Miersia subandina P. Zuniga & Nic. Garcia 2026, sp. nov.

Miersia subandina P. Zúñiga & Nic. García sp. nov. Figs 5, 6 Diagnosis. Miersia subandina differs from Miersia humilis (Phil.) M. F. Fay & Christenh. by a capitate stigma (vs. trilobed stigma), six awl-shaped, rarely flat and bifid, floral appendages (vs. floral appendages absent), and a conical staminal tube (vs. staminal filaments fused in their basal half and covering the ovary, but not forming a conical or urceolate tube). Type. Chile • Región del General Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins: Provincia de Colchagua, Comuna de San Fernando, estero Antivero, sector Los Alpes, 713 m a. s. l., 26 August 2025, N. García, P. Zuñiga, L. Santilli, M. A. González, M. M. Espinoza & N. Cáceres 7696 (holotype: EIF 18604; isotypes: CONC, SGO). Description. Terrestrial saxicolous herbs. Bulbs ovoid, external cataphylls light brown, 13–25 × 5–14 mm. Leaves 2–3, linear, 12–24 × 0.1–0.3 cm. Scapes 1–2, cylindrical, hollow, 35–80 × 0.6–2.0 mm. Spathe 2 - valvate, herbaceous, lanceolate, 9–16 × 3–4 mm, fused on their basal ½ (~ 4 mm), whitish to greenish with 4–8 veins inconspicuous or purple spotted. Inflorescence a pseudo-umbel with 2–4 zygomorphic flowers; pedicels unequal, 1.0– 1.8 cm long in open flowers, apex straight to slightly curved. Tepals six, free, membranous, purplish with whitish base, lanceolate, caudate, straight, outer 21–25 (– 28) × 4–6 mm, 7–9 acrodromous veins; inner 22–25 × 3–4 mm, five acrodromous veins; on both whorls only the central vein is well marked and runs throughout the complete length; cauda 0.4–0.5 mm wide, comprising ~ ½ – ² / 3 of the tepal’s length (12–15 mm); tips curled, especially in bud. Floral appendages whitish, usually simple, rarely bifid, awl-shaped, lateral (tepaliferous) four, one pair on each side, attached to the base of inner tepals, 0.2–0.7 mm; upper (staminal) two, attached to the base of the staminal tube, 0.5–1.1 mm long, tip sometimes purplish. Stamens six, filaments 0.7–1.1 mm long, triangular base, born in apical to subapical position from the staminal tube; staminal tube conical, sometimes with six longitudinal rounded folds, whitish throughout or with purplish lower half, apex erose and contiguous to filaments, papillose, 1.5–2.0 × 2.5–3.0 mm; anthers yellow (purple when dry), 0.3 mm long. Ovary superior, obovoid to oblong, 0.8–1.2 mm long, trilocular, 7–10 ovules per locule, biseriate; style straight, exerted, 0.7–1.4 mm long; stigma capitate, terminal. Capsules obovoid to spherical, 3 - valved, 4–6 mm long. Seeds obovoid, beaked, 2.0–2.5 × 1.5–2.0 mm, testa brownish, surface vesicular to densely foveate. Distribution and habitat. Miersia subandina inhabits the foothills of the main Andes mountains in the Libertador General Bernardo O’Higgins Region. To date, it has been recorded in two localities of the San Fernando and Rengo municipalities, close to the Antivero and Claro rivers, respectively (Fig. 1 A). In both locations it grows within shady, south-oriented slopes covered by sclerophyllous forest, in rocky outcrops between 650 and 750 m a. s. l. The main woody species in both locations are Peumus boldus (Monimiaceae), Cryptocarya alba (Lauraceae), and Sophora macrocarpa Sm. (Fabaceae). Phenology. This species has been recorded in flower between August and September. Fruits have been found during September. Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the low foothills of the main Andes mountain range, which correspond to the geographical position where this species has been recorded to date. Vernacular name. Although no popular common name is known for Miersia subandina, we propose to name it “ Estrella de los Andes, ” which means Star of the Andes. The name evokes its flowers resembling a star and refers to the fact that this is the only Miersia species known to be restricted to the principal Andes mountain range and not found in the Coastal range and / or closer to the sea. Conservation status. Miersia subandina can be considered Endangered (EN) according to criteria B 2 ab (iii), because its area of occupancy AOO is