Miconia asperifolia (Naudin) Majure & Judd, J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas. 7: 268. 2013.

Majure, Lucas C., Becquer, Eldis R. & Judd, Walter S., 2016, Revision of the Lima clade (Miconia sect. Lima, Miconieae, Melastomataceae) of the Greater Antilles, PhytoKeys 72, pp. 1-99 : 29-32

6. Miconia asperifolia (Naudin) Majure & Judd, J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas. 7: 268. 2013. Figs 10E-H , 15G-J

Clidemia asperifolia Naudin, Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. sér. 3, 17: 342. 1852. Type: JAMAICA. "1843-1844, Purdie s.n. In insula Jamaica, loco haud indicato. Planta a celeberrimo Hooker communicate". (lectotype: K![K000812434], designated here; isolectotype: TCD! [TCD0005264]).

Oxymeris asperifolia (Naudin) Triana, Trans. Linn. Soc. London 28: 96. 1871-72. Type. Based on Clidemia asperifolia Naudin

Ossaea asperifolia (Naudin) Triana, Trans. Linn. Soc. London 28: 147. 1871-72. Type. Based on Clidemia asperifolia Naudin

Leandra eggersiana Cogn., Monogr. Phan. [A.DC. & C.DC.] 7: 641. 1891. Type: JAMAICA. Quashi Hill, 5000 ft, 27 Jan 1888, H.F.A. von Eggers 3759 (lectotype: BR! [BR0000005188772], designated here; isolectotype: BR! [BR0000005188116]).

Ossaea eggersiana (Cogn.) Urb., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 17: 406. 1921. Type. Based on Leandra eggersiana Cogn.

Type.

Based on Clidemia asperifolia Naudin

Description.

Evergreen shrub, 2-5 m tall; stems round in cross section, not ridged, the internodes 0.5-3.5 cm long, stem indumentum of ascending, appressed bulla-based hairs to 0.7 mm long; nodal line present. Leaves opposite, decussate, ovate to elliptic, 1.8-11.6 × 1.05-4.7 cm, slightly anisophyllous, apex acute to acuminate, base acute, cuneate, to slightly rounded, the margins dentate, dentations covered in one large bulla-based hair, venation acrodromous, 5-veined, the midvein and 2 pairs of arching secondary veins, secondary veins mostly basal, the innermost pair suprabasal, produced 1.1-18 mm from leaf base, positioned 2.1-9.8 mm in from margin at widest point of blade, tertiary veins percurrent, more or less perpendicular to midvein, 1.8-5.5 mm apart at midleaf, intertertiary veins occasionally present, tertiary veins often joined by conspicuous, quaternary veins; adaxial leaf surface covered in dorsally compressed, bulla-based hairs, widest hair bases to 1.2 mm, apices of bulla-based hairs mostly recurved towards the leaf margin, young leaf adaxial surface producing long-stemmed, clavate-dentritic hairs along the primary, secondary, and tertiary veins from between the bulla-based hairs, sessile, glandular hairs produced along the primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary veins between the bulla-based hairs; abaxial leaf surface covered in bulla-based hairs, these ascending, appressed, those along the primary, secondary, and tertiary veins larger than hairs produced throughout the lamina, the lamina clearly visible, lamina appearing as a series of pits from depressions of the bulla-based hairs produced from the upper leaf surface, sessile, glandular hairs produced throughout the lamina and along veins, domatia of tufts of multicellular hairs produced in the axils of the primary and secondary, primary and tertiary and secondary and tertiary veins; petioles 0.5-3.3 cm long, covered in ascending, appressed, bulla-based hairs on both surfaces. Inflorescences terminal, 19-57 flowered, flowers mostly produced in glomerulate clusters, 2.4-8.2 × 1.6-6.4 cm, the peduncle 0.3-3.2 cm long, proximal inflorescence branches 4-23 mm long; bracts oblong to ovate, 0.6-1.8 mm long; bracteoles narrowly ovate with an attenuate apex, 0.6-0.7 × 0.2-0.3 mm, appearing as enlarged bulla-based hairs, occasionally with smaller bulla-based hairs towards the base of the bracteoles. Flowers 5-merous, sessile or with pedicels to 0.3-0.8 mm long; hypanthium 1.3-2 mm long, short-oblong to globose, 5-lobed, strongly constricted below the torus, free portion of the hypanthium 0.5 mm long, abaxial surface covered in bulla-based hairs to 0.4 mm long, and sessile, glandular hairs between the bulla-based hairs; adaxial surface (i.e., free portion) covered in small, bulla-based hairs; calyx teeth 0.3-1.3 × 0.2-0.5 mm, ascending or spreading, covered in bulla-based hairs; calyx lobes triangular, apex acute, 0.5-1 × 0.7-1.8 mm, covered in bulla-based hairs abaxially and sessile, sparse, glandular hairs adaxially; calyx tube not tearing, 0.4-0.8 mm long with bulla-based hairs abaxially and sessile, glandular hairs adaxially; petals 5, white, elliptic, 5.5-5.7 × 1.3-3.3 mm, with an acute apex and membranous margin, with one to four slightly bulla-based hairs produced abaxially, just below the apex, to 0.7 mm long; stamens 10; filaments 2-2.2 mm long, glabrous, anthers 1.3-2.4 mm long, with one dorsally oriented pore, anther thecae 1.1-2 mm long, anthers with a dorso-basal appendage 0.1-0.2 mm long; style 5.2-5.4 mm long, glabrous, slightly dilated in the middle, collar absent, style subtended by a crown of multicellular, linear to elongate-triangular (needle-like) hairs, which are slightly longer than the surrounding bulla-based hairs of the ovary apex, stigma punctate; ovary 1.8-4.5 × 2.9-5.6 mm, apex flat, pubescent with bulla-based hairs, except for the linear or elongate-triangular hairs forming crown, placentation axile with deeply intruded placenta, 5 locular; berries globose, 5-lobed, purple at maturity, 3-5.5 mm long (including calyx tube), 4.1-5.8 mm wide, seeds 0.5-0.7 mm long, obpyramidal, often falcate, testa smooth, light brown, raphe light brown, smooth, extending the length of the seed.

