Julio Betancur

A New Species of Cipura (Iridaceae) from Colombia and Venezuela

Cipura gigas is a new species of this Neotropical genus of nine species that extend from Paraguay in the south to Cuba and Mexico in the north. Apparently most closely related to the widespread C. paludasa, C. gigas is distinguished by its height (50-100 cm), the large bulb (ca. 3 cm diam.) with resinous tunics, basal leaves that are mostly S10 mm wide, lilac-purple flowers, and the inner tepals that form a narrow-mouthed urn-like cup 1> 13 mm long. The species is restricted to the Orinoco basin of eastern Colombia and adjacent Venezuela. We provide a revised key to the genus.

Three New Additions to the Guayana Shield-Endemic Steyerbromelia (Bromeliaceae) for Colombia with Comments on the Problematic Generic Delimitation within the Subfamily Navioideae

Abstract Two new species and a new combination for Steyerbromelia (Bromeliaceae: Navioideae) are presented. These novelties represent the first records of Steyerbromelia for Colombia. The new species, Steyerbromelia naquenensis and Steyerbromelia nukakii, were placed in Steyerbromelia based on the combination of their 3- or 4-divided inflorescences, presence of smooth posterior sepals, and ovate, shortappendaged ovules. Both species resemble each other and S. thomasii, which also occurs in the basin of the Upper Rio Negro. Steyerbromelia garcia-barrigae is transferred from Navia, despite the lack of petal appendages, because its morphological characteristics fit better the limits of Steyerbromelia. An updated description of this species is presented. We now consider Steyerbromelia to be a genus of nine species. Additionally, notes on the geographic distribution, vernacular names, conservation status, and taxonomic comments of the three species are provided, as well as a key to all of the species. Finally, a discussion on the difficulties to place these three species within a genus is presented to highlight the problems of generic delimitation of the subfamily Navioideae.

Cinco especies nuevas de Aechmea (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae) para Colombia

ResumenSe describen e ilustran cinco especies nuevas de Aechmea (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae) para Colombia: A. confertiflora y A. viridispica del norte de los Andes, A. longipedunculata y A. longiramosa de la planicie amazónica y A. baudoensis de la región biogeográfica del Chocó. Además, para cada especie se presentan notas sobre sus relaciones taxonómicas, estado de conservación, hábitat y distribución.AbstractFive new species of Aechmea (Bromelioideae: Bromeliaceae) from Colombia are described and illustrated: A. confertiflora and A. viridispica from the Northern Andes, A. longipedunculata and A. longiramosa from the Amazon basin, and A. baudoensis from the rainforest of the Chocó region. Notes on the taxonomic relationships, habitat and distribution, and conservation status are also presented for each species.

Taxonomic novelties in the subfamily Bromelioideae (Bromeliaceae) for the Colombian Amazon

Two new species of Bromelioideae (Bromeliaceae) from the Colombian Amazon are described: Aechmea cardenasii and A. andaquiensis. Aechmea cardenasii is significantly different from other species of Bromelioideae, although it roughly resembles A. rubiginosa because of its simple, strobilate inflorescence. Aechmea andaquiensis belongs to a taxonomic complex that includes A. abbreviata, A. angustifolia, and A. roeseliae, but it is unique among these species due to its oblong-spathulate leaf blades and short inflorescences with densely floccose-ferruginous floral bracts. Additionally, an unexpected record of the Chocó-centered genus Ronnbergia in the eastern Andean slopes of Caquetá is reported. Finally, a short discussion is provided about the problematic usage of binomials of Streptocalyx instead of Aechmea for taxonomic catalogues. This discussion is based on the necessity to add A. confusa to the Catalogue of Colombian Plants.ResumenSe describen dos especies nuevas de Bromelioideae (Bromeliaceae) para la Amazonía colombiana: Aechmea cardenasii y A. andaquiensis. Aechmea cardenasii es significativamente diferente a cualquier otra especie de Bromelioideae, sin embargo comparte algunas similitudes con A. rubiginosa, como la inflorescencia simple y estrobilada. Aechmea andaquiensis pertenece a un complejo taxonómico que incluye a A. abbreviata, A. angustifolia y A. roeseliae, pero difiere de estas principalmente por sus hojas oblongo espatuladas y sus cortas inflorescencias con brácteas florales densamente flocoso ferrugineas. Adicionalmente, se documenta un registro inesperado de Ronnbergia, un género característico del Chocó biogeográfico, para el piedemonte amazónico del departamento de Caquetá. Finalmente, se discute la problemática de seguir usando binomios de Streptocalyx en lugar de Aechmea en catálogos taxonómicos. Esta discusión se basa en la necesidad de adicionar a A. confusa al Catálogo de Plantas de Colombia.