A new species of the endemic genus Centaurodendron Johow (Asteraceae, Centaureinae) from Alejandro Selkirk Island, Juan Fernández Archipelago, Chile

Abstract

A new endemic species, Centaurodendron schilleri, is described from the Juan Fernández Archipelago, Chile. This is the third species of the endemic genus, Centaurodendron, which is closely related to Plectocephalus of the Chilean mainland. The new species is confined to Alejandro Selkirk Island, whereas the previously known species, C. dracaenoides and C. palmiforme, are confined to Robinson Crusoe Island. In morphological aspects, the new species is more distinct from the other two species than they are from each other. Molecular phylogenetic and biogeographic studies for island and continental species of these genera are in progress.

Keywords

• Alejandro Selkirk Island
• Centaureinae
• Centaurodendron