Revisiting Psyllocarpus intermedius (Rubiaceae, Spermacoceae): an updated description with a new synonym

Abstract

Borreria catolensis, described based on specimens lacking mature fruits and seeds, is here treated as a new synonym of Psyllocarpus intermedius (Rubiaceae, Spermacoceae), an endemic species from the state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil. This new treatment is based on the examination of a newly found duplicate of a paratype which bears these missing structures, spawning a detailed micromorphological analysis of fruits, seeds, and pollen grains. We provide an updated description of P. intermedius, and further comment on its distribution, habitat, preliminary conservation status and taxonomy.