Ovary Apex Research Articles

A first record of Loricalepis (Melastomataceae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, with the description of a new species from Bahia

Loricalepis has been known from only three collections from the upper Rio Negro, in Amazonas, Brazil, and the Rio Guainia basin, in Colombia, all belonging to a single species, L. duckei. Its capsular fruits and cochleate, tuberculate seeds suggest its relation to pantropical “core Melastomeae”, but it does not have a particularly close morphological connection with any other genus of the tribe. Here we describe and illustrate a second species in the genus, Loricalepis atlantica, recently collected in white sand vegetation near the coast of Bahia. Although we have not been able to sequence DNA from the new species, we place it in Loricalepis due to a long list of characters that it shares with L. duckei. Both are shrubs or small trees with scalariform indumentum on the stems and leaves; thick-cartilaginous, crenulate-serrulate and paleaceous-ciliate leaf margins; persistent acute and seta-tipped sepals; glandulose-ciliate petal margins; glabrous and subisomorphic stamens, these with the connective not at all or only shortly prolonged and ventrally bilobed; and the ovary apex with a crown of scales surrounding the style. lightface differs from L. duckei by 5-merous flowers (vs. 4-merous in L. duckei), the hypanthium covered with minute scalariform trichomes (vs. glabrous), light-pink petals (vs. white), purple anthers (vs. white), and 5-celled ovary (vs. 4-celled). The new species is known from only one locality, in an extremely endangered vegetation type. Its discovery highlights the need for sustained floristic studies of forest remnants in northeastern Brazil.

Una nueva especie de Miconia (Melastomataceae) con anteras connadas de Colombia

La tribu Miconieae comprende cerca de 1.900 especies neotropicales y en recientes trabajos se propone solo un género para la tribu, Miconia, que incluye la totalidad de los géneros considerados previamente, entre los que se incluye el Tococa. En el presente trabajo se describe e ilustra una nueva especie bajo el género Miconia, que presenta anteras lateralmente connadas, procedente del departamento del Chocó, Colombia, la cual se asocia con las especies de la tribu Miconieae con anteras coherentes tales como Tococa symphyandra y Miconia croatii. Este nuevo taxón se identifica por el indumento de las ramas de tricomas elongados y alveolados, haz foliar bullada, el cáliz cerrado en botones y con grandes dientes dorsales, los pétalos y el estilo más grandes que las anteriores especies, y el ápice del ovario truncado. Crece en áreas muy húmedas de bosque subandino en la región central de la cordillera Occidental y hasta ahora solo se conoce de la localidad tipo. © 2019. Acad. Colomb. Cienc. Ex. Fis. Nat.

Blakea echinata (Melastomataceae: Blakeeae): a new species from the Caribbean rainforest of Panama

Blakea echinata from the lowland Caribbean rainforest of Panama is described, illustrated, mapped, and compared with superficially similar species. It is readily distinguished by its elongate internodes; indumentum of spreading smooth (sometimes gland-tipped) trichomes on distal branchlets, leaves, floral bracts, and calyx lobes intermixed with laterally compressed and somewhat roughened conic to clavate or ± triangular trichomes on distal branchlets, floral peduncles, and abaxial surfaces of floral bracts; rhombic reflexed basally clawed petals; yellow-orange unappendaged anthers; and ovary apex that is elaborated into a distally glandular-laciniate collar 5–6 mm long that envelops the style base. A conservation assessment of Critically Endangered is recommended for this species based on IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Fritzschia rupestris (Melastomataceae: Marcetieae): A New Endangered Species from the Cadeia do Espinhaço, Minas Gerais, Brazil

A new species of Fritzschia is described and compared with its probable relatives. Fritzschia rupestris is characterized by its sprawling habit with elongate internodes, absence of trichomes on vegetative and floral organs, ovate to subcordate glutinous leaf blades with serrulate margins, solitary pedunculate flowers, magenta petals, dimorphic stamens with well-developed staminal appendages, calyx lobes that become thicker in fruit, and ovary apex with a few scattered sessile glands. Diagnostic line drawings, field images, SEM photos of seeds, a distribution map, and a conservation assessment are provided, along with a key to all the species currently recognized in the genus Fritzschia.

