[Botany • 2026] Linaria almadensis (Plantaginaceae: Antirrhineae) • A highly threatened New Toadflax endemic to the Tagus mouth cliffs, opposite Lisbon (Portugal)

Linaria almadensis Farminhão,

in Farminhão, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/23818107.2025.2608732

 

ABSTRACT

A new species of Linaria subsect. Supinae is described from the Tagus mouth cliffs (TMC), located about 2 km south of Lisbon, in the municipality of Almada. The taxonomic treatment, including a key to morphologically allied species, is followed by a report on the vegetation of the TMC. Linaria almadensis, historically identified as L. glaucophylla, L. marginata, L. tristis, L. polygalifolia, L. aeruginea, and L. supina, is endemic to these coastal cliffs, formed during the Pleistocene, where it grows on sandy walls in the vicinity of carbonate rocks. It is associated with a chasmo-chomophytic community including some Portuguese endemics (Silene longicilia) or near-endemics (i.e. Antirrhinum linkianum, Calendula suffruticosa subsp. lusitanica), requiring legal protection under Annex I to the Habitats Directive. Linaria almadensis is most similar to L. tristis subsp. marginata, and L. supina s.l. from which it differs by the narrowly elliptic-oblong to elliptic-oblanceolate leaves, with an obtuse-apiculate apex, and the wider corolla tube in lateral section . Bees of the genus Anthophora are here reported as pollinators of L. almadensis, and evolutionary hypotheses for its origin are discussed. Due to its restricted distribution and pressing threats to its habitat, including invasive species and infrastructural encroachment, L. almadensis is preliminarily red-listed as Critically Endangered. The existence of a narrow endemic on the brink of extinction, one priority habitat at the European level, and a rich geological heritage in the TMC, call for the urgent definition of a new protected area in one of the most densely inhabited areas of Europe.

KEYWORDS: Iberian Peninsula, melittophily, periurban biodiversity, plant conservation, plant taxonomy, rupicolous vegetation, seed morphology, Tropaeolum majus

 Linaria almadensis in situ.
 (A) Habit. (B) Detail of inflorescence in early anthesis; spurs pale yellow. (C) Plant in late anthesis and fruit. (D) Detail of inflorescences in early anthesis; spurs tinged in violet. Taken at Cristo-Rei, 31 March 2021 (A, B, D) and Banática (C), 22 April 2025. Image credits: João Farminhão.

Linaria almadensis Farminhão sp. nov.

Overview of Linaria almadensis.
 A. Habit. B. Branched fertile stem in flower and fruit. C. Fertile stem apex with inflorescence, detail. D. Fertile stem leaf, adaxial surface. E. Fertile stem leaf, abaxial surface. F. Inflorescence axis, detail of indumentum. G. Bract. H. Calyx indumentum, detail. I. Flower, frontal view. J. Flower, lateral view. K. Capsule, pedicel, and axis. L. Capsule, detail of apex. M. Seed, view of convex face. N. Seed, transversal section.

A, G drawn from Arsénio s.n. (LISI053150); 

B – E, H, M, N from Farminhão 395 (COI00112046); F, I – L from Farminhão 371 (COI00112045).

 

João Farminhão. 2026. Linaria almadensis (Plantaginaceae, Antirrhineae): A highly threatened New Toadflax endemic to the Tagus mouth cliffs, opposite Lisbon (Portugal). Botany Letters. 173(2); 251-267. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/23818107.2025.2608732 [19 Jan 2026]

[Botany • 2023] Linaria sagrensis (Plantaginaceae) • A New high Mountain Species from the south-eastern Iberian Peninsula

 

Linaria sagrensis  Blanca, Cueto, J.Fuentes, L.Gutiérrez & F.B.Navarro, 

in Blanca, Cueto, Fuentes, Gutiérrez, Sáez et Navarro. 2023. 

