Microlicia tridentata (Naudin) Versiane & R.Romero, Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 197: 55. 2021.

Pacifico, Ricardo, Almeda, Frank, Penneys, Darin S. & Fidanza, Karina, 2022, Systematics of the Trembleya sensu stricto clade of Microlicia (Melastomataceae, Lavoisiereae), PhytoKeys 216, pp. 1-101 : 1

11. Microlicia tridentata (Naudin) Versiane & R.Romero, Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 197: 55. 2021.

Fig. 30

Trembleya tridentata Naudin, Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. Sér. 3, 2: 154: 1844. basionym. Type: Brazil. "In montibus Serra de San Jose, provinciae Minas Geraes" [Minas Gerais, Serra de São José], 1816-1821, [catal. B2, n° 2397] A. Saint-Hilaire s.n. (lectotype, first-step designated by Martin and Cremers (2007), second-step designated here: P [P00723392]!; isolectotypes: P [P00723391]!, P [P00723506]!; image of lectotype is available at http://coldb.mnhn.fr/catalognumber/mnhn/p/p00723392).

Description.

Erect shrubs or treelets 1.0-1.8 m tall. Branchlets quadrangular, appearing glabrous, vernicose and minutely granulose, light green (when fresh). Internodes 0.3-1.5 cm long, angles with narrow wings 0.2-0.4 mm wide. Petioles 1.0-4.9 mm long. Leaf blades 20-49 mm long, 12-24 mm wide, coriaceous (when dry), elliptic, ovate, or rarely narrowly elliptic, both surfaces green (when fresh), adaxial surface blackened and abaxial surface pale green to pale brown (when dry), discoloured (when dry), base cuneate or attenuate, apex rounded to emarginate, margin flat, entire along the basal half, serrulate on the upper half and glandular-punctate, 5-nerved from the base, one pair of acrodromous veins and one pair of tenuous veins close to the margin, tertiaries evident on the abaxial surface, nearly perpendicular to the mid-vein, reticulate, randomly branching and surrounding stout depressions on the abaxial leaf surface, adaxial surface glandular-punctate, abaxial surface glandular-punctate. Inflorescences simple dichasia or reduced to solitary flowers, not congested. Bracts (including petioles) 1.0-1.6 cm long, 0.4-0.8 cm wide, 3- to inconspicuously 5-nerved, elliptic, indumentum like that of the principal leaves. Bracteoles (at anthesis) with petioles 2.5-5.0 mm long, blades 8.1-11.0 mm long, 4.0-5.5 mm wide, elliptic, base attenuate, apex rounded to obtuse, margin sparsely serrulate, 3-nerved, indumentum like that of the principal leaves. Flowers 5-merous, pedicels (at anthesis) 1.3-1.6 mm long. Hypanthia (at anthesis) 3.5-3.9 mm long, 2.3-2.7 mm wide at the torus, campanulate to urceolate, light green (when fresh), externally appearing glabrous, vernicose and minutely granulose. Calyx tubes 0.3-0.4 mm long. Calyx lobes (at anthesis) 4.1-4.9 mm long, 0.8-1.1 mm wide at the base, subulate, apex acute, margin entire, (when fresh) light green or reddish, externally like the hypanthia. Petals 11.5-13.0 mm long, 6.0-7.0 mm wide, magenta or rarely white, obovate, apex acute or rounded, margin entire and glabrous, both surfaces glabrous. Stamens 10, strongly dimorphic. Larger (antesepalous) stamens 5, filaments 4.9-5.6 mm long, pink or rarely white, pedoconnectives 6.0-6.5 mm long, pink or rarely white with the apical region flushed with pink, appendages 1.7-1.9 mm long, yellow, apex emarginate or truncate, thecae (excluding rostra) 1.7-1.9 mm long, purple, oblong, rostra 0.3-0.5 mm long, the circular pores ca. 0.2 mm wide. Smaller (antepetalous) stamens 5, filaments 4.0-4.4 mm long, pink or rarely white, pedoconnectives 1.5-1.9 mm long, pink or rarely white with the apical region flushed with pink, inconspicuous appendages ca. 0.2 mm long, yellow, apex emarginate or truncate, thecae (excluding rostra) 1.4-1.7 mm long, yellow, oblong, rostra 0.3-0.5 mm long, the circular pores ca. 0.2 mm wide. Ovary 2.2-2.4 mm long, 2.1-2.3 mm wide, globose, 5-locular. Style 6.1-6.5 mm long, pink or rarely white. Capsules (at maturity) 3.0-4.0 mm long, 2.7-3.6 mm wide, globose, initially enveloped by the hypanthium, torus constricted at the apex, fruiting calyx tubes 0.4-0.5 mm long, fruiting calyx lobes 4.5-5.4 mm long, not thickened. Seeds not seen.

