Named as Passiflora pitalensis In honor of its place of origin, the municipality of El Pital, in the southwest of Huila, this new species produces an edible yellow fruit, with a slightly sweet and exotic flavor when ripe, related to the curuba, passion fruit and gulupa. The discovery is the result of work carried out by researchers from both the National University of Colombia (UNAL) and the Surcolombiana and Minuto de Dios.
P. pitalensis It is distributed mainly in the south of Huila and has little observation in Cauca, between 1,750 and 2,030 meters above sea level. The area where it was identified is part of the Colombian Massif – of indigenous origin, from the Páez nation –, until a few years ago affected by the armed conflict, so it has been little explored.
The discovery, which represents an achievement for the study of the country’s plant diversity, was achieved thanks to the work of Professor John Ocampo Pérez, from the Research Group on Neotropical Plant Genetic Resources (GIRFIN) at UNAL, who studied it at the José Herbarium. Cuatrecasas Arumí of UNAL Palmira Headquarters, and established that it was a new species.
The contribution is also due to previous studies carried out by Professor Jeison Rosero, from the Minuto de Dios University, and his student Edwin Arrigui, from the U. Surcolombiana, who found the species and contacted Professor Ocampo for his experience in the Passifloraceae family. , so together they concluded that it is a new discovery.
After more than 2 years of exploration by Professor Rosero and his student Arrigui on the two micro-basins that cover the El Pital Municipal Natural Park: El Obispo and El Burro, this new species, unique for its flowers and fruit, was seen together with another 473 specimens from different botanical families.
The identification process P. pitalensis It involved Professor Ocampo in an exhaustive review of scientific literature, comparisons with specimens from other herbaria in the country and detailed measurements of all the plant organs.
He also carried out a meticulous analysis to establish its relationship with other known passionflowers and confirm that it was indeed a unique species and not simply a morphological or genetic variation of another species.
P. pitalensis It is a vining herb with white and purple flowers; shares similarities with curuba (P. lehmannii), native to South America, although the expert points out that “it is mainly distinguished by some physical characteristics on its stem, its leaves with wider lobes, its green structure that supports the flowers, and also by its small, thin leaves that They decorate the flower.”
The fruit of the new species has an ovoid shape and the margin of the seed is pointed, its color is yellowish and its flavor is exquisite and unusual, which distinguishes it as a product with medicinal and commercial potential. Due to its restricted distribution and the small size of its population, which does not exceed 90 individuals, it is considered in danger of extinction.
New and at risk of extinction, why?
According to the categories and criteria of the Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the botanical research work that Professor Ocampo has carried out for decades in the national territory, more than 110 Colombian species of Passionflower They are considered threatened to some degree.
The gender Passionflower It is well represented in Colombia with approximately 182 species, which is why scientists consider it a good indicator of biodiversity due to its multiple ecological interactions with different types of organisms, including its pollinators.
P. pitalensis It was registered in the country’s herbal collection by the three authors, with their respective number, which will allow the public and the academy to review it along with other botanical species.
The discovery not only represents the discovery of a new species, but also the opening of a world of bioeconomic possibilities for the Huila communities; In fact, this department is a national leader in the cultivation of passion flowers such as passion fruit, gulupa, granadilla, curuba, badea and cholupa. In addition, it offers an opportunity for research into native plant genetic resources and the conservation of Colombian flora.
Information from the National University News Agency.
2024-04-14 18:21:32
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