A new combination in Clinopodium (Lamiaceae) from Mesoamerica and Cuba

Abstract

Micromeria brownei var. ludens Shinners is recognized at the rank of species and transferred to Clinopodium L. Shinners distinguished variety ludens from other M. brownei (Swartz) Bentham based on its "hispid-ciliate" calyx teeth. While this character seems to be variable over the entire geographic range of C. brownei (Swartz) Kuntze, C. ludens (Shinners) A. Pool is unique in possessing narrowly ellipsoid nutlets, which are apically rostrate, supporting its recognition at the species level. The generic transfer from Micromeria Bentham to Clinopodium follows the molecular and morphological studies of Cantino and Wagstaff. Clinopodium ludens is currently known from Pinar del Río Province of Cuba, the Yucatán and Quintana Roo states of Mexico, and the Atlántida Department of Honduras.