13. Justicia aphelandroides (Mildbr.) Wassh., Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard 45: 1253. 1993. (Wasshausen 1993: 1253)

Jacobinia aphelandroides Mildbr., Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 9: 989. 1926. (Mildbraed 1926: 989) Type. PERU. Upper Marañón, Tessmann 4222 (holotype B †, photo of holotype F 0 BN 008903, isotype MO- 3345889, not seen).

Type.

Based on Jacobinia aphelandroides Mildbr.

Description.

Herb 2 m high, stems stout, glabrous. Leaves petiolate, lamina 20–25 × 5–7 cm, narrowly obovate, apex shortly acuminate, gradually tapered to a cuneate base, margin entire; petioles 1–1.5 cm. Inflorescence of simple terminal spikes c. 7 cm long; peduncles 5 cm; bracts 7–8 × 4 mm (c. twice as long as broad), ovate, finely acuminate; bracteoles similar but smaller, 6 × 2.5 mm; calyx subequally 5 - lobed to 2 mm above base, lobes 8.5–9.5 × 1.5 mm, minutely puberulent; corolla pink, papillate, tube 3.5–4 cm long, lips subequal, 2.2–2.5 cm long, upper lip lanceolate, emarginate, lower lip 3 - lobed, lobes c. 2 mm long, lanceolate; pollen prolate-perprolate, 63–74 × 29–39 μm, 2 - aperturate, colporate, ≈ 3 rows of solid insulae on either side of aperture (Fig. 49 E). Capsule and seeds not seen.

Phenology.

Found in flower October.

Habitat.

Lowland, rainforests, 160– 275 m.

Distribution.

Endemic to Amazonas region. Fig. 57.

Material examined.

Peru • Amazonas: Prov. Bagua, Río Marañón, mouth of Río Santiago, 250–275 m, 14–15 Oct. 1962, J. J. Wurdack 2245 (F, K, USM) .

Notes.

Similar to Justicia elegantissima (Lindau) Wassh. but the calyx lobes subequal and much shorter.

Only known from two collections, the most recent in 1962. Further exploration in the Río Santiago zone is needed to confirm the continued presence of this species as the surroundings of the Santiago river have been degraded by illegal mining.