Justicia purpusii (Brandegee) D.N.Gibson

Taxon Identity

Justicia purpusii (Brandegee) D.N.Gibson is a shrub that is completely covered in both tomentose and villous hairs.

Foliage Arrangement & Shape

Its foliage is made up of opposite leaves that range in shape from ovate to elliptic, and most of these leaves have entire margins.

Lower Leaf Characteristics

Lower leaves grow 7–8 cm (2.8–3.1 in) long and 4–5 cm (1.6–2.0 in) wide, and attach to the stem via 2 cm (0.79 in) long petioles.

Upper Leaf & Bract Morphology

Upper leaves develop progressively shorter petioles, eventually becoming sessile bracts shaped like cordate to broadly ovate forms. These bracts are wider than they are long, and have a clasping base.

Flower Placement

Flowers grow from the axils of these bracts.

Calyx Structure

The calyx is split into five narrow segments that measure 12–18 mm (0.47–0.71 in) long.

Corolla Structure

The corolla is 3 cm (1.2 in) long, with an erect upper lip and a three-lobed lower lip.

Seed Characteristics

Its seeds are ash-colored, nearly spherical, and have a rugose texture on their sides.

Interspecific Distinction from Justicia californica

This species can be told apart from its close relative Justicia californica by its flowers growing from larger, persistent bracts and its non-tropical distribution. In contrast, J. californica is restricted to more arid desert climates, has small, unremarkable bracts, and shorter calyx lobes.

Endemic Range

This species is endemic to the Cape region of Baja California Sur, Mexico, which is the southernmost area of the Baja California peninsula.

Habitat & Elevation

It grows in the region's tropical dry forests and thorn scrub, and is typically found in shady canyons and their rocky beds, as well as on wet slopes, steep walls, hillsides, and ridges, at elevations between 250–1,000 m (820–3,280 ft).