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Issue: Vol. 712 No. 2: 30 Jul. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-07-30
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.712.2.5
Page range: 156-164
Abstract views: 385
PDF downloaded: 20

An expanded description of Blakea longiloba (Melastomataceae, Pyxidantheae) with notes on its distribution, conservation, and taxonomic affinities

Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, 1030 Vienna, Austria; Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 No. 40–62, Bogotá DC, Colombia
Grupo de Investigación en Medio Ambiente y Salud BIOMAS, Carrera de Ingeniería Agroindustrial, Facultad de Ingenierías y Ciencias Aplicadas, Universidad de Las Américas, Vía a Nayón, Quito 170124, Ecuador
Grupo de Investigación en Medio Ambiente y Salud BIOMAS, Carrera de Ingeniería Agroindustrial, Facultad de Ingenierías y Ciencias Aplicadas, Universidad de Las Américas, Vía a Nayón, Quito 170124, Ecuador
Floplaya, Compañía de flores y plantas Yantzaza S.A., El Pangui, 190650, Ecuador; Grupo Científico Calaway Dodson: Investigación y Conservación de Orquídeas del Ecuador, Quito, 170510, Pichincha, Ecuador
Grupo Científico Calaway Dodson: Investigación y Conservación de Orquídeas del Ecuador, Quito, 170510, Pichincha, Ecuador; Herbario HUTPL, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n 11-01-608, Loja, Ecuador, Ecuador; Jungle Dave’s Science Foundation, San Juan Bosco, Ecuador
Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina, U.S.A.
Grupo de Investigación en Medio Ambiente y Salud BIOMAS, Carrera de Ingeniería Agroindustrial, Facultad de Ingenierías y Ciencias Aplicadas, Universidad de Las Américas, Vía a Nayón, Quito 170124, Ecuador
Andes biodiversity Blakea Colombia Ecuador Melastomataceae taxonomy Eudicots

Abstract

Blakea longiloba has been known only from the southern region of Colombia. During botanical explorations in Ecuador, we have encountered more populations of this species which are reported here. The new records extend the known geographic range of B. longiloba by 500 km south of the previously documented southernmost locality. In addition, the new records help to improve the taxonomic circumscription of the species. We therefore provide an updated and expanded description, a Lankester Composite Digital Plate (LCDP), information on its ecology, phenology, etymology, distribution, conservation status, and taxonomic affinities.

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How to Cite

Urrea, J., Iturralde, G.A., Baquero, L., Lapo-González, N., Garzón-Suárez, H.X., Penneys, D.S. & Jiménez, M.M. (2025) An expanded description of Blakea longiloba (Melastomataceae, Pyxidantheae) with notes on its distribution, conservation, and taxonomic affinities. Phytotaxa 712 (2): 156–164. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.712.2.5