Background and Aims:

The number of species in the genus Rogiera is debatable, varying from 11 to 20 depending on the author. Mexico is undoubtedly the center of diversity for the genus, having up to 14 recognized species, the majority growing in cloud forest and tropical rain forest habitats.

Methods:

Botanical material collected as part of a floristic and phytogeographic study from the northwest portion of the Metztitlán municipality, Hidalgo, was compared to specimens of Rogiera deposited in the collections ENCB, F, FCME, MEXU and MO. After reviewing all the type material and protologues of all the Rogiera species, we determined that the material represents a new, undescribed species.

Key results:

Rogiera metztitlensis is described and illustrated as a new species from the arid region of Metztitlán, Hidalgo, Mexico. This new species is morphologically similar to Rogiera amoena, R. cordata and R. ehrenbergii due to the mature stipule orientation (except en R. ehrenbergii) and flower size and color. It differs in being a shrub up to 1 m tall, its smaller stipules 3-4 mm long, the corolla throat with a densely white hairy ring and the wingless seeds.

Conclusions:

Rogiera metztitlensis is endemic to Hidalgo, where it occurs in arid matorral habitats, in contrast to the humid habitats of other Rogiera species.

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