Perennial shrubs or treelets. Leaves petiolate, not imbricate, not keeled, the adaxial surface glandular-punctate to glabrescent, venation basal acrodromous, impressed on the adaxial surface and prominent on the abaxial surface, consisting of amphicribral or bicollateral vascular bundles. Flowers usually 5-merous, diplostemonous, pedicellate, subtended by a pair of bracteoles. Hypanthia not fused to the ovary, lacking a crown of trichomes at the apex. Stamens strongly dimorphic or subisomorphic, anthers 2-celled, tetrasporagiate. Ovaries superior, (3–4–)5-locular. Capsules dehiscent from the apex to the base, columella deciduous.

Perennial erect shrubs or small trees (0.1–)0.3–4 m tall, woody, sometimes densely branched. Distal branches quadrangular, usually light green (when fresh) and glutinous, glandular-punctate, sometimes granulose or pruinose, eventually covered with eglandular or gland-tipped trichomes, internodes 0.1–4.5 cm long, angles unwinged or narrowly winged, nodes thickened. Old branches terete, brownish and defoliating towards the base. Leaves decussate, petiolate, not imbricate, not keeled, papyraceous, chartaceaous or coriaceous, usually discoloured when dry. Petioles 0.3–17 mm long. Blades 0.4–11.7 cm long, 0.05–5 cm wide, oblong, lanceolate, elliptic, narrowly elliptic, ovate or linear, entire to slightly serrulate, sometimes entire along the basal half and serrulate on the upper half, rarely ciliate, lacking support tissue on the leaf margin. Adaxial surface green (when fresh), becoming pale green, pale brown, or darkened (when dry), glutinuous, glandular-punctate to glabrescent, glandular trichomes (when present) appearing sessile (i.e. on peduncles too short to be seen with a 40× magnification stereoscope). Abaxial surface usually green (when fresh), becoming pale green (when dry), always lighter than the adaxial surface, glandular-punctate to covered with eglandular or gland-tipped trichomes, or totally concealed by a lanose indumentum. Venation composed of 1–7 basal acrodromous veins, mid-vein stout, lateral veins becoming faint towards the leaf margin, impressed on the adaxial surface and prominent on the abaxial surface, consisting of amphicribral or bicollateral vascular bundles, tertiaries usually evident, nearly perpendicular to the mid-vein and branching towards the leaf margin. Inflorescences simple or compound dichasia, consisting of biparous cymes throughout or proximally biparous and distally uniparous cymes or reduced to solitary flowers on the apical region of the branches. Inflorescence bracts 0.7–5.0 cm long, 0.1–2.0 cm wide, petiolate, usually similar to the principal leaves in shape and indumentum, 1–5-nerved from the base. Bracteoles sessile or with petioles up to 6 mm long, blades 2.2–11 mm long, 0.5–5.5 mm wide, linear, elliptic, lanceolate, ovate, narrowly elliptic, oblong or oblanceolate, 1–3(–5)-nerved from the base, entire to slightly serrulate, rarely ciliate, usually differing in shape, but similar in indumentum to the principal leaves. Flowers (4–)5(–6)-merous, diplostemonous, pedicellate, subtended by a pair of bracteoles. Hypanthia 1.7–6.5 mm long, 1.5–5.2 mm wide at the torus, campanulate to urceolate, not fused to the ovary, externally glandular-punctate, sometimes covered with eglandular or gland-tipped trichomes, rarely completely concealed by a lanose indumentum, lacking a crown of trichomes at the apex. Calyx tubes 0.1–1.2 mm long, externally like the hypanthia. Calyx lobes 0.7–9.7 mm long, 0.4–3.2 mm wide at the base, oblong, triangular, narrowly triangular or subulate, entire or rarely sparsely ciliate, apex acute to acuminate, rarely terminating in an apical eglandular trichome, similar to the hypanthia in indumentum. Petals 4.5–26 mm long, 2.4–15 mm wide, obovate, entire, eventually ciliate, white, magenta or yellow (when fresh), apex acute, rounded, acuminate or emarginate, both surfaces glabrous or rarely sparsely glandular-punctate on the adaxial surface. Stamens (8)10(12), strongly dimorphic or subisomorphic, glabrous throughout, filaments linear, white, pink or yellow, pedoconnectives well-developed, anthers oblong, 2-celled (tetrasporangiate), rostrate, apical pores circular and ventrally inclined. Larger (antesepalous) stamens (4–)5(–6), filaments 1.5–6.3 mm long, pedoconnectives 1.3–7.3 mm long, ventral appendages 0.1–3.0 mm long, the apex usually emarginate to bilobate, thecae (excluding rostra) 0.8–3.8 mm long, purple, red, vinaceous or rarely yellow, rostra 0.2–0.7 mm long, pores 0.1–0.3 mm wide. Smaller (antepetalous) stamens (4–)5(–6), filaments 1.5–5.4 mm long, pedoconnectives 0.2–1.9 mm long, ventral appendages usually up to 0.1 mm long, apex truncate to emarginate, thecae (excluding rostra) 0.8–3.2 mm long, yellow to orange, rostra 0.2–0.6 mm long, pores ca. 0.2 mm wide. Ovaries 0.9–4.1 mm long, 0.7–3.1 mm wide, ovoid, cylindrical or globose, superior, (3–4–)5-locular, glabrous. Styles 3–10 mm long, filiform, sigmoid to incurved, white, pink or yellow, glabrous, stigmas punctiform. Capsules loculicidal, 2.3–8.0 mm long, 2.3–6.0 mm wide, ovoid or globose, the torus initially constricted at the apex, dehiscent from the apex to the base, columella deciduous. Fruiting calyx tubes 0.2–3.1 mm long. Fruiting calyx lobes 1.2–11.5 mm long, rarely thickened. Seeds 0.3–0.9 mm long, reniform, the testa foveolate-reticulate.

Erect shrubs 0.8–1.8 m tall. Branchlets quadrangular, glandular-punctate, light green to golden (when fresh). Internodes 1.0–2.1 cm long, angles unwinged. Petioles 2.0–5.5 mm long. Leaf blades 14–45 mm long, 3–9 mm wide, papyraceous (when dry), oblong to lanceolate, both surfaces green (when fresh), pale green (when dry), concolorous (when dry), base attenuate, apex rounded to acute, margin flat or slightly revolute, slightly serrulate and glandular-punctate, 5-nerved from the base, one pair of acrodromous veins and one pair of tenuous veins close to the margin, tertiaries little or not evident on the abaxial surface, adaxial surface densely glandular-punctate, abaxial surface densely glandular-punctate. Inflorescences compound dichasia consisting of proximally biparous, distally uniparous cymes, not congested. Bracts (including petioles) 1.0–4.0 cm long, 0.1–0.7 cm wide, 1-nerved, oblong to lanceolate, indumentum like that of the principal leaves. Bracteoles (at anthesis) sessile or with petioles up to 0.1–0.8 mm long, blades 5.0–6.7 mm long, 0.9–1.8 mm wide, oblong to oblanceolate, base acute, apex rounded to emarginate, margin entire and glandular-punctate, 1-nerved, indumentum like that of the principal leaves. Flowers (4–)5-merous, pedicels (at anthesis) inconspicuous up to 0.2 mm long. Hypanthia (at anthesis) 2.5–5.5 mm long, 3.1–3.2 mm wide at the torus, campanulate, light green to golden (when fresh), externally glandular-punctate. Calyx tubes 0.1–0.3 mm long. Calyx lobes (at anthesis) 2.8–3.4 mm long, 3.1–3.2 mm wide at the base, oblong to triangular, apex acute, eventually terminating in an eglandular trichome 0.1–0.4 mm long, margin entire, (when fresh) light green to golden, externally glandular-punctate. Petals 8.1–10.2 mm long, 3.2–4.5 mm wide, white, obovate, apex acuminate, margin entire and glabrous, both surfaces glabrous. Stamens (8)10, subisomorphic. Larger (antesepalous) stamens (4–)5, filaments 3.3–3.5 mm long, white, pedoconnectives 1.3–1.5 mm long, white, appendages ca. 0.1 mm long, white, apex emarginate, thecae (excluding rostra) 2.7–3.8 mm long, yellow, oblong, rostra 0.3–0.5 mm long, the circular pores ca. 0.2 mm wide. Smaller (antepetalous) stamens (4–)5, filaments 2.7–2.8 mm long, white, pedoconnectives 0.7–1.0 mm long, white, inconspicuous appendages ca. 0.1 mm long, white, apex truncate, thecae (excluding rostra) 2.5–3.2 mm long, yellow, oblong, rostra 0.3–0.5 mm long, the circular pores ca. 0.2 mm wide. Ovary 2.4–2.5 mm long, 1.4–1.6 mm wide, cylindrical, 3(–4)-locular. Style ca. 10 mm long, white. Capsules (at maturity) 4.5–5.3 mm long, 2.8–3.2 mm wide, ovoid, initially enveloped by the hypanthium, torus constricted at the apex, fruiting calyx tubes 0.4–0.5 mm long, fruiting calyx lobes 3.2–3.4 mm long, not thickened. Seeds not seen.

Figure 18. 

Microlicia altoparaisensis A habit B detail of the glandular-punctate indumentum on the branches C leaf abaxial surface D bracteole adaxial surface E floral bud F flower in lateral view G petal adaxial surface H antepetalous (left) and antesepalous (right) stamens. Drawn from Pirani et al. 1663 (UEC). Copyright Magnolia Press. Reproduced with permission from copyright holder.

Microlicia altoparaisensis can be recognised by its oblong-lanceolate leaf blades (1.4–4.5 × 0.3–0.9 cm), papyraceous, 3–5-nerved from the base, glandular-punctate on both surfaces, tertiary veins not evident, inflorescences composed of proximally biparous and distally uniparous cymes, white petals, yellow subisomorphic stamens and 3(–4)-locular ovaries. The subisomorphic androecium is the most distinctive feature of M. altoparaisensis as it is unique in the clade. Microlicia altoparaisensis is also the only species with amphistomatic leaves, attenuate thecae rostra and a distribution restricted to Goiás (Pacifico et al. 2019). Ovaries with 3–4 locules occur only in the apparently distantly related M. trembleyiformis, which differs in having leaves with tertiaries evident (vs. not evident), discoloured when dry (vs. concolorous), solitary flowers (vs. developed inflorescences), petals magenta (vs. white) and dimorphic stamens (vs. subisomorphic). Another possible relative is the widespread M. parviflora with a range that extends from Paraná to Bahia and Goiás and the only representative of the clade that grows with M. altoparaisensis at the Chapada dos Veadeiros. Microlicia altoparaisensis differs from M. parviflora by the leaves with tertiaries not evident (vs. evident), concolorous when dry (vs. discoloured), amphistomatic (vs. hipostomatic), inflorescences with distally uniparous cymes (vs. biparous cymes), subisomorphic stamens (vs. dimorphic) and 5-locular ovaries (vs. 3–4-locular).

Probably endemic to Chapada dos Veadeiros in Alto Paraíso de Goiás Municipality, Goiás, Brazil (Fig. 19A). It occurs in transitional formations between Cerrado and campo rupestre, on rocky quartzitic soils partially exposed to sun, at elevations of 1043–1086 m.

Figure 19. 

Geographic distribution of species of the Trembleya s.s. clade of Microlicia A distributions of M. altoparaisensis, M. calycina, M. chamissoana and M. flaviflora B distributions of M. laniflora and M. trembleyiformis.

