[Botany • 2026] Sonerila taynguyenensis (Melastomataceae: Sonerileae) • A New Species from the Central Highlands of Southern Vietnam

Sonerila taynguyenensis Dinh, C.H. Nguyen & C.W. Lin,  

in Dinh, Nguyen, Duong et Lin, 2026.  

DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0128  

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 Abstract

Sonerila taynguyenensis Dinh, C.H. Nguyen & C.W. Lin (Melastomataceae) is described as a new species from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. It is morphologically similar especially to S. montana in its erect habit, ovate-lanceolate leaves and the presence of gland-tipped trichomes on the pedicels and hypanthium. It can, however, be readily distinguished by having a quadrangular to obtusely quadrangular stem (vs. terete), acrodromous to subacrodromous venation (vs. pinnate), larger petals up to 16 × 7 mm (vs. up to 9.5 × 6 mm) and 7–8 mm long anthers (vs. ca. 6.5 mm). Sonerila taynguyenensis is also compared with S. tenue. Based on the available data and following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, S. taynguyenensis is tentatively assessed as Least Concern (LC).

Sonerila taynguyenensis (from the holotype). 
A and A': Flowering branches. — B and B': Portion of leaf, adaxial surface. — B”: Portion of leaf, abaxial surface. — C: Portion of stem and petioles. — D and E: Hypanthium close-up. — F–I: Different trichomes in indumentum of reproductive structures. — J and J': Flower, frontal and side views. — K–K”': Stamens, frontal and side views. — L: Bracts. — M–M”: Hypanthiums. — N: Vertical section of ovary. — O: Old capsule.

Sonerila taynguyenensis (B–J from the holotype). 
A: Flowering plant in natural habitat (photographed at Dak Rong Commune on 2 March 2025). — B: Flowering plant. — C: Flowering branches. — D and E: Leaves, adaxial and abaxial surfaces. — F: Stem, petioles and portions of leaf. — G: Inflorescences. — H: Flowers, frontal and side views. — I: Stamens. — J: Vertical section of ovary.

Sonerila taynguyenensis (B–G from para-type NHC 20260118006). 
 A: Flowering plant in natural habitat (photographed at Kbang Commune, Gia Lai Province, 19 January 2026). — B: Flowering plant. — C: Leaves, adaxial and abaxial surfaces. — D: Leaf, adaxial surface. — E: Leaf, abaxial surface. — F: Stem and petioles. — G: Cross section of ovary.

 Quang Diep Dinh, Cuong Huu Nguyen, Nam Van Duong and Che-Wei Lin. 2026. Sonerila taynguyenensis (Melastomataceae, Sonerileae), A New Species from the Central Highlands of Southern Vietnam. Annales Botanici Fennici. 63(1); 213-219. DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0128 (24 August 2026) 

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[Botany • 2026] Melastoma dinagatense (Melastomataceae) • A New ultramafic-obligate, microendemic Species from Dinagat Island, Philippines

 

Melastoma dinagatense

in Caylan, Medecilo-Guiang, Fritsch, Amoroso et Penneys, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.766.3.6  

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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]

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[Botany • 2026] Sonerila namii (Melastomataceae: Sonerileae) • A New Species from Central Highlands, Vietnam

 

Sonerila namii  C. H. Nguyen, Aver. & C. W. Lin, 

in Nguyen, Averyanov et Lin. 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.14258/turczaninowia.29.2.11 

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Abstract

A new species, Sonerila namii, is described from Gia Lai Province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The new species shares several morphological similarities with S. repens but differs in having a stem covered with golden-brown to maroon hispid or hispid-hirsute hairs (vs. white woolly), a leaf blade bearing white hirsute or gland-tipped hirsute hairs on both surfaces (vs. pubescent with simple hairs), about 6 pairs of secondary veins (vs. 2 or 3 pairs), a hypanthium with white hispid or gland-tipped hispid hairs and minute glandular trichomes (vs. woolly simple hairs), and petals up to 2.3 cm long (vs. up to 1.2 cm). According to the IUCN criteria, it may tentatively be assessed as Least Concern (LC).

