Nomenclature, taxonomy, and conservation of the neotropical genus Sphyrospermum (Ericaceae: Vaccinieae), including five new species for Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru

Sphyrospermum has species among the most widespread, in both altitude and latitude, of neotropical Ericaceae. However, the majority of the species are restricted to montane environments, with 86% of the genus centered in the endangered Tropical Andes, specifically in Ecuador and Colombia. Sphyrospermum is poorly understood and in general, collected; the majority of species are rare and 67% of them are endemic to a single country. The lack of a taxonomic treatment and up to date keys makes species identification difficult and often ambiguous. Twenty-one species are herein recognized and a key for their identification is provided. Updated nomenclature and geographic distribution are provided for all taxa, as well as discussions on morphological similarities. Five new species, Sphyrospermum dolichanthum, Sphyrospermum glutinosum, Sphyrospermum revolutum, Sphyrospermum rotundifolium, and Sphyrospermum xanthocarpum are described and illustrated. Updated morphological descriptions for the remainder of the species are provided online. Lectotypes are designated for Sophoclesia domingensis, Sophoclesia klotzschiana, Sophoclesia nummulariifolia, Sophoclesia ovata, Sophoclesia subscandens, and Sphyrospermum roraimae. A new combination for Sphyrospermum distichum and Themistoclesia costaricensis is also provided. Lastly, the conservation status of all species is also assesed considering their entire geographic range. Sixty-two percent of the species (13) of Sphyrospermum are threatened.