New Species of Miconia (Melastomataceae; Miconieae) from Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abstract Miconia bradeana is described from the state of Rio de Janeiro, in southeastern Brazil. It is endemic to the municipality of Santa Maria Madalena and to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, occurring in dense montane tropical rainforest. The main diagnostic characteristics of this new species are the rigid-membranaceous to chartaceous and narrowly elliptic to lanceolate leaves, 5(-6)-merous flowers, well-defined, deltoid calyx lobes, apiculate petals, stamens 14–16, connectives with dorsal-basal, usually glandulose appendages, and glandulose ovary apex. Miconia bradeana is an endangered (EN) species.

Manfreda occidentalis (Agavoideae, Asparagaceae) a new species from western Mexico

The genus Manfreda (Asparagaceae) contains 35 species. A species complex includes plants similar to M. gutttata, which are characterized by the protrusion of the ovary into the perigone tube. This feature was found in specimens recently collected in western Mexico. After a morphological analysis, we found that some of the plants differ from the other species in this complex. Hence, we describe a new species named M. occidentalis morphologically similar to M. planifolia but can be distinguished from it by the oblong-ovoid corm, channeled leaves, which are papillate on both sides, perigone 1.8–2.5 cm long, funnel-shaped, yellowish and light purple striate, perigone tube 0.3–0.7 × 0.2–0.4 cm, filaments adnate to the perigone and arising 0.3–0.7 cm above the ovary apex, anthers 0.9–1.1 cm long, and style 2.1–3.5 cm long, exceeding the perigone tube by 1.8–3 cm at anthesis. Manfreda occidentalis also resembles M. chamelensis; however, phenologic asynchrony is a notable difference between them as well as the shape of the leaves and the length and shape of perigone tube and lobes. A distribution map, photographs, and a key to identify species of Manfreda which grow in western Mexico accompany the description.

Two new species of Miconia (Melastomataceae, Miconieae) from the Brazilian northern border and adjacent French Guiana

Two new species of Miconia from northern Amazonia area described. Miconia amapaensis has been collected in the Brazilian state of Amapa and in nearby locations in northern Para and southern French Guiana. It has remarkable seeds, with both the appendix and seed coat covered with long papillae. Miconia forzzae has been collected on the Brazilian side of the Neblina Massif, in the Brazilian state of Amazonas, close to the border with Venezuela. It has 4-merous flowers, with a terete hypanthium, yellow stamens, the ovary apex with unbranched trichomes, and a punctiform stigma. This species may be endangered, considering its narrow distribution, and the fact that it was collected between 2000 and 2100 m elevation in an isolated mountain range with no neighboring mountains with similar height, but we assess its conservation status as “data deficient”, due to a lack of knowledge on the situation of the populations and the number of individuals.

Behuria lumiarensis (Melastomataceae), a new species on a mountaintop of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

We describe and illustrate Behuria lumiarensis, a new species from the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It has been collected only once in montane vegetation in the Municipality of Nova Friburgo. The new species can be recognized by the combination of leaf blades with adaxial surface covered with sessile glands and abaxial surface moderately covered with stalked glands only on the veins, hypanthium sparsely covered with stalked glands, a large calyx tube with narrow sepals that are not apiculate in the apex, small petals, and glabrous ovary apex.

<I>Polianthes quilae</I> (Poliantheae, Agavaceae), a New and Endemic Species to Western Mexico

Abstract The floristic inventory of the Sierra de Quila Natural Reserve, in western Mexico, resulted in the discovery of Polianthes quilae (Polianthes subgen. Bravoa). The novelty is related to P. cernua and P. geminiflora var. clivicola but is distinguished by the erect lanceolate leaves, glauous inflorescence with 4–21 floral nodes, 0.9–2.1 cm long pedicels, tubular-ventricose and bicolorous perigone with ascending lobes, and filament insertion site 3–5 mm above ovary apex. Data on geographic distribution and ecology, phenology, and conservation status are presented. Lastly, a key to all species of Polianthes is provided.

