[Botany • 2026] Leucheria melorum (Asteraceae: Nassauvieae) • A New Species from the Patagonian Andes

 

Leucheria melorum Horton & Picca, 

in Horton & Picca, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.774.3.4 

 

Abstract

A new species of Leucheria endemic to the Patagonian Andes in northern Neuquén, Argentina, is reported. Leucheria melorum is characterized by its cushion-like growth habit composed of dense woolly rosettes, rhizomes covered by persistent old leaves, and capitula with white to pink flower corollas. The species inhabits high-elevation volcanic environments (2550–2900 m a.s.l.) on the Domuyo and the Wayle massifs. We provide a detailed morphological description, illustrations highlighting the diagnostic morphological traits and a key for distinguishing L. melorum from related species. Based on the IUCN criteria and categories, a preliminary conservation status assessment is also given.

 Eudicots, Flora Altoandina, Leucheria, Nassauvieae, Patagonia

A. General view of the habitat of Leucheria melorum on Cerro Wayle at 2900 m a.s.l. with the Volcán Tromen in the background; B. Several dense rosettes; C. Rosette with capitula at different developmental stages; D. Close-up view of some flowering capitula; E. Fruit; F. Photomicrograph of the cypsela surface showing characteristic twin trichomes (indicated by white arrows) and biseriate glandular trichomes (indicated by black arrows).

Photos A, C, E & F: Pablo Picca; B & D: J. Felipe Horton.

Leucheria melorum.
A. Habit; B. Leaf, adaxial view; C. Scape and capitulum; D. Inner phyllary, dorsal view; E. Outer phyllary, dorsal view; F. Bract-like phyllary, dorsal view; G. Flower; H. Flower (ovary and pappus removed); I. Stamens; J. Fruit.

Line drawings by Angélica Marino.

Leucheria melorum Horton & Picca, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis:—Leucheria melorum is morphologically similar to L. candidissima and L. millefolium, which are also present in the northern Neuquén volcanic massifs. However, the new species is readily distinguished by its compact, cushion-like growth habit. It further differs from both by having very short stems (vs. more or less elongated in L. candidissima and L. millefolium), flabelliform leaf blades (vs. lanceolate in L. candidissima and elliptic in L. millefolium) and by having bi- or tri-pinnatisect leaves with oblong segments closely approximated towards the apex (vs. pinnatisect with an elongate terminal lobe in L. candidissima and bi- or tri-pinnatisect with rhomboidal segments in L. millefolium; segments regularly distributed along the rachis in both species).

Etymology:—The specific epithet honors Mabel and Sergio MELO, a couple of dedicated naturalists, who were the first people to collect specimens of this new species. Their keen observations of the high Andean flora and kind cooperation were very important to the recognition of this novelty.

Juan Felipe HORTON and Pablo I. PICCA. 2026. A New Species of Leucheria (Nassauvieae, Asteraceae) from the Patagonian Andes.  Phytotaxa. 774(3); 241-251. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.774.3.4 [2026-09-17]

[Botany • 2026] Anaphalis rosmarinifolia (Asteraceae: Asteroideae: Gnaphalieae) • A New Species from southern Western Ghats, India

  

Anaphalis rosmarinifolia  Remya, K.M.P.Kumar & Maya, 

in Remya, Prabhukumar, Muhsina, Kanakambika, Smitha et Maya. 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12225-025-10354-0 

Summary

Anaphalis rosmarinifolia, a new species of Asteraceae, from the slopes of stream banks of montane grasslands of the southern Western Ghats of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, India, is described and illustrated. The new species exhibits morphological affinities with its allied taxon, Anaphalis marcescens, in its habit, leaf shape, heterogamous and disciform capitula and 16, uniseriate, free, barbellate pappus bristles. However, it differs in habitat preference, coriaceous leaf texture, glabrous adaxial leaf surface, acute recurved leaf apex, sheathed leaf base, number of rows of phyllaries, type and nature of receptacle, number of florets and glandular indumentum in cypselae. A description of the new species, along with details on distribution and ecology and an illustration, colour photographs and comparison with its allied taxa, using SEM data of cypselae, are provided.

Key Words: Anaphalis marcescens, endemism, Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, stenoendemic.

