Taxonomic novelties in Plantago section Virginica (Plantaginaceae) and an updated identification key

Abstract

This study raises two rather poorly understood subspecies to the rank of species, and revalidates two subspecies in Plantago (Plantaginaceae) section Virginica. Plantago napiformis, formerly P. tomentosa subsp. napiformis, is an uncommon species from grasslands in northeastern Argentina, southern Paraguay and southern Brazil. Plantago pretoana, formerly P. australis subsp. pretoana, is a rare species, endemic to high-elevation bogs in two small areas in southern Brazil: Serra do Itatiaia, and around Lagoa Dourada. Plantago australis subsp. angustifolia and P. australis subsp. hirtella have been recently synonymised under P. australis subsp. australis, but we present evidence here for the revalidation of these two subspecies. We also revise the distribution of P. australis subsp. angustifolia, greatly reducing it, and expand the distribution of P. australis subsp. australis. Finally, we provide an updated identification key to all 22 Plantago species and subspecies in Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and northeastern Argentina.Key words: Lamiales; neotropics; Plantagineae; South America; taxonomy ResumoEste estudo eleva à categoria de espécie duas subespécies relativamente pouco estudadas, e revalida duas subespécies, em Plantago (Plantaginaceae) seção Virginica. Plantago napiformis, anteriormente P. tomentosa subsp. napiformis, é uma espécie pouco freqüente, que ocorre em campos naturais no nordeste da Argentina, sul do Paraguai e sul do Brasil. Plantago pretoana, anteriormente P. australis subsp. pretoana, é uma espécie rara, endêmica de banhados de altitude em duas áreas muito restritas nas regiões Sul e Sudeste do Brasil: a Serra do Itatiaia, e ao redor da Lagoa Dourada (Ponta Grossa, Paraná). Plantago australis subsp. angustifolia e P. australis subsp. hirtella foram recentemente sinonimizadas sob P. australis subsp. australis, mas nós apresentamos aqui evidências justificando a revalidação destas duas subespécies. Nós também revisamos a distribuição de P. australis subsp. angustifolia, reduzindo-a muito, e expandimos a distribuição de P. australis subsp. australis. Por fim, nós fornecemos uma chave de identificação atualizada para todas as 22 espécies e subespécies de Plantago que ocorrem no Brasil, Paraguai, Uruguai e nordeste da Argentina.

Plantago trinitatis Rahn (Plantaginaceae): New sites of occurrence and altitudinal variation at Trindade Island, Brazil

“…The species was considered extinct until 1998, when one relictual population was rediscovered in the "Pico Trindade" at 590 meters of altitude (Alves, 1998;Alves et al, 2011;Clemente et al, 2011). All records of P. trinitatis, until now, occurred at elevations ≥ 500 m, in a dry environment and rocky soil (Alves, 1998;Alves et al, 2011;Hassemer, 2013).On April 3, 2013, we also recorded individuals of P. trinitatis near the area known as "Fazendinha" (Hassemer, 2013;Hassemer et al, 2015;Hassemer et al, 2016).On April 11, 2013 we recorded the first specimens of P. trinitatis in altitude less than 500 m along a small watercourse, in the northeastern portion of the island (Figure 3), this being the first record for the species less than 500 meters of altitude. The specimens registered on this occasion were located between 80 and 240 meters above sea level (Figure 1).…”

“…On April 3, 2013, we also recorded individuals of P. trinitatis near the area known as "Fazendinha" (Hassemer, 2013;Hassemer et al, 2015;Hassemer et al, 2016).…”

Nomenclatural and taxonomic notes on Plantago myosuros(Plantaginaceae) and its synonymy

“…The hairs on the scapes, on the other hand, most probably constitute the taxonomically most important character within Plantago sect. Virginica (Rahn, 1974;Hassemer et al, 2015;Hassemer, 2016). Considering that P. myosuros is one of the species in the section that have patent trichomes on the scapes, the taxonomic situation of P. myosuros subsp.…”

Phenolic Isomers from Plantago Catharinea Leaves: Isolation, Identification, Quantification and in Vitro Antioxidant Activity

“…Plantago species are known worldwide for treating various symptoms, acute and chronic, and so have been a target of the pharmaceutical industry [2]. P. catharinea L. grows in coastal salt marsh ecosystems, specifically in the zones of beaches and dunes [3]. P. catharinea is classified as medicinal, as well as other species of the genus, but little is known about the biological activity of its secondary metabolites to prove their efficacy [3].…”

“…P. catharinea L. grows in coastal salt marsh ecosystems, specifically in the zones of beaches and dunes [3]. P. catharinea is classified as medicinal, as well as other species of the genus, but little is known about the biological activity of its secondary metabolites to prove their efficacy [3]. Salt marshes are also exposed to high air temperatures and soil stress, interfering with the production of particular metabolites [4].…”