Keywords: endemism, flora of Vietnam, Melastomataceae tribe Sonerileae, plant diversity, plant taxonomy

Sonerila namii:
 A – habit; B, B’ – portions of leaf, adaxial and abaxial surfaces; C, D, E – indumentum of reproductive structures: C – villous-hirsute or gland-tipped hirsute indumentum on leaf, D – minutely glandular trichomes on vegetative parts, E – gland-tipped hispid on hypanthium and abaxially of petals; F, F’ – flower, frontal and side views; G, G’ – stamens, frontal and side views; H – hypanthium; I – longitudinal section of ovary.

Drawing by Che Wei Lin from the holotype NHC-20251015010.

Sonerila namii:
A – habit and habitat; B – habit; C – flowering branch; D – leaves; E – portions of leaf, adaxial surface; F – same, abaxial surface; G – hypanthium, petals, stamens, and styles; H – longitudinal section of ovary; I – longitudinal section of immature fruit; J – cross section of immature fruit.

Photos A by Tinh Van Lam; photos B – J by Cuong Huu Nguyen of plants used for the preparation of type herbarium specimen NHC-20251015010.

Sonerila namii C. H. Nguyen, Aver. et C. W. Lin, sp. nov. 

Etymology. The specific epithet honors a postgraduate student from Vietnam National Forestry University, Duong Van Nam, who collected and provided specimens of this new species. 

 

Cuong H. Nguyen, Leonid V. Averyanov and Che W. Lin. 2026. Sonerila namii (Melastomataceae, Sonerileae), A New Species from Central Highlands, Vietnam. Turczaninowia. 29(2); 110–115. 

DOI: doi.org/10.14258/turczaninowia.29.2.11 

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[Botany • 2026] Pterolepis arenacea (Melastomataceae: Melastomateae) • A New Species from the Brazilian Cerrado

Pterolepis arenacea D.Nunes & P.J.F.Guim.,

 in Silva, Figueira, Schindler, Simon et Guimarães, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2026.2140

Abstract

Pterolepis arenacea is described and illustrated as a new species to the Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins and its  surroundings, in the Brazilian states of Bahia and Tocantins. This species is restricted to microhabitats of sandstone outcrops surrounded by savanna vegetation. Pterolepis arenacea is the first known species of the genus exhibiting a dorsal appendage on the stamens. Morphologically, Pterolepis arenacea is most similar to species of the P. polygonoides complex, composed of P. polygonoides, P. saturejiformis and P. trimera. Furthermore, Pterolepis arenacea shares vegetative similarities with the  haplostemonous species P. haplostemona and P. xaxa. Detailed line drawings, field photographs, and scanning electron microscopy images are provided. The conservation status of Pterolepis arenacea is preliminarily assessed as Data Deficient (DD) under the IUCN criteria.

Keywords: Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins, Jalapão, Matopiba, Pterolepis polygonoides, sandstone outcrops

 Field images of  Pterolepis arenacea D.Nunes & P.J.F.Guim., sp. nov.
A, Individuals growing in sandstone outcrop cavities; B, detail of a stem, showing the grey-green abaxial surface leaf blades; C, individuals with both flowers and fruits; D, flowering individual; E and F, details of the flowers and floral bud.

Photographs by M. Figueira (A, C and D; all from M. Figueira et al. 1773) and M. F. Simon (B, E and F; all from R.R. Souza et al. 269).

 Pterolepis arenacea D.Nunes & P.J.F.Guim., sp. nov.
 A, Flowering branch; B, a small branched specimen; C, branch node; D, abaxial surface of the leaf blade; D′, detail of the abaxial surface of the leaf blade base; E, adaxial surface of the leaf blade; E′, detail of the adaxial surface of the leaf blade base; F, front view of the flower, exposing the inner surfaces of the petals and the androecium; G, lateral view of the flower, showing the outer surfaces of the hypanthium and perianth; H, inner surface of the petal, highlighting the venation; I–I′′, antesepalous stamens (I, lateral view of the stamen; I′, front view of the stamen; I′′, detail of the dorsal and ventral appendages); J, gynoecium; K, capsule covered by the hypanthium and persistent sepals; L, exposed capsule; M, open capsule exposing persistent placenta.

