Stevia grazielae (Asteraceae: Eupatorieae: Ageratinae): a new species from the Cadeia do Espinhaço, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

The Neotropical genus Stevia comprises c. 230 species and can be easily recognised by its heads with five phyllaries and five florets. During a floristic survey of Eupatorieae in the Planalto de Diamantina, in the Cadeia do Espinhaço, Minas Gerais, Brazil, a new species of Stevia was collected in "cerrado" and "campo rupestre" vegetation. S. grazielae differs from the other 32 Brazilian species by its characteristic opposite and alternate linear and flat to conduplicate leaves, heads in a lax panicle, with divaricate secondary branching, and 5 cypselas with isomorphic pappus, 7 – 9 awns and 1 – 3 scales, or cypselas with heteromorphic pappus, 7 – 10 awns and 1 – 3 scales in 3 – 4 adelphocarps, and 9 – 11 awns and 0 scales in 1 – 2 idiocarps. S. grazielae is described, illustrated, and the conservation status is assessed.