A new species of Aulonemia (Poaceae: Bambusoideae) from Las Orquideas National Natural Park (Antioquia, Colombia)

As a result of recent studies of South American species of Poaceae, we describe here a new species of woody bamboo, Aulonemia antioquensis Giraldo-Ca & ntilde;as. This species is endemic to a small area from Las Orqurdeas National Natural Park (Andean Western Cordillera, Antioquia, Colombia). Based on IUCN criteria, the new species is categorized as "Endangered" (EN). Thus, a total of nine species of Aulonemia are currently known in Colombia, with four endemic species (A. antioquensis Giraldo-Ca & ntilde;as, A. bogotensis L. G. Clark, A. pumila L. G. Clark & Londo & ntilde;o, and A. verrucosa Londo & ntilde;o, Judz. & L. G. Clark). The new species mostly resembles A. ximenae L. G. Clark, Judz. & C. D. Tyrrell and A. pumila L. G. Clark & Londo & ntilde;o, whose features are given for comparison. The micromorphological and anatomical characteristics of vegetative and reproductive structures are presented, and phytoliths are analyzed using optical (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).