Phenology.

Miconia asperifolia has been collected in flower and fruit from February through August.

Distribution

(Fig. 11 ). Miconia asperifolia is found in the Blue and John Crow Mountains of Jamaica.

Ecology.

Miconia asperifolia occurs in rainforests or montane, broadleaf cloud forests from 300-1500 m in elevation [see Shreve (1914) for a detailed account of these forests]. Some associated melastomes include Blakea trinervia L., Conostegia montana D.Don, Miconia dodecandra (Desr.) Cogn., Micona quadrangularis Naudin, Miconia laevigata (L.) DC., Miconia tetrandra (Sw.) D.Don ex G.Don, and Mecranium virgatum (Sw.) Triana.

Conservation status.

Miconia asperifolia is a widespread species, which also occurs in the protected Blue Mountains National Park, so the species should be considered stable.

Discussion.

Miconia asperifolia is resolved as sister to Miconia granulata in a subclade consisting of Cuban species. However based on morphological similarity, Miconia asperifolia appears likely to be sister to Miconia hybophylla , a rare Haitian species not included in our phylogenetic analysis (see below under discussion about Miconia hybophylla ). Both species have similar adaxial leaf surfaces with well-formed by slightly compressed bulla-based hairs composed of larger hairs generally surrounded by smaller hairs. Both species also have numerous well-formed domatia in the axils of the primary and secondary, primary and tertiary, and secondary and tertiary veins, as well as large, expanded, cymose inflorescences (Figs 10 , 15G-J ). Populations of Miconia asperifolia differ slightly between the John Crow and Blue Mountains with those in the John Crow Mountains tending to have larger leaves and less well developed bulla-based hairs on the upper leaf surface, however, these characters form a gradient from one geographic area to the next and represent only minor intraspecific variation. Shade forms of Miconia asperifolia often have poorly formed hairs on the upper leaf surface (Fig. 15I ), which resemble a putatively closely related Cuban species, Miconia cubana (Fig. 12 ).

William Purdie was assigned by J.D. Hooker to collect plants in Jamaica during the years 1843-1844 ( Sinha 1972). Naudin (1852) states that his new species, Clidemia asperifolia , was brought to his attention by Hooker based on material sent from Jamaica ("In insula Jamaica, loco haud indicato. Planta a celeberrimo Hooker communicate."). Thus, we conclude that the specimens collected by Purdie are the type material and have been used as the lectotype (see above).

Specimens examined.