Anaphalis rosmarinifolia. A & B habit; C leaf, adaxial surface; D leaf, abaxial surface; E inflorescence; F foliar bract, adaxial surface; G foliar bract, abaxial surface; H capitulum; J – Q phyllaries; R receptacle, aerial review; S pistillate floret; T bisexual floret; U stamens; V pistil; W & X dimorphic pappus; Y cypsela.

photos: S. Remya & C. N. Maya.

Anaphalis rosmarinifolia Remya, K.M.P.Kumar & Maya sp. nov. 

Recognition. The new species is morphologically similar to Anaphalis marcescens (Wight) C.B.Clarke (Fig. 4) in overall habit, capitula type and the number, type and arrangement of pappus bristles. It differs from the latter by its habitat preference of wet rocks on the stream banks of montane grasslands (vs mud cliffs of montane grasslands in A. marcescens); coriaceous linear leaves (vs membranaceous linear); sheathing leaf base (vs decurrent); glabrous adaxial leaf surface (vs sparsely arachnoid midrib); leaf apex

Etymology. The specific epithet is based on the similarity of its leaves with those of rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus Spenn.), a medicinal and culinary plant in the Lamiaceae.

 

S. Remya, K. M. Prabhukumar, A. A. Muhsina, G. Kanakambika, M. Smitha and C. N. Maya. 2026. Anaphalis rosmarinifolia (Asteraceae: Asteroideae: Gnaphalieae): A New Species from southern Western Ghats, India. Kew Bulletin. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12225-025-10354-0 [30 July 2026]

 

[Botany • 2025] Calea breviflora (Asteraceae) • A New Species endemic to White Sand ecosystems of easternmost Amazon, Maranhão, Brazil

Calea breviflora  V.R.Bueno & M.S.Silva, 

in Silva, Bueno, Scatigna et Marinho, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.682.1.6 

Abstract

During field expeditions on white sand patches in northwestern Maranhão, Brazil, we found specimens of Calea characterized by minute florets and pappuses, common to Calea divaricata clade species. After thorough analysis, we concluded that those specimens represent a new species, which is described here as Calea breviflora. Its description, distribution map, illustrations, taxonomic comments, information on the habitat and a preliminary conservation assessment are provided. Moreover, we present an identification key for the Calea divaricata clade species.

Biodiversity, campinarana, taxonomy, white sand soil, Eudicots

Calea breviflora

MIZALENE SILVA DA SILVA, VINICIUS RESENDE BUENO, ANDRÉ VITO SCATIGNA and LUCAS CARDOSO MARINHO. 2025. Calea breviflora (Asteraceae): A New Species endemic to White Sand ecosystems of easternmost Amazon, Maranhão, Brazil.  Phytotaxa. 682()1); 91-100. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.682.1.6 [2025-01-16]

[Botany • 2026] Melanoseris pendryi (Asteraceae) • A New Species from Sikkim Himalaya, India

 

Melanoseris pendryi  D. Maity & Khuroo,
 

in Maity, Khuroo, Halder, Saha, Jha et Pradhan. 2026. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0112

bsky.app/profile/anbf.bsky.social

 

Abstract

Melanoseris pendryi D. Maity & Khuroo (Asteraceae) is described as a new species from the Sikkim Himalaya, India. It shares some characters, such as overall habit, capitulum size and hairy involucres, with M. lessertiana and M. qinghaica. However, among other features, M. pendryi is distinguished from them by having long ciliate hairs on the ventral surface of the lavender ligules. The paper provides a detailed taxonomic description, illustrations, photographs of diagnostic features and other details to facilitate identification.

Melanoseris pendryi (photographed near Thombu on 22 September 2025).
 A: Habitat. — B: Habit. — C: Capitulum. — D: Ligules. — E: Colourless ligule (part). — F: Outer involucral bract (ventral face). — G: Inner involucral bract (ventral face). — H: Floret. — I: Anther tube. — J: Immature cypsela. — K: Mature cypsela. — L: Cypsela body surface.

