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| Leucheria peteroana Lavandero, in Lavandero, Pérez et Pinilla, 2024. Leucheria photographs by Nicolás Lavandero. |
Abstract
A new species, Leucheria peteroana sp. nov., endemic to a restricted area of the Andes of Central Chile, is here described. Using newly sequenced nDNA and cpDNA data, the phylogenetic affinities of Leucheria and closely related taxa within Nassauvieae are revisited. This new species shows a unique set of characters that clearly distinguish it from other species of Leucheria. Phylogenetic analyses place this perennial species close to annual species found in the pre-Andean environments of Central Chile. A detailed description, distribution map, insights about its habitat, conservation status, and photographs are provided.
Key words: Andes, Asteraceae, Laguna Teno, Leucheria, Maule, Nassauvieae, taxonomy
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| Leucheria peteroana Lavandero, sp. nov. (Lavandero & Pérez 1504, SGO) A habit B detail of the capitulum, apical anther appendages and styles C capitulum, mid-upper view D capitulum, lateral view E leaf, abaxial side F leaf, detail of adaxial side G leaf, detail of abaxial side. All photographs by Nicolás Lavandero. |
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| Habit and habitat of Leucheria peteroana Lavandero, sp. nov. A overview of Laguna El Planchón and the volcanic complex Planchón-Peteroa B detail of the plant C another plant, growing among rocks D detail of plant clump at full sun exposure, but right next to an Andean spring. All photographs by Nicolás Lavandero. |
Leucheria peteroana Lavandero, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Leucheria peteroana is most similar to Leucheria runcinata but differs by its simple aboveground stems (vs. branching stems), solely glandular indumentum (vs. lanose and glandular), lack of any type of scent (vs. strongly pungent or fetid odour), completely white corollas on the adaxial side (vs. lilac to blue), pink-purplish anther apical appendages (vs. blue), pink style branches (vs. white styles), and pappus pectines of 250–520 µm long (vs. 130–160 µm) (Figs 5, 6). Leucheria peteroana also differs from Leucheria apiifolia by its larger height (vs. plants not taller than 30 cm.), two types of glandular trichomes in the vegetative part (vs. only one type of glandular trichome), lack of any type of scent (vs. soft and lemony odour), completely white corollas on the adaxial side (vs. pale gold corollas), outer lip completely extended at full anthesis (vs. outer lip revolute), and pink-purplish anther apical appendages (vs. beige to dark brown) (Fig. 7).
Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the active volcanic complex Planchón-Peteroa. The Andean Lake where the species occurs lies at the foot of this volcano.
Nicolás Lavandero, Fernanda Pérez and Nicolás Pinilla. 2024. Leucheria peteroana (Nassauvieae, Asteraceae), A New Species of Leucheria endemic to the Andes of Central Chile, and insights into the Systematics of Nassauviae. PhytoKeys. 248: 315-337. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.248.133202
