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Issue: Vol. 722 No. 1: 10 Oct. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-10-10
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.722.1.1
Page range: 1-15
Abstract views: 289
PDF downloaded: 15

Novelties for Wedelia (Asteraceae, Heliantheae) in Minas Gerais, Brazil: a new species and a rediscovery after over 70 years

Fundação de Parques Municipais e Zoobotânica de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Instituto Tecnológico Vale, Rua Boaventura da Silva 955, Belém, PA, 66055-090, Brazil
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos 6627, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Fundação de Parques Municipais e Zoobotânica de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Instituto Diadorim, Av. Francisco Campos 800, 35610-000, Dores do Indaiá, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos 6627, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Instituto de Pesquisas Ambientais - Herbário SP, Av. Miguel Estéfano, 3687, CEP 04301-012, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Department of Botany, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo. Rua do Matão 277, Edifício Aylthon Brandão Joly (Herbário SPF) 05508-090, São Paulo, Brazil
Campos rupestres Cerrado Compositae New Taxon Rediscovery Eudicots

Abstract

Even though the high plant species richness of Minas Gerais state (Brazil) is widely known, some areas have historically been underrepresented in botanical collections, such as the north and central-west of Minas Gerais. From these two regions, two unexpected records of Wedelia have emerged: a new species and a rediscovery for the state after 70 years. Firstly, the new species is named here W. riopardensis; it resembles W. diffusiflora by elliptic leaf blade (vs. ovate), abaxial surface villose (vs. strigose), involucre 4-seriate (vs. 3-seriate), and disc florets 8.1–9 mm long (vs. ca. 7 mm). Second, since its type collection, about 70 years ago, W. egleri had never been collected again in Minas Gerais; here we present its rediscovery involving a nomenclatural recombination. Morphological descriptions of the two species are provided, with photo plates, mapped geographic distributions, and conservation status discussed. In addition, a map with the updated Global and Brazilian distribution and species richness of Wedelia species is presented and a taxonomic key to the most misidentified Brazilian genera of Asteraceae with Wedelia (Aldama, Calea, and Dimerostemma) is provided to assist with identification of these groups.

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How to Cite

Bueno, V.R., Ramos, R., Almeida, M.L.C.D., Hemetrio, N.S., Santos, F.R.D., Prado, J. & Zavatin, D.A. (2025) Novelties for Wedelia (Asteraceae, Heliantheae) in Minas Gerais, Brazil: a new species and a rediscovery after over 70 years. Phytotaxa 722 (1): 1–15. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.722.1.1