Taxon Details: Miconia confertiflora Almeda
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Family:
Melastomataceae (Magnoliophyta)
Melastomataceae (Magnoliophyta)
Scientific Name:
Miconia confertiflora Almeda
Miconia confertiflora Almeda
Accepted Name:
This name is currently accepted.
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, Almeda et al. 2908 (CAS!).
Description: Epiphytic shrub to 2 m tall, distal branches quadrangular with carinate to narrowly alate angles, entirely glabrous but bearing a pair of ± pustulate setiform appendages at opposing nodal faces. Leaves of a pair equal in size, blades 3(-5)-nerved with a conspicuous network of secondary nerves, elliptic but sometimes varying to elliptic-ovate or obovate 1.7-7 X 1-3.4 cm, apex acute to acuminate, base acute, the margin basally entire but distally serrulate, essentially glabrous throughout but occasionally punctate abaxially; petioles 3-l6(-20) mm long. Inflorescence a multiflowered corymbiform panicle mostly less than 1.5 cm long; flowers 5-merous on pedicels 1 mm long; bracteoles early-deciduous, 1.5-2.5(-4) X 0.5-1 mm, linear-subulate. Calyx lobes (on fruiting hypanthia) persistent, broadly deltoid to ± rounded, 0.5-1 X 1 mm; calyx teeth persistent, subulate to setiform, equaling or commonly exceeding calyx lobes on mature berries. Petals glabrous, white but tinged with red externally, narrowly to broadly ovate, 1-1.5 X 0.5-1 mm. Anthers isomorphic, 0.75-1 mm long, white, narrowly oblong but ± obovoid in profile view, 2-celled, distally rounded with a subterminal, oblong ventrally inclined cleftlike pore, the margins of which often form a ± elevated hyaline border; connective thickened, not conspicuously dilated or prolonged dorsally but commonly ± prolonged ventrally abaxially thecae. Style 2 mm long; stigma truncate; ovary 3-locular, wholly inferior. Berry purple at maturity, 3-3.5 X 3.5 mm. Seeds narrowly ovoid, densely papillate on the convex surface, mostly 2 mm long.
Habitat and Distribution: Cloud forest. 900-2100 m. COSTA RICA (Almeda & Nakai 4865, CAS). (Endemic).
Taxonomy and Systematics: Field observations and label information of known collections indicate that this species is an obligate epiphyte. Extirpation of moist forests within the limited range of this taxon poses a real threat to its survival. Fortunately, some individuals persist as inhabitants of remnant pasture trees long after surrounding vegetation has been cut away. The inconspicuous anthers are noteworthy in having subterminal, oblong pores, the margins of which are elevated into a low, continuous, hyaline border. This feature becomes distorted with pressing and drying and is best observed in pickled or hydrated material.
Notes: [Description based only on Mesoamerican specimens.]
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, Almeda et al. 2908 (CAS!).
Description: Epiphytic shrub to 2 m tall, distal branches quadrangular with carinate to narrowly alate angles, entirely glabrous but bearing a pair of ± pustulate setiform appendages at opposing nodal faces. Leaves of a pair equal in size, blades 3(-5)-nerved with a conspicuous network of secondary nerves, elliptic but sometimes varying to elliptic-ovate or obovate 1.7-7 X 1-3.4 cm, apex acute to acuminate, base acute, the margin basally entire but distally serrulate, essentially glabrous throughout but occasionally punctate abaxially; petioles 3-l6(-20) mm long. Inflorescence a multiflowered corymbiform panicle mostly less than 1.5 cm long; flowers 5-merous on pedicels 1 mm long; bracteoles early-deciduous, 1.5-2.5(-4) X 0.5-1 mm, linear-subulate. Calyx lobes (on fruiting hypanthia) persistent, broadly deltoid to ± rounded, 0.5-1 X 1 mm; calyx teeth persistent, subulate to setiform, equaling or commonly exceeding calyx lobes on mature berries. Petals glabrous, white but tinged with red externally, narrowly to broadly ovate, 1-1.5 X 0.5-1 mm. Anthers isomorphic, 0.75-1 mm long, white, narrowly oblong but ± obovoid in profile view, 2-celled, distally rounded with a subterminal, oblong ventrally inclined cleftlike pore, the margins of which often form a ± elevated hyaline border; connective thickened, not conspicuously dilated or prolonged dorsally but commonly ± prolonged ventrally abaxially thecae. Style 2 mm long; stigma truncate; ovary 3-locular, wholly inferior. Berry purple at maturity, 3-3.5 X 3.5 mm. Seeds narrowly ovoid, densely papillate on the convex surface, mostly 2 mm long.
Habitat and Distribution: Cloud forest. 900-2100 m. COSTA RICA (Almeda & Nakai 4865, CAS). (Endemic).
Taxonomy and Systematics: Field observations and label information of known collections indicate that this species is an obligate epiphyte. Extirpation of moist forests within the limited range of this taxon poses a real threat to its survival. Fortunately, some individuals persist as inhabitants of remnant pasture trees long after surrounding vegetation has been cut away. The inconspicuous anthers are noteworthy in having subterminal, oblong pores, the margins of which are elevated into a low, continuous, hyaline border. This feature becomes distorted with pressing and drying and is best observed in pickled or hydrated material.
Notes: [Description based only on Mesoamerican specimens.]