Three new species of Microlicia (Melastomataceae) with yellow corollas from Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil

Rosana Romero; Luciano Pataro; Ana Flavia A. Versiane

doi:10.5091/plecevo.140649

Abstract

Background and aims – The genus Microlicia consists of 286 taxa, 82 of which are found in Bahia, Brazil. This genus features pentamerous flowers, occasionally hexamerous to decamerous; a hypanthium with or without bristles, isomorphic to dimorphic androecium; tetrasporangiate or polysporangiate anthers; and pedoconnective prolonged below the theca with a ventral appendage. The ovary has a glabrous apex, and the fruit is capsular with either basipetal or acropetal dehiscence and a columella that can be persistent or deciduous. In this study, we describe three new species of Microlicia found in Bahia, Brazil, and provide a checklist of Microlicia species with yellow corollas.

Material and methods – The morphological descriptions are based on examinations of the Microlicia collections housed in six herbaria. Along with the descriptions, we provide comparisons with morphologically similar species, a distribution map, conservation status assessments, and illustrations.

Key results – We describe Microlicia aequalis, Microlicia eimeariana from Catolés, and Microlicia xanthopetala from Mucugê, Bahia, Brazil. We have preliminarily assigned these three species as Data Deficient (DD) according to IUCN Red List criteria.

Keywords

campo rupestre, Chapada Diamantina, Lavoisiereae, taxonomy

Introduction

The tribe Lavoisiereae (Melastomataceae) has been recognized as monophyletic based on morphological and molecular data (Fritsch et al. 2004; Versiane et al. 2021). Until recently, the tribe included the genera Chaetostoma DC., Lavoisiera DC., Microlicia D.Don, Rhynchanthera DC., Stenodon Naudin, Trembleya DC. (Fritsch et al. 2004), and Poteranthera Bong. (Rocha et al. 2016). However, the modern circumscription of Microlicia now encompasses Chaetostoma, Lavoisiera, Stenodon, and Trembleya (Versiane et al. 2021). Consequently, the tribe currently consists of only three genera.

Microlicia presents pentamerous flowers, occasionally hexamerous to decamerous, a hypanthium with or without bristles, an isomorphic to dimorphic androecium, tetrasporangiate or polysporangiate anthers, a pedoconnective prolonged below the theca with a ventral appendage, a glabrous ovary apex, capsular fruit with basipetal or acropetal dehiscence, and a persistent or deciduous columella (Versiane et al. 2021). The genus comprises 286 species (Versiane et al. 2021), of which only eight occur outside the Brazilian borders (Romero et al. 2022).

The municipality of Mucugê and the district of Catolés are in the Chapada Diamantina, a mountain range in central Bahia, which contains a mosaic of vegetation types, predominantly campo rupestre (Harley and Simons 1986; Zappi et al. 2003) (Fig. 1). Catolés is a mountainous region with deep valleys, which may contribute to its geographic isolation and influence the local climate and biodiversity. Its high altitudes and distinct climatic conditions from the rest of the Abaíra municipality may favour high-altitude vegetation, such as campo rupestre, resulting in a unique diversity of species, some of which are endemic (Zappi et al. 2003). In Mucugê, Microlicia comprises 27 species (Pataro et al. 2013, 2017; Pacifico et al. 2022b), while in Catolés, at least 32 species are estimated to occur (Zappi et al. 2003; Woodgyer and Zappi 2009; Romero and Woodgyer 2018; SpeciesLink network 2024). Over the last 30 years, significant advances have been made in cataloguing Microlicia in Bahia, leading to the description of approximately 40 new species (e.g. Wurdack 1981, 1983, 1984, 1995; Woodgyer 2005; Romero and Woodgyer 2018; Pataro et al. 2013; Pacifico and Almeda 2020a, 2020b; Gali et al. 2022; Pacifico and Almeda 2022a, 2022b; Pacifico et al. 2022a, 2022b; Pacifico et al. 2023).

Figure 1.

Campo rupestre in Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil. A–C. Catolés district. A. Surroundings of the Catolés district. B. Serra da Bicota. C. Serra das Brenhas. D–F. Mucugê. D. Trail to the Serra do Esbarrancado. E. Surroundings of Mucugê. F. Campo rupestre next to the BA-142 highway, Mucugê-Andaraí. Photos A, C–F by Rosana Romero; B by Laércio Azevedo Pina.

