Abstract

A new species of Lophiaris (Orchidaceae, Onciidinae), Lophiaris quichensis Coxic, Cetzal, Mó & Carnevali, from the department of Quiché, Guatemala, is herein described, illustrated, and characterized based on morphological features. It is here referred to the L. straminea complex (along with L. aurisasinorum, L. sierracaracolensis, and L. straminea) from which it is easily distinguished by the color of the flowers: sepals and petals yellow, and the whole surface covered with pale reddish-brown spots, the claws with a pale reddish-brown stain, the labellum yellow with a reddish-brown blotch covering the central portion of the central lobe, the disc and partially the teeth of the callus, the lateral lobes with a brown spot at the base of the same. The etymology, distribution, ecology, and comparative differences of the new species with respect to other species of L. straminea complex are discussed. We also provide a comprehensive key to identify the species of L. straminea complex. The conservation status of L. quichensis is assessed as CR by the IUCN criteria.