Microlicia altoparaisensis is known from less than 10 collections. The EOO is 7.025 km² and the AOO is 16 km². Based on IUCN (2019) recommendations and criteria, we believe that this species should be classified as Endangered (EN): B1ab(iii). The majority of the populations of M. altoparaisensis occur inside Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Veadeiros, where this species is afforded some protection.

The collection Glaziou 21300 was listed under the name Trembleya debilis by Glaziou (1908: 250). Following the proposal by Mansano and Pederneiras (2016), the catalogue of collections by Glaziou (1908) was included in the List of Suppressed Works for all taxonomic ranks in the Shenzhen Code (Turland et al. 2018). New names at specified ranks included in publications listed as suppressed works are not validly published according to Article 34 of the Code.

Brazil. Goiás: Alto Paraíso de Goiás Municipality, Chapada dos Veadeiros, Drummond et al. 321 (MBM, NY, RB), Klein et al. 2465 (HUFU, UFG), Machado et al. 153 (HUFU), Meyer 1171 (UEC, UPCB), Pacifico & Bressan 380 (CAS, HUEM, SPF), Pirani et al. 1663 (holotype: SPF; isotypes: HUEM, K, UEC, US), Pirani et al. 1694 (K, SPF, UEC); Unknown municipality, Fazenda da Boa-Vista, près Morro do Salto, Glaziou 21300 (F[photo], P, S).

Erect shrubs 0.65–1.5 m tall. Branchlets quadrangular, glandular-punctate and sparsely covered with glandular trichomes 0.1–0.2 mm long, light green (when fresh). Internodes 1.5–3.0 cm long, angles with narrow wings 0.2–0.4 mm wide. Petioles 0.8–1.8 mm long. Leaf blades 10–26 mm long, 2–9 mm wide, chartaceous (when dry), elliptic to narrowly elliptic, both surfaces green (when fresh), adaxial surface blackened and abaxial surface pale green (when dry), discoloured (when dry), base attenuate, apex rounded to acute, margin revolute, entire along the basal half, appearing entire to slightly serrulate on the upper half and minutely granulose and becoming glabrescent with age, 3-nerved from the base, one tenuous pair of acrodromal veins, tertiaries evident on the abaxial surface, nearly perpendicular to the mid-vein, little reticulate and branching apically, foveolate-like, adaxial surface sparsely glandular-punctate, appearing glabrous when dry, abaxial surface densely glandular-punctate. Inflorescences simple dichasia or reduced to solitary flowers, not congested. Bracts (including petioles) 1.0–1.3 cm long, 0.3–0.4 cm wide, 3-nerved, elliptic to narrowly elliptic, indumentum like that of the principal leaves. Bracteoles (at anthesis) sessile or with petioles up to 1.0 mm long, blades 4.0–5.0 mm long, 1.3–1.8 mm wide, elliptic, base attenuate, apex rounded to acute, margin entire and glandular-punctate, 1-nerved, indumentum like that of the principal leaves. Flowers 5-merous, pedicels (at anthesis) 0.5–0.7 mm long. Hypanthia (at anthesis) 2.6–3.5 mm long, 1.9–2.2 mm wide at the torus, campanulate, light green or reddish (when fresh), externally glandular-punctate. Calyx tubes 0.4–0.7 mm long. Calyx lobes (at anthesis) 3.5–5.2 mm long, 0.5–0.7 mm wide at the base, subulate, apex acuminate, margin entire, (when fresh) light green or reddish, externally glandular-punctate. Petals 7.8–10 mm long, 5.0–6.2 mm wide, magenta, obovate, apex acuminate, margin entire and glabrous, both surfaces glabrous. Stamens 10, strongly dimorphic. Larger (antesepalous) stamens 5, filaments 4.7–4.9 mm long, pink, pedoconnectives 5.9–6.2 mm long, pink, appendages 1.4–1.6 mm long, yellow, apex truncate to slightly emarginate, thecae (excluding rostra) 2.3–2.6 mm long, purple, oblong, rostra 0.4–0.7 mm long, the circular pores ca. 0.2 mm wide. Smaller (antepetalous) stamens 5, filaments 3.8–4.1 mm long, pink, pedoconnectives 0.6–0.8 mm long, yellow, inconspicuous appendages ca. 0.1 mm long, yellow, apex truncate, thecae (excluding rostra) 2.1–2.3 mm long, yellow, oblong, rostra 0.4–0.6 mm long, the circular pores ca. 0.2 mm wide. Ovary 2.0–2.2 mm long, 1.9–2.1 mm wide, globose, 5-locular. Style ca. 6.5 mm long, pink. Capsules (at maturity) 2.3–2.7 mm long, 2.3–2.7 mm wide, globose, initially enveloped by the hypanthium, torus constricted at the apex, fruiting calyx tubes 0.7–0.8 mm long, fruiting calyx lobes 5.5–6.0 mm long, not thickened. Seeds ca. 0.8 mm long, reniform.

Figure 20. 

Microlicia calycina A habit B leaf abaxial surface C bracteole abaxial surface D floral bud E flower in lateral view F flowering hypanthium G petal adaxial surface H antesepalous stamen I antepetalous stamen J gynoecium K capsule. Drawn from Barreto 9019 (UEC).

Microlicia calycina may be recognised by its elliptic to narrowly elliptic leaf blades with revolute margins, 3-nerved from the base, simple dichasia or solitary flowers and subulate calyx lobes 3.5–5.2 mm long. In morphology, M. calycina resembles narrow-leaved forms of M. pentagona (see notes under this species). Both species share the glandular-punctate indumentum, inflorescences reduced to solitary flowers (sometimes perfect dichasia only in M. calycina), subulate calyx lobes, magenta petals, and bicoloured anthers. Microlicia calycina differs by the leaf blades that are 3-nerved from the base (vs. 5-nerved) and calyx lobes 3.5–5.2 mm long (vs. 6.2–8.5 mm long) that become thick in fruit (vs. tenuous). These two species may occur sympatrically in the seasonally dry grasslands of Parque Estadual do Itacolomi (Rolim 2011) and at Serra do Caraça. Microlicia parviflora is also morphologically similar to M. calycina, which may be distinguished by leaves 3-nerved from the base (vs. 5-nerved) and subulate calyx lobes (vs. triangular). Additionally, M. parviflora is distinct in having openly ramified inflorescences that are sometimes reduced to simple dichasia. In turn, the inflorescences of M. calycina consist of simple dichasia that are frequently reduced to solitary flowers. The distributions of Microlicia calycina and M. parviflora overlap in Caeté, Ouro Preto and Catas Altas, where sympatry is likely to occur. Microlicia calycina is also similar to M. pithyoides (see notes under this species).

Endemic to central and southern Minas Gerais (Fig. 19A), at Serra do Caraça, Serra do Itacolomi and Serra da Piedade. It occurs on quartzitic campo rupestre exposed to full sun at elevations between 1692 and 1920 m.

Microlicia calycina is known from about 20 collections. The EOO is 481 km² and the AOO is 20 km². This species is currently recognised as endangered (EN) by the Brazilian Government (Brasília 2014). Based on IUCN (2019) recommendations and criteria, we recommend a similar assessment: (EN): B1ab(iii). The conservation units of Parque Estadual do Itacolomi and RPPN Serra do Caraça (Natural Heritage Private Reserve) are of major importance for the long-term conservation of M. calycina.

We agree with Cogniaux (1883–1888) and treat Trembleya revoluta as a synonym of M. calycina. The type of Trembleya revoluta (P. Claussen 10) differs from typical M. calycina collections only by its revolute leaf margins, a feature that appears to be an artefact of drying. Likewise, we consider Trembleya stenophylla a narrow-leaved form of M. calycina. Specimens of M. calycina with leaf blades conspicuously revolute have also been confused with M. pithyoides. For a comparison of M. calycina and M. pithyoides, see the notes under the latter.

Brazil. Minas Gerais: Caeté Municipality, Serra da Piedade, Grandi et al. 6593 (BHCB, HUFU); Catas Altas Municipality, Serra do Caraça, Castro et al. 283 (HUFU), Oliveira & Giacomin 47 (BHCB), Oliveira & Giacomin 84 (BHCB), Oliveira et al. 480 (BHCB), Pacifico & Bressan 296 (CAS, HUEM, SPF); Ouro Preto Municipality, Serra do Itacolomi, Barreto 9019 (BHCB, ESA, FUEL, HUFU, SP, SPF, UEC, UPCB), Damazio s.n. (RB [48391]), Glaziou 14745 (P), Glaziou 18232 (K, P, R), Pacifico & Bressan 291 (CAS, HUEM, SPF), Peron 220 (RB), Peron 268 (RB), Peron 269 (RB), Riedel s.n. (K [K00530657], NY [NY00941982], W [18890019737]), Rolim 366 (HUFU, NY, RB, VIC), Schwacke 9368 (RB, W); Unknown municipality, Claussen 10 (P [P00723384, P00723507]), “capanema”, Claussen 368 (P [P00723385, P00723386]), Sellow s.n. (lectotype: K [K00530659]; isolectotypes: BR [BR0000005227020], F [neg. 16634], K [K00530658]).

Erect shrubs (0.1–)0.3–1.5 m tall. Branchlets quadrangular, glandular-punctate and covered with gland-tipped trichomes 0.2–0.4 mm long, light green (when fresh). Internodes 0.3–1.5 cm long, angles unwinged. Petioles 1.0–4.9 mm long. Leaf blades 10–28 mm long, 4–18 mm wide, chartaceous (when dry), elliptical, both surfaces green (when fresh), adaxial surface blackened and abaxial surface pale green (when dry), discoloured (when dry), base attenuate, apex obtuse to acute, margin flat or slightly revolute, entire throughout or slightly serrulate on the upper half and glandular-punctate, 7-nerved from the base, two pairs of acrodromous veins and one tenuous pair of veins close to the margin, tertiaries evident on the abaxial surface, nearly perpendicular to the mid-vein, reticulate and randomly branching, adaxial surface sparsely glandular-punctate, appearing glabrous when dry, abaxial surface densely glandular-punctate and covered with gland-tipped trichomes 0.2–0.4 mm long. Inflorescences simple or compound congested dichasia consisting of biparous cymes, or reduced to solitary flowers. Bracts (including petioles) 0.8–1.0 cm long, 0.6–0.7 cm wide, 5-nerved, elliptical, indumentum like that of the principal leaves. Bracteoles (at anthesis) with petioles 1.6–2.0 mm long, blades 4.2–4.9 mm long, 1.4–2.1 mm wide, narrowly elliptic, base attenuate, apex acuminate, margin entire along the basal half, sparsely serrulate on the upper half, 3–5-nerved, indumentum like that of the principal leaves. Flowers 5-merous, pedicels (at anthesis) 2–4 mm long. Hypanthia (at anthesis) 2.5–3.7 mm long, 1.9–2.1 mm wide at the torus, campanulate, reddish (when fresh), externally glandular-punctate and sparsely to densely covered with gland-tipped trichomes 0.2–0.4 mm long. Calyx tubes 0.9–1.2 mm long. Calyx lobes (at anthesis) 4.5–6.7 mm long, 1.9–2.1 mm wide at the base, narrowly triangular, apex acuminate, margin entire and sparsely ciliate with gland-tipped trichomes 0.2–0.4 mm long, (when fresh) reddish, externally glandular-punctate and covered with gland-tipped trichomes 0.2–0.4 mm long. Petals 11.5–13 mm long, 5.8–6.2 mm wide, magenta, obovate, apex acuminate, margin entire and glandular-punctate, adaxial surface sparsely glandular-punctate, abaxial surface glabrous. Stamens 10, strongly dimorphic. Larger (antesepalous) stamens 5, filaments 5.2–6.0 mm long, pink, pedoconnectives 5.5–6.5 mm long, pink, appendages 1.2–1.8 mm long, yellow, apex bilobate, thecae (excluding rostra) 1.7–2.6 mm long, purple, oblong, rostra 0.3–0.6 mm long, the circular pores ca. 0.3 mm wide. Smaller (antepetalous) stamens 5, filaments 4.7–5.0 mm long, pink, pedoconnectives 1.0–1.2 mm long, yellow, inconspicuous appendages ca. 0.1 mm long, yellow, apex truncate, thecae (excluding rostra) 1.5–2.0 mm long, yellow, oblong, rostra 0.4–0.6 mm long, the circular pores ca. 0.2 mm wide. Ovary 2.2–2.8 mm long, 1.6–1.8 mm wide, cylindrical, 5-locular. Style ca. 6.3 mm long, pink. Capsules (at maturity) 2.5–3.2 mm long, 2.3–3.0 mm wide, ovoid, initially enveloped by the hypanthium, torus constricted at the apex, fruiting calyx tubes 1.5–1.7 mm long, fruiting calyx lobes 5.2–6 mm long, not thickened. Seeds ca. 0.5 mm long, reniform.

