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| Puya ukumari Treviño, Yuca & Gouda, in Yuca-Palomino, Mamani-Mayta, Champi-Charalla, Condori-Cuti, Llacta-Gomez, Treviño-Zevallos, Gouda, Forsyth, Whitworth et Pillco-Huarcaya, 2026. |
Abstract
Montane forests of the Tropical Andes are among the most diverse and endemic-rich ecosystems in the world; however, they remain insufficiently documented, particularly in remote and topographically complex landscapes. Here, we describe Puya ukumari sp. nov. (Bromeliaceae), a new species from humid montane forests and forest–puna ecotonal habitats in the Kosñipata and Mapacho valleys of southeastern Peru, occurring at elevations between 2,300 and 3,300 m a.s.l. The species was first detected during a long-term ecological monitoring program in the region but remained unrecognized for several years due to the limited number of recorded flowering individuals. Its taxonomic identity became evident following the observation of flowering plants during field surveys conducted in 2025. Puya ukumari resembles P. lineata in possessing a simple, nodding, dark-colored inflorescence; however, it is readily distinguished by its considerably larger flowering plant height (160–200 cm vs. 40–80 cm), significantly wider inflorescence diameter (11–12.5 cm vs. 3.5–6 cm), larger lanate sepals (30–33 × 15–18 mm vs. 13–18 × 6–10 mm and floccose), and markedly darker, nearly black petals. These characters support its recognition as a distinct taxon within the group of Puya species with simple inflorescences. The species is currently known from a limited number of confirmed localities within a restricted elevational range. Based on its distribution and the observed threats to its habitat, a preliminary conservation assessment suggests that it should be classified as Endangered (EN) according to IUCN Red List criteria.
Key words: Bromeliaceae, montane forest, Peru, plant taxonomy, Tropical Andes
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| Puya ukumari sp. nov. A. Habit; B. Lateral view of the flower and longitudinal section of the flower; C. Androecium and gynoecium; D. Stigma with spirally twisted lobes; E. Adaxial and abaxial views of the floral bract; F. Juvenile leaves; G. Spine; H. Blade indument and marginal leaf spines; I. Upper inflorescence bracts near the flowers; J. Basal inflorescence bracts; K. Lateral view of the fruit; L. Bottom view of the fruit; M. Transverse section of the fruit; N. Winged seed. Illustration by Nidia Sanchez. |
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| Puya ukumari sp. nov. A. Inflorescence; B. Frontal view of the flower; C. Lateral view of the flower; D. Longitudinal section of the flower; E1. Androecium and gynoecium; E2. Dorsifixed anthers; E3. Stigma with spirally twisted lobes; F1. Upper right petal; F2. Upper left petal; F3. Lower petal; G1. Adaxial view of the floral bract; G2. Abaxial view of the floral bract; H1. Perianth dissection, showing sepals and petals; H2. Sepal apex; H3. Petal apex. Photographs by Jhon Yuca. |
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| Ecological context, floral visitors, and early regeneration of Puya ukumari sp. nov. a. Habitat in humid upper montane forest and forest–puna ecotone, showing rocky slopes and discontinuous canopy where the species occurs; b. Diurnal floral visitor (bee, Apis mellifera) interacting with flowers during anthesis; c. Diurnal floral visitor Boissonneaua matthewsii approaching the inflorescence; d. Nocturnal floral visitor (Anoura sp.) recorded by camera trap during night activity; e. Seed germination and early seedling development under ambient montane forest conditions at Wayqecha Biological Station. Scale bar: 5 mm. |
Puya ukumari Treviño, Yuca & Gouda, sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Puya ukumari is similar to P. lineata but is readily distinguished by its much larger flowering size (160–200 cm vs. 40–80 cm), significantly wider inflorescence (11–12.5 cm in diameter vs. 3.5–6 cm), and much larger sepals (30–33 × 15–18 mm vs. 13–18 × 6–10 mm), which are lanate in P. ukumari and floccose in P. lineata, as well as by its markedly darker petals (nearly black vs. blue).
Etymology. The specific epithet ukumari is a noun in apposition derived from the Quechua word “ukumari”, meaning Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus). The species is dedicated to the Andean bear in recognition of the ecological importance of Puya species as a key component of its diet and of their close association within Andean montane ecosystems.
Jhon A. Yuca-Palomino, Norma G. Mamani-Mayta, Luis A. Champi-Charalla, Elias Condori-Cuti, Narciso Llacta-Gomez, Italo F. Treviño-Zevallos, Eric J. Gouda, Adrian Forsyth, Andrew Whitworth and Ruthmery Pillco-Huarcaya. 2026. Puya ukumari sp. nov. (Bromeliaceae, Puyoideae), A New montane bromeliad Species from southeastern Peru. PhytoKeys. 280: 113-131. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.280.211255 [15-10-2026]