Chusquea mayrae (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Bambuseae), a new species of montane forest bamboo from Costa Rica.

Chusquea mayrae is described as a new species of woody bamboo from the lowland montane forest in Provincia de San José Costa Rica. Chusquea mayrae is distinct from all sympatric Costa Rican Chusquea species in that it exhibits a scandent, clambering habit, with delicate culms, and two sizes of subsidiary branches. The new species exhibits similarities with Chusquea repens, a species from southern Mexico, and their characteristics are contrasted here. We consider Chusquea mayrae to be endangered due to the unprotected status of the three known localities, the low numbers of individuals observed, and rapid habitat loss in the Tarrazú region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]