Platystele medinae (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae), a New Species from Colombia

Abstract

A new species from southern Colombia, Platystele medinae Thoerle (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae), is described, illustrated, and compared with similar species. Platystele medinae is similar to P. enervis Luer but is distinguished by its sepals with obtuse apices, linear-clavate petals, and a lip with an obtuse to subobtuse apex. The new species is also similar to P. cellulosa Luer & Hirtz but is distinguished by its 0.5-mm-long sepals without apparent veins and a glandular-pubescent, elliptical, obtuse to subobtuse lip.