Meriania tomentosa (Cogn.) Wurdack

Fernandez-Hilario, Robin, Goldenberg, Renato & Michelangeli, Fabián A., 2023, A synopsis of Meriania (Melastomataceae: Merianieae) in Peru, Phytotaxa 602 (1), pp. 1-101 : 79-80

30. Meriania tomentosa (Cogn.) Wurdack , Phytologia 35(1): 4 (1976).

Basionym: Centronia tomentosa Cogn., Bull. Acad. Roy. Sci. Belgique ser. 3, 14: 943 (1887).

Type:— ECUADOR: Ad margines sylvarum primaev in Andibus central aequadorensibus rara, 3000 m, 1876 (fl.), E. André 4475 (lectotype, designated by Wurdack 1980: BR! [barcode 000005187867 ]; isolectotypes:, CAS! [barcode 0001923 ], K! [barcodes K000329483 , K000329484 ], NY! [barcode 00221501 ]) . ( Figures 63–64 ).

Rhexia excelsa Bonpl. , in Humdoldt & Bonpland, Monogr. Melast. 2: 90, t. 34 (1813). Osbeckia excelsa (Bonpl.) Spreng., Syst. Veg. 2: 312. 1825. Graffenrieda excelsa (Bonpl.) DC., Prodr. 3: 106 (1828). Brachycentrum excelsum (Bonpl.) Meissn., Pl. Vasc. Gen. 2: 81 (1838). Centronia excelsa (Bonpl.) Triana, Trans. Linn. Soc. London 28(1): 70, t. 5 (1871) [1872]. Type:— ECUADOR: Loxa, 1852 (fl.), A. Bonpland 3335 (lectotype, first step designated by Wurdack 1980, second step designated by Mendoza-Cifuentes 2021: P! [barcode P00136435]; isolectotypes: F!-fragment [accession no. 937280], P! [barcode P00136436]).

Centronia tunguraguae S.F.Blake, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington 35: 118 (1922). Type:— ECUADOR. Tungurahua: Pondoa , on slopes of Mt. Tungurahua , 2745 m, 10 Mar 1921 (fl.), W. Popenoe 1296 (holotype: US! [barcode 00120322]).

Centronia peruviana J.F.Macbr., Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Bot. Ser. 13(4/1): 327 (1941). Type:— PERU. Huánuco: Carpish , banks of a mountain stream, 2850 m, 09 Nov 1938 (fl.), H.E. Stork & O.B. Horton 9928 (holotype: F! [accession no. 1052336]).

Comments:— Meriania tomentosa is the second most widely distributed Meriania species in Peru, and it is recognisable by its calyptrate calyces with irregular dehiscence and without dorsal projections, campanulate, reddish-orange corollas, isomorphic stamens, and cream anthers. In Peru there are three other species with calyptrate calyces ( M. acida , M. escalerensis and M. sessilifolia ), and two with subcalyptrate calyces ( M. juanjil and M. vasquezii ). Within these groups only M. acida shares similar calyces and corollas with M. tomentosa . However, M. acida has smaller flowers than M. tomentosa , hypanthia ca. 4.5 mm long vs. 8.5–9 mm long and petals 9–10 mm vs. 20–24 mm long.

The original material of M. tomentosa exhibits indumentum covering the entire abaxial leaf blades, short trichomes on the hypanthium and calyx, linear bracteoles, and calyptrate calyces with a prolonged apiculum. Although most of the Peruvian specimens have the same indumentum on the leaves and shape of the bracteoles ( Fig. 64B ), there is variability among populations. The calyx apices vary from acute to moderately apiculate. Also, most specimens distributed from the department of Amazonas to Huánuco (e.g., Wurdack 1661) show denser indumentum and longer trichomes than the typical form ( Fig. 63A ). On the other hand, some specimens from the department of Amazonas (e.g., Fernandez-Hilario et al. 1905) have broadly elliptic bracteoles, even completely covering the flower buds ( Fig. 63D ). In the department of Pasco there are two clearly distinguishable forms, the former (e.g., Michelangeli et al. 2884) has ferrugineous tomentose indumentum evenly covering abaxial leaf blades, and the latter (e.g., Cárdenas & Francis 450) has setulose indumentum sparsely to moderately covering the abaxial leaf blades.

