Orlando O. Ortiz

A New, Restricted Range Species of Annona (Annonaceae) Endemic to the Caribbean Slope of Panama

Abstract.  Annona caesia G. E. Schatz, C. Ramos & O. Ortiz is described from the lowland forests of the Caribbean slope of Panama. The new species differs from other Annona L. (Annonaceae) by the medium to large, broadly ovoid flowers (including three other species in Panama: A. acuminata Saff., A. billbergii R. E. Fr., and A. spraguei Saff.), by the glabrous and bluish glaucous underside of its leaves, and by the presence of small inner petals. The conservation status according to IUCN Red List categories and criteria has been assessed as Vulnerable (VU).

Panama as a crucial centre of differentiation for the herbaceous bamboos (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Olyreae): a study in progress

This contribution introduces the ongoing research on herbaceous bamboos started by the University of Florence (FT herbarium), the Universidad de Panama (PMA herbarium) and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in 2011. The main goal of this project consists in collecting field data, in order to provide updated material to be used in a phylogenetic analysis to improve the knowledge of the complex tribe Olyreae.

Selection of chemical markers for the quality control of medicinal plants of the genus Cecropia

Abstract Context: Several Cecropia (Cecropiaceae) species are traditionally used in Latin America for the treatment of a variety of diseases including diabetes, arterial hypertension, asthma, bronchitis, anxiety, and inflammation. At present, a number of commercial products based on these plants have been introduced into the market with very little information on methods for guaranteeing their quality and safety. Objective: This work proposes potential chemical markers for the quality control of the raw materials of Cecropia obtusifolia Bertol., Cecropia peltata L., Cecropia glaziovii Snethl., Cecropia pachystachya Trécul, and Cecropia hololeuca Miq. Methods: The Herbal Chemical Marker Ranking System (Herb MaRS) developed by the National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM) at the University of Western Sydney was used for selecting chemical markers for the quality control of selected medicinal species of Cecropia. This review covers the period from 1982 to 2016. Results: Chlorogenic acid, flavonoidal glycosides (orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, isovitexin, and rutin), catechin, epicatechin, procyanidins (B2, B5, and C1), steroids (β-sitosterol), and triterpenoids (α-amyrin, pomolic, tormentic and ursolic acids) were selected as chemical markers for the quality control of the leaves. Conclusion: It is necessary to establish comprehensive standards for guaranteeing quality, safety and efficacy of herbal drugs. The selection of adequate chemical markers for quality control purposes requires a good knowledge about the chemical composition of medicinal plants and their associated biological properties. To the best of our knowledge this review article is the first to address the identification and quantitative determination of the chemical markers for the genus Cecropia.

Current status of aroid species diversity in Panama, including new records for the Country

ABSTRACT Araceae (aroids) is a large and ancient monocot plant family, most notable for its impressive morphological diversity and high life-form diversity which also represents a group with great economic importance, since many species are used as medicinal, edible and ornamental plants. The aroid flora of Central America has about 778 species in 26 genera (including three introduced genera). In Panama, several studies, mainly taxonomic (few floristic studies), have contributed to the knowledge of the aroid flora of the country. The latest Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Panama list 349 published species of Araceae (355 species including Lemnoideae, formerly Lemnaceae). After this work, the number of species has increased significantly. In this paper, a brief historical review about the study of the Panamanian Araceae is made with comments on the current diversity of Panama. Additionally, five new records of Araceae for the country are presented.

Five new species of Anthurium (Araceae) from the Caribbean Forests of Panama

Abstract Five new species of Anthurium are described as new to science from the Caribbean slope of Panama: Anthurium alvinii, Anthurium baldinii, Anthurium cerrofrioense and Anthurium santamariae are known only from Bocas del Toro Province and Anthurium cerrosantiagoense is known only from Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé.

Five New Species of Eugenia (Myrtaceae) from Panama

Abstract.  Five previously unrecognized species of Eugenia L. from the Caribbean lowland forest of Panama are named, described, and assigned IUCN conservation status here: E. arrhaphocalyx Barrie, I. Vergara & McPherson (EN), E. brachyblastiflora Barrie, C. Ramos & O. Ortiz (CR), E. donosoensis Barrie, C. Ramos & O. Ortiz (LC), E. roseola Barrie, C. Ramos & O. Ortiz (LC), and E. roseopetala Barrie, I. Vergara & McPherson (EN).

A new species of Dieffenbachia (Araceae) from Limón Province, Costa Rica

Abstract Dieffenbachia rodriguezii, is described as a species new to science. It is known only from Limón Province at 1400 m, in a Lower montane rain forest life zone. Based on inflorescence morphology and leaf-blade shape, the new species is most similar to Dieffenbachia oerstedii Schott, Dieffenbachia grayumiana Croat and Dieffenbachia killipii Croat. The affinities of this species are discussed and a key for Costa Rican Dieffenbachia is provided.