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Issue: Vol. 740 No. 3: 10 Feb. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-02-10
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.740.3.6
Page range: 283-289
Abstract views: 93
PDF downloaded: 3

Aetanthus confusus, a new species of Loranthaceae (Santalales) from the Colombian Andes

Grupo de Estudios Botánicos (GEOBOTA) and Herbario Universidad de Antioquia (HUA), Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
Instituto de Proyección Regional y Educación a Distancia (IPRED). Universidad Industrial de Santander - sede Málaga, Málaga, Colombia; Grupo de investigación y conservación de la flora de la Región Capital como estrategia de adaptación al cambio climático, Jardín Botánico José Celestino Mutis, Bogotá, Colombia
Instituto de Proyección Regional y Educación a Distancia (IPRED). Universidad Industrial de Santander - sede Málaga, Málaga, Colombia
Grupo de Estudios Botánicos (GEOBOTA) and Herbario Universidad de Antioquia (HUA), Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
Andean forest Flora of Colombia hemiparasitic plant mistletoe Santander Eudicots

Abstract

Aetanthus confusus, a new species of hemiparasite from the northern part of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia, is described and illustrated. This species can be recognized by the combination of percurrent branches, stems trigonous, becoming pseudo-quadrangular at maturity, oblanceolate to lanceolate leaf blades with an obtuse or acute apex, and inflorescences composed of triple dyads. The most similar species is A. colombianus, which differs by having stems always trigonous, widely elliptic leaf blades with a rounded apex, and inflorescences composed of double dyads. The new taxon is restricted to the Eastern Cordillera of the Colombian Andes and is considered endangered due to habitat loss. The morphological affinities of Aetanthus confusus with the remaining Aetanthus species are discussed.

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How to Cite

Arango-Carvajal, S.M., Caro-Ayala, H., Suescún, D. & Murillo-Serna, J.S. (2026) Aetanthus confusus, a new species of Loranthaceae (Santalales) from the Colombian Andes. Phytotaxa 740 (3): 283–289. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.740.3.6