A new cherry species (Prunus, Rosaceae) from south-western Ecuador

<i>Prunusluxurians</i>, a new species from Buenaventura Reserve at El Oro province in Ecuador is described and illustrated. Additionally, notes on its geographical distribution, ecology, conservation status, and taxonomic affinities are documented. <i>Prunusluxurians</i> has some vegetative and floral similarities with other Andean species, but the unique combination of oblong-lanceolate leaves with prominent secondary and tertiary veins, densiflorous floriferous shoots less than 5 cm long, sepals with two marginal glands and flowers with turbinate hypanthium clearly differentiates it from the rest. This is the first species of <i>Prunus</i> described from the western flank at elevation below 1500 m, and particularly from a humid spot surrounded by dry areas (Tumbesian influence). Other taxonomic novelties of <i>Prunus</i> on this flank can be expected, so further botanical exploration is needed to better understand the diversity of the genus in the region.