Passiflora agudeloi L. A. Rodas, Ocampo & S. Montoya-R, sp. nov.

Passiflora agudeloi L. A. Rodas, Ocampo & S. Montoya-R sp. nov. Figs 2, 3 Type. Colombia • Tolima: Cajamarca, Vereda La Luisa, límites con Quindío, 4.471556, -75.494111, 3200 m a. s. l., 04 Jul 2012 (fl, fr). L. Álvarez, J. M. Duque, J. Baquero & L. Cifuentes 087 (holotype: HUQ!; isotype: FAUC!). Diagnosis. Passiflora agudeloi is distinguished from its relative’s species by the combination of leaves wider than 3 cm, petioles longer than 1.5 cm and lacking foliar nectaries and semi-erect flowers 4.6–4.8 cm in diameter. Unlike P. trinervia, which exhibits a hypanthium exceeding 10 cm in length, P. agudeloi possesses a hypanthium shorter than this threshold. The new species differs from P. hyacinthiflora and P. bicuspidata in its larger leaves and flowers and from P. sierrae by its longer petioles, absence of nectaries and non-pendent flowers. The species is most similar to P. azeroana, but differs by having smaller flowers 4.6–4.8 cm in diam. (vs. 7.6–8 cm), shorter sepals 2.5–3 cm long (vs. 3.8–4 cm), narrower petals 1.2–1.5 cm long (vs. 2–2.5 cm), outer corona filaments curved at the apex, light green at the base, whitish at the centre and yellowish at the tip (vs. purple at base and middle, greyish-purple at apex), a puberulent ovoid-oval ovary (vs. ovoid-rounded, hirsute ovary) (Fig. 4), and seeds subspherical 0.42–0.48 × 0.34–0.38 cm (vs. ovoid-ellipsoidal, 0.37–0.4 × 0.24–0.3 cm), rugose-reticulate ornamentation with radial grooves and prominent ridges in radial pattern (vs. reticulate-rugose with irregular ridges and deep folds). Description. Liana up to 4 m in length. Stem subterete, cylindrical, striate and lustrous, puberulent, green to purple in colour. Internode length 6.3–7.6 cm. Tendrils thick, markedly lignified at the base, thinner towards the apex, glabrous and shiny, wine-coloured, exceeding 15 cm in length. Stipules setaceous, acute apex, glabrous, purple to wine-coloured, 0.2–0.4 × 0.1 cm. Petioles 1.9–2.7 cm long, pubescent and striate on the adaxial surface, wine-coloured, eglandular. Leaves 3 - lobed, with lateral lobes larger than the central one, 70–75 ° between lateral lobes, 8–10 × 4.5–6.3 cm, oblong, glossy, adaxially glabrous, abaxially pulverulent along the central veins; lateral lobes with acute apices, protruding between 0.3 and 1 cm beyond the central lobe, separated from each other by 2.0– 2.7 cm; blade base cordate, margin entire, subcoriaceous; adaxially dark green, abaxially light green with three conspicuous wine-coloured veins; unequal width between the central and lateral veins, ranging from 0.9 to 1.5 cm; two extrafloral nectaries present at the base of the blade and 3 to 15 additional extrafloral nectaries distributed along the central and lateral veins. Peduncles paired or solitary, 2.9–3.3 cm long, cylindrical, lustrous and glabrous, dark wine-coloured. Pedicels of the same colour, 0.62–0.69 cm long, thickened, cylindrical, glabrous. Bracts 0.2–0.4 cm long, linear to setaceous, subopposite, dark purple. Flowers 3.5 × 4.7 cm in diameter, semi-erect, lustrous, glabrous, reddish-purple to purple. Hypanthium 0.4–0.5 (to the base of the sepal) × 0.7–0.8 cm, depressed-globose, with two protrusions beneath each sepal on the outer surface. Sepals 2.5–3 × 0.4–0.5 cm, linear-lanceolate, broader at