In a milestone for the biodiversity of the Eastern Cordillera, a team of researchers has officially described Anthurium comuneros, a new species of “anthurium” found exclusively in the mountains of Santander.
This discovery, published in the prestigious scientific journal Phytotaxa, positions the department as a key hub for the conservation of Andean flora.
The discovery was made possible thanks to the work of researchers Oscar Mauricio López Floriano, a member of the HUAZ Herbarium at the University of the Amazon; Alejandro Zuluaga, a member of the CUVC Herbarium at the University of the Valley; and David Sanín, a professor at the UIS School of Biology. The species was identified on the slopes of the Umpalá River basin, specifically in rural areas of Piedecuesta (Cristales village) and Santa Bárbara (Esparta and La Salina villages).
As Professor Sanín explains, this discovery occurred during field trips for the botany courses at the UIS School of Biology, conducted for students in conserved but easily accessible areas. “For two years, the UIS Herbarium team, along with researchers from the University of the Amazon and the University of the Valley, monitored and gathered evidence that allowed us to describe it.”
This anthurium is not like any other plant; it grows in oak forests (Quercus humboldtii) at altitudes ranging from 2,200 to 2,650 meters above sea level. Its name is a direct tribute to the “Rebellion of the Comuneros” of 1781, linking Santander’s historical resistance with the resilience of its natural environment.
Unlike the commercial anthuriums we usually see in pots, the Anthurium comuneros has unique characteristics. It has an imposing stature: it is a terrestrial plant that can reach up to 2 meters in height; its colors are subtle, with its spathe (the colorful leaf surrounding the flower) ranging from pink to pale light red, featuring a smooth and elegant texture; and it possesses natural resilience, with robust stems and a structure perfectly adapted to the humidity of cloud forests.
“By assigning the epithet ‘comuneros,’ the authors link this biological heritage to the historical identity of resistance and pride of the people of Santander. However, this cultural link now faces a critical paradox: the spirit of sovereignty that defines the region must now translate into active environmental stewardship, as the species’ proximity to expanding urban centers threatens to extinguish this natural symbol before its ecology is fully understood,” the publication highlights.
“The most closely related species, the red anthurium (Anthurium andreanum), is the most widely cultivated ornamental inflorescence among the Araceae family worldwide; therefore, the plant described (Anthurium comuneros) could be subject to illegal harvesting. For this reason, we must study it, cultivate it, and protect it. An excellent alternative would be to designate it as the emblem plant of the municipalities of Piedecuesta and Santa Bárbara,” says Professor Sanín.
A Call for Protection
While this discovery is a milestone for science and the department, due to its beauty, restricted distribution, and the loss of its ecosystems, this species is classified as endangered based on its conservation status.
“This discovery highlights our lack of knowledge about our ecosystems, which should be addressed through education and research, and in this regard, the UIS Herbarium is positioning itself as the main hub for botany in Santander. It strengthens partnerships with other national institutions and specialists and demonstrates the need to invest more resources in the knowledge, protection, and promotion of Santander’s flora,” states the UIS researcher.
Its range—that is, its natural habitat—is small, and it faces critical threats such as deforestation, particularly because agricultural expansion is reducing its habitat; urban encroachment, as its proximity to Bucaramanga and Santa Bárbara exposes it to ecosystem degradation; and a lack of protection—currently, only the populations within the “El Rasgón” Regional Natural Park enjoy legal protection.
“By calling this plant ‘comuneros,’ we are not just naming a species; we are calling for the active stewardship of our territory. Protecting this anthurium is protecting the very identity of Santander.”
Biological Richness
This discovery marks a milestone of particular significance for Neotropical botany and the taxonomy of the Calomystrium section. Furthermore, it not only expands the catalog of Andean flora but also allows for a deeper understanding of a monophyletic clade whose diversity in the Eastern Cordillera has historically been underestimated.
Likewise, the identification of this species underscores the technical need for detailed botanical explorations in high-mountain ecosystems to resolve taxonomic complexities that persist within the genus Anthurium.
In Santander, 36 of the 357 species of the genus identified in the country have been discovered. This discovery in the Calomystrium section validates recent phylogenetic hypotheses that define this section as a robust monophyletic group.
| Characteristic Anthurium comuneros (The new one) | Anthurium andreanum (The common one) |
| Habit Terrestrial (grows on the ground) | Epiphytic (grows on trees) |
| Height Up to 2 meters | Up to 1 meter |
| Spathe (Flower) Pale pink and smooth | Bright red and rough Location |
| Exclusive to Santander | Widespread distribution |
