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Family:

Melastomataceae (Magnoliophyta)

Primary Citation:

Trans. Linn. Soc. London

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: Isotype: Colombia, Triana 3988 (P!).

Description: Shrub or tree 2.5-10 m tall, the conspicuously 4-alate (wings 1-2 mm wide) upper cauline internodes, petioles, abaxial foliar surface, inflorescence branchlets, and bracteoles densely covered with an indument of amorphous granulose scales. Leaves of a pair equal to subequal in size, the blade 13-32 x 5.8-12.9 cm, oblong-elliptic, 3-nerved, apex abruptly acuminate, base obtuse rounded to subcordate, the margin entire, the abaxial surface concealed by a ± appressed lanuginose indument of thin matted hairs, the adaxial surface glabrous; petioles 1-4 cm long. Inflorescence a multiflowered panicle 10-24 cm long, the 5-merous flowers sessile and secund on the ultimate branchlets; the bracteoles triangular to triangular-ovate, 0.5-1 x 1 mm, persistent. Hypanthium densely covered with an amorphous lanuginose indument in bud and at anthesis but becoming moderately to sparsely and minutely granulose-stellulate in fruit. Calyx tube 0.25 mm long, the calyx lobes broadly triangular, 0.5-0.75 mm long and 1 mm wide at the base, the exterior calyx teeth apiculate, ca. 0.2 mm long. Petals diminutively papillose-granulose, obovate-oblong, 2.5-2.8 x 1 mm. Anthers isomorphic, 2-2.5 mm long, narrowly oblong with a ventrally inclined apical pore; connective not or scarcely prolonged abaxially the thecae (0.2mm) but modified dorso-basally into a cordiform or tooth-like appendage 0.25 mm long. Style glabrous or with a few glandular hairs at the base, 3 mm long; stigma truncate; ovary 3-locular, 2/3 inferior, apex elevated into a lobulate ± fluted cone-like collar 0.5 mm high that is diminutively granulose. Berry deep purple when mature, 4-6 x 4-6 mm when dry. Seeds triangular-ovate, the convex face ± angulate but smooth, 1-1.5 mm long.

Habitat and Distribution: Rain forest. 120-950 m. Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru. COSTA RICA (Burger & Matta 4614, US); PANAMA (Almeda & McPherson 5965, CAS).

Taxonomy and Systematics: Among Mesoamerican congeners, M. pterocaulon appears to be unique in having petioles with conspicuous wings 1-2 mm wide. This together with the winged upper internodes, sessile secund flowers, and fluted cone-like ovary apex make this species unmistakable.

Notes: [Description based only on Mesoamerican specimens.]