Meriania microflora 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 : 40-41

14. Meriania microflora Rob.Fern., R.Goldenb. & Michelang. , Phytotaxa 456(1): 87 (2020).

Type:— PERU. Amazonas: Prov. Condorcanqui, Dist. Santiago, Cerros Kampankis , serranía entre los rios Santiago y Morona , desde Río Marañón hasta frontera com Ecuador, Campamento 2, Qda. Katerpisa , 710 m, 04°02’17.35”S, 77°33’45.50”W, 09 Aug 2011 (fl.), I. Huamantupa, D. Neill, N. Pitman & C. Kajekai 15552 (holotype: USM! [accession no. 360020 ]; isotypes: F! [accession no. 2307857 ], NY! [barcode 03240851 ]) . ( Figures 33–34 ).

Comments:— This species has the smallest flowers in Meriania (petals 4–4.5 mm long), and it is readily recognizable among Peruvian species by the combination of nodes without interpetiolar flaps, abaxial and lateral liguliform projections on the apex of the petioles ( Fig. 33D ), spreading, white corollas ( Fig. 33G ), stamen connectives with multilobed descending dorso-basal appendages and antepetalous stamen connectives with apically trilobed ascending dorsal appendages ( Fig. 33E ). White corollas and lobed ascending dorsal appendages are features more common among Brazilian species of Meriania , but none of these species have stamen connectives with descending dorso-basal appendages, or projections on the petioles. A detailed comparison of M. microflora with related species can be found in Fernandez-Hilario et al. (2020).

Distribution and phenology:— Known only from the type specimen, Meriania microflora is endemic to Peru and has been recorded only in the Cordillera Kampankis in the Amazonas-Loreto border in sub-Andean forests at 710 m ( Fig. 35 ). It has been collected in flower in August.

Figures

FIGURE 33. Meriania microflora. A. Terminal fertile branch with inflorescence. B. Leaf blade, abaxial view. C. Detail of the adaxial leaf surface. D. Detail of the abaxial projections of the petiole. E. Antepetalous stamen, lateral view. F. Antesepalous stamen, lateral view. G. Flower bud with two petals removed. H. Flower with petals and stamens removed. A–H from I. Huamantupa et al. 15552.

FIGURE 34. Meriania microflora. A. Terminal fertile branch. B. Detail of inflorescence. From I. Huamantupa et al. 15552. Photos by Isau Huamantupa.

FIGURE 35. Distribution map of M. microflora, M. rigida, M. sessilifolia and M. zunacensis.