Botanist Discovered 18 New Tree Species in South America
The trees were identified in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru after three decades of botanical research.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Botany
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Botanist Jose Luis Fernandez-Alonso has described 18 new species of trees belonging to the Matisia and Quararibea genera. The findings were recently published in the Journal of the Colombian Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences.
Why it matters
Categorizing these trees is critical for biodiversity conservation and provides essential data for future applications in the sciences. The work underscores the ongoing need to catalog unknown flora species in South American regions.
The researcher utilized historical field notebooks and data gathered over 30 years to identify these 18 new tree species. His career total includes approximately 150 plant species identified through expeditions in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
The players
Jose Luis Fernandez-Alonso
He is a 66-year-old botanist based at Madrid's Royal Botanic Garden who has spent 30 years researching plant life.
Journal of the Colombian Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences
This peer-reviewed publication serves as the venue for documenting new scientific findings regarding Colombian biodiversity.
The details
Fernandez-Alonso conducted his research by analyzing data, sketches, and location details from various expeditions over three decades. These new tree species belong to the genera Matisia and Quararibea and were documented using field notes collected during earlier travels in South American jungles.
Timeline
1783-1808: Royal Botanical Expedition to New Kingdom of Granada
1989: Fernandez-Alonso first visited Pacific forests
1990s: Field notes collected in South American jungles
October 6, 2026: Publication of studies describing the 18 new species
The Big Picture
This work extends the foundational taxonomy established by the Royal Botanical Expedition to New Kingdom of Granada into the modern era. It bridges the gap between historical field observations and contemporary scientific cataloging of South American plant life.
Cataloging these tree species provides a more accurate map of forest biodiversity, which is vital for long-term ecological restoration and conservation efforts. Scientists can use this taxonomic data to better understand the medicinal or environmental properties of these unique organisms.
The takeaway
Taxonomic research remains a vital tool in our effort to understand and protect global forest ecosystems. Experts suggest that up to 100,000 plant species may still be unknown to modern science, highlighting the importance of field work for future generations.
What happens next
Fernandez-Alonso plans to publish his remaining research findings before reaching his retirement age of 70.
Further reading
Explore more about plant classification and discovery on the Botany page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by EL PAÍS.
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Should scientific research prioritize traditional fieldwork to better understand species and their ecosystems?
