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Issue: Vol. 705 No. 2: 13 Jun. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-06-13
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.705.2.1
Page range: 115-148
Abstract views: 771
PDF downloaded: 16

Expedition Lepanthes (Orchidaceae) of Colombia: discovery of six new species and observations on a curious case of flower polymorphism

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Downtown Sarasota Campus, 1534 Mound Street, Sarasota, FL 34236 USA; Orchids for Peace Foundation, Calle 71sur 34-314, Sabaneta, Antioquia
Jardín Botánico de Cali-FZC, Cra. 2 Oe. #21, Valle del Cauca, Cali, Colombia; Grupo de Investigación Schultes, Fundación Ecotonos, Carrera 72 #13ª-56, Cali, Colombia
Grupo de Investigación Schultes, Fundación Ecotonos, Carrera 72 #13ª-56, Cali, Colombia; Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 #26-10, Manizales, Colombia
Departamento de Biología, Universidad del Valle, Calle 13 # 100-00, Cali, Colombia
Asociación Generación Juglans, Calle 14 5-20. Riosucio, Caldas, Colombia
Asociación Generación Juglans, Calle 14 5-20. Riosucio, Caldas, Colombia
Corporación Serraniagua, Carrera 4 No. 8-44. El Cairo, Colombia
Departamento de Biología, Universidad del Valle, Calle 13 # 100-00, Cali, Colombia
Andes Cloud Forests Flower Polymorphisms Pleurothallidinae Taxonomy Monocots

Abstract

Field exploration across five Andean regions of Colombia resulted in the identification of 102 species in Lepanthes, documented through herbarium specimens, including spirit collections, and DNA voucher samples. Subsequent taxonomic analysis and further exploration allowed us to identify six new species, which are formally described here. We report an unprecedented case of flower polymorphism, where individuals at two distinct sites exhibited both flower morphologies previously recognized as separate species, Lepanthes silverstonei and L. licrophora. Based on these observations, we propose the synonymization of L. licrophora under the older name, L. silverstonei. This study significantly contributes to the understanding of Colombian Lepanthes diversity and establishes a foundation for future taxonomic, ecological, and conservation efforts.

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How to Cite

Arias, T., Moreno, J.S., Restrepo, E., Alegría-Valencia, M., Cadavid-Morales, D.E., Alarcón-Vinasco, S.F., Davila, C. & Zuluaga, A. (2025) Expedition Lepanthes (Orchidaceae) of Colombia: discovery of six new species and observations on a curious case of flower polymorphism. Phytotaxa 705 (2): 115–148. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.705.2.1