Vicoa anisopappoides Anderb. & Bengtson, 2022

Anderberg, Arne A. & Bengtson, Annika, 2022, Taxonomic novelties in the Asteraceae-Inuleae with the description of a new genus, Galgera separate from Laggera, Willdenowia 52 (3), pp. 373-386 : 378

Vicoa anisopappoides Anderb. & Bengtson , sp. nov. – Fig. 3–5.

Holotype: China, Yunnan, nearby Yisa city, Yisa, Honghe county , dry and hot grassy slope, 900 m, 9 Mar 2007, PH & al. 6033 ( S S07-16156 ).

Description — Perennial herb. Leaves alternate, narrowly elliptic, xeromorphic, somewhat bullate, with revolute margin, dark green and scabrid on upper surface, white tomentose on lower surface. Capitula in loose terminal corymbs, heterogamous. Involucral bracts in c. 3 rows, narrowly triangular, glandular hairy. Receptacle epaleate. Outer florets female, radiate; corolla yellow; ray lamina 3-dentate; achene hairy, epappose. Disc florets hermaphroditic, tubular; corolla yellow; style with acute sweeping-hairs not reaching furcation; anthers tailed, with rounded apical appendage and endothecial tissue with radial wall thickenings; achene ellipsoid, with elongated twin hairs; pappus with c. 10 barbellate capillary bristles.

Remarks — Vicoa anisopappoides differs from other species of Vicoa in having heterogamous radiate capitula with epappose ray achenes, together with narrowly elliptic, xeromorphic, bullate, scabrid, revolute leaves white tomentose underneath. At first glance, the new species may show some resemblance to Anisopappus chinensis Hook. & Arn. but is easily distinguished by its epaleate receptacles and disc floret achenes with long capillary pappus bristles.