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A little-known botanical treasure named after our lodge’s founder; revealing new species; the discovery of our 24th newly-described species; and advances in research on our Magnolia mashpi, the emblem of the reserve… In this edition of Mashpi Science, we share three stories that reflect the incredible biodiversity we enjoy, protect and study every day.
Anthuriums of Mashpi: A Little-Known Treasure
Our Mashpi-Tayra Reserve is home to an enormous diversity of plants. As you walk along our trails, you’ll probably come across hundreds of different species, and many of them are, for sure, anthuriums.
The genus Anthurium, part of the Araceae family, is one of the most diverse on the planet. To give you an idea, in just one of Ecuador provinces, more than 120 species have been recorded, over 50 of which are endemic (found there and nowhere else).
It’s common to identify anthuriums during explorations along the trails of Mashpi Lodge. So, in 2022, botanist Ricardo Zambrano, from the Quito Botanical Garden (JBQ), began a project to identify the anthurium flora within the reserve. Thanks to a collaboration between the JBQ and Mashpi Lodge, over 40 species have already been recorded, and it’s estimated that at least 40% of them could be endemic to this area.
One of the most remarkable findings is a new species: Anthurium roquesevillae, named in honor of Roque Sevilla, founder of Mashpi Lodge, for his outstanding commitment to environmental conservation in Ecuador.
This species is small for its genus, with leaves reaching up to 28 cm, and it produces bright red berry-like fruits. It grows in the understory and as an epiphyte on trees, and so far, it has only been found in a very specific area of the reserve. This suggests it could be a micro-endemic, a species found only in an extremely small geographic area.
At present, its conservation status remains uncertain due to insufficient data. Still, this research marks an important step toward better understanding Mashpi’s biodiversity and advancing its protection.
A New Tree Species… As Incredible as it Sounds
Just as happened with Anthurium roquesevillae, another new species for science was recently described in the Mashpi-Tayra Reserve. With this finding, the number of new species discovered has reached 24. And this time, it’s not a discreet understory plant but a towering tree from the genus Phragmotheca: Phragmotheca centinelensis.
Trees of this genus are impossible to overlook. They can grow up to 50 meters tall, have buttress roots reaching up to 7 meters, and are distinguished by their striking red flowers and large fruits.
Phragmotheca centinelensis may be endemic to the Ecuadorian Chocó, yet it has been classified as “Endangered” by the IUCN due to rapid habitat loss. To date, it has only been recorded in three localities: the Centinela mountain range (Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas), the Mashpi-Tayra Reserve, and a property in the Cielo Verde area (Imbabura). This discovery further underscores the importance of conserving and restoring this ecosystem.
Magnolia mashpi: New Insights and Ongoing Research
Magnolias, especially our beloved Magnolia mashpi, have become a true botanical symbol of the reserve. They represent not only our commitment to conservation and reforestation projects with endemic species, but also a fragrance that our explorers have come to delight in. And as often happens in biology, they open doors to new scientific questions that we’re excited to explore together with researchers and partner institutions.
How Old Are These Giants?
Last March, together with Professor Darwin Pucha, PhD., from the National University of Loja, we carried out the first sampling of wood cores to estimate the age of several Magnolia mashpi specimens. This technique, known as dendrochronology, is commonly used in regions with marked seasons, where trees form annual growth rings.
However, in tropical areas like Mashpi, where solar radiation, temperature and rainfall remain relatively stable throughout the year, these rings don’t always follow a clear annual pattern. Even so, one of the analyzed trees, with a diameter of 60 cm, showed more than 150 rings!
Currently, Darwin’s team continues studying these samples to determine whether the rings form annually, more frequently, or in response to specific local climatic factors.
How Does It Pollinate?
Botanist Álvaro Pérez, professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador and the scientist who first described Magnolia mashpi, is now leading fascinating research on thermogenesis and the phenology of these species.
In magnolias and other primitive plants, thermogenesis allows flowers to raise their temperature, enhancing the release of scents to attract pollinators. As these species are ancient, having evolved before bees, their main pollinators are specialized beetles.
So far, thermal variation has been measured in Magnolia mindoensis, where a nearly 5 °C increase was recorded during flowering. Similar studies are soon planned for M. mashpi and M. chiguila to learn more about their floral attraction strategies.
What Are Their Cycles?
Another crucial aspect we’re eager to unravel is the phenology of these plants, that is, their natural cycles: when they produce leaves, bloom, fruit or shed their foliage. We want to know how long these processes last, what triggers them (such as climate, rainfall, or interactions with other species), and at what times of year they occur: just once, several times, or in longer intervals.
Phenological studies of tropical species remain scarce, making this project especially valuable. Each observation brings us closer to understanding how these botanical giants function in their environment.
The more we learn about magnolias, the better equipped we are to protect them. Every piece of data helps us design more effective conservation strategies, not only for this species but for the entire Andean Chocó ecosystem. Magnolia mashpi is far more than just a tree — it’s a living symbol of the rich biodiversity we strive to preserve each day.
The botanical richness of our reserve is priceless. Every piece of research, every documented species, and every new scientific question, helps us better understand the dynamics of the forest around us. Most importantly, it equips us with tools to protect it more effectively, ensuring that wonders like Magnolia mashpi, Anthurium roquesevillae, or the imposing Phragmotheca centinelensis continue to exist for future generations.
At Mashpi Lodge, we believe that knowledge is the first step toward conservation, and we remain committed to exploring, learning and sharing these treasures with the world.
