On the genus Dendrophorbium (Compositae) in Ecuador: a new species and identification key

The new species, Dendrophorbium frezierifolium J. Calvo & Á.J. Pérez, is described from southern Ecuador, where it thrives at the edge of low montane forests near the limit with the paramo ecosystem. It differs from the most similar species D. dodsonii (H. Rob. & Cuatrec.) B. Nord. by its larger, chartaceous leaves with denser indumentum beneath, the stems with arachnoid indumentum, the shorter involucral bracts, and the lower number of disc florets. The species is preliminary assessed as “Endangered” [EN] using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Furthermore, images of living plants, a distribution map, and the first identification key to the species of Dendrophorbium (Cuatrec.) C. Jeffrey in Ecuador are provided.