Preliminary notes on Justicia (Acanthaceae) in Peru

Abstract

Justicia L. is the most species-rich genus of Acanthaceae in Peru and is here accepted in its broader traditional circumscription. The present paper marks a preliminary step towards a complete revision of the genus in Peru. Taxonomic notes and full synonymy are provided for 45 species including twenty-one new species, all apparently endemic to Peru: Justicia angustituba J.R.I.Wood & R.Villanueva, J. baguensis J.R.I.Wood & R.Villanueva, J. bambusiformis J.R.I.Wood & R.Villanueva, J. chamaecaulis J.R.I.Wood & R.Villanueva, J. cajamarcensis R. Villanueva & J.R.I.Wood, J. discolor J.R.I.Wood & R.Villanueva, J. falcifolia J.R.I.Wood & R.Villanueva, J. huallagensis R.Villanueva & J.R.I.Wood, J. hyalina J.R.I.Wood & R. Villanueva, J. lactiflora J.R.I.Wood & R.Villanueva, J. longibracteata J.R.I.Wood & R.Villanueva, J. oppositiflora R.Villanueva & J.R.I.Wood, J. oxapampensis R. Villanueva & J.R.I.Wood, J. rojasiae R.Villanueva & J,R.I.Wood, J. saccata R.Villanueva & J.R.I.Wood, J. sagasteguii J.R.I.Wood & R.Villanueva, J. schunkei J.R.I.Wood & R. Villanueva, J. spathuliformis R.Villanueva & J.R.I.Wood, J. tumbesiana R.Villanueva & J.R.I.Wood, J. valenzuelae J.R.I.Wood & R.Villanueva and J. werffii J.R.I.Wood & R.Villanueva. New subspecies, subsp. machupicchuensis J.R.I.Wood & R.Villanueva of J. alpina Lindau and subsp. filisepala J.R.I.Wood & R.Villanueva of J. discolor are described. The genus Tessmanniacanthus Mildbr. is united with Justicia, the only species in the genus, T. chlamydocardioides Mildbr. being treated as Justicia chlamydocardioides (Mildbr.) R.Villanueva & J.R.I.Wood. Justicia loxensis Wassh., J. poeppigiana (Nees) Lindau, J. sessilifolia (Lindau) Wassh., J. soukupii (Standl. & F.A. Barkley) V.A.W.Graham and J. tenuistachys (Rusby) Wassh. & J.R.I.Wood are treated as synonyms respectively of J. chimboracensis Wassh., J. secundiflora (Ruiz & Pav.) Vahl, J. alpina Lindau, J. radicans Vahl and J. tenuiflora Ruiz & Pav. Fourteen names are lectotypified. The paper is copiously illustrated with line drawings, photographs and pollen images. Distribution maps supplement the information on ecology and distribution provided for all species discussed.