DOI: 10.1111/njb.04022

Photographs: (a–d) Granada, Huéscar, Sierra de la Sagra, by J. Fuentes

Abstract

Linaria sagrensis, from the south-eastern Iberian Peninsula, is here newly described, illustrated, and compared with its morphologically closest relatives from L. sect. Supinae: L. pruinosa, L. nevadensis, L. glacialis and L. alpina subsp. alpina. The species is characterized by being perennial, entirely glandular-hairy, with inflorescence dense and corymbiform, and calyx lobes unequal; corolla small, pinkish-violet, with conspicuous dark veins and yellow to orangish palate, and spur shorter than the rest of the corolla; capsule globose, glandular-hairy at apex; seeds large, black to dark greyish, with apparently smooth disc, though with very few and scattered small tubercles, and light-grey wing. Linaria sagrensis is endemic to Sierra de la Sagra (N Granada province, Spain), growing in calcareous screes of the Mediterranean high mountain. Additionally, L. aeruginea subsp. pruinosa is here raised to species rank, L. pruinosa, and therefore a new combination is proposed. The value of seed characters in Linaria taxonomy is discussed based on newly discovered infraspecific variability in several taxa.

Keywords: Antirrhineae, Betic Massif, endemic, plants, Granada province, Linaria sect. Supinae, seed micromorphology, Sierra de la Sagra, Spain, taxonomy

 Linaria sagrensis sp. nov. (from holotype).
 (a) Habit, (b) detail of leaves (fertile stems), (c) flower front view, (d) flower lateral view, (e) capsule, (f) seed front view.

Linaria taxa studied:
(a–d) Linaria sagrensis sp. nov. ((a) habit; (b) flower detail; (c) capsules detail; (d) small tubers detail).
(e) Linaria pruinosa, (f) Linaria nevadensis, (g) Linaria glacialis, (h) Linaria alpina subsp. alpina.

Photographs: (a–d) Granada, Huéscar, Sierra de la Sagra, by J. Fuentes; (e) Majorca, Puig de Massanella, by L. Sáez; (f–g) Granada, Sierra Nevada, Veleta, by G. Blanca; (h) Huesca, Cerler, by G. Blanca.

Linaria sagrensis sp. nov. 
((a) habit; (b) flower detail; (c) capsules detail; (d) small tubers detail). 

Photographs: (a–d) Granada, Huéscar, Sierra de la Sagra, by J. Fuentes

Linaria sagrensis Blanca, Cueto, J.Fuentes, L.Gutiérrez and F.B.Navarro sp. nov.

A species differing from L. pruinosa (Sennen and Pau) L. Sáez et al., L. nevadensis (Boiss.) Boiss. and Reut., L. glacialis Boiss. and L. alpina Mill. subsp. alpina in being entirely glandular-hairy, having dense and corymbiform racemes to 1.5 cm long, short pedicels only (0.1–)0.2–0.5 mm in flower, and smaller corolla (12–14 mm long, with spur 4.0–5.5 mm long) (versus glabrous to glandular-hairy in the inflorescence or rarely in the upper half, usually longer racemes 0.8–12.0 cm long, pedicel (0–)0.5–12.0 mm long in flower, corolla (11–)12–31 mm long, and spur 5–15 mm long). It also differs from L. pruinosa in having a pinkish-violet corolla and light-grey seed-wing colour (versus greyish-rose to pinkish-purple corolla and black or greyish seed-wing colour). It also differs from L. nevadensis in having a pinkish-violet corolla, and seeds 2.4–3.0 × 2.5–3.5 mm with smooth disc surface (versus yellow corolla, and smaller seeds with smooth or tuberculate disc surface, sometimes with anastomosed tubercles forming ± sinuose ridges). It also differs from L. glacialis in having leaves 3–5-verticillate, linear, bracts 2.0–5.0 × 0.3–0.9 mm, and smaller capsule of 4–6 × 4–6 mm (versus leaves four-verticillate, elliptic to linear-lanceolate, bracts 12.0–20.0 × 1.2–3.0 mm, and capsule (5–)7–8(–10) × 7–8(–10) mm). Finally, the new species is distinct from L. alpina subsp. alpina in having leaves 4.0–12.0 × 0.5–1.2 mm, corolla pinkish-violet, capsule glandular-hairy at apex, and light-grey seed-wing colour (versus leaves 2.5–25.0 × 0.6–5.0 mm, blue-violet, pink or yellow corolla, glabrous capsule and grey or black seed-wing colour).

