taxonID	type	description	language	source
03CD26703869FFD1D5A79EFE28C1F89A.taxon	materials_examined	Type: — COLOMBIA. Antioquia: Municipio de Sonsón, vereda Chaverras, Cerro Las Palomas 3070 m, June 2023, Gallego-Franco, Y. et al. 200 (holotype: JAUM!, isotype: COL!)	en	Sánchez-Gómez, David, Gallego-Franco, Yudy, Wilson, Mark (2025): A new species of Pleurothallis (Pleurothallidinae: Orchidaceae) from subgenus Ancipitia discovered through citizen science in the paramo of the Central Andes of Colombia. Phytotaxa 717 (3): 258-268, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.717.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.717.3.2
03CD26703869FFD1D5A79EFE28C1F89A.taxon	diagnosis	Pleurothallis maitamae is most similar to P. onagriceps, but differs in its multi-flowered inflorescences (vs. one or two simultaneous flowers), larger leaves (6.6 – 13.6 × 2.9 – 6.4 cm vs. 4.5 – 6 × 2 – 2.5 cm), pale yellow to cream-colored flowers with dark-purple to brownish-purple spots extending from the base to the middle of the sepals and petals (vs. pale flowers with few spots), and forward-facing, barely open flowers with s-shaped petals (vs. more open flowers with straighter petals).	en	Sánchez-Gómez, David, Gallego-Franco, Yudy, Wilson, Mark (2025): A new species of Pleurothallis (Pleurothallidinae: Orchidaceae) from subgenus Ancipitia discovered through citizen science in the paramo of the Central Andes of Colombia. Phytotaxa 717 (3): 258-268, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.717.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.717.3.2
03CD26703869FFD1D5A79EFE28C1F89A.taxon	description	Description: — Plant epiphytic, caespitose, medium-sized herb to 32 cm tall. Roots flexuous, thin, densely fasciculate. Ramicauls terete, erect to suberect, slender, 7 – 21 cm long, 1.7 – 2.2 mm in diameter, pale green, provided with two tubular, brown and papyraceous sheaths, the basal sheath short and truncated at apex, 2.2 – 5.3 cm long, central sheath short and acute at apex. Leaf suberect, coriaceous, rigid, sessile, ovate, acute, slightly acuminate, 6.6 – 13.6 × 2.9 – 6.4 cm. Inflorescence a fascicle of solitary, successive flowers borne from a reclining, scarious, brown, papyraceous, spathaceous bract near the base of the leaf, 3.4 – 8.4 mm long. Pedicel filiform, erect, 28.4 – 57.5 mm long, covered by the floral bract, brown, papyraceous, and acute at apex, 7.6 – 19.5 mm long. Ovary arcuate, striate and verrucose, 3.7 – 8.7 mm long. Flowers pale yellow to cream with dark-purple to brownish-purple spots along veins in the basal half, up to 18 flowers, at least 12 open at once, facing forward, usually barely open. Dorsal sepal ovate-lanceolate, concave at base, oblong, incurved and rounded at apex, prominent 3 - veined dorsal view, entire, glabrous, 9.8 – 12.8 × 4.8 – 6.1 mm. Lateral sepals connate into an ovate-lanceolate synsepal, concave at the base, long-oblong, incurved and notched at apex, 9.8 – 12.3 × 4.8 – 6.2 mm, entire, glabrous, 4 - veined. Petals ovate-lanceolate, long-acuminate with narrow rounded apex, 8.9 – 11.3 × 1.7 – 2.2 mm, 3 - veined, curved outwards, inclined slightly upward, partially s-shaped. Lip chestnut-colored, 1.4 – 1.8 × 1.1 – 1.3 mm, unexpanded, attached to the column by a flexible strap-like connection, 3 - lobed. Middle (or central) lobe centrally chestnut-colored, ovate to shallowly triangular, thick, and densely pubescent; middle lobe apex rounded, short pubescence at tip, cream-colored with stippled chestnut along margin; middle lobe adaxial-upper surface long-pubescent in center, with a pair of thick, elevated calli running from base of lateral lobes to just below center of middle lobe following by a discrete subapical cavity; middle lobe abaxial-lower surface long-pubescent at base, chestnut-colored, transitioning to short pubescence at pale-green colored apex. Lateral (or basal) lobes narrowly triangular, densely long-pubescent along outer margins, erect; lateral lobe tips cream to pale green, folded outwards; lateral lobes base slightly elevated and subtruncate, nearly flat, articulated, hinged beneath a conical callus above base of column. Column cream stippled spotted pale purple, thickened base with a conical callus behind, vesiculose, stigma apical, 1.2 – 3.6 × 0.5 – 1.2 mm. Anther cap oblong, pale yellow, vesiculose, ca. 0.5 mm long. Pollinia two, narrowly oblong, pyriform, 0.5 mm long, attached to a filiform viscidium. Fruits dehiscent capsule.	en	Sánchez-Gómez, David, Gallego-Franco, Yudy, Wilson, Mark (2025): A new species of Pleurothallis (Pleurothallidinae: Orchidaceae) from subgenus Ancipitia discovered through citizen science in the paramo of the Central Andes of Colombia. Phytotaxa 717 (3): 258-268, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.717.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.717.3.2