Figure 21. 

Microlicia chamissoana A habit B leaf abaxial surface C bracteole abaxial surface D floral bud E Flower in lateral view F flowering hypanthium G detail of the indumentum of the hypanthium H petal adaxial surface I gynoecium J antepetalous (behind) and antesepalous (in front) stamens. Drawn from Barreto 6745 (SPF, UEC).

Largely restricted to the Serra do Cipó in central Minas Gerais (Fig. 19A), but extending to the Serra dos Alves and probably to Pico do Itambé. Most of the recent collections were made at Serra do Cipó; only one collection studied came from Serra dos Alves, Souza & Miranda 1639 (BHCB). Considering Sellow’s itinerary in Brazil (see Rego et al. 2013), the type series was probably collected at the Pico do Itambé region. It occurs on quartzitic campo rupestre exposed to full sun at elevations between 1154 and 1462 m.

Microlicia chamissoana is known from fewer than 20 collections. The EOO is 885.927 km² and the AOO is 32 km². This species was collected on Pico do Itambé only in the 19^th century and the local extinction of that population is a possibility. Several populations found more recently are protected in the Parque Nacional da Serra do Cipó. This species is already recognised as endangered (EN) by the Brazilian Government (Brasília 2014). Our study based on IUCN (2019) recommendations and criteria reached a similar conclusion regarding its conservation status (EN): B1ab(iii).

Microlicia chamissoana may be recognised by its elliptic leaf blades with tertiaries densely reticulate and randomly branching, congested inflorescences or solitary flowers and narrowly triangular calyx lobes 4.5–5.7 mm long. It is probably more closely related to M. laniflora and M. pentagona, both of which may occur sympatrically with M. chamissoana at Serra do Cipó. Microlicia chamissoana differs from M. laniflora by the shorter height (0.1–)0.5–0.8 m tall (vs. 0.5–3.5 m tall), absence of lanose indumentum on branchlets, abaxial leaf surfaces and hypanthia (vs. present), leaves with shorter petioles 1.0–4.9 mm long (vs. 6–11 mm long), blades with tertaries densely reticulate and randomly branching (vs. little reticulate and branching apically), bracteoles with apices acuminate (vs. rounded), shorter hypanthia 2.5–3.7 mm long (vs. 5.0–6.5 mm long), shorter calyx lobes 4.5–6.7 mm long (vs. 7.9–9.7 mm long) and petals magenta (vs. white) 11.5–13.0 mm long (vs. 19.0–26.0). In turn, Microlicia chamissoana differs from M. pentagona by the branchlets, abaxial surfaces of the leaves and hypanthia that are densely glandular-punctate and covered with gland-tipped trichomes (vs. appearing glabrous, vernicose and minutely granulose), leaf blades with tertiaries densely reticulate and randomly branching (vs. parallel or little reticulate and branching apically) and calyx lobes tenuous (vs. thickened) 5.2–6.0 mm long (vs. 6.5–11.0 mm long).

Major variation in M. chamissoana involves habit and degree of inflorescence development. This species is usually a shrub about 1 m tall, although an atypical specimen from Serra do Cipó is about 10 cm tall (A.M. Giulietti et al. CFSC12492). This specimen was described as a herb, but it has woody branches. Most of the specimens examined have congested, many-flowered inflorescences (e.g. Barreto 6745), although in some of the inflorescences, these are reduced to solitary flowers (e.g. Pacifico & Carmo 154, Almeda et al. 8580).

Based on F. Sellow s.n., Chamisso (1834: 396–397) provided a detailed description for M. chamissoana under Microlicia sp., indicating his uncertainty of its generic position, especially because of its 5-valvate capsules. Naudin (1849: 270) proposed the epithet chamissoana for this species mentioning the description of Chamisso (1834: 396–397). Even preceded by a short description that is not diagnostic (5-valvate capsules), the name Trembleya chamissoana Naudin is still valid because Naudin (1849) made reference to Chamisso’s decription.

The type specimens of M. chamissoana, as cited by Cogniaux (1883–1888), have two collection numbers indicated on each of their labels (F. Sellow 1171 and 1156). Both collection numbers were cited by Cogniaux in “Flora brasiliensis”. At least one set of Sellow’s duplicates of M. chamissoana was housed at B and probably destroyed during World War II. As the Sellow duplicate at K is in good shape, it is here designated as the lectotype for this species.

Brazil. Minas Gerais: “Itambé” [probably Santo Antônio do Itambé Municipality], Sellow s.n. (lectotype: K [K00530656]; isolectotype: P [P00723508]); Conceição do Mato Dentro Municipality, Serra do Cipó, Kameyama et al. CFSC10403 (SPF), Sheperd & Kirzenzaft 10214 (SP); Itabira Municipality, Serra dos Alves, Souza & Miranda 1639 (BHCB); Jaboticatubas Municipality, Serra do Cipó, Giulietti et al. CFSC12560 (SPF); Morro do Pilar Municipality, Serra do Cipó, Silveira s.n. (HUFU [56533]); Santana do Riacho Municipality, Serra do Cipó, Almeda et al. 8580 (CAS, HUEM, UEC), Escaramai et al. 52 (SPF), Giulietti et al. CFSC12492 (HUEM, SPF), Pacifico & Carmo 154 (HUEM), Pena & Viana 417 (SPF), Rocha 694 (BHCB), Romero et al. 8627 (HUEM, HUFU, RB), Semir CFSC5607 (SP); Unknown municipality, Serra do Cipó, Barreto 6745 (BHCB, HUFU, NY, SP, SPF, UEC, UPCB), Damazio 2026 (RB), Sena s.n. (W [W19110004181]).

Erect shrubs 0.8–2.5 m tall. Branchlets quadrangular, appearing glabrous, vernicose and minutely granulose, light green (when fresh). Internodes 0.6–3.0 cm long, angles with narrow wings 0.2–0.4 mm wide. Petioles 3.9–17 mm long. Leaf blades 37–90 mm long, 17–50 mm wide, coriaceous (when dry), elliptic to slightly ovate, both surfaces green (when fresh), adaxial surface blackened and abaxial surface pale brown (when dry), discoloured (when dry), base cuneate to attenuate, apex acute, margin flat, entire and minutely granulose and becoming glabrescent with age, 5-nerved from the base, one pair of acrodromous veins and one pair of tenuous veins close to the margin, tertiaries evident on the abaxial surface, nearly perpendicular to acute to the mid-vein, little reticulate and branching apically, adaxial surface glabrous to minutely granulose, vernicose, abaxial surface glabrous to minutely granulose. Inflorescences compound dichasia consisting of biparous cymes, not congested. Bracts (including petioles) 3.2–5.0 cm long, 1.4–2.0 cm wide, 5-nerved, elliptical, appearing glabrous, vernicose. Bracteoles (at anthesis) with petioles 1.6–1.9 mm long, blades 3.5–6.0 mm long, 1.3–1.9 mm wide, narrowly elliptic, base attenuate, apex acute, margin entire, 1–3-nerved, indumentum appearing glabrous, vernicose. Flowers 5-merous, pedicels (at anthesis) 1.8–2.2 mm long. Hypanthia (at anthesis) 3.3–4.1 mm long, 3.0–3.2 mm wide at the torus, campanulate, light green (when fresh), externally glabrous, minutely granulose, vernicose. Calyx tubes inconspicuous, 0.1–0.2 mm long. Calyx lobes (at anthesis) 4.0–4.9 mm long, 1.3–1.9 mm wide at the base, narrowly triangular, apex acute, margin entire, (when fresh) light green, externally glabrous, minutely granulose, vernicose. Petals 6.0–8.8 mm long, 5.2–7 mm wide, yellow, obovate, apex rounded, margin entire and glabrous, both surfaces glabrous. Stamens 10, strongly dimorphic. Larger (antesepalous) stamens 5, filaments 3.4–4.0 mm long, yellow, pedoconnectives 3.7–4.0 mm long, yellow, appendages 1.0–1.2 mm long, yellow, apex truncate to slightly emarginate, thecae (excluding rostra) 1.4–1.6 mm long, brownish, oblong, rostra 0.3–0.4 mm long, the circular pores ca. 0.2 mm wide. Smaller (antepetalous) stamens 5, filaments 2.7–2.9 mm long, yellow, pedoconnectives 1.2–1.4 mm long, yellow, short appendages ca. 0.5 mm long, yellow, apex truncate, thecae (excluding rostra) 1.4–1.6 mm long, yellow-brownish, oblong, rostra 0.3–0.5 mm long, the circular pores ca. 0.2 mm wide. Ovary 3.5–4.1 mm long, 2.9–3.1 mm wide, globose, 5-locular. Style 4–4.2 mm long, yellow. Capsules (at maturity) 3.4–3.6 mm long, 3.5–4.2 mm wide, globose, initially enveloped by the hypanthium, torus constricted at the apex, fruiting calyx tubes 0.2–0.4 mm long, fruiting calyx lobes 3.7–4.0 mm long, not thickened. Seeds ca. 0.6 mm long, reniform.

Figure 22. 

Microlicia flaviflora A habit B leaf abaxial surface C bracteole abaxial surface D floral bud E flower in lateral view F flowering hypanthium G petal adaxial surface H antesepalous (left) and antepetalous (right) stamens I gynoecium J capsule enveloped by the hypathium. Drawn from Meireles et al. 1124 (UEC).

Endemic to northern Minas Gerais (Fig. 19A), at Serra de Grão Mogol, Serra de Botumirim and Serra Nova. It occurs on quartzitic campo rupestre exposed to full sun at elevations between 760 and 1243 m. The distribution of M. flaviflora is a good match to the Grão Mogol biogeographic district (Colli-Silva et al. 2019).