Distribution, habitat and elevation range.

Microlicia tridentata is endemic to Minas Gerais State (Fig. 25A ) at Serra de Ouro Branco, Serra de Ouro Preto, Serra de São José, Serra do Gandarela, Serra do Cipó, Serra do Lenheiro, Serra do Caraça and Barão de Cocais. It grows on quartzitic or ferruginous campo rupestre, exposed to full sun, at elevations between 1110 and 1614 m.

Conservation.

Microlicia tridentata is known from about 40 collections. The EOO is 4,613.081 km2 and the AOO is 24 km2. Following IUCN (2019) recommendations, we recommend Endangered (EN): B1ab(iii) status for this species. Populations of M. tridentata are protected in Parque Estadual do Itacolomi, Parque Estadual Serra do Ouro Branco and RPPN Serra do Caraça (Natural Heritage Private Reserve).

Recognition and affinities.

Microlicia tridentata can be recognised by its leaves that are serrulate along the upper half, 5-nerved from the base, abaxially conspicuously glandular-punctate, with tertiary veins reticulate and randomly branching and flowers with subulate calyx lobes 4.1-4.9 mm long. It shares with M. pentagona the shrubby to treelet habit and the serrulate leaves along the upper half that are 5-nerved from the base. Microlicia tridentata is readily differentiated by the abaxial surfaces of the leaves that are more conspicuously glandular-punctate, with tertiares reticulate and randomly branching (vs. parallel or little reticulate and branching apically) and shorter calyx lobes 4.1-4.9 mm long (vs. 6.2-8.5 mm long) that are tenuous in fruit (vs. thickened). Another close relative is M. parviflora , from which M. tridentata differs by the leaves that are not pruinose (vs. usually pruinose), inflorescences composed of simple dichasia or reduced to solitary flowers (vs. compound or simple dichasia), bracteoles longer 8.1-11.0 mm long (vs. 2.2-3.8 mm long) and longer calyx lobes 4.1-4.9 mm long [vs. 0.7-2.5(-3.0)] that are subulate (vs. triangular). The distributions of M. parviflora and M. pentagona overlap with M. tridentata on several mountain ranges in Minas Gerais (e.g. Serra de Ouro Branco, Serra de Ouro Preto, Serra do Cipó).

Notes.

Major variation in M. tridentata involves inflorescence development (simple dichasia or solitary flowers) and the petals typically magenta (Fig. 8H ), rarely white (Fig. 9H ), which may be rounded or acute at the apex.

Specimens examined.

Brazil. Minas Gerais: Barão de Cocais Municipality, Irwin et al. 29029 (IAN, NY, US), Irwin et al. 29079 (K, MO, NY, P, RB); Catas Altas Municipality , Serra do Caraca , Castro et al. 281 (HUFU); Ouro Branco Municipality , Serra de Ouro Branco , Pacifico & Bressan 290 (CAS, HUEM), Souza et al. 8015 (ESA, SPF, UEC); Ouro Preto Municipality , Serra do Itacolomi , Badini & Ferreira 9774 (HUFU), Ferreira & Helena 7844 (ESA, HUFU), Giulietti et al. CFCR13780 (K, MO, SPF), Longhi-Wagner et al. CFCR9184 (SPF, UEC, US), Magalhães 1160 (IAN, US), Michelangeli et al. 1586 (NY, RB, UPCB), Michelangeli et al. 1595 (NY, UPCB), Pedrosa 120 (OUPR), Rolim et al. 326 (HUFU, VIC), Rolim et al. 327 (UPCB, VIC), Rolim et al. 328 (HUFU, VIC), Rolim et al. 394 (HUFU, NY, RB, VIC), Roschel et al. s.n. (OUPR [1506], RB [RB 01301048]), Souza et al. 8047 (ESA, SORO, SPF), Souza et al. 8061 (ESA, RB, SPF, UPCB); Rio Acima Municipality , Serra do Gandarela , Pacifico & Bressan 303 (CAS, HUEM), Versiane & Devides 682 (UEC); Santa Barbara Municipality , Serra do Caraca , Ordones et al. 84 (BHZB, HUFU), Pereira & Pabst 2619 (RB, US); Santana do Riacho Municipality , Serra do Cipo , Duarte 8157 (G, LE, RB, US); Sao Joao del-Rei Municipality , Schwacke 10135 (BHCB, RB, W), Glaziou 17513 (P, R, US), Serra do Lenheiro , Glaziou 16781 (K, NY, P, US); Tiradentes Municipality , Serra de Sao Jose , Alves 595 (US), Alves 7359 (R), Rutter 128 (R), Rutter 150 (R), Rutter 161 (R), Rutter 186 (R), Rutter 191 (R); Unknown municipality in Minas Gerais State , Claussen 1631 (P), Glaziou 14743 (K, P, US), Glaziou 17573 (K), Mendonça 557 (US), Riedel s.n. (K [K009597799, W-18800001419, W-18890019740]), Saint-Hilaire s.n. [catal. B2, n° 2397] (lectotype: P [P00723392]; isolectotypes: P [P00723391], P [P00723506]), Sellow s.n. (US [US00292635]); Serra da Conceicao (Serra B. Vista), Hensold et al. CFCR2880 (SPF, US) .