JAMAICA. Portland Parish: Trail from Morce’s Gap north toward Vinegar Hill, Elev. 4700-5000 ft, 19 Aug 1966, Anderson & Sternberg 3478 (US, MICH, MO); southeastern foothills of the John Crow Mts., 2 Mar 1909, Harris 10682 (NY, F); John Crow Mts., 11 Mar 1909, Harris 10773 (NY, US, F); John Crow Mts. , ca. 2 mi SW of Ecclesdown following forestry road W and then trail into slopes of mts., 18.041961°N, - 76.352628°W, 21 Jan 2011, Ionta 2005 (FLAS, IJ); Blue Mountians. Green Hills, just N of Hardwar Gap, 1150 m, 23 May 1987, Judd 5443 (F, FLAS, IJ, MO, NY); ca. 5 mi SW of Priestmans River, ca. 1500 ft, 6 Feb 1953, Proctor 7620 (IJ, US); northwest slope of Joe Hill, 1000-2250 ft, 20 Apr 1955, Proctor 10090 (FLAS, HAC, IJ, NY, US); upper N slope of Silver Hill Gap, along track toward Big Level, ca. 3600', 24 Feb 1963, Proctor 23256 (IJ, MICH); Moore Town , 500 ft, 10 Aug 1965, Proctor 26600 (IJ); gorge of the Stony River below jct of the Macunga River , 1200 ft, 23 Jul 1967, Proctor 28226 (IJ) . St. Andrew Parish: Vicinity of Moody’s Gap, 10 Sep 1908, Britton 3397 (NY); Silver Gap, 3500 ft, 15 May 1896, Harris 6292 (NY, US, F); Just below Hardwar Gap on rd. to Newcastle , 1160 m, 17 May 1987, Judd 5359 (FLAS, F, IJ, JBSD, MO, S); Blue Mountains . Catherines Peak (along road from Newcastle to radio towers at peak itself), 1150-1500 m, 25 May 1987, Judd 5477 (FLAS, IJ); Blue Mountains , 1.3 to 2 mi N of Newcastle on rd. to Hollywell and Hardwar Gap , from 18°4.68'N - 76°43.156'W to 18°4.955'N - 76°43.531'W, 1200-1231 m, 11 Jan 2011, Judd 8300 (FLAS, IJ); 0.5 mi N of Hardwar Gap, near the waterfall, 3900 ft, 29 Apr 1956, Proctor 10163 (HAC, IJ, NY, US); West slope of Mt. Horeb above Hardwar Gap , 4200 ft, 11 May 1955, Proctor 10192 (IJ, NY); Blue Mountains , along road from Newcastle to Catherine’s Peak, 1330 m, 15 Jul 1986, Skean 1869 (FLAS, IJ, NY); Blue Mountains , along road from Newcastle to Catherine’s Peak, 15 Jul 1986, Skean 1869 (FLAS, IJ, NY, US); along the trail to Mt. Horeb originating where Woodcutter’s Gap trail intersects the paved road to Catherine’s Peak, 1430 m, 15 Jul 1986, Skean 1877 (FLAS, IJ, NY) . St. Thomas Parish: Corn Puss Gap, N slope, 2000 ft, 6 Jan 1945, Barry s.n. (IJ); Corn Puss Gap, 2100 ft, 25 Apr 1946, Barry s.n. (IJ); Slopes, Cuna Cuna Gap, 1-13 Mar 1909, Britton 4046 (US, NY); ridge above highest point of Cuna-Cuna Pass, leading towards Lookout Bump, 17 deg 60'N, 76 deg 23'W, 800-900 m, 19 Jan 2004, Christenhusz & Tuomisto 3132 (IJ); eastern end of the Blue Mountains (near jct. with John Crow Mts.) NE of Hayfield, along Cuna Cuna trail, 17°59'24.7"N, - 76°22'52.7"W, 22 Jan 2011, Judd 8337 (FLAS, IJ); along the Wild Cane River 1.1 miles due southeast of Macungo Hill , 1500 ft, 14 May 1968, Proctor 28711 (FLAS, IJ) . Portland / St. Thomas Parish: Quashi Hill , 5000 ft, 27 Jan 1888, Eggers 3757 (BR) .

Figures

Figure 10. Illustration of Miconia hybophylla (A-D) and Miconia asperifolia (E-H). A Habit of Miconia hybophylla B flower C petal abaxial surface showing small, slightly bulla-based hair D stamen (all from Ekman H 3440 E) close-up of adaxial leaf surface of Miconia asperifolia (Judd 5443) F petal abaxial leaf surface showing multiple, slightly bulla-based hairs G stamen, and H longitudinal section of fruit showing medially expanded style (G-H from Judd 5477).

Figure 11. Distribution of Miconia asperifolia (open stars), Miconia hybophylla (closed star), Miconia argentimuricata (closed circles), and Miconia bullotricha (open circles).

Figure 12. Illustration of Miconia cubana (A-D) and Miconia ottoschmidtii (E-H). A Habit of Miconia cubana B close-up of leaf adaxial surface showing bulla-based hairs not entirely covering areoles C stamen D fruit longitudinal section and flower bud (all from type Wright 189) E petal abaxial surface of Miconia ottoschmidtii showing small, slightly bulla-based hairs F petal side view G stamen showing dorso-basal appendage (E-G from Ekman 6926) H fruit showing granulate bulla-based hairs on the hypanthium (Leon LS- 10046).

Figure 15. Photos of Miconia argentimuricata (A-F) and Miconia asperifolia (G-J). A Inflorescence of Miconia argentimuricata B side view of flower showing long, slightly bulla-based hairs on the petal abaxial surface C flower frontal view D leaf adaxial surface showing striking bulla-based hairs E leaf abaxial surface showing pitting F mature fruit (all from Michelangeli 2219) G inflorescence and flower frontal view of Miconia asperifolia (Judd 5357) H leaf adaxial surface showing well-developed bulla-based hairs (Judd 5357) I leaf adaxial surface showing poorly developed bulla-based hairs (Ionta 2005) J habit and inflorescence of Miconia asperifolia (Judd 5357). Photos A-F taken by F. Michelangeli and G-J by W. S. Judd.