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Issue: Vol. 726 No. 1: 29 Oct. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-10-29
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.726.1.2
Page range: 20-36
Abstract views: 639
PDF downloaded: 15

Comanthera gandarela, a critically endangered new species from the ferruginous campos rupestres (Cangas) of Serra do Gandarela, Minas Gerais, Brazil (Eriocaulaceae)

Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Departamento de Biodiversidade, Evolução e Meio Ambiente, Laboratório de Estudos da Flora. Morro do Cruzeiro, CEP 35400-000, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Av. PH Rolfs, CEP 36570-900, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Av. PH Rolfs, CEP 36570-900, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 20A Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5LR, UK, Ashworth Laboratories, Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK
Instituto Tecnológico Vale de Desenvolvimento Sustentável - R. Boaventura da Silva, 955 - Nazaré, CEP 66055-090, Belém - PA, Brazil
Ferruginous Outcrops Quadrilátero Ferrífero Threatened species Conservation Poales Monocots

Abstract

The present work describes and illustrates Comanthera gandarela (Eriocaulaceae), a new and narrowly endemic species. It is unique within the genus for being restricted to ferruginous Campos Rupestres (Cangas) in the Serra do Gandarela, within the Quadrilátero Aquífero-Ferrífero, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The species is distinguished from C. nivea, the morphologically and geographically closest species, by its semi-terete leaves, spathes surpassing the leaves, convex and semi-spherical receptacle and flower disc in mature inflorescences, with involucral bracts reflexed, elongated stem in mature individuals, and canescent leaves. In addition to external morphology, we present anatomical sections of the leaves and scapes, as well as Scanning Electron Microscopy images of the leaf epidermis, scapes, and seeds. The species’ habitat, distribution, population, conservation status, and threats are also discussed. Comanthera gandarela is preliminarily assessed as Critically Endangered under IUCN criteria B1ab(i, ii, iii, iv), facing intense habitat destruction pressure.

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How to Cite

Echternacht, L., Souto, D., Silva, L., de Lima, T. & Ramos, R. (2025) Comanthera gandarela, a critically endangered new species from the ferruginous campos rupestres (Cangas) of Serra do Gandarela, Minas Gerais, Brazil (Eriocaulaceae). Phytotaxa 726 (1): 20–36. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.726.1.2