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to Sierra de la Sagra, located in Huéscar (north of the Granada province, Andalusia, Spain), which with 2383 m in elevation is the highest mountain in the southern half of the Iberian Peninsula, after Sierra Nevada.

Gabriel Blanca, Miguel Cueto, Julián Fuentes, Leonardo Gutiérrez, Llorenç Sáez and Francisco Bruno Navarro. 2023. Linaria sagrensis (Plantaginaceae), A New high Mountain Species from the SE Iberian Peninsula. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: 10.1111/njb.04022

 

[Botany • 2023] Veronicastrum wulingense (Plantaginaceae) • A New Species from Southwestern Hubei, China

Veronicastrum wulingense G.W. Hu & Q.F. Wang, 

in Ding, Jiang, Tian, Ren, Mutie, Waswa, Hu et Wang, 2023. 

武陵腹水草  ||  DOI: 10.1186/s40529-023-00367-y 

 Researchgate.net/publication/367767908

Abstract

Background: The genus Veronicastrum Heist. ex Fabr. are mainly distributed in East Asia, and only Veronicastrum virginicum (L.) Farw. is disjunctively distributed in eastern North America. The south area of China (extending to Taiwan Island) is the richest in Veronicastrum species. It is of medicinal importance in China as traditional herbs used to treat ascites diseases that caused by schistosomiasis. During field investigation of plant resources in Pingbaying National Forest Park, Southwestern Hubei, China, an unknown flowering population of Veronicastrum was discovered from thick humus layers adjacent to rocks under broad-leaved forests by walkways. They were collected and morphological characters assesed for further taxonomic treatment. Molecular analysis was also conducted to ascertain its phylogenetic position in the genus Veronicastrum.

Results: This species is similar to Veronicastrum liukiuense (Ohwi) T.Yamaz. from the Ryukyu Islands, but can be distinctly differed by its axillary inflorescences (versus terminal on short leafy branches), pedicels up to 2.5 mm (versus sessile), corollas purple to purple-red (versus white tinged with pale purple) and florescence June to July (versus September to October). Also, phylogenetic studies showed the species was an independent clade in the genus Veronicastrum based on the maximum likelihood (ML) analyses using two different matrix sequences of concatenated molecular markers. The plastid genome of this new species is also reported in this study for the first time.

Conclusion: The morphological and molecular evidences support the recognition of Veronicastrum wulingense as a new species.

Keywords: Veronicastrum wulingense, New species, Southwestern Hubei, Phylogeny, Wulingshan region

Veronicastrum wulingense (type locality).
A–B habit; C leaf sawtooth; D individual; E leaves; F axillary inflorescence in the main axis; G inflorescences; H–I flowers; J anatomical flower; K infructescences.

Photographed by S.X. Ding

Veronicastrum wulingense G.W. Hu & Q.F. Wang sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Veronicastrum wulingense belongs to the typical Veronicastrum species of axillary inflorescences (Sect. Plagiostachys species). Morphologically, it is closely similar to V. liukiuense from the Ryukyu Islands, but can be distinctly differed by its axillary inflorescences (versus terminal on short leafy branches), pedicels up to 2.5 mm (versus sessile), corollas purple to purple-red (versus white tinged with pale purple), and florescence June to July (versus September to October) (Table 1). Also, these diagnostic characteristics of peduncles up to 7 cm, flowers clustered densely in rachis apex and steadily ca. 2–3 cm long, which are unique in the all known Veronicastrum species of axillary inflorescences.

Distribution and habitat: The new species Veronicastrum wulingense is currently known only from Sidong Gorge of Pingbaying National Forest Park in the Northcentral of Wulingshan Region, Southwestern Hubei, China—its type locality. All our collections were made from the thick humus layers adjacent to rocks under broad-leaved forests by walkways, at elevations of 1000–1400 m above sea level.

Etymology: The specific epithet ‘wulingense’ refers to Wulingshan Region, where the new species is distributed.

 The Chinese name is ‘Wu Ling Fu Shui Cao (武陵腹水草)’.