Debabrata Maity, Anzar Ahmad Khuroo, Arup K. Halder, Suparna Saha, Bhavesh K. Jha and Durga K. Pradhan. 2026. Melanoseris pendryi (Asteraceae), a New Species from Sikkim Himalaya, India. Annales Botanici Fennici. 63(1):73-78. DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0112 [20 April 2026]

https://bsky.app/profile/anbf.bsky.social/post/3mk5p37iwuc2k

[Botany • 2026] Phyllocephalum keralense (Asteraceae) • A New Species from southern Western Ghats of Kerala, India

Phyllocephalum keralense Arya Sindhu, Suresh, Sojan, Alen & V S A Kumar, 

in Sindhu, Jose, Alen, Anilkumar et Suresh, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.04812 

Abstract

A new species of Phyllocephalum is described and illustrated from Palakkad district of Kerala, India. The new species shows similarity to P. rangacharii but differs with respect to key floral traits, viz. ovoid shape of the capitula, involucral bracts in 3 series, inflated receptacle and ovoid 6-ribbed ovary with 5–6 densely barbellate pappus setae. Colour photographs, SEM images of pollen and florets along with a distribution map are provided.

Keywords: Achene, florets, involucre bracts, Nelliyampathy, Ponmudi

Phyllocephalum keralense sp. nov. 
 (A) Habit, (B) and (C) flower, (D) outer phyllaria, (E) middle phyllaria, (F) inner phyllaria, (G) floret, (H) floret open, (I), (J) & (K) corolla lobes, (L) base of ovary with pappus, (M) gynoecium, (N) achene.

Phyllocephalum keralense Arya Sindhu, Suresh, Sojan, Alen & V S A Kumar sp. nov. 

Arya Sindhu, Sojan Jose, Alex Philip Alen, Venugopalan Nair Saradamma Anilkumar and Veerankutty Suresh. 2026. Phyllocephalum keralense (Asteraceae) A New Species from southern Western Ghats of Kerala, India. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.04812  [03 April 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Grindelia mutabilis (Asteraceae: Astereae) • A New South American Species and a Link for synonymizing Notopappus

Grindelia mutabilis  Fern.Fern. & G.Heiden, 

in Fernandes, de Souza, Iganci, de Souza-Chies et Heiden, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3390/plants15050760   

Illustration by João Iganci.

 photos by F. Fernandes, B. de Souza and M. Grings. 

Abstract

Grindelia mutabilis (Asteraceae, Astereae), a new species from Brazil endemic to the Espinal Ecoregion of the Río de La Plata Grasslands Bioregion and Pampa Province of the Chaco Biogeographical Domain, is proposed and illustrated. The new species is characterized by a combination of traits: small, rosette cespitose habit, linear to linear–oblanceolate leaves, light-yellow to pastel salmon ray florets, three-winged ray floret cypselae bearing a pappus of two to four elements and two-winged disc floret cypselae bearing a pappus of two elements. It has a highly restricted habitat and is known exclusively within Parque Estadual do Espinilho in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Preliminary conservation assessments classify the new species as Critically Endangered. We provide illustrations and photographs, as well as a distribution map with an identification key for the South American Grindelia species with winged cypselae. The intriguing morphology of this species combines characters traditionally regarded as diagnostic for Notopappus, a genus segregated from Haplopappus and Grindelia. Previously published phylogenetic studies of related taxa indicate that the recognition of Notopappus as monophyletic is not supported and render Grindelia as non-monophyletic too. Based on this combined morphological evidence and existing phylogenetic hypotheses, we reaffirm the non-monophyly of Notopappus and formally propose its synonymization under Grindelia s.l.

Keywords: Asteroideae; Compositae; endangered species; endemism; grassland; Machaerantherinae; savanna; taxonomy

 Grindelia mutabilis  (Asteraceae).
(A) Habitat on sandy, halophilous soils within the Espinal/Ñandubay savanna of Espinilho State Park, Barra do Quaraí, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. (B) Cespitose rosette habit with spreading branches. (C) Leaves. (D) Lateral view of the capitulum. (E) Capitulum with pastel-salmon ray florets. (F) Capitulum with light-yellow ray florets.

 Pictures by F. Fernandes (A), B. de Souza (B–D, F), and M. Grings (E).

Grindelia mutabilis (Asteraceae).
(A) Habitat. (B) Cespitose rosette habit with spreading branches; scale bar = 0.3 m. (C) Leaves and bracts, from left to right: leaf, bract distant from the capitulum, and bract closest to the capitulum; scale bar = 20 mm. (D) Phyllaries, from left to right: outer, middle, and inner phyllaries; scale bar = 4 mm. (E) Frontal view of the capitulum showing ray florets with pastel salmon-colored ligules; scale bar = 10 mm. (F) Lateral view of the capitulum showing ray florets with light-yellow ligules; scale bar = 10 mm. (G) Ray floret; scale bar = 5 mm. (H) Disc floret; scale bar = 2 mm. (I) Pappus; scale bar = 2 mm. (J) Cypselae, from left to right: cypsela of a disc floret and cypsela of a ray floret; scale bar = 1 mm.

