A New Endangered Species of Fritzschia Cham. (Melastomataceae, Marcetieae) from Espinhaço Range, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract—

During a field expedition to the Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, we found a new species of Fritzschia, a genus endemic to campos rupestres from the Espinhaço Range. Fritzschia cordifolia has cordate and succulent leaves with an apical gland, petals with glandular-ciliate margin, campanulate hypanthium, and antesepalous stamens with ventral appendages with deltoid lobes. The presence of seeds with a crested testa is reported here for the first time in Fritzschia. A description and illustration of the new species is provided, as well as its conservation status and its geographical distribution.