Didymocarpus moellerii (Gesneriaceae): a new species from northeastern India

Didymocarpus moellerii, a new species from northeastern India is described and illustrated with photographs. Information on its ecology is provided as well. The new species is morphologically similar to D. glandulosus and D. tonghaiensis but can be easily distinguished by a combination of characters such as glabrous peduncle, orbicular purple bracts, puberulent anthers, orange-red corolla with white stripes at the throat, longer ovary, bulged ovary apex and cup-like disc.

Behuria mestrealvarensis (Melastomataceae): a new species on an inselberg in Espírito Santo, Brazil

Behuria mestrealvarensis (Melastomataceae) from the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, is described, illustrated and compared with B. capixaba, the species most similar to it. Behuria mestrealvarensis differs from B. capixaba by the glabrous petioles and hypanthia, by the solitary flowers or these in simple or compound triads up to 7 flowers, elliptic bracteoles almost the same size of the pedicel and hypanthium, sepals with eciliate margins and ovary apex with trichomes up to 0.5 mm. It occurs in a single locality, on an isolated, ca. 800m elev. inselberg. Due to its restricted occupancy area, fragmented landscape and poor habitat quality, this species must be considered as Critically Endangered according to IUCN criteria.

A new species of <I>Miconia</I> (<I>Melastomataceae</I>: <I>Miconieae</I>) from Espírito Santo, Brazil

Miconia michelangeliana belongs to Miconia sect. Tamonea. This new species can be distinguished from other species in this section by the strongly winged branches and the glabrous leaves. The flowers are larger than usual in the genus, and are 6-merous, pleiostemonous (with 18–24 stamens each), with a persistent calyx and a glabrous ovary apex. This species occurs only in montane forests in the state of Espirito Santo, Brazil.

A critically endangered new species of yam (Dioscorea strydomiana Wilkin, Dioscoreaceae) from Mpumalanga, South Africa

A new species of Dioscorea from South Africa, D. strydomiana Wilkin, is described and illustrated. It differs from the related species D. elephantipes (L’Her.) Engl., D. hemicrypta Burkill and D. sylvatica Eckl. in its tuber surface, leaf morphology, texture and habit, male flower tepal, filament and pistillode size, the length of the stipe between the ovary apex and the torus in female flowers and in capsule shape. Just two populations and c. 200 individuals in total exist, and significant threats have been reported, making D. strydomiana critically endangered. Thus its conservation and sustainable use are discussed.

A New Species of Clidemia (Melastomataceae) from Brazil

Clidemia fluminensis Baumgratz & D'El Rei Souza (section Staphidium (Naudin) Griseb., Melastomataceae, Miconieae), a new species from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is described and illustrated. The new taxon occurs in Poço das Antas Biological Reserve in alluvial forest of the Atlantic Forest ecosystem. The new species is distinguished mainly by the scandent habit, membranous leaves, terminal inflorescences, and flowers with yellow petals with an obtuse and apiculate apex. It is related to C. conglomerata DC. and C. involucrata DC., sharing the glomeruliform inflorescence, the stamen connective not prolonged or appendaged, and the pilose ovary apex.

Comparative Anatomy and Morphology of Nectar-producing Melastomataceae

Most neotropical Melastomataceae have bee-pollinated flowers with poricidal anthers. However, nectar rewards are known to be produced in about 80 species in eight genera from four different tribes. These nectar-producing species are pollinated by both vertebrates and invertebrates. The floral morphology and anatomy of 14 species was studied in six genera of nectar-producing Melastomataceae (Blakea, Brachyotum, Charianthus, Huilaea, Meriania and Miconia). Anatomical methods included scanning electron microscopy, and serial sections of paraffin-embedded flowers. All vertebrate-pollinated melastome flowers have petals that do not open completely at anthesis, thus forming a pseudo-tubular corolla, while closely related species that are bee pollinated have rotate or reflexed corollas. In most species, nectar secretion is related to stomatal or epidermal nectaries and not filament slits as previously reported. Moreover, the nectar is probably supplied by large vascular bundles near the release area. Blakea and Huilaea have nectary stomata located upon the dorsal anther connective appendages. Brachyotum also has nectary stomata on the anther connectives, but these are distributed lengthwise along most of the connective. Meriania may release nectar through the anther connective, but has additional nectary stomata on the inner walls of the hypanthium. Miconia has nectary stomata on the ovary apex. Charianthus nectaries were not found, but there is circumstantial evidence that nectar release occurs through the epidermis at the apex of the ovary and the lower portions of the inner wall of the hypanthium. Nectar release in Melastomataceae is apparently related to nectary stomata and not filament slits. The presence of nectary stomata on stamens and on ovary apices in different lineages suggests that the acquisition of nectaries is a derived condition. Nectary location also supports a derived condition, because location is strongly consistent within each genus, but differs between genera.

