Abstract
During ongoing phylogenetic and taxonomic studies of New World Ruellia, with emphasis on the Cerrado biome of central Brazil, a new species was discovered. The new species represents the only Brazilian member of the Neotropical clade Ruellia sect. Strobiliformes. Morphologically, the new species resembles R. densa, a species belonging to Ruellia sect. Siphonacanthus, and with which it has been frequently confused in herbaria and floristic studies. Here, we describe and illustrate Ruellia kameyamae, provide a distribution map, habitat and ecological notes, phenological information, and a diagnostic comparison between R. kameyamae and R. densa.
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