A new species of Malesherbia (Passifloraceae Subfam. Malesherbioideae) from Peru

Malesherbia laraosensis is described as a new species from the Department of Lima, Peru. The species is apparently narrowly endemic. The new species apparently belongs to Malesherbia sect. Malesherbia and is superficially similar to M. splendens and M. scarlatiflora in flower, but differs dramatically in habit-it is a very low-growing shrublet with branches ca. 15 cm tall, versus tall shrubs 1 m tall in the other two species. It is also characterized by obovate, dark green, adaxially subglabrous leaves (versus narrowly ovate-acuminate, densely pubescent and glandular in the other species). The new species brings the species total for Peruvian Malesherbia to 10.