Three new scapose species of <i>Vernonia</i> Schreb. (Asteraceae, Vernonieae) from Angola

Three new species from Angola are described: Vernonia lainzii, Vernonia longibracteata, and Vernonia platyseta (Asteraceae, Vernonieae). Morphological differences with putative related taxa are detailed and discussed. Vernonia lainzii is most similar to V. antunesii O. Hoffm., from which it can be distinguished largely on the basis of leaf pubescence, phyllary morphology, and pappus color and morphology. Vernonia longibracteata is most similar to V. thodei E. Phillips and V. praemorsa Muschl., from which it can be distinguished largely on the basis of degree of branching of the scape, leaf pubescence, petiole length, phyllary size and morphology, and outer pappus length. Vernonia platyseta is most similar to V. anandrioides S. Moore and V. longipedunculata De Wild. It can be distinguished from the former principally on the basis of habit type, leaf pubescence, involucre width, phyllary morphology and texture, and pappus morphology, and from the latter principally on the basis of habit type, involucre width, phyllary morphology, and pappus length.Key words: Asteraceae, Vernonieae, Vernonia, new species, tropical Africa, Angola.