Although we have been able to find these different forms within M. tomentosa , in sterile or fruiting specimens is not possible to identify them. This is because it is necessary to examine the calyces and bracteoles, which are usually early deciduous. For this reason, for the moment we have chosen to consider all Peruvian examined specimens under Meriania tomentosa s.l.

Nomenclatural notes:— Cogniaux (1887) cited André 4473 as type in the protologue of C. tomentosa but without indicating any herbarium, so it must be considered as a syntype conforming with Art. 9.6 of the ICN ( Turland et al. 2018). Mendoza-Cifuentes (2021) erroneously chose as lectotype the sheet K000329483 because, according to Art. 9.10 and 9.19 of the ICN ( Turland et al. 2018), we must consider that Wurdack (1980) made an inadvertent lectotypification of C. tomentosa when he wrote “ André 4475 (BR, holotype) ” in his treatment of Melastomataceae for the Flora of Ecuador.

Humboldt & Bonpland (1813) did not cite any specimens in the protologue of R. excelsa but the specimen Bonpland 3335 is original material because it is associated with the taxon, and so it must be considered as a syntype conforming with Art. 9.4 and 9.6 of the ICN ( Turland et al. 2018). According to Art. 9.10 of the ICN ( Turland et al. 2018), we have to consider that Wurdack (1980) made an inadvertent lectotypification (first-step) of R. excelsa when he wrote “ Bonpland 3335 (P, holotype) ” in his treatment of Melastomataceae for the Flora of Ecuador. However, there are two sheets of Bonpland 3335 housed in P. Therefore, when Mendoza-Cifuentes (2021) chose the sheet K000329439 as the lectotype he made a second-step lectotypification, conforming with Art. 9.17 ( Turland et al. 2018).

Distribution and phenology:— Meriania tomentosa is widely distributed in the Andes from Venezuela to southern Peru, and occurs from the department of Amazonas to Cusco in montane forests at 2100–3300 m ( Fig. 38 ). It has been collected in flower almost all year round except in January and March, and in fruit almost all year round except in January, May, November and December.

