The new genus Minaria (Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae)

Combined analyses of plastid regions indicate that the genus Ditassa (Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae) is polyphyletic and reveal a highly supported clade composed of shrubby species with minute leaves. These molecular data provide clear support for the recognition of a segregate genus from Ditassa, which we propose here as Minaria. Keys to distinguish Minaria from closely related genera and to identify the species of Minaria are provided. Eighteen nomenclatural combinations are proposed and the new species M. campanuliflora is described. The new genus is centred on eastern Brazil with two more widely distributed species extending as far as eastern Bolivia and NE Argentina. All the species occur in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and it is from Minas that the name is derived; fourteen are endemic to the Espinhaço Range, and most are narrow endemics.