This species is known from about 20 collections. The EOO is 468,668 km² and the AOO is 32 km². Most of the populations of M. flaviflora occur within the following conservation units: Parque Estadual de Grão Mogol, Parque Estadual de Botumirim and Parque Estadual da Serra Nova, where this species is afforded protection. The Brazilian Government assigned a conservation status of Endangered (EN) to this species (Brasília 2014). Based on IUCN (2019) recommendations and criteria, we concur with that conclusion (EN): B1ab(iii).

Microlicia flaviflora may be recognised by its leaves and hypanthia that appear to be glabrous, but are vernicose and minutely granulose, leaf blades 3.7–9.0 cm long, elliptic to slightly ovate, compound dichasia and yellow petals. In overall vegetative morphology, M. flaviflora resembles M. tridentata. In turn, its yellow petals, staminal filaments and styles are shared only with M. rosmarinoides. Microlicia flaviflora differs from M. tridentata by its leaves that have entire margins throughout (vs. serrulate along the upper half), abaxial surfaces appearing glabrous (vs. glandular-punctate), shorter bracteoles with blades 3.5–6.0 mm long (vs. 8.1–11.0 mm long) and apex acute (vs. rounded to obtuse) and yellow petals (vs. magenta or rarely white) that are 6.0–8.8 mm long (vs. 11.5–13.0 mm long). Microlicia flaviflora differs from M. rosmarinoides by its taller habit 0.8–2.0 m tall (vs. 0.3–0.6 m tall), branchlets, abaxial surfaces of the leaves and hypanthia appearing glabrous (vs. glandular-punctate), leaf blades 3.7–9.0 cm long (vs. 0.4–1.0 cm long) that are elliptic to slightly ovate (vs. linear to lanceolate) and have 5 basal acrodromous veins (vs. 1-nerved from the base), compound dichasia (vs. solitary flowers), longer calyx lobes 4.0–4.9 mm long (vs. 2.2–2.8 mm long) and longer petals 6.0–8.8 mm long (vs. 5.0–5.3 mm long).

Brazil. Minas Gerais: Botumirim Municipality, Estrada para o Rio do Peixe, Forzza et al. 4897 (NY, RB, SPF), Serra da Canastra, Mello-Silva et al. 509 (HUEM, SPF, UEC), Nakajima et al. 4764 (HUFU), Scatigna & Galvão 376 (UEC); Grão Mogol Municipality, Serra de Grão Mogol, Bidá et al. CFCR11951 (SPF, US), Cerati et al. 246 (K, SP, UEC), Furlan et al. CFCR771 (SPF, UEC, US), Hatschbach & Hatschbach 52005 (holotype: MBM; isotypes: BHCB, C, CAS, CTES, ESA, G, HUFSJ, K, MBM, MO, S, SPF, US, UPCB, VIC, VIES), Hatschbach 41337 (ESA, FLOR, HCF, HUEFS, MBM, NY, RB, SPF, UPCB, US), Hatschbach et al. 54239 (CAS, INPA, MBM), Hatschbach et al. 68067 (MBM), Hensold et al. CFCR3525 (SPF, US), Kral et al. 72723 (SP, SPF), Leitão Filho et al. 7893 (MBM, UEC), Meireles et al. 1124 (CAS, HUEM, UEC), Oliveira et al. CFCR12997 (SPF, US), Pacifico & Simoes 353 (CAS, HUEM), Pacifico 565 (CAS, HUEM, RB); Pirani & Mello-Silva CFCR10814 (HUEM, SPF, UEC, US), Zappi et al. CFCR9903 (SPF, UEC); Rio Pardo de Minas Municipality, Serra Nova, Araújo et al. 2043 (BHCB), Rocha et al. 497 (BHCB, NY).

Erect shrubs or treelets 0.5–3.5 m tall. Branchlet surfaces concealed by a lanose indumentum of eglandular trichomes 0.1–0.5 mm long, whitish (when fresh). Internodes 0.7–4.5 cm long, angles unwinged. Petioles 6–11 mm long. Leaf blades 20–39 mm long, 9–25 mm wide, coriaceous (when dry), ovate, elliptic or narrowly elliptic, adaxial surface green and partially covered by a thin layer of whitish indumentum, abaxial surface totally concealed by the white lanose indumentum (when fresh), adaxial surface blackened, abaxial surface hidden by the white to pale brown lanose indumentum (when dry), discoloured (when dry), base cuneate to rounded, apex acute to rounded, margin flat, entire and minutely granulose and becoming glabrescent with age, 5-nerved from the base, one pair of acrodromous veins and one pair of tenuous veins close to the margin, tertiaries evident on the abaxial surface, nearly perpendicular to the mid-vein, little reticulate and branching apically, adaxial surface glandular-punctate, usually pruinose and becoming glabrescent with age, abaxial surface densely covered with lanose eglandular trichomes 0.1–0.5 mm long. Inflorescences simple dichasia or reduced to solitary flowers, usually congested. Bracts (including petioles) 1–1.9 cm long, 0.3–0.8 cm wide, 3-nerved, ovate, elliptical or narrowly elliptic, indumentum like that of the major leaves. Bracteoles (at anthesis) with petioles 4–6 mm long and blades eventually linear and rudimentary, blades (when well-developed) 2.2–4.4 mm long, 1.5–2 mm wide, linear to elliptic, base attenuate, apex rounded, margin entire, 1-nerved, indumentum like that of the principal leaves. Flowers 5(–6)-merous, pedicels (at anthesis) 0.7–2.0 mm long. Hypanthia (at anthesis) 5.0–6.5 mm long, 4.5–5.2 mm wide at the torus, campanulate to urceolate, surface hidden by the whitish lanose indumentum composed of eglandular trichomes 0.1–0.5 mm long. Calyx tubes 1.0–2.0 mm long. Calyx lobes (at anthesis) 7.9–9.7 mm long, 2.0–2.7 mm wide at the base, subulate, apex acute, margin entire, (when fresh) surface hidden by the whitish lanose indumentum composed of eglandular trichomes 0.1–0.5 mm long. Petals 19–26 mm long, 10–15 mm wide, white, rarely with pink stains at the apical region, obovate, apex emarginate, margin entire and ciliate with eglandular trichomes 0.1–0.4 mm long at the apical region, both surfaces glabrous. Stamens 10(–12), strongly dimorphic. Larger (antesepalous) stamens 5(–6), filaments 5.2–6.3 mm long, white, pedoconnectives 6.1–7.3 mm long, white to light yellow, appendages 1.9–3.0 mm long, yellow, apex emarginate, thecae (excluding rostra) 2.3–2.7 mm long, vinaceous, oblong, rostra 0.4–0.6 mm long, the circular pores ca. 0.2 mm wide. Smaller (antepetalous) stamens 5(6), filaments 4.0–5.4 mm long, white, pedoconnectives 0.8–1.1 mm long, yellow, inconspicuous appendages ca. 0.1 mm long, yellow, apex emarginate, thecae (excluding rostra) 2.4–2.6 mm long, yellow, oblong, rostra 0.3–0.6 mm long, the circular pores ca. 0.2 mm wide. Ovary 2.5–4.0 mm long, 1.7–2.0 mm wide, globose to cyclindrical, 5-locular. Style 6.5–8.0 mm long, white. Capsules (at maturity) 5.0–8.0 mm long, 5.0–6.0 mm wide, globose, initially enveloped by the hypanthium, torus constricted at the apex, fruiting calyx tubes 2.0–3.1 mm long, fruiting calyx lobes 9.0–11.5 mm long, not thickened. Seeds ca. 0.8 mm long, reniform.

Figure 23. 

Microlicia laniflora A habit B leaf abaxial surface C bracteole abaxial surface D flower in lateral view E flowering hypanthium F petal adaxial surface G detail of indumentum on the apex of the petal H antepetalous (behind) and antesepalous (in front) stamens I gynoecium J ovary in cross-section K capsule enveloped by the hypanthium. Drawn from Almeda et al. 7726 (UEC) and Almeda et al. 9197 (UEC).

Endemic to central and southern Minas Gerais (Fig. 19B), mainly at Serra de Ouro Branco, Serra do Itacolomi, Serra do Cipó, Serra da Piedade, Serra da Moeda, Serra do Caraça, Serra do Gandarela, Serra de Lavras Novas, Serra dos Alves, Serra de Itabirito, Serra do Rola-Moça, Serra do Curral, Serra de Taquaril, Serra do Garimpo, Serra do Belo Vale, Diamantina Plateau and mountains in the Municipalities of Brumadinho and Mariana. It occurs on quartzitic or ferrugineous campo rupestre exposed to full sun at elevations between 868 and 1540 m.

Microlicia laniflora has a symbiotic relationship with arbuscular mycorrhizae (Abrahão et al. 2019). This is likely related to phosphorus and nitrogen acquisition strategies (Abrahão et al. 2019). This species easily colonises degraded campo rupestre areas and has been recommended for ecological restoration (Amaral et al. 2013). According to Pereira (2011), its leaves develop increased asymmetry when damaged by insects. Vasconcelos et al. (2001) reported the use of M. laniflora for nesting by the endemic hummingbird, Hyacinth Visorbearer (Augastes scutatus), in campo rupestre at the Serra do Cipó.

Leaf and stem extracts from Microlicia laniflora have antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus (Cota et al. 2002; Ventura et al. 2007a).

This species is known from more than 100 herbarium specimens making it one of the better sampled species in the Trembleya s.s. clade. However, this sampling is geographically biased towards the surroundings of the MG-010 highway, where more than a half of these collections were made. The MG-010 highway is the main road crossing the mountains at south-eastern Serra do Cipó and provides easy access to large populations of M. laniflora. The EOO is 19,113.356 km² and the AOO is 248 km². Based on IUCN (2019) recommendations and criteria, we suspect that this species would be classified as Vulnerable (VU): B2ab(iii). Several populations of M. laniflora occur within the following conservation units: Parque Estadual Serra do Ouro Branco, Parque Estadual do Biribiri, Parque Estadual de Itacolomi, Monumento Natural Estadual Serra da Piedade, Monumento Natural Estadual Serra da Moeda, Parque Estadual da Serra do Rola-Moça, Parque Nacional da Serra do Gandarela, Parque Nacional da Serra do Cipó and RPPN Serra do Caraça (Natural Heritage Private Reserve), where M. laniflora is afforded protection.

Microlicia laniflora may be recognised by its branches, abaxial surfaces of the leaves and hypanthia that are densely covered by a lanose indumentum, white petals (rarely flushed with pink) that are 19.0–26.0 mm long and subulate calyx lobes 7.9–9.7 mm long. It appears to be most closely related to M. pentagona and M. chamissoana. Microlicia laniflora differs from M. pentagona by the branches, abaxial foliar surfaces and hypanthia densely covered by the lanose indumentum (vs. appearing glabrous, vernicose and minutely granulose), leaves with longer petioles 6.0–11.0 mm long (vs. 0.4–2.5 mm long) and margins entire throughout (vs. serrulate on the upper half), longer hypanthia 5.0–6.5 mm long (vs. 2.5–3.5 mm long) and longer petals 19.0–26.0 mm long (vs. 11.8–13.8 mm long), that are white, rarely flushed with pink (vs. magenta). For additional comparisons, see comments under M. chamissoana.

