Hohenbergia erecta (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae), a new once-branched species from Chapada Diamantina, Bahia state, Brazil

Hohenbergia is one the most diverse genus in Bahia state, inhabits almost all region of the state. As a result of ongoing studies on the genus Hohenbergia in Bahia, Brazil, here we describe and illustrate Hohenbergia erecta, endemic to the municipality of Mucugê, at Chapada Diamantina. Hohenbergia erecta differs from its morphologically related, H. catingae, by an elongated aspect provided by the tubular rosette (vs short stem with a crateriform rosette), and a once-branched cylindrical inflorescence (vs 2–3-brached pyramidal inflorescence), with branches congested at the apex (vs branches laxly arranged). Due to a small distribution area in the Caatinga forest and based on a spatial analysis we categorized it as Endangered (EN), following the IUCN criteria. Hohenbergia erecta is endemic of the central region of Chapada Diamantina, being described as dominant in the area, where no other Hohenbergia species inhabits. It is important, however, that new field expeditions are conducted in the region to observe the richness of the genus at Chapada Diamantina.