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Issue: Vol. 750 No. 4: 9 Apr. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-04-09
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.750.4.6
Page range: 291-300
Abstract views: 0
PDF downloaded: 0

The rediscovery of Hyptis argentea (Lamiaceae: Hyptidinae) in the Brazilian Cerrado after 70 years

Instituto de Pesquisas Ambientais (IPA), Núcleo de Plantas Vasculares em Análises Ambientais (PVA), SP, Brazil
Universidade Estadual de Goiás (UEG), Câmpus Sudoeste, Sede Quirinópolis, Quirinópolis, GO, Brazil
Universidade Estadual de Goiás (UEG), Câmpus Sudoeste, Sede Quirinópolis, Quirinópolis, GO, Brazil
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, RN, Brazil
Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), São Mateus, ES, Brazil
Labitae neotropical flora Ocimeae taxonomy Biological conservation Eudicots

Abstract

Hyptis is a predominantly Neotropical genus comprising approximately 170 species in its current circumscription. Despite recent taxonomic advances, several species remain poorly known, with some represented only by their type specimens and original descriptions. One such species is Hyptis argentea, described by Carl Epling and Mildred Mathias based on two materials collected by Amaro Macedo in 1950s from the municipality of Jataí, Goiás state, within the Cerrado domain, and never collected again since then. Here, we report the rediscovery of H. argentea based on recent fieldwork and herbarium revision and provide updated information on its morphology, ecology, distribution, and conservation status. The species was found in Caçu and Mineiros municipalities, more than 100 km from the original gatherings. Our findings underscore the continued importance of field exploration and herbarium revision for advancing the taxonomy of Hyptis and improving knowledge of the still insufficiently documented biodiversity of the Cerrado.

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How to Cite

Conegiro, T.T., Morais, I.L.D., Goyá, L., Soares, A.D.S. & Antar, G.M. (2026) The rediscovery of Hyptis argentea (Lamiaceae: Hyptidinae) in the Brazilian Cerrado after 70 years. Phytotaxa 750 (4): 291–300. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.750.4.6