Conostegia peltata (Almeda) Kriebel, 2016

Kriebel, Ricardo, 2016, A Monograph of Conostegia (Melastomataceae, Miconieae), PhytoKeys 67, pp. 1-326 : 206-208

Conostegia peltata (Almeda) Kriebel comb. nov. Fig. 182

Conostegia peltata (Almeda) Kriebel. Basionym: Miconia peltata Almeda, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. Series 4, 46(9): 217, f. 4. 1989. Type: Panama. Panamá: near Cerro Jefe, along road towards Alto Pacora, forested slopes, ca. 850 m, ca. 915'N, 7930'W, 27 December 1985, G. McPherson 7882 (holotype CAS!, isotype MEXU!, MO!, PMA!, US!).

Description.

Small trees 3-6 m tall with compressed branches when young that are covered with reddish pinoid hairs; the nodal line absent or obscured by indument. Leaves of a pair somewhat unequal to very unequal in size. Petiole 1-3.5 cm. Leaf blade 5-15 × 2.5-8.5 cm, 5-7 nerved, elliptic-ovate to ovate, the base peltate, the apex acuminate, margin inconspicuously undulate-denticulate to entire, the adaxial surface glabrous, the abaxial surface sparingly beset with spreading pinoid hairs and an inconspicuous appressed glandular puberulence mostly on the veins. Inflorescence a terminal multi flowered paniculiform dichasium 2-4 cm long, branching at the base, accessory branches absent, the rachis reddish covered with reddish pinoid hairs; bracteoles 0.25-0.5 × 0.25 mm, subulate, persistent. Pedicels ca. 1 mm long. Flowers 5-mer ous, neither calyptrate nor fused in bud, flower buds 1.9-2.15 × 1.25-1.5 mm, the hypanthium 1.5-2 × 1.5-2 mm, campanulate to subglobose, moderately to sparsely covered with stipitate-stellate or short reddish pinoid hairs, calyx tube ca. 0.25 mm long, calyx lobes triangular, 0.25 mm long, calyx teeth triangular, 0.25 mm long, the torus puberulent. Petals 2.5-3 × 1-1.25 mm, reddish-pink, oblong-elliptic, glabrous, spreading at anthesis, apically rounded almost acute. Stamens 10, 2.5-3 mm long, radially arranged around the style, the filaments 1.5-2 mm, with a geniculation near the apex, white, anthers 1-1.5 × 0.25-5 mm, oblong, pale yellow, slightly laterally compressed, the pore ca. 0.15 mm wide, somewhat dorsally inclined. Ovary 5 locular, 2/3 inferior, the apex fluted and sparingly glandular puberulent. Style 4.25-4.75 mm, curving downward gradually, vertical distance from the anther to the stigma 1.25-1.75 mm, horizontal distance a 1.5 mm, the stigma truncate, ca. 0.3 mm wide. Berry 3-4 × 3-4 mm, purple black. Seeds ca. 0.5 mm long, irregularly angulate pyramidate, smooth with polished angles on the convex face.

Distribution

(Fig. 183 ). Endemic to Cerro Jefe in Panama, 850-1000 m in elevation.

Conostegia peltata is a Cerro Jefe endemic quite distinctive because of its peltate leaves. It is closely related to another Cerro Jefe endemic, Conostegia jefensis , as well as to Conostegia consimilis and Conostegia trichosantha and shares the mostly linear-oblong petals with these species. With these particular petals, this clade is convergent with other taxa in section Geniculatae like Conostegia friedmaniorum .

Specimens examined.

PANAMA. Panamá: Cerro Jefe, Aranda 185 (CAS); P. N. Chagres, Cerro Jefe, subiendo por calle principal hacia la cima, Kriebel and Burke 5658 (NY, PMA); Near Cerro Jefe along road towards Alto Pacora, McPherson 7882 (CAS).

Figures

Figure 182. Conostegia peltata. A Branch B Leaf adaxial surface (notice peltate leaf base) C Inflorescence D Close up of the inflorescence E Flower bud F Longitudinal section of flower bud G Flower at anthesis H Petal I Stamen. Photos of specimen vouchered R. Kriebel and J. Burke 5658.

Figure 183. Distribution of Conostegia peltata.