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Issue: Vol. 728 No. 2: 12 Nov. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-11-12
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.728.2.5
Page range: 153-165
Abstract views: 142
PDF downloaded: 6

Taxonomic revision of the Amazonian genus Pseudoernestia (Melastomataceae, Marcetieae)

Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Pacheco Leão, 915, 22460-030, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Pacheco Leão, 915, 22460-030, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
The New York Botanical Garden, Center for Biodiversity & Evolution, Bronx, NY, USA
Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Pacheco Leão, 915, 22460-030, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
disjunct distribution Ernestia lectotypification Neotropics Eudicots

Abstract

Pseudoernestia (Melastomataceae: Marcetieae) is a genus comprising two species, P. cordifolia and P. glandulosa, with disjunct distributions along the Amazon Rainforest. The genus is characterized by narrow sepals, petals bearing an apical glandular trichome, antesepalous stamens with aristate ventral appendages and calcarate dorsal appendages positioned opposite the ventral ones, a glabrous ovary with three locules, rarely two, and seeds lacking dorsolateral projections. We present a taxonomic review of Pseudoernestia, including a lectotypification for P. cordifolia, the type species of the genus. Based on herbarium data, we confirmed that P. cordifolia occurs in Venezuela and Brazil, typically on rocky outcrops, whereas P. glandulosa is found in French Guiana and Guyana, primarily on lateritic soils. Pseudoernestia cordifolia is categorized as Endangered, while P. glandulosa is assessed as Least Concern. We provide detailed descriptions, photographs of living specimens, scanning electron microscopy images of the seeds, geographic distribution maps, and notes on conservation status, habitat preferences, and phenology.

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How to Cite

Silva, D.N.D., Guimarães, P.J.F., Michelangeli, F.A. & Braga, J.M.A. (2025) Taxonomic revision of the Amazonian genus Pseudoernestia (Melastomataceae, Marcetieae). Phytotaxa 728 (2): 153–165. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.728.2.5