Ficus palmarensis N. Medina 2014, sp. nov.

Type:— COLOMBIA. Chocó: Carretera Ansermanuevo-San José del Palmar, límite con el Valle del Cauca, alto del Galápago, 2000 m, 4°46’N 76°29’W, 18 Feb 1977, Forero et al. 2857 (holotype COL!, isotype MO!).

Ficus palmarensis is most similar to F. hartwegii, from which it is easily distinguished by the shape of the leaves and the unusual position of the leaf gland (one centimeter up from the base of the leaves). F. palmarensis also resembles F. nebulosilvana but differs from it by its less dense indumentum, position of the gland on the leaves and flat venation.

Trees or stranglers, only reported up to 2 m tall but probably taller. Leafy twigs 3–12 mm diameter, glabrous; periderm persistent. Laminae lanceolate to ovate, 9–14 × 3.5–7 cm, apex acute to acuminate, base rounded, margin entire; upper surface glabrous, lower surface hirsute on the midrib, hairs up to 3 mm in length, brown to yellow, erect or adpressed along the midrib; midrib and lateral veins slightly prominent above, lateral veins 5–8 pairs, the basal pair up to 1/8–1/11 the length of the lamina, tertiary venation reticulate; waxy gland 1 cm up from the base of the midrib beneath; petiole 2.5–5.5 cm, 1.5–2 mm in diameter, glabrous to pilose; stipules 1.2–2 cm long, sericeous, caducous. Figs axillary, born in pairs; peduncle 3–4 mm; basal bracts 2–3 mm long, persistent; receptacle globose, 8–10 mm in diameter when dry, glabrous to pilose; ostiole ca. 2 mm in diameter, flat to slightly prominent. Staminate flowers 0.5–0.8 mm pedicellate, tepals 3, 1.2–1.5 mm long, stamens 1, anthers ca. 1 mm long. Pistillate flowers 0–1.2 mm pedicellate, tepals 3, 1.6–2 mm; stigma ca. 0.3 mm long, bifid; style 0–1.5 mm; ovary 1–1.2 × 0.8– 0.7 mm long, asymmetrically reniform; interfloral bracts 1–1.2 mm.

Distribution, Habitat and Ecology:— Ficus palmarensis is only known from the western Andes in the municipality of San José del Palmar, in the southern department of Chocó, Colombia (Fig. 6), in Cloud Forest, 2000 m elevation.

Vernacular Name: —Matapalo.

Conservation assessment:— Applying IUCN Red list categories (IUCN, 2001), F. palmarensis is considered Vulnerable, VU B1a, b (iii), due to the restricted number of localities and habitat where it has been registered and the estimate of the extent of occurrence of 5000 km 2. The region is at high risk of deforestation and lacks sufficient conservation measures.

Etymology:—The specific epithet refers to the municipality of San José del Palmar in Colombia, where the species is endemic.

Additional specimens examined: — COLOMBIA. Chocó: San José del Palmar, Cerro del Torrá, vertiente nororiental, 2050 m, 10 Jan 1984, Silverstone-Sopkin et al. 1733 (CUVC!, MO!).

Discussion: — Ficus palmarensis is most similar to F. hartwegii (Miquel) Miquel (1867: 299). Both species display small leaves and a lower number of secondary veins, however, F. palmarensis differs in leaf shape and the unusual position of the waxy gland, one centimeter up from the base of the leaves. F. palmarensis also resembles F. nebulosilvana in leaf shape and habitat but differs by its less dense indumentum, position of the waxy gland and flattened venation. Ficus palmarensis may be distinguished from F. hartwegii and F. nebulosilvana based on the characters listed on Table 2.