A New Species of Croton (Euphorbiaceae) from Ecuador

Resumen

A new species of Croton (Euphorbiaceae) from the western slopes of the Andes in Ecuador is described. Croton floccosus is a medium-sized tree that is common along streambeds and disturbed sites in the Pichincha and Imbabura provinces of Ecuador. This species appears most closely related to the Colombian species C. polycarpus Bentham, C. mutisianus Kunth, and C. magdalenensis Müller Argoviensis in section Cyclostigma Grisebach, but differs in having staminate flowers with gland-tipped petals, 15 or 16 stamens with pubescent filaments, and long pedicels (7–16 mm); small fruits (6.4–7.7 mm diameter); and entire to dentate stipule margins. Because of its apparent affinity with these Colombian species, I place Croton floccosus in section Cyclostigma.