A New Species of Rhipsalis (Cactaceae) from Brazil

A new species of Rhipsalis (Cactaceae) from Rio de Janeiro State, in southwestern Brazil, is described and illustrated. The new Rhipsalis aurea is circumscribed in the subgenus Eryhtrorhipsalis and is morphologically most similar to R. pulchra Loefgr., but is distinct by the smaller, suberect habit, smaller secondary stem segments of determinated growth, golden yellow flowers, depressed-globose fruit, and epidermis and pollen grain features. Following the IUCN criteria this new species is vulnerable due to its restricted area of occurrence and reduction of the quality of habitat observed in the present and projected for the future. A taxonomic key to the subgenus Erythrorhipsalis is included.Programa Mata Atlantica, Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botanico do Rio de Janeiro, BrazilPrograma Mata Atlantica, Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botanico do Rio de Janeiro, BrazilFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fapes