Meriania bongarana 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 : 20

4. Meriania bongarana Rob.Fern., R.Goldenb. & Michelang. , Willdenowia 52(1): 45 (2022).

Type:— PERU. Amazonas: Prov. Bongará, Dist. Yambrasbamba, Inmediaciones de la Estación Biológica Abra Patricia , 2320 m, 05°41’32.91”S, 77°48’41.1”W, 19–20 Feb 2020 (fl., fr.), R. Fernandez-Hilario, R. Villanueva-Espinoza & L. Pillaca 1930 (holotype: MOLF! [barcode 000006 ]; isotypes: CUZ!, HOXA! [accession no. 077852 ], NY! [barcode 04239398 ], UPCB! [accession no. 99400 ]) . ( Figures 14–15 ).

Comments:— Meriania bongarana is distinguishable by the combination of ferrugineous indumentum evenly covering the adaxial surface of leaves ( Fig. 14B–C ), calyces with claw-shaped dorsal projections (1.5–2.5 mm long) ( Fig. 14G ), campanulate, pink-orange corollas, petals 13–15.5 mm long, isomorphic stamens, connectives prolonged below the thecae and stamen connectives with slightly crown-shaped descending dorso-basal appendages ( Fig. 14E ). Among Peruvian species, M. bongarana most closely resembles M. dazae but differs by the indument on the abaxial leaf blades (ferrugineous pubescent vs. whitish to cream tomentose), petal length (14–15.5 mm long vs. 19.5–24 mm long), and the dorsal appendages of the stamen connectives (absent vs. a mere hump). A detailed comparison of M. bongarana with other related species can be found in Fernandez-Hilario et al. (2022).

Distribution and phenology:— Known only from three localities, Meriania bongarana is endemic to northern Peru (Department of Amazonas) and grows in montane forest at 2000–2320 m ( Fig. 16 ). It has been collected in flower in February and July, and in fruit in February, July and November.

Specimen examined:— PERU. Amazonas: Prov. Bagua, Dist. Copallin, camino a refugio Lechuza, Reserva Comunal Copallin , 2000 m, 05°39’13”S, 78°15’14”W, Jul 2022 (fl., fr.), I. Revilla et al. 3211 ( MOLF!); Dist. Imaza, Reserva Comunal Chayu Nain, alrededores de campamento Yumi Atsawai , 2160 m, 05°26’51”S, 78°18’58”W, 04–07 Nov 2022 (fr.), R. Fernandez-Hilario et al. 2352 ( HOXA!, MOLF!) .

Figures

FIGURE 14. Meriania bongarana. A. Terminal fertile branch with inflorescence. B. Leaf blade, abaxial view. C. Detail of the abaxial leaf surface. D. Detail of the dorsal appendages of the calyx. E. Stamen, lateral view. F. Petal. G. Inflorescence branch. H. Flower, lateral view. A–D from R. Fernandez-Hilario et al. 1930. Drawing by Leticia Lajo (F and H).

FIGURE 15. Meriania bongarana. A. Leaf blade, abaxial view. B. Inflorescence with flower buds. C. Flower. D. Fruits. A from R. Fernandez-Hilario et al. 2352; B and D from R. Fernandez-Hilario et al. 1930; C from I. Revilla et al. 3211. Photos by Robin Fernandez (A, B and D) and Akira Wong (C).

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