Stachytarpheta eimeariae and S. praetermissa (Verbenaceae): two new species and an updated identification key to the Radlkoferiana group, endemic to the Chapada Diamantina (Bahia, Brazil)

• Published in: Kew bulletin 2024-12, Vol.79 (4), p.941-954
• Main Authors: Giulietti-Harley, Ana Maria, Harley, Raymond Mervyn, Antar, Guilherme Medeiros, Marinho, Lucas Cardoso, Cardoso, Pedro Henrique
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Life Sciences; Original Article; Plant Ecology; Plant Sciences; Plant Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography
• ISSN: 0075-5974; 1874-933X
• DOI: 10.1007/s12225-024-10170-y

Summary Stachytarpheta eimeariae and S. praetermissa are newly described and included in the Radlkoferiana group due to their flowers with 2-toothed calyces and bright red to pinkish corollas. The first is a new species differentiated from the typical concept of S. ganevii by a set of mainly vegetative characteristics, while the second is a new status and name for S. radlkoferiana var. lanata due to a set of characteristics associated with the leaves and bracts. The two new species grow in campo rupestre vegetation, with S. eimeariae found in the Abaíra municipality and S. praetermissa in Mucugê of Bahia, Brazil. They should be considered threatened, which reinforces the need for activities to promote the conservation of campo rupestre in the Chapada Diamantina. With these additions, the Radlkoferiana group now includes 11 species; an identification key and a distribution map are provided, alongside illustrations and taxonomic notes.