Reestablishment and new circumscription of Comanthera (Eriocaulaceae)

Previous morphological and molecular studies indicate that Syngonanthus is polyphyletic. Syngonanthus sect. Syngonanthus and S. sect. Carphocephalus as well as Philodice cluster in a monophyletic clade and are included in Syngonanthus. Syngonanthus sect. Eulepis and S. sect. Thysanocephalus are also a monophyletic group that can be used to reestablish Comanthera with a new circumscription and two subgenera: Comanthera subg. Comanthera and C. subg. Thysanocephalus. Characterization of Comanthera and the necessary nomenclatural combinations are provided in this paper. The genus will now include 38 species, six varieties and four subspecies. Of the species, 34 are endemic to Brazil, occurring especially in the Espinhaço Range in Minas Gerais and Bahia. Three species extend from Brazil into other countries of northern South America and one is found only in Venezuela and Guyana. In this paper we also propose 43 new synonyms, 39 new combinations, one name change, three changes of status, eight lectotypifications and one neotypification.