A new species of Protium (Burseraceae) from northwestern Ecuador

Abstract

A new species of Protium (Burserace- ae) from the base of the Andes of north- western Ecuador is described and illus- trated. The new species is distinguished by its leaves, with 1 or 3 rough leaflets with dense, strigulose and granular in- dumentum on the lower surface, the 8-lobed disc of the flower and the close- ly ovate-elliptic and bivalved fruits. The species has only been found in the northwestern part of Ecuador, between 600 and 900 m elevation. Trees with flowers have been found between May and June, and fruits between November and December.