Melanthera (common name: squarestem), is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, native to the tropical and subtropical Americas.
Despite their general hardiness, leaves of Melanthera species are often attacked by rusts such as Uromyces columbianus and Uromyces martinii.
Taxonomy
The classification of this genus was uncertain. At times it included species native North and South America, as well as Africa, Asia and Oceania, including Hawaiʻi. Further studies are needed to clarify its taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships.
The genus now includes three species native to the tropical Americas. Species formerly placed in genus Melanthera are now placed in Lipochaeta (Hawaiian species), Lipotriche (sub-Saharan African species), and Wollastonia (species from eastern Africa, tropical and subtropical Asia, Australia, and the Pacific).
Species
Three species are currently accepted.
Melanthera latifolia (Gardner) Cabrera - Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northern Argentina
Melanthera nivea (L.) Small – Pineland Squarestem, Snow Squarestem, Yerba de Cabra; SE United States (LA MS AL GA FL SC TN KY IL), Caribbean, Mexico (from Tamaulipas to Quintana Roo), Central America, South America (Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, northern Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia)
Melanthera parvifolia Small – Small-leaf Squarestem - southern Florida
Melanthera cinerea Schweinf. - Africa
Lipochaeta bryanii Sherff – Pili Nehe; Hawaiʻi (as Melanthera bryanii (Sherff) W.L.Wagner & H.Rob.)
Lipochaeta fauriei H.Lév. – Olokele Canyon Nehe; Hawaiʻi (as Melanthera fauriei (H. Lév.) W.L.Wagner & H.Rob.)
Lipochaeta integrifolia (Nutt.) A.Gray – Kure Atoll Nehe; Hawaiʻi (as Melanthera integrifolia (Nutt.) W.L.Wagner & H.Rob.)
Lipochaeta kamolensis O.Deg. & Sherff – Maui Nehe; MauʻI (as Melanthera kamolensis (O.Deg.) & Sherff) W.L.Wagner & H.Rob.)
Lipochaeta lavarum (Gaudich.) DC. – Coastal Nehe;...
