 |
| Melastoma dinagatense in Caylan, Medecilo-Guiang, Fritsch, Amoroso et Penneys, 2026. |
Abstract
Melastoma dinagatense (Melastomataceae) from Dinagat Island, Caraga Region, Philippines, is here described and illustrated. The species is most similar to the widespread M. malabathricum but differs in its longer pedicels, larger hypanthium and calyx lobes, longer hypanthium scales, and a distinctive leaf indumentum composed of elongated crystalliferous cells with a branched base and emergent hairs, as well as leaf margins with spreading pilose-ciliate hairs. The new species is known only from the ultramafic elfin forest on Mount Redondo and is assessed as Critically Endangered. A dichotomous key to the Philippine species of Melastoma is provided.
Eudicots, endangered, endemic, Mindanao, morphology, ultramafic flora
GRISIELOU L. CAYLAN, MARIA MELANIE P. MEDECILO-GUIANG, PETER W. FRITSCH, VICTOR B. AMOROSO and DARIN S. PENNEYS. 2026. Melastoma dinagatense (Melastomataceae): A New ultramafic-obligate, microendemic Species from Dinagat Island, Philippines. Phytotaxa. 766(3); 281-290. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.766.3.6 [2026-07-14]
