Two new species of Microlicia D.Don (Melastomataceae, Microlicieae) from Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás State, Brazil

Abstract

Microlicia gracilis and Microlicia xylopodifera, endemic to Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás State, Brazil, are described, illustrated and the conservation status is also provided. Both species resemble Microlicia ordinata and Microlicia ramosa that are also endemic to Goiás, by having sessile leaf with serrate and ciliate margin, pedicellate flower, triangular and short sepal and dimorphic stamens with bicolorous and polysporangiate anthers. However, M. gracilis differs by the long internode (2–4 mm long), concolorous, semi-amplexicaul and lanceolate leaf, and petal acuminate at the apex. Microlicia xylopodifera differs in having a robust xylopodium, horizontal or slightly ascending leaf and a dense crown of glandular trichomes at the apex of flower bud.