TWO NEW SPECIES OF BESLERIA (GESNERIACEAE) FROM THE CORDILLERA OCCIDENTAL IN THE COLOMBIAN ANDES

Exploratory field expeditions and herbarium research have led to the discovery of Besleria bullata Clavijo & J.L. Clark, sp. nov. and Besleria nigra J.L.Clark & Clavijo, sp. nov. in the flowering plant family Gesneriaceae. The new species are distinguished from morphologically similar congeners and illustrated with field images. Both species are endemic to the western slopes of the Cordillera Occidental in the Colombian Andes.