Phytotaxa 626 (1): 041–050 ISSN 1179-3155 (print edition)

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Article PHYTOTAXA
Copyright © 2023 Magnolia Press ISSN 1179-3163 (online edition)

https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.626.1.5

Magnolia unicarmensis (Magnolia subsect. Dugandiodendron; Magnoliaceae): a

new species from tropical montane forests of Antioquia, Colombia
ANDRES FELIPE MONTOYA–LÓPEZ1,3 & CORNELIO ANDRÉS BOTA–SIERRA2,4
1
Clorofila, Medellín, Colombia.
2
Grupo de Entomología Universidad de Antioquia (GEUA), Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
3�
[email protected]; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9607-6450
4�
[email protected]; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6555-7913

Abstract

Magnolia unicarmensis is described as a new species of mountain Colombian Magnoliaceae. M. unicarmensis can be dis-
tinguished from the other members of subsection Dugandiodendron by a combination of characters, including smaller leaf
size (3.20–6.73 × 1.91–3.93 cm); leaf shape obovate, base cuneate, woolly abaxial pubescent only in the midvein extending
to a small prolongation in the emarginated apex; prefoliation marks on the lamina absent; golden woolly stipules; flowers
5.13–6.37 cm in diameter, 92–100 staments with six to eight petals and fruit ellipsoid 3.04–3.62 × 2.02–2.35 cm with six to
seven glabrous carpels. This species is endemic from Antioquia, it is currently known only from Carmen de Viboral and La
Unión Municipalities and it is proposed as Critically Endangered under criteria B1 ab(i,ii,iii,v) of IUCN.

Key words: Antioquia, Colombia, Dugandiodendron, plant diversity

Introduction

Colombia is a global hotspot for threatened species of Magnolia (Linnaeus 1753: 535) behind China and Vietnam
(Cires et al. 2013, Rivers et al. 2016). There are 31 endemic recognised Colombian species of Magnolia, all of
them assessed as threatened (Linsky et al. 2023). In Antioquia Department, six out of the 13 native Magnolia taxa
belong to M. subsect. Dugandiodendron (Idarraga et al. 2013): M. coronata Serna, Velásquez & Cogollo (2009: 35),
M. frontinoensis Cogollo, Hoyos-Gómez & Serna (2019: 33), M. guatapensis (Lozano 1994: 50) Govaerts in Frodin
& Govaerts (1996: 71), M. lenticellata (Lozano, 1994: 46), M. urraoensis (Lozano, 1983: 42) Govaerts in Frodin &
Govaerts (1996: 72) and M. yarumalensis (Lozano, 1983: 46) Govaerts in Frodin & Govaerts (1996: 72). The present
work describes a new species of M. subsect. Dugandiodendron from a remanent of conserved montane forest in
Antioquia, Colombia.
During our field trip in Cuchilla La Unión–El Carmen for the identification of new localities for the courses of
ecology taught by C. Bota–Sierra at the University of Antioquia, 13 Magnolia individuals with morphological traits
different from those previously reported were found. Specimens were photographed and standard collection procedures
were followed (Funk et al. 2017). The collected material was then examined under a stereoscopic microscope and
morphometric data were collected. Different species of subsect. Dugandiodendron particularly M. betuliensis Aguilar-
Cano & Mendoza-Cifuentes (2018: 38), M. coronata, M. frontinoensis, M. guatapensis, M. lozanoi Vázquez & Castro-
Arce in Vázquez-García et al. (2012: 114). Magnolia mahechae (Lozano 1975: 33) Govaerts in Frodin & Govaerts
(1996: 71), M. lenticellata, M. urraoensis and M. yarumalensis were consulted for comparison (Table 1). Type material
available online was consulted at Global (JSTOR 2023). The type localities of M. coronata (vereda Quintero, Barbosa,
Antioquia 6°23′49″ N, 75°18′53.9″ W) and M. guatapensis (Vereda Santa Rita, Guatapé, Antioquia 6°18’29.01” N,
75° 8’57.76” W) were also visited to closely compare these species. The definition of M. subsect. Dugandiodendron
by Pérez et al. (2016) was followed. IUCN Red List categories and criteria followed IUCN (2012).

