Two new species of Graffenrieda (Melastomataceae, Merianieae) from the Amazon Rainforest

Abstract

Two new species of Graffenrieda are described from the Amazon rainforest. Graffenrieda maturaca is characterized mainly by its leaves which are dull on the adaxial surface, chartaceous, narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate, and apparently uni-nerved, with only the median acrodromous vein evident. This species has been collected only at Serra de Maturacá, in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. Graffenrieda goldenbergii is distinguished mainly by the pulverulent, whitish, early caducous indumentum of the rachis, pedicel, hypanthium and calyx, by the abaxial surface of the leaves which is moderately lepidote, with trichomes ca. 0.2 mm diam., by the irregularly valvate calyx, and by the membranaceous, costate, not sulcate fruits. This species has been collected in the state of Acre, Brazil, and in the Province and District of Lama in Peru. Both species are illustrated, compared with similar species, and their conservation status is discussed.