Columnea glaucobracteata (Gesneriaceae), a New Species from the Northwestern Andean Slopes of Ecuador

Abstract

Columnea glaucobracteata J. L. Clark (Gesneriaceae), a new species endemic to the north­western Andean slopes of Ecuador, is described. The species shares the dorsiventral habit typical of many species of Columnea L. but is distinguished by its large greenish-white bracts that partially to nearly com­pletely cover the corolla. A conservation assessment following IUCN Red List criteria supports a prelimi­nary status of Data Deficient (DD).