A new species of Lissocarpa (Lissocarpoideae, Ebenaceae) from montane forests on Andean-Amazonian slopes of the Bota Caucana region, Cauca department, Colombia

Abstract

Lissocarpa garcia-cortesii, from the Andean-Amazonian slopes of the Bota Caucana forests, Cauca department, Colombia, is described and illustrated, and its morphological affinities with similar species are discussed. This new species is similar to Lissocarpa uyat. However, it differs from the latter by its strongly angulate branchlets, leaf shape and size, petioles, pedicels, bracteoles, calyx and corolla tube size, stamens adnate at the base of the corolla tube, and fruit ellipsoid with only one seed when mature. A morphological description, taxonomic comments, an illustration, a Lankaster plate, and information on its current conservation status are presented. In addition, an updated key to species of Lissocarpa is provided. This contribution increases the number of Lissocarpa species to 10. Peru and Colombia have the highest numbers of species, with 6 and 4, respectively.