Abstract
Justicia vitoriae, a new species of Acanthaceae, is described and illustrated from the Amazon Forest in the states of Mato Grosso and Pará, Brazil. The species is assigned to Justicia sect. Simonisia based on its dense capitate inflorescences, elongate bilabiate corollas, and robust capsules containing smooth, spherical seeds. Morphologically, it is closely related to J. riedeliana and J. matogrossensis, but can be distinguished by its shorter and broader bracts and bracteoles, which mostly cover the calyx, by its narrowly elliptic to lanceolate bracteoles, and by its relatively large flowers. The floral morphology strongly indicates ornithophily, with hummingbirds likely serving as primary pollinators. This species inhabits the understory of various forest types in the southern Amazon, particularly near the Amazon–Cerrado transition zone, a region where deforestation has intensified in recent years. Despite this environmental pressure, J. vitoriae is currently assessed as Near Threatened (NT), as it is still represented by a relatively large number of populations.
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