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Issue: Vol. 687 No. 2: 18 Feb. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-02-18
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.687.2.7
Page range: 287-294
Abstract views: 223
PDF downloaded: 13

A new species of Lepanthes discovered under a diversity survey in the Colombian eastern cordillera: Lepanthes angelae (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidiinae)

Department of Plant Sciences and Centre for Global Wood Security, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Palmira, Valle del Cauca
Agrosolidaria seccional Charala, Gambita, Santander, Colombia.
Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Salud (BIOMAS), Carrera de Ingeniería en Agroindustria, Facultad de Ingenierías y Ciencias Aplicadas, Universidad de Las Américas, UDLA, Vía a Nayón, Quito 170124, Ecuador
Andes endemism orchid Santander taxonomy Monocots

Abstract

We describe and illustrate Lepanthes angelae sp. nov. (Orchidaceae), found during a large, randomised sampling of 341 plots across 270 km (North-to-South) in the Colombian Eastern Cordillera. The new species is morphologically similar to L. dunstervilleorum which it can be distinguished by its yellow sepals with suffused red markings towards the centre (vs. light yellow to greenish-white flowers suffused with red-brown to purple at the center of the petals), the upper lobe of the petals being narrowly falcate and slender (vs. oblong with the apex form rounded to contracted), plus, the new species exhibits a lip with a reduced connective and absent appendix (vs. a broadly cunneate connectives and an oblong, pubescent appendix).Our sampling scheme suggests that the new species has a limited geographic range, small population size, and specialized habitat conditions, warranting conservation attention. Its restricted distribution and ecological vulnerability highlight the need for community-driven conservation initiatives.

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How to Cite

Parra-Sanchez, E., Rincon-Useche, C., Díaz-Jiménez, S. & Baquero, L. (2025) A new species of Lepanthes discovered under a diversity survey in the Colombian eastern cordillera: Lepanthes angelae (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidiinae). Phytotaxa 687 (2): 287–294. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.687.2.7