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A new species of pleurothallis (Orchidaceae, Pleurothallidinae) from northwestern Ecuador with affinities to both subgenera Ancipitia and Scopula

Abstract:

A new species, Pleurothallis ecomingae, from near Chical, Carchi Province, Ecuador, is described and illustrated. This species is unique in that it has characteristics typical of both subgenera Scopula and Ancipitia. The plant has narrowly lanceolate leaves with a near-apical fascicle of single-flowered peduncles, previously only seen in Scopula. And, it has flowers with a minute, pubescent, tri-lobed lip in which the basal lobes are modified into ‘horns’, and an apical orifice in the central lobe, a feature previously only seen in Ancipitia. This intermediate morphology supports the previous suggestion that, at least based on morphology, the two subgenera should be combined.