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Issue: Vol. 776 No. 3: 25 Sept. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-09-25
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.776.3.3
Page range: 261-273
Abstract views: 24
PDF downloaded: 0

Expanding the genus Dimorphandra (Fabaceae: Caesalpinioideae): description of two new species from Colombia

Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro; DIPEQ. Rua Pacheco Leão 915; Jardim Botânico; Rio de Janeiro; RJ; 22460–030; Brazil
Herbario Universidad de Antioquia (HUA) y Grupo de Estudios Botánicos (GEOBOTA); Instituto de Biología; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Universidad de Antioquia; Medellín; Colombia; Herbario Gabriel Gutiérrez Villegas (MEDEL) y Semillero en Estudios Taxonómicos de Plantas de Colombia; Facultad de Ciencias; Universidad Nacional de Colombia; Medellín; Colombia
Herbario Universidad de Antioquia (HUA) y Grupo de Estudios Botánicos (GEOBOTA); Instituto de Biología; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Universidad de Antioquia; Medellín; Colombia; Herbario Gabriel Gutiérrez Villegas (MEDEL) y Semillero en Estudios Taxonómicos de Plantas de Colombia; Facultad de Ciencias; Universidad Nacional de Colombia; Medellín; Colombia
Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro; DIPEQ. Rua Pacheco Leão 915; Jardim Botânico; Rio de Janeiro; RJ; 22460–030; Brazil; Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro; IBRAG-DBV. Rua São Francisco Xavier; 524; Maracanã; Rio de Janeiro; RJ; 20550-900; Brazil
Instituto Amazónico de Investigaciones Científicas SINCHI; Herbario Amazónico Colombiano Dairon Cárdenas López (COAH); Calle 20 # 5 – 44; Bogotá; DC; Colombia
Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro; DIPEQ. Rua Pacheco Leão 915; Jardim Botânico; Rio de Janeiro; RJ; 22460–030; Brazil
Colombian Amazon Rainforest Colombian Andes Dimorphandra andina Dimorphandra bracteata Inter Andean Valleys Leguminosae Eudicots

Abstract

Dimorphandra (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae) comprises 26 species endemic to South America. During a review of Colombian herbaria, we examined Dimorphandra specimens that clearly differed from all known species of the genus, in both vegetative and reproductive characters. Therefore, we propose that these specimens represent two new species within the genus. Here, we provide a taxonomic treatment for the two new species: Dimorphandra andina and Dimorphandra bracteata. Dimorphandra andina is recognized by its spiciform panicle inflorescence with 5–12 racemes of 23.3–24.5 cm long; light pink flowers and staminodes, subsessile ovary, and falcate fruits containing 6–11 seeds, in addition to other diagnostic characters. Dimorphandra bracteata is recognized by its corymbose panicle inflorescence with 20–25 spikes, which are short (8–13.5 cm); a persistent bract 0.3–0.5 cm long; flowers 0.2–0.3 cm long; and a glabrous ovary. We provide illustrations, taxonomic comments, a map of their geographic distribution, habitat descriptions, and a preliminary conservation assessment. As a result, we recognize nine species of Dimorphandra for Colombia and provide an identification key for all species present in the country, demonstrating the floristic potential of the Andean and Amazonian regions of Colombia.

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How to Cite

Silva, G.S.D., Trujillo-López, A.M., Londoño-Echeverri, Y., Falcão, M.J.D.A., Puerta, J.M.V. & Mansano, V.D.F. (2026) Expanding the genus Dimorphandra (Fabaceae: Caesalpinioideae): description of two new species from Colombia. Phytotaxa 776 (3): 261–273. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.776.3.3