Erigeron Hessii SP. Nov. and Erigeron kuschei eastwood (Compositae), Two closely related narrow endemics from the Southwestern United States

Abstract

A new species ofErigeron,E. hessii, from the Mogollon Mountains in southwestern New Mexico, is described and and illustrated. The low, caespitose habit is particularly characteristic of these plants. They have a highly branched caudex system with fibrous roots and no strong central root or rhizomatous axis, monocephalous and unbranched stems, subclasping lower cauline leaves and small, sessile upper ones, purplish, punctateglandular and sparsely hirsute phyllaries, 44–75 white rays, and an essentially simple pappus. The closest relative ofE. hessii is probablyE. kuschei Eastwood, a narrow endemic from the Chiricahua Mountains in southeastern Arizona. An illustration and detailed descriptions ofE. kuschei are also provided.