Preliminary inventory of rheophytes in Colombia

Resumen

Rheophytes are plants that are adapted to growing on the rocky margins of waterways with fast moving currents, and they are subjected to seasonal or random episodes of inundation with flood waters. Obligate rheophytes have evolved a suite of key innovations that allow them to survive and reproduce in this challenging environment, such as flexible stems, narrow leaves, extensive root systems, and other reproductive, vegetative, and phonological adaptations. These adaptations have arisen multiple times in several phylogenetically unrelated families, including Arecaceae, Bromeliaceae, Cyclanthaceae, Podostemaceae, Piperaceae, and Lythraceae. Over the last several years, we have been investigating the diversity and distribution of rheophytes across Colombia, including in the Samaná River canyon (Antioquia), the Chocó region (Punta Brava), and Amazon Basin (Caquetá River and Vaupes River). Our field observations have yielded new four undescribed species with an obligate rheophytic habit, highlighting the need for further study in this unique habitat. A recent inventory of rheophytes from the Central Cordillera revealed 16 species of rheophytes, including four species of orchids. There is much still to learn about the rheophytic flora of Colombia, and the effects of climate change present a troubling outlook for the survival of this diverse group of plants.

Citation: Hoyos Gómez, S. E., Bernal, R. & Wahlert G. A. 2025. Preliminary inventory of Rheophytes in Colombia. Revista Jard. Bot. Nac. Univ. Habana 46 (Número especial 1): 95.

Trabajo presentado en el XIII Congreso Latinoamericano de Botánica. Sesión Biodiversidad y Conservación.