Lychnophorella morii (Robinson) Loeuille, Semir & Pirani, 2019

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

5. Lychnophorella morii (Robinson) Loeuille, Semir & Pirani , comb. nov. Lychnophora morii Robinson (1983: 376) . Type:— BRAZIL. Bahia :Serra dos Lençóis, Serra da Larguinha , ca. 2 km N.E. of Caeté-Açu(Capão Grande), 1000–1400 m, 41°29’S, 12°36’W, 25 May 1980, R.M. Harley 22554 (holotype: UB [UB1534]; isotypes: CEPEC e! [CEPEC30948], E [not seen], HUEFS [HUEFS66577], IPA [IPA52405], K e! [K000069181], MO [not seen], NY [NY01239479], RB [not seen], S e! [S10-19636], U e! [U0008516], UEC [UEC27695, UEC181466], US [ US 00147445]).

Distribution and habitat: — Brazil ( Bahia , endemic of the Serra do Sincorá, Chapada Diamantina ). Campo rupestre; 950–1450 m.

Taxonomic Notes: —The patent ovate leaves, which are distally arcuate, and the syncephalium surrounded by foliage leaves are distinctive of this species. Very similar to Lychnophorella triflora , but the latter has narrowly lanceolate leaves, which are usually ascending, while leaves of L. morii are wider (3 mm vs. 1–2 mm) and patent. Furthermore, L. morii is restricted to the eastern and northern part of the Chapada Diamantina (Palmeiras, Mucugê, Lençóis) whereas L. triflora occurs on the southwestern part (Abaíra, Rio de Contas). Semir (1991) considered both species conspecific, but more studies are necessary to accept this synonymy. Also similar to L. regis , although the latter species’ syncephalium is not surrouned by foliage leaves.

Representative specimens: — BRAZIL. Bahia : Mucugê , Serra do Esbarrancado, Guiné, 1420 m, 29 June 2002, A. A . Conceição 1066 ( SPF, UEC); Palmeiras, Morro do Pai Inácio, 12°28’S, 41°27’W, 9 July 1996, D. J. N . Hind et al. PCD 3519b ( ALCB, HUEFS, SPF, US) ; ibid., topo do Morro do Pai Inácio , 13°31’23”S, 41°57’31”W, 24 August 2007, S. C . Ferreira & A. L . Côrtes 329 ( HUEFS) .