A new report of phytomelanin in cypselae of Vernonieae: the case of the type species of Lychnophora Mart

Phytomelanin is a mechanically hard, blackish, and inert substance rarely found in plants. In Asteraceae, this was historically associated with the Heliantheae alliance, but recent studies have observed it unrelated groups as Heterocoma Wunderlichia. During taxonomic investigation, we phytomelanin cypselae of Lychnophora salicifolia an unusual feature Vernonieae previously only Heterocoma. Furthermore, fills intercellular spaces sclerenchymatic outer mesocarp L. salicifolia. Our results doubt (syn)apomorphy status Heterocoma, suggest may not same evolutionary significance Lychnophorinae other tribes proposes new perspectives for Asteraceae.