Leandra subulata Gleason

  • Family

    Melastomataceae (Magnoliophyta)

  • Scientific Name

    Leandra subulata Gleason

  • Primary Citation

    Phytologia 3: 345. 1950

  • Type Specimens

    Specimen 1: Holotype -- P. H. Allen 4804

  • 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: Holotype: Panama, Allen 4804 (NY!).

    Description: Epiphytic (rarely terrestrial) shrub 0.5-2(-3) m, the rounded branchlets, petioles, elevated primary leaf veins abaxially, and inflorescence rachis moderately to copiously beset with smooth appressed multicellular hairs 1-2 mm long. Petiole 0.3-1.5(-3.5) cm. Leaves 0.5-3.4 X 0.3-2.5 cm, ovate to elliptic-ovate, varying to suborbicular or ovate-lanceolate, (3-)5(-7)-plinerved, base acute to obtuse or braodly rounded, apex acute to short-acuminate, the margin appressed-ciliate, adaxial surface glabrous or sparingly beset with a few appressed hairs largely restricted to impressed primary veins, abaxial surface strigose on the elevated veins and glabrous to sparingly strigillose between them. Inflorescence a few-flowered cyme 1-2 cm long, terminal becoming pseudolateral by elongation of axillary shoots; flowers 4-merous on pedicels 0.5 mm lengthening to 2 mm in fruit; the persistent, subulate, acicular bracteoles 0.5-2.5 mm long. Hypanthium (at anthesis) 2-2.5 mm long to the torus, campanulate becoming urceolate in fruit, sparingly to copiously covered with appressed or spreading, smooth hairs; calyx lobes hyaline, bluntly deltoid to narrowly triangular 0.5-1.5 mm, concealed by the subulate exterior teeth projecting 3-6 mm. Petals white to deep pink, glabrous, 3-5.5 X 2-2.5 mm, apiculate. Filaments 2-2.5 mm long; anther sacs pale yellow, 1.5-2.5 mm long, connective prolonged into a dorso-basal appendage 0.25-1 mm, the pore truncate to dorsally inclined. Ovary (3)4-celled, inferior, the summit elevated into a lobulate cone that becomes rounded to flat at maturity; berry 4-5 mm in diameter, purple-black when ripe. Seeds 0.5-0.75 mm long.

    Habitat and Distribution: Cloud forest, windswept ridges, elfin forest. 750-2100 m. COSTA RICA (Grayum & Herrera 7740, CAS); PANAMA (Almeda et al. 6145, CAS). (Endemic.).

    Taxonomy and Systematics: This very variable species is distinguished by its prevailingly epiphytic habit, indument of smooth acicular hairs, 4-merous flowers, and dorso-basally appendiculate anthers. There is some geographic homogeneity to the extreme variants which superficially appear distinct. When all material of this complex is assembled, however, it becomes impossible to meaningfully recognize the many modal differences at any taxonomic level. Antonio 4192 (CAS) from Chiriquí, Panama is atypical in lacking staminal appendages.

    Notes: [Description based only on Mesoamerican specimens.]

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