Drawn by Carla de Lima from R.R. Souza et al. 269 (A and C–M) and M. Figueira et al. 1773 (B).

 Distribution and habitat of  Pterolepis arenacea D.Nunes & P.J.F.Guim., sp. nov. 
A, Distribution map for Pterolepis arenacea (yellow triangles) (Brazilian states: BA, Bahia; MA, Maranhão; TO, Tocantins). B, Aerial view of the vegetation in the Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins (EESGT), showing a predominance of savannas and grasslands interspersed with rocky outcrops. C and D, Habitat where Pterolepis arenacea was found in the municipality of Formosa do Rio Preto, Bahia.

Photographs: Sérgio E. Noronha (B) and M. Figueira (C and D).

D. N. Silva, M. Figueira, B. Schindler, M. F. Simon and P. J. F. Guimarães. 2026. PTEROLEPIS ARENACEA (MELASTOMATACEAE: Melastomateae), A New Species from the Brazilian Cerrado.  Edinburgh Journal of Botany. (83); 1-14 pp. DOI: doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2026.2140 [2026-07-13]

 Researchgate.net/publication/409266877_PTEROLEPIS_ARENACEA_A_NEW_SPECIES_FROM_THE_BRAZILIAN_CERRADO

[Botany • 2026] Sporoxeia furcillispinosa (Melastomataceae) • A New Species from North-western Vietnam

  

Sporoxeia furcillispinosa T.C. Hsu, T.V. Do & C.W. Lin, 

in Hsu, Do et Lin. 2026.  

DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0125  

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Abstract

Sporoxeia furcillispinosa T.C. Hsu, T.V. Do & C.W. Lin (Melastomataceae) is described as a new species from Mt Fansipan in the Hoang Lien National Park on the Hoang Lien Son Range, north-western Vietnam. It resembles S. vietnamensis but can be distinguished from it by having stems that are sharply angled, quadrangular or narrowly 4-winged (vs. obtusely quadrangular); two inflorescences per axil (vs. one), which are short racemose to subumbellate (vs. umbellate); bracts that are ovate to broadly ovate, up to 15 mm long (vs. subulate, ca. 3 mm long); a hypanthium covered with multi-branched or unbranched, fleshy soft spines (vs. irregular thick spines); and anthers of the inner and outer whorls equal or subequal in size (vs. strongly unequal).

Sporoxeia furcillispinosa.
 A and B: Habit and habitat (photographed at the type locality on 14 July 2025). — C: Inflorescence, also showing bracts and a portion of stem. — D and E: Portions of leaf, adaxial surface. — F: Hypanthium and calyx lobes. — G: Flower, frontal and lateral views.

Sporoxeia furcillispinosa T.C. Hsu, T.V. Do & C.W. Lin, sp. nova 

 

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin furcilla (little fork) and spinosa (thorny), referring to the characteristic irregularly branched soft spines densely covering the surface of the hypanthium, which distinguish this species from its relatives.

Tian-Chuan Hsu, Truong Van Do and Che-Wei Lin. 2026. Sporoxeia furcillispinosa (Melastomataceae), A New Species from North-Western Vietnam. Annales Botanici Fennici. 63(1); 183-189 DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0125 [15 July 2026]

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[Botany • 2026] Microlicia almedae (Melastomataceae) • A New Species from the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil

Microlicia almedae  R.B.Pacifico & Kriebel,

in Pacifico et Kriebel, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.276.193021

Abstract

A new species, Microlicia almedae, is described and illustrated from the species-rich campo rupestre vegetation of Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil. The taxonomic novelty is morphologically related to M. giuliettiana and M. pulchra, which are also restricted to Chapada Diamantina. Microlicia almedae differs from the latter two species in leaf shape and size, hypanthium indumentum, calyx lobe shape and size, and petal size. In addition, M. almedae differs from M. giuliettiana by its uniformly magenta petals and from M. pulchra by its capsules with deciduous columellae. Variation in leaf shape among M. almedae, M. pulchra, and M. giuliettiana was quantified using elliptic Fourier analysis, which revealed near-complete separation among the three species.

