Sterculiaceae of Paraguay. II. <i>Waltheria</i>

Abstract

The biodiversity and geographical distribution for Waltheria species in Paraguay are presented to accompany the floristic treatment for the rest of the family given separately in Part I. In this work eight species are accepted, described, illustrated, mapped, and a key is given to facilitate their identification. Waltheria operculatabelongs to sect. Stegowaltheria, and the others are from sect. Waltheria: W. albicans, W. carmensarae, W. communis, W. indica s.l., W. macrophylla, W. procumbens, and W. viscosissima. Two species are endemic to Paraguay: W. procumbens, restricted in distribution, and W. macrophylla, collected only once and possibly extinct; both species are in need of local conservation assessment fieldwork.