Salvia josetta (Nepetoideae; Lamiaceae), a new species from Lebanon

Abstract

Salvia josetta, a new species of Lamiaceae, is described and illustrated. The species was discovered in 2018 from the district of Danniye, North Lebanon. We collected samples each year and prepared herbarium specimens. By comparing our samples with the already known taxa in the genus Salvia, through morphological descriptions and herbarium specimens, we established that they belong to a species new to science. This new species grows in openings within pine woodlands on brown soil developed from limestone and sandy bedrocks. Following the guidelines and criteria of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), it is assessed as critically endangered, based on its limited distribution area (0.02 km²) and the threats impacting the site where it was found, namely illegal logging, forest fires, and quarrying. The morphological characters are compared with two similar species, Salvia fayruziana from Lebanon and Salvia veneris from Cyprus.