Exploring the Diversity of the Genus Passiflora (Passifloraceae): A New Species from the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia

David Lozano-Cifuentes; Hernán Darío Bernal; Boris Villanueva Tamayo; John M. MacDougal

doi:10.3417/20261020

David Lozano-Cifuentes Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0353-4318
Hernán Darío Bernal Passifloras de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6611-0868
Boris Villanueva Tamayo Jardín Botánico de Bogotá “José Celestino Mutis” https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6929-3572
John M. MacDougal Missouri Botanical Garden https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6300-9916

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3417/20261020

Keywords: Biodiversity, Colombia, endemic, passionflower, Tropical Andes

Abstract

Passiflora muyscana Lozano-Cif., H. Bernal & Villanueva is described and illustrated as a new species in Passiflora L. subg. Decaloba (DC.) Rchb., supersection Decaloba (DC.) J. M. MacDougal & Feuillet, section Decaloba DC. (Passifloraceae). This endemic taxon occurs in montane cloud forests along the western slope of the Colombian Cordillera Oriental in the municipality of Villa del Rosario de Tena, department of Cundinamarca, Colombia. The new species is similar to P. biflora Lam. but differs in the shape of its leaves, number of bud prophylls, color of the floral structures, size of the floral stipe, and the distribution of its populations. In addition, details are provided on its ecology, etymology, conservation status, and taxonomic discussion regarding its related species.