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 33. Meriania vasquezii Rob.Fern., R.Villanueva & Michelang., Willdenowia 52(1): 66 (2022). Type :— PERU . Pasco : Prov. Oxapampa, Dist. Chontabamba, Ulcumano Lodge , 2244 m , 10°38’08”S , 75°25’39”W , 23 Feb 2021 (fl.), R. Vásquez, L. Valenzuela, E. Pinche & C. Rojas 45480 ( holotype : HOXA! [accession no. 077441]; isotypes: MO!, MOLF! [barcode 000009], UPCB! [accession no. 99426]). ( Figures 67–68 ). Comments:— Meriania vasquezii differs from other Peruvian species of Meriania by the combination of leaf blades with dense tomentose indumentum on the abaxial surfaces, evenly covering the entire surfaces ( Fig. 67B–C ), inflorescences with flowers in regular dichasia in the branchlet ends, subcalyptrate calyces with small claw-shaped dorsal projections ( 3 mm long) and irregular dehiscence ( Fig. 67D and G ), campanulate, fuchsia corollas, dimorphic stamens, and antesepalous stamen connectives with laterally expanded descending dorso-basal appendages ( Fig. 67E ). Meriania juanjil is the only Peruvian species shares subcalyptrate calyces with M. vasquezii but differs by the leaf blades size (10.8–12.7 × 2.7–3 cm vs. 16.5–23.5 × 9.3–10.7 cm ), arrangement of flowers in branchlet ends (5–7- flowered umbels vs. regular dichasia), and length and color of the petals ( 11–13.5 mm long and pink-orange vs. 25–31 mm long and fuchsia). A detailed comparison of M. vasquezii with other related species can be found in Fernandez-Hilario et al. (2022) . Distribution and phenology:— Known only from two specimens , Meriania vasquezii is endemic to central Peru (Department of Pasco ) and grows in montane forests at 2200–2244 m ( Fig. 11 ). It has been collected in flower in February and March. Specimen examined:— PERU . Pasco : Prov. Oxapampa, Dist. Chontabamba, margen de la carretera a Ulcumano Ecolodge , 2200 m , 09 Mar 2022 (fl.), B . García 210 ( MOLF !) .