AbstractBackground – Davilla (Dilleniaceae) currently comprises 28 species and is distributed throughout the Neotropics. Extensive fieldwork conducted in the Atlantic Forest of the Brazilian states Bahia, Espírito Santo, and Rio de Janeiro resulted in the discovery of a new species of Davilla, described and illustrated in this paper.
Methods – Herbarium collections including type specimens were consulted for identification and compared to the new species. Morphological data of the new species were obtained through the study of herbarium specimens as well as of live specimens observed in the field.
Key results – Davilla hirsuticarpa Fraga & Aymard, a new species endemic to the Atlantic Forest areas, is here described and illustrated, along with comments on its geographical distribution, ecology, and conservation status. The new species resembles D. bahiana Aymard and D. cuspidulata Mart. ex Eichl., from which it differs by hirsute carpels. In accordance with the categories and criteria of the IUCN Red List, it could be considered as Vulnerable (VU). A new key to all species of Davilla sect. Davilla is provided.