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Issue: Vol. 706 No. 1: 19 Jun. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-06-19
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.706.1.6
Page range: 81-90
Abstract views: 711
PDF downloaded: 15

Dracula colombiana (Pleurothallidinae: Orchidaceae), a new orchid species with a history of misidentification in trade and collections

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
Herbario Universidad de Antioquia, Universidad de Antioquia HUA, Medellín, Colombia
Grupo de Investigación Schultes, Fundación Ecotonos, Valle del Cauca, Cali, Colombia. Grupo de Investigación Schultes, Fundación Ecotonos, Valle del Cauca, Cali, Colombia; Grupo de Investigación de Ecología Evolutiva y Conservación, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
Department of Plant Sciences and Conservation Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EA, UK
Endemism epichilus orchid trade Western Colombian Andes Monocots

Abstract

We describe and illustrate Dracula colombiana sp. nov. a new orchid species from the eastern Andes of Colombia, previously misidentified as D. benedictii in herbaria, private collections, and commercial trade. The new species resembles D. benedictii but can be distinguished by its solid pink lip with an ovate, glabrous epichile longer than the hypochile (vs. white, suborbicular epichile shorter than the hypochile) and sepals with brown-red papillae and pubescence (vs. purple black, verrucose sepals). Based on IUCN Red List criteria, we propose that the species be classified as Endangered (EN) under sub-criterion B2a, due to its restricted geographic distribution and the threats posed by potentially unsustainable harvesting. Conservation measures are urgently needed to protect natural populations, regulate its presence in the orchid trade, and address taxonomic misidentifications in global markets.

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How to Cite

Baquero R., L.E., Vargas, E.D., Mesa, S. & Parra-Sanchez, E. (2025) Dracula colombiana (Pleurothallidinae: Orchidaceae), a new orchid species with a history of misidentification in trade and collections. Phytotaxa 706 (1): 81–90. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.706.1.6