Verbenaceae from the Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais, Brazil: Recognition of the New and Rare Stachytarpheta odorata and an Update of the Species Richness

• Published in: Tropical plant biology 2023-09, Vol.16 (3), p.123-134
• Main Authors: Cardoso, Pedro Henrique, Salimena, Fátima Regina Gonçalves, Somavilla, Nádia, Menini Neto, Luiz, Trovó, Marcelo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Brazil; calyx; Endangered species; Expeditions; Flora; Genera; greenhouses; habitats; Identification keys; Life Sciences; New species; Plant Breeding/Biotechnology; Plant Ecology; Plant Genetics and Genomics; Plant Sciences; Recognition; Reintroduction; shrubs; Species richness; Stachytarpheta; taxonomic keys; Taxonomy; Threatened species; Transgenics; Trichomes; tropical plants; Verbenaceae
• ISSN: 1935-9756; 1935-9764
• DOI: 10.1007/s12042-023-09334-0

The flora of the Serra do Cipó (Minas Gerais state, Brazil) has been extensively surveyed and documented in the past decades. Taxonomic novelties are still being revealed from this region, including Stachytarpheta odorata , a new species of Verbenaceae here described and illustrated. This species is a sticky and heavily aromatic shrub, with abundant pedicellate glandular trichomes, and inflorescences with calyx deeply immersed in excavations in the rachis. For its recognition, we provide photographs, a geographic occurrence map, comparisons with the morphologically related species, as well as ecological and taxonomic notes. Stachytarpheta odorata was collected only once in its natural habitat. Expeditions to its type locality and surroundings were carried out with the aim to recollect it but were unsuccessful. Still, fortunately, some individuals of S. odorata are kept cultivated ex situ at a greenhouse of Federal University of Juiz de Fora (Minas Gerais, Brazil). Following the IUCN Red List categories and criteria, the new species may be considered Critically Endangered (CR). If S. odorata is not rediscovered in its natural habitat in the near future, these cultivated individuals could be potentially utilized for reintroduction programmes. Finally, the Verbenaceae richness in Serra do Cipó is updated through a checklist and an identification key with the recognition of six genera and 29 taxa.