A synoptic review of Chionanthus species (Oleaceae) from Colombia and neighboring countries is presented, in which new information, taxonomic and chorological, is disclosed, and a new species, Ch. vargasii, from the Central Cordillera of Colombia. This species resembles Ch. abriaquiensis, but has coriaceous leaves, with shorter petioles and woolly domatia along the veins of the underside, and shorter inflorescences. Chionanthus guia-nensis and Ch. panamensis are cited for the first time in Colombia and the known distribution in Colombia of Ch. compactus, Ch. implicatus, and Ch. pubescens is extended. In addition, the reviewed material of Ch. avilensis, Ch. colonchensis, Ch. ligustrinus, and Ch. wudackii, all present in neighboring countries, is also commented. Finally, a key is included to facilitate the identification of the species of the north of South America.

Al Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) y el Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad por la financiación del proyecto CGL 2010-19747, que facilitó el estudio de las colecciones y el trabajo de campo y de herbario en Colombia.