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Type: Article
Published: 2017-12-01
Page range: 233–242
Abstract views: 29
PDF downloaded: 2

Pleroma carajasense (Melastomataceae), a new species endemic to ironstone outcrops in the Brazilian Amazon

Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas – Botânica Tropical, Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia/Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi - MPEG, Campus de Pesquisa. Av. Perimetral, 1901, Terra Firme, 66077-530, Belém, PA, Brazil
Universidade Federal do Paraná, Departamento de Botânica, Caixa postal 19031, CEP 81531-970, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi. Avenida Magalhães Barata, 376, São Braz, 66040-170, Belém, PA, Brazil
Universidade Federal do Paraná, Herbarium UPCB, CEP 81531-970, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
canga ferruginous soil Melastomeae Tibouchina

Abstract

A new species of Pleroma from Serra dos Carajás, Pará state, Brazil, is described. Pleroma carajasense occurs in southeastern Amazonia, northern Brazil, in canga vegetation, on ironstone outcrops. It is morphologically related to Tibouchina caatingae, because both are shrubs with elliptic to oval leaves, conspicuous petioles (3–17 mm and 10–15 mm, respectively), a pair of elliptic bracteoles, and purple petals, anthers (both cycles) and style. Pleroma carajasense differs from T. caatingae by its chartaceous leaves (versus coriaceous in T. caatingae), with an obtuse to cuneate base (vs. obtuse to subcordate), hypanthium 4–7 × 1.2–4 mm (vs. 10–15 × 3–5 mm). According to IUCN criteria, this species should be considered endangered (EN). A morphological description, illustrations, photos in the field, scanning electronic micrographs of the leaf indumentum and seeds, information on conservation status and distribution are presented.