Satureja varia subsp. hierrensis

Puppo, Pamela & Meimberg, Harald, 2015, New species and new combinations in Micromeria (Lamiaceae) from the Canary Islands and Madeira, Phytotaxa 230 (1), pp. 1-21 : 11

a. subsp. hierrensis

Subshrub 10–15 cm high; branches semi prostrated, densely incanous to tomentose. Leaves sessile; blades green sometimes tinged with red, glabrate throughout, blades linear, revolute. Calyx more or less rounded 2–2.5 mm long, calyx apices subulate. Corolla slightly pink. Anthers slightly pink, included. Style barely exerted.

Specimens Examined: — SPAIN. El Hierro: Risco de Bascos, Mirador, 15 September 2011, P. L. Pérez de Paz H-5A, H-5B, H-5C, H-5D, H-5E, H-5F (TFC).

Geographical Distribution: —This subspecies is restricted to the western and eastern extremes of El Hierro, in the surroundings of Sabinosa and Mirador de la Peña.

Notes: —This subspecies corresponds to M. varia subsp. hierrensis recognized by Pérez de Paz (1978). It presents green leaves with little pubescence and slightly pink flowers which differentiates it from the other subspecies present in the island.

b. subsp. incana Puppo , subsp. nov. Fig. 1–F , Fig. 7

Holotype:— SPAIN. El Hierro: Los Cangrejos, Costa de Valverde , UTM 214503-3079961, Alt. 130 m, 14 September 2011, P. L. Pérez de Paz H-1 ( TFC).

= Micromeria hyssopifolia sensu Pérez de Paz (1978) pro parte quoad plants from El Hierro.

Differing from subsp. hierrensis in the larger habit, up to 60 cm high; leaves that are sparsely strigose adaxially and abaxially lanate; calyx tubular or slightly campanulated; and white corolla.

Subshrub, up to 60 cm high; branches ascending, basal part of branches tomentose to villous, younger parts incanous to lanuginose. Leaves sessile or inconspicuously petiolated; blades green, sparsely strigose adaxially, abaxially lanate, basal blades linear to ovate, upper blades linear. Calyx tubular to slightly campanulated, calyx apices lanceolate to subulate, ciliate. Corolla white. Anthers lilac, included or barely exerted. Style included or exerted.

Etymology: —The name of this subspecies alludes to the grayish appearance of the plants due to the indumentum in branches and leaves.

Specimens Examined: — SPAIN. El Hierro : La Restinga, 15 September 2011, P. L. Pérez de Paz H-2 A, H-2 B, H-2 C, H-2D, H-2 E, H-2 F, H-2 G ( TFC) ; El Pinar , 15 September 2011, P. L. Pérez de Paz H-3 A, H-3 B, H-3 C, H-3D, H- 3 E, H-3 F, H-3 G ( TFC) ; Brezal de La Llanía , 15 September 2011, P. L. Pérez de Paz H-4 A, H-4 B, H-4 C, H-4D, H-4 E, H-4 F, H-4 G ( TFC) ; Arenales de El Julan , 15 September 2011, P. L. Pérez de Paz H-6 A, H-6 B, H-6 C, H-6D, H-6 E, H- 6 F, H-6 G ( TFC) ; Cumbre de Malpaso , 17 September 2011, P. L. Pérez de Paz H-7 A, H-7 B, H-7 C, H-7D, H-7 E, H-7 F, H-7 G ( TFC) .

Geographical Distribution: —This subspecies is distributed throughout El Hierro, from sea-level up to the highest points. Large populations are found in some zones where the individuals cover vast areas forming “tomillares” (patches of thymes).

Notes: —Pérez de Paz identified this taxon as M. hyssopifolia from El Hierro alluding to the similarities between this taxon and plants present in Tenerife. Molecular studies ( Meimberg et al. 2006, Puppo et al. 2015) have shown that M. hyssopifolia is endemic to Tenerife and that specimens growing in El Hierro are distinct. Micromeria hierrensis subsp. incana is the common form of the taxon present in this island. It is larger than subsp. hierrensis , up to 60 cm high, presents a grayish aspect due to the pubescence in branches and leaves, and has white corollas.

Figures

FIGURE 1. A. Micromeria varia (Tenerife). B. Micromeria canariensis subsp. canariensis (Gran Canaria). C. Micromeria canariensis subsp. meridialis (Gran Canaria). D. Micromeria gomerensis (La Gomera). E. Micromeria pedro-luisii (La Gomera). F. Micromeria hierrensis subsp. incana (El Hierro). Photos A, C, D, F from P. Puppo; B and E from P.L. Pérez de Paz.

FIGURE 7. Micromeria hierrensis subsp. incana flowering branch (A), leaf axial and abaxial (B) and flower, frontal and side view (C). Drawn by P. Puppo from the holotype.