As part of ongoing studies on Microlicia in Bahia, we identified three previously unknown species with yellow petals from herbarium collections. Here, we provide morphological descriptions of these species, compare them with morphologically similar taxa, and present information on their geographic distribution, conservation status, and illustrations.

Material and methods

This study was based on morphological examination of Microlicia collections deposited in the herbaria HUEFS, HUFU, SPF, K, and US (acronyms follow Thiers 2024). The morphological terminology follows Radford et al. (1986), and the indumentum follows Romero et al. (2021a, 2021b), in which spherical glands correspond to short-stalked glandular trichomes. When observed without microscopy, these glands may appear sessile, while glandular trichomes are medium to long stalked. The preliminary conservation status for each species follows the IUCN Red List categories and criteria (IUCN 2022). We used QGIS v.3.10.1 (QGIS Development Team 2022) to generate the occurrence map. To prepare the checklist of Microlicia species with yellow corollas occurring in Bahia, exsiccatae from the HUFU herbarium, the Reflora Virtual Herbarium (Reflora 2024), and the SpeciesLink network (2024) platforms were examined. The authorships of species names follow IPNI (2024).

Taxonomic treatment

1. Microlicia aequalis R.Romero & Versiane, sp. nov.

urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77358956-1

Fig. 2, Supplementary material 1

Type

BRAZIL – Bahia • Abaíra, [Distrito de Catolés], Serra das Brenhas; 13°19’S, 41°53’W; 1890 m; 21 Oct. 1992; fl., fr.; W. Ganev 1291; holotype: HUEFS!; isotypes: HUFU! [HUFU00075914], K! [01899807], SPF! [SPF0008697], US!.

Figure 2.

Microlicia aequalis. A. Flowering branch. B. Detail of the branch indumentum. C. Leaf (adaxial surface). D. Leaf (abaxial surface). E. Flower. F. Hypanthium, calyx, and sepals. G. Detail of the hypanthium indumentum. H. Petal (adaxial surface). I, J. Stamens. K. Gynoecium. L. Stigma. M. Cross-section of the ovary. From the holotype W. Ganev 1291 (HUEFS). Drawing by Klei Rodrigo Sousa.

Diagnosis

Microlicia aequalis is morphologically similar to Microlicia morii. However, it can be easily distinguished by the leaf blade covered with setose trichomes mixed with glandular trichomes on both surfaces (vs only spherical glands in M. morii) and crenulate margin (vs entire margin).

Description

Shrubs, erect, branched, ca 1.3 m tall. Younger and older branches terete, brownish, covered with setose trichomes mixed with spherical glands, older branches without leaves at the base, bark peeling off with age; nodes not thickened, internodes 1–2.5 mm long, covered with setose trichomes mixed with spherical glands, not winged. Leaves horizontal, not imbricate, not amplexicaul; petiole 0.8–1mm long, flat, covered with setose trichomes; blade 5–8.6 × 3–5 mm, chartaceous, discolorous (when dry), adaxial surface dark green to brownish, abaxial surface light green, elliptic to widely elliptic, apex acuminate, not setose, base rounded, margin crenulate, setose-ciliate at the bases, both surfaces covered with setose trichomes mixed with glandular trichomes, the setose trichomes concentrated mainly on the nerves, sometimes covering only ¹/₃ of the blade, 1–3-veined, visible on both surfaces, tertiary veins absent. Inflorescence reduced to one bracteate flower, lateral or at the apices of the branches, bracts 2–3 × 1–2 mm, elliptic. Flowers 5-merous; pedicel 0.9–1.3 mm long, brownish, covered with setose trichomes mixed with spherical glands; hypanthium ca 3 × 2.5–3 mm, campanulate, brownish (when dry), covered with spherical glands, setose trichomes only at the base, slightly 10-costate; calyx tube ca 0.1 mm long; sepals 1.5–2.3 × 0.6–1 mm, smaller than the hypanthium length, greenish to brownish (when dry), not foliaceous, chartaceous, narrowly triangular, apex acute-setose, trichomes 0.1–0.2 mm long, not veined, covered with spherical glands, trichomes between the sepals absent; petals 4.8–6 × 3.4–4.5 mm, yellow, oblong, apex acuminate, margin glabrous; androecium isomorphic, concolorous, yellow, stamens 10, isomorphic, anthers polysporangiate, concolorous; filaments 2.2–2.5 mm long, anthers 2.2–2.3 mm long including beak, ovate, beak ca 0.2–0.3 mm long, pedoconnective 0.6–0.8 mm long, ventral appendage absent; ovary ca 2 × 1.5 mm, 3-locular, globose, superior, glabrous; style ca 5.5 mm long, yellow, straight, stigmas punctiform. Capsules ca 2.5 × 2.3 mm, oblong-campanulate, smooth, brownish (when dry), sepals persistent on the immature fruits, hypanthium covering the entire capsule and peeling off as the fruit matures, dehiscence basipetal, columella deciduous. Seeds not seen.

