Miersiella umbellata (Miers) Urb.

  • Authority

    Maas, Paulus J. M., et al. 1986. Burmanniaceae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 42: 1-189. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Burmanniaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Miersiella umbellata (Miers) Urb.

  • Type

    Type. Brazil. Rio de Janeiro: Serra dos Orgaos, Miers s.n. (holotype, BM; isotype, K).

  • Synonyms

    Dictyostega umbellata Miers, Dictyostega costata Miers, Miersiella costata (Miers) Sandwith, Miersiella aristata Sandwith, Miersiella kuhlmannii Brade

  • Description

    Species Description - Herbs, 5-19 cm high. Rhizome up to 7.5 cm long; scales 0.5-3 mm long, 0.40.7 mm wide, base rounded, apex acute to long-acuminate. Stems white to purplish, unbranched. Leaves almost peltate, narrowly ovate to angular-ovate, 1.45 mm long, 0.6-1.5 mm wide, apex acuminate, base auriculate, margins sometimes fimbriate. Inflorescence (2-)4-10(-22)-flowered, umbelliform, at the base with 24 narrowly-ovate to angular-ovate bracts, 1.4-4(-4.6) mm long, 0.7-1.2 mm wide, apex acute to long-acuminate. Pedicels 2-4 mm long. Flowers deep lilac to white, 2.5-4.5 mm long. Floral tube 2.9-3.8 mm long. Outer tepals broadly ovate-triangular to broadly angular-ovate, (0.5-)0.6-0.8 mm long, 0.7-0.8 mm wide, margins slightly involute. Inner tepals ovate-triangular, 0.5-0.7 mm long, 0.30.4 mm wide. Connective 0.2-0.3(-0.4) mm long, 0.1-0.3 mm wide. Style, including branches and stigmas, 1.6-1.9 mm long, branches and stigmas 0.2-0.3 mm long, stigmas funnel-shaped, sometimes in older stages horseshoe-shaped, 0.2-0.3 mm diam. Ovary broadly ellipsoid to globose, 1-2 x 0.8-1.5 mm, two-lobed glands 0.2-0.3 mm long, 0.3-0.4 mm diam. Capsule broadly ellipsoid to globose, to 2 mm diam. Seeds 0.3-0.4 x 0.1-0.2 mm.

  • Discussion

    Miersiella umbellata is very easily recognized by its umbelliform inflorescence and the 2-lobed glands on the top of the ovary.

    Kuhlmann 366, the holotype of M. kuhlmannii, diverges from typical M. umbellata by a 20-22-flowered instead of 4-10-flowered inflorescence. As all other characters fit the description of M. umbellata, we have placed it here.

  • Distribution

    SE to E Brazil and the Amazonian parts of Colombia, Guyana, and Peru; in dense forests, from sea level to 950(-1700) m; flowering all year; the Brazilian collections often from February and March.

    Colombia South America| Vaupés Colombia South America| Guyana South America| Peru South America| Huánuco Peru South America| Brazil South America| Bahia Brazil South America| Espirito Santo Brazil South America| Minas Gerais Brazil South America| Paraná Brazil South America| Rio de Janeiro Brazil South America| Santa Catarina Brazil South America| São Paulo Brazil South America|