Data from: Tricky Morphology: A new species of Chamaecrista (Leguminosae) shows strong morphological convergence among not closely related species found in similar habitat

<p>Plants from Brazilian <i>campos rupestres</i> usually present morphological strategies that allow them to survive in extreme environments. However, in <i>Chamaecrista </i>(Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae), one of the most diverse genera in the <i>campos rupestres,</i> needle-like leaflets are rare. Reviewing the species that present such leaf morphology, we describe <i>Chamaecrista acicularis</i>, a new species, from the Canastra Range,<span> in the southwestern region of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. </span>Phylogenetic analyses revealed that <i>C. acicularis </i>is not closely related to other quite similar needle-like leafleted species and that this trait evolved convergently. We also present comments on the phylogenetic relationships of needle-like leafleted species as well as the evolution of the leaflet amplitude, and a detailed description of <i>C. acicularis </i>alongside illustrations, photos, geographical distribution, a key to the needle-like leafleted species and taxonomic notes on similar species. Additionally, we expand the description of <i>Chamaecrista strictifolia </i>and present a conservation status for all needle-like leafleted species.</p>