The four varieties proposed by Cogniaux (1883–1888) were based mainly on differences in petiole length, leaf size and leaf shape. An examination of Cogniuax’s varieties and many additional collections showed these purported differences to be inconsistent with much size overlap in the characters he used to delimit his infraspecific taxa. The ovate leaf shape that Cogniaux (1883–1888) attributed only to var. genuina is present in most of the individuals examined, along with a great deal of variation in leaf and petioles sizes. Cavalcanti et al. CFSC10628 (UEC), for example, has ovate leaves (a feature attributed only to var. genuina) and well-developed petioles (a feature attributed to the varieties intermedia, grandifolia and acutifolia). This specimen could be identified as var. intermedia since its leaf measurements match those of the protologue (3–4 cm long). However, when comparing the Cavalcanti specimen with the type of var. intermedia (Gardner 4601), it is clear that this variety has lanceolate leaves that are very distinct from the ovate leaves of Cavalcanti et al. CFSC10628. Characters, such as leaf shape and size, also vary along branches of a single individual and, thus, do not constitute good diagnostic features to delimit varieties of this species.

According to Cogniaux (1883–1888), some of Glaziou’s collections of M. laniflora (his numbers 14740 and 14741) were made “in prov. Rio de Janeiro” [Rio de Janeiro State]. On the other hand, Glaziou (1908: 251) asserts that his number 14740 came from “Serra do Caraça, au Morro do Inficionado” and the number 14741 came from “Campo de São Sebastião, prés Ouro Preto”, both sites located in Minas Gerais State. The labels of Glaziou 14740 and 14741 from P had annotations of collections’ sites similar to those shown in Glaziou (1908), while a duplicate of Glaziou 14740 from K has a label that says “14741 the same” and the location site is cited as “Environs de Rio de Janeiro et Ouro Preto”. Due to these contradictions, the cited collections were not used for the geographical distribution summary of M. laniflora. The discordant data on Glaziou’s collections of Melastomataceae have been noted by Wurdack (1970) for other collections of Melastomataceae, such as Clidemia, Leandra, Macairea, Miconia, Rhynchanthera, Tibouchina and Tococa. This is the first report of dubious geographic information for a species of Microlicia. We found similar contradictory information on labels of Glaziou 14746 which is discussed in the comments under M. pithyoides.

Brazil. Minas Gerais: Barão de Cocais Municipality, Serra do Garimpo, Hensold 778 (SPF, US), Semir et al. 28809 (UEC), Souza 1606 (BHCB); Belo Horizonte Municipality, Serra do Taquaril – Serra do Curral, Barreto 6769 (SP), Ducke s.n. (RB [241970]), Ferreira 5544 (HUFU), Roth s.n. (BHCB, CESJ, CTES, ESA, R, RB, SP, UB, UPCB), Morro do Chapéu, Brandão 28574 (HUFU), Brumadinho Municipality, Serra do Rola-Moça, Carmo 4819 (BHCB), Serra da Calçada, Martens 7 (SPF), Martens 383 (SPF), Retiro das Pedras, Carvalho s.n. (HUFU [39992]), Stehmann & Morais 2650 (BHCB); Caeté Municipality, Serra do Gandarela, Damazio 1025 (RB); Catas Altas Municipality, Serra do Caraça, Vasconcelos s.n. (SPF [145870, 145871]); Conceição do Mato Dentro Municipality, Serra do Cipó, Macedo 3758 (S), Martinelli & Tavora 2583 (RB); Diamantina Municipality, “Diamantina Plateau”, Araújo et al. 323 (HUFU, RB, UEC), Brade 13735 (NY, RB, US), Franco et al. 1270 (HUFU), Hatschbach et al. 27400 (K, MBM, UPCB), Hatschbach et al. 68138 (MBM, UPCB), Leitão et al. 17281 (RB, UEC), Lima et al. 49 (SPF), Maguire et al. 49140 (NY), Marques et al. 274 (HUFU), Mello et al. 61 (HUFU), Vauthier 37 (P); Itabira Municipality, Martius 930 (GH, K, NY, P), Torres s.n. (RB [241965]); Itabirito Municipality, Serra do Itabirito, Irwin 19974 (NY), Irwin et al. 19974 (K, NY, US), Krieger 10641 (CESJ, ESA, HUFU, MBM), Lima et al. 1443 (RB), Teixeira s.n. (BHCB [21783], HUFU [19443]); Jaboticatubas Municipality, Serra do Cipó, Goldenberg & Silveira 1573 (UPCB); Mariana Municipality, Collo et al. s.n. (SPF [62806]), Messias et al. 1922 (OUPR, RB); Nova Lima Municipality, Serra do Curral, Nakajima & Romero 3040 (HUFU), Pereira & Pabst 3107 (RB), Sampaio 7194 (BHCB), Williams & Assis 6352 (GH, NY); Ouro Branco Municipality, Serra de Outro Branco, Almeda et al. 7726 (CAS, UEC), Almeda et al. 8395 (CAS, UEC), Alves & Almeida-Lafetá 5573 (R), Alves et al. 6925 (R), Araújo et al. 334 (ESA, RB), Arbo et al. 3906 (CTES, MBM, RB, SPF, UB), Delfini et al. 78 (ESA, HUFU, RB), Forzza et al. 993 (SPF), Nakajima et al. 4547 (HUFU), Paula et al. 136 (HUFU, VIC), Paula et al. 295 (HUFU, VIC), Paula et al. 8 (HUFU, VIC), Pereira & Pabst 2944 (RB), Pirani et al. CFCR11211 (SPF), Rocha et al. 602 (BHCB, NY), Saraiva et al. 85 (OUPR, RB); Ouro Preto Municipality, Barreto & Viégas s.n. (IAC [6389]), Damazio 1540 (NY, US), Ferreira et al. 433 (HUFU), Fontana et al. 2288 (RB), Forzza et al. 6344 (OUPR, RB, UPCB), Forzza et al. 6359 (NY, OUPR, RB, UPCB), Groppo & Ulwin 676 (SPF), Lima et al. 1296 (RB), Meireles et al 1362 (HUEM, UEC), Messias et al. 2151 (OUPR, RB), Rolim et al. 329 (HUFU, RB, VIC), Rolim et al. 386 (RB, VIC), Rolim et al. 61 (HUFU, VIC), Teixeira s.n. (SPF [114173]), Valente et al. 2574 (RB, VIC); Raposos Municipality, Tameirão Neto & Mansur 4874 (BHCB); Rio Acima Municipality [Gandarela], Emygdio 3314 (NY), Emygdio 3353 (NY); Sabará Municipality, Barreto 6771 (BHCB), Barreto 6772 (NY); Santa Bárbara Municipality, Serra do Caraça, Almeda et al. 7753 (CAS, UEC), Almeda et al. 8862 (CAS, UEC), Arbo et al. 4030 (SPF), Barreto 706 (NY, UEC), Fraga et al. 3333 (NY, RB), Fraga et al. 3341 (NY, RB), Marcondes-Ferreira et al. 281 (SPF), Pirani & Yano 696 (CAS, SPF), Pirani et al. 696 (SP, SPF), Rocha et al. 672 (BHCB, RB), Romero et al. 5307 (CAS, UEC), Tales et al. 17 (BHCB, HUFU), Temponi & Vasconcelos s.n. (BHCB [36249], HUFU [19313]), TSMG & Tales 81 (BHCB, HUFU), Valente et al. 1229 (HUFU, VIC), Valente et al. 1230 (HUFU, VIC), Valente et al. 535 (HUFU, VIC); Santana do Riacho Municipality, Serra do Cipó, Almeda et al. 8549 (CAS, UEC), Almeda et al. 9179 (CAS, UEC), Alves et al. 2109 (SPF), Andrade et al. 374 (BHZB, HUFU), Antar et al. 1662 (SPF), Borges et al. 153 (HUEFS, K, NY, SPF), Bruniera et al. 37 (HUFU, SPF), Castro et al. s.n. (HUEM [24842], HUFU [2254]), Ceccantini et al. 3914 (SPF), Chuckr et al. s.n. (HUEM [24776]), Cordeiro et al. CFSC10504 (SPF), Escaramai et al. 65 (SPF), Faria & Mazucato 105 (SPF), Farinaccio et al. 36 (MBM, RB), Fernandes et al. 1468 (BHZB, HUFU), Forero et al. 7700 (SPF), Forero et al. 7831 (SPF), Giulietti et al. CFSC12564 (UEC), Kral et al. 72997 (CEN, SP), Kubo et al. 109 (SPF), Kubo et al. 125 (SPF), Maguire et al. 49016 (NY), Mattos & Rizzini 107 (RB, US), Mattos & Rizzini 480 (RB), Monge et al. 384 (UEC), Ordones et al. 1856 (BHZB, HUFU), Pacifico 185 (HUEM, SPF), Pena & Viana 365 (SPF), Pereira & Pabst 152 (HUEM), Pirani et al. 5082 (NY, SPF), Pires & Braga s.n. (CESJ [21520]), Reginato et al. 1401 (NY, UPCB), Sakuragui & Souza 38 (ESA), Salatino et al. 14 (NY, SPF), Salatino et al. 18 (NY, SPF), Souza et al. 11565 (ESA, RB), Souza et al. 25181 (ESA), Stehmann & Morais 2354 (SPF), Verdi et al. 6501 (RB), Zappi et al. CFSC9353 (SPF); Santana do Riacho Municipality [“Conceição do Mato Dentro”], Serra do Cipó, Marquete et al. 3817 (RB); Santana do Riacho Municipality [“Jaboticatubas”], Serra do Cipó, Joly CFSC2405 (SPF), Joly CFSC82 (SPF), Mantovani 99 (SP, SPF), Semir CFSC2005 (SP, SPF), Semir CFSC4133 (SPF), Semir CFSC5001 (SPF), Semir CFSC5068 (SPF); Serro, Semir et al CFCR230 (SPF); Unknown municipality, Bunge s.n. (P [P005317069]), Claussen 1 (BR, CAS), Claussen 1645 (P), Claussen 332A (BR), Claussen 554 (P), Claussen 640 (BR), Claussen 923 (CAS), Claussen s.n. (K [K00957804, K00957810, K00957811, K00957816], NY [NY00941988], P [P005317066, P005317067, P005317071, P005317072]), Gardner 4601 (BM, G, GH, K, NY, P, R, US), Glaziou 11953 (K), Glaziou 14740 (K, P), Glaziou 14741 (K, P), Glaziou s.n. (P [P005317096]), Gounelle s.n. (P [P005317089]), Lund 135 (C), Martius 930 (BM, G, GH, L, M, P, S), Martius s.n. (P [P005317088]), Netto s.n. (BR [BR0000005520688]), Raben 428 (S), Riedel s.n. (K [K00957817], P [P005317084]), Saint-Hilaire 216 (P), Sellow 1446 (BR, US), Sellow 1727 (P [P00723419]), Sellow s.n. (lectotype: K [K00957812]; probable isolectotypes: K [K00957818], P [P005317063, P005317064, P005317070]), Vauthier s.n. (P [P005317061]).

(M. laniflora × M. pentagona). Brazil. Minas Gerais: Santana do Riacho Municipality [“Santa Luzia”], Serra do Cipó, Barreto 7026 (BHCB).

