Nasa ojedae (Loasaceae): A new species from the montane forests of Reserva El Corazón, western Andes of Ecuador

Abstract

Nasa ojedae (Loasaceae), a new species of the Neotropical genus Nasa is here formally described from the fragmented montane wet forests of Reserva El Corazón, on the western slopes of the central Andes of Ecuador. It is one of the few, yellow-flowered, species of the Nasa grandiflora group and one of the few, coarse, biennial herbs in this otherwise shrubby or rhizomatous group. The new species is illustrated and the relationships with morphologically similar species are discussed. Based on IUCN categories and criteria, Nasa ojedae is categorized as critically endangered.