Miconia garagoana - Melastomataceae: A new rheophytic species from the eastern Andes of Colombia

Abstract

A new species, Miconia garagoana, from riparian environments of the northern Cordillera Oriental of Colombia, is described. This is the second species exclusive to rheophytic conditions that grows in the Andean forest in Colombia and is characterized by the presence of stellate-lepidote trichomes on young structures and inflorescences, terminal inflorescences, 4-merous (rarely 5-merous) flowers, oblong-subulate anthers with an apical pore and 2-locular ovary. The differences with other rheophytic species occurring in Colombia are noted and it is argued that it is related to other Andean species with bluish-green ripe fruits such as M. squamulosa and M. symplocoidea. This new species is so far known only from Colombia and its threat category is suggested as Critically Endangered” (CR).