Taxonomic Revision of Escallonia (Escalloniaceae) in Argentina

Abstract

A taxonomic revision of the genus Escallonia in Argentina, based on the study of herbarium specimens and field work, is presented. Descriptions, nomenclatural treatment, an identification key, and comments on habitat and distribution are given for each species. Drawings not included in previous works are published here for the first time. Also, a plastid DNA network, combining sequences from previous studies, is included. On the basis of morphology and DNA variability, we recognized 17 species of Escallonia in Argentina. Lectotypes are designated for Escallonia resinosa var. dodoneifolia, E. sellowiana, E. longidens, E. rahmeri, and Stereoxylon virgatum. Second-step lectotypifications are designated for Escallonia bifida, E. vaccinioides, E. vaccinioides var. guaranitica, E. spiraeoides, E. adscendens, E. rosea, E. duplicatoserrata, E. tucumanensis, and Stereoxylon corymbosum. Inadvertent lectotypifications were corrected for Escallonia alpina var. glaberrima, E. bellidifolia, E. vaccinioides, E. vaccinioides var. guaranitica, E. spiraeoides, E. adscendens, E. tucumanensis, and Stereoxylon corymbosum. A new synonym (E. rubra var. dumetorum under E. rubra) is proposed.