Lychnophora souzae Robinson (1980b: 104)

Loeuille, Benoît, Semir, João & Pirani, José R., 2019, A synopsis of Lychnophorinae (Asteraceae: Vernonieae), Phytotaxa 398 (1), pp. 448-450 : 448-450

4. Lychnophora souzae Robinson (1980b: 104) . Type:— BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: Serra do Espinhaço, ca. 12 km NE of Diamantina , road to Diamantina , 27 January 1969, H.S. Irwin et al. 22690 (holotype: UB [not seen]; isotypes: F [not seen], MBM [MBM0068132], MO e! [MO2989000], NY [NY01239484], RB [mounted on two sheets: RB00541899, RB00542034], US [ US 00147448]) ( Fig. 42 F–G ).

Distribution and habitat: — Brazil (Minas Gerais, in the Diamantina Plateau). Campo rupestre; 1300–1350 m.

Taxonomic notes: —Known only from few collections. A very distinctive taxon, easily recognized by its spike-like inflorescences of reduced glomerules, with one or two florets, which has been considered as a case of syncephaly ( Robinson 1980b, Semir 1991). However, we disagree with such an interpretation, due to the lack of a secondary receptacle. The posterior growth of the axis of the inflorescence which are primarily terminal is highly uncommon in Lychnophorinae , and only found in Lychnophora spiciformis (see that species for a discussion of the differences). Lychnophora souzae shares with L. brunioides a similar leaf sheath and with L. harleyi the presence of pedunculate capitula.

Representative specimens: — BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: Diamantina, Biribiri , 24 March 1892, A. F. M . Glaziou 19491 ( P); ibid., campus JK da UFVJM , final da estrada de terra que desce atrás do Apiário da Universidade , 18°11’40.8”S, 43°34’04.5”W, 1310 m, 25 February 2011, I. M . Franco & M. M. T . Costa 710 ( ALCB, DIA, SPF, UFP); ibid., 18°11’47”S, 43°34’04”W, 1315 m, 9 June 2012, J. G . Rando et al. 1234 ( ALCB, K, SPF) .

Figures

FIGURE 42. Eremanthus crotonoides. A. Habit. B. Capitulescence. Lychnophora brunioides. C. Syncephalia. Lychnophora damazioi. D. Habit. E. Capitulescence. Lychnophora souzae. F. Head. G. Habit. A.–E. by B. Loeuille. F.–G. by D. Marques.