Taxonomic Study of the Species of Maranta Plum ex. L. (Marantaceae) from Northeastern Brazil: A Neglected Diversity Center for the Genus with Five New Species

This study summarizes the taxonomy of the species of Maranta from northeastern Brazil. While 20 names have been proposed in the region, only 13 are accepted. We provide two new records, M. rugosa and M. polystachya, and five new species are described, of which M. bahiensis and M. villosovaginata are endemic to Bahia, M. chrysogina to Ceara, M. vieirae to Maranhao, and M. lorifolia occurs in Bahia and Espirito Santo. Maranta noctiflora, M. parvifolia, M. phrynioides, and M. rupicola L. have distributions outside of the study area, while M. anderssoniana and M. hatschbachiana are synonymized. Our final checklist includes 21 species, which represent more than half of the species in the genus, highlighting northeastern Brazil as a center of diversity for Maranta. Among the species listed, M. lorifolia, M. tuberculata, and M. zingiberina are thought to be endangered (EN), while M. gigantea is likely critically endangered (CR). Finally, this study provides informal conservation statuses, descriptions, distribution maps, and an identification key to the species. Typifications for M. subterranea and M. polystachya are also provided.