Open AccessMiconia rufinervis (Melastomataceae: Miconieae), an enigmatic endemic of the Massif de la Hotte, Haiti
Author(s) -
Walter S. Judd
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of the botanical research institute of texas
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 2644-1608
pISSN - 1934-5259
DOI - 10.17348/jbrit.v13.i1.846
Subject(s) - melastomataceae , clade , inflorescence , massif , biology , endemism , botany , taxon , ecology , phylogenetics , paleontology , biochemistry , gene
An updated description of this enigmatic species, an endemic to the Massif de la Hotte, Haiti, is provided, and the presence of axillary inflorescences is reported for the first time. Miconia rufinervis likely belongs within the Caribbean clade of Miconieae; however, its placement within this clade is problematic, although it does show some features of Miconia sect. Calycopteris. Axillary inflorescences are present in M. rufinervis, although these are quite uncommon within the Caribbean clade. Finally, the species is distinctive in the morphology of the multicellular hairs of its stems and leaves, i.e., they are elongate, eglandular, ferrugineous, and provided with numerous short, ascending side branches.