Distribution and habitat

Microlicia aequalis was found in Serra das Brenhas, Catolés district, Abaíra municipality, Bahia, Brazil (Fig. 3). According to the exsiccata label, it occurs in campo rupestre with sandy-gravelly soil and many outcropping rocks.

Figure 3.

Map with the known records of the three new species of Microlicia in Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil.

Phenology

Collected with flowers and fruits in October.

Etymology

The specific epithet aequalis is derived from the Latin adjective aequalis (“equal”) (Stearn 1983), in reference to the isomorphic androecium in this species.

Preliminary IUCN conservation assessment

The species is only known from a single collection made 32 years ago. In 2022, we attempted to locate individuals of this species but were unsuccessful. Due to the lack of data, it is difficult to assess whether the species is extinct. Therefore, we preliminarily assess M. aequalis as Data Deficient (DD) following the IUCN Red List categories and criteria (IUCN 2022).

Notes

Microlicia aequalis is similar to Microlicia morii Wurdack, Microlicia oligochaeta Wurdack, and Microlicia glazioviana Cogn. These four species have petiolate leaves and discolorous, 3-veined leaf blades. Like M. aequalis, M. morii and M. oligochaeta occur in the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, while M. glazioviana is endemic to the Iron Quadrangle in Minas Gerais. Microlicia aequalis and M. oligochaeta have branches and leaves covered with setose trichomes mixed with glandular trichomes. However, M. oligochaeta differs in having flowers with pink petals (vs yellow in M. aequalis), a dimorphic and bicolorous androecium (vs isomorphic, concolorous), and polysporangiate anthers (vs tetrasporangiate) (Wurdack 1983). Microlicia aequalis and M. glazioviana have branches covered with setose trichomes mixed with spherical glands, crenulate leaf blades at the margin, and tetrasporangiate anthers. However, M. glazioviana differs in having the hypanthium densely covered with setose trichomes mixed with spherical glands (vs spherical glands and sparse setose trichomes only at the base in M. aequalis), pink petals (vs yellow), dimorphic and bicolorous androecium (vs isomorphic, concolorous) (Cogniaux 1888). Microlicia aequalis and M. morii share several characteristics, including yellow-petaled flowers, an isomorphic androecium, and a pedoconnective without a ventral appendage. The distinguishing features between M. aequalis and M. morii are mentioned in the diagnosis.

2. Microlicia eimeariana R.Romero & Versiane, sp. nov.

urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77358957-1

Fig. 4, Supplementary material 2

Type

BRAZIL – Bahia • Abaíra, Distrito de Catolés; 13°17’S, 41°51’W; 1000–1100 m; 20 Dec. 1991; fl.; R.M. Harley, V.C. Souza, C.M. Sakuragui & E.N. Lughadha 50151; holotype: SPF!; isotypes: HUFU! [HUFU00075928], K!.

Figure 4.

Microlicia eimeariana. A. Flowering branch. B. Detail of the branch indumentum. C. Leaf (adaxial surface). D. Leaf (abaxial surface). E. Flower. F. Detail of the hypanthium indumentum. G. Hypanthium, calyx, and sepals. H. Petal (adaxial surface). I. Smaller (antepetalous) stamen. J. Larger (antesepalous) stamen. K. Gynoecium. L. Stigma. M. Cross-section of the ovary. From the isotype R.M. Harley, V.C. Souza, C.M. Sakuragui & E.N. Lughadha 50151 (HUFU). Drawing by Klei Rodrigo Sousa.