the base, canaliculate, dark violet along the margins, paler in the centre, with three prominent veins, apex obtuse to acute, membranous. Petals markedly 1.2–1.5 × 0.3 cm, shorter than sepals, linear-lanceolate, broader at the base, canaliculate, with dark violet margins, fuchsia-pink centre and apex, membranous, with multiple veins, apex acute to acuminate. Corona of filaments in a single series (radii), 0.47–0.5 cm long, green at the base and bright yellow at the apex, curved towards the androgynophore. Androgynophore 2.8–3 × 0.1–0.2 cm, dark violet, glabrous, measuring 1.2 cm from the base of the ovary to the apex of the stigmas. Gynophore with styles 0.6 cm long, dark olive green. Stigmas 0.1–0.2 × 0.1–0.2 cm, capitate, light lemon green. Filament 0.75–0.77 cm long, dark wine-coloured with a greenish apex. Anthers 0.4–0.5 × 0.1–0.2 cm, yellow on the adaxial surface, violet-grey on the abaxial surface. Ovary 0.44–0.45 × 0.13–0.15 cm, ovoid to oval, puberulent, light lemon green. Fruit 1.8 × 1.5 cm, ovoid, puberulent, light green, darkening when ripe. Seed 0.42–0.48 × 0.34–0.38 cm, sub – spherical, dark brown, dentate margin, rugose – reticulate ornamentation with radial grooves and prominent ridges in radial pattern, a prominent central horn at the apex and an acute base. Phenology. This plant was observed with flowers in July – August and September – October and with fruits in August and October – November. Etymology. The species is named in honour of Colombian botanist Carlos Alberto Agudelo Henao, whose academic career has been dedicated to science education, conservation and botany. Throughout his career as professor, he has fostered interest in these fundamental topics, educating new generations with the capacity to care for and preserve biodiversity and ecosystem health. Furthermore, his vision and contributions have been key to enriching the collection of the Herbarium of the University of Quindío (HUQ) for more than 40 years. He has also played a fundamental role in the creation and consolidation of undergraduate and graduate programmes in biological sciences, strengthening academic and scientific training in the country. Distribution and ecology. This is a rare, endemic species from high Andean cloud forests of the eastern slopes of the Central Cordillera of the Colombian Andes. Its distribution is restricted to the Municipality of Cajamarca, in the Department of Tolima, along the border with Quindío, at an elevation of 3,200 m a. s. l. (Fig. 1). The new species is a climbing plant growing on trees and shrubs at the edge of secondary cloud forests with humid soils. The climatic conditions in this area exhibit a range of temperatures of 5.1–13.8 ° C and an annual mean rainfall of about 1736 mm (IDEAM 2025). Conservation status. Passiflora agudeloi presents a high degree of ecological specialisation; this, in turn, could make the species particularly vulnerable to environmental change and habitat fragmentation. The new species occurs outside the borders of any Colombian protected areas (e. g. Parque Nacional Natural Los Nevados) and is currently known from two individuals (Fig. 1). According to the IUCN Red List Criteria and thresholds B and D (2024), the species qualifies for the category Critically Endangered (CR). This assessment is based on its extremely restricted geographic range (criterion B), as indicated by a single locality outside protected areas and on its extremely small population size (criterion D), given that only one individual has been recorded to date. Such conditions imply a very high risk of extinction and highlight the urgent need for both in situ and ex situ conservation measures. Additional specimens examined (paratypes). Colombia • Tolima: Cajamarca, Vereda la Luisa, límites con Quindío, 4.471556°N, 75.494111°W, 3200 m a. s. l., 06 Sep 2012 (fl), A. F. Bohórquez-O, L. Álvarez, J. M. Duque, J. Baquero & L. Cifuentes 463 (FAUC!). Selected specimens examined (closest relatives). Passiflora azeroana. Colombia • Boyacá: Arcabuco, Finca “ Ortigales ”, 2850 m, 5.716667°N, 73.383334°W, 03 Jan 1970, G. Huertas & L. Camargo 6833 (COL); • Duitama, Corregimiento de Virolín, Finca “ La Sierra ”, 2500–2600 m a. s. l., 6.040201°N, 73.194829°W, 1976, G. Lozano et al. 2527 (COL); • Arcabuco, La Cumbre, 2300 m a. s. l., 5.75°N, 73.433334°W, 07 Oct 1976, G. Lozano & J. Díaz 3718 (COL, UTPC). • Cundinamarca: Bogotá, Torca, 2800–3000 m a. s. l., 4.784444°N, 74.023889°W, 19 Oct 2003, R. Díaz & M. Ardilla 011 MA-RD (COL); • Chapinero, Cerro Usaquén, 2970 m a. s. l., 18 Jul 2010, G. Morales 3187 (JBB); • Chipaque, Calderitas, 4.394722°N, 74.090416°W, 3031 m a. s. l., 25 Oct 2013, G. Morales 3649 (JBB); • Fomeque, 2900 m a. s. l., 4.533333°N, 73.703889°W, 22 Mar 1969, G. Huertas & L. Camargo 6745 (COL). • Huila: La Plata, Vereda Arrabal, 2380 m a. s. l., 2.373152°N, 76.073071°W, 10 Jan 1984, G. Lozano et al. 4338 (HUA!); • Isnos, Plan de Achupayal de Perico, 2700 m a. s. l., 17 Jan 1973, C. E. Acosta 16 (COL); • La Plata, Páramo de la Candelaria, Inspección de Santa Leticia, 2370 m a. s. l., 14 Jul 1971, Díaz-Piedrahita et al. 602 (COL). • Santander: Charalá, Virolín, 2500 m a. s. l., 14 May 1976, G. Lozano 2527 (COL); • Charalá, Virolín, 2500 m a. s. l., Aug 1963, D. Goitia s. n. (UDBC). Passiflora bicuspidata. Colombia • Arauca: Tame-Sácama, 2000 m a. s. l., 3 Jun 1995, R. Manrique & R. Castillo 106 (UPTC). Boyacá • Socha, 2580 m a. s. l., 2 Nov 1987, C. Orozco et al. 2016 (US!). • Cundinamarca: La Calera, El Salitre, 2990 m a. s. l., 20 Jun 2003, G. Morales et al. 2137 (JBB); • Sibaté, Carretera entre Sibaté y Fusagasuga, 2600 m a. s. l., 3 Feb 1883, Lehmann 2498 (K!). • Norte de Santander: Pamplona, 2640 m a. s. l., 6 Aug 2016, L. R. Sánchez et al. 16935 (HECASA); • Cucutilla, 3500 m a. s. l., 26 May 2012, L. R. Sánchez & A. Ojeda 14363 (HECASA); • Pamplona, 2950 m a. s. l., 20 Jul 2012, C. B. Rojas & L. R. Sánchez 106 (HECASA); • Pamplona, 2700 m a. s. l., 26 Nov 1999, L. R. Sánchez & P. Montaño 4461 (HECASA); • Pamplona, 3100 m a. s. l., 26 Jul 2002, L. R. Sánchez & A. Castellanos 6901 (HECASA). • Santander: Concepción, 3280 m a. s. l., 24 Jul 2014, L. R. Sánchez & C. B. Rojas 16137 (HECASA); • Vetas, 3500 m a. s. l., 16 Nov 2002, J. A. Mejía & J. A. Hernández 170 (CDMB); • Tona, 3400 m a. s. l., 20 Feb 2002, J. Tejada et al. 36 (UIS). Passiflora hyacinthiflora. Colombia • Boyacá: Duitama, 3065 m a. s. l., 3 Nov 2005, L. Rosero 217 (UTPC). • Norte de Santander: Abrego, 3400 m a. s. l., 13 Jan 2002, L. R. Sánchez & D. Pérez 6193 (HECASA); • Pamplona, Páramo de las Cruces, 2700 m a. s. l., 1 Dec 1846, N. Funck & L. J. Schlim 1383 (G!, MPU!). Passiflora sierrae. Colombia