We describe a new species of Chionanthus (Oleaceae), from the Subandean forests of the Western Cordillera of Colombia. C. megistocarpus is similar to the Ecuadorian species C. colonchensis, but presents leaves with longer petioles [(12-)15-30(-35) mm], with obtuse leaf blades, without abaxial domatia, with longer inflorescences (10-20 cm long) and the largest fruits for this genus in the Neotropics (4.5-5 cm long).
ResumenSe describe una especie nueva de Chionanthus (Oleaceae) de los bosques subandinos de la Cordillera Occidental de Colombia. Chionanthus megistocarpus es afín a la especie ecuatoriana C. colonchensis, pero presenta hojas con peciolos más largos [(12-)15-30(-35) mm], láminas obtusas, sin domacios axilares asociados a las venas del envés, inflorescencias más largas (10-20 cm) y los frutos más grandes en este género en el Neotrópico (4.5-5 cm de largo).
Chionanthus abriaquiensis Fern. Alonso & Cogollo (Oleaceae), a new species from the cloud forests of Colombia, is described and illustrated. This species clearly differs from the previously known Chionanthus L. in Mesoamerica and Northern South America for the long petiolate leaves, the number of secondary veins on the blades, and very long axillary inflorescences. An identification key for the species of Chionanthus from Northern South America and Panama is also presented.
A synoptic review of Chionanthus species (Oleaceae) from Colombia and neighboring countries is presented, in which new information, taxonomic and chorological, is disclosed, and a new species, Ch. vargasii, from the Central Cordillera of Colombia. This species resembles Ch. abriaquiensis, but has coriaceous leaves, with shorter petioles and woolly domatia along the veins of the underside, and shorter inflorescences. Chionanthus guianensis and Ch. panamensis are cited for the first time in Colombia and the known distribution in Colombia of Ch. compactus, Ch. implicatus, and Ch. pubescens is extended. In addition, the reviewed material of Ch. avilensis, Ch. colonchensis, Ch. ligustrinus, and Ch. wudackii, all present in neighboring countries, is also commented. Finally, a key is included to facilitate the identification of the species of the north of South America.
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