A new genus, Nothovernonia, from tropical Africa (Asteraceae or Compositae: Vernonieae)

Abstract

 Nothovernonia gen. nov., is described as a new genus for the tropical African Vernonia purpurea Sch.Bip. ex Walp. and V. amblyolepis Bak,cymiform inflorescences, pedunculate heads with differentiated foliiform bracts at the base, apiculate involucral bracts with scarious lateral margins, spiculiferous corolla lobes, and strongly spinose, sublopohate tricolporate pollen with the colpi meeting at the poles. The new genus belongs to the subtribe Centrapalinae and a key to the known DNA-sequenced genera of the subtribe is provided. The new species names are Nothovernonia purpurea (Sch.Bip. ex Walp.) H.Rob. and V.A.Funk, comb. nov., and N. amblyolepis (Baker) H.Rob. and V.A.Funk, comb. nov.