Microlicia ferricola (Lavoisiereae), a new species of Melastomataceae from the Iron Quadrangle, Minas Gerais, Brazil Versiane, Ana Flávia Alves Rocha, Maria José Reis Da Santos, Amanda Alves Romero, Rosana Phytotaxa 2024 2024-11-07 671 1 105 112 Versiane, M.J.R.Rocha & R.Romero Versiane, M. J. R. Rocha & R. Romero. A. Branches. B. Detailed 2024 [136,781,1204,1231] Magnoliopsida Melastomataceae Microlicia Plantae Myrtales 1 106 Tracheophyta species ferricola sp. nov.   Diagnosis:—This species is readily recognized by its leaves lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate with attenuate bases, setose at the apices, short petioles, campanulate-oblong hypanthia, and long-triangular sepals. The branches, leaves, hypanthia, and sepals are green-reddish to reddish and moderately covered with glandular trichomes. Moreover, the stamens are dimorphic and bicolorous with tetrasporangiate anthers.   Type:—  BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: Belo Horizonte, Parque Estadual da Serra do Rola-Moça, estrada de acesso à cachoeira Duas Quedas, lado direito, cerca de  200 mdo ponto de ônibus, 20°02’35”S, 43°59’19”W,  31 August 2022(fl., fr.),  M.J.R. Rocha, A.A. Santos& A.P.M. Fonseca1437( holotype: IBIUEMG!; isotypes: BHCB!, HUFU!, RB!).  Subshrubs, 15–30 cmtall, erect, much branched, branches slender, dichotomous. Branchesquadrangular, sometimes slightly winged, green-reddish to reddish, sparsely to moderately covered by glandular trichomes (trichomes 0.2–0.4 mmlong); nodes thickened, internodes 1.5–3.5 mmlong, sparsely to moderately covered with glandular trichomes. Leavesascending, slightly imbricate, not amplexicaul, concolorous, green or green-reddish to reddish, or discolorous, abaxial surface green, adaxial surface reddish, petioles 0.09–0.13 mmlong, flat, glabrous; blades 3–6.5 × 0.5–1 mm, chartaceous, lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate, apices acute, setose (trichomes 0.1–0.5 mmlong), bases attenuate, margins entire, flat, with glandular trichomes or glabrous, adaxial surfaces glabrous or rarely with few glandular trichomes, abaxial surfaces sparsely to moderately covered with glandular trichomes ( 0.2–0.4 mmlong), 3-veined, main veins visible on both surfaces, secondary veins visible only on the adaxial surfaces, tertiary veins absent. Flowerssolitaries, lateral or at the apices of the branches, 5-merous, pedicels ca. 0.5 mmlong, terete, covered with spherical glands and glandular trichomes; hypanthia 1‒1.5 × ca. 1 mm, campanulate-oblong, not costate, smooth, green or green-reddish to reddish, sparsely to moderately covered with glandular trichomes; calyx tubes ca. 0.3 mmlong; sepals 1.8‒2 × ca. 0.5 mm, triangular, apices acute, glandular, glands inconspicuous and often caducous (ca. 0.2 mmlong) longer than the hypanthia length, green or green-reddish to reddish, sparsely to moderately covered with glandular trichomes, glands inconspicuous and often caducous ( 0.2–0.4 mmlong); petals 3.8–4 × 6‒6.5 mm, oblong, apices acute, apiculate (ca. 0.5 mmlong) or not, pink, margins entire, glabrous; stamens 10, dimorphic, bicolorous, anthers tetrasporangiate; larger (antesepalous) stamens 5, filaments 2.3–3.3 mmlong, pink, pedoconnectives 2.3–3 mmlong, pink, ventral appendages 1–1.3 mmlong, yellow, apices retuse, anthers 1.8–2 mmlong (including beaks), oblong, pink, beaks 0.2–0.4 mmlong, pinkish; smaller (antepetalous) stamens 5, filaments 1.5–2 mmlong, yellow, pedoconnectives 0.5–0.8 mmlong, yellow, ventral appendages inconspicuous ca. 0.1 mmlong, yellow, apices retuse, anthers ca. 1.5–1.6 mmlong (including beaks), yellow, beaks 0.2–0.3 mmlong, yellow; ovaries ca. 1.5 × 1 mm, 3- locular, globose, superior, glabrous; styles ca. 4 mmlong, pinkish, slightly curved, stigmas punctiform. Capsules2–2.5 × 1.8–2 mm, cylindrical or oblong, brownish, smooth, hypanthia totally covering the capsules, peeling off with age, dehiscence basipetal, sepals deciduous in the mature fruits, columellas deciduous; seeds 0.2–0.4 × 0.1–0.2 mm, testa foveolate, slightly curved to one side.   