True axillary inflorescences in Rudgea (Palicoureeae, Rubiaceae), a newly reported characteristic of two new Brazilian species, R. quisquiliae and R. axilliflora

Two new species of Rudgea (Rubiaceae), R. quisquiliae and R. axilliflora, from Southeastern Brazil present true axillary inflorescences , a very distinct characteristic in the genus. Rudgea was previously characterized by the presence of usually terminal inflorescences, with pseudo-axillary inflorescences occurring in a single species, R. stipulacea . Rudgea quisquiliae is morphologically distinct within the genus by the combination of its large leaf-blades (15 – 33.5 × 7.5 – 15 cm), and axillary inflorescences. Rudgea axilliflora can be distinguished by its sheathing stipules with dorsal, glandular appendages, medium-sized leaf-blades (7–11 x 2.5–4 cm), lanceolate to elliptic, with 7–9 pairs of secondary veins, absence of domatia, axillary inflorescences and flowers with a distinctly lobed calyx. The new species were discovered in ombrophilous rainforest remnants in the south of Espirito Santo, one of the most diverse states in the Atlantic Forest biome.