Lindernia All. was revised for Madagascar by Fischer (1995), who recognized 16 species, seven of which are endemic. One of the endemic species is L. andringitrae Eb. Fischer, restricted to elevations above 2000 m in the Andringitra Massif. Lindernia andringitrae is a nom. nov. for Craterostigma cerastioides Bonati, a name that cannot be transferred to Lindernia because of the existence of L. cerastioides T. Yamaz. (Yamazaki, 1978), an Asian species. One further synonym, Craterostigma perrieri Bonati, was also cited by Fischer (1995: 236) with the comment that its transfer to Lindernia “would also produce a homonym”. However, this is not correct and accordingly Craterostigma perrieri is transferred to Lindernia. An update of the synonymy and distribution of the species, including details of a new collection made in 2010 and a preliminary IUCN risk of extinction assessment (IUCN, 2012), is provided.
Lindernia perrieri ( Bonati ) Thulin, comb. nova.
≡ Craterostigma perrieri Bonati in Bull. Soc. Bot. Genève ser. 2, 15: 108. 1924.
Typus: Madagascar. Prov. Fianarantsoa: Massif d'Andringitra, rocailles humides, 2200 m, II.1922, fl. & fr., Perrier de la Bâthie 14423 (holo-: P [P00057076]; iso-: P [P00057077]).
= Craterostigma cerastioides Bonati in Bull. Soc. Bot. Genève ser. 2, 15: 106. 1924 [non Lindernia cerastioides T. Yamaz. in J. Jap. Bot. 53: 97. 1978]. ≡ Lindernia andringitrae Eb. Fischer in Bull. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat., sect. B, Adansonia 17: 236. 1995. Typus: Madagascar. Prov. Fianarantsoa: Massif d'Andringitra, étangs temporaires de la saison des pluies, après le retrait des eaux, 2000–2400 m, IV.1921, fl. & fr., Perrier de la Bâthie 13600 (holo-: P [P00057074]; iso-: P [P00057075]).
Observations. — Homolle 1148 and 1294 have no locality information other than “Madagascar”, but Homolle is known to have collected in the Andringitra Massif in the 1940's. Also the habitat description “bord de tourbières” strongly indicates that her collections were made in the higher parts of this Massif.
Two further collections were cited by Fischer (1995), Perrier de la Bâthie 14429 (P [P00346047, P00346048, P00346049]) and Rakotovao 174 (P). However, Perrier de la Bâthie 14429 is a syntype of Carex andringitrensis Cherm., and no collection of Lindernia corresponding to Rakotovao 174 seems to be present in P.
Conservation status. — With an area of occupancy (AOO) of 9 km2 and no more than three subpopulations, all encompassed in a protected area (Andringitra Massif), Lindernia perrieri is assigned a preliminary status of “Vulnerable” (VU D2) (calculation following Callmander & al., 2007).
Additional collections examined. — Madagascar. Prov. Fianarantsoa: Andringitra Massif, plateau d'Andohariana, dépression humide des plaques rocheuses, 2000–2100 m, 12.I.1971, fl. & fr., Guillaumet 3737 (P [P00221519]); Andringitra Massif, plateau d'Andohariana, 22°09′03″S 46°53′19″E, open grassland in thin soil over rocks, 2100 m, 4.IV.2010, fl. & fr., Thulin & Razafindraibe 11781 (TAN, UPS). S. loc.: bord de tourbières, fl. & fr., Homolle 1148 (P [P03416462]); fl. & fr., Homolle 1294 (P [P03416463]).
Acknowledgements
Field work in Madagascar was supported by the Swedish Research Council. Direction Générale des Eaux et Forêts and Madagascar National Parks are thanked for issuing collecting permits, Missouri Botanical Garden, Madagascar, for logistical support, Hanta Razafindraibe for excellent company in the field, and Martin Callmander for assistance with the conservation assessment.