Key words: Campo rupestre, Lavoisiereae, Pico da Lapa Grande, Serra do Barbado, taxonomy

Microlicia almedae.
 A. Habit; B. Flower; C. Landscape with campo rupestre vegetation at Serra do Barbado, the type locality of M. almedae.

Voucher: L. Daneu et al. 796 (JABU). 

Photos: by L. Daneu (A, B); by E.A. Ramos (C).

Microlicia almedae.
A. Habit; B. Close-up of a branch; C. Leaf adaxial surface; D. Leaf abaxial surface; E. Detail of glandular-punctate adaxial surface; F. Detail of glandular-punctate indumentum on abaxial surface; G. Flower in lateral view; H. Flowering hypanthium and calyx lobes; I. Detail of the indumentum on the hypanthium; J. Petal in adaxial view; K. Antepetalous (left) and antesepalous (right) stamens; L. Gynoecium; M. Apex of style and stigma; N. Ovary in cross-section; O. Capsule enveloped by the hypanthium and calyx lobes; P. Seed in lateral view.

Illustration by Klei Sousa based on L. Daneu et al. 796 (JABU).

  

Microlicia almedae R.B.Pacifico & Kriebel, sp. nov.

Ricardo Pacifico and Ricardo Kriebel. 2026. Microlicia almedae (Melastomataceae), A New Species from the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil. PhytoKeys. 276: 183-195. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.276.193021 [12 Jun 2026]

 

[Botany • 2025] Gravesia gautieri (Melastomataceae: Sonerileae) • A New Species from northern Madagascar

 

Gravesia gautieri Almeda & R.B.Pacifico, 

in Almeda et Pacifico, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.721.3.8 

  Researchgate.net/publication/396286653

Abstract

Gravesia gautieri, a new species from northern Madagascar, is described, illustrated, mapped, and compared with presumed relatives based on morphological characters. It is readily diagnosed by its sparingly branched suffrutescent habit, 3-nerved leaf blades that are coarsely and remotely serrate at least distally with a sparse cover of minute brown granular hairs and ± appressed smooth hairs abaxially, long-pedunculate umbellate inflorescences, ± terete and ecostate hypanthia, obsolete calyx lobes with callose-thickened teeth borne on and barely exceeding the calyx tube in length, and dorso-basal subulate staminal appendages that are deflexed to variously coiled.

Andrafiamena-Andavakoera, Madagascar, new species, paleotropics, Sonerileae, Eudicots

 

 Photos of living plants of Gravesia gautieri.
A. Habit. B. Flower close-up.

FRANK ALMEDA and RICARDO PACIFICO. 2025. Gravesia gautieri (Melastomataceae: Sonerileae), A New Species from northern Madagascar.  Phytotaxa. 721(3); 288-294. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.721.3.8 [2025-10-08] 

 Researchgate.net/publication/396286653_Gravesia_gautieri_a_new_species_from_northern_Madagascar

[Botany • 2026] Sonerila roxburghii (Melastomataceae) • A New Species from the southern Western Ghats, India

 

Sonerila roxburghii  Resmi, Nampy & Karthig., 

in Resmi, Nampy, Francis, Mohan et Karthigeyan, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0119

Abstract

Sonerila roxburghii Resmi, Nampy & Karthig. (Melastomataceae) is described as a new species from the Mankulam Reserve forest in the southern Western Ghats, India. It is morphologically similar to S. grandiflora and S. sadasivanii but differs from them by having terete stems, lanceolate to elliptic leaves with a cuneate and attenuate base, 3–10-flowered cymes, obscurely 6-ribbed hypanthia, acuminate to rostrate anthers, and 6-ribbed capsules.

Sonerila roxburghii. — A–E: Plants in natural habitats (A–C from Nallathanni, near Kurumalai bridge on 9 December 2025; D and E from Mankulam Reserve forest, near Lakshmi Tea estate on 20 December 2019).

Sonerila roxburghii (holotype material). — A and B: Habit. — C and D: Flowering shoots. — E: Leaves, adaxial view. — F: Leaves, abaxial view. — G: Stem. — H: Leaf base.

