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!) .