Three new species of Calea (Asteraceae, Neurolaeneae) from the sky islands of the Espinhaço Range

Thirty five years since the last new species was placed in Calea sect. Lemmatium, three new species for this section are described here: C. riopardensis, C. roqueana, and C. strigosa. These three new species belong to the C. sickii group, which is characterized by the few-headed cymose capitulescence or capitula solitary and ray florets 5–10 per capitulum (when radiate). Calea riopardensis resembles C. repanda, but it differs by the petiole 0.6–0.7 cm long (vs. 1.3–1.5 cm), leaf base attenuate (vs. rounded), and cypselae 3.5–3.8 mm long (vs. 3.0–3.2 mm). Calea roqueana is also similar to C. repanda, but it can be distinguished by the sessile leaves (vs. petiolate leaves), peduncle 1.2–5.5 cm long (vs. 0.45–0.7 cm), and cypselae 3.8–4.6 mm long (vs. 3.0–3.2 mm). Calea strigosa is morphologically close to C. sessilifolia, but it can be individualized by being 0.4–1.0 m tall (vs. 0.1–0.25 m), base subcordate (vs. rounded), and disc floret corolla 6.3–7.1 mm long (vs. 4.3–5.8 mm). These new species are hereby described, illustrated, its conservation status and taxonomic affinities are discussed. In addition, an identification key for the C. sickii group is provided and its geographical distribution is mapped.