Illustration by João Iganci.

Grindelia mutabilis Fern.Fern. & G.Heiden, sp. nov. 

 Diagnosis: Grindelia mutabilis differs from all other species in the genus by the unique combination of cespitose rosette habit 0.2–0.3 m tall; leaves linear to linear–oblanceolate; ray corollas light yellow to pastel salmon; three-winged ray floret cypselae bearing a pappus of two to four elements and two-winged disc floret cypselae bearing a pappus of two elements.

 Etymology: The specific epithet mutabilis (Latin for “changeable” or “variable”) refers to the ligules of the ray florets that change from light yellow to pastel salmon along the maturity.

 Fernando Fernandes, Bruno de Souza, João Iganci, Tatiana Teixeira de Souza-Chies and Gustavo Heiden. 2026. Grindelia mutabilis (Asteraceae: Astereae), a New South American Species and a Link for synonymizing Notopappus. Plants. 15(5), 760. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/plants15050760   

[Botany • 2025] Psephellus avajiqensis (Asteraceae: Cardueae) • A New Species from West Azerbaijan Province, NW Iran

 

Psephellus avajiqensis Negaresh, 

in Rezaei, Saeidi et Negaresh, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.062.0149

 anbf.bsky.social

 Abstract  

Psephellus avajiqensis Negaresh sp. nova (Asteraceae) is described and illustrated from West Azerbaijan Province, NW Iran. It resembles P. xanthocephalus subsp. xanthocephalus but differs from it by having a densely greyish-floccose-tomentose indumentum on both sides of leaves; undivided basal and lower cauline leaves; oblanceolate and wider median cauline leaves; hemispherical and wider involucres; denticulate and shiny white appendages; white flowers; shorter central floret; purplish achenes; and longer pappus. The chromosome number of P. avajiqensis, counted from root tips, is 2n = 2x = 30.

Psephellus avajiqensis Negaresh sp. nova

Elham Rezaei, Hojjatollah Saeidi and Kazem Negaresh. 2025. Psephellus avajiqensis (Asteraceae, Cardueae), A New Species from West Azerbaijan Province, NW Iran. Annales Botanici Fennici. 62(1); 315-320. DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.062.0149 (5 November 2025)

https://bsky.app/profile/anbf.bsky.social

[Botany • 2025] Camchaya khongchiamensis (Asteraceae: Vernonieae) • A New Species from Thailand

 

Camchaya khongchiamensis Chatan & Promprom, 

in Promprom, Munglue et Chatan. 2025.   

พู่ม่วงงาม  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71197  

 Researchgate.net/publication/390252553

 

ABSTRACT

Camchaya khongchiamensis Chatan & Promprom (Asteraceae), a new species from Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand, is described and illustrated. It is similar to C. loloana, but clearly different from C. loloana by having a larger size of capitula, involucre, receptacle, and corolla lobe. In addition, it mostly has fewer florets (18–40 [−50]) per capitulum; lower haft whitish, upper haft purplish corolla tubes; sagittate base anthers; and white except for the purple near apex style. A distribution map, pollen morphology, and a table with comparative morphological characters of the new species and its closest relative are provided, as well as the preliminary conservation assessment under the IUCN criteria.

Keywords: classification, conservation assessment, diversity, eastern Thailand, endangered species, flowering plant, plant diversity, taxonomy, Ubon Ratchathani

Camchaya khongchiamensis Chatan & Promprom.
 (A, B) Capitulescences and capitula; (C–E) capitula in lateral, top, and bottom views, respectively; (F) upper side of phyllaries (from left to right: Inner ones to outer ones); (G) under side of phyllary (inner one); (H) receptacle.

 

Camchaya khongchiamensis Chatan & Promprom:
(A) Habitat; (B) Habit.

Camchaya khongchiamensis Chatan & Promprom Sp. Nov. 

