Verbenaceae in Itacolomi State Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil: richness, geographical distribution, and a new synonym for Stachytarpheta commutata

Abstract

Abstract Verbenaceae includes 32 genera and approximately 800 species distributed mainly in the Neotropical region, especially diversified in Brazil, where the campo rupestre stands out as an important vegetation type for the family. The Itacolomi State Park (ISP) is located in the southeast of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Minas Gerais state (MG), Brazil. Vegetation at the Park is composed of campo rupestre and forest remnants among degraded areas. The present research provides a floristic treatment of Verbenaceae in this protected area. Data were obtained from fieldwork and herbarium study. A total of 13 species were recorded: Glandularia phlogiflora, Lantana camara, Lantan fucata, Lantana tiliaefolia, Lantana trifolia, Lippia brasiliensis, Lippia hermannioides, Lippia origanoides, Petrea volubilis, Stachytarpheta cayennensis, Stachytarpheta commutata, Verbena litoralis and Verbena rigida. Among them, six are new records for the ISP. Stachytarpheta glabra, endemic to MG, was found in an area of canga very close to the boundaries of the Park. Additionally, S. viscidula, whose type locality is close to the Park, is proposed as a new synonym for S. commutata, whose type specimen comes from the Park. We provide an identification key, descriptions, photographs and comments on taxonomy, ecology and distribution for each species.