Data from: Molecular phylogenetics of Distephanus supports the recognition of a new tribe, Distephaneae (Asteraceae)

The genus Distephanus Cass. comprises 43 distinctive species of shrubs and
small trees that have been placed historically within the ironweed tribe,
Vernonieae (Asteraceae). Utilizing the most expansive sampling of
Distephanus to date, this study aims to test the monophyly of this genus
and facilitate its classification. Molecular phylogenetic analyses were
conducted using four molecular markers from the nuclear and plastid
genomes. These data also supported divergence dating analyses that were
performed to understand the timing of diversification events within
Distephanus and other related genera. Results from this study indicate
that as currently circumscribed, Vernonieae is not monophyletic and that
Distephanus is actually sister to a clade that comprises Vernonieae and
another tribe, Moquinieae, which only includes two species restricted to
Brazil. Based on these findings, Distephanus is recognized in a new tribe
that we describe here, Distephaneae. This new tribe comprises 41 species
of Disptehanus that are easily distinguished from Moquinieae and
Vernonieae based on the presence of florets with yellow corollas and
trinervate leaves.