Abstract

A new species of Viola from the Andes of central Chile is described. The new species is assigned to the Sempervivum section of Neoandinum subgenus, supported by morphological characters. Besides the detailed description of the species, a distribution map, insights about its ecology, conservation status and a key to distinguish Viola imbricata among the southern South American species of Sempervivum section are provided. The taxonomy and morphological similarities of V. imbricata regarding its estimated nearest related species V. abbreviata and V. auricolor are discussed. As most high elevation Andean Viola, V. imbricata is a microendemic species threatened by land use and climate changes.