Shi-Xiong Ding, Hui Jiang, Jing Tian, Jing Ren, Fredrick Munyao Mutie, Emmanuel Nyongesa Waswa, Guang-Wan Hu and Qing-Feng Wang. 2023. Veronicastrum wulingense (Plantaginaceae), A New Species from Southwestern Hubei, China. Botanical Studies. 64: 3. DOI: 10.1186/s40529-023-00367-y

  Researchgate.net/publication/367767908_Veronicastrum_wulingense_a_new_species_from_Southwestern_Hubei_China

 

[Botany • 2019] Linaria vettonica (Plantaginaceae) • A New Species of Linaria sect. Supinae from Sierra de Gredos (Sistema Central mountains, Iberian Peninsula)

Linaria vettonica Luceño, Mazuecos & P. Vargas

in Luceño, Fernández-Mazuecos & Vargas, 2019. 

  DOI: 10.24310/abm.v44i0.6679

 twitter.com/MFMazuecos 

Abstract

Linaria vettonica Luceño, Mazuecos & P. Vargas, a new species of Linaria sect. Supinae, is described. It is a narrow endemic inhabiting the southern hills of the western and central massifs of Sierra de Gredos (Sistema Central mountains, Iberian Peninsula). The five populations found occur on siliceous, sandy soils of Quercus pyrenaica woodland clearings and slopes. L. vettonica can be distinguished from Linaria caesia by the densely glandular-pubescent inflorescence, dark purple corolla and brown seeds with tuberculate disc, and from L. aeruginea by its erect fertile stems and dark purple -never blackish- corolla.

Key words: Linaria, Sierra de Gredos, narrow endemic, taxonomy, seed micromorphology.

Figure 2.  Linaria vettonica.
A: habit. B: young capsules. C: sterile stem and young inflorescence.

 Linaria vettonica Luceño, Mazuecos & P. Vargas

Diagnosis: Linaria vettonica is similar to L. caesia and L. aeruginea. It differs from the former by the following features: the inflorescence is densely glandular-pubescent (vs. glabrous or sparsely glandular-pubescent in L. caesia); the corolla is dark purple (vs. yellow or whitish-yellow with reddish-brown veins in L. caesia);and seeds are brown (vs. black in L. caesia), with tuberculate disc (vs. smooth or rarely with tuberculate disc in L. caesia). It differs from L. aeruginea mainly by its erect or, rarely, erect-ascending stems (decumbent to erect-ascending in L. aeruginea), and by its deep purple corolla (purple-blackish -in Gredos populations-, reddish, reddish-purple, pink-purple, greyish-purple, yellow or yellow-orange in L. aeruginea).

Etymology: This species is named after the Vettones, a Celtic people that inhabited Sierra de Gredos in pre-Roman times. 

Figure 1. Distribution range of  Linaria vettonica in Sierra de Gredos (Sistema Central mountains, Iberian Peninsula). Known localities are shown as stars.

Distribution: southern hills of the western and centrals massifs of Sierra de Gredos (Sistema Central mountains, Iberian Peninsula; Fig. 1).

Habitat: woodland (Quercus pyrenaica Willd.) clearings, slopes, siliceous sandy soils.

Elevational range: 470-1250 m.

Modesto Luceño, Mario Fernández-Mazuecos and Pablo Vargas. 2019. A New Species of Linaria sect. Supinae from Sierra de Gredos (Sistema Central mountains, Iberian Peninsula). Acta Botanica Malacitana. 44. DOI: 10.24310/abm.v44i0.6679

twitter.com/MFMazuecos/status/1182675144327782400

Una especie nueva de Linaria sect. Supinae en la Sierra de Gredos (Sistema Central, Península Ibérica)

Resumen: Se describe Linaria vettonica Luceño, Mazuecos & P. Vargas, una nueva especie de Linaria sect. Supinae. Se trata de un endemismo restringido que se distribuye por las vertientes meridionales de los macizos occidental y central de la Sierra de Gredos (Sistema Central, Península Ibérica). Las cinco poblaciones encontradas aparecieron sobre suelos arenosos silíceos en claros y laderas de bosques de Quercus pyrenaica. L. vettonica se distingue de L. caesia por sus inflorescencias densamente glandular-pubescentes, corolas de color púrpura oscuro y semillas marrones con disco ornamentado con numerosos tubérculos. De L. aeruginea se distingue por sus tallos fértiles erectos y sus flores de color púrpura oscuro, nunca negruzcas.

