Contribution to the Vascular Flora of Argentina: Family Ericaceae

Abstract

As a preview of the publication of the volume that involves the Ericaceae of Argentina, a treatment of the family in this country is presented. Six genera, 18 species, and two varieties inhabit in Argentina. Most of the genera (Empetrum, Gayloussacia, Lebetanthus, and Vaccinium) have a single species in the country, being two for Agarista, and 12 for Gaultheria; two varieties are recognized in Gaultheria pumila, totalizing 20 taxa, the majority of which are endemic to. The binomial Gautheria myrsinoides is proposed as a substitute for Pernettya prostrata and lectotypes are designated for Gaultheria florida, Gaultheria salicifolia, Pernettya breviflora, Pernettya elegans, Pernettya litoralis, Pernettya melanocarpa and Pernettya minima. This article also includes dichotomous keys, one to recognize the genera present in Argentina and the other to identify the species within each genus. Observations in relevant cases, select studied material, geographic distribution, habitat, and illustrations for three species are included.