132 Accepted by Mark Carine: 23 Jan. 2014; published: 23 Apr. 2014 PHYTOTAXA ISSN 1179-3155 (print edition) ISSN 1179-3163 (online edition) Copyright © 2014 Magnolia Press Phytotaxa 166 (2): 132 – 138 www.mapress.com/ phytotaxa/ Article http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.166.2.4 Three new species of Evolvulus (Convolvulaceae) from Bahia, Brazil CINTIA VIEIRA DA SILVA 1 & ROSANGELA SIMÃO-BIANCHINI 2 1 Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Vegetal e Meio Ambiente, Núcleo de Pesquisa Curadoria do Herbário SP, Instituto de Botânica, Caixa Postal 68041, CEP 04045-972, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. E-mail: cintiamono@yahoo.com.br 2 Núcleo de Pesquisa Curadoria do Herbário SP, Instituto de Botânica, Caixa Postal 68041, CEP 04045-972, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. E-mail: bianchiniibot@yahoo.com.br Abstract The semi-arid region of Bahia is rich in species of Convolvulaceae, particularly in the genera Evolvulus, Ipomoea, and Jacquemontia. Field work in this region and taxonomic revision of Evolvulus section Phyllostachyi revealed the occurrence of three new species: Evolvulus altissimus, the tallest species of the genus, is a subshrub up to two metres tall; Evolvulus delicatus is a flexible branched species with small, stiff, and narrow pointed leaves; Evolvulus harleyi is a herb with glabrous or nearly glabrous leaves and a globose inflorescence. These three species are described and illustrated. Their similarities with allied taxa are discussed. Resumo A região do semi-árido da Bahia é rica em espécies de Convolvulaceae, particularmente os gêneros Evolvulus, Ipomoea e Jacquemontia. Diversos trabalhos de campo nesta região para a revisão taxonômica de Evolvulus seção Phyllostachyi revelaram a ocorrência de três novas espécies: Evolvulus altissimus, a mais alta dentre todas as espécies do gênero, é um subarbusto de até dois metros de altura; Evolvulus delicatus é uma espécie de ramos flexíveis com folhas pequenas, estreitas, duras e pontiagudas; Evolvulus harleyi é uma erva com folhas glabras ou quase glabras e inflorescência globosa. Estas três espécies são descritas e ilustradas. As relações com espécies próximas são discutidas. Key words: Cerrado, conservation, Chapada Diamantina, semi-arid region, taxonomy Introduction Convolvulaceae is a large family, comprising 58 genera and ca. 1880 species (Staples 2012). In Brazil this family is well represented in a variety of vegetation types, with the greatest diversity observed in dry areas (Simão-Bianchini & Pirani 2005). Evolvulus Linnaeus (1762: 391–392) is one of the richest genera of the family with about 100 species, most of them endemic to South America (van Ooststroom 1934). The genus is characterized by the presence of malpighiaceous trichomes (two-branched hairs), two free or basally-united styles, each with two filiform stigmas, and glabrous seeds (Junqueira & Simão-Bianchini 2006). According to Bianchini & Ferreira (2012) there are 68 species and 15 varieties in Brazil, of which 46 species and 11 varieties are endemic. Van Ooststroom (1934) recognized seven sections within the genus based mainly on the habit and features of the bracts and inflorescences. All sections except Paniculati Peter ex Ooststroom (1934: 172) occur in Brazil. The Chapada Diamantina (10°14’S, 40°43’W) is a large semi-arid region located in the central area of the state of Bahia, occupying 70258 km 2 , approximately 15% of the territory of the state (Bandeira 1995). After field work, carried out between 2009 and 2012, and the revision of herbarium material for a taxonomic revision of section Phyllostachyi Meisner (1869: 337), three new species were discovered, which are described, illustrated and discussed below.