Livia Echternacht

Three New Species of Paepalanthus sect. Diphyomene (Eriocaulaceae) from Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract.  Three new species of Paepalanthus Mart. sect. Diphyomene Ruhland (Eriocaulaceae) from Minas Gerais (Brazil) are described and illustrated. Paepalanthus arcuatus Trovó, defined by its curved leaves, is known only from the Serra do Cipó National Park and shares morphological characters with P. decussus Körn. Paepalanthus linearis Trovó, defined by its linear leaves, is known exclusively from Itacambira and resembles P. polycladus Silveira. Paepalanthus sericiscapus Trovó, defined by its sericeous scapes, is known only from the type specimens collected in the Serra da Canastra and resembles P. arcuatus. All the species are known only from their type localities and are assigned a preliminary conservation status of Critically Endangered. Morphological variation, habitat, geographic distribution, and conservation status are noted.

Actinocephalus pachyphyllus: re-establishment, redefinition, and a new combination in Eriocaulaceae from Brazil

SummaryWe report the rediscovery of Paepalanthus macrocephalus var. pachyphyllus, an obscure taxon known exclusively from the type specimen. We formally re-establish the species Paepalanthus pachyphyllus and propose its combination within Actinocephalus. The species is redefined and illustrated. Actinocephalus pachyphyllus F. N. Costa, Trovó & Echtern. (Eriocaulaceae, Paepalanthoideae) is distinguished from closely related species by possessing cylindrical to canaliculate linear leaves, covered by long trichomes at the base, with a round to obtuse apex, and short paraclades bearing a single scape. The species is endemic to the Espinhaço Range in Minas Gerais. We compare it with Paepalanthus glareosus (Bong.) Körn. and P. trichopeplus Silveira, the most morphologically similar species. Comments on morphological variation, habitat, geographic distribution, conservation status as well as line drawings, photos, and a distribution map are provided.

Taxonomic Study of Comanthera subg. Thysanocephalus (Eriocaulaceae)

Abstract— Comanthera consists of 41 species grouped in two subgenera. Both subgenera are restricted to South America and include most of the species of Eriocaulaceae used commercially as everlasting plants. Molecular and morphological phylogenies have revealed the genus and both its subgenera as monophyletic, but relationships among species have yet to be investigated. The last revision of Comanthera subg. Thysanocephalus is more than one century old, and the recognition and circumscription of taxa are still poorly understood. The present work aims, therefore, to study the taxonomy of C. subg. Thysanocephalus. Herein, descriptions of the genus and subgenus are provided along with identification keys for the subgenera and species. This taxonomic treatment proposes 17 new synonyms, excludes three taxa, and designates four lectotypes. One new species, Comanthera dimera, is described and illustrated, one variety is elevated to species status, C. angustifolia, and one species is resurrected with a new combination, C. tricostata. Nine species are accepted with no sub-specific ranks, yielding a total of 35 species in the genus Comanthera. Comments on phenology, habitat, and distribution, along with diagnoses, taxonomic notes, and distribution maps are provided.

Paepalanthus serpens, a new microendemic species of Eriocaulaceae from the Espinhaço Range, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Abstract We describe and illustrate Paepalanthus serpens, a microendemic species of Eriocaulaceae from the Espinhaço Range. The species is known from a single population growing in rocky areas of the Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais. It is placed in Paepalanthus ser. Paepalanthus, and is easily distinguished from its congeneric species by its elongated, lignescent stem, thickened by the marcescent sheaths of the linear leaves, which are arranged in a rosette at the stem apex, scapes equalling the leaf height, and capitulae with straw-coloured involucral bracts. Comparisons with the morphologically similar species are provided, as well as comments on distribution, ecology, phenology and conservation status.

Distribution and Conservation of Paepalanthus Mart. sect. Diphyomene Ruhland (Eriocaulaceae) in Neotropical savannas

Abstract Paepalanthus Mart. sect. Diphyomene Ruhland (Eriocaulaceae) is mainly diversified in the savannas of Central Brazil (Cerrado). This is an unusual pattern regarding the highest diversity of Eriocaulaceae in Southeastern Brazil (in the Espinhaço Range). Despite this interesting contrast, the geographic distribution of these species has yet to be explored. The present work aims to detail the geographic distribution of species of Paepalanthus sect. Diphyomene in order to discuss biogeographical patterns. The species are also categorized according to their risk of extinction, based on the IUCN criteria, establishing their conservation status and implications for the conservation of the Cerrado domain. Distribution maps were constructed for each species based on geographical coordinates obtained in the field or from herbarium specimens. All eighteen species occur in the Cerrado domain, with sixteen species exclusive to it, whilst Paepalanthus erectifolius Silveira and P. chiquitensis Herzog also occur in the Caatinga and Amazonian domains, respectively. We hereby confirm that the center of diversity of the section is situated in Central Brazil, more precisely in the Chapada dos Veadeiros, where eight species occur. Thirteen species are restricted to a single locality, and are categorized as critically endangered. Four species are regionally restricted, two of them are vulnerable, one is endangered, and the other one is considered of least concern, together with P. chiquitensis, a widely distributed species. The extension of occurrence of each species is used as a basis for their assessed conservation status. Our results reinforce the importance of the preservation of the Cerrado as a whole. The distribution patterns in association with the conservation status revealed important areas for conservation of the Cerrado, and corroborate the importance of previously established areas for conserving biodiversity.

Paepalanthus rectifolius, a new name in Eriocaulaceae (Poales)

Abstract Syngonanthus weddellii var. gracilis Moldenke, (1973) was described very briefly based on a single collection. A careful analysis reveals that this variety has dimerous flowers, free petals of the pistillate flower and bifid stigmatic branches. It is therefore misplaced in Syngonanthus Ruhland (1900). We transfer it to Paepalanthus Mart. (1834) at the species level, as it is distinct from morphologically similar species: Paepalanthus flaccidus (Bong.) Koern. (1863), Paepalanthus trichophyllus (Bong.) Koern. (1863), and Paepalanthus strictus Koern. (1863). The epithet gracilis is no longer available, hence, we have coined the name Paepalanthus rectifolius. We also provide a full description, illustrations, a distribution map, and pertinent comments.

A new Comanthera (Eriocaulaceae) from the Espinhaço Range, Minas Gerais, Brazil

We describe and illustrate the new species Comanthera brunnea (Eriocaulaceae: Paepalanthoideae). This species is endemic to the sandy fields of the campos rupestres of the northeastern Espinhaço range in Minas Gerais, Brazil. We compare it with Comanthera suberosa, the morphologically most similar species, and with C. brasiliana, which also has similar features. The morphological variation, habitat, geographic distribution, and conservation status of this new species are discussed.ResumoDescrevemos e ilustramos a nova espécie Comanthera brunnea (Eriocaulaceae: Paepalanthoideae). Esta espécie é endêmica dos campos rupestres arenosos da porção nordeste da Cadeia do Espinhaço em Minas Gerais, Brasil. Comparamos esta espécie com Comanthera. suberosa, a espécies mais similar morfologicamente, e com C. brasiliana, que também apresenta características em comum. Fazemos comentários sobre a variação morfológica, habitat, distribuição geográfica e status de conservação.