Valeriana caparaoensis (Valerianaceae nom. conserv.), a New Species from Southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Abstract—Valeriana caparaoensis, a new species from the High Altitude Tropical Grasslands of Southeastern Brazil, is described and illustrated. The new species is known only from the Serra do Caparaó massif, between the states of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, Southeastern Brazil. It shares morphological affinities with V. catharinensis and V. polystachya, the first restricted to Brazilian Subtropical Highland Grasslands, and the last restricted to Lowland Grasslands of Southern Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. Besides the great geographical disjunction, the new species differs from the other two species by the pinnately lobed proximal leaves, by the lanceolate distal lobes and longer pseudopetioles in distal leaves, by differences in the size of the flowers, and by the rounded to ovate and broader achenes. Additionally, we provide the preliminary conservation status assessments using IUCN Red List categories and criteria, as well as an updated checklist and a key for Valeriana species from Southeastern Brazil.