Maschalostachys, a new genus of Vernonieae (Asteraceae) from Brazil

Maschalostachys, a new genus of Asteraceae (Vernonieae, Lychnophorinae) from Brazil, is described and illustrated to accommodate two species, Maschalostachys markgrafii, which was previously placed in Lychnophora (L. markgrafii), and a new species here described as M. mellosilvae. The combination of several diagnostic characters pertaining to Maschalostachys, including monopodial treelets, semi-amplexicaul leaf sheath, indument composed of T-shaped and unbranched trichomes, capitula fused in a syncephalium and organized in axillary loose spikes or frequently in panicle of spikes (rarely cyme), is not found in any other genus of the tribe Vernonieae. Affinities of the new genus with other genera of Lychnophorinae are discussed. Each species is described and illustrated, and its conservation status is assessed.