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Issue: Vol. 774 No. 3: 17 Sept. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-09-17
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.774.3.1
Page range: 201-218
Abstract views: 37
PDF downloaded: 0

Two new species of Lepanthes (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae) from western Ecuador and notes on Lepanthes chrysokallos

Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad; Herbario Nacional del Ecuador QCNE; Quito; Ecuador; Verde-ec. Servicios Ambientales De los Arupos y Yaloman; Quito; Lote 2; Ecuador
Herbario QCA; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; Naturales y Ambientales; Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador; Apartado 17-01-2184; Quito; Ecuador
Verde-ec. Servicios Ambientales De los Arupos y Yaloman; Quito; Lote 2; Ecuador
Verde-ec. Servicios Ambientales De los Arupos y Yaloman; Quito; Lote 2; Ecuador
Y.M: Botanical Illustration; Maria Godoy; casa 156 y Progreso; Quito; Ecuador
Grupo de investigación y conservación de la flora de la Región Capital como estrategia de adaptación al cambio climático; Jardín Botánico de Bogotá “José Celestino Mutis”; Av. José Celestino Mutis #68-95; Bogotá; Colombia; Programa de Biología; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Universidad de Caldas; Calle 65 #26-10; Manizales; Colombia
Monocots Conservation El Oro Esmeraldas Forest remnants Imbabura Taxonomy

Abstract

The Pacific slope of the Ecuadorian Andes and the adjacent Chocó lowlands represent one of the most diverse habitats for orchids, characterized by high levels of endemism and a significant number of species that remain undescribed. This underscores the persistent gaps in our current botanical knowledge of this region. Here we describe two new species of Lepanthes: Lepanthes berthana, found in lowland forest remnants in the southwestern El Oro province, and Lepanthes mongei, from relic montane forest patches in the Intag Valley area on the western foothills of Imbabura province. Additionally, a new distributional record, an updated conservation status assessment, and comments on similar species for Lepanthes chrysokallos, are provided. Photographs and line drawings are provided for all three species, together with a discussion on morphological affinities, conservation status assessments, distribution maps, and ecological notes. These discoveries underscore the extraordinary biodiversity of western Ecuador and highlight the urgent need to conserve its remaining forest remnants.

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How to Cite

Tobar, F., Pérez, Álvaro J., Castañeda, C., Caiza, M., Mejía, L.Y. & Restrepo, E. (2026) Two new species of Lepanthes (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae) from western Ecuador and notes on Lepanthes chrysokallos. Phytotaxa 774 (3): 201–218. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.774.3.1