Abstract
Agarista (Ericaceae) is currently represented in Peru by three species.
Here, we update this number to five, based on the description of one new
species and the report of one new record of a species and variety. The
new species Agarista eugeniifolia differs from all congeneric species by
an abaxially sulcate midvein. It is only known from one location in the
province of San Marcos in Cajamarca Department. We also report A.
mexicana var. mexicana as a newly recorded species and variety for both
South America and Peru, with remarkable similarity to the disjunct
nominate variety from Mesoamerica and noteworthy differences regarding
leaf shape and short inflorescences in comparison to the other Peruvian
Agarista species. Along with morphological diagnosis, description, and
risk assessment of the new species, we provide a key to identify the
Agarista from Peru, a map with the geographic distribution of the five
species occurring in the country, illustrations, and taxonomic notes.