Specimens examined:— PERU. Amazonas: Prov. Bongará, Dist. Florida, desde toma de agua en San Lorenzo hacia CP Vista Alegre , 2840 m, 05°48’17.71”S, 78°01’36.70”W, 17–18 Feb 2020 (fl.), R. Fernandez-Hilario et al. 1905 ( HOXA!, KUELAP!, MOLF!, NY!, UPCB!), trocha rumbo a CP Perlamayo, 2320 m, 05°47’10”S, 77°54’49”W, 30 Aug 2022 (fl. Bud , fr.), R. Fernandez-Hilario et al. 2274 ( MOLF!); Dist. Jumbilla, Along road to Tialango, 2100 m, 05°52’31”S, 76°46’36”W, 04 Nov 2012 (fl.), H. van der Werff et al. 25013 ( HOXA!, HUT!, NY!); Dist. Pomacochas, Caserío San Lorenzo, 2800–3500 m, 05°48’25.76”S, 78°00’25.13”W, 28–31 Dec 2011 (fl.), L. Dávila 2180 ( UNC!); Dist. Yambrasbamba, Ruta desde CP La Florida hacia finca de Don Ilario, 2150 m, 05°40’17.71”S, 77°56’58.73”W, 12 Nov 2020 (fl.), R. Fernandez-Hilario et al. 2070 ( HOXA!, MOLF!, NY!, UPCB!). Prov. Chachapoyas, Middle slopes of Cerro Yama-uma (Cerro Carán) above Taulia, 4–8 km south-southeast of Molinopampa, 2700–3000 m, 11 Aug 1962 (fl.), J. Wurdack 1661 ( F!, NY!, P!, US!, USM!); Dist. Leymebamba, alrededor de la laguna de Los Cóndores, parte sur, 2500–2700 m, 06°51’05.28”S, 77°46’25.61”W, 16 Aug 1998 (fl.), V. Quipuscoa et al. 1267 ( F!, NY!). Cajamarca: Prov. Chota, Dist. Chadín , CP La Palma , 2530–2707 m, 06°27’12.67”S; 78°24’31.63”W, 24 Nov 2013 (fl.), L. Dávila 2705 ( UNC!); Dist. Paccha, Rejo pampa, 2450 m, 21 Jul 1993 (fl.), J. Sánchez 826 ( CPUN!, F!). Prov. Hualgayoc, Dist. Chugur, Sector Las Quinas, Ramírez, El Chencho, 3186 m, 06°41’19.44”S; 78°42’44.68”W, 01–02 Sep 2018 (fl.), L. Dávila 3856 ( UNC!). Prov. San Miguel, Bosque natural de Quellahorco, al noreste de la localidad de Tongod, 2700 m, 14 Sep 1991 (fl., fr.), I. Sánchez V. & A. Briones 5788 ( CPUN!, F!, NY!, UNC!, US!). Prov. Santa Cruz, Dist. Pulán, El Progreso, 2700 m, 31 Jan 2006 (fl. bud), L. Santa Cruz 184 ( USM!), 04 Sep 2006 (fl.), L. Santa Cruz 560 ( USM!), Chilal, 2700 m, 04 Sep 2006 (fl.), L. Santa Cruz 605 ( USM!), 31 Jul 2007 (fl.), L. Santa Cruz 1964 ( USM!), La Zaina, 2700 m, 04 Sep 2006 (fl., fr.), L. Santa Cruz 611 ( USM!), Sector Pampa Verde, 2920 m, 06°48’6.19”S; 78°54’28.05”W, 16 Oct 2004 (fl.), G. Iberico et al. 950 ( CPUN!, UNC!), Sector San Pedro, 3300 m, 05 Jun 2004 (fl.), G. Iberico & L. Dávila 606 ( UNC!). Cusco: Prov. La Convención, Dist. Huayopata, Inkatambo , 2630 m, 13°04’07”S, 72°26’49”W, 24 Apr 2007 (fl.), L. Valenzuela 9551 ( CUZ!), Incatambo, quebrada Curcur, 2490–2570 m, 13°04’05”S, 72°26’49”W, 21 Nov 2004 (fl.), L. Valenzuela et al. 4477 ( CUZ!); Dist. Santa Ana, Tunquimayo, 2800 m, 13°03’S, 72°56’W, 13 Jun 2003 (fr.), E. Suclli & V. Chama 965 ( CUZ!, NY!), 2000–2200 m, 12°54’34”S, 72°48’36”W, 20 Oct 2002 (fl.), L. Valenzuela et al. 742 ( CUZ!); Dist. Quellouno, Lacco, 2741 m, 12°36’44”S, 72°14’37”W, 16 Jun 2006 (fr.), L. Valenzuela et al. 6896 ( NY!, USM!); Dist. Vilcabamba, frente a Yupancca, 2560–2640 m, 13°03’15”S, 72°55’59”W, 03 Jun 2002 (fl.), W. Galiano et al. 4298 ( CUZ!, NY!). Prov. Paucartambo, EB Wayqecha, 3000 m, 13°10’S, 71°35’W, Mar 2010 (fr.), P. Chambi s.n. ( USM!). Prov. Quishpicanchi, Dist. Marcapata, Sitio Culebrayoc, marca 1550 m en la trocha, 2463 m, 13°29’41.2”S, 