Taxonomic and Nomenclatural Novelties in Microlicia (Melastomataceae) with an Updated Checklist to the Genus in the Serra do Cipo, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Three new species of Microlicia endemic to Serra do Cipo, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, are described here. Microlicia joaosemiriana and M. longiglandulosa are characterized by their sessile leaves, congested flowers at the apex of the branches, dimorphic stamens with tetrasporangiate and bicolorous anthers. However, M. joaosemiriana differs in having hypanthium and sepal covered only with spherical glands and sepal shorter than the hypanthium length. Microlicia longiglandulosa has hypanthium and sepal with glandular trichomes mixed with spherical glands and sepal longer than the hypanthium length. Microlicia jolyana has a petiolate and thickened leaf, lanceolate to oblong leaf blade, rounded to slightly acuminate at the apex, smooth and not striate hypanthium surface, triangular-oblong and thickened sepal, dimorphic stamens, and purple to purple-blackish anther on both whorls. Also, Microlicia linifolia var. naudiniana is elevated to species rank with a new name (Microlicia acerosa), and M. nortecipoana and M. petiolulata are synonymized under M. hirtoferruginea. Additionally, we provide an updated checklist of Microlicia species in the Serra do Cipo.

Automated summary

This study describes three new species of Microlicia endemic to Serra do Cipo, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, with distinct characteristics. It also elevates Microlicia linifolia var. naudiniana to species rank and synonymizes M. nortecipoana and M. petiolulata under M. hirtoferruginea. Additionally, an updated checklist of Microlicia species in the Serra do Cipo is provided.