Aciotis indecora (Bonpland 1821: 131) Triana (1871: 52)

Corrêa, André Luis, Scudeller, Veridiana Vizoni & Goldenberg, Renato, 2017, Melastomataceae in the Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável do Tupé, Amazonas, Brazil, Phytotaxa 323 (2), pp. 101-127 : 107

3. Aciotis indecora (Bonpland 1821: 131) Triana (1871: 52) .

Herbs 40–80 cm tall. Green smooth rhytidome. Branches erect, quadrangular, not winged, reddish, hollow; branche, leave, petiole, inflorescence, hypanthium and fruit with glandular persistent trichomes. Leaves opposite isophyllous,; petiole channelled 1.4–2 cm long; leaf blades 5.7–6.8 × 2.9–3.6 cm, membranous, concolorous, symmetrical, elliptic, base cordate, apex acuminate, margins serrate and ciliate, adaxial side with glandular persistent trichomes, abaxial surface with persistent simple trichomes, leaf veins 8, basal; ant domatia absent. Inflorescences 7.8–8.6 × 3.1–5.3 cm, a terminal thyrse; bracts 1.9–6.1 mm long, ovate, persistent, with glandular trichomes; bracteoles ca. 0.3 mm long. Flowers 4-merous; pedicel ca. 0.2 mm long; hypanthium 0.6 mm long, campanulate, smooth; calyx simple, persistent; petals 3–3.2 × 1.7–2.2 mm, white, ovate, symmetrical, apex acute, base cuneate, margins ciliate,abaxial side with glandular tricomes; stamens 8, isomorphic, anthers 1.3–1.6 mm long, oblong, straight, apex attenuate, 1 apical pore, white, appendaged, filament 2.1–2.3 mm long, glabrous; ovary 2–2.3 mm long, half-inferior, placentation axillary, 3-locular, with glandular trichomes; style 4.7–5.5 mm long, straight, glabrous. Capsule 3.8–4.3 × 2.6–2.8 mm, unripe fruit green, ripe fruit red; seeds numerous, ovoid.

Specimens examined: — BRAZIL. Amazonas , Manaus, RDS-Tupé, 31 January. 2013, fl., fr., A. L. Corrêa 138 ( EAFM!, HUAM!, INPA!) ; 01 February 2013, fl.,fr., A. L. Corrêa 150 ( EAFM!, HUAM!, INPA!) .

Distribution and habitat: —In Central and South America except in El Salvador, South America except for Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay ( Freire-Fierro 2002). In Brazil it occurs in Amazonian and Atlantic florests ( Rosa & Baumgratz, 2015). In the reserve it occurs in humid environments, near streams, on sandy soil.

Comments: —This species is frequently found in the reserve. It can be distinguished by the reddish branches with glandular trichomes, and by the abaxial surface of petals and ovary apex covered with glandular trichomes.