Tapirira chimalapana is a new species of tree common in the rain fores
ts and lower montane forests of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in the Mexi
can states of Veracruz and Oaxaca. It is most similar to the Andean T.
guianensis Aubl. subsp. subandina Barfod & Holm-Niels. but differs fr
om this and all other congeners by having larger petals on pistillate
flowers than on staminate flowers and by pubescence features. Details
of field characteristics, distribution, ecology, phenology, germinatio
n, and local names and uses are included.