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Stanmarkia, a new genus of Melastomataceae from the volcanic highlands of western Guatemala and adjacent Mexico

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Abstract

A new genus,Stanmarkia, is described from the volcanic highlands of western Guatemala and adjacent Chiapas, Mexico to includeS. medialis, comb. nov. andS. spectabilis, sp. nov. Among the Melastomataceae,Stanmarkia is distinguished by its 5-merous flowers, subequal stamens that lack prominently developed appendages or prolonged connectives, terete hypanthia, and clavate-cuneate seeds that have an enlarged excurrent arilloid raphe and a tuberculate seed coat. A gametic chromosome count ofn=40 is reported here forS. spectabilis. This count, which is clearly of polyploid origin, represents a new definitive number for the family. An emphasis on seed characters suggests placement ofStanmarkia in the Sonerileae which is here interpreted in a broad sense to include all genera previously assigned to the New World Bertolonieae and the Old World Oxysporeae. A consideration of other characters such as configuration of the ovary apex, capsule morphology, and androecial details also provides evidence for placement ofStanmarkia in the Merianieae.

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  1. Department of Botany, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, 94118-4599, San Francisco, CA, U.S.A.

    Frank Almeda

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Almeda, F. Stanmarkia, a new genus of Melastomataceae from the volcanic highlands of western Guatemala and adjacent Mexico. Brittonia 45, 187–203 (1993). https://doi.org/10.2307/2807100

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