New discoveries for the genus Miconia (Melastomataceae): a new species for the brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abstract

We describe Miconia leonorae, a new species exclusive to eastern Brazil, mainly from the evergreen forests of the Atlantic Forest Domain. This species can be distinguished from a wider circumscription of Miconia lepidota. It is classified as Miconia supersect. Discolores sect. Multispicatae and can be distinguished from similar species by features such as an acute leaf base and apex, light brown to gray abaxial leaf blade indumentum with lepidote-stellate trichomes (becoming glabrescent on mature leaves), cylindrical, scorpioid inflorescences with basal branches only bifid or trifid, and an androecium with isomorphic stamens.