03CD26703869FFD1D5A79EFE28C1F89A.taxon	distribution	Distribution and ecology: — Pleurothallis maitamae is only known so far from the municipality of Sonsón, Antioquia (Colombia), specifically from Cerro de Las Palomas — also known as the Páramo de Sonsón — a small páramo fragment located west of the urban area of the municipality. This remnant covers approximately 243 hectares and reaches an elevation of up to 3363 m (Figure 4; Sarmiento et al. 2013). The transition zone at Cerro Las Palomas is characterized by dense thickets of small trees and shrubs from common genera, typically with twisted stems and multiple basal branches. Epiphytic plants are frequently observed growing up to 3 meters above the ground, on mosscovered trunks and branches. The most abundant species in the area include Clusia thurifera Planch. & Triana, Clusia callejasii Pipoly, Guzmania squarrosa (Mez & Sodiro) L. B. Sm. & Pittendr. and Weinmannia elliptica Kunth (Alzate et al. 2016). The new species grows epiphytically, typically on the basal parts of live or dead tree trunks, and occasionally on vertical substrates such as the middle sections of tree trunks (Figure 5). Flowering appears to peak in June and July, with additional records from September and January. However, no flowering individuals were observed during a field visit on January 8 th, 2020.	en	Sánchez-Gómez, David, Gallego-Franco, Yudy, Wilson, Mark (2025): A new species of Pleurothallis (Pleurothallidinae: Orchidaceae) from subgenus Ancipitia discovered through citizen science in the paramo of the Central Andes of Colombia. Phytotaxa 717 (3): 258-268, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.717.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.717.3.2
03CD26703869FFD1D5A79EFE28C1F89A.taxon	etymology	Etymology: — Named after Cacique Maitamá, a prominent indigenous leader from the Arma River canyon in Sonsón (Antioquia, Colombia), whose people, the Armados, played a significant role in resisting Spanish colonization in this region. This name acknowledges the importance of preserving and revitalizing the indigenous cultures of the Central Andes, as well as their ancestral knowledge and traditions related to their natural environment. Cacique Maitamá and his community exemplified resilience and social organization, along with profound ancestral knowledge of agriculture, hunting, and fishing around the Arma River. By commemorating Cacique Maitamá, we recognize the historical and cultural significance of the indigenous peoples in shaping the cultural and natural heritage of the region.	en	Sánchez-Gómez, David, Gallego-Franco, Yudy, Wilson, Mark (2025): A new species of Pleurothallis (Pleurothallidinae: Orchidaceae) from subgenus Ancipitia discovered through citizen science in the paramo of the Central Andes of Colombia. Phytotaxa 717 (3): 258-268, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.717.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.717.3.2
03CD26703869FFD1D5A79EFE28C1F89A.taxon	conservation	Conservation status: — Although the known records of the Pleurothallis maitamae come from a páramo fragment within the DRMI Páramo de Vida Maitamá – Sonsón, its full distribution remains uncertain due to the lack of targeted surveys in surrounding areas. While this protected area provides a useful conservation framework, it does not guarantee effective protection in the absence of ecological and population data. Moreover, since climate variability strongly influences species distributions in Colombian mountain ecosystems (Álvarez-Dávila et al. 2018), potential changes in temperature and precipitation could further affect its habitat suitability. Given these uncertainties, we propose a preliminary IUCN classification of Data Deficient (DD), following IUCN guidelines (IUCN Standards and Petitions Subcommittee, 2024).	en	Sánchez-Gómez, David, Gallego-Franco, Yudy, Wilson, Mark (2025): A new species of Pleurothallis (Pleurothallidinae: Orchidaceae) from subgenus Ancipitia discovered through citizen science in the paramo of the Central Andes of Colombia. Phytotaxa 717 (3): 258-268, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.717.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.717.3.2
