Justicia maynasana J.R.I.Wood & P.Gallego, 2023

Justicia maynasana J.R.I.Wood & P.Gallego View in CoL , sp. nov. Fig. 11 View Fig

This species is clearly closely related to both Justicia magdalenensis and J. trichotoma , but the inflorescence is spicate, not cymosely branched as in the other two species, a characteristic implied by the epithet trichotoma for the latter. Apart from the form of the inflorescence, the new species fits J. magdalenensis perfectly but both the new species and J.magdalenensis have relatively long calyx lobes at 11–13 mm in length (not 5.5–8 mm as in J. trichotoma ). In contrast the corolla of J. trichotoma is 16–20 mm in length, thus exceeding that of both J. magdalenensis and J. maynasana .

Type: PERU, Loreto, Maynas, Caseria Alianza, Río Tamshiyacu , trail towards Río Manití , 140 m, S 4°05’, W 72°58’, 01.08.1980, Al Gentry, R. Vasquez, N. Jaramillo, E. Andrade & P. Stern 29258 (holo MO [ MO2887413 !], iso GoogleMaps US [ MO2979020 !], USM [fragment!]) GoogleMaps .

Anisophyllous subshrubs reaching at least 40 cm in height. Stems at first decumbent and rooting at the nodes, eventually erect to c. 30 cm tall, ±quadrangular, pubescent with crisped hairs, sometimes slightly zigzag. Leaves petiolate, unequal in each pair; larger leaves 4–8 × 1.6–3.7 cm, ovate to broadly oblong-elliptic, shortly acuminate to an obtuse apex, cuneate to attenuate at base, margin undulate; smaller leaves 0.6–1 × 0.6–0.8 cm, ovate to suborbicular, acute, glabrous, abaxially paler. Petioles subglabrous, 0.5–2 cm. Inflorescence of lax, axillary spikes 3–5 cm long; peduncles 7–11 mm long, puberulent; rachis puberulent. Bracts at base of spike resembling small leaves; floral bracts c. 4 × 0.5 mm, linear, apiculate, thinly pilose with multicellular hairs. Bracteoles similar but only 2–3 mm. Calyx subequally 5-lobed to base, lobes 11–13 × 0.25 mm, filiform, pilose with multicellular hairs. Corolla lavender, 14–15 mm long, 2-lipped; tube subcylindrical 8–9 × c. 1 mm, pubescent, lips c. 4 mm long, upper lip ovate, obtuse, entire; lower lip 3-lobed, lateral lobes c. 1 × 1.5 mm, central one c. 1 × 2 mm, broadly ovate, rounded. Filaments 3–4 mm long. glabrous, anthers bithecous; thecae ellipsoid, c. 0.5 mm long, puberulent. Style pale pink, c. 14 mm long, glabrous; ovary ovoid, c. 1 mm long, glabrous. Capsule and seeds not seen.

Flowering & fruiting: Found in flower and fruit in August.

Habitat: Non-inundated forest on lateritic soil at 140 m.

Distribution: Endemic to Amazonian Peru, where it grows in Maynas province of Loreto region.

Etymology: This species is named after the province Maynas, the part of Loreto where it was found.

Specimens examined: Only known from the type ( Fig. 10 View Fig ).

Conservation status: This species is only known from a single collection made in relatively poorly known Amazonian Forest. We have no information about the state of conservation of the forest in this area nor of the size of the population of the new species. It may be very rare or locally common and overlooked. Data Deficient ( DD).