Yeatesia platystegia (Torr.) Hilsenb.

Daniel, Thomas F., García-Morales, Leccinum J. & Mora-Olivo, Arturo, 2021, Taxonomic and Photographic Guide to the Acanthaceae of Tamaulipas, Mexico, Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 67 (6), pp. 185-228 : 219-220

Yeatesia platystegia (Torr.) Hilsenb.

PHENOLOGY.— Flowering: March, July–September; fruiting: March, July–August.

DISTRIBUTION.— U.S.A. (Tex.), Mexico (Coah., N.L., Tamps.).

HABITAT.— Thornscrub, oak forest, on limestone.

ELEVATION.— 320–700 meters.

NOTES.— Hilsenbeck (1989) provided a description of this species ( Fig. 5L ).

REPRESENTATIVE SPECIMENS.— Sierra de San Carlos, vic. of San Miguel, Cerro de la Tamaulipeca, H. Bartlett 10557 ( ENCB, NY, U, US); Sierra de Tamaulipas, along Hwy. 70 between Soto la Marina and Cd. Casas E of Victoria, L. Brown 13279 ( CAS); 5 km N del Ejido El Palmar en la cañada La Sardinia, 24°43ʹN, 098°54ʹW, J. Martínez & J. Mora 360 ( MEXU); vic. of Victoria, E. Palmer 175 (F, GH); Buena Vista Hda., E. Wooton 18 ( US).

FUTURE WORK

Previously, Daniel (2013b) indicated occurrences of 40 species of Acanthaceae from Tamaulipas. The increase to 50 species now known from the state has resulted from additional collections made and/or studied since 2013. Thus, it is likely that continued collecting, especially in those regions of both the coastal lowlands and remote portions of the mountains that remain insufficiently explored, will further supplement the number of Acanthaceae there. Species that might be expected to occur natively in the state, based on their occurrences in nearby states and the presence of suitable habitats in Tamaulipas include: Bravaisia berlandieriana (Nees) T.F. Daniel , Carlowrightia purpurea T.F. Daniel , C. texana Henrickson & T.F. Daniel , C. torreyana Wassh. , Dicliptera brachiata (Pursh) Spreng. , Dyschoriste linearis (Torr. & A. Gray) Kuntze , D. poliodes Leonard & Gentry , Elytraria imbricata (Vahl) Pers. , Justicia hintoniorum Nesom , Odontonema callystachyum (Schltdl. & Cham.) Kuntze , O. cuspidatum (Nees) Kuntze , and Ruellia parryi A. Gray. The names of some of these and other species have been misapplied to collections from Tamaulipas, but we have yet to verify their occurrences in the state. Other Acanthaceae that are often cultivated are likely to be found naturalized in the state, including J. spicigera Schltdl. (native to Mexico) and Hypoestes phyllostachya Baker (native to Madagascar).

In order to provide more complete conservation assessments, field observations on the endemic and rare species are necessary to gauge threats or potential threats and their documented or potential impacts on populations. The taxonomic issues noted above concerning Dicliptera sumichrastii , several taxa of Dyschoriste , Justicia sp. , Pseuderanthemum praecox , and the genera Mirandea and Yeatesia remain to be resolved. Next-generation molecular studies will likely greatly assist in sorting out the taxonomic circumscriptions of these taxa. It is our hope that this guide will permit the identification of acanthaceous plants from Tamaulipas and inspire local botanists to help resolve remaining taxonomic problems toward a comprehensive account of the vascular flora of the state.

Figures

FIGURE 5. Tamaulipan Acanthaceae V. A. Ruellia blechum. B. Ruellia ciliatiflora. C. Ruellia hookeriana. D. Ruellia paniculata. E. Ruellia simplex (blue-flowered form). F. Ruellia simplex (white-flowered form). G. Stenandrium dulce. H. Tetramerium nervosum. I Thunbergia fragrans. J. Thunbergia alata. K. Yeatesia mabryi. L. Yeatesia platystegia. Photos by T. Daniel (A, C–G, I, J), E. Fernández, cropped, CC BY-NC 4.0 (H), L. García-Morales (B, K), B. Leander, used with permission from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (L).