70°53’16.2”W, 05 Jun 2012 (fr.), F. A. Michelangeli et al. 1799 ( NY!, USM!), Comunidad de Unión Arasa , 2150 m, 13°29’40.92”S, 70°52’23.16”W, 26 Apr 2011 (fr.), J. Wells & P. Centeno 980 ( USM!). Huánuco: Prov. Huánuco, Dist. Chinchao, Carpish , 2750 m, 09 Sep 1948 (fl. bud), R. Scolnik 1075 ( NY!), ca. 47 km NNE of Huánuco on road to Tingo María, just below the Carpish pass, 2500–2600 m, 14 Jul 1981 (fl.), M. Dillon 2602 ( F!), Trail from S entrance of Carpish tunnel to crest of ridge, 2740 m, 27 Feb 1978 (fr.), J. Luteyn & M. Lebron-Luteyn 5477 ( NY!), West side of Carpish pass, 2800 m, 22 Oct 1959 (fl.), B. Maguire & C. Maguire 44432 ( F!, NY!, US!). Prov. Pachitea, above La Molina near Panao, 12 Sep 1940 (fl.), E. Asplund 13691 ( US!). Junín: Prov. Chanchamayo, Dist. San Ramón, Puyu Sacha , 2500 m, 11°05’46”S; 75°26’05”W, 01–11 Apr 2021 (fl.), R. Villanueva-Espinoza 546 ( MOLF!). Pasco: Prov. Oxapampa, Cordillera Yanachaga, road over shoulder of Cerro Pajonal to Villa Rica drainage, 12 km SE of Oxapampa, 2300–2500 m, 10°35’S, 75°20’W, 09 Oct 1982 (fl.), R. Foster & D. Smith 9072 ( F!, NY!, US!, USM!); Road to Chacos, 2400–2700 m, 10°35’S, 75°06’W, 17 Jul 2003 (fl.), H. van der Werff et al. 18569 ( NY!); Dist. Huancabamba, PN Yanachaga Chemillén, la Colmena-trocha Erica, 2300 m, 10°26’37”S, 75°26’15”W, 22 Aug 2008 (fl., fr.), L. Valenzuela et al. 11612 ( HOXA!, NY!, USM!), PN Yanachaga Chemillén, sector Quebrada Yanachaga, 2265 m, 10°23’45”S, 75°28’55”W, 19 Aug 2004 (fl.), R. Vásquez et al. 30405 ( HOXA!, NY!), de amortiguamiento del PN Yanachaga Chemillén, 2407 m, 10°23’38”S, 75°28’36”W, 20 Sep 2004 (fl.), J. Perea & J. Mateo 1794 ( HOXA!, NY!), Fundo Osobamba. PN Yanachaga Chemillén, 2243 m, 10°23’34.7”S, 75°28’28.1”W, 25 Jun 2016 (fl.), L. Valenzuela et al. 30448 ( USM!), PN Yanachaga Chemillén, Quebrada Yanachaga, 2420 m, 10°23’21.6”S, 75°28’20.1”W, 20 Feb 2018 (fr.), F. A. Michelangeli & S. Riva 2973 ( HOXA!, USM!), Sector Oso Playa. Camino a la parcela Oso Playa, 2565 m, 10°19’05”S, 75°36’28”W, 25 Jun 2006 (fl.), L. Cárdenas et al. 469 ( CUZ!), Sector Oso Playa, Trocha a la parcela Oso Playa, 2370–2475 m, 10°19’20”S, 75°36’06”W, 24 Jun 2006 (fl.), L. Cárdenas & R. Francis 450 ( HOXA!, USM!), Sector Oso Playa, margen izquierda del río, 2370–2475 m, 10°19’20”S, 75°36’06”W, 17 Jun 2006 (fl.), L. Cárdenas et al. 350 ( MO!); Dist. Oxapampa , Chacos “Rincón Chacos”, proyecto Apícola, 2750 m, 10°37’25”S, 75°17’43”W, 23 Jul 2010 (fl.), R. Rojas et al. 7361 ( HOXA!, NY!), PN Yanachaga Chemillén, cercanías del refugio El Cedro, 2440–2500 m, 10°32’S, 75°21’W, 17 Aug 2002 (fl., fr.), A. Monteagudo et al. 3701 ( HOXA!, NY!, USM!), same locality and date (fl., fr.), 4429 ( HOXA!, MOLF!, NY!, USM!), PN Yanachaga Chemillén, flanco oriental del valle de Palcazu, a 20 minutos del 2720 m, 10°31’56”S, 75°20’54”W, 19 Oct 2006 (fl.), A. Monteagudo & R. Francis 12900 ( HOXA!, NY!), PN Yanachaga Chemillén, Sector San Alberto, 2450 m, 10°32’43”S, 75°21’30”W, 14 Mar 2019 (fr.), R. Vásquez et al. 43050 ( HOXA!), PN Yanachaga Chemillén, sector San Alberto, alrededores del refugio El Cedro, 2240 m, 10°32’42.4”S, 75°21’04.3”W, 22 Mar 2016 (fr.), F. A. Michelangeli