Sonerila roxburghii (holotype material). — A: Flowering shoot with inflorescences. — B: Base of stem. — C and D: Inflorescence. — E: Flower. — F: Hypanthium. — G: Petals, adaxial view. — H: Petals, abaxial view. — I: Hypanthium with stamens and pistil. — J: Hypanthium with pistil. — K: Style and stigma. — L: Stamens. — M: Immature capsule.

Sonerila roxburghii Resmi, Nampy & Karthig., sp. nova 

 

Etymology. The specific epithet roxburghii honours William Roxburgh (1751–1815) for his valuable contributions to the taxonomy of the genus Sonerila.

Comparison of morphological characters among
Sonerila roxburghii (A1, B1 and C1; holotype material),
S. grandiflora (A2, B2 and C2; Resmi S., Krishnapriya M.P. & Santhosh Nampy 164464, CALI) and
S. sadasivanii (A3, B3 and C3; from Resmi S. & Santhosh Nampy 168287, CALI).
 A1–A3: Habit. — B1–B3: Inflorescence. — C1–C3: Leaves, adaxial view.

 

Resmi S., Nampy S., Francis D., Mohan V. & Karthigeyan K. 2026. Sonerila roxburghii (Melastomataceae), A New Species from the southern Western Ghats, India.  Annales Botanici Fennici. 62(1); 125–134, DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0119 (7 May 2026) 

    

[Botany • 2022] Sporoxeia vietnamensis (Melastomataceae: Sonerileae) • A New Species from northern Vietnam

Sporoxeia vietnamensis D.V.Hai, Z.L.Lin & S.Jin Zeng,  

in Thuy, Zeng, Hai, Hoan, Lin et Deng, 2022.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.558.3.4

Researchgate.net/publication/362798168

Abstract

A new species of Sporoxeia (Melastomataceae), S. vietnamensis, is described from northern Vietnam. It is morphologically similar to S. blastifolia in having obtusely quadrangular stems, slightly unequal leaf blades with cuneate bases, and two secondary veins on each side of midvein, but differs by having stiffly papery leaf blades, larger and densely horned hypanthia, larger calyx lobes with concave adaxial surface and convex abaxial surface forming a ridge, and larger petals. Photos and illustration are provided together with information of habitat, ecology and preliminary conservation assessment following IUCN criteria. An identification key to the Sporoxeia species is also provided.

morphology, Sonerileae, taxonomy, Eudicots

Sporoxeia vietnamensis D.V.Hai, Z.L.Lin & S.Jin Zeng sp. nov.

NGUYEN THU THUY, SIJIN ZENG, DO VAN HAI, DUONG THI HOAN, ZHELI LIN, YUNFEI DENG. 2022. Sporoxeia vietnamensis (Melastomataceae), A New Species from northern Vietnam. Phytotaxa. 558(3); 283-290. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.558.3.4 [2022-08-17]

 Researchgate.net/publication/362798168_Sporoxeia_vietnamensis_a_new_species_from_northern_Vietnam

https://vast.gov.vn/web/vietnam-academy-of-science-and-technology/tin-chi-tiet/-/chi-tiet/discovering-and-recording-a-number-of-new-species-for-science-in-kim-hy-nature-reserve-bac-kan-province-119914-871.html

[Botany • 2026] Osbeckia zubeengargiana (Melastomataceae) • A New Species from Assam, Northeast India

Osbeckia zubeengargiana Barnali Das & N. Nath,

in Das, Pulpra et Nath, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.747.1.1 

 facebook.com: Barnali DAS

 

Abstract

A new species of Osbeckia, O. zubeengargiana, from the family Melastomatacaeae, is described based on collections made from Assam, India. The new species is related to O. rostrata because of its tetramerous flowers, but can be distinguished by its habit, foliar morphology, bract shape and size, morphology of the intersepalar emergences, ciliated style base, and seed size. Detailed taxonomic descriptions, photographs showing diagnostic features, and comparison with the related species are provided here.

