Species boundaries in Lippia asperrima and Lippia turnerifolia complex (Verbenaceae)

Abstract

Species boundaries in Lippia asperrima and Lippia turnerifolia complex (Verbenaceae) The specific boundaries of Lippia asperrima and L. turnerifolia are discussed. Lippia contermina is accepted as segregated of L. asperrima, while L. modesta and L. Morongii are rehabilitated of the synonym of L. turnerifolia. Lantana ovata and Lippia contermina var. hirsuta are recognized as new synonymies of Lippia contermina, whereas Lippia trachyphylla is treated as cospecific of L. modesta, and L. asperima f. angustifolia is reduced under L. Morongii. All treated species are described and illustrated, and information on taxonomic relationships and morphological limits are discussed. A Dichotomous key for distinguishing the species of Lippia sect. Dioicolippia is proposed. Lippia sect Dioicolippia comprises 21 species distributed mainly in southern and centralwestern Brazil, northeast and northern Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.