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| Pterolepis xaxa Michelang. & R.Goldenb., in Goldenberg, de Jesus, Roque et Michelangeli, 2023. All photos by J.C. de Jesus |
Abstract
We describe Pterolepis xaxa (Melastomateae, Melastomataceae), a new species collected in “caatinga rupestre” at Licínio de Almeida, Bahia, Brazil. Pterolepis xaxa resembles the recently described Pterolepis haplostemona, both representing the only two species in the genus that are haplostemonous (i.e., with the stamens equal in number to the petals). Apart from flowers with a single whorl of stamens, P. xaxa can also be recognized by intercalycine projections consisting of a very short central axis topped with 2–3 trichomes, and white petals (vs. intercalycine projections lacking trichomes at the apex and magenta or lilac petals in P. haplostemona).
Keywords: Biodiversity, Caatinga Rupestre, haplostemony, Licínio de Almeida, taxonomy
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| Pterolepis xaxa in the field. A. Upper portion of a plant, with one flower. B. Flowers, abaxial view. C. Old flower, lacking petals and stamens. D. Flowers, lateral view. [All photos by J.C. de Jesus]. |
Pterolepis xaxa Michelang. & R.Goldenb., sp. nov.
Etymology.—The epithet refers to the name of the locality (“xaxá”), in Licínio de Almeida, where these plants have been found.
Renato Goldenberg, Jôane Coelho de Jesus, Nadia Roque and Fabián A. Michelangeli. 2023. Pterolepis xaxa (Melastomateae, Melastomataceae), A New haplostemonous Species from Bahia, Brazil. Brittonia. DOI: 10.1007/s12228-023-09747-x
