Studies in Neotropical Vochysiaceae: A New Species of Vochysia (Section Ciliantha) from a Pluvial Forest of Western Colombia

Abstract

Abstract. Vochysia carol-scottii from the pluvial forests of “Chocó biogeográfico,” a megadiverse region between the Pacific Ocean and the slopes of the Colombian Western Cordillera, Valle del Cauca department, is described and illustrated, and its morphological relationships with other similar Vochysia species are discussed. This new species is a small tree of 12 m tall and shares features with five species (V. artantha, V. assua, V. calamana, V. cayennensis, and V. tomentosa) of section Ciliantha. Morphologically, it is closest to V. artantha, but it differs in its leaves, inflorescences, spurred sepal, petals, and stamen size. A key and synopsis of the 44 species of Vochysia found in Colombia is provided. A brief note on the ethnobotany of Vochysia in the Amazon basin is presented in an appendix.