Taxonomy and biology of Andean Velloziaceae: Vellozia andina sp nov and notes on Barbaceniopsis (including Barbaceniopsis castillonii comb. nov.)

All published information on the Andean Velloziaceae is summarized and augm ented by our own data obtained by revision of herbarium material, studies o f cultivated plants and observations in the field. A new species from the c entral Andes within the department of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, is described and illustrated. Vellozia andina sp. nov. is distinguished by, among other cha racteristics, short, stout and trigonous stems and by the irregular pollen aggregates of more than eight grains. Habitat and ecology of the new taxon are described. This first Andean record considerably amplifies the known ra nge of the genus Vellozia. The new species is a poikilohydrous and poikiloc hlorophyllous resurrection plant. Within the exclusively Andean genus Barba ceniopsis four species are recognized. Barbaceniopsis castillonii comb. nov ., found in southern Bolivia and northern Argentina, with blue-violet and t riangular-acute tepals forming a hypanthium, is differentiated from B. boli viensis, which has white, shorter, rather obtuse tepals and a shorter hypan thium. For both taxa new biological information and illustrations are provi ded. A distribution map and an identification key for all Andean Velloziace ae are presented.