Echium anchusoides (Boraginaceae), a new species from Sardinia (Italy)

The new species Echium anchusoides, endemic to the main siliceous massifs of Sardinia, is described and illustrated. It was formerly confused with E. pustulatum, a Mediterranean form of E. vulgare, but differs in characters regarding habit, leaves, inflorescence, corolla, stamens and mericarps. Contrary to the taxa of the E. vulgare group, E. anchusoides is also characterized by a higher ecological specificity being linked to natural habitats with siliceous growth substratum. Micromorphological analyses provide additional information on the indumentum and reproductive structures, such as pollen, stigmatic papillae, nectar ducts and mericarp coat surface.