Ruellia kameyamae, a new species of Ruellia sect. Strobiliformes and the first representative of the section from Brazil

Abstract

During ongoing phylogenetic and taxonomic studies of New World Ruellia, with emphasis on the Cerrado biome of central Brazil, a new species was discovered. The new species represents the only Brazilian member of the Neotropical clade Ruellia sect. Strobiliformes. Morphologically, the new species resembles R. densa, a species belonging to Ruellia sect. Siphonacanthus, and with which it has been frequently confused in herbaria and floristic studies. Here, we describe and illustrate Ruellia kameyamae, provide a distribution map, habitat and ecological notes, phenological information, and a diagnostic comparison between R. kameyamae and R. densa.