A new and endangered species of Justicia L. (Justicieae-Acanthaceae) from the riparian forests of northern Goiás State, Brazil

Abstract

Justicia pusilla, a new species of Acanthaceae from Brazil, is described and illustrated. The new species is one of the smallest plants in the genus. It is morphologically allied with Justicia laevilinguis and “Justicia indespecta”, but differs from both by a set of characters related to habit, leaves, spikes, bracts, bracteoles, calyx, corolla and seeds. It is considered endangered due to its restricted geographic distribution and low population density.