Accepted by Mark Chase: 7 Nov. 2023; published: 15 Nov. 2023 41

Taxonomy

Magnolia unicarmensis A.F.Montoya–López & C.Bota–Sierra, sp. nov. (Figs 1–5)

Type:—COLOMBIA. Antioquia: La Unión - El Carmen de Viboral, between veredas San Juan (La Unión) and La Honda (Carmen de
Viboral) 5°56’15.64”N, 75°17’4.09”W, 2640 m.a.s.l., 14 Sep 2023 (flower, bud and fruit), Montoya, Bota & Orozco s.n. (holotype:
HUA 232719 and 232720).

Magnolia unicarmensis is most similar to M. coronata but differs in having smaller leaf blades, 3.2–6.7 × 1.9–3.9
cm vs. 6.5–16.5 × 4.0–8.0 cm, leaf shape obovate, base cuneate and midrib extending to a small prolongation in
the emarginate apex vs elliptic–obovate leaf without apical prolongation, woolly pubescence on the abaxial side of
leaves only in midrib vs long yellowish or brown hairs covering the leaf, prefoliation marks on the lamina absent vs
conspicuous prefoliation marks on the lamina, pubescence on the stipules golden woolly vs glabrous stipules and fruit
glabrous vs pubescent (Table 1).
Trees 6–15 m tall, diameter at breast height up to 31.8 cm; bark grey; twig internodes glabrous with a few lenticels,
0.63–0.93 cm long, 0.22–0.46 cm in diameter. Leaves with petioles 0.4–0.8 × 0.1–0.2 cm, sometimes with golden hairs,
blades obovate, base cuneate with small pubescent midvein prolongation in the emarginate apex, 3.2–6.7 × 1.9–3.9
cm, margin entire, adaxially glabrous without prefoliation marks on the lamina, abaxially woolly, densely yellowish
pubescent only along the midvein. Lateral veins 11–17 on each side of midvein, inconspicuous adaxially, midvein
impressed above, prominent beneath, stipules 1.2–4.4 cm × 0.3–0.5 cm, golden woolly pubescent. Flowers 5.1–6.4 cm
in diameter, terminal, solitary, fragrant, peduncle 0.6–0.8 cm long, bud ellipsoid, 1.4–2.1 × 1.0–1.6 cm, hypsophylls 1,
abaxially golden woolly in a line, sepals 3, reddish with yellow, oblong, glabrous, base flat, apex rounded, 2.4–2.8 ×
1.3–1.9 cm, petals 6–8, adaxially white, cream and salmon, abaxially white with fuchsia, spatulate–obovate gradually
narrower towards the base, the three outer ones 2.4–3.4 × 1.4–1.9 cm, inner petals three to five 2.2–3.5 × 0.7–1.6 cm,
stamens 92–100, 0.75–0.86 cm long, the connective 0.29–0.46 cm long, brittle and entangled, gynoecium, 0.96–1.05
× 0.7–0.74 cm, elliptic mustard yellow, glabrous, stigma 0.2–0.4 cm long, yellow. Mature fruits ellipsoid glabrous,
lemon green with black spots on the ridges of carpels, 3.0–3.6 × 2.0–2.4 cm, with 6–7 carpels, seeds 1–2 per carpel,
sub–prismatic, angled, 1.0–1.3 × 0.8–0.8 cm.

FIGURE 1. Distribution of Magnolia subsection Dugandiodendron in Antioquia, Colombia.

