Microlicia coronata (Melastomataceae), a new ericoid species from the Serra das Almas, Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

Microlicia coronata is described as a new species from Pico das Almas, Bahia, Brazil. It is morphologically similar to species of the Chaetostoma clade of Microlicia s.l., but can be recognized by its leaves lacking a keel (vs. keeled), bicolored, rostrate anthers (vs. yellow and apically attenuate), the ovary apex crowned with five bluntly triangular erect lobes 0.5–0.75 mm long on mature capsules (vs. ovary apex rounded), and the mature capsules not reaching the apex of the hypanthium (vs. exceeding the apex). Line drawings and a distribution map are provided for the new species, which is little-collected and apparently rare.