Bomarea pastazensis (Alstroemeriaceae), an exceptionally small new from the eastern Andean of Ecuador

Recent field research on the eastern slopes of the Andes resulted in the discovery of a new species of Bomarea from the Cerro Candelaria Reserve in the Tungurahua province of Ecuador. Bomarea pastazensis is the second smallest species in the genus and differs from the smallest by the presence of glutinous trichomes on the ovary, glabrous sepals, and greenish-yellow petals with purple spots. Based on IUCN guidelines, a preliminary conservation status is assigned as Vulnerable (VU).

Automated summary

A new species of Bomarea, named Bomarea pastazensis, was discovered in the Cerro Candelaria Reserve in the Tungurahua province of Ecuador during recent field research on the eastern slopes of the Andes. It is the second smallest species in the genus and can be distinguished from the smallest species by the presence of glutinous trichomes on the ovary, glabrous sepals, and greenish-yellow petals with purple spots. According to IUCN guidelines, its preliminary conservation status is assigned as Vulnerable (VU).