Diamantina lombardii Novelo, C.T. Philbrick & Irgang, sp. nov.—TYPE: BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: 5–10 km W of Seˆrro on road to Diamantina, rio do Peixe, location called ‘Cascatinha,’ 188 359 14.20 S, 438 259 47.80 W, 752 m, 9 Jul 2001, Philbrick, Novelo & Irgang 5647 (holotype: BHCB!; isotypes: ICN!, MEXU!, MO!, NY!, WCSU!). Fig. 1.
Caules 3.5–40 mm alti. Foliorum juvenium segmentum centrale quam segmenta lateralia multiplo longiore, 0.8–1.3 cm longum, 0.2–0.3 mm latum, apice acutum; folia vetustiora segmento centrali admodum segmenta lateralia in longitudine aequanti vel parum longiore, 0.5–1.5 mm longo, apice acuto; segmentis lateralibus 0.5–1.5 mm longis, apice acutis. Flores apicales; tepala 3, aliquando 2 vel 4, recta vel incurvata, 0.2–0.4 mm longa; gynophorum ante anthesin 0.2–0.4 mm longum; capsulae 0.8–1.3 mm longae, 0.6–1.1 mm latae.
Roots (0.2-) 0.4 (-0.8) mm wide, flattened. Stems arising (1.3-) 2.1 (-2.5) mm apart along root, (3.5-) 19.5 (-40) mm high, (0.6-) 0.8 (-1.3) mm wide, hold-fasts disk-like (1-) 2.3 (-3.6) mm wide. Young leaf upright with central segment several times longer than lateral segments, (0.8-) 1 (-1.3) cm long, (0.1-) 0.2 (-0.3) mm wide, apex acute; lateral segments (0.1-) 0.5 (-0.9) mm long; older leaf upright with central segment equal or slightly longer than lateral ones, (0.5-) 0.8 (-1.5) mm long, apex acute or blunt; lateral segments (0.5-) 0.8 (-1.5) mm long, apex acute. Flowers (1) 3 (7) per stem, apical; spathella (1.5-) 2.2 (-2.9) mm long, (0.8-) 1.1 (-1.5) mm wide; tepals (2) 3 (5), straight or incurved, (0.2-) 0.3 (-0.4) mm long, (0.05-) 0.1 (-0.15) mm wide at base; stamen filaments (0.1-) 0.3 (-4) mm long, red; anthers prior to anthesis (0.2-) 0.3 (-0.4) mm long, (0.2-) 0.3 (-0.4) mm wide, to (1.1-) 1.3 (-1.5) mm long during anthesis, (0.7-) 0.8 (-1) mm wide, red; pollen in tetrads, (26-) 27 (-29) mm in diameter; ovary (0.7-) 1 (-1.1) mm long, (0.8-) 0.9 (-1.2) mm wide, pink; ovules (57) 58 (59); stigmas (0.5-) 0.6 (-0.7) mm long, (0.2-) 0.3 (-0.4) mm wide prior to anthesis, to (0.6-) 0.7 (-1) mm long during anthesis, (0.2-) 0.3 (-0.5) mm wide at the base, red; gynophore (0.2-) 0.3 (-0.4) mm long prior to anthesis, to (0.5-) 1.8 (-2.5) mm long during anthesis; pedicel (1.3-) 2.2 (-3) mm long prior to anthesis, to (2.5-) 4.6 (-7) mm long during anthesis, (0.10-) 0.11 (-0.15) mm wide; capsules (0.8-) 1.1 (-1.3) mm long, (0.6-) 0.9 (-1.1) mm wide; seeds unknown.
Etymology. The generic name derives from the city of Diamantina, which is in the region where the species occurs. The specific epithet honors Mr. Julio A. Lombardi, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil, who first collected the species.
Geographic Distribution and Ecology. Diamantina lombardii is endemic to the state of Minas Gerais, in the basin of the Rio Preto, and is known from only two localities: Rio Preto (Parque Estadual do Rio Preto) and Rio do Peixe (Fig. 2). Plants grow on granitic outcrops and boulders in areas of swift water current. Flowering occurs when plants are exposed as the water level drops. The highly branched roots give rise to dense growth. No other species of Podostemaceae were collected with Diamantina lombardii.
Additional Specimens Examined. BRAZIL, Minas Gerais: Parque Estadual do Rio Preto, Sao Gonçalo do Rio Preto entre, 188089 S, 438219 W, E of Riacho das Éguas, 12 Jun 1999, Lombardi 3039 (BHCB). Parque Estadual do Rio Preto, do lojamiento a Cachoeira dos Criolos e de volta ao alojamiento, Sao Gonçalo do Rio Preto, 18 06–08 S, 43 20–22 W, 14 Jun 2002, Lombardi 4876 con Salino, Mota & Viana (BHCB, MEXU, WCSU). 5–10 km W of Sêrro on road to Diamantina, rio do Peixe, location called ‘Cascatinha’, 18 35 13.6 S, 43 25 46.8 W, 752m, 3 Aug 2002, Philbrick & Novelo 5783 (BHCB, ICN, MEXU, WCSU).