New taxa and combinations in the Ocotea helicterifolia (Lauraceae) species group

In the course of preparing a treatment of the Ocotea helicterifolia group for Flora Mesoamericana, the existing treatment was found to be outdated. A review of the group is here presented and includes the description of the following new species: O. congregata van der Werff, O. corrugata van der Werff, O. gordonii van der Werff, and O. patula van der Werff, as well as the following new combinations: O. betazensis (Mez) van der Werff, O. bourgeauviana (Mez) van der Werff, O. purpurea (Mez) van der Werff, and O. tonii (Lundell) van der Werff. A key to the species of the group is presented, new synonymy is given, and the specimens studied are listed.