New plant species discovered in Brazil's Atlantic Forest

Researchers from the University of São Paulo (USP) and international partners have identified a new plant species, Conchocarpus piranii, in the Atlantic Forest of São Paulo, Brazil. The species was discovered in the coastal regions of Ubatuba and Caraguatatuba.

Conchocarpus piranii is a small shrub reaching approximately one meter in height, characterized by white flowers. It belongs to the Rutaceae family, which includes citrus plants such as oranges and lemons. The discovery was confirmed through morphological analysis and DNA testing, which revealed unique features such as a floral ovary lacking a central depression and a terminal style.

The study, published in the scientific journal Phytotaxa, names the species in honor of Brazilian botanist José Rubens Pirani, a specialist in the Rutaceae family and professor at the USP Institute of Biosciences. The finding highlights the ongoing biological diversity within the remaining fragments of the Atlantic Forest.