
Elleanthus maculatus
Elleanthus maculatus (Lindl.) Rchb.f., Ann. Bot. Syst. 6: 482. 1863.
Synonyms: Evelyna maculata Lindl. in G.Bentham, Pl. Hartw.: 149. 1845.
Type: Ecuador. Loja. Hartweg s.n. (holotype: K–L).
Illustrated specimen: Colombia. Cundinamarca: Municipality of Guasca, 3200 m. 11 April 2019. J. S. Moreno & P. Harding 525 (LCDP voucher).
Etymology: From the Latin maculatus, “stained, spotted”, in reference to the spotted floral bracts and ovary of the flowers.
Elleanthus maculatus can be distinguished by its pendulous inflorescence with long furfuraceous bracts and several purple flowers. It is a common herb found in the three cordilleras of Colombia, in Andean mountane forests and paramos. It is distributed from Costa Rica to Peru, Bolivia and Venezuela. . .