42 • Phytotaxa 626 (1) © 2023 Magnolia Press MONTOYA–LÓPEZ & BOTA–SIERRA

 TABLE 1. Morphological comparison of M. unicarmensis with nine species of Magnolia subsect. Dugandiodendron.
M. unicarmensis M. coronata M. guatapensis M. yarumalensis M. frontinoensis M. betuliensis

Distribution Central Cordillera Central Cordillera Central Cordillera Central and Western Western Cordillera Eastern Cordillera
Cordillera
Elevation 2640 1800–2600 1850 1800–2800 1700–2000 2179–2200

Leaf dimensions (cm) 3.20–6.73 × 1.91–3.93 6.5–16.5 × 4–8 8.5–13 × 5.3–7.2 9.30–14.30 × 6.55–10.80 4.3–12 × 2.6–6.2 9.9–17 × 5.5–11.4

Leaf shape Obovate, base cuneate. Elliptic–obovate Obovate Widely obovate Elliptic, base decurrent Obovate
Midrib extending to a and
small prolongation in the revolute

Magnolia unicarmensis
emarginate apex
Prefoliation marks on the Absent Present Present Present Present Absent
lamina
Pubescence on the abaxial Wooly pubescent only on Densely covered with Appressed cream hairs Woolly yellowish Scarce ochre hairs Densely covered with
side of leaves midrib long yellowish or brown in veins grey or yellowish brown
hairs hairs
Pubescence on the stipules Gold, woolly Glabrous White woolly Large yellowish hairs Woolly Greyish to yellowish
brown

Lateral veins per side 11–17 8 – 13 12–18 15–18 9 –14 8–14

Petioles (cm) 0.41–0.82 0.5–1.2 1.2–2.2 1.05–2.12 0.4–1 1.6–2.2

No. of bracts 1 1 2 1–2 1 1

No. of petals 6–8 9–10 10 8 9 10

Sepal dimensions (cm) 2.42–2.75 × 1.27–1.94 1.6–2.1 × 1.0–1.8 - 3.4–3.5 × 1.4–1.5 2.1–2.5 × 1.0–1.6 -

Petal dimensions (cm) outer petals 2.44–3.35 × 1.2–2 × 0.6–1.15 1.0–3.2 × 0.9–2.3 3.1–3.3 × 1.1–1.5 2.4–3.2 × 0.8–1.5 -
1.36–1.90 cm, inner petals
2.20–3.44 × 0.69–1.58
No. of stamens 92–100 75 – 114 92 83–89 67–88 42–49

Length of 7.51–8.65 7–9.2 10 11–14 6.0–8.5 -

stamens (mm)
No. of carpels 6–7 9–11 11–13 6–9 3–6 6–8

Size of fruit (cm) 3.04–3.62 × 2.02–2.35 1.7–2.8 × 0.9–1.4 1–2.8 × 0.8–2 2,3–2,7 × 1,3–1,8

Fruit shape Ellipsoid

Carpel indument Glabrous Short scarce hairs Glabrous Glabrous Woolly

...continued on the next page

Phytotaxa 626 (1) © 2023 Magnolia Press • 43

 TABLE 1. (Continued)
M. unicarmensis M. lenticellata M. urraoensis M. mahechae M. lozanoi

Distribution Central Cordillera Western Cordillera Western Cordillera Western Cordillera El Condor (Ecuador)

Elevation 2640 750–1180 1900 1800 2090

Leaf dimensions 3.20–6.73 × 1.91–3.93 15.0–22.1 × 8.3–13.3 7.9–12.7 × 5.9–10.75 7.10–14 × 4.5–9.5 × 2.5–5.0
(cm) 3.2–5.6
Leaf shape Obovate, base cuneate. Obovate, acuminated apex Widely obovate Elliptic Elliptic to obovate
Midrib extending to a
small prolongation in the
emarginated apex
Prefoliation marks Absent Absent Present Present Absent
on the lamina
Pubescence on Wolly pubescent only in midrib Woolly Yellow woolly in midrib Yellowish short hairs Appressed–pilose, densely
the abaxial side of creamy yellowish pubescent

