A New Species of Microlicia (Melastomataceae) with Bright Golden Cuticle from Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás (Central Brazil)

Abstract—

A new species of Microlicia (Melastomataceae) from Goiás state is described and illustrated, and a discussion on leaf microscopy is also provided. Microlicia chrysoglandulosa sp. nov. resembles M. martiana, M. psammophila, and M. tenuifolia by the slender and fastigiate branches, triangular sepals, and stamens with tetrasporangiate thecae. However, it differs by the remarkable indumentum of spherical short-stalked glandular trichomes on the internodes, abaxial leaf surfaces and margins, pedicels, hypanthium and sepals. The presence of a bright golden cuticle covering the glandular trichomes is reported here for the first time in Microlicia.