Lepanthes angelae E.Parra & L.Baquero, 2025

Lepanthes angelae E.Parra & L.Baquero , sp. nov.

( Figures 2–3 View FIGURE 2 View FIGURE 3 ).

TYPE:— COLOMBIA, Boyaca, Gambita, corregimiento del Taladro , 2100 m, 8 February 2021, E. Parra-Sanchez et al. 2390 (holotype: VALLE!).

Lepanthes angelae is most similar to L. dunstervilleorum Foldats which it can be distinguished by its yellow sepals with suffused red markings towards the centre (vs. light yellow to greenish-white flowers suffused with red-brown to purple at the centre of the petals), and the upper lobe of the petals being narrowly falcate and slender (vs. oblong with the apex form rounded to contracted). Additionally, the lower lobe of the petals is broader and rounded at the apex with a slender caudate process (vs. obtusely triangular often with small, obtuse, marginal angle between the lobes), and the lip blades are elliptical-ovate, with margins red-purple (vs. oblong with rounded ends). Furthermore, the new species exhibits a minute, adnate lip with a reduced connective and absent appendix (vs. a broadly cunneate connectives and an oblong, pubescent appendix).

Description: — Plant epiphytic, caespitose, 14.2–19.6 cm tall. Roots slender, flexuous 0.2–0.8 mm in diameter. Ramicauls slender, 6.8–14.7 cm long, erect to suberect, enclosed by 5–14 infundibuliform sheaths, furrowed, ornamented with ciliae with wide ostia. Leaves suberect, 4.1–5.1 × 2.2–2.6 cm, smooth, coriaceous, with two market veins and margins observed in the abaxial side, oblong-ovate, subacute and acuminate at the apex, 4.5–8.5 × 3.5–6.5 cm, rounded base contracted into a petiole 1.5 cm long, Inflorescence with congested, successively flowered raceme, 1.1–1.4 cm long, including the peduncle, borne on the abaxial side of the leaf by a filiform peduncle, 0.9–1.1 mm long; floral bract acuminated, 0.4–1.2 mm long; pedicel 0.3–0.5 mm long, terete. Ovary costate, 0.4–0.6 mm long. Flowers with the dorsal sepal bright yellow, lateral sepals pale yellow and purplish-red towards the center; petals brightyellow with purple-reddish towards the margins, and a darker red pattern towards the upper middle face of the inner face; lip yellow with margins red-purple and column purple. The xanthic form features entirely yellow flowers with orange margins on the lip. Dorsal sepal ovate, glabrous, acute, slightly concave, 4.7–5.1 × 3.8–4.2 mm long, 3-veined, connate to the lateral sepals for 1.2–1.5 mm. Lateral sepals broadly ovate, glabrous, oblique, obtuse at the acuminate apex that bents outwards, slightly sulcate at the mid nerve 4.6–5.2 × 2.8–3.2 mm, 2-veined, connate for 2.3–2.8 mm. Petals glabrous, transversely bilobed, 3-veined, 6.2–7.2 × 1.7–2.3 mm, upper lobe with a slender, falcate and a broad, obtuse wing towards the mid-vein, the lower lobe with a rounded, broad, obtuse wing towards the apex of the petal and a slender, caudate process towards the synsepal. Lip velvety, bilaminate, the blades elliptical-ovate 1.0 –1.2 × 0.3–0.4 mm, connectives very short, cuneate, body minute, adnate to the column near the apex, and absent appendix. Column terete, up to 0.4 mm in length, with a dorsal anther and a ventral stigma. Anther cap not observed. Pollinia not seen.

Distribution and ecology:— The species is exclusively known from its type locality ( Figure 1 View FIGURE 1 ). Our sampling indicates that populations are small with seven recognizable adult individuals in a single 300 m 2 plot. Individuals grow epiphytically on lianas and fallen trees. Flowering has been observed during February and May.

Etymology:— the species is named after the first’s authors partner in life Mrs Angela Moreno who has brough love to his life for over 19 years.

Conservation status:— Our study provides evidence that the species appears to be geographically rare, with a small population size and high specialized habitat requirements.The new species may be Data Deficient (DD) according to the IUCN criteria ( IUCN 2022). This classification applies because there is no data on population trends (Criterion A), there is only one locality which can be seen as incomplete geographic range data (Criterion B), impossibility to estimate population size and structure (Criterion C), population viability or specific threats affecting small populations (Criterion D), and the extinction risk modelling cannot be conducted due to data limitations (Criterion E).

