Meriania juanjil Rob.Fern., R.Goldenb.& Michelang., Willdenowia

Fernandez-Hilario, Robin, Goldenberg, Renato & Michelangeli, Fabián A., 2023, A synopsis of Meriania (Melastomataceae: Merianieae) in Peru, Phytotaxa 602 (1), pp. 1-101 : 37-38

12. Meriania juanjil Rob.Fern., R.Goldenb.& Michelang., Willdenowia 52(1): 58 (2022).

Type:— PERU. Amazonas : Prov. Bongará, Montane rainforest along Yambrasbamba-Pomacocha trail between Yambrasbamba and Yanayacu, 2200–2300 m, 26 Jun 1962 (fl.), J. Wurdack 1054 (holotype: USM! [accession no. 27403 ]; isotypes: F! [accession no. 1601214 ], NY! [barcode 02499960 ], P! [barcode 05225706 ], US! [barcode 02925052]) . ( Figure 31 ).

Comments:— Meriania juanjil differs from the other Peruvian species of Meriania by the combination of elliptic leaf blades (10.8–12.7 × 2.7–3 cm) with moderate puberulent indumentum on the abaxial surface ( Fig. 31B–C ), subcalyptrate calyx with small conic dorsal projections (ca. 0.5 mm long) ( Fig. 31D ) and irregular dehiscence ( Fig. 31G ), campanulate, pink-orange corollas, isomorphic stamens and stamen connectives prolonged below the thecae. Among Peruvian species, M. juanjil most closely resembles M. acida but differs by the width of leaf blades (2.7–3 cm vs. 5–8 cm), calyx shape (subcalyptrate vs. calyptrate), and dorsal projections on the calyces (small conic, ca. 0.5 mm long vs. absent). A detailed comparison of M. juanjil with other related species can be found in Fernandez-Hilario et al. (2022).

Distribution and phenology:— Known only from the type specimen, Meriania juanjil is endemic to northern Peru (Department of Amazonas) and grows in montane forests at 2200–2300 m ( Fig. 9 ). It has been collected in flower in June.

Figures

FIGURE 9. Distribution map of M. acida, M. callosa, M. dazae, M. drakei, M. franciscana, M. juanjil and M. peltata.

FIGURE 31. Meriania juanjil. A. Terminal fertile branch with inflorescences. B. Leaf blade, abaxial view. C. Detail of the convergence of the midvein and secondary veins, abaxial view. D. Detail of the apex of the calyx. E. Stamen, lateral view. F. Petal. G. Inflorescence branch. H. Flower with petals and stamens removed.A–H from J. Wurdack 1054.