New species of flowering plant named for Selby CEO

Researching plant species on the eastern slopes of the Andean rainforest in South America, a botanist with Marie Selby Botanical Gardens has discovered four new species in the African violet family, or Gesneriaceae. One of the new discoveries now bears the name of Jennifer Rominiecki, the president and CEO of the Sarasota landmark.

Drymonia rominieckiae is one of the four species discovered by John L. Clark. A news release from Selby Gardens says Clark found all four species as part of his ongoing scientific efforts to document and better understand biodiversity in tropical regions, contributing to Selby Gardens’ broader mission of conserving and researching plant biodiversity.

Courtesy image

According to the release, an unusual combination of traits distinguishes the new species: They grow as climbing airplants with flowers emerging from leafless lower stems near the forest floor, while their leafy shoots ascend into the subcanopy. This distinctive growth habit—paired with slanted, tubular flowers on clustered, elongated stalks—is rare not only within their plant family but also across rainforest ecosystems, where it’s uncommon to see flowering stems without accompanying leaves.

The other three species are Drymonia clavijoae, named for Laura Viviana Clavijo Romero, a pre-eminent botainist in the field of Andean biodiversity and the Gesneriaceae plant family; D. katzensteiniae, named for Jeanne Katzenstein, a horticulturist and promoter of Gesneriaceae and organizer of a 2010 conference at Selby Gardens; and D. silvanae, named for Silvana G. Nazzaro Clark, head of school at Princeton Junior School in Princeton, N.J. and who has accompanied the Selby scientist on his pursuit of the study of biodiversity.

“This discovery highlights Selby Gardens' ongoing commitment to plant research and conservation in some of the world’s most biologically rich yet threatened habitats. It not only deepens our understanding of plant diversity in the Andes but also honors individuals whose dedication to protecting our natural world inspires us all,” said Clark.

Rominiecki expressed her thrill for the scientific honor.

“To have a newly discovered species bear my name is a profound honor,’’ she said in a statement. “It is a testament not only to the beauty and resilience of the natural world, but to the tireless dedication of those who work to study and protect it. I share this recognition with every member of our Botanical Garden family who strives daily to ensure that nature's wonders endure for generations to come."