Taxonomic notes Portulaca (Portulacaceae) in South America I: the taxonomic status of P. mucronulata var. microphylla

Abstract

Taxonomy of the South American Portulaca is advancing considerably but many problems and knowledge gaps still remain. As a result of further investigation of the genus, P. ferricola is here proposed as new name to replace, at species rank, the hitherto overlooked P. mucronulata var. microphylla. P. ferricola is a species endemic to ironstone grasslands from eastern Bolivia and central-western Brazil, whose conservation status is here assessed as Endangered (EN). In addition to a discussion of the taxonomy, ecology, and conservation status of the species, we also provide photographs of herbarium specimens and the species in natura.