Meriania hirsuta Rob.Fern., Paredes-Burneo & Michelang.

Fernandez-Hilario, Robin, Goldenberg, Renato & Michelangeli, Fabián A., 2023, A synopsis of Meriania (Melastomataceae: Merianieae) in Peru, Phytotaxa 602 (1), pp. 1-101 : 35-36

11. Meriania hirsuta Rob.Fern., Paredes-Burneo & Michelang. , Willdenowia52(1): 56 (2022).

Type:— PERU. Piura: Prov. Huancabamba, Dist. El Carmen de la Frontera , Río Samaniego margen izquierda, Zona de Amortiguamiento del Santuario Nacional Tabaconas-Namballe , 2150 m, 05°06’43.1”S, 79°21’25.7”W, 28 Apr 2003 (fl.), S. Baldeón & J. Campos 5373 (holotype: USM! [accession no. 273379 ]) . ( Figure 29 )

Comments:— Meriania hirsuta belongs to the M. radula complex (see comments under M. radula for diagnostic characteristics) and is recognisable within the complex by the combination of branches and leaves with bullate laminae and hirsute indumentum (trichomes up to 4 mm long) ( Fig. 29C–D ), slightly dimorphic stamens ( Fig. 29F–G ), and antesepalous stamen connectives with laterally expanded perpendicular dorso-basal appendages ( Fig. 29G ). Meriania arizae Humberto Mend. & Fern.Alonso , M. horrida C.Ulloa & Achá and M. mutisii (Humb. & Bonpl.) Humberto Mend. & Fern.Alonso have similar indumentum to M. hirsuta , but all of them have flat adaxial leaf surfaces (vs. bullate in M. hirsuta ) and spreading, reddish-purple corollas (vs. campanulate and deep red). A detailed comparison of M. hirsuta with related species can be found in Fernandez-Hilario et al. (2022).

The location of the inflorescences on the branches in M. hirsuta is unclear as the only fertile specimen (Baldeón & Campos 5373) has three short branches with flowers located at the distal nodes. The inflorescences could be interpreted as axillar fascicles (8–10-flowered) or as one terminal panicle (8–18.5 cm long with 3 nodes). The former is a feature not seen within Meriania and the latter is present in all species within the M. radula complex, although in these species the inflorescences are longer than 18 cm and with more than (4–)5 nodes.

Distribution and phenology:— Meriania hirsuta is endemic to northern Peru (Department of Piura) and grows in montane forests at 2150–3035 m ( Fig. 30 ). It has been collected in flower in April.

Specimen examined:— PERU. Piura: Prov. Ayabaca [Huancabamba], Dist. El Carmen de la Frontera, Carretera Sapalache-Cerro Chinguelas, 3035 m, 05°08’23.6”S, 79°23’45.4”W, 03 Sep 2016 (ster.), F. A. Michelangeli et al. 2636 (NY!, USM!) .

Figures

FIGURE 29. Meriania hirsuta. A. Terminal fertile branches with inflorescences. B. Leaf blade, abaxial view. C. Detail of the hirsute internode. D. Detail of the adaxial leaf surface.E. Flower bud. F. Antesepalous stamen, lateral view, with detail of the perpendicular dorsobasal appendage. G. Antepetalous stamen, lateral view, with detail of the perpendicular dorso-basal appendage. H. Longitudinal section of the flower with petals and stamens removed.A–H from S. Baldeón & J. Campos 5373. Drawing by Leticia Lajo (F and G).

FIGURE 30. Distribution map of M. radula, M. sanguinea, M. tetragona and M. hirsuta.