Wilawan Promprom, Phukphon Munglue and Wannachai Chatan. 2025. Camchaya khongchiamensis Chatan & Promprom (Asteraceae: Vernonieae), a New Species from Thailand. Ecology and Evolution. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71197 [27 March 2025]

 Researchgate.net/publication/390252553_Camchaya_khongchiamensis_a_New_Species_From_Thailand

 

[Botany • 2025] Calea aggregata, Wedelia cangae & W. santosiae • Small Collections, Great Findings: Three New Species and Two New State Records for Asteraceae from Brazil

 

(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.   

 DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.04846 

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

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]

[Botany • 2025] Jurinea kuhrangensis (Asteraceae: Cardueae) • A notable New narrow-endemic Species from the subalpine region of western Iran

 

Jurinea kuhrangensis Zeraatkar & Shirmardi,
   

Zeraatkar, Shirmardi et Mokhtarpour, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.04984

Abstract

Extensive field studies in remote areas of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran, resulted in the identification of a novel Jurinea species (Asteraceae: subtribe Saussureinae). Jurinea kuhrangensis sp. nov., a chasmophytic species endemic to limestone outcrops in the subalpine region of Kuhrang County, is formally documented in this study. Morphologically, it is similar to Jurinea meda and Jurinea prasinophylla, but is easily distinguished by several morphological traits, including plant height, leaf morphology, bracts, corolla, stamens and achene characteristics. This study provides a detailed description and diagnostic features of the new species. The data include images of the achene taken under stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope, photographs of the habitus, and phenological observations. A comparative table and color photographs are also presented to highlight distinctions from closely related species. Additionally, its IUCN Red List status, ecological observations, and a distribution map are presented.

Keywords: Cardueae, narrow endemics, remote area, Zagros Mountains

Jurinea kuhrangensis sp. nov. at flowering (June 2023).

Photos (a) and (b): Amin Zeraatkar, (c) and (d): Hamzehali Shirmardi.

Jurinea kuhrangensis sp. nov. in natural habitat (June 2023).

 Photos (a): Amin Zeraatkar; (b): Hamzehali Shirmardi.

Jurinea kuhrangensis Zeraatkar & Shirmardi sp. nov.  

Etymology: The new species is named after Kuhrang County, Iran, where it grows.

Description: Plant suffruticose-caespitose, cushion-shaped, dwarf, dense, often with numerous sterile rosettes; many-branched, 2–10 cm high, tomentose, villose-arachnoideus, glandulose with sessile glands; collar covered with remnants of petiole sheaths, woolly. Acaulescent, nearly acaulescent or stem simple, short, up to 4.5 cm long, scape-like, with solitary head (monocephalous), sometimes two-branched in upper part, with branches tapering to a solitary head, densely covered by whitish tomentose or partly villous or tomentose-villous indumentum, glandulose, 0.5–1.0 mm in diameter. Leaves herbaceous, ± rosulate, glandulose, adaxially greenish blue, with dense–sparse tomentose to partly villous ...

Amin Zeraatkar, Hamzehali Shirmardi and Touraj Mokhtarpour. 2025. A notable New narrow-endemic Species of Jurinea (Asteraceae) from the subalpine region of western Iran. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.04984 [06 October 2025] 

[Botany • 2016] Chresta filicifolia (Asteraceae: Vernonieae) • A New Species endemic to the Mata Atlântica Domain, Brazil

Chresta filicifolia Siniscalchi & Loeuille, 

in Siniscalchi, Loeuille et Pirani, 2016. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.244.1.6

 Researchgate.net/publication/290601145

Abstract

Chresta filicifolia is described and illustrated. It is a perennial herb known only from open vegetation on top of small rock outcrops at the Rio Doce Valley in Eastern Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil. This is the first record of a species of Chresta endemic to a phytogeographic domain other than the Cerrado and Caatinga, since those outcrops are included in the Mata Atlântica Domain (Atlantic Forest). The new species is closely related to C. harleyi and C. hatschbachii, but differs from these by its leaves, which are larger and more deeply lobed than those of the other two species, and also by its florets and cypselae, which are both larger in Chresta filicifolia. Moreover, the two other species are allopatric from C. filicifolia, being restricted to the Caatinga Domain. The southernmost distribution of C. harleyi lies more than 500 km away from the locality where the new species is found, making this discovery unexpected, and raising interesting biogeographical questions, which are briefly addressed here.

Keywords: Compositae, Chrestinae, Cerrado, rock outcrops, campo rupestre, endemism, disjunction, Atlantic Forest Domain, Eudicots

Chresta filicifolia Siniscalchi & Loeuille, sp. nov.