Diagnosis

Microlicia eimeariana is morphologically similar to Microlicia abairana. However, it can be easily distinguished by its branches covered with spherical glands and setose trichomes (vs only spherical glands in M. abairana), imbricate leaves and leaf blades with obtuse apex (vs non-imbricate, acute).

Description

Shrubs, erect, branched, ca 0.8 m tall. Younger and older branches terete, brownish, covered with spherical glands and setose trichomes, older branches without leaves at the base, bark peeling off with age; nodes not thickened, internodes short 0.6–1 mm long, with setose trichomes, trichomes 0.2–0.4 mm long, not winged. Leaves ascending, imbricate, not amplexicaul, short-petiolate; petiole 0.1–0.3 mm long, flat, glabrous; blade 1.5–4.5 × 0.7–1.6 mm, chartaceous, discolorous (when dry), abaxial surface light brown, adaxial surface dark brown, oblong to oblong-ovate, apex obtuse, sometimes with short-setose trichomes 0.03–0.06 mm long, base rounded, margin entire or barely undulating, glabrous or with setose trichomes, trichomes 0.07–0.2 mm long, both surfaces covered with glandular trichomes, 3-veined, visible on both surfaces, marginal pairs inconspicuous, tertiary veins absent. Inflorescence in dichasia, at the apices of the branches, bracts 3–2.5 × 1–1.5, oblong-ovate, bracteoles 2–3.3 × 0.8–1.3 mm, oblong-ovate. Flowers 5-merous, sessile; hypanthium 2.5–3.3 × 1.5–1.8 mm, oblong to oblong-campanulate, brownish, covered with spherical glands; calyx tube 0.2–0.4 mm long; sepals 1.3–1.4 × 0.3–0.4 mm, shorter than the hypanthium, brownish, chartaceous, subulate, apex obtuse, without a terminal setose trichome, covered with spherical glands; petals 6.3–6.5 × 2.3–2.5 mm, yellow, oblong, apex acuminate, margin glabrous; androecium dimorphic, concolorous, yellow, stamens 10, anthers polysporangiate; larger (antesepalous) stamens 5, filaments ca 2.7 mm long, anthers ca 2 mm long including beak, oblong, beak ca 0.1 mm long, pedoconnective 1.8–2 mm long, ventral appendage ca 0.7 mm long, apex truncate; smaller (antepetalous) stamens 5, filaments 2.3–2.4 mm long, anthers 1.7–2 mm long including beak, oblong, beak ca 0.15 mm long, pedoconnective 1–1.3 long, ventral appendage ca 0.5 mm long, apex truncate; ovary ca 2 × 1 mm, 3-locular, globose, superior, glabrous; style ca 7.5 mm long, yellow, slightly curved at the apex, stigma punctiform. Capsules and seeds not seen.

Distribution and habitat

The exsiccata label indicates that M. eimeariana was found in the Catolés district, Abaíra municipality, Bahia, Brazil, in an area of highland cerrado (Fig. 3).

Phenology

Collected with flowers in December.

Etymology

We name this species after the researcher Eimear Nic Lughadha from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in recognition of her work on the systematics and conservation of tropical plants. She was also part of the team that collected the holotype of the new species.

Preliminary IUCN conservation assessment

The new species is only known from one gathering made 33 years ago, and unfortunately, the location of the collection site is not precise. We tried to locate individuals of this species in Catolés but without success. Due to the lack of data, assessing the species’ extinction risk is complex. Therefore, we preliminarily assess M. eimeariana as Data Deficient (DD) following the IUCN Red List categories and criteria (IUCN 2022).

