Platystele colombiana

Abstract

The relatively large flowers with long-cuadate sepals of Platystele colombiana are somewhat reminiscent of P. caudatisepala (C. Schweinf.) Garay, P. posadarum Luer & R. Escobar and P. baqueroi L. Jost & Iturralde. The new species is easily distinguished from those by the completely glandular-hirsute tepals, the very narrowly linear to acuminate petals that are about a third the width of the sepals, but almost the same in length (vs. tepals glabrous [only marginally hirsute in P. baqueroi], petals broader, at least half the width of the sepals, and less than half the length). Platystele speckmaieri Luer & Sijm is also superficially similar with its long-attenuate tepals, with sepals and petals similar in length. However, its flowers are glabrous, tepals are very narrowly caudate and the lip is broad below the middle and contracted apically.