Etymology:—The epithet filicifolia refers to the leaves of this species, which are deeply lobed and reminiscent of those of a fern.

Carolina Moriani Siniscalchi, Benoit Francis Patrice Loeuille and José Rubens Pirani. 2016. A New Species of Chresta (Vernonieae, Asteraceae) endemic to the Mata Atlântica Domain, Brazil. Phytotaxa. 244(1); 80-88. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.244.1.6 

 ResearchGate.net/publication/290601145_A_new_species_of_Chresta_endemic_to_the_Mata_Atlantica_Brazil

#MyFirstSpecies was Chresta filicifolia, known from one locality in Eastern Brazil, close to an area was deeply impacted by a mining accident in Rio Doce valley, 'filicifolia' means 'leaves resembling fern leaves', which is the case here #IamABotanist

 twitter.com/charoles/status/980797826098704384

[Botany • 2025] Aster xuelinii (Asteraceae: Astereae) • A New Species growing on moist rocks from Gansu Province, China

Aster xuelinii. Z.F.Bai,

in Bai, Z. Zhang, G. Zhang et J. Zhang, 2025.

学林紫菀  || DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.263.166400

Abstract

Aster xuelinii, a new species from Gansu Province, China, is described and illustrated based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. The new species is superficially similar to A. dolichopodus Y. Ling in that both have nearly entire leaves, synflorescence solitary at branch tips or arranged in corymbiform clusters, and ray floret color. However, it differs from A. dolichopodus in having peduncles 6–9 cm in length and 12–14 ray florets, versus 2.5–15 cm in length and 19–26 ray florets. Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear ribosomal ITS and ETS sequences, as well as the chloroplast trnL-F region, place this new species within the genus Aster, where it forms a well-supported clade with A. taliangshanensis Y. Ling. A. xuelinii differs from A. taliangshanensis in that the latter has stems often purplish-red in the upper part, capitula typically arranged 1–3 at branch tips forming a loosely corymbiform synflorescence, and a higher number of ray florets (50–60), which are bluish-purple. Furthermore, detailed morphological descriptions, diagnostic illustrations, and ecological habitat characteristics are provided, supporting the classification of this new species.

Key words: Aster, Gansu, molecular phylogeny, morphological characters, new taxon

Habitat and morphology of Aster xuelinii.

 A. habitat; B. Habit; C. Basal leaves; D. Cauline leaves; E. Synflorescence; F. Capitulum in frontal view; G. Capitulum in lateral view; H. Disk florets; I. Ray florets.

 Aster xuelinii Z.F.Bai, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. This new species resembles A. dolichopodus superficially. Both have linear – lanceolate cauline leaves and long pedicels. However, the new species differs by having fewer than 15 ray florets (vs. 19–26), stems that are caespitose, pendent, or rarely ascending, and slender (vs. simple, sometimes caespitose, erect, stout stems). It grows in moist habitats (vs. dry habitats).

Etymology. This distinctive designation honors the substantial contributions made by Chinese botanist Xuelin Chen to botanical diversity surveys in Gansu Province over many years. Hence, the Chinese name “学林紫菀 (xué lín zĬ wăn)” is suggested.

 Zengfu Bai, Zhihua Zhang, Guojin Zhang, Ji Zhang. 2025. Aster xuelinii (Astereae, Asteraceae), A New Species growing on moist rocks from Gansu Province, China. PhytoKeys. 263: 17-23. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.263.166400

[Botany • 2025] Espeletia llanadaensis (Asteraceae) • A New Species from the Northeastern Colombian Andes, Santander

 

Espeletia llanadaensis L.R.Sánchez & Y.Quintero, 

in Quintero, Barajas, Suescún, Montañez et Sánchez-Montaño. 2025.  

