring areas, particularly, flowers of both sexes in anthesis. Morphological descriptions of male and female plants were elaborated based on herbarium and photographic material; a map of geographical distribution was produced; a conservation status assessment under IUCN criteria is provided.
Results: Hechtia aragonii is a very distinctive species characterized by the presence of long, acute, twisted dry petals on pistillate flowers, character not found in any other species known in the genus. The new species is known so far from one collection and one locality, in the Sierra Madre del Sur region. The conservation status of the new taxon, is indicated as DD.
Conclusions: Vegetative and floral features as well as geographical distribution allow the recognition of H. aragonii as a new species native from Oaxaca, Mexico. With this new species, Oaxaca currently houses 31 species of Hechtia.

Keywords:—Conservation, dioecy, endemic, floral dimorphism

Published names (1):

Hechtia aragonii