Biology:Merianthera calyptrata
Merianthera calyptrata | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Myrtales |
Family: | Melastomataceae |
Genus: | Merianthera |
Species: | M. calyptrata
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Binomial name | |
Merianthera calyptrata R.Goldenb., Bochorny & Fraga
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Range |
Merianthera calyptrata is a species of flowering shrub in the genus Merianthera. Discovery of the new plant was initiated by the posting of a photo on DetWeb, a Facebook group documenting Brazilian plants, by Mr. Reginaldo Vasconcelos.[1][2]
Origin of name
The derivation of the epithet for this species is from the flowers having a calyptrate calyx.[1] This particular characteristics is unique to the species and not known to occur in other species in the genus and tribe. [1]
Description
Merianthera calyptrata belongs to the family Melastomataceae and is one of seven species found in Eastern Brazil.[1] The species is similar to Merianthera burlemarxii with a few characteristic differences: "the total absences of both a peduncle and bracteoles, the calyptrate calyx and the fruits developing from inferior ovaries and dehiscing through longitudinal slits."[1] The species can be identified as a shrub or treelet at a height of up to 2.5m with candelabriform branches, leaves are opposite and caducous, flowers are pedicellate (5-6) ranging from purple to pink depending on developmental age, hypanthium is conical at 5-7 mm, antesepalous, dimorphic stamen (10-12), inferior ovary 7-10mm, ribbed fruit that ruptures when mature, and pyramidal seeds.[1]
Habitat
Merianthera calyptrata has been sighted in Jacinto, in northeastern Minas Gerais, Brazil on inselbergs and granite outcroppings, an area that experiences dry winters and wet summers.[1] The flowers were documented with young buds in February and flowers in March as well as the presence of fruit suggesting the fruit are potentially around all year.[1]
Conservation
With only three sightings, there is not enough data to support information about the species per the Guidelines for Using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.[1] According to Goldenberg(2023), its scarcity and limited sightings in a specific location, as well as its susceptibility to negative impacts from random environmental events, it is advisable to classify this species within the Vulnerable category.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Goldenberg, Renato; Bochorny, Thuane; Amorim, André Márcio; Ziemmer, Juliana Klostermann; Fraga, Claudio Nicoletti de (2023-08-09). "Merianthera calyptrata sp. nov. (Melastomataceae, Myrtales), a new candelabriform species from Minas Gerais, Brazil" (in en). European Journal of Taxonomy (888): 64–76. doi:10.5852/ejt.2023.888.2209. ISSN 2118-9773. https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/view/2209.
- ↑ "Merianthera calyptrata R. Goldenb., Bochorny & Fraga 2023, sp. nov. - Plazi TreatmentBank" (in en). https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03F27F3BF701FFABADC7FC20FB3AF37F.
Wikidata ☰ Q122585639 entry
Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merianthera calyptrata.
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