Erect shrubs or treelets 0.7–4.0 m tall. Branchlets quadrangular, always glandular-punctate and usually pruinose-granulose, eventually sparsely to densely covered with gland-tipped trichomes 0.1–0.9 mm long, rarely covered with rigid hyaline eglandular trichomes 0.1–0.5 mm long, light green (when fresh). Internodes 0.6–3.8 cm long, angles unwinged. Petioles 1–15 mm long. Leaf blades 12–117 mm long, 3–38 mm wide, papyraceous (when dry), elliptic to narrowly elliptic or lanceolate, rarely obovate, adaxial surface green and partially covered by a thin layer of whitish indumentum, abaxial surface totally concealed by the white lanose indumentum (when fresh), adaxial surface blackened and abaxial surface pale green to pale brown (when dry), discoloured (when dry), base attenuate, apex acute to obtuse, margin flat or slightly revolute, entire to slightly serrulate and glabrescent, granulose or granular-punctate or ciliate with gland-tipped trichomes 0.1–0.9 mm long, 5-nerved from the base, one pair of acrodromous veins and one pair of tenuous veins close to the margin, tertiaries evident on the abaxial surface, nearly perpendicular to the mid-vein, reticulate and randomly branching, adaxial surface glandular-punctate, usually pruinose and becoming glabrescent with age, abaxial surface glandular-punctate and usually pruinose, eventually sparsely to densely covered with gland-tipped or eglanduar trichomes 0.1–0.9 mm long. Inflorescences simple or compound dichasia consisting of with biparous cymes, not congested. Bracts (including petioles) 0.7–1.6 cm long, 0.1–0.6 cm wide, 3-nerved, elliptic to narrowly elliptic, indumentum like that of the principal leaves. Bracteoles (at anthesis) with petioles 0.9–1.9 mm long, blades 2.2–3.8 mm long, 0.5–1.0 mm wide, narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate, base attenuate, apex acute to obtuse, margin entire, 1–3-nerved, indumentum like that of the principal leaves. Flowers 5(–6)-merous, pedicels (at anthesis) 1.1–2.0 mm long. Hypanthia (at anthesis) 1.9–2.8 mm long, 1.5–2.2 mm wide at the torus, campanulate to urceolate, light green, sometimes with reddish stains (when fresh), externally always glandular-punctate and usually pruinose, eventually sparsely to densely covered with gland-tipped trichomes 0.1–0.9 mm long, rarely covered with rigid hyaline eglandular trichomes 0.1–0.5 mm long. Calyx tubes 0.2–0.7 mm long. Calyx lobes (at anthesis) 0.7–2.5(–3.0) mm long, 0.9–1.5 mm wide at the base, triangular, apex acute, acuminate or apiculate, margin entire, (when fresh) light green or reddish, externally like the hypanthia. Petals 4.5–8.1 mm long, 3.0–4.9 mm wide, white, usually flushed with pink at the base and around the veins, rarely entirely pink, obovate, apex emarginate, rounded or acute, margin entire, glabrous or ciliate with eglandular or gland-tipped trichomes 0.1–0.4 mm long at the apical region, both surfaces glabrous. Stamens 10(–12), strongly dimorphic. Larger (antesepalous) stamens 5(–6), filaments 3.5–4.0 mm long, white or pink, pedoconnectives 3.0–4.0 mm long, white or pink, appendages 0.7–1.5 mm long, yellow, apex emarginate to bilobate, thecae (excluding rostra) 0.8–1.3 mm long, red to vinaceous, oblong, rostra 0.2–0.4 mm long, the circular pores 0.1–0.2 mm wide. Smaller (antepetalous) stamens 5(6), filaments 2.0–3.1 mm long, white or pink, pedoconnectives 0.2–0.5 mm long, white or pink, inconspicuous appendages ca. 0.1 mm long, yellow or pink, apex emarginate, thecae (excluding rostra) 0.8–1.3 mm long, yellow, oblong, rostra 0.2–0.4 mm long, the circular pores ca. 0.2 mm wide. Ovary 1.8–2.2 mm long, 1.6–1.8 mm wide, globose, 5-locular. Style 3.0–3.6 mm long, white or pink. Capsules (at maturity) 2.9–5.0 mm long, 2.5–4.0 mm wide, globose, initially enveloped by the hypanthium, torus constricted at the apex, fruiting calyx tubes 0.2–1.0 mm long, fruiting calyx lobes 1.2–2.9(–3.5) mm long, not thickened. Seeds 0.3–0.6 mm long, reniform.

Figure 24. 

Microlicia parviflora A habit B leaf abaxial surface C bracteole abaxial surface D flower in lateral view E flowering hypanthium and pedicel F petal adaxial surface G detail of indumentum on the apex of the petal H antepetalous (left) and antesepalous (right) stamens I gynoecium J ovary in cross-section K capsule enveloped by the hypathium. Drawn from Souza-Buturi 328 (UEC) and Matsumoto et al. 428 (UEC).

(one specimen selected for each municipality of occurrence). Bahia: Abaíra, Ganev 879 (HUEFS, NY, SPF); Andaraí, Orlandi et al. 778 (MBM); Lençóis, Carvalho 1086 (CEPEC, RB, SPF); Miguel Calmon, Guedes et al. 12092 (ALCB); Morro do Chapéu, Hage et al. 2317 (CEPEC, MBM, RB); Mucugê, Roque 2869 (ALCB); Palmeiras, Bautista 1347 (CEPEC); Piatã, Ganev 965 (HUEFS, SPF); Ribeirão do Largo, Carvalho 6986 (CEPEC, NY); Rio de Contas, Carvalho et al. 6651 (CEPEC); Seabra, Irwin et al. 31141 (NY); Utinga, Samento & Bautista 859 (RB); Wenceslau Guimarães, Goldenberg & Michelangeli 2093 (UPCB). Distrito Federal: Brasília, Azevedo et al. 675 (CAS); Taguatinga, Irwin et al. 8149 (SP). Espírito Santo: Domingos Martins, Pereira 309 (CEPEC, SP); Dores do Rio Preto, Monge et al. 2595 (UEC); Fundão, Kollmann 231 (RB, UPCB); Itaguaçu, Brade et al. 18205 (RB); Iúna, Fontana et al. 7678 (UPCB); Marechal Floriano, Hatschbach et al. 74974 (FURB, HCF, MBM); Santa Rita de Jacutinga, Krieger 8857 (MBM); Santa Teresa, Martinelli et al. 10932 (RB). Goiás: Alto Paraiso de Goiás, Marquete et al. 2332 (RB, US); Cocalzinho de Goiás, Versiane et al. 305 (HUFU, RB); Corumbá de Goiás, Irwin et al. 34521 (NY); Cristalina, Monteiro 78 (RB, SPF, UPCB); Pirenópolis, Delprete 9205 (RB). Minas Gerais: Aiuruoca, Glaziou 9454 (P); Alagoa, Guiamarães 333 (RB); Alto Caparaó, Hatschbach & Guimarães 55455 (MBM); Baependi, Souza et al. 1013 (CESJ, MBM); Barão de Cocais, Fontana 2309 (RB, UPCB); Barbacena, Barreto 4621 (SP); Barroso, Assis et al. 520 (MBM); Belo Horizonte, Vidal s.n. (CEN [46402]); Boa Esperança, Silva s.n. (UPCB [52391]); Bom Jardim de Minas, Krieger et al. 24423 (SPF); Brumadinho, Martens 524 (SPF); Buenópolis, Davis et al. 2298 (UEC); Buritizeiro, Hatschbach et al. 75995 (MBM); Caeté, Paula & Grandi s.n. (BHCB [7956], MBM [178326]); Carandaí, Costa 451 (RB); Carangola, Leoni 1 (SPF); Carmésia, Stehmann 2532 (ESA); Carrancas, Sobral et al. 14085 (RB); Catas Altas, Oliveira et al. 508 (BHCB, RB); Conceição do Ibitipoca, Oliveira 25197 (CESJ, RB); Conceição do Mato Dentro, Guarçoni & Sartori 1367 (HUFU); Coromandel, Brandão 14509 (HUFU); Cristália, Hatschbach 41498 (MBM, US); Delfinópolis, Romero & Nakajima 3432 (HUFU); Diamantina, Hatschbach & Pelanda 28014 (MBM); Espera Feliz, Foster & Leoni 64 (ESA); Estrela do Sul, Costa et al. 60 (HUFU); Extrema, Yamamoto 1549 (UEC); Gouveia, Hatschbach 27277 (MBM); Grão Mogol, Cavalcanti CFCR8314 (SPF); Itabira, Faria et al. 1332 (HUFU); Itabirito, Brandão 22298 (HUFU); Itamonte, Batista & Naves 405 (UEC); João Pinheiro, Heringer 8544/736 (UB, US); Joaquim Felício, Cavalcanti et al. CFCR8035 (SPF, UEC); Lagoa Santa, Warming s.n. (BR [BR0000005520732], C [C10015107], P [P005317116]); Lavras, Avezum & Almeida 10 (SPF); Lima Duarte, Heluey & Castro 108 (RB); Manhuaçu, Hatschbach & Silva 49393 (HUEM, MBM); Mariana, Lombardi 4045 (BHCB, ESA); Moeda, Silva & Grandi 6627 (HUFU); Nova Lima, Williams & Assis 7274 (SP); Ouro Branco, Delfini et al. 97 (ESA, RB); Ouro Preto, Colletta 161 (SPF), Martius 931 (BM, G, M, MO, P); Paracatu, Bovini & Barros 3235 (RB); Passa Quatro, Meireles et al. 1766 (RB, UEC); Patrocínio, Farah et al. 580 (ESA, HUEM); Perdizes, Mendes & Araújo 970 (SPF); Piuhmhi, Emygdio 3613 (NY, R); Poços de Caldas, Oliveira 1013 (US); Prados, Sobral et al. 12797 (UPCB); Presidente Soares, Hatschbach et al. 55434 (MBM); Rio Acima [Gandarela], Emygdio 3312 (NY, R); Rio Pardo de Minas, Sevilha et al. 7075 (CEN); Rio Preto, Barros & Feteira 1625 (RB); Rio Vermelho, Mello-Silva et al. CFCR7836 (SPF); Rosário de Limeira, Marcolino 222 (RB); Sabará, Barreto 6759 (BHCB, SP); Sacramento, Romero et al. 2155 (MBM); Santa Bárbara, Barreto 6757 (BHCB, SP); Santa Bárbara do Monte Verde, Pivari 15 (MBM); Santana de Pirapama, Zappi et al. 2504 (SPF); Santana do Riacho, Pacifico 191 (HUEM); Santos Dumont, Mello-Silva et al. 1217 (SPF); São Gonçalo do Rio Preto, Foresto et al. 59 (SPF); São Gonçalo do Sapucaí, Hatschbach 26964 (MBM); São João Batista da Glória, Kinoshita et al. 43767 (HUEM); São João del Rei, Barreto 4654 (SP, US); São Roque de Minas, Pacifico 413 (CAS, HUEM); São Tomé das Letras, Valente & Azevedo 57 (RB); Serro, Almeda et al. 9076 (CAS, UEC); Tapira, Salgado 167 (RB); Tiradentes, Alves 600 (R); Tombos, Fraga & Saddi 1786 (CEPEC, RB); Uberlândia, Romero & Nakajima 3021 (HUFU); Unknown municipality in Minas Gerais State, Gardner 4602 (NY, R, US), Martius 961 (G, M), Mosen 1971 (C, P, R), Saint-Hilaire s.n. [D462] (P [P00723414], P [P00723415]), Sellow 1154 (US), Sellow 5278 (P), Vauthier 43 [part] (BR, G, P), Widgren 967 (BR). Paraná: Adrianópolis, Camargo et al. 109 (UPCB); Antonina, Hatschbach & Guimarães 56167 (MBM); Araponga, Caiafa & Umbelino 172 (UPCB, VIC); Arapoti, Hatschbach 6908 (MBM); Balsa Nova, Hatschbach et al. 42967 (MBM); Bocaiúva do Sul, Ribas et al. 6769 (MBM, UPCB); Campina Grande do Sul, Brotto & Vieira 1921 (MBM); Colombo, Hatschbach 647 (MBM, RB); Jaguariaíva, Ribas et al. 8528 (MBM); Ortigueira, Silva et al. 6478 (MBMB, UNOP); Palmeira, Hatschbach 2775 (MBM); Piraí do Sul, Goldenberg et al. 1652 (NY, UPCB); Ponta Grossa, Silva & Koch 7610 (MBM); Rio Branco do Sul, Silva & Abe 2310 (MBM); Sengés, Hatschbach 39954 (MBM); Tibagi, Kirizawa 3665 (SP); Tunas do Paraná, Brotto 2600 (MBM, RB); Ventania, Estevan et al. 617 (UPCB). Rio de Janeiro: Bom Jardim, Hottz et al. 302 (MBM, RB); Duque de Caxias, Lima et al. 8445 (RB); Itatiaia, Baumgratz et al. 1127 (MBM, SPF); Miguel Pereira, Wängler & Ferreira 1352 (RB); Nova Friburgo, Forzza et al. 3427 (RB); Petrópolis, Vieira & Yamamoto 26186 (FUEL, RB, UEC); Resende, Eiten & Eiten 7305 (NY, P, RB, SP, US); Rio Claro, Moutinho et al. 76 (RB); Santa Maria Madalena, Lima 400 (US); Teresópolis, Duarte & Brade 1155 (RB); Unknown municipality in Rio de Janeiro state, Gardner 379 (BR, NY, P, US), Gardner 380 (BR, F, G, NY, P, S, US), Guillemin 921 (P), Guillemin 946 (G, P), Widgren s.n. (BR [BR0000005227044], PH-27744, S-53231). São Paulo: Apiaí, Souza et al. 6098 (ESA, RB); Bananal, Martinelli 19464 (RB); Bom Sucesso de Itararé, Aguiar 102 (MBM); Brotas, Queiroz 2808 (CEPEC); Campos do Jordão, N. da Cruz 135 (CAS, MBM); Cunha, Mamede et al. 666 (RB, SP); Eldorado, Pastore et al. 685 (RB); Iporanga, Souza et al. 5934 (SPF); Itapeva, Baitello et al. 2136 (UPCB); Itirapina, Tannus 760 (HUFU); Lavrinhas, Caddah et al. 636 (UPCB); Mogi Mirim, Hoehne 20521 (NY, SP); Pedregulho, Polisel et al. 176 (UPCB); Pindamonhangaba, Nicolau et al. 2212 (SP); Piquete, Gonçalves et al. 172 (RB); Rio Claro, Loefgren 557 (BHCB, SP); Santo André, Kirizawa et al. 2132 (SP); São Bernardo do Campo, Kuhlmann 4381 (SP); São Carlos, Eiten et al. 3019 (SP, US); São José do Barreiro, Handro 790 (NY); São José dos Campos, Mimura 479 (SP, US); São Paulo, Beraldo & França 85 (SPF); Ubatuba, Souza et al. 1108 (UPCB); Unknown municipality in São Paulo State, Prates s.n. (P [P00723407], P [P00723406, P [P00723408]). Unknown state: Bunbury s.n. (BR [BR0000005520374]), Glaziou 12704 (BR), Glaziou 16679 (BR), Glaziou 16778 (C, L, P), Glaziou 2579 (BR, P), Glaziou 8680 (BR, P), Glaziou 9454 (BR, C, G, P, R, S), Martius 989 (BR), Raben 409 (BR), Riedel s.n. (BR [BR0000005520367]), Sellow s.n. (lectotype: G [G00396696], probable isolectotype: P [P05317745]).

