Three New Species of Burmeistera (Campanulaceae) Endemic to Ecuador

Abstract

Three species of Burmeistera discovered during fieldwork in Ecuador are described here. Burmeistera velutina and Burmeistera catulum are unusual in being nearly completely covered in indumentum, short and velvety in the former and remarkably long (up to 4 mm) and silky in the latter. Burmeistera jostii possesses bright red corollas, rare in a genus typically characterized by dull green flowers, and yellow to tan strigose hairs. We provide a discussion of each species’ etymology, phenology, and ecology, a list of all specimens examined, and distribution maps and photos.