A synopsis of Meriania (Melastomataceae: Merianieae) in Peru Author Fernandez-Hilario, Robin 0000-0001-8234-9502 Programa de Pós-Graduação em Botânica, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Caixa Postal 19031, CEP 81531 - 970, Curitiba, PR, Brazil. & División de Ecología Vegetal - CORBIDI, Calle Santa Rita 105 Of. 2, Urb. Huertos de San Antonio Monterrico, Surco, Lima, Perú. & rfernandez @ corbidi. org; https: // orcid. org / 0000 - 0001 - 8234 - 9502 rfernandez@corbidi.org Author Goldenberg, Renato 0000-0002-7047-6720 Programa de Pós-Graduação em Botânica, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Caixa Postal 19031, CEP 81531 - 970, Curitiba, PR, Brazil. & renato. goldenberg @ gmail. com; https: // orcid. org / 0000 - 0002 - 7047 - 6720 renato.goldenberg@gmail.com Author Michelangeli, Fabián A. 0000-0001-7348-143X Programa de Pós-Graduação em Botânica, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Caixa Postal 19031, CEP 81531 - 970, Curitiba, PR, Brazil. & The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY 104458 USA. & Programa de Pós-Graduação em Botânica, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Caixa Postal 19031, CEP 81531 - 970, Curitiba, PR, Brazil. & fabian @ nybg. org; https: // orcid. org / 0000 - 0001 - 7348 - 143 X Corresponding author: rfernandez @ corbidi. org & Programa de Pós-Graduação em Botânica, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Caixa Postal 19031, CEP 81531 - 970, Curitiba, PR, Brazil. fabian@nybg.org text Phytotaxa 2023 2023-07-12 602 1 1 101 http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.602.1.1 journal article 10.11646/phytotaxa.602.1.1 1179-3163 8141984 11. Meriania hirsuta Rob.Fern., Paredes-Burneo & Michelang., Willdenowia 52(1): 56 (2022). Type:— PERU . Piura : Prov. Huancabamba, Dist. El Carmen de la Frontera , Río Samaniego margen izquierda, Zona de Amortiguamiento del Santuario Nacional Tabaconas-Namballe , 2150 m , 05°06’43.1”S , 79°21’25.7”W , 28 Apr 2003 (fl.), S. Baldeón & J. Campos 5373 ( holotype : USM! [accession no. 273379]). ( Figure 29 ) Comments:— Meriania hirsuta belongs to the M. radula complex (see comments under M. radula for diagnostic characteristics) and is recognisable within the complex by the combination of branches and leaves with bullate laminae and hirsute indumentum (trichomes up to 4 mm long) ( Fig. 29C–D ), slightly dimorphic stamens ( Fig. 29F–G ), and antesepalous stamen connectives with laterally expanded perpendicular dorso-basal appendages ( Fig. 29G ). Meriania arizae Humberto Mend. & Fern.Alonso , M. horrida C.Ulloa & Achá and M. mutisii (Humb. & Bonpl.) Humberto Mend. & Fern.Alonso have similar indumentum to M. hirsuta , but all of them have flat adaxial leaf surfaces (vs. bullate in M. hirsuta ) and spreading, reddish-purple corollas (vs. campanulate and deep red). A detailed comparison of M. hirsuta with related species can be found in Fernandez-Hilario et al. (2022) . FIGURE 28. Meriania franciscana . A. Terminal fertile branch with inflorescence. B. Leaf blade, abaxial view. C. Detail of the abaxial leaf surface. D. Detail of the leaf base, adaxial surface. E. Antepetalous stamen, lateral view. F. Antesepalous stamen, lateral view. G. Petal. H. Flower bud with petals removed. A, B, D–F and H from C. Díaz & S. Fernández 10150 ; C and G from J. Campos & S. Corrales 3393 . The location of the inflorescences on the branches in M. hirsuta is unclear as the only fertile specimen ( Baldeón & Campos 5373 ) has three short branches with flowers located at the distal nodes. The inflorescences could be interpreted as axillar fascicles (8–10-flowered) or as one terminal panicle ( 8–18.5 cm long with 3 nodes). The former is a feature not seen within Meriania and the latter is present in all species within the M. radula complex, although in these species the inflorescences are longer than 18 cm and with more than (4–)5 nodes. Distribution and phenology:— Meriania hirsuta is endemic to northern Peru (Department of Piura ) and grows in montane forests at 2150–3035 m ( Fig. 30 ). It has been collected in flower in April. Specimen examined:— PERU . Piura : Prov. Ayabaca [Huancabamba], Dist. El Carmen de la Frontera , Carretera Sapalache-Cerro Chinguelas, 3035 m , 05°08’23.6”S , 79°23’45.4”W , 03 Sep 2016 (ster.), F . A . Michelangeli et al. 2636 (NY!, USM!).