Assam, India, Melastomataceae, new species, Osbeckia, taxonomy, Eudicots

Barnali DAS, Prashob PULPRA and Namita NATH. 2026. Osbeckia zubeengargiana (Melastomataceae), A New Species from Assam, Northeast India.  Phytotaxa. 747(1); 1-7. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.747.1.1 [2026-03-13]

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[Botany • 2025] Axinaea filandiensis (Melastomataceae: Merianieae) • A New Species from Colombia, and Comments on the Circumscription of Axinaea and groups in Meriania

 Axinaea filandiensis Humberto Mend. & W. Vargas,  

  

 in Mendoza Cifuentes et Vargas, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.21829/abm132.2025.2421 

Abstract

Background and Aims: Axinaea is a predominantly Andean genus, with one species found in the mountains of Costa Rica and Panama. It is similar to Meriania, and the only feature that separates them from each other is the shape of the dorsal connective of the anther. The discovery of a new species, described here, with anther connective characters intermediate between the two genera, raised the need to improve the circumscription of Axinaea and document variation within Meriania, aspects that are addressed in this paper.

Methods: A new species of Axinaea is described from collections deposited in the UDBC herbarium of the Distrital University of Bogotá. The degree of threat is evaluated and the need for conserving the species is described. In addition, various groups within Meriania, including Axinaea, are summarized, and a unique set of characters for Axinaea is proposed.

Key results: Axinaea filandiensis sp. nov. is characterized by its 4-merous flowers, isomorphous stamens with blue anthers and globose-ellipsoid dorsal connectives. It is known only from the type locality and its conservation status is proposed as Critically Endangered (CR). Seven groups are described in Meriania, including Axinaea, and a unique set of characters is proposed for the latter genus, considering non-nectariferous flowers, cucullate corolla, isomorphic or slightly dimorphic stamens, anthers with the vascular bundle of the connective tissue directed backwards, and inappendiculate and globose to globose-elliptic connective. According to this circumscription, one species described in Meriania (M. rubrifolia) establishes its position within Axinaea.

Conclusions: Axinaea filandiensis represents a critically endangered species that requires urgent conservation action. The unique set of characters established in this paper clarifies the separation between Axinaea and Meriania. It is proposed to maintain both genera separate, considering that Meriania is an artificial group that should be split into several genera.

Keywords: Andes, stamens, sub-Andean forest, taxonomy

Living plants of Axinaea filandiensis Humberto Mend. & W. Vargas.
A. flowering branch; B. detail of stem and inflorescence; C. floral buds; D. open flower.

Photos from Vargas 17591 (UDBC)

 

Humberto Mendoza Cifuentes and William G. Vargas. 2025. Axinaea filandiensis (Melastomataceae, Merianieae), A New Species from Colombia, and Comments on the Circumscription of Axinaea and groups in Meriania. Acta Botanica Mexicana. (132); DOI: doi.org/10.21829/abm132.2025.2421 

 

[Botany • 2026] Medinilla calanasan (Melastomataceae) • A New Species from Apayao Province, Philippines

 

Medinilla calanasan  

in Pelser, Dela Cruz, Suetos, Ibañez et Barcelona, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.742.1.7 

Abstract

Medinilla calanasan is here described as a new species from Calanasan in Apayao Province in northern Luzon (Philippines). It is morphologically distinct from all other known Medinilla species in having horn-like protrusions at the base of the leaf lamina. Morphological similarities with M. clementis Merr. and M. dolichophylla Merr. suggest that M. calanasan may be a member of the M. magnifica-alliance.

 Luzon, Medinilla magnifica-alliance, Myrtales, taxonomy, Eudicots

Medinilla calanasan sp. nov.

Pieter B. PELSER, Breiden DELA CRUZ, Kristian J. E. SUETOS, Jayson C. IBAÑEZ and Julie F. BARCELONA. 2026. Medinilla calanasan (Melastomataceae), A New Species from Apayao Province, Philippines.  Phytotaxa. 742(1); 99-104. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.742.1.7 [2026-02-18]

https://www.philippineeaglefoundation.org/post/new-horn-leaf-medinilla-discovered-inside-apayao-eagle-forest