Researchers have identified a **new tree species** in the **Cordillera del Cóndor**. A mountainous region located in the Amazon, which borders the territories of **Ecuador and Peru**.
The National Institute of Biodiversity (Inabio) of Ecuador announced that the species, **endemic to the area**, has been named **”ormosia neillii”**, in honor of botanist David A. Neill, who has contributed to the study and conservation of Ecuadorian flora for over 30 years.
## Characteristics of “ormosia neillii”
The research, led by Juan Ernesto Guevara-Andino from the University of the Americas (Udla) and with the participation of the Marie Selby Herbarium, determined that the tree:
– Does not exceed 15 meters in height.
– Has leaves of reddish-brown hue and velvety texture.
– Its flowers have a black jet or dark purple coloration, an **unusual trait in the plant kingdom**.
*”The color of its flowers could be an evolutionary adaptation to attract nocturnal pollinators,”* explained John L. Clark, a researcher at the Marie Selby Herbarium, in a statement.
## Geographic distribution and conservation status of the new tree species
The species is only found in four locations within the **upper Nangaritza river basin** and **Cerro Plateado**, in the **Cordillera del Cóndor**.
Due to its **limited distribution** and the **pressure on its habitat**, it has been classified as **endangered** by the **International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)**.
## Threats and conservation
**Indiscriminate logging** has drastically reduced native forests, while the expansion of **legal and illegal mining** jeopardizes the survival of the species.
Despite this, experts point out that **”ormosia neillii” is still common in the sandstone forests of the Andean tepuis**.
## The Cordillera del Cóndor: a biodiversity refuge
This mountain system, which extends **150 kilometers between Ecuador and Peru**, covers approximately **1.1 million hectares** and is recognized as a **high biodiversity and endemism area** for both **plants and animals**.
Despite botanical exploration efforts in the **Ecuadorian Amazon** over the past **35 years**, there are still **unexplored regions** where new undocumented species could be found.
The discovery of “ormosia neillii” reinforces the importance of **preserving these ecosystems**, promoting **conservation actions and additional studies** to ensure the protection of the **endemic flora** of the area.
