Staelia fimbriata, a new species of Rubiaceae (Spermacoceae) from the Espinhaço Range of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil

Staelia (Rubiaceae) is a genus endemic to South America identified by the unique capsule that splits into three parts. In Brazil, the genus thrives in diverse habitats in the Caatinga, Cerrado, and Campos Rupestres. Fieldwork carried out in the ecotone between these dominia, in areas of the municipality of Monte Azul, Minas Gerais, evidenced a new microendemic plant species, mainly recognized by its numerous stipular fimbriae on the stem, naming the new Staelia we describe here.

We provide an illustration, photographs of the species and its habitat, a preliminary conservation assessment, as well as a comparison with similar species.