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.702.2.7  

 Researchgate.net/publication/392128813

Abstract

A new species of Espeletia has been discovered in the La Llanada Reserve, located in Paramo del Almorzadero in the northern Colombian Andes. Espeletia is a genus widely distributed along the north of the Andes mountain range; it is one of the most representative genera of paramo ecosystems and showcases a great morphological and ecological variability. The new species has an average density of 4360 individuals per hectare and a gregarious distribution pattern, resulting from a limited ability to disperse seeds over long distances, which is also a specialized adaptation to tolerate low temperatures. The plant is characterized by caulirrhosettes up to 5 m tall and obovate-lanceolate coriaceous leaves. The axillary inflorescences can reach up to 147 cm in length during the flowering period, each capitulum is 15–17 mm in diameter, and the corollas are 5.5–7.0 mm in length. Espeletia llanadaensis sp. nov., is subject to disturbances such as fire and grazing, which may vary at small and temporary spatial scales. Furthermore, there is no comprehensive conservation plan in the Paramo del Almorzadero to prevent local or regional extinctions of various native, endemic and threatened species.

endemic species, paramo, plant conservation, plant taxonomy, Eudicots

Espeletia llanadaensis L.R.Sánchez & Y.Quintero, sp. nov.

Yesica QUINTERO, Silvia BARAJAS, Diego SUESCÚN, Ronald MONTAÑEZ and Luis Roberto SÁNCHEZ-MONTAÑO. 2025. Espeletia llanadaensis (Asteraceae): A New Species from the Northeastern Colombian Andes, Santander. Phytotaxa. 702(2); 197-204. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.702.2.7 [2025-05-27] 

  Researchgate.net/publication/392128813_Espeletia_llanadaensis_A_new_species_from_the_Northeastern_Colombian_Andes

[Botany • 2025] Decaneuropsis phongnhakebangensis • Notes on Decaneuropsis (Asteraceae: Vernonieae) in Vietnam, with a New Species, a New Name for Vernonia balansae, and Two New Combinations

 

Decaneuropsis phongnhakebangensis  Tagane & V.S.Dang, 

iin Tagane, V. S. Dang, Q. T. Pham, Yamamoto, Souladeth, Souvannakhoummane, Phengmala, Masuda, Fujiwara, Nguyen, N. K. Dang et H. T. Pham, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.51033/jjapbot.ID0316  

  facebook.com: FFS-NUoL 

Abstract

A new species of Decaneuropsis (Asteraceae), Decaneuropsis phongnhakebangensis Tagane & V.S.Dang is described from Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh Province, North Central Region, Vietnam. A new name Decaneuropsis gagnepainii V.S.Dang & Tagane is proposed for the illegitimate name Vernonia balansae Gagnep. Two new combinations, D. bonapartei (Gagnep.) V.S.Dang & Tagane and D. macrachaenia (Gagnep.) V.S.Dang & Tagane, are proposed. A lectotype is designated for V. bonapartei. A key to species of Decaneuropsis in Vietnam is provided.

Keywords: Compositae, flora, lectotypification, limestone karst, new name, plant taxonomy, Vernonia

Decaneuropsis phongnhakebangensis.
A. Habit. B. Flowering branch. C. Abaxial leaf surface. D. Capitulum, top view. E. Capitulum, side view. F. Receptacle. G. Corolla opened out, showing stamens and style. H. Achenes with pappus. I. Achene.

Scale bars = 1 mm (F, I), 2 mm (G), 5 mm (H). Photos A–E taken by Shuichiro Tagane in the type locality on 10 December 2024.

Decaneuropsis phongnhakebangensis Tagane & V.S.Dang, sp. nov.

Nom. Vietnam: Bạch đầu phong nha kẻ bàng.

 

Similar to Decaneuropsis blanda (DC.) H.Rob. & Skvarla in the shape of leaves and capitula, but distinguished by its shallowly (4–)7–10-teethed leaf margin (vs. entire in D. blanda), eglandular stem, leaf blades, and achenes (vs. glandular), longer corolla 12.3 mm long (vs. 7–8 mm long), and longer and shallowly 11–12-ribbed achenes 5–5.8 mm long (vs. 10-ribed and 3–3.5 mm long) (Table 1).

...

Shuichiro TAGANE, Van Son DANG, Quoc Trong PHAM, Takenori YAMAMOTO, Phetlasy SOULADETH, Keooudone SOUVANNAKHOUMMANE, Kajonesuk PHENGMALA, Riko MASUDA, Tao FUJIWARA, Quoc Hung NGUYEN, Ngoc Kien DANG and Hong Thai PHAM. 2025. Notes on Decaneuropsis (Vernonieae, Asteraceae) in Vietnam, with a New Species, a New Name for Vernonia balansae, and Two New Combinations.  Journal of Japanese Botany. 100(4); 287-294. DOI: doi.org/10.51033/jjapbot.ID0316  [August 20, 2025] 

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