A New Species of Burmeistera (Campanulaceae, Lobelioideae) from the Western Cordillera of Colombia

Burmeistera salicifolia, Garzon, Luteyn & F. Gonzalez (Campanulaceae, Lobelioideae), a new species from the departments of Choco and Valle del Cauca in Colombia, is illustrated and described, and its affinities are discussed. The species is a small epiphytic to terrestrial herb with a green corolla. It stands out from other species by its narrow leaves with brochidodromous venation; the short, broadly triangular calyx lobes; and the subequal, narrowly ovate-lanceolate corolla lobes that are at right angles with the tube. Burmeistera salicifolia is assigned to Burmeistera Triana sect. Burmeistera because the tips of the ventral anthers lack a tuft of trichomes. The new species grows in the understory of wet montane forests of the Western Cordillera of Colombia, in the Choco-Valle del Cauca border area.