A new species and a new status in Heliotropium (Heliotropiaceae) from Brazil

Abstract

Summary We present two taxonomic novelties in the Heliotropiaceae: Heliotropium burchellii (I.M.Johnst.) J.I.M.Melo, a new status for Heliotropium elongatum (Lehm.) Gürke var. burchellii I.M.Johnst., restricted to the central-western and northern regions of Brazil, and Heliotropium zildae J.I.M.Melo & M.G.M.Gonç., a new species to science, known only from Pará State, Brazil. This work includes taxonomic descriptions, a list of material examined for H. burchellii , distribution data, preferred environments, reproductive phenophases, taxonomic notes, images, maps and ink drawings of the species. An identification key is provided for Heliotropium representatives currently recognised for Brazil. Based on these results, with the addition of H. burchellii, Heliotropium sect. Tiaridium (Lehm.) Griseb. now includes three species, and the number of climbing species of that genus in the Brazilian flora is increased to six.