Meriania vilcabambensis Wurdack, Phytologia

Fernandez-Hilario, Robin, Goldenberg, Renato & Michelangeli, Fabián A., 2023, A synopsis of Meriania (Melastomataceae: Merianieae) in Peru, Phytotaxa 602 (1), pp. 1-101 : 86

34. Meriania vilcabambensis Wurdack, Phytologia 21(6): 353 (1971).

Type:— PERU. Cusco: Prov. La Convención, Cordillera Vilcabamba , Knox’s Cascade , c. 1 km north of Camp 2 ½, NE 14 km walking distance from the Hacienda Luisiana and the Apurimac River , 1730 m, 12°35’S, 73°35’W, 28 Jun 1968 (fl.), T. Dudley 10595 (holotype: US! [barcode 00120393 ]; isotype: US! [barcode 02925667 ]) . ( Figure 69 ).

Comments:— Meriania vilcabambensis is a poorly known species, and only the type has flowers at anthesis. It is characterized by its lobed calyces with small claw-shaped dorsal projections (ca. 3 mm long; Fig. 69E–F ), dimorphic stamens, stamen connectives with ascending dorsal appendages, and antesepalous stamen connectives with laterally expanded descending dorso-basal appendages ( Fig. 69G ). Meriania axinioides Gleason , a species endemic to Bolivia, has leaves similar to M. vilcabambensis , but the former differs by its glabrous flowers (vs. furfuraceous in M. vilcabambesis , Fig. 69C ), calyces with conical dorsal projections not exceeding the apex of the lobes (vs. small claw-shaped dorsal projections exceeding the apex of the lobes), and petals 9–10 mm long (vs. ca. 16 mm long).

Distribution and phenology:— Meriania vilcabambensis is endemic to southern Peru (Department of Cusco) and grows in montane forests at 1100–1730 m ( Fig. 21 ). It has been collected in flower in June.

Specimens examined:— PERU. Cusco: Prov. La Convención, Camp 2 ½, ca. 14 km walking distance NE from Hacienda Luisiana and the Apurímac River , 1730 m, 12°30’S, 73°30’W, 28 Jun 1968 (fl. bud), T. Dudley 10583 ( US!); Dist. Echarate, Km 59 al 61 del Derecho de Via del Gaseoducto Camisea , margen izquierdo del río Poyentimari , 1100–1150 m, 09 Apr 2007 (fl. bud), S. Baldeón et al. 6719 ( USM!), Santa Ana, Kepashiato , 1167 m, 12°44’02”S, 73°22’03”W, 19 Aug 2006 (fl. bud), L. Valenzuela et al. 7494 ( MOLF!, NY!, USM!) .

Figures

FIGURE 21. Distribution map of M. cuzcoana, M. sumatika, M. vargasii and M. vilcabambensis.

FIGURE 69. Meriania vilcabambensis. A. Terminal fertile branch with inflorescence.B. Leaf blade, abaxial view. C. Detail of the abaxial surface. D. Inflorescence branch. E. Flower bud. F. Detail of the dorsal appendage of the calyx. G. Antesepalous stamen, frontal (left) and posterior (right) view. C. Antepetalous stamen, frontal (left) and posterior (right) view. A–C and E–H from L. Valenzuela 7494; D from S. Baldeón et al. 6719.