A New Endemic Species of Loasa ser. Macrospermae (Loasaceae) from Northern Chile

Abstract

A new species of Loasa, endemic to the northern Andes of Chile, is described and informally evaluated, under the IUCN criteria for conservation, as Critically Endangered. Molecular analyses based on plastid markers place the new species within the Loasa ser. Macrospermae, with high support, and specifically as sister to Loasa acerifolia. A key to and comparative plates including all the 13 known species of Loasa ser. Macrospermae are provided.