However, our large sampling protocol had a two-fold outcome. First, the sampling effort provide robust evidence of the new species’ highly restricted geographic extend and rarity in terms of population size (counting individuals within plots). We conducted a random sampling in 341 plots (10 m × 30 m), across a 270 km south-to-north gradient and a 2640 meters elevational gradient (1120–3760 m; Figure 1 View FIGURE 1 ), and we found only seven adult individuals growing epiphytically in the understory in a single plot (tree density = 0.29 trees per m 2). Following the discovery, we have conducted two more expeditions (June 2022; February 2023) within and around the same habitat where it was first discovered. We have only found three more adult individuals in blossom showing a xanthina form (description. Figure 3 View FIGURE 3 ). Second, we used a randomised method that reduces sampling bias. Randomized sampling ensures that all potential locations or individuals within a study area have an equal chance of being included. Thus, we reduce the risk of the researchers’ personal knowledge, preferences, or expectations influence the selection of study sites or methods, potentially skewing results.

This protocol provides strong evidence that Lepanthes angelae has a highly restricted geographic range (Criterion B) and have few adult individuals and require conservation actions. Due to the small population size, we have not collected any more individuals until further populations are discovered.

Taxonomic discussion:— Lepanthes angelae is morphologically unique, especially in its flowers with petals that have elongated, falcate upper lobes with broad wings towards the mid-vein of the petal, much larger than the lower lobes, similar in shape but inverted. The obliquae obtuse, connated lateral sepals with the acuminate apex that bents outwards are characteristic of this species. The absence of an appendix in the new species is a morphologically noticeable character that, not also helps to identify the species and separate it from other similar ones, but it also a feature not common within Lepanthes . These characteristics are different to any other known species in the genus which makes it easy to recognize and hardly mistaken with any other species.

The new species shares some morphological affinities with Lepanthes dunstervilleorum , L. paolaalzateana and L. mirador specially when the flowers are compared. Nevertheless, the broadly ovate lateral sepals which abruptly end in acuminate apexes, the petals with a conspicuously longer upper lobe, the flowers without appendix, and the plants with broad, coriaceous, convex leaves with acuminate at the apex, ramicauls covered by coarsely ciliate sheaths distinguishes it from the species mentioned above.

In specific, L. dunstervilleorum has convex leaves and known from high elevation of the Colombian Eastern cordillera ( Figure 3 View FIGURE 3 ), which is characterized by its medium to large size, coriaceous elliptical-ovate leaves, and congested, distichous racemes with multiple flowers. The flowers have light yellow to greenish-white sepals and distinctive red, brown, or purple-suffused petals. In contrast, the new species is smaller in height, with suberect, smooth oblong-ovate leaves. The floral structures diverge significantly, the lip of the new species is velvety, bilaminate, and elliptical-ovate, with a short, cuneate connective and an adnate body near the apex, while L. dunstervilleorum features a pubescent, bilaminate lip with a broader cuneate body and a long-pubescent appendix. This species is found across the Colombian western, central, and eastern cordilleras at elevations of 2300 to 3500 m ( Moreno 2023).

Similarly, Lepanthes angelae can be distinguished from L. paolaalzateana ( Figure 3 View FIGURE 3 ) by its longer ramicauls (vs. 6.8–14.7 cm vs. 9.0– 12.3 cm), which are enclosed by infundibuliform sheaths with wide ostia (vs. 9–10 acuminate, minutely ciliate sheaths). The leaves of L. angelae are broader (vs. 2.2–2.6 cm vs. 1.0– 1.27 cm) and oblong-ovate, while L. paolaalzateana has ovate-lanceolate leaves with an emarginate apex. In floral structure, the petals of L. angelae are bilobed, with an upper lobe featuring a slender falcate wing and a lower lobe with a broad obtuse wing, compared to L. paolaalzateana , where the petals have strongly falcate, caudate lobes. Additionally, L. angelae has elliptical-ovate lip blades and lacks an appendix, whereas L. paolaalzateana has narrowly oblong-ovate lip blades with a short, pilose appendix. Both species’ geographical ranges are quite far apart (~ 470 km), separated by the central cordillera. L. angelae dwells in the eastern cordillera at 2300 m, whilst L. paolaalzateana is found in the western cordillera in Parque Nacional Natural Farallones de Cali at 3200 m.

Finally, Lepanthes angelae and L. mirador share traits typical of the genus but differ notably in morphology and floral structures. L. angelae is larger (vs. 14.2–19.6 cm tall) with slender, elongated ramicauls (vs. 6.8–14.7 cm), whereas L. mirador ramicauls are shorter. The leaves of L. angelae are oblong-ovate and larger (vs. 4.1–5.1 × 2.2–2.6 cm) compared to the smaller elliptical leaves of L. mirador (5.7 × 1.7 cm). Floral differences include the brightly colored petals and bilaminate lip with red-purple markings in L. angelae , contrasting with pubescent petals in L. mirador and bilobed dark-brown lip. Additionally, L. angelae has a shorter column, while L. mirador has a more reduced floral column and intricate pubescent structures. This species is found in southern Colombia and northern Ecuador at elevations of 2650 to 3200 meters ( Luer & Thoerle 2012).