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| Encyclia tuluaensis J.S. Moreno, Tamayo-Cen, & Carnevali, in Moreno, Tamayo‑Cen, Carnevali, Ocupa-Horna et Castaño. 2024, |
Abstract
Encyclia tuluaensis is a newly discovered orchid species, endemic to the tropical dry forests of Valle del Cauca, Colombia, a region characterized by high biodiversity and significant conservation relevance, primarily due to extensive habitat loss. This species was identified through comprehensive morphological analysis of cultivated specimens at the Juan María Céspedes Botanical Garden, in the municipality of Tuluá, Valle del Cauca. Initially, the species, which we hypothesize belongs to the Andean clade, was misidentified as Encyclia betancourtiana during the first collection due to its superficial similarity. However, detailed morphological analysis ultimately revealed significant differences, leading to its recognition as a new species. The species exhibits a range of distinctive floral and vegetative features, including three apical leaves, a pronounced fold in the central lobe of the lip, and marked color changes from anthesis to senescence. This discovery underscores the taxonomic complexity and biodiversity within the genus Encyclia, emphasizing the need for continued taxonomic and ecological research. Encyclia tuluaensis is part of the Andean species complex and is currently only known from its type locality. It requires particular conservation efforts due to its restricted distribution and the vulnerability of its habitat, which is threatened by deforestation, agricultural expansion, and urban development.
Keywords: systematics, taxonomy, tropical dry forest, Andean clade
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| CDP of Encyclia tuluaensis J.S. Moreno, Tamayo-Cen, & Carnevali. A, habit and growth; B, flower C, dissected perianth; D, lip, column, and ovary; E, column, lateral, dorsal, and ventral view; F, anther cap and pollinia. LCDP by J. S. Moreno, based on the holotype. |
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| Encyclia tuluaensis J.S. Moreno, Tamayo-Cen, & Carnevali. A, inflorescence; B, capsules in two stages of maturation. On the left, the immature ovary with dark brown color, and on the right, the mature ovary with black-purple color. Both show a verruculose (warty) surface; C, front view of the flower from anthesis to senescence, showing the progression from initial colors to aged appearance and a detailed view of the lip showing the color transition from initial vivid hues to the final coloration as the flower ages. Photographs by J. S. Moreno. |
Encyclia tuluaensis J.S. Moreno, Tamayo-Cen, & Carnevali. sp. nov.
Encyclia tuluaensis is most similar to E. betancourtiana, distinguished by its lip with lateral lobes that are oblongelliptic (vs. oblong and rounded), and a mid-lobe that is transversely subquadrate-rhomboid (vs. obovate in the new species).
Juan Sebastián Moreno, Iván Tamayo‑Cen, Germán Carnevali, Luis Ocupa-Horna, and Alejandro Castaño. 2024, Encyclia tuluaensis (Orchidaceae: Laeliinae), A New Species from a tropical dry forest in the Department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia. Harvard Papers in Botany. 29(2):279-288
DOI: 10.3100/hpib.v29iss2.2024.n6 www.huh.harvard.edu/pdf-downloads
