Three New Species of Lychnocephalus (Asteraceae: Vernonieae) from the Serra do Cipo, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Lychnocephalus cipoensis, L. grazielae, and L. jolyanus, three new species from the Cerrado of the Brazilian Central Plateau, are hereby described and illustrated. Lychnocephalus is characterized by its tomentose to densely lanate branches, heads organized in third order syncephalia and inner pappus series with twisted setae and narrowed apex. These new species are microendemic in the campos rupestres of Serra do Cipo, state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, and were previously misidentified as other species of the genus. However, they are distinguished by their habit, leaf arrangement, leaf shape and size, presence or absence of petiole, number of florets per head, and number of pappus series, among other characteristics discussed here. These new species are described and illustrated, their affinities discussed, and a key to all species of Lychnocephalus is provided.

Automated summary

Three new species, Lychnocephalus cipoensis, L. grazielae, and L. jolyanus, are described from the Cerrado of the Brazilian Central Plateau, characterized by their tomentose branches, heads organized in syncephalia, and twisted setae in the pappus series. These microendemic species from the campos rupestres of Serra do Cipo, Minas Gerais, Brazil, were previously misidentified and are distinguished by their habit, leaf arrangement, and other specific characteristics. A key to all species of Lychnocephalus is provided for further identification.