Araceae in a protected area of the Cordillera Oriental (La Palma, Cundinamarca, Colombia)

 

Julio Andres Sierra-Giraldo, William Trujillo-C & Erika Hernandez

 

ABSTRACT

Colombia is the country with the highest number of species of Araceae, with a total of 835. However, few investigations have been carried out for this family in regions with high biodiversity, such as in the Cordillera Oriental. This study therefore describes the species of Araceae found in a protected area of the department of Cundinamarca. In September and October 2018, botanical collections were made in the Integrated Management District (DMI) Nacimiento de las Quebradas Tiestos, La Chorrera y Hoya Fria. The collections of the National Herbarium of Colombia (COL) and the herbarium of the Universidad de Caldas (FAUC) were used for the taxonomic determination. 16 species and eight genera were recorded, with Anthurium (6) and Philodendron (3) representing the majority of the species. 56% of the species are terrestrial, 31% are hemiepiphytes and 12% are epiphytes. The genus Dracontium and Rhodospatha latifolia Poepp. were recorded as chorological novelties for Cundinamarca. The Araceae in this protected area represent 19% of the species and 50% of genera recorded for Cundinamarca, and 30% of the genera recorded for Colombia, which demonstrates the need for preserving and exploring the forests of the Cordillera Oriental.

 

KEYWORDS

Andes, Chorology, Flora.