FIGURE 1.  Microlicia ferricolaVersiane, M.J.R.Rocha & R.Romero. A.Branches. B.Detailedbranch with glandular trichomes. C.Adaxial surface leaf blade. D.Abaxial surface leaf blade. E.Flower. F.Detailed glandular trichomes at hypantium. G.Hypanthium and sepals. H.Petal variation. I.Smaller stamen (antepetalous) on the left, larger stamen (antesepalous) on the right. J.Ovary and style. K.Detailed style apex. L.Ovary showing 3 locules. M.Mature fruit with hypanthium covering. N.Seed. (Drawn by Klei Sousa from Rocha et al. 1437).   FIGURE 2.  Microlicia ferricolaVersiane, M.J.R.Rocha & R.Romero. Photosof living specimens. A-B.Habitat in the Rola-Moça State Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil. C.Habit of an individual on slope habitat. D.Flowering branch with green leaves. E.Flowering branch with green-reddish to reddish leaves. F.Flower. Photos: M.J.R. Rocha ( Rocha 1437[A, B, E]; Rocha 1451[C, D]).    Paratypes:— BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: Belo Horizonte, Parque Estadual da Serra do Rola-Moça, no barranco ao lado direito da estrada para o Morro do Cachimbo,  200 mantes do ponto de ônibus, 20º01’25.0”S 43º59’32.0”W,  1350 m,  27 July 2023, (fl., fr.),  A.A. Santos97(IBIUEMG!);  idem, área da COPASA, Morro do Cachimbo, estrada de acesso a Serra do Cachimbo, crescendo em barranco,  31 August 2023, (fl.),  M.J.R. Rocha1451(IBIUEMG!);  idem, Morro do Cachimbo, lado esquerdo da estrada, barranco abaixo da primeira torre, 20º00’52”S 43º58’54”W,  1430 m,  13 May 2024,  M.J.R. Rocha1609(IBIUEMG!). Betim[Nova Lima], slopes of Serra da Mutucaabove Barreiros,  1000–1200 m,  03 June 1945, (fl.),  L.O. Williams7285(F-online image!, K-online image!, NY-online image!, US-online image!).   Distribution, Habitat, and Conservation:—  Microlicia ferricolais found in the Iron Quadrangle in Minas Gerais state. It has been collected only in the Serra do Rola-Moça State Park, which is located in the municipalities of Belo Horizonte, Brumadinho, Ibirité, and Nova Lima ( Fig. 3). This lithophyte species frequently occurs at an elevation from 1350 to 1430 meters on slopes in ironstone ecosystems, characterized by shallow, acidic, oligotrophic soils containing high concentrations of metallic minerals, mainly iron (see Carmo et al.2018). These unique soils develop from iron formations, in this case, ferruginous phyllite [Itabira Group, Cauê Formation] ( Carmo et al.2018).  Microlicia ferricolawas collected with flowers and fruits in July and August. The populations of  M. ferricolaare exclusively inside a conservation area maintained and managed by the Minas Geraisgovernment ( Fig. 3). Despite its restricted AOO and EOO ( 4 km 2),  M. ferricolaoccurs in a preserved habitat with no disturbances and has populations with a moderate number of individuals. Then, we consider this species as Least Concern (LC) based on IUCN criteria (2022). However, it is imperative to recognize that the surrounding areas adjacent to this protected unit are under significant threat mainly due to extensive mining activities, which has led to a persistent degradation of the quality of the vegetation habitat (see Jacobi et al.2007). Numerous efforts have been made to draw the attention of relevant authorities to address the mounting biodiversity loss within the Iron Quadrangle, often driven by specific and private interests, but with little success (see Carmo & Kamino 2023).   