New identifications of Lamiaceae (Lamioideae and Scutellarioideae) from D.R. Congo, Rwanda and Burundi

Abstract

Background: The Lamiaceae family is one of the largest still not covered by the Flore d’Afrique centrale (except Premnoideae and Viticoideae) and many specimens are left unidentified in collections. Objectives: To prepare the treatment of subfamilies Lamioideae and Scutellarioideae, herbarium materials have been revised. Methods: Herbarium material from BR, BRLU and POZG was studied. Results: Ten taxa (9 species and 1 variety) are reported as new to The Democratic Republic of the Congo (D.R. Congo) and Burundi: Achyrospermum africanum, A. axillare, A. oblongifolium, A. tisserantii, Leucas deflexa var. kondowensis, L. fulvipila, L. songeana, Stachys pseudohumifusa subsp. minutiflora, S. pseudonigricans, Tinnea gracilis. For several species, the new localities are remarkably distant from the species’ previously known distribution area. New localities of five rare taxa are also included (Achyrospermum micranthum, Leucas nyassae, L. stormsii var. parviflora, Tinnea coerulea var. linearifolia, T. platyphylla). Many new localities are situated in regions subject to strong anthropogenic pressure. Conclusion: The new records increase the number of accepted species of Lamioideae and Scutellarioideae in Central Africa by 27%.