Meriania ninakurorum (Bussmann & Paniagua) E.Cotton & Balslev

Fernandez-Hilario, Robin, Goldenberg, Renato & Michelangeli, Fabián A., 2023, A synopsis of Meriania (Melastomataceae: Merianieae) in Peru, Phytotaxa 602 (1), pp. 1-101 : 46-47

16. Meriania ninakurorum (Bussmann & Paniagua) E.Cotton & Balslev , Sci. Danic. Biol. 4: 108 (2014).

Basionym : Axinaea ninakurorum Bussmann & Paniagua, Arnaldoa 19(1): 23 (2012).

Type: PERU. San Martín: Prov. Huallaga, Dist. Bolivar, cloud forest surrounding “ Pampa Hermosa ” around old Chacha and Inca settlement, with high amount of old Cedrela , 2400 m, 06°59’32”S, 77°39’16”W, 24 May 2011 (fl.), R.W. Bussmann, N. Paniagua, C. Vega & L. Cotrina 17067 (holotype: HAO! [accession no. 20106 ]; isotypes: CAS! [barcode 474651 ], M! [barcode M-0274715 ], MO! [barcodes MO-2695409 , MO-2822726 , MO-2822727 , MO-2822728 ], NY! [barcode 02059485 ]) . ( Figure 39 ).

Comments:— Meriania ninakurorum in one of the four Peruvian species (along with M. bicentenaria , M. franciscana and M. peltata ) that form part of the M. macrophylla complex. These species (except M. peltata , typical form) differ from the other species of the complex by the stamen connectives lacking bifid descending dorso-basal appendages. Also, M. ninakurorum can be recognized by its subpeltate leaves ( Fig. 39A ), lanceolate to ovate leaf blades 17.2–27.7 × 8.1–15.5 cm, puberulent abaxial leaf surfaces, petioles without projections, truncate or repand calyces, 5-merous flowers, pink petals ( Fig. 39B ), stamen connectives without dorsal appendages, and antepetalous stamen connectives with falcate descending dorso-basal appendage. Meriania ninakurorum could be confused with M. franciscana and M. peltata (Peruvian population, see additional comments below this species). However, floral and vegetative characters distinguish them, M. franciscana has elliptic to broadly elliptic leaf blades, antepetalous stamen connectives with blunt ascending dorsal appendages, antesepalous stamen connectives with dorsal appendages as a mere hump and leaves with an adaxial projections (scutum) on the insertion of the petiole with the leaf blade, and M. peltata differs by its large ovate leaf blades (22.8–28.7 × 13.3–16.7 cm) and pubescent to setulose abaxial leaf surfaces.

Meriania ninakurorum was described as a species with isomorphic stamens, although even the illustration and photos (see Fig. 1 and 2 in Bussmann & Paniagua 2012) show strongly dimorphic stamens. Probably due to this misinterpretation this species was originally described as Axinaea . Nevertheless, M. ninakurorum has only antepetalous stamens with inflated (bulbous) connectives from almost the middle of the thecae, which is a diagnostic characteristic for species of the M. macrophylla complex. All species in Axinaea have both antepetalous and antesepalous stamen connectives with inflated (bulbous) dorso-basal appendages (except some species with 4-merous flowers) ( Cotton et al. 2014).

Distribution and phenology:— Known only from the type specimen, Meriania ninakurorum is endemic to northern Peru (Department of San Martín) and occurs in montane forests at 2400 m ( Fig. 16 ). It has been collected in flower in May.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Genera of Merianieae in Peru. A. Adelobotrys (R. Fernandez-Hilario & A. Vásquez 1591). B. Adelobotrys (R. Fernandez- Hilario et al. 1658). C. Axinaea (R. Fernandez-Hilario et al. 1426). D. Axinaea (R. Fernandez-Hilario et al. 195). E. Graffenrieda (R. Fernandez-Hilario et al. 1737). F. Graffenrieda (R. Fernandez-Hilario et al. 1662). G–H. Macrocentrum (R. Vásquez et al. 39321). I. Meriania (R. Fernandez-Hilario et al. 2092). J. Meriania (R. Fernandez-Hilario et al. 1931). K–L. Salpinga (J. P. Janovec 3248). Photos by Robin Fernandez-Hilario (A–F and I–J); Rodolfo Vásquez (G–H) and Jhon P. Janovec (K–L).

FIGURE 2. Botanical expeditions in Peruvian Andes. A. Robin Fernandez with fertile branches of Meriania penningtonii (Dept. Amazonas, Prov. Bongará, Dist. Yambrasbamba); Nov 2020. B. Reserva Comunal Chayu Nain (Dept. Amazonas, Prov. Bagua, Dist. Imaza); Nov 2022. C. Luis Pillaca collecting specimens of Melastomataceae (Dept. Cajamarca, Prov. San Ignacio, Dist. Huarango); Nov 2020. D. Wilder Chuquitucto, Luis Pillaca, Rosa Villanueva and Robin Fernandez exploring the subparamos of the ACP San Lorenzo (Dep.Amazonas, Prov. Bongará, Dist. Florida); Feb 2020. E. Akira Wong and Italo Revilla preparing the trip to the ACP Tilacancha (Dept. Amazonas, Prov. Chachapoyas, Dist. San Isidro de Maino); Dec 2021. Photos by Robin Fernandez-Hilario.

FIGURE 16. Distribution map of M. bongarana, M. escalerensis, M. megaphylla, M. ninakurorum, M. prunifolia, M. speciosa and M. urceolata.

FIGURE 39. Meriania ninakurorum. A. Detail of the base (subpeltate) of the leaf blade. B. Flower at anthesis, apical view.A–B from R.W. Bussmann et al. 17067. Photos by Rainer W. Bussmann.