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Verbenaceae is an important element of Neotropical flora, and Stachytarpheta is the second largest genus in the family. Whereas pollen morphology has helped in the differentiation of several taxonomic groups, palynological data on Stachytarpheta are still scarce, especially for Brazil, where its greatest species richness is concentrated. The present work aimed to analyze the pollen morphology of selected species of Stachytarpheta sect. Stachytarpheta, to aid in the taxonomy of the group. Pollen grains from 11 species were analyzed before and after chemical treatment, measured and treated statistically; multivariate analyses were also performed. The pollen grains of S. sect. Stachytarpheta are large or very large monads, that are radially symmetric and isopolar, with amb varying among triangular, subtriangular, subcircular, and quadrangular, and shape among subspheroidal, oblate-spheroidal, prolate-spheroidal, and subprolate. The three or four apertures are of the colpus type and narrow. The ornamentation is verrucate, with perforations at the base of the verrucae and isolated granules. The pollen grains also possess a margin and an anapertural membrane, which are the main characteristics useful for differentiating the species of the section. The size, amb, shape, apertural type, and ornamentation are also important for morphological differentiation, but multivariate analyses did not support the groups formed based on pollen characterization. An identification key is provided to distinguish the 11 studied species based on pollen morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stachytarpheta is mainly distributed in Brazil, where the knowledge of species richness is still in progress. Here, we describe S. meninii, a new micro‐endemic species from the Diamantina Plateau, Espinhaço Range. It is a shrub that can reach up to 1.8 meters in height, with abundant pedicellate glandular trichomes, viscous, aromatic leaves, inflorescences with oblong‐triangular bracts, and blue corollas, with a tube that is barely exserted from the calyx. The new species has been recorded from two gatherings from the same locality in the municipality of Serro, Minas Gerais state, and can be considered Critically Endangered (CR). Illustrations and a distribution map are provided for the recognition of S. meninii, along with an identification key for species of the genus found in Diamantina Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the Brazilian Stachytarpheta, the small group of species treated as the Stachytarpheta longispicata complex is morphologically recognised by its inflorescences with pedicellate flowers. This character is also present in S. longibracteata and S. rizzoi, two new species herein described based on the morphological species concept. Both species have a restricted distribution in the Cerrado domain, with S. longibracetata found in the Jalapão region (State of Tocantins) and S. rizzoi in the Serra Dourada region (State of Goiás). Detailed diagnosis, morphological comparisons, line drawings, ecological and taxonomic data, provisional conservation status, and a distribution map are provided for each new species. With these findings, we improve the taxonomy of the S. longispicata complex by increasing the number of known species to seven, and providing an identification key for this peculiar group with pedicellate flowers exclusive to the Cerrado. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Verbenaceae includes 32 genera and approximately 800 species distributed mainly in the Neotropical region, especially diversified in Brazil, where the campo rupestre stands out as an important vegetation type for the family. The Itacolomi State Park (ISP) is located in the southeast of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Minas Gerais state (MG), Brazil. Vegetation at the Park is composed of campo rupestre and forest remnants among degraded areas. The present research provides a floristic treatment of Verbenaceae in this protected area. Data were obtained from fieldwork and herbarium study. A total of 13 species were recorded: Glandularia phlogiflora, Lantana camara, Lantan fucata, Lantana tiliaefolia, Lantana trifolia, Lippia brasiliensis, Lippia hermannioides, Lippia origanoides, Petrea volubilis, Stachytarpheta cayennensis, Stachytarpheta commutata, Verbena litoralis and Verbena rigida. Among them, six are new records for the ISP. Stachytarpheta glabra, endemic to MG, was found in an area of canga very close to the boundaries of the Park. Additionally, S. viscidula, whose type locality is close to the Park, is proposed as a new synonym for S. commutata, whose type specimen comes from the Park. We provide an identification key, descriptions, photographs and comments on taxonomy, ecology and distribution for each species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the preparation of the treatment of the genus Lippia for the Flora do Brasil 2020 online project, dozens of names were found in need of typification or typification clarifications. In this context, lectotypes are designated for 18 names (L. asperrima, L. cordata, L. dracocephaloides, L. elliptica, L. florida, L. glabrescens, L. hederifolia, L. herbacea, L. hermannioides, L. hirta, L. iodophylla, L. maximiliani, L. microcephala, L. oxycnemis, L. primulina var. goyazensis, L. pseudothea, L. reticulata, and L. rhodocnemis), and a second-step lectotypification is made for L. aristata. A neotype is proposed for L. corymbosa, whereas the erroneous application of the term "holotype" is corrected to lectotype for the names L. pumila and L. turnerifolia. Furthermore, supporting information for the holotype of L. gardneriana is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stachytarpheta cayennensis (Verbenaceae) has been used in Brazilian traditional medicine to treat asthma and other respiratory diseases. To investigate the effects of different doses of standardized hydro-ethanolic (SCH) and aqueous (SCA) extracts of aerial parts of S. cayennensis using a murine ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma model. The major constituents of the plant extracts were identified and standardized by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Balb/c mice were challenged with OVA solution and treated concomitantly by intraperitoneal injection of standardized SCH or SCA extracts at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg concentrations. OVA-challenged control animals were treated with either dexamethasone (OVA-DEX) or saline solution (OVA-SAL). After challenge, we assessed in vivo bronchial hyperresponsiveness, airway inflammation (number of cells), peribronchial inflammation (histological analysis) and production of OVA-specific IgE and interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13 (ELISA). Acteoside, isoacteoside, and ipolamiide were the major constituents of SCH and SCA. The respective concentrations of acteoside in SCH and SCA were 78 and 98 μg/mL, while those of ipolamiide were 30 and 19 μg/mL. Treatment with 200 mg/kg of SCH or SCA decreased IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in lung homogenates. These reductions were accompanied by a lower influx of inflammatory cells (eosinophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages) to the airways and lungs. In addition to the anti-inflammatory effects, administration of SCA, but not SCH, ameliorated the parameters of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and decreased levels of circulating OVA-specific IgE. The results presented herein demonstrate for the first time the anti-asthmatic activity of S. cayennensis extracts in a murine model, thereby supporting the ethnopharmacological uses of the plant. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]