New Species of Bizarre Pink Flower Discovered in Colombia at Risk of Extinction Due to Periodic Disturbance

A new flower species was discovered on the side of a Colombian road. However, the experts claimed that it was already at risk of extinction.

Strange Flower Species at Risk of Extinction

A new plant species currently listed as endangered faces a particular danger - routine roadside maintenance. Glossoloma has 16 species and is found in Colombia and Ecuador's western lowland Andean woods.

However, a new species, Glossolomamagenticristatum, was discovered in three spots along the Florencia-Guadalupe road in southern Colombia. Its range extends from southern Mexico to Bolivia.

According to a recent study, the Andean forest's continual loss owing to colonization and agriculture and maintenance workers' frequent disturbance of the Florencia-Guadalupe road's wayside flora put the new species at risk.

Laura Clavijo, one of the study's authors and assistant professor at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, claims that this discovery was made as part of her ongoing investigation into the ecology and evolution of the Gesneriaceae (the family of African Violets) using molecular techniques, extensive fieldwork, and analysis of botanical collections at herbaria.

To develop effective conservation and management strategies to ensure the survival of the native species, she said it is crucial to have a thorough understanding of the biodiversity they have, how it is distributed throughout Colombian territory, what factors have been fundamental in their evolution, and whether or not they are at risk of extinction. Even though this is a big endeavor, it reportedly gives them a chance to learn more about biodiversity and unravel the mysteries of these fascinating plants.

Glossolomamagenticristatum is classified as Endangered (EN) by the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria and the standards established by the IUCN Standards and Petitions Committee.

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More About Glossolomamagenticristatum

Glossolomamagenticristatum is set apart from most other congeners, which is often epiphytic with elongate scandent subwoody stems due to the presence of a magenta corolla tube and the creased calyx formed by strongly appressed neighboring lobes.

The specific epithet comes from two terms that capture Glossolomamagenticristatum's special qualities. The corolla is a magenta color, which is unique among Glossoloma species. The closely appressed calyx lobes create a crease that resembles wings or a crested mound, reflecting the second element of the specific epithet, "cristate."

The new species is endemic to the Colombian Cordillera Oriental (Eastern Cordillera), in the northern Andes, between 1900 and 2400 m elevation.

The three distinct populations of Glossolomamagenticristatum have been found to grow along roadsides and are distinguished by shaded secondary woodland. Collections exist for two of the three recognized populations. Jorge Luis Pea's observation and photo from April 2019 on iNaturalist provide evidence for a third population in the Huila department (3°19'3.96"N, 74°39'42.32"W).

With the discovery of G. magenticristatum, five different species of epiphytic Glossoloma have elongated branches. Glossolomamagenticristatum mostly resembles G. serpens but can be easily distinguished thanks to its coriaceous leaves (as opposed to papyraceous ones in G. serpens), magenta flower, and oval calyx lobes.

Also seen in G. chrysanthum from Venezuela is an epiphytic habit with lengthy shoots. These two species are geographically distinct; G.magenticristatum is unique to Colombia, while G.chrysanthum is confined to Venezuela. In addition, these species differ in that G.magenticristatum has a 3.8-4.3 cm long corolla instead of 3.5 cm in G.chrysanthum, a magenta calyx, and a magenta corolla.