New Species of Phoradendron (Viscaceae) from Mexico and Guatemala and a Synopsis of Species in Section Pauciflorae

As presently interpreted Phoradendron sec tion Pau cifiorae consists of 15 spec ies. These mistletoes parasitize primarily conifers. We describe seven new spec ies . make sta tus changes for four species, and provide information on the hosts and di str ibution of all members of the sec tion. New species described are: Phoradendron abietinurn Wiens, on Abies durangen si s in Chihuahua, Durango, and Jalisco, Mexico; P. acuminatum Wiens, on Cupress us lusitanica in Gu atem ala; P. flavomarginatum Wiens, on Juniperus fiaccida in Nuevo Leon , Mexico; P. lta wksworthii Wien s. on Juniperus in New Mexico, west Texas, and Coahuila, Mexico; P. olivae Wien s, on Cupressus lusitanica in Colima and Jalisco, Mexico; P. rufescens Wiens, on Juniperus spp . in San Lui s Potosf, Mexi co ; and P. sedifo lium Wiens on Cupressus /usitanica in Chiapas, and Hidalgo. Mexico. Three taxa previ ousl y recognized as subspecies are raised to specific rank: P. densum Torr. ex Trel ., P. paucifi orum Torr., and P. /ibocedri (Engelm.) Howell. Also P. saltillense Trel. , which had been placed in synonymy und er P. botleanum subsp. densum, is accorded species status, In addition, three new epiparasit ic speci es of Ph oradendron are described. Epiparastic mistletoes are known to para sit ize only other spec ies of mistletoesin this instance Phoradendron or Cladocolea (Loranthaceae).