Meriania escalerensis Rob.Fern., R.Goldenb. & Michelang.

Fernandez-Hilario, Robin, Goldenberg, Renato & Michelangeli, Fabián A., 2023, A synopsis of Meriania (Melastomataceae: Merianieae) in Peru, Phytotaxa 602 (1), pp. 1-101 : 33

9. Meriania escalerensis Rob.Fern., R.Goldenb. & Michelang. , Willdenowia 52(1): 53 (2022).

Type:— PERU. Loreto: Prov. Alto Amazonas, Dist. Balsapuerto, Cordillera Escalera, Campamento Cumbre – Alto Cachiyacu , 1930 m, 05°52’02.1”S, 76°46’29.3”W, 22 Sep 2013 (fl.), M. Ríos, T. Mori, D. Neill, L. Torres & C. Vriesendorp 3316 (holotype: AMAZ!; isotypes: ECUAMZ! [accession no. 6070 ], F! [accession no. 2323926 ], USM! [accession no. 287375 ]) . ( Figures 26–27 ).

Comments:— This species is recognized by its ferrugineous indumentum ( Fig. 26B–C ), calyptrate calyces with circumscissile dehiscence ( Fig. 26G ), spreading, fuchsia corollas, isomorphic stamens, and stamen connectives with two appendages ( Fig. 26E ), one triangular descending dorso-basal appendage and the other blunt ascending dorsal appendage. Among Peruvian species, M. escalerensis most closely resembles M. acida but differs by the calyx dehiscence (circumscissile vs. irregular), shape and color of corollas (spreading and fuchsia vs. campanulate and reddish-orange), and the dorsal appendages of the stamen connectives (blunt ascending vs. absent). A detailed comparison of M. escalerensis with other related species can be found in Fernandez-Hilario et al. (2022).

Distribution and phenology:— Known only from the type specimen, Meriania escalerensis is endemic to northern Peru, in the Cordillera Escalera (Loreto-San Martín border) and grows in elfin forests at 1930 m ( Fig. 16 ). It has been collected in flower in September.

Figures

FIGURE 16. Distribution map of M. bongarana, M. escalerensis, M. megaphylla, M. ninakurorum, M. prunifolia, M. speciosa and M. urceolata.

FIGURE 26. Meriania escalerensis. A. Terminal fertile branch with inflorescence. B. Leaf blade, abaxial view. C. Detail of the abaxial leaf surface. D. Detail of the apex of the ovary. E. Stamen, lateral view. F. Petal. G. Flower bud, lateral view. H. Longitudinal section of the flower with petals and stamens removed.A–H from M. Ríos et al. 3316. Drawing by Leticia Lajo (F).

FIGURE 27. Meriania escalerensis. A. Terminal fertile branch with inflorescence. B. Flower at anthesis, apical view. A–B from M. Ríos et al. 3316. Photos by Luis Torres. Reproduced with permission from Willdenowia.