Morphological variation and geographic distribution of Schizopetalon arcuatum Al-Shehbaz (Brassicaceae), a cryptic endemic species from the Atacama Region, Chile

Schizopetalon Sims is one of the three genera (including Mathewsia and Atacama) of the endemic South American tribe Schizopetalae. Localities from morphologically congruent specimens revealed a very restricted distribution, which suggest important implications for the conservation of S. arcuatum. The area of occurrence is delimited from the north shore of Huasco to the neighboring areas to the south of caleta Carrizalillo. Habitat of specimens suggests an almost exclusive occupation on dunes and sandy shores, except for a few populations located in inland gullies projected from the coastline.