et al. 2750 ( NY!, USM!), PN Yanachaga Chemillén, sector San Alberto, camino del refugio El Cedro al 2420–2700 m, 10°32’43”S, 75°21’30”W, 03 Oct 2007 (fl., fr.), L. Hernani & A. Peña 383 ( HOXA!, NY!, USM!), PN Yanachaga Chemillén, sector San Alberto; claro alrededor del refugio El Cedro, 2415 m, 10°32’43.2”S, 75°21’29.8”W, 20 Jul 2017 (fl. bud, fr.), F. A. Michelangeli et al. 2884 ( HOXA!, USM!), Sector San Alberto, camino al 2400–2600 m, 10°32’43”S, 75°21’30”W, 15 Aug 2006 (fl., fr.), L. Cárdenas et al. 693 ( CUZ!, F!, HOXA!, MO!, MOLF!, NY!), Sector San Alberto. Cercano al Refugio, 0.5 km, 2468 m, 10°32’45”S, 75°21’24”W, 18 Aug 2006 (fl.), L. Cárdenas et al. 733 ( CUZ!), same locality and date (fl.), 734 ( HOXA!), Sector San Alberto. Zona superior al refugio aprox. 4 km, 2878 m, 10°31’45”S, 75°21’08”W, 12 Aug 2006 (fl.), L. Cárdenas et al. 661 ( CUZ!), same locality and date (fl.), 669 ( HOXA!, MO!, USM!), de amortiguamiento PN Yanachaga Chemillén, parte media de la quebrada San Luis, 2200–2350 m, 10°33’55”S, 75°20’43”W, 18 Sep 2007 (fl., fr.), A. Monteagudo et al. 15094 ( HOXA!, MOLF!, NY!). Piura: Prov. Huancabamba, Loma Redonda ( Sapalache-Chinguela ), 2400 m, 15 Sep 1981 (fl., fr.), A. Sagástegui et al. 10188 ( HUT!, NY!, US!); El paso de Huascar Rey (límite entre Dp. De Piura y Cajamarca, ruta Huancabamba a Tabaconas), 2700 m, 11 Jul 1961 (fl.), C. Friedberg 322 ( P!, US!, USM!); Dist. El Carmen de la Frontera, Carretera Sapalache-Cerro Chingelas, 9.5 km después de Sapalache, 3035 m, 05°08’23.6”S, 79°23’45.4”W, 03 Sep 2016 (fr.), F. A. Michelangeli et al. 2620 ( NY!, USM!), same locality and date (fr.), 2623 ( NY!, USM!). Prov. Morropón, Dist. Chalaco, Bosque Mijal, 2900 m, 30 Aug 2004 (ster.), A. Córdova 512 ( MOLF!). San Martín: Prov. Huallaga Dist. Bolivar, Surrounding “Pampa Hermosa” around old Chacha and Inca settlement, 2400 m, 06°59’32”S, 77°39’16”W, 24 May 2011 (fl), R. Bussmann et al. 17068 ( F!, MO!, NY!, US!), same locality and date, 07°02’07”S, 77°40’29”W, (fl.), R. Bussmann et al. 17069 ( F!, MO!, NY!, US!). Prov. Mariscal Cáceres, Near Mirador, Río Abiseo National Park , 3000–3100 m, 14 Jul 1988 (fl.), B. León 2175 ( US!); Dist. Huicungo, ACP Los Chilchos, borde de la Laguna de los Condores, 2870 m, 06°51’07”S, 77°42’03”W, 27 Jun 2022 (fl.), F. A. Michelangeli et al. 3206 ( NY!, USM!) .

Figures

FIGURE 38. Distribution map of M. neillii and M. tomentosa.

FIGURE 63. Meriania tomentosa. A. Terminal fertile branch with inflorescence. B. Leaf blade, abaxial view. C. Detail of the abaxial leaf surface. D. Bracteoles completely covering the flower buds. E. Flower at anthesis. F. Longitudinal section of the flower with petals and stamens removed. G. Petal. H. Stamen, lateral view.A from B. Maguire & C. Maguire 44432; B–H from R. Fernandez-Hilario et al. 1905.

FIGURE 64. Meriania tomentosa. A. Leaf blade, abaxial view. B. Detail of the inflorescence with flower buds. C. Flower at anthesis, lateral view. D. Flower at anthesis, apical view.A and D from R. Fernandez-Hilario et al. 1905, B and C from R. Villanueva-Espinoza 546. Photos by Robin Fernandez-Hilario (A and D) and Rosa Villanueva-Espinoza (B and C).