Orlando Toro Chica

Phaseolus talamancensis, a New Wild Bean Species (Leguminosae, Phaseolinae) from Montane Forests of Eastern Costa Rica

A new species of Phaseolus (Leguminosae, Phaseolinae) has been found in the montane forests of the Sierra de Talamanca in eastern Costa Rica, where it appears endemic. Distinctive traits include: radicant roots, purplish red internodes, veins of leaflets, primary bracts, inner face of standard, and wings. Differences with related taxa of Costa Rica and other parts of Central America are discussed, namely the smaller and rounded primary bracts as compared to P. macrolepis, and the radicant fibrous root system as compared to P xanthotrichus.