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A new species of Chalybea (Melastomataceae: Pyxidantheae) for Bolivia and comments on the ocurrence of Meriania franciscana (Melastomataceae: Merianieae)
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A synopsis of the genus Meriania in Peru is presented here, where 36 species are recognized, 25 of which are endemic. This synopsis includes a key to the genera in the tribe Merianieae, a key to the recognized Meriania species for Peru, illustrations, comments on affinities, distribution and phenology, and nomenclatural notes. Peru is now the country with the second highest diversity of the genus. The departments in Peru with the highest number of species are Amazonas (18 species), Cajamarca (11 species) and San Martín (9 species), and 24 species are located within Amatope-Huancabamba Zone in northern Peru. Meriania in Peru is characterized by being trees and shrubs, lacking malpighiaceous trichomes, inflorescences panicles or rarely dichasia, or solitary, (4–)5–6-merous flowers, usually large, with lobed, subcalyptrate or calyptrate calyces with regular, irregular or circumscissile dehiscence, spreading to campanulate corollas, stamen connectives with dorsal and dorso-basal appendages, anthers usually with a dorsally inclined pore, and capsular fruits. We propose one new combination, Meriania sessilifolia (Cogn.) Rob.Fern., R.Goldenb. & Michelang. Lectotypes for Axinaea purpurea, Centronia sessilifolia. Graffenrieda acida, Meriania prunifolia, M. raimondii, M. rigida, M. rugosa, M. spruceana and Pachymeria rigida are also designated.more » « less
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The putative Hispaniolan endemic Graffenrieda ottoschulzii (syn. = Miconia ottoschulzii) was evaluated morphologically and phylogenetically. Morphological data clearly place the species within Miconia, as the taxon is missing the dorsal appendage on the connective and capsule fruits of Graffenrieda but has the berry fruits of Miconia. Phylogenetically G. ottoschulzii was resolved as sister to the widespread and mostly South American, M. pyrifolia, and we conclude here that the two taxa are conspecific. We provide an updated description of M. pyrifolia and lectotypify the names M. ottoschulzii and M. pyrifolia.more » « less
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Miconia tetrandra, a morphologically distinctive species restricted to the Caribbean region, is provided with an updated assessment of its phylogenetic position and taxonomy. A detailed description and nomenclatural treatment are provided, along with a consideration of phenology, distribution and habitat, and citation of specimens examined. The species is a member of the Caribbean clade, and it is unusual within Miconia in having flowers with only four stamens (alternating with the petals), with short, obovate, yellow anthers that each open by two large pores. Miconia tetrandra is morphologically quite divergent from, but is likely related to, a clade comprised by M. angustifolia, M. urbanii, and M. biflora, and these three species traditionally have been included within the genus Tetrazygia. In contrast, M. tetrandra usually has been placed within Miconia.more » « less
