Famatinanthus, a new Andean genus segregated from Aphyllocladus (Asteraceae)

Abstract

Famatinanthus, a new genus of Asteraceae (Mutisioideae, Onoserideae), is described and illustrated to accommodate one species that was previously placed in Aphyllocladus (A. decussatus), from the Andes of Argentina. The new genus is assigned to tribe Onoserideae based on its shrubby habit, solitary homogamous capitula, marginal florets with bilabiate corollas, disc floret corollas deeply 5-lobed, anthers with long pilose tails, short bifid style rounded at the apex and dorsally papillose, and 2-3-seriate heteromorphic pappus. Famatinanthus is similar to Aphyllocladus but it is easily distinguished by the leafy, decussate branches with opposite leaves, multistoried T-trichomes, cream corollas, apiculate anther apical appendages, short-pilose achenes, non-striate stems, secretory cavities absent, and pollen with a conspicuous mesoaperture and microechinate-rugulate exine. A key to the genera of Onoserideae is presented. Affinities of the new genus with other genera of the Mutisieae sensu lato are also discussed.