Notes

Among the species that occur in Abaíra, Bahia, M. eimeariana is similar to M. abairana R.Romero & Woodgyer, Microlicia aureoglandulosa Woodgyer & R.Romero, and Microlicia parvula (Markgr.) Koschn. & A.B.Martins, with the latter also occurring in Mucugê, Piatã, Rio de Contas, and Seabra (Pataro et al. 2017). The species share commonly smooth hypanthium covered with spherical glands, sepals shorter than the hypanthium, yellow petals and androecium, and stamens with polysporangiate anthers. Microlicia aureoglandulosa and M. parvula differ from M. eimeariana in having branches covered only with spherical glands (vs setose trichomes, in addition to spherical glands in M. eimeariana) and isomorphic androecium (vs dimorphic). Microlicia aureoglandulosa also has leaf blades that are acute at the apex (vs obtuse in M. eimeariana), and triangular sepals (vs oblong), acuminate at the apex, with a terminal trichome (ca 0.1 mm long) (vs obtuse, terminal trichome absent). Microlicia parvula has very short triangular sepals, ca 1 mm long (vs oblong, 1.3–1.4 mm long in M. eimeariana). Microlicia eimeariana also resembles M. monticola Wurdack, which is endemic to Rio de Contas (Wurdack 1983; Woodgyer and Nic Lughadha 1995; Santos and Silva 2005). Both species have yellow petals, dimorphic androecium, polysporangiate anthers, and small leaves (3–6 × 0.5–2 mm in M. monticola). However, M. monticola differs by having branches with only spherical glands (vs spherical glands and setose trichomes in M. eimeariana), sessile leaves (vs subsessile), leaves acute at the apex (vs obtuse), and oblong-triangular sepals with an apex ending in a setose trichome (vs obtuse, setose trichome absent). The differences between M. eimeariana and M. abairana are mentioned in the diagnosis.

3. Microlicia xanthopetala Versiane & R.Romero, sp. nov.

urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77358958-1

Fig. 5, Supplementary material 3

Type

BRAZIL – Bahia • Mucugê, Trilha para o Morro da Tesoura; 13°01’07”S, 41°22’52”W; 960–1000 m; 16 Aug. 2005; fl., fr.; A.K.A. Santos, E.C. Oliveira, S.F. Rocha, et al. 449; holotype: HUEFS!; isotype: HUFU! [HUFU00064429].

Figure 5.

Microlicia xanthopetala. A. Flowering branch. B. Detail of the branch indumentum. C. Leaf (adaxial surface). D. Leaf (abaxial surface). E. Flower. F. Detail of the hypanthium indumentum. G. Hypanthium, calyx, and sepals. H. Petal (adaxial surface). I. Smaller (antepetalous) stamen. J. Larger (antesepalous) stamen. K. Gynoecium. L. Stigma. M. Cross-section of the ovary. From the isotype A.K.A. Santos, E.C. Oliveira, S.F. Rocha, et al. 449 (HUFU). Drawing by Klei Rodrigo Sousa.

Diagnosis

Microlicia xanthopetala is similar to M. aurea. However, it differs in having branches, leaves, and hypanthium covered with setose trichomes mixed with spherical glands (vs only spherical glands in M. aurea), narrowly elliptic leaf blades (vs lanceolate-elliptic), and linear sepals (vs triangular).

Description

Shrubs, erect, branched, ca 0.4 m tall. Younger and older branches terete, brownish, densely covered with setose trichomes mixed with spherical glands, older branches without leaves at the base, bark peeling off with age; nodes not thickened, internodes 1.5–3 mm long, covered with setose trichomes mixed with spherical glands, not winged. Leaves ascending, imbricate, not amplexicaul; petiole 0.4–0.6 mm long, flat, covered with setose trichomes mixed with spherical glands; blade 3.5–8 × 1–2.5 mm, chartaceous, discolorous (when dry), adaxial surfaces brown, abaxial surface green, narrowly elliptic, apex acuminate, short-setose or not, trichomes 0.08–1 mm long, base attenuate, margin entire, setose-ciliate, adaxial surface sparsely covered with setose trichomes, abaxial moderately covered with setose trichomes, both surfaces densely covered with spherical glands, 1-veined, visible on both surfaces, secondary and tertiary veins absent. Inflorescence reduced to one bracteate flower, lateral or at the apices of the branches, bracts ca 2 × 0.8 mm, narrowly elliptic. Flowers 5-merous; pedicel 0.5–0.7 mm long, brownish, covered with setose trichomes mixed with spherical glands; hypanthium 1.7–2.7 × 1–1.5 mm, campanulate, cream (when dry), 10-costate, densely covered with spherical glands; calyx tube ca 0.2 mm long; sepals 1–2 × 0.1–0.2 mm, smaller than the hypanthium, cream (when dry), not foliaceous, chartaceous, subulate, apex rounded, not veined, covered with spherical glands, trichomes between the sepals absent; petals 5–5.2 × 2.3–3.5 mm, yellow, oblong, apex acuminate, margin glabrous; androecium dimorphic, concolorous, yellow, stamens 10, anthers polysporangiate; larger (antesepalous) stamens 5, filaments ca 2.5 mm long, anthers 1.3–1.4 mm long including beak, oblong, beak ca 0.1 mm long, pedoconnective 1.2–1.6 mm long, ventral appendage 0.5–0.6 mm long, apex bilobed; smaller (antepetalous) stamens 5, filaments 2.3–2.5 mm long, anthers 1.3–1.4 mm long including beak, oblong, beak ca 0.1 mm long, pedoconnective 0.8–1 mm long, ventral appendage ca 0.3 mm long, apex truncate; ovary ca 1 × 1 mm, 3-locular, globose, superior, glabrous; style ca 5 mm long, yellow, slightly curved at the apex, stigma punctiform. Capsules 2–2.3 × ca 1.5 mm, oblong, smooth, brown blackish (when dry), sepals persistent on the immature fruits, hypanthium covering the entire capsule and peeling off as the fruit matures, dehiscence basipetal, columella deciduous. Seeds not seen.

