Monographs Details:
Authority:

Michelangeli, Fabián A. 2005. (Melastomataceae). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 98: 1-114. (Published by NYBG Press)
Family:

Melastomataceae
Synonyms:

Maieta robusta Rusby
Description:

Species Description - Shrub or small tree, to 1.5-3.0(-5) m tall; stems glandular-setose, the trichomes 1.5-2.5 mm long, early caducous, the nodes glabrous. Leaves isophyllous, elliptic to oblong, 15-35(-42) X 7-13(-16) cm, apex acute to shortly acuminate, base acute to narrowly obtuse, adaxial surface adpressed-setose, abaxial surface glabrous to sparsely setose, light green, 5-nervate, occasionally shortly plinervate, membranaceous, entire to ciliate serrulate, occasionally slightly crenulate; petioles 0.5-1.5(-3.0) cm long, densely glandular-setose; domaría free from the leaf blade, narrowly obovate at the base, 2.5-5.5(-7.0) X (1.0-) 1.5-2.5 cm, with a pair of ascending lobes at the apex, up to 3.5 cm long. Inflorescence a panicle of 3-10(-18) flowers, terminal but quickly becoming axillary by overgrowth of the lateral meristem, occasionally axillary at the base of the younger leaves, 3-7 cm long, the axis green, terete, sparsely glandular-setose, the trichomes caducous, up to 2 mm long, occasionally with furfuraceus caducous trichomes. Flowers on pedicels 5-20 mm long, not flared at the apex, subtended by persistent bracts, subulate to narrowly lanceolate, 3-7 X 0.3 mm; hypanthium conical, 4.0-5.5 mm long, with a mix of sparse nonglandular trichomes and lepidote hairs; outer calyx teeth subulate, 2-5 mm long, inner calyx teeth broadly deltoid, connate 2/3 to 4/5 of the length, 1.5 mm long; the ring inside the torus glabrous; petals 5, obovate to oblong, 7-9 X 4-5 mm, base truncate to obtuse, slightly emarginate, smooth, glabrous, white to light pink; stamens all the same size; filaments 4-5 mm long, glabrous; anthers yellow; the connective with a dorsal-basal blunt tooth; thecae 5.0-6.0 mm long, opening by a ventrally inclined pore; ovary 3-locular, 1/2 inferior, the superior portion conical, the apex with a corona of short glandular setae; style glabrous, 10-13(-15) mm long; stigma funnelform. Fruits globose, 6-9 mm long, black, glabrous to sparsely glandular-setose; seeds not evident through the pericarp, triangular, 0.7-1.2 mm long, without capitate trichomes in the raphal area, without sculpturing, anticlinal walls straight, periclinal walls convex, boundaries between periclinal walls flat.

Discussion:

Tococa macrophysca is easily recognized by the two horn-like appendages at the apex of the domatia.

Additionally, it can be distinguished by the combination of pseudo-axillary inflorescences, white petals, and subulate outer calyx. The inflorescences of T. macrophysca often appear to be axillary. However, in all individuals observed in the field, the development of the inflorescences is terminal, but they are quickly overtopped by the axillary meristem that produces the extension of the stem.
Distribution:

Vaupés Colombia South America| Amazonas Venezuela South America| Amazonas Brazil South America|

Common Names:

Boyuyo hormiga, Boyuyo blanco