Miconia gigantea, a long-forgotten endemic and endangered species of Melastomataceae in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abstract

ABSTRACT Taxonomic and floristic studies in the state of Rio de Janeiro allowed the rediscovery of Miconia gigantea, an endemic species to the Atlantic Forest, until recently known only from the type specimen, collected over 100 years by A.F.M. Glaziou. We present an amended and detailed description of M. gigantea, providing characteristics of the flowers, fruits and seeds, in addition to illustrations, comments about taxonomic affinities with closely related species, the presently known distribution together with new occurrence records, and the conservation status.

Keywords

• conservação
• endemismo
• Glossocentrum
• Miconiae
• Rio de Janeiro