Endemic to Brazil in the States of Bahia, Minas Gerais, Goiás, Distrito Federal, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Paraná (Fig. 25A). Trembleya parviflora is common in gallery forests surrounding campo rupestre, Cerrado, campo sujo, campo limpo. campos de altitude, Veredas (palm swamps), and margins of roads throughout Cerrado and Atlantic forest fragments, usually exposed to full sun, at elevations between 560 and 2223 m.

Figure 25. 

Geographic distribution of species of the Trembleya s.s. clade of Microlicia A distributions of M. parviflora and M. tridentata B distributions of M. pentagona, M. pithyoides and M. rosmarinoides.

Microlicia parviflora is the most widely distributed species in the clade and the most studied from an ecological perspective. Giotto (2015) investigated plant occupation in palm swamps with very dense populations of M. parviflora, where seedlings of this species corresponded to 78% of the total seed bank. Silva (2003) reported a population density of 1.47 individuals per square metre in these areas. This elevated local dominance of M. parviflora negatively affects the overall plant species richness of these regions and is apparently favoured by reduction in humidity (Giotto 2015), although M. parviflora occurs with large populations in both wet and dry areas (Melo 2013). This species is strongly recommended for ecological restoration (Amaral et al. 2013) because it readily colonises degraded campo rupestre. Leaf extracts of M. parviflora proved to have allelopathic properties, inhibiting root and shoot growth of Sesamum indicum (Borghetti et al. 2005). According to Pereira (2011), leaves of M. parviflora develop increased asymmetry when damaged by insects.

This is the most abundant species in the Trembleya s.s. clade, with more than 1000 collections currently housed in herbaria. The EOO is 1,152,078.308 km² and the AOO is 1,640 km². Populations of M. parviflora are found in all conservation units that protect the remaining species of the clade. As it occurs in large and dense populations, some have claimed that M. parviflora has the potential to become an invasive species (e.g. Silva 2003). We are not aware of records of this species occupying regions outside its natural distributional range. Based on the IUCN (2019) recommendations and criteria, we recommend that a conservation status of Least Concern (LC) be assigned to this species.

Microlicia parviflora can be distinguished from its congeners by its leaves that are 5-nerved from the base, the abaxial surface glandular-punctate, sometimes covered with an indumentum of pedicellate trichomes (never dense enough to conceal the epidermis), three to many-flowered inflorescences, triangular calyx lobes 0.7–2.5(–3) mm long, petals white or pink and dimorphic stamens. Microlicia pentagona and M. trembleyiformis are somewhat similar to M. parviflora in leaf shape and venation and stamen morphology. Microlicia parviflora differs from M. pentagona by its leaves with tertiaries evident (vs. little evident), moderately reticulate and randomly branching (vs. parallel and/or branching apically), inflorescences (vs. solitary flowers) and triangular calyx lobes 0.7–2.5(–3) mm long (vs. subulate and 6.2–8.5 mm long) that are tenuous in fruit (vs. thickened). In turn, M. parviflora differs from M. trembleyiformis by the unwinged branchlets (vs. with narrow wings ca. 0.2 mm wide), flowers disposed in inflorescences (vs. flowers solitary), triangular calyx lobes (vs. narrowly-triangular) and consistently 5-locular ovaries (vs. 3–5-locular). For a comparison between M. parviflora and M. altoparaisensis, see notes under the latter species.

The morphological variation found in M. parviflora is mainly related to leaf blade shape (varying from elliptic to ovate and lanceolate), indumentum on branches and abaxial leaf surface (always glandular-punctate, usually pruinose, eventually sparsely to densely covered with gland-tipped or eglandular trichomes 0.1–0.9 mm long) and inflorescence development (three- to many-flowered). The petals are usually white flushed with pink at the base, although some populations have entirely white petals, for example, in Serra de Carrancas (Matsumoto and Martins 2005) and Serra Negra (Justino et al. 2016) in Minas Gerais. Based on descriptions of M. parviflora in local floras, magenta-flowered and white-flowered variants of this species occur together in Poços de Caldas and Paque Estadual do Ibitipoca, both in Minas Gerais. In the Serra da Canastra, Romero (2000: 283) recognised a variant of M. parviflora as a distinct entity (Trembleya sp.) characterised by tertiaries more evident, trichomes on the abaxial leaf surface with 3–4-lobed heads, inflorescence internodes 7–9 mm long and calyx lobes 2.5–3 mm long. Several other modal extremes were designated as types of infraspecific taxa by Cogniaux (1883–1888, 1891), for example, the specimen Prates s.n. (P [P00723407]; type of var. denticulata) has more conspicuous serrations on the leaf margin, whereas Guillemin 946 (P; type of var. tomentosa) has a denser indumentum on the branchlets. However, none of the mentioned variations is correlated with other characteristics in a meaningful way.

The 15 varieties of M. parviflora proposed by Cogniaux (1883–1888, 1891) were based exclusively on differences in leaf blade size, shape and apex and degree of inflorescence development. Based on a comprehensive sampling and analysis of representative collections from throughout the range of the species, it is clear that Cogniaux’s infraspecific taxonomy is artificial and untenable. In fact, many of the specimens examined had leaf sizes that do not fit into any of the infraspecific taxa proposed by Cogniaux (1883–1888, 1891). For example, the specimen Kinoshita et al. 10/19 (UEC) has leaves 1.5–8 cm long and could fit all varieties proposed, based on this feature. The features that Cogniaux (1883–1888) used to circumscribe the two subspecies are also imprecise and not diagnostic. After analysing several representative collections of M. parviflora, we did not find any specimen with clearly tetragonal and totally glabrous branches, both purported diagnostic features of M. parviflora subsp. triflora. Thus, given the highly polymorphic nature of M. parviflora, we do not recognise any infraspecific taxa in this species.

Like Microlicia cataphracta (Mart. & Schrank ex DC.) Versiane & R.Romero [= Lavoisiera imbricata (Thunb.) DC.], M. parviflora fits all the six criteria enumerated by Cronk (1998) to be considered as an ochlospecies (see Martins and Almeda 2017). Besides sharing outstanding levels of morphological variation, M. cataphracta and M. parviflora also have similar distributional ranges and usually occur in large populations. The reproductive biology, population characteristics, chemical composition and other ecological aspects of M. parviflora are summarised in other sections of this paper.

Martin and Cremers (2007) examined a supposed holotype of Trembleya paniculata at P. However, we found two duplicates of the same collection used by Naudin (1844) to describe Trembleya paniculata (Saint-Hilaire s.n., P [P00723414], P [P00723415]). Thus, we designated one of these sheets as the lectotype (P [P00723414]) and the other as an isolectotype (P [P00723415]) for Trembleya paniculata.

