Nautilocalyx tuberosus (Gesneriaceae), a new species from the Brazilian Cerrado revealed through cultivation

Nautilocalyx (Gesneriaceae) is a Neotropical genus comprising approximately 42 species distributed from Central America to central Brazil. Despite being widely grown by horticulturists for years, a distinct species from the Brazilian Cerrado remained formally undescribed. Here we describe Nautilocalyx tuberosus, a new species endemic to central Brazil. Morphologically, this species is similar to N. hirsutus with which it shares a hirsute indumentum, but is differentiated by its well developed tubers, and white to cream-white corollas with purple striations in the tube. This discovery marks one of the southernmost records for the genus and increases the known diversity of Nautilocalyx in Brazil. Following IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, the species is preliminarily assessed as Least Concern (LC).