Trichocline minuana (Compositae, Mutisieae), a new species endemic to the Pampas in Southern Brazil and Uruguay

Abstract

A new species of the genus Trichocline is described. Trichocline minuana is restricted to the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil and northern Uruguay, where is found in lowland pampean grasslands, generally associated to rocky and dry soils. The main characters that distinguish this species from the other sympatric and morphologically close species T. humilis and T. incana are the presence of a small scape and strongly pinnatisect leaves that have lobes with acute apex, and a large, lanceolate terminal lobe. This study provides a detailed description of the species, information about distribution, conservation status assessment and information about its ecological aspects.

Key words:
Asteraceae; campanha gaúcha; lowland grasslands; Rio Grande do Sul state