Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Type: Article
Published: 2017-01-06
Page range: 1–16
Abstract views: 20
PDF downloaded: 1

Lapidia, a new monotypic genus of Asteraceae (Eupatorieae) from Brazil, and its phylogenetic placement

Universidade Federal da Bahia, Instituto de Biologia, Depto. de Botânica, Rua Barão de Jeremoabo s.n., campus Universitário de Ondina, 40171-970, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Universidade Federal de Viçosa, MG 230, Km 07, s.n., Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Campus de Rio Paranaíba, Rio Paranaíba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Depto. de Ciências Biológicas, Av. Transnordestina s.n., 44036-900, Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil.
Compositae endemism ITS and trnL-trnF rocky fields taxonomy Eudicots Brazil

Abstract

Asteraceae is the family with the highest species number in the rocky fields (campos rupestres) of the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil. On the basis of several collections from this area, we are proposing a new genus of Asteraceae based on morphology and phylogeny, to accommodate a species newly described here. Lapidia apicifolia is a loosely ramified shrub 2–4 m high, stem tomentose, leaves opposite-decussate, laminae conduplicate, petiolate, receptacle flat, epaleaceous, glabrous, and pappus of bristles fused at base, irregular in length, fringed and purplish. In a phylogenetic analysis using sequence data from ITS and trnL-trnF of selected members of Eupatorieae, Lapidia is indicated as sister group of a highly supported clade with Morithamnus, Bahianthus and Catolesia. This group is composed by loosely branched shrubs, most with leaves that are lax, stems, leaves and involucral bracts that are viscid (Bahianthus and Morithamnus) and, if not, trichomes (tomentose indumentum) are developed (Lapidia), to protect against both solar radiation and loss of water. A description, illustrations, and a discussion about related and sympatric genera are presented.