Distribution and habitat

Microlicia xanthopetala was found in Morro da Tesoura, Mucugê, Bahia, Brazil, where it probably occurs in campo rupestre (Fig. 3).

Phenology

Collected with flowers and fruits in August.

Etymology

The specific epithet xanthopetala is derived from the Greek words xanthos (Ξάνθος = yellow) and pétălon (πέταλον = petals) (Stearn 1983), in reference to the yellow petals in this species.

Preliminary IUCN conservation assessment

Like the previous species, we only know M. xanthopetala from a single collection. The lack of data prevents a proper threat assessment of this species, so we also preliminarily assess M. xanthopetala as Data Deficient (DD) based on the IUCN Red List categories and criteria (IUCN 2022).

Notes

Microlicia xanthopetala was previously identified as Microlicia aurea Wurdack probably because both species have petiolate leaves, discolorous (when dry) and 1-veined leaf blades, flowers with yellow petals and stamens, and polysporangiate anthers (Wurdack 1983). The differences between them are mentioned in the diagnosis. Microlicia aurea is found only in Rio de Contas, Bahia, Brazil (Wurdack 1983; SpeciesLink network 2024).

Microlicia xanthopetala also bears some resemblance to Microlicia ganevii Woodgyer & R.Romero. Both species are from Bahia and share petiolate leaves, discolorous leaf blades (when dry), and flowers with yellow petals and androecium, and stamens with polysporangiate anthers (Wurdack 1983; Romero and Woodgyer 2018). Microlicia ganevii has branches, leaves, and hypanthium covered with glandular trichomes mixed with spherical glands (vs setose trichomes and spherical glands in M. xanthopetala), 3–5-veined leaf blades (vs 1-veined), and narrowly triangular sepals (vs linear) (Romero and Woodgyer 2018). Until now, M. ganevii is found only in Catolés (Romero and Woodgyer 2018).

Checklist of species of Microlicia with yellow corollas in Bahia

In the state of Bahia, there are 82 taxa of Microlicia (Fidanza et al. 2024; Pacifico and Fidanza 2024; Romero et al. 2024; Versiane 2024). Of these, 22 species have yellow corollas, a relatively uncommon characteristic in the genus, where corollas with magenta or variations of this colour predominate. Here, we add three new species with yellow corollas to the state’s flora: Microlicia aequalis, M. eimeariana, and M. xanthopetala. Bahia is the state with the highest number of Microlicia with yellow corollas (Table 1).

Table 1.

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Checklist of species of Microlicia with yellow corollas in Bahia, Brazil, and their locality of occurrence.

