Two new records for the flora of Paraguay: <i>Stemodia diplohyptoides</i> and <i>S. lobelioides</i> (Plantaginaceae:Gratioleae)

Stemodia diplohyptoides M.M.Sosa &amp; Dematt. and S. lobelioides Lehm. (Gratioleae, Plantaginaceae) are reported for the first time in Paraguay, found in Alto Paraná and Presidente Hayes departments, respectively. These new records extend the known geographical range of both species, representing the northern records to date, S. diplohyptoides was previously considered endemic to northeastern Argentina (Misiones province), and S. lobelioides to the Río de la Plata basin (Argentina and Uruguay). Global distribution analysis and conservation status assessment were conducted, resulting in the classification of S. diplohyptoides as ‘Vulnerable' (VU) and S. lobelioides as ‘Near Threatened' (NT), according to the criteria established by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This study includes global distribution maps showing the ecoregions in which the species are found, according to Dinerstein et al. (2017), plates with field and herbarium specimen photographs and a taxonomic key to distinguish the species of Stemodia growing in Paraguay. Additionally, a neotype is designated for S. lobelioides .