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The Selaginella flabellata species group occurs throughout the Neotropics and is particularly species‐rich in South America, especially in the northwestern part of the continent (i.e. Colombia, Ecuador and Peru). In that region, S. praestans and S. quadrifaria are not well understood taxonomically due to similar habit and median leaves, as well as overlapping distribution ranges. As a result, they are frequently confused. Furthermore, S. quadrifaria, as currently conceived, is an extremely variable species. Nonetheless, our extensive study of 148 duplicates corresponding to 73 gatherings of S. praestans and S. quadrifaria, as currently conceived, allowed us to clearly separate them. In addition, based on our analyses, we segregated S. quadrifaria into two morphologically distinct taxa, including S. ophioderma, which is described here as a new species. Selaginella ophioderma is characterized by its leaves spreading along main stems and broadly ovate‐oblong to rotund or orbicular median leaves with broadly acute or obtuse to rounded apices. Moreover, its median leaf lower surfaces are covered by stomata at both sides of the midribs of the leaf laminae. Thus, we conclude that although S. ophioderma, S. praestans and S. quadrifaria have overlapping distribution ranges in the eastern slopes of the Andes in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, they represent morphologically distinct taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe and illustrate Selaginella rachipterygia Valdespino, Cornejo & C. López as a new species found on the inter-Andean eastern slopes of the Central Cordillera of Colombia and on the slopes on both sides of the Andes of Ecuador and compare it to S. flagellata Spring. Selaginella rachipterygia is notable for its often flagelliform branch, stem, and strobilus tips, which are often gemmiferous, and by its lateral leaves perpendicular to the main stems below the first branches, which give the stems the appearance of having wings. In addition, we document the expanded distribution range of S. simplex Baker to include Panama and Ecuador. Finally, we contrast S. simplex with the similarly small-sized species S. correae Valdespino and S. minima Spring, which overlap either in part of or throughout their distribution ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five Selaginella species (i.e, S. gioiae, S. papillosa, S. pubimarginata, S. rostrata, and S. xanthoneura) from Neotropical rainforests of South America are described and illustrated as new, while S. surucucusensis, originally recorded only from Brazil, is redefined to account for species' morphological characters throughout its expanded distribution range and also a novel illustration is provided for it. Inferred taxonomic affinities and conservation assessment are offered for species here treated. Selaginella gioiae is native to Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, and S. xanthoneura is so far only known in Colombia, whereas S. surucucusensis is now known to occur in Colombia and Venezuela in the north-central part of South America. These three species are included in the "Selaginella flabellata group" based on their habit, stem shape, rhizophores position, and mega- and microspores color, and ornamentation. Selaginella papillosa, S. pubimarginata, and S. rostrata are native to Venezuela. Selaginella papillosa and S. pubimarginata morphologically belong in the "Selaginella deltoides group" based on their habit, stem type, shape of lateral leaves and their indument type distributed on upper surface of the leaf lamina. On the other hand, S. rostrata is considered to be a member of the "Selaginella microdonta group," which is centered in the Guiana Highlands, based on its habit, stem type, and leaf size and shape, and for which a key to identify species is provided. Finally, all species threated here are classified in subg. Stachygynandrum based on their heteromorphic leaves, mostly quadrangular strobili, and monomorphic sporophylls shape (except for S. rostrata that has slightly dorsiventral and flattened strobili with somewhat heteromorphic sporophylls). Se describen e ilustran cinco nuevas especies de Selaginella (i.e, S. gioiae, S. rostrata, S. papillosa, S. pubimarginata, and S. xanthoneura) de los bosques neotropicales de Suramérica, mientras que S. surucucusensis, originalmente descrita de Brasil, es redefinida para incorporar los caracteres morfológicos de la especie a lo largo de su rango de distribución expandido y también una nueva ilustración se provee para ella. Además, se incorporan discusiones sobre las afinidades taxonómicas y el estado de conservación de las especies aquí tratadas. Selaginella gioiae es nativa de Colombia, Ecuador y Perú, y S. xanthoneura se conoce actualmente sólo de Colombia, mientras que S. surucucusensis ahora se reporta también para Colombia y Venezuela, en la región Norcentral de Suramérica. Estas tres especies se incluyen dentro del "grupo de Selaginella flabellata" debido a su hábito, tipo de tallo, posición de los rizóforos y color y ornamentación de las mega- y micrósporas. Selaginella papillosa, S. pubimarginata y S. rostrata se conocen sólo de Venezuela. Selaginella papillosa y S. pubimarginata pertenecen morfológicamente dentro del "grupo de Selaginella deltoides", en función de su hábito, tipo de tallo, forma de las hojas laterales y la clase y distribución de su indumento en la superficie superior de la lámina. Por otra parte, S. rostrata pertenece al "grupo de Selaginella nicrodonta", el cual se centra en el Escudo Guyanés y se caracteriza en función del hábito, tipo de tallo y forma y tamaño de las hojas de sus especies, las cuales pueden ser identificados mediante la clave que se provee. Finalmente, todas las especies aquí tratadas son clasificadas en el subg. Stachygynandrum, ya que poseen hojas heteromórficas, estróbilos cuadrangulares y esporofilos monomórficos (con la excepción de S. rostrata, la cual posee estróbilos ligeramente dorsiventrales y aplanados con esporofilos levemente heteromórficos). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selaginella moraniana, a new articulate species from Colombia and Ecuador is described and illustrated, and a conservation assessment is provided. The species is terrestrial or epipetric on riverbanks, often growing as a rheophyte, at low to mid elevations in primary and secondary tropical humid forests. It is morphologically related to S. atirrensis and S. lingulata, from which it differs by the margins of the median and axillary leaves on both leaf surfaces, as well as the acroscopic margin above and both margins below in lateral leaves, each continuously bordered by a whitish-hyaline band, and by the lateral leaves submarginally to marginally puberulent, with short, tooth-like projections or short, stiff hairs, along the basiscopic margin and near the apex on the upper leaf surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]