Taxonomic novelties in Microlicia tomentella complex (Melastomataceae) and a new species of Microlicia from Serra do Cabral, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

The morphological study of the sympatric species M. glandulifera, M. passerina and M. tomentella revealed that these binomials constitute a continuous of the same species, considered here as M. tomentella, since this is the oldest basionym. A new species of Microlicia (Melastomataceae) endemic to campo rupestre in Serra do Cabral, Minas Gerais, Brazil, is described, illustrated and compared with similar species. Microlicia trianaei sp. nov. resembles M. tomentella by the glandular emergences in the abaxial leaf surface, solitary, lateral and terminal flowers, obovate petals, and dimorphic and bicolored stamens with tetrasporangiate thecae. However, it differs by its branched pattern of ramification, sparse indumentum of short-stalked glandular trichomes and long-stalked glandular trichomes covering the branches, leaves, hypanthium and sepals, lanceolate leaf blade with apex abruptly acute with vernicous aspect, epidermis with outer periclinal cell walls thicked and collenchyma cells with annular thickening on the abaxial surface. The leaf anatomy of both species is described.