Etymology:—The specific epithet  ferricolais from the Latin words ferreus(= iron) and -cola(= dweller) [see Stearn 1983], referencing the iron-rich soil of the Iron Quadrangle where this new species occurs.  Taxonomic Notes:—  Microlicia ferricolashares similarities with three species:  M. longicalycinaR.Romeroin Romero & Castro (2014: 1177),  M. trichocalycina De Candolle (1828: 120), and  M. woodgyerianaR.Romero & Paranhosin Romero et al.(2021b: 444). Like  M. ferricola, these species are also endemic to Minas Gerais state( Romero & Castro 2014; Romero et al.2021 b, 2024). They all have pentamerous flowers with pink petals, bicolored androecium with dimorphic stamens and tetrasporangiate anthers, three-locular ovary, deciduous sepals in the mature fruits, and fruits with basipetal dehiscence and deciduous collumelas.  Microlicia ferricolaand  M. longicalycinaalso share lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate leaves with acute apices and entire margins with glandular trichomes. However,  M. longicalycinahas leaves with light green margins (see Romero & Castro 2014) ( vs.entirely green or green-reddish in  M. ferricola) with setose trichomes ( vs.only glandular), and long linear-triangular sepals ([ 4–6 mmlong] vs.triangular [ 1.8‒2 mmlong]). Additionally,  M. longicalycinais exclusive to the Diamantina municipality and commonly found in the Biribiri State Park ( Romero & Castro 2014).  Microlicia ferricolaand  M. woodgyerianaexhibit elliptic-lanceolate leaves and triangular sepals with entire margins, often with green-reddish to reddish indumentum. But  M. woodgyerianadiffers by its coriaceous leaves ( vs.chartaceous in  M. ferricola), margins that are revolute ( vs.flat), and campanulate hypanthia ( vs.campanulate-oblong).  Microlicia woodgyerianais endemic to northern Minas Gerais, specifically found in the Serra do Bota municipality of Itacambira ( Romero et al.2021b).  Microlicia ferricolaand  M. trichocalycinahave lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate leaves with very short petioles. Nevertheless,  M. trichocalycinadiffers in having leaves with non-setose apex ( vs.setose in  M. ferricola), hypanthia and sepals moderately to densely covered with long glandular trichomes ([ 0.5–1 mmlong] vs.short [ 0.2–0.4 mmlong]).  Microlicia trichocalycinahas been recorded by a few collections from Serro municipality in the Diamantina Plateau(  Martiuss.n.[M0165724!]), Ouro Preto municipality ( Glaziou 14732[P!], 19319[P!]), Serra do Gandarela National Park ( Emygdio et al. 3375[NY!], Augsten & Stehmann 628[BHCB!], Gontijo 1214[BHCB!], Rocha et al. 1599[IBIUEMG!]), and Mariana municipality ( Brina s.n.[HUFU63159!], Mendes et al.65 [BHCB!]) in the Iron Quadrangle. 2022-08-31 M. J. R. Rocha & A. A. Santos & A. P. M. Fonseca Brazil Belo Horizonte 200 -20.043055 Duas Quedas 21 -43.988613 Parque Estadual da Serra do Rola-Moca 1 106 2 Minas Gerais holotype 2023-07-27 A. A. Santos Brazil Belo Horizonte 200 -20.023611 Morro do Cachimbo 1 -43.99222 Parque Estadual da Serra do Rola-Moca 4 109 1 Minas Gerais paratype 2023-08-31 M. J. R. Rocha Brazil Belo Horizonte 200 -20.023611 Serra do Cachimbo 1 -43.99222 Morro do Cachimbo 4 109 1 Minas Gerais paratype 1945-06-03 2024-05-13 1945-06-03 M. J. R. Rocha & Betim & da Mutuca & Barreiros & L. O. Williams Brazil Belo Horizonte 1430 -20.014444 Serra da Mutuca 21 -43.981667 Morro do Cachimbo 4 109 1 Minas Gerais paratype