Studies on Philippine Melastoma (Melastomataceae)—the Rarely Collected M. laevifolium Group

Abstract. Members of the Melastoma laevifolium group in the Philippines which include the poorly known M. culionense from Culion Island and the new species M. lawrenceliaoi sp. nov. from Tawi-Tawi Island are herein taxonomically reassessed and described, respectively. Having the holotype missing/lost, M. culionense is herein lectotypified. Melastoma lawrenceliaoi is closely related to M. laevifolium from Borneo but differs by having flattened and furrowed young twigs, shorter leaves, midrib and longitudinal veins with slightly curved lanceolate scales up to ca. 0.8 mm long on the lower leaf surface, solitary flowers, shorter and grass green bracteoles, hypanthium sparsely covered with neatly appressed linear scales up to ca. 0.8 mm long, longer hypanthium lobes, ovate petals and shorter greyish anthers on the longer stamens. Taxonomic notes on M. laevifolium is herein provided too.