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Family:

Melastomataceae (Magnoliophyta)

Accepted Name:

This name is currently accepted.

Description:

Description Author and Date: Frank Almeda, based on Almeda, F. (2009). Melastomataceae. In: G. Davidse, M. Sousa-Sânchez, S. Knapp, & F. Chiang (eds.), Flora Mesoamericana: Cucurbitaceae a Polemoniaceae. 4(1): 164-338.

Type: Holotype: Costa Rica, Wendland 784 (GOET).

Description: Shrub 1-5 m tall, the branchlets, petioles, and inflorescences covered with smooth strongly reflexed eglandular hairs 1.5-2.5 mm long and with a sparse, inconspicuous understory of minute glandlike hairs. Leaves 9.3-26.6 X 5-11.5 cm, ovate to elliptic-ovate, 5(-7)-nerved, base obtuse to rounded, apex gradually acuminate, the margin ciliate-serrulate, sparsely to moderately pubescent on both surfaces with smooth hairs mostly 1-2 mm long. Inflorescences 7-20 cm long; flowers 5-merous, sessile or subsessile and secund on the divaricate branchlets; the persistent bracteoles 0.5-1 mm long. Hypanthium beset with smooth spreading or ascending hairs (these sometimes sparingly glandular) 1-2 mm long and a caducous understory of minute gland-like hairs; the calyx forming a low rim ca 0.1-0.2 mm long, the lobes undeveloped or vaguely undulate, concealed and greatly exceeded by the exterior teeth. Petals white, glabrous, 2-2.5 X 0.5 mm. Filaments 2 mm long; anther sacs yellow, 1 mm long, the pore slightly inclined ventrally. Ovary 5-celled, 3/4-4/5 inferior; berry 5-6 mm in diameter, reportedly red but turning purple when ripe. Seeds ca 0.3 mm long.

Habitat and Distribution: Disturbed sites, rain forest. 100-1500 m. HONDURAS (MacDougal et al. 3256, CAS); NICARAGUA (Sandino 5101, CAS); COSTA RICA (Almeda et al. 2929, CAS); PANAMA (Almeda & McPherson 6005, CAS). (Endemic.).

Taxonomy and Systematics: This species is very similar to and may be conspecific with L. retropila Cogn., a South American species also attributed to Central America by Cogniaux (1891:690). Additional study is needed to sort out the constant differences between these two taxa. Both exhibit some variability in foliar size and cauline pubescence posture.

Notes: [Description based only on Mesoamerican specimens.]