Meriania vasquezii Rob.Fern., R.Villanueva & 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 : 86

33. Meriania vasquezii Rob.Fern., R.Villanueva & Michelang., Willdenowia 52(1): 66 (2022).

Type:— PERU. Pasco: Prov. Oxapampa, Dist. Chontabamba, Ulcumano Lodge , 2244 m, 10°38’08”S, 75°25’39”W, 23 Feb 2021 (fl.), R. Vásquez, L. Valenzuela, E. Pinche & C. Rojas 45480 (holotype: HOXA! [accession no. 077441 ]; isotypes: MO!, MOLF! [barcode 000009 ], UPCB! [accession no. 99426 ]) . ( Figures 67–68 ).

Comments:— Meriania vasquezii differs from other Peruvian species of Meriania by the combination of leaf blades with dense tomentose indumentum on the abaxial surfaces, evenly covering the entire surfaces ( Fig. 67B–C ), inflorescences with flowers in regular dichasia in the branchlet ends, subcalyptrate calyces with small claw-shaped dorsal projections (3 mm long) and irregular dehiscence ( Fig. 67D and G ), campanulate, fuchsia corollas, dimorphic stamens, and antesepalous stamen connectives with laterally expanded descending dorso-basal appendages ( Fig. 67E ). Meriania juanjil is the only Peruvian species shares subcalyptrate calyces with M. vasquezii but differs by the leaf blades size (10.8–12.7 × 2.7–3 cm vs. 16.5–23.5 × 9.3–10.7 cm), arrangement of flowers in branchlet ends (5–7- flowered umbels vs. regular dichasia), and length and color of the petals (11–13.5 mm long and pink-orange vs. 25–31 mm long and fuchsia). A detailed comparison of M. vasquezii with other related species can be found in Fernandez-Hilario et al. (2022).

Distribution and phenology:— Known only from two specimens, Meriania vasquezii is endemic to central Peru (Department of Pasco) and grows in montane forests at 2200–2244 m ( Fig. 11 ). It has been collected in flower in February and March.

Specimen examined:— PERU. Pasco: Prov. Oxapampa, Dist. Chontabamba, margen de la carretera a Ulcumano Ecolodge , 2200 m, 09 Mar 2022 (fl.), B. García 210 ( MOLF!) .

Figures

FIGURE 11. Distribution map of M. amischophylla, M. bicentenaria, M. rubriflora, M. vasquezii and M. weberbaueri.

FIGURE 67. Meriania vasquezii. 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 calyx. E. Antesepalous stamen, lateral view, with detail of the descending dorso-basal appendage (above). F. Antepetalous stamen, lateral view, with detail of the descending dorso-basal appendage (above). G. Flower with petals and stamens removed.A and C–G from R. Vásquez et al. 45480; B from B. García 210.

FIGURE 68. Meriania vasquezii. A.Terminal fertile branch with inflorescence.B. Leaf blade, adaxial view.C. Detail of the inflorescence. D. Flower at anthesis, apical view. A and C from R. Vásquez et al. 45480; B and D from B. García 210. Photos by Rodolfo Vásquez (A and C) and Bernardo García (B and D).