Three new species of Columnea (Gesneriaceae) from the western Andean slopes of Ecuador and Colombia

Abstract

Three new species of Columnea (Gesneriaceae, tribe Gesnerieae) are described from the western Andean slopes of northern Ecuador and southern Colombia. Columnea angulata J.L. Clark & F. Tobar and Columnea floribunda F. Tobar & J.L. Clark are described from northern Ecuador. Columnea tecta J.L. Clark & Clavijo is described from southern Colombia and northern Ecuador. The three new species are facultative epiphytes with dorsiventral shoots and are readily recognized by bright red tips on the abaxial and adaxial leaf surfaces. The species described here are vegetatively similar to the sympatric species Columnea picta H. Karst. and are readily differentiated by floral features that are illustrated, described and featured with digital images.