Palabras clave: Linaria, sierra de Gredos, endemismo restringido, taxonomía, micromorfología de semillas.

[Botany • 2018] The Identity of Stemodia lanceolata (Plantaginaceae) and Its Occurrence in Brazil

 Stemodia lanceolata Benth.

in Scatigna, Mercedes Sosa, Souza & Simões, 2018. 

DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.375.1.9 

Abstract

In this contribution, we reassess the identity of Stemodia lanceolata (Plantaginaceae) and confirm its occurrence in Brazilian territory. We present a detailed and updated description, a fine illustration, and photographs of this species, along with comments on its distribution, habitat and phenology, and notes on taxonomic affinities. Stemodia lanceolata is characterized by its stiffy erect terminal inflorescence with filamentous aspect due to the long, linear-triangular, frequently out-curved floral bracts. Finally, we propose second-step lectotypifications for three names subordinated to S. lanceolata.

Keywords: Chaco, Gratioleae, Pantanal, Eudicots

André Vito Scatigna, María de las Mercedes Sosa, Vinicius Castro Souza and André Olmos Simões. 2018. The Identity of Stemodia lanceolata (Plantaginaceae) and Its Occurrence in Brazil. Phytotaxa. 375(1); 121–129. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.375.1.9

[Botany • 2018] Linaria qartobensis (Plantaginaceae) • A New Linaria Species from the southern Iberian Peninsula

Linaria qartobensis  

Blanca, Cueto, J. Fuentes, L. Sáez & R. Tarifa

in Blanca, Cueto, Fuentes, et al., 2018. 

 DOI:  10.1111/njb.01914 

 twitter.com/NordicJBotany

Linaria qartobensis, from southern Iberian Peninsula, is here newly described, illustrated and compared with its morphologically closest relatives from L. sect. Supinae: L. ricardoi and L. orbensis. The new species is characterized by longer calyx lobes, corolla and spur, violet corolla with yellow-orangish palate, big and globose capsule, and seeds with black and prominently white-tuberculate disc and subentire wing. Linaria qartobensis is an endemic species growing on marly deposits from the Guadalquivir river basin, in the Córdoba province (Andalusia, Spain).

 Keywords: Antirrhineae, endemic plants, Iberian Peninsula, taxonomy

Linaria qartobensis Blanca, Cueto, J. Fuentes, L. Sáez & R. Tarifa sp. nov.

Etymology The specific epithet refers to the original iberian or phoenician name for the city of Córdoba (Qart-Oba), much predating the roman name Corduba, the homonym of the province where the species is found.

Gabriel Blanca, Miguel Cueto, Julián Fuentes, Llorenç Sáez and Rubén Tarifa. 2018. Linaria qartobensis sp. nov. (Plantaginaceae) from the southern Iberian Peninsula. Nordic Journal of Botany.  36(8) DOI:  10.1111/njb.01914  

twitter.com/NordicJBotany/status/1036903952607010817

[Botany • 2018] Veronica ersin-yucelii (Plantaginaceae) • A New Veronica Species from Central Anatolia, Turkey

Veronica ersin-yucelii  

in Yaylacı, Sezer, Özgişi, Öztürk, Erkara, et al., 2018. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.362.1.4 

Abstract

Veronica ersin-yucelii (subg. Pentasepalae, Plantaginaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species. It grows on marble rocks and screes, in one single site in Central Anatolia (Eskişehir Province), at elevations from about 1700 to 1820 metres above sea level. Diagnostic features are also given to enable comparison with the most similar species, V. caespitosa Boiss. and V. multifida L., especially regarding the indumentum, habit, inflorescence, bracts, seeds and leaves. The geographical distribution of the new species is mapped. Notes about its ecology and conservation status are also presented.

Keywords: Endemic, Eskişehir, threatened species

Ö. Koray Yaylacı, Okan Sezer, Kurtuluş Özgişi, Derviş Öztürk, İsmühan Potoğlu Erkara, Onur Koyuncu and Atila Ocak. 2018. A New Veronica (Plantaginaceae) Species from Central Anatolia, Turkey. Phytotaxa. 362(1); 55–67. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.362.1.4