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leaves
Pubescence on the Golden woolly Woolly Glabrous except tips with large Woolly Densely creamy yellowish
stipules yellow hairs pubescent
Lateral veins per 11–17 19–24 13–16 12–22 17–18
side
Petioles (cm) 0.41–0.82 2.78–4.50 0.44–0.74 0.78–1.70 0.7–1.3

No. of bracts 1 1 1–3 1 3

No. of petals 6–9 9 9 9–10 6

Sepal dimensions 2.42–2.75 × 1.27–1.94 3.38–3.51 × 1.03–1.43 3.2–3.4 × 1–1.5 2.40·3.20 × 1.38–2.00 2.7–3.0 × 1.4–1.5
(cm)
Petal dimensions outer petals 2.44–3.35 × 1.36– 2,53–3.33 × 0.75–1.44 3–3.4 × 1.5–1.8 2.80·4.12 × 1.2–2.41 2.6–2.8 × 1.3–1.5
(cm) 1.90, inner petals 2.20–3.44 ×
0.69–1.58
No. of stamens 92–100 94 98 58–79 50–72

Length of 7.51–8.65 7.5-11.4 10–17 5–8 8

stamens (mm)
No. of carpels 6–7 12-18 6–11 4–6 2–8

Size of fruit (cm) 3.04–3.62 × 2.02–2.35 3.33–4.54 × 2.05–2.87 2.58 × 1.58 2.82 × 1.67 2.0–2.5 × 1.5–2.3

Fruit shape Ellipsoid Ellipsoid Asymetric ovate Ellipsoid Globose

Carpel indument Glabrous Woolly Glabrous Glabrous Densely creamy yellowish

pubescent

MONTOYA–LÓPEZ & BOTA–SIERRA

FIGURE 2. Habitat of Magnolia unicarmensis in Antioquia, Colombia. A and B view to vereda La Honda (Carmen de Viboral). B. M.
unicarmensis with flower. Photos by A.F. Montoya-López.

Magnolia unicarmensis Phytotaxa 626 (1) © 2023 Magnolia Press • 45

FIGURE 3. Magnolia unicarmensis. A and B. Flower bud and stipules. C. Flower in early female phase. D, E and F. Flower after male
phase, stamens falling. Photos by A.F. Montoya-López.

46 • Phytotaxa 626 (1) © 2023 Magnolia Press MONTOYA–LÓPEZ & BOTA–SIERRA

FIGURE 4. Magnolia unicarmensis. A. Leaf. B. Twig. C. Leaves and stipules in the treetop. D and E. Fruit. Photos by A.F. Montoya-
López.

Magnolia unicarmensis Phytotaxa 626 (1) © 2023 Magnolia Press • 47

FIGURE 5. Comparison of leaves in four species of Magnolia subsection Dugandiodendron from Antioquia, Colombia. A. Adaxial B.
Abaxial. The outer bigger leaf is from M. yarumalensis (cultivated in La Ceja, Antioquia). Inner leaves: bigger top right M. guatapensis
(from type locality), medium size to the left M. coronata (from type locality), and smaller to the left down M. unicarmensis (from type
locality). Notice the size differences between species, the presence of prefoliation marks on the lamina of M. guatapensis and M. coronata,
as well as the difference in abaxial coloration and pubescence type. Photos by A.F. Montoya-López.

48 • Phytotaxa 626 (1) © 2023 Magnolia Press MONTOYA–LÓPEZ & BOTA–SIERRA

 Distribution, habitat and ecology:—Endemic to tropical mountain forest on the central Cordillera, between San
Juan (La Unión) and La Honda (Carmen de Viboral). Buds, flowers and fruits observed August and September (2023).
No seedlings observed.
Etymology:—Referring to its distribution between La Union and El Carmen de Viboral.
Conservation status:—Proposed as critically endangered under criteria B1 ab(i,ii,iii,v) of IUCN (2012) because
the extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 100 km2.

Acknowledgements

Both authors would like to express their gratitude to Yoshi Orozco, Yesid Valencia, Damaris Arango and Trueno for
their assistance in the field work and Doña Petronia Medina for cakes and cookies.

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