Meriania sumatika 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 : 72-73

27. Meriania sumatika Rob.Fern., R.Goldenb. & Michelang., Willdenowia 52(1): 63 (2022). Type:— PERU. Cusco: Prov. Urubamba, Dist. Machupichu, Santuario Histórico de Machupicchu y en Camino Inca , 2060 m, 13°09’10”S, 72°31’00”W, 14–22 Oct 1987 (fl., fr.), P. Núñez & J. Arque 8369 (holotype: CUZ! [accession no. 15097]; isotypes: F! [accession no. 2028864], US! [barcode 02925646]). ( Figure 58).

Comments:— This species differs from other Peruvian species of Meriania by the combination of 10-costate hypanthium (ridges up to 4.5 mm high in fruit, Fig. 58D), calyx with large falcate dorsal projections (14.5–15.5 mm long) ( Fig. 58G), spreading, reddish-purple corollas, large petals (46–55 mm long), dimorphic stamens, stamen connectives with two appendages, one descending dorso-basal appendage (laterally expanded in the antesepalous stamens, Fig. 58F), and the other blunt ascending appendage. Among Peruvian species, M. sumatika most closely resembles M. vargasii but differs by the hypanthia shape (10-costate vs. terete), petal length (46–55 mm vs. 20–24 mm), and anther length (14–16 mm vs. 9–12 mm).A detailed comparison of M. sumatika with other related species can be found in Fernandez-Hilario et al. (2022).

Distribution and phenology:— Meriania sumatika is endemic to southern Peru and grows in montane forests at 1800–2950 m ( Fig. 21). It has been collected in flower in February, May and October, and in fruit in May, June and October.

Specimens examined:— PERU. Cusco: Prov. Urubamba, Dist. Machupichu, Intipata, Santuario Histórico de Machu Picchu , 2950 m, 10 Feb 1990 (fl.), A . Cano et al. 2874 ( HUT!), Wiñay-Wayna, Machupichu , 2850–2900 m, 21 May 1991 (fr.), H . Dueñas 27 ( CUZ!), Microcuenca Wiñaywayna, Wiñaywayna-Intipunku , 2700 m, 13°10’23.04”S, 72°32’03.44”W, 24 Jun 2001 (fr.), R . Tupayachi et al. 4926 ( CUZ!), camino Inca, entre Wiñay Wayna e Intipunku , quebrada Wacraytambo , 2737 m, 13°10’42”S, 72°32’02”W, 24 May 2004 (fl., fr.), W . Galiano et al. 6410 ( CUZ!, NY!); Prov. La Convención, Dist. Santa Ana, Potrero , 1800 m, 13°53’56”S, 72°43’50”W, 27 May 2002 (fl. bud), I . Huamantupa et al. 2060 ( MO!, USM!) .