Leandra longicoma Cogn.

  • Family

    Melastomataceae (Magnoliophyta)

  • Scientific Name

    Leandra longicoma Cogn.

  • Primary Citation

  • Description

    Description Author and Date: Frank Almeda, based on Almeda, F. (2009). Melastomataceae. In: G. Davidse, M. Sousa-Sânchez, S. Knapp, & F. Chiang (eds.), Flora Mesoamericana: Cucurbitaceae a Polemoniaceae. 4(1): 164-338.

    Type: Syntype: Peru, Poeppig Add. n. 175 (BR!).

    Description: Shrub 1-3 m tall, the branchlets, petioles, primary leaf veins abaxially, and inflorescences beset with smooth basally reflexed but apically incurved-ascending eglandular hairs 3-5 mm long, occasionally intermixed with a very sparse understory of minute glandlike hairs. Leaves 7.7-25.5 X 4.8-12 cm, elliptic to elliptic-ovate, 5-7-nerved, base broadly acute to rounded, apex acuminate, the margin ciliate-serrulate to crenulate-serrulate, both surfaces sparsely to moderately covered with loosely appressed smooth hairs mostly 1-2 mm long. Inflorescences 8-15 cm long; flowers 5-merous, sessile and secund on the divaricate branchlets; the persistent bracteoles 2-3.5 mm long. Hypanthium copiously covered with smooth spreading eglandular hairs 3-4 mm long and an understory of fine-setose hairs mostly less than 0.5 mm long; the calyx forming a low rim ca 0.1-0.2 mm long, the lobes undeveloped or vaguely undulate, concealed and exceeded by the projecting exterior teeth. Petals white, glabrous, 1.5-2 X 0.5 mm. Filaments 1.5-2 mm long; anther sacs yellow, 1 mm long, the pore inclined ventrally. Ovary 5-celled, 4/5 inferior; berry ca 5 mm in diameter, red but turning purple-black when ripe. Seeds ca 0.5 mm long. 2n=34.

    Habitat and Distribution: Disturbed sites, rain forest margins, and light gaps. 0-1100 m. (Veracruz, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil.) GUATEMALA (von Tuerckheim 8520, US); NICARAGUA (Moreno & Sandino 12973, CAS); COSTA RICA (Almeda et al. 3253, CAS); PANAMA (Correa et al. 3412, CAS).

    Notes: [Description based only on Mesoamerican specimens.]

  • Sorry, no descriptions available for this record.