Two New Species of Merostachys (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Bambuseae: Arthrostylidiinae) from Minas Gerais state, Brazil

Merostachys is the second most species-rich genus of American woody bamboos, and can be recognized by the following combination of features: a solitary primary bud at the midculm nodes that later develops into a truncate or fan-shaped branch complement with numerous smaller subequal branchlets; pseudopetiolate culm leaves with reflexed blades; terminal, racemose synflorescences; and nucoid caryopses. In total, there are 51 described species; of these, 44 are found mainly along the Brazilian Atlantic coast, which is the center of diversity and endemism of the genus. During fieldwork in eastern Minas Gerais state, two previously unknown species of Merostachys (M. espessae and M. fimbriolaminata) were collected and are here described as new and illustrated. Additionally, these species are included in a dichotomous key to the species of Merostachys in eastern Minas Gerais state.