Pleurothallis ariana-dayanae, a new species in subsection Macrophyllae-Fasciculatae (Pleurothallidinae) from the Cordillera del Cóndor, Ecuador

Abstract

A new species of Pleurothallis from the Cordillera del Cóndor in southeast Ecuador is described and illustrated. In addition, information concerning its distribution, habitat, and phenology is provided. Pleurothallis ariana-dayanae is similar to P. paquishae but differs in the size of the flower, the dorsal sepal 6.5–7.8 mm long, the petals slightly falcate, linear, microscopically verrucose-papillose on the dorsal surface, minutely denticulate along the margins; the lip is ovate-elliptic with, denticulate-ciliate margins, with a slightly bilobed glenion. Pleurothallis ariana-dayanae is also compared with P. scabrilinguis, and P. applanata, an endemic species to Ecuador.