Epidendrum claustralis (Orchidaceae), another new species from the high Andean forests of the Rupestre group

Abstract

Epidendrum claustralis, a new species of the Rupestre Group is described and illustrated. It is a novelty from the Departments of Junín, San Martín and Amazonas, Peru. It is compared to the most similar species, Epidendrum excelsum. The species is characterized by the entire lip and with two prominent parallel calli that lean towards each other after pollination or the loss of the pollinarium, closing the entrance of the nectary, and thus avoiding another pollination event.