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| (C–D) Calea aggregata V. R. Bueno & M. L. Campos (A–B) Wedelia santosiae V. R. Bueno, Prata-Silveira & Bentes in Bueno, Almeida, Fernandes, Ferreira, Prata-Silveira et Bentes, 2025. Photos (A)–(B) by J. O. Rego; (C)–(D) by C. A. Ferreira Jr. |
Abstract
The BHZB herbarium was founded in 1993 with about 16 787 registers – a number that has to be considered as small when compared to larger herbaria in Brazil. In the BHZB, 97.5% of the vouchers are from the Minas Gerais state (ca 16 372 specimens), with Asteraceae being the best represented family. Studying this collection, we found three new species from Minas Gerais: Calea aggregata, Wedelia cangae, and Wedelia santosiae which are here described and illustrated, and their conservation status and taxonomic affinities are discussed. In addition, we provide a map with the information about the new species. We also found some new records that was misidentified. The occurrence of Praxelis sanctopaulensis (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King and H.Rob. in Minas Gerais and of Mikania stipulacea Willd. in the Espírito Santo state are documented and mapped.
Keywords: Atlantic forest, Campo rupestre, Cerrado, Compositae
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| Photos in habitat of Calea aggregata sp. nov. (C–D) and Wedelia santosiae sp. nov. (A–B). Photos (A)–(B) by J. O. Rego; (C)–(D) by C. A. Ferreira Jr. |
Calea aggregata V. R. Bueno and M. L. Campos sp. nov.
Diagnosis: A species that resembles C. diamantinensis, but can be differentiated by having alternate and decussate leaves on the same branch (versus opposite, rarely whorled), corolla lobes 2.1–2.4 mm long (versus 1.5–1.7 mm), and corolla glabrous (versus glandular-punctate).
Etymology: The epithet ‘aggregata' is referring to the arrangement of aggregated leaves at the apex of the branches and the disposition of the heads in the short congested capitulescence.
Wedelia santosiae V. R. Bueno, Prata-Silveira and Bentes sp. nov.
Diagnosis: A species that resembles W. frioana B. L. Turner, but has petiolate leaves (versus sessile), 4-seriate involucrum (versus 3-seriate), and cypselae 4.9–5.0 mm long (versus 5–6 mm).
Etymology: The epithet ‘santosiae' is in honor of Professor Dr João Ubiratan Moreira dos Santos who is a researcher who devoted his life to studying taxonomy, mainly of Heliantheae (Asteraceae). Dr Santos has a long and fruitful career with several articles published especially focused on the taxonomy of Aspilia Thouars and Wedelia and a book about Aspilia in Brazil that made him the greatest taxonomist reference on these species (Santos 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1982). Throughout his career, he contributed to the training of 28 undergraduates, 42 masters, 7 doctors with direct supervision, in addition to many other contributions. In total, Dr Santos published 42 new names for science and Wedelia santosiae is the first name in his honor.
Wedelia cangae V. R. Bueno, Prata-Silveira and Bentes sp. nov.
Diagnosis: A species distinguishable from W. goyazensis Gardner by having petiole 0.8–4.2 mm long (versus 6–15 mm), leaf blade 2.10–4.25 cm long (versus 6.4–11.0 cm), 4-seriate involucrum (versus 3-seriate), and cypselae 5.5–6.0 mm long (versus ca 4.5 mm).
Etymology: The epithet ‘cangae' refers to a canga vegetation, which is the species habitat.
Vinícius Resende Bueno, Maria Luiza Campos Almeida, Maria Guadalupe Carvalho Fernandes, Carlos Alberto Ferreira Júnior, Ananda Prata-Silveira and Marina Soares Bentes. 2025. Small Collections, Great Findings: Three New Species and Two New State Records for Asteraceae from Brazil. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.04846 [28 August 2025]
