Miconia argyrophylla subsp. gracilis Wurdack

  • Authority

    Maguire, Bassett & Wurdack, John J. 1961. The botany of the Guayana Highland--part IV (2). Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 10: 1-87.

  • Family

    Melastomataceae

  • Scientific Name

    Miconia argyrophylla subsp. gracilis Wurdack

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Rami juniores obtuse quadrangulati, vetustiores subteretes. Inflorescentiae ramuli ex axe primario graciles ad basim ca. 0.4—0.5 mm diam.

  • Discussion

    In typical M. argyrophylla (including var. attenuata Cogn.), the branches are acutely quadrangular and the inflorescence branches 0.7-1 mm diam. M. crassinervia Cogn. was placed by Cogniaux in sect. Ghaenanthera; the Flora Brasiliensis illustration shows anthers longitudinally rimose basally but not apically. I have examined two sheets of the type collection (Riedel 1396, K, W) and cannot distinguish them from Guiana specimens ascribed to typical M. argyrophylla; the anther clefting seems to be caused by drying and/or pressing, rather than a genetic mechanism, and occurs sporadically in Guiana collections of M . argyrophylla sensu Cogniaux. Martius synonymized M. stenostachya D C . with M . argyrophylla and illustrated flowering material of M . stenostachya (Nov. Gen. Sp. Plant. S: fig 284). Unfortunately the type collection of M . argyrophylla is fruiting and I have not as yet been able to compare the holotype with recent flowering material. So many Miconia species have the same gross aspect as M . argyrophylla that the absolute synonymization of M. crassinervia is deferred.