03CD26703869FFD1D5A79EFE28C1F89A.taxon	materials_examined	Other records: — COLOMBIA. Antioquia: Municipio de Sonsón, Vereda Chaverras, Cerro de Las Palomas, 3100 m, 23 VII 2022, Carmona s. n., digital image: https: // www. inaturalist. org / observations / 127991413. 3000 m, 20 IX 2020, Carmona s. n., digital image: https: // www. inaturalist. org / observations / 60293258. 3150 m, 22 VI 2018, Sánchez s. n., digital image: https: // www. inaturalist. org / observations / 13824305. Vereda La Paloma, Cerro Las Palomas, 3000 m, 4 I 2010, Marín s. n., digital image: https: // www. inaturalist. org / observations / 19092080. Vereda Chaverras, Cerro Las Palomas, 3100 m, 8 I 2024 Josemilla s. n. https: // www. inaturalist. org / observations / 196169420. 7 VIII 2024, Carmona s. n., digital image: https: // www. inaturalist. org / observations / 60293258. Vereda Chaverras, Cerro Las Palomas, 2700 m.	en	Sánchez-Gómez, David, Gallego-Franco, Yudy, Wilson, Mark (2025): A new species of Pleurothallis (Pleurothallidinae: Orchidaceae) from subgenus Ancipitia discovered through citizen science in the paramo of the Central Andes of Colombia. Phytotaxa 717 (3): 258-268, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.717.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.717.3.2
03CD26703869FFD1D5A79EFE28C1F89A.taxon	discussion	Taxonomic discussion: — Pleurothallis maitamae is known only from Cerro Las Palomas in the Central Andes of Colombia, belonging to subgenus Ancipitia and the P. crocodiliceps complex first proposed by Wilson et al. (2017 a). The floral characteristics of this species exhibit a minute, pubescent, 3 - lobed labellum in which the lateral lobes are elaborated into “ horn-like ” projections, morphological characteristics associated with this species-complex (Figures 1 and 2). This new description increased the number of species within the complex to 14, with multiple species still pending description. Within the P. crocodiliceps complex, the species most similar to the new taxon is P. onagriceps (as detailed in the Diagnosis); however, other members also share certain morphological traits that merit discussion. P. wielii differs from P. maitamae in having smaller leaves, more open flowers (vs. more closed in P. maitamae), one or two flowers per leaf, and linear-lanceolate petals (vs. ovate-lanceolate in P. maitamae) (Wilson et al. 2017 a). Other members of the complex, such as P. ecomingae and P. andreae, differ in additional ways: in P. ecomingae, the inflorescence emerges near the midrib rather than basally (Wilson et al. 2018), and P. andreae has shorter basal lobes of the lip and thinner calli. (Additionally, P. maitamae exhibits pale yellow to cream-colored flowers with dark-purple to brownish-purple spots along the veins and forward-facing, barely open flowers with s-shaped petals (Figure 3). Although quantitative comparisons were made (data not shown), the species is easily distinguishable based on qualitative morphological traits, making a detailed table of measurements unnecessary. In addition, none of the species mentioned above show a significant similarity in floral morphology with P. maitamae, which makes clear the remarkable difference here. Additionally, it is worth noting that one of the most morphologically similar species at first sight to the new species is P. dunstervillei. Although it belongs to subgenus Ancipitia, it is not part of the P. crocodiliceps complex, as it lacks the distinguishing characteristics that define this group (for example, a “ 3 - lobed ” lip with lateral lobes elaborated into “ horn-like ” projections). Nonetheless, it can be easily mistaken for the new species when observed superficially, as both have numerous flowers and an inflorescence consisting of a fascicle of solitary, successive flowers (Rojas Alvarado & Karremans 2024). In contrast, P. dunstervillei has a white, acute lip, broadly attached to the columnfoot, with dark purple spots below the middle of the disc (Figure 6). Additionally, P. maitamae exhibits pale yellow to cream-colored flowers with dark-purple to brownish-purple spots along the veins and forward-facing, barely open flowers with s-shaped petals. Regarding the distribution of species within the complex in comparison with the species here described, the known occupancy area of 14 species shows a wide distribution across Central (Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica) and South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia). A similar species to P. maitamae has a nearby distribution in the Central Andes, P. andreae (mentioned above), although there exists uncertainty in the collection data (Wilson et al. 2017 a). Another similar species outside the complex, P. dunstervillei, is distributed along the Andes, including the Central Andes of Colombia. In contrast, P. maitamae is, so far, known only from the subpáramo zone of Cerro de Las Palomas, suggesting a more restricted range within the same cordillera.	en	Sánchez-Gómez, David, Gallego-Franco, Yudy, Wilson, Mark (2025): A new species of Pleurothallis (Pleurothallidinae: Orchidaceae) from subgenus Ancipitia discovered through citizen science in the paramo of the Central Andes of Colombia. Phytotaxa 717 (3): 258-268, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.717.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.717.3.2
