Three New Distichous-bracted Species of Calathea (Marantaceae) from Panama

Three species of Calathea G. Mey. with distichous bracts, assigned to Calathea sect. Calathea (Marantaceae), are described as new from Panama: C. carlae H. Kenn., C. chiriquensis H. Kenn., and C. fredgandersii H. Kenn. All three are found in montane wet or cloud forest habitats at middle to higher elevations, 800-1400 m. Calathea carlae also occurs in Costa Rica, while the other two are endemic to Panama. Calathea carlae differs from related species by the leaf length:width ratios of 1.7-2.13:1. cream-colored bracts, claviculate bracteoles, yellow corollas, and yellow or pink-purple staminodes. Calathea chiriquensis is distinguished by the light green bracts, leaf length:width ratios of 1.3-1.56:1, absence of bracteoles, flowers borne singly rather than in pairs, and yellow flowers. Calathe fredgandersii is distinguished by the subround leaf, leaf length:width ratios of 1.15-155:1, a purple band along the leaf margin, a deep purple leaf sheath, verruculose petioles, white bracts, membranous bracteoles, white corollas, and white or pale pink to lilac staminodes.