Erect shrubs or treelets 0.5–1.5 m tall. Branchlets quadrangular, appearing glabrous, vernicose and minutely granulose, vinaceous (when fresh). Internodes 0.4–2.5 cm long, angles unwinged. Petioles 1.8–2.4 mm long. Leaf blades 12–40 mm long, 3–15 mm wide, chartaceous to coriaceous (when dry), elliptic, ovate, narrowly elliptic or linear, both surfaces green (when fresh), adaxial surface blackened and abaxial surface pale green to pale brown (when dry), discoloured (when dry), base cuneate to attenuate, apex rounded to acute, margin flat, entire along the basal half, serrulate on the upper half and minutely granulose and becoming glabrescent with age, 5-nerved from the base, one pair of acrodromous veins and one pair of tenuous veins close to the margin, tertiaries little evident on the abaxial surface, nearly perpendicular to the mid-vein, parallel or little reticulate and branching apically, adaxial surface glabrous to minutely granulose, vernicose, abaxial surface glabrous to minutely granulose, vernicose. Inflorescences reduced to solitary flowers apically on the branches. Bracts absent. Bracteoles (at anthesis) with petioles 1.8–3.0 mm long, blades 3.0–6.5 mm long, 1.1–3.6 mm wide, elliptic, ovate or lanceolate, base attenuate to cuneate, apex acute to obtuse, margin entire, 3-nerved, indumentum like that of the principal leaves. Flowers (4–)5-merous, pedicels (at anthesis) 0.8–2.0 mm long. Hypanthia (at anthesis) 2.5–3.5 mm long, 2.7–3.0 mm wide at the torus, campanulate to urceolate, light green or reddish (when fresh), externally glabrous, minutely granulose, vernicose. Calyx tubes 0.2–0.4 mm long. Calyx lobes (at anthesis) 6.2–8.5 mm long, 1.8–2.2 mm wide at the base, subulate, apex acute, margin entire, (when fresh) light green or reddish, externally like the hypanthia. Petals 11.8–13.8 mm long, 7.1–9.5 mm wide, magenta, obovate, apex shortly acuminate, margin entire and glabrous, both surfaces glabrous. Stamens (8)10, strongly dimorphic. Larger (antesepalous) stamens (4)5, filaments 4.0–5.0 mm long, pink, pedoconnectives 5.3–5.8 mm long, pink, appendages 1.2–1.6 mm long, yellow, apex emarginate to bilobate, thecae (excluding rostra) 1.2–2.0 mm long, vinaceous, oblong, rostra 0.5–0.7 mm long, the circular pores ca. 0.2 mm wide. Smaller (antepetalous) stamens (4)5, filaments 3.9–4.4 mm long, pink, pedoconnectives 1.0–1.6 mm long, yellow, inconspicuous appendages ca. 0.1 mm long, yellow, apex emarginate, thecae (excluding rostra) 1.6–2.0 mm long, yellow, oblong, rostra 0.5–0.6 mm long, the circular pores ca. 0.2 mm wide. Ovary 2.5–2.7 mm long, 2.4–2.6 mm wide, globose, 5-locular. Style 6.0–6.6 mm long, magenta. Capsules (at maturity) 4.5–5.5 mm long, 5.0–6.0 mm wide, globose, initially enveloped by the hypanthium, torus constricted at the apex, fruiting calyx tubes 0.2–0.4 mm long, fruiting calyx lobes 6.5–11.0 mm long, stout, thickened. Seeds 0.5–0.7 mm long, reniform.

Figure 26. 

Microlicia pentagona A habit B leaf abaxial surface C bracteole abaxial surface D floral bud E flower in lateral view F flowering hypanthium G petal adaxial surface H antesepalous (left) and antepetalous (right) stamens I gynoecium J capsule enveloped by the hypanthium. Drawn from Sazima CFSC4259 (UEC) and Almeda et al. 9203 (UEC).

Endemic to Minas Gerais State (Fig. 25B) in Serra do Caraça, Serra do Cipó, Serra de Ouro Preto, Serra de Ouro Branco, Serra do Itabirito, Mariana and Barão de Cocais. It occurs on quartzitic and ferruginous campo rupestre, exposed to full sun, at elevations of about 1000–1830 m.

Microlicia pentagona is known from about 70 collections. The EOO is 2,667.623 km² and the AOO is 56 km². Several populations are protected within the following conservation units: Parque Estadual do Itacolomi, Parque Estadual Serra do Intendente, Parque Estadual Serra do Ouro Branco, Parque Nacional da Serra do Cipó and RPPN Serra do Caraça (Natural Heritage Private Reserve). Following the IUCN (2019) recommendations and criteria, we recommend an Endangered (EN): B1ab(iii) status for this species.

Microlicia pentagona can be recognised by its branches, leaves and hypanthia that are glandular-punctate and vernicose, leaves 5-nerved from the base with one pair of acrodromous veins and one pair of tenuous veins close to the margin, inflorescences reduced to solitary terminal flowers and calyx lobes 6.2–8.5 mm long that become thickened in fruit. The elongate calyx lobes of M. pentagona are comparable in length only to those of M. laniflora (7.9–9.7 mm long) and are consistently longer than those of all remaining congeners. In fruit, the thickened calyx lobes of M. pentagona are unique in the clade. Overall, M. pentagona is morphologically similar to M. calycina, M. chamissoana, M. laniflora and M. parviflora. For comparisons, see comments under these species.

Microlicia pentagona is remarkably variable in leaf shape and size. The leaf blades vary from almost linear (e.g. Irwin et al. 20537, Barreto 10734) to narrowly elliptic (e.g. Barreto 7025, Joly et al. CFSC 3196) and elliptic (e.g. Silva 1043). Examples of variation in leaf size are Almeda et al. 9203 (1.7–2.1 cm long) and Silva 1043 (2.3–3.1 cm long). Some modal extremes were informally recognised as distinct taxa by Mello Barreto on herbaria labels. As no character varies in a meaningful way, we agree with Martins (1997) and treat all these extremes within the variation here attributed to M. pentagona.

Brazil. Minas Gerais: Barão de Cocais Municipality, Brandão 20838 (HUFU); Catas Altas Municipality, Serra do Caraça, Hatschbach et al. s.n. (HUFU [25601]), Irwin et al. 29213 (NY), Oliveira et al. 478 (BHCB), Oliveira et al. 480 (BHCB, RB), Oliveira et al. 518 (BHCB), Silva et al. 1043 (HUFU), Sobral et al. 14508 (HUFSJ, RB); Santa Bárbara Municipality [“Capanema”], Claussen 296 (W), Vainio 33501 (US); Jaboticatubas Municipality [“Caeté”], Serra do Cipó, Magalhães 2278 (BHCB, US); Mariana Municipality, Pivari et al. 2512 (BHCB); Ouro Branco Municipality, Saint-Hilaire s.n. (lectotype: P [P00723399]; isolectotype: P [P00723398]); Ouro Preto Municipality, Antônio-Silva et al. 315 (HUFU, OUPR), Bortoluzzi et al. 678 (RB, VIC), Damazio s.n. (RB [48352], NY [NY00942037]), Michelangeli et al. 1580 (NY, UPCB), Pacifico & Bressan 294 (HUEM, SPF), Peron 256 (RB), Peron 260 (RB), Rezende 507 (HUFU), Rolim et al. 353 (UPCB, VIC), Rolim et al. 361 (NY, RB, VIC), Rolim et al. 370 (HUFU, NY, RB, VIC), Schwacke 10814 (W), Schwacke 9325 (RB, W); Santa Bárbara Municipality, Serra do Caraça, Almeda et al. 7751 (CAS, HUFU, UEC), Damazio s.n. (RB [48392]), Ordones et al. 213 (BHZB, HUFU), Pirani & Yano 692 (RB, SP, SPF), Rapini et al. 296 (HUEM, SP, SPF), Romero et al. 5303 (CAS, UEC); Santana do Riacho Municipality, Serra do Cipó, Almeda et al. 8555 (CAS, UEC), Almeda et al. 8911 (CAS, UEC), Almeda et al. 9203 (CAS, HUEM, UEC), Barreto 1182 (RB), Contro & Marques 21 (HUEM, HUFU), Duarte 2004 (FLOR, MBM, RB), Fernandes s.n. (HUFU [56535]), Irwin et al. 20178 (CAS, MO, NY, UEC, US), Irwin et al. 20486 (CAS, MO, NY, US), Irwin et al. 20537 (CAS, NY, UEC, US), Pacifico & Bressan 531 (CAS, HUEM, RB). Romero & Nakajima 5998 (HUEM, HUFU, UEC), Semir CFSC5608 (SP, SPF), Semir & Sazima CFSC3395 (UEC); Santana do Riacho Municipality [“Conceição do Mato Dentro”], Serra do Cipó, Barreto 7025 (BHCB, HB, UEC); Santana do Riacho Municipality [“Jaboticatubas”], Serra do Cipó, Giulietti & Menezes 4017 (SP, SPF, UEC), Hatschbach et al. 28759 (MBM, SPF, US), Hatschbach et al. 29958 (MBM), Joly & Semir CFSC2957 (UEC), Joly & Semir CFSC3196 (SPF, UEC), Sazima CFSC4259 (RB, SP, UEC), Semir & Joly CFSC3743 (UEC); Santana do Riacho Municipality [“Santa Luzia”], Serra do Cipó, Barreto 10734 (HB, UEC), Barreto 7023 (BHCB), Barreto 7024 (UEC), Brade 14756 (R), Duarte 2692 (R, RB, US); Unknown municipality in Minas Gerais State, Casaretto s.n. (G [G00318565]), Claussen 1617 (P), Claussen 1637 (P), Claussen 22 (P, US), Claussen 350 (W), Claussen s.n. (P [P005317034], P [P005317035]), Glaziou 14742 (K, NY, P, R), Ule 2543 (US), Schüch s.n. (W [70510]).

Erect, densely-branched shrubs 0.3–0.6 m tall. Branchlets quadrangular, glandular-punctate, vinaceous (when fresh). Internodes 0.2–0.5 cm long, angles with narrow wings ca. 0.2 mm wide. Petioles 0.7–1.5 mm long. Leaf blades 4–15 mm long, 0.5–1.4 mm wide, chartaceous (when dry), linear, both surfaces green (when fresh), adaxial surface blackened and abaxial surface pale green to pale brown (when dry), discoloured (when dry), base cuneate, apex rounded to acute, margin flat, entire and glandular-punctate, 1-nerved from the base, tertiaries not evident on the abaxial surface, adaxial surface glandular-punctate, abaxial surface glandular-punctate. Inflorescences reduced to solitary flowers apically on the branches. Bracts absent. Bracteoles (at anthesis) with petioles 0.6–0.9 mm long, blades 3.0–3.9 mm long, 0.3–0.5 mm wide, lanceolate, base cuneate, apex acute to obtuse, margin entire, 1-nerved, indumentum like that of the principal leaves. Flowers 5-merous, pedicels (at anthesis) 0.3–0.6 mm long. Hypanthia (at anthesis) 1.7–2.0 mm long, 1.9–2.1 mm wide at the torus, campanulate, light green or reddish (when fresh), externally glandular-punctate. Calyx tubes 0.3–0.4 mm long. Calyx lobes (at anthesis) 2.5–3.0 mm long, 0.4–0.7 mm wide at the base, subulate, apex acute, margin entire, (when fresh) light green or reddish externally like the hypanthia. Petals 5.0–5.7 mm long, 3.7–4.2 mm wide, magenta, obovate, apex acuminate, margin entire and glabrous, adaxial surface glabrous or sparsely glandular-punctate, abaxial surface glabrous. Stamens 10, strongly dimorphic. Larger (antesepalous) stamens 5, filaments 2.6–2.9 mm long, pink, pedoconnectives 2.9–3.2 mm long, pink, appendages 0.7–0.9 mm long, yellow, apex emarginate to bilobate, thecae (excluding rostra) 1.8–2.0 mm long, vinaceous, oblong, rostra 0.2–0.4 mm long, the circular pores ca. 0.2 mm wide. Smaller (antepetalous) stamens 5, filaments 1.9–2.1 mm long, pink, pedoconnectives 0.6–0.9 mm long, yellow, inconspicuous appendages ca. 0.1 mm long, yellow, apex emarginate, thecae (