Species	Occurrence	Voucher (herbarium acronym)
Microlicia abairana R.Romero & Woodgyer	Abaíra (Catolés)	N. Hind & L.P. Queiroz 50065 (HUEFS)
Microlicia aequalis R.Romero & Versiane	Abaíra (Catolés)	W. Ganev 1291 (HUFU, isotype)
Microlicia angelana Almeda, Fidanza & R.B.Pacifico	Rio de Contas	F. Almeda 10844 (CEPEC)
Microlicia ascendens Almeda & R.B.Pacifico	Rio de Contas, Abaíra (Catolés)	W. Ganev 3232 (HUEFS)
Microlicia aureoglandulosa Woodgyer & R.Romero	Abaíra (Catolés), Piatã	W. Ganev 2929 (SPF)
Microlicia aurea Wurdack	Rio de Contas	R.M. Harley 15106 (CEPEC)
Microlicia catolensis Woodgyer & Zappi	Abaíra (Catolés), Piatã	P.T. Sano 52311 (CEPEC)
Microlicia chrysantha Wurdack	Abaíra (Catolés), Mucugê, Rio de Contas	A.K.A. Santos et al. 78 (HUFU)
Microlicia curticalycina R.Romero & Woodgyer	Rio de Contas	W. Ganev 2062 (UEC)
Microlicia decumbens Gali, Almeda & Fidanza	Abaíra	W. Ganev 1680 (HUFU)
Microlicia eimeariana R.Romero & Versiane	Abaíra (Catolés)	R.M. Harley et al. 50151 (HUFU, isotype)
Microlicia ganevii Woodgyer & R.Romero	Abaíra (Catolés)	W. Ganev 614 (HUEFS)
Microlicia intercalycina Pataro & R.Romero	Mucugê	L. Pataro 48 (HUEFS)
Microlicia lutea Markgr.	Abaira, Catolés, Ibicoara, Mucugê, Piatã, Rio De Contas, Rio do Pires, Seabra, Umburanas (Delfino)	G. Hatschbach et al. 56801 (MBM)
Microlicia macaubensis Gali, R.B.Pacifico & Almeda	Brotas de Macaúbas	G. Hatschbach et al. 67714 (MBM)
Microlicia monticola Wurdack	Rio de Contas	R.M. Harley 15609 (CEPEC)
Microlicia morii Wurdack	Abaíra (Catolés), Rio de Contas	R.M. Harley 58582 (HUEFS)
Microlicia nervulosa (Naudin) Versiane & R.Romero	Mucugê	E. Hattori 1454 (HUFU)
Microlicia nodotricha Almeda & R. B.Pacifico	Abaíra (Catolés)	W. Ganev 2531 (MO)
Microlicia parvula (Markgr.) Koschn. & A.B.Martins	Abaíra (Catolés), Mucugê, Rio de Contas, Seabra	W. Ganev 2823 (HUFU)
Microlicia piatensis Almeda & R.B.Pacifico	Piatã	N. Roque et al. 888 (ALCB)
Microlicia prostrata R.B.Pacifico & Almeda	Abaíra	R. Pacifico 656 (HUEFS)
Microlicia sulfurea Hoehne	Ibitiara, Minas do Mimoso, Sento Sé, Campo Formoso, Pindobaçu, Umburanas (Delfino)	Lídio Coradin 6069 (CEN)
Microlicia tetramera Almeda & R.B.Pacifico	Rio de Contas	A.K.A. Santos 915 (HUEFS)
Microlicia xanthopetala Versiane & R.Romero	Mucugê	A.K.A. Santos et al. 449 (HUFU, isotype)

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Pró Reitoria de Pós Graduação (PROPP) for providing a vehicle and financial support for the field expedition to Bahia in May 2022, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG, processes APQ-01911–16 and APQ-00523-22) for supporting research on Melastomataceae, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES-INCT process 88887.648158/2021-00) for the postdoctoral fellowship to A.F.A. Versiane, the curators of the HUEFS, SPF and US herbaria for the loan of exsiccates, Klei Rodrigo Sousa for preparing the illustrations; the guide Laércio Azevedo Pina (guia Dú) from Catolés who kindly provided an image of the Serra das Brenhas, Ana Junia Fernandes for helping to organize the Figure 1, and the herbarium technician Alyne Dantas Mendes de Paula for her help with the HUFU exsiccates. This research used the Herbarium Uberlandense (HUFU) facilities at Universidade Federal de Uberlândia.

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Supplementary materials

Supplementary material 1

Sheet with the holotype of Microlicia aequalis from HUEFS.

Download file (5.39 MB)

Supplementary material 2

Sheet with the isotype of Microlicia eimeariana from HUFU.

Download file (9.48 MB)

Supplementary material 3

Sheet with the isotype of Microlicia xanthopetala from HUFU.

Download file (9.83 MB)