Novelties on Gaultheria (Ericaceae) in Chile

Abstract

After a revision of Gaultheria species for Flora de Chile project, we found new specimens and information that has prompted us to make two new combinations and a lectotype for this genus. Pernettya linifolia Phil. was described by R. A. Philippi and subsequently treated taxonomists as a variety of either Gaultheria (Pernettya) mucronata or Gaultheria(Pernettya) poeppigii. We treat Pernettya linifolia at the species level, and move it to Gaultheria as Gaultheria linifolia (Phil.) Teillier & R.A. Rodr., in line with the new classification of Ericaceae. The combination Gaultheria angustifolia (Lindl.) Teillier (Ericaceae) was recently made for a distinct species from Chile and Argentina, but this name is a later homonym of Gaultheria angustifolia Brandegee from Mexico. A new name, Gaultheria marticorenae Teillier & P.W. Fritsch, is therefore provided as a replacement for this species. A lectotype for the heterotypic synonym Pernettya leucocarpa var. linearis Reiche is also designated.