A nomenclatural review on the remaining taxa previously treated in Trembleya

1. Trembleya acuminata R.B.Pacifico & Fidanza, Phytotaxa 238(2): 164. 2015. Type: Brazil. Minas Gerais, Joaquim Felício, Serra do Cabral, estrada Joaquim Felício-Várzea da Palma, ca. 24 km de Joaquim Felício, 10 July 2001, V.C. Souza et al. 25654 (holotype: MBM!; isotypes: BHCB!, ESA!, SPF!).

Replaced with: Microlicia acuminifolia Versiane & R.Romero.

2. Trembleya agrestis Mart. & Schrank ex DC., Prodr. 3: 126. 1828. Type: Brazil. "In prov. Minas Geraes" [Minas Gerais], C.F.P. Martius s.n. (holotype: M [M0165682]!, isotype [fragment]: BR [BR0000005521203]!).

Basionym of: Microlicia agrestis (Mart. & Schrank ex DC.) Cogn.

3. Trembleya botaensis R.B.Pacifico & Fidanza, Phytotaxa 238(2): 167. 2015. Type: Brazil. Minas Gerais, Guaraciama, Cadeia do Espinhaço, Serra do Bota, 19 March 2005, E. Guarçoni 903 & M. A. Sartori (holotype: MBM!).

Synonym of: Microlicia curralensis Brade.

4. Trembleya elegans (Cogn.) Almeda & A.B.Martins, Novon 11(1): 6. 2001. Type: Based on Lavoisiera elegans Cogn.

Replaced with: Microlicia speciosa Versiane & R.Romero.

5. Trembleya inversa Fidanza, A.B.Martins & Almeda, Brittonia 65(3): 281. 2013. Type: Brazil. Minas Gerais, Joaquim Felício, Serra do Cabral, Armazém da Laje, 9 September 2003, K. Fidanza & R. Belinello 12 (holotype: UEC!; isotype: CAS!).

Basionym of: Microlicia inversa (Fidanza, A.B.Martins & Almeda) Versiane & R.Romero.

6. Trembleya neopyrenaica Naudin, Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. Sér. 3, 2: 154. 1844. Type: Brazil. "In montibus Pyreneos prov. Goyaz" [ Goiás, Serra dos Pireneus], 1816, A. Saint-Hilaire C1-694 (lectotype, first-step designated by Martin and Cremers (2007), second-step designated here: P [P00723416]!; isolectotypes: P [P00723417]!, P [P00723418]!, F [fragment] [F0064039F-online image]!; image of lectotype is available at http://coldb.mnhn.fr/catalognumber/mnhn/p/p00723416).

Basionym of: Microlicia neopyrenaica (Naudin) Versiane & R.Romero.

7. Trembleya phlogiformis Mart. & Schrank ex DC., Prodr. 3: 126. 1828. Type: Brazil. "In Brasiliae campis prov. S.-Pauli" [ São Paulo State], Martius s.n. (holotype: M [M0165885]!, probable isotype: G [G00310212]!).

Basionym of: Microlicia phlogiformis (Mart. & Schrank ex DC.) Versiane & R.Romero.

Melastoma pumilum Vell., Fl. Flumin. 179. 1829. Type: Brazil. "Habitat campis apricis mediterraneis prope Predium Boavista inter gramina" (lectotype, designated here: Original illustration published in Vellozo, Fl. Flumin. Icones 3: t. 151. 1831; the original parchment is in the manuscript section of the Biblioteca Nacional, Rio de Janeiro; a copy of the illustration is deposited at G [G00368052]!).

Trembleya phlogiformis var. glabra Cham., Linnaea 9: 429. 1835. syn. nov. Type: Brazil. "In Brasilia australi loco haud indicato", Sellow 2387 (lectotype, designated here: S [S09-12942-online image]!; probable isolectotype: K [K000530643]!).

Trembleya stachyoides Naudin, Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. Sér. 3, 2: 154. 1844. syn. nov. Type: Brazil. "In Brasilia australi, praecipue circa Tocoropa", Laruotte s.n. (lectotype, first-step designated by Martin and Cremers (2007), second-step designated here: P [P00723388]!; isolectotype: P [P00723389]!; image of lectotype is available at http://coldb.mnhn.fr/catalognumber/mnhn/p/p00723388).

Trembleya phlogiformis var. cuneifolia Cogn. in Martius et al., Fl. Bras. 14(3): 132. 1883. syn. nov. Type: Brazil. "In prov. Minas Geraës ad Congonhas do Campo" [Minas Gerais], Stephan s.n. (lectotype, designated here: BR [BR0000005224203]!).

Trembleya phlogiformis var. genuina Cogn. in Martius et al., Fl. Bras. 14(3): 132. 1883. syn. nov. Type: Based on Trembleya phlogiformis Mart. & Schrank ex DC.

Trembleya phlogiformis var. latifolia Cogn. in Martius et al., Fl. Bras. 14(3): 132. 1883. syn. nov. Type: Brazil. "In Brasilia loco haud indicato", Raben 781 (lectotype, designated here: BR [BR0000005520855]!; isolectotype: BR [BR0000005520190]!).

Trembleya phlogiformis var. microlicioides Cogn. in Martius et al., Fl. Bras. 14(4): 594. 1888. syn. nov. Type: Brazil. In prov. Rio de Janeiro, Glaziou 16046 (lectotype, designated here: R [R000009186]!; isolectotypes: BR [BR0000005223596]!, BR [BR0000005520503]!, BR [BR0000005520176]!, C [C10015111-online image]!, G [G00368051]!, P [P00723400]!; image of isolectotype at P is available at http://coldb.mnhn.fr/catalognumber/mnhn/p/p00723400).

Trembleya phlogiformis var. parvifolia Cogn. in Martius et al., Fl. Bras. 14(3): 132. 1883. syn. nov. Type: Brazil. "In paludibus prope Lorena prov. S. Paulo", Riedel 1418 (lectotype, designated here: P [P05317991]!; isolectotypes: K [K000530649]!, P [P05317995]!; image of lectotype is available at http://coldb.mnhn.fr/catalognumber/mnhn/p/p05317991).

Trembleya phlogiformis var. quinquenervia Cogn. in Martius et al., Fl. Bras. 14(3): 132. 1883. syn. nov. Type: Brazil. "In prov. Goyaz" [ Goiás], Gardner 4147 (lectotype, designated here: BM [BM000516951]!; isolectotypes P [P05317981]!, P [P05317982]!; image of lectotype is available at http://plants.jstor.org and http://data.nhm.ac.uk/object/255f17a9-b371-4dd3-8eb0-9f0eafbd2e76).

Trembleya phlogiformis var. ramosissima Cogn. in Martius et al., Fl. Bras. 14(3): 132. 1883. syn. nov. Type: Brazil. "In prov. Minas Geraës”, Regnell I. 152 part (lectotype, designated here: R [R000166805]!; isolectotypes: P [P05318036]!, S [S09-12952-online image]!; images of the lectotype and an isolectotype are available at http://plants.jstor.org and http://coldb.mnhn.fr/catalognumber/mnhn/p/p05318036).

Trembleya phlogiformis var. stachyoides (Naudin) Cogn. in Martius et al., Fl. Bras. 14(3): 132. 1883. syn. nov. Type: Based on Trembleya stachyoides Naudin.

Trembleya phlogiformis var. villosa Cogn. in Martius et al., Fl. Bras. 14(3): 132. 1883. syn. nov. Type: Brazil. "In campis siccis ad Registo Velho", Pohl & Schüch 230 (lectotype, designated here: BR [BR0000005223541]!).

Trembleya selloana Cogn. in Martius et al., Fl. Bras. 14(3): 133. 1883. syn. nov. Type: Based on Trembleya phlogiformis var. glabra Cham.

8. Trembleya pityrophylla (Mart. ex DC.) Triana, Trans. Linn. Soc. London 28(1): 24. 1872. Type: Based on Osbeckia pityrophylla Mart. ex DC.

Synonym of: Cambessedesia pityrophylla (Mart. ex DC.) A.B.Martins.

9. Trembleya pradosiana Netto, Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. Sér. 5, 3: 378. 1865. Type: Brazil. "Habitat in campis ad flumen Rio das Velhas, prope vivum Trahiras, in parte centrali provinciae Minas Geraes" [Minas Gerais], May 1862, Netto s.n. (holotype: P [P00723509]!; image of holotype is available at http://coldb.mnhn.fr/catalognumber/mnhn/p/p00723509).

Basionym of: Microlicia pradosiana (Netto) Versiane & R.Romero.

Trembleya rubra Fidanza, A.B.Martins & Almeda, Brittonia 65: 286. 2013. syn. nov. Type: Brazil. Minas Gerais, Joaquim Felício, Serra do Cabral, ca. 5 km S do Armazém da Laje, 4 December 2003, K. Fidanza & R. Belinello 112 (holotype: UEC!; isotype: CAS!).

10. Trembleya purpurascens Fidanza, A.B.Martins & Almeda, Brittonia 65(3): 284. 2013. Type: Brazil. Minas Gerais, Joaquim Felício, Serra do Cabral, estrada Joaquim Felício-Armazém, 4 May 2003, K. Fidanza & R. Belinello 56 (holotype: UEC!; isotype: CAS!).

Synonym of: Microlicia curralensis Brade.

11. Trembleya serrulata Fidanza, A.B.Martins & Almeda, Brittonia 65(3): 288. 2013. Type: Brazil. Minas Gerais, Joaquim Felício, Serra do Cabral, Pedreira, 7 December 2003, K. Fidanza 108 (holotype: UEC!; isotype: CAS!).

Replaced with: Microlicia serratifolia Versiane & R.Romero.

12. Trembleya thomazii R.B.Pacifico & Fidanza, Phytotaxa 238(2): 171. 2015. Type: Brazil. Minas Gerais, Guaraciama, Cadeia do Espinhaço, Serra do Bota, 20 March 2005, E. Guarçoni 929 & M. A. Sartori (holotype: MBM!)

Basionym of: Microlicia thomazii (R.B.Pacifico & Fidanza) Versiane & R.Romero.

13. Trembleya warmingii Cogn. in Martius et al., Fl. Bras. 14(3): 133. 1883. Type: Brazil. "Ad Lagoa Santa" [Minas Gerais, Lagoa Santa], 9 February 1866, E. Warming 2306 (holotype: C!).

Basionym of: Poteranthera warmingii (Cogn.) Almeda & R.B.Pacifico.

Excluded and/or dubious names

1. Trembleya capitata Cogn. [nom. inval.]

2. Trembleya canescens Schnizl. [probably = Pleroma D.Don]

3. Trembleya debilis Glaz. [nom. inval.]

4. Trembleya santae-luziae Glaz. [nom. inval.]

5. Trembleya rhynanthera Griff. [probably = Melastoma L.]

6. Trembleya rosea Sessé & Moc. [probably = Coreopsis grandiflora Hogg ex Sweet ( Asteraceae )]

Figures

Figure 8. Inflorescences in the Trembleya s. s. clade of Microlicia A M. altoparaisensis B M. chamissoana C M. laniflora D-F M. flaviflora G M. parviflora H M. tridentata. Photos: A by V. E. Bressan B by F. A. O. Silveira C by L. Pedrosa D, E by R. Pacifico F by A. V. Scatigna E by F. Almeda F by F. A. Michelangeli.

Figure 9. Diversity of flowers in the Trembleya s. s. clade of Microlicia A M. chamissoana B M. parviflora C M. flaviflora D M. laniflora E, F M. pentagona G M. rosmarinoides H M. tridentata. Photos: A by F. A. O. Silveira B and D-F by F. Almeda C by A. V. Scatigna G by L. Pedrosa H by F. A. Michelangeli.

Figure 25. Geographic distribution of species of the Trembleya s. s. clade of Microlicia A distributions of M. parviflora and M. tridentata B distributions of M. pentagona, M. pithyoides and M. rosmarinoides.

Figure 30. Microlicia tridentata A habit B leaf abaxial surface C bracteole abaxial surface D floral bud E flower in lateral view F flowering hypanthium G petal adaxial surface H antesepalous (behind) and antepetalous (in front) stamens I gynoecium J capsule enveloped by the hypanthium. Drawn from Hensold et al. CFCR 2880 (UEC) and Souza et al. 8015 (UEC).