Linaria sagrensis (Plantaginaceae), a new high mountain species from the SE Iberian Peninsula

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.