The development of the superior ovary inTetraplasandra(Araliaceae)

Tetraplasandra is a small Hawaiian genus of seven species with remarkable diversity in ovary position, ranging from inferior to completely superior. Tetraplasandra gymnocarpa is the only member of the Araliaceae with a fully superior ovary. A comparative study of floral anatomy and development in superior and inferior ovary species of Tetraplasandra revealed that the superior ovary in T. gymnocarpa is unusual in that it develops within an epigynous ground plan. During the course of development, the ovary changes from inferior to secondarily superior primarily by an upward expansion of the ovary from the insertion point of the perianth and androecium to the ovary apex. The superior ovary of T. gymnocarpa, evident in late ontogeny, is a modified inferior ovary; thus it is not structurally homologous to a truly superior ovary. The adaptive significance of the switch from inferior to superior ovary is reexamined. A recent phylogeny of Tetraplasandra and the biogeography of the extant species provide evidence that the change in ovary position may be associated with a shift in pollination strategy that may have occurred as recently as 2.6 million years ago.

A New Species of Miconia Ruiz & Pavón (Melastomataceae) from Espírito Santo, Brazil

Miconia capixaba belongs to Miconia sect. Miconia, series Paniculares Naudin. It is dis- tinguished from related species by the dense, stel- late trichomes on young branches, inflorescences, and hypanthia, as well as abaxial leaf surfaces, and by cuneate leaf bases, small panicles, triangular inner calyx lobes, and a papillose (otherwise gla- brous) ovary apex. This species occurs in montane forests in the state of Espirito Santo, Brazil, a flora noted for other endemic taxa within Melastomata- ceae. er ones with filaments 1.9-2.1 mm long, anthers 1.7-1.8 mm long, linear-oblong, arcuate, thecae 1.3-1.4 mm long; the smaller ones with filaments 1.5-1.9 mm, anthers 1.4-1.5 mm, linear-oblong, straight, thecae ca. 1.1 mm; anthers of both cycles with a narrow apical pore, ca. 0.1 mm diam.; con- nective prolonged 0.3-0.4 mm below the thecae, dorsally thickened and not appendaged, ventrally with two minute lobes, sometimes directed back- ward and appearing like dorsal appendages. Ovary 0.7-0.9 mm high, fused to the hypanthium for ?2 of its length, 3-celled, with 2-3 ovules in each cell, apex rounded, obscurely 5-lobed, papillose; style 4.5-5 mm long, filiform, apex truncate, not thick- ened. Mature fruits not seen.

Generic Limits and Taxonomy of Hornungia, Pritzelago, and Hymenolobus (Brassicaceae)

Generic Limits and Taxonomy of Hornungia, Pritzelago, and Hymenolobus (Brassicaceae)

Stanmarkia, a New Genus of Melastomataceae from the Volcanic Highlands of Western Guatemala and Adjacent Mexico

A new genus,Stanmarkia, is described from the volcanic highlands of western Guatemala and adjacent Chiapas, Mexico to includeS. medialis, comb. nov. andS. spectabilis, sp. nov. Among the Melastomataceae,Stanmarkia is distinguished by its 5-merous flowers, subequal stamens that lack prominently developed appendages or prolonged connectives, terete hypanthia, and clavate-cuneate seeds that have an enlarged excurrent arilloid raphe and a tuberculate seed coat. A gametic chromosome count ofn=40 is reported here forS. spectabilis. This count, which is clearly of polyploid origin, represents a new definitive number for the family. An emphasis on seed characters suggests placement ofStanmarkia in the Sonerileae which is here interpreted in a broad sense to include all genera previously assigned to the New World Bertolonieae and the Old World Oxysporeae. A consideration of other characters such as configuration of the ovary apex, capsule morphology, and androecial details also provides evidence for placement ofStanmarkia in the Merianieae.