Leandra multiplinervis (Naudin) Cogn.

  • 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.

    Description: Shrub 1-4 m, the rounded quadrate branchlets and inflorescence rachis sparsely to moderately covered with spreading or reflexed, smooth hairs. Leaves 10-26 X 3.5-12.5 cm, ovate-oblong or oblong-lanceolate, 5-7-plinerved, with the innermost pair of primary veins diverging oppositely or subalternately 1.5-6.5 cm above base of blade, base acute to cuneate, abruptly contracted and long-decurrent on the petiole, apex long-acuminate, the margin undulate-crenulate, adaxial surface scabrous, abaxial surface moderately to copiously hirtellous on veins and veinlets with hairs 0.5-1 mm long. Panicle 4-17 cm long, terminal becoming pseudolateral by elongation of axillary shoots; flowers 5-merous on pedicels 0.5-2 mm long; the early caducous subulate bracteoles 1 mm long. Hypanthium (at anthesis) 3-4 mm long to the ciliate torus, constricted at the middle with an apical neck that develops through maturity, setulose with spreading or reflexed hairs 0.25-1 mm long and a sparse but caducous ground layer of minute stellate hairs; calyx lobes broadly deltoid, 1 mm long, concealed by the triangular exterior teeth projecting 4-5 mm. Petals white or pink, glabrous, 4-5 X 2-2.5 mm. Filaments 3-3.5 mm long; anther sacs pale yellow, 2.5-3 mm long, connective modified into a minute dorso-basal lobule, the pore dorsally inclined. Ovary 3-celled, inferior, the summit elevated into a short ciliate collar; berry 5-7 mm in diameter, purple-black when ripe. Seeds 0.5 mm long. 2n=34.

    Habitat and Distribution: Cloud forest, stream banks. 100-2100 m. (Guerrero, Mexico and SE Brazil.) MEXICO: Chiapas (Breedlove & Almeda 57492, CAS); GUATEMALA (Lundell & Contreras 18927, CAS); HONDURAS (Pilz & Pilz 1379, CAS); EL SALVADOR (Croat 42483. CAS).

    Taxonomy and Systematics: The type of L. recta S. Winkl. from El Salvador has not been located. Judging from the key and illustrations accompanying the protologue (Winkler 1965:350), I suspect this species falls well within the range of variation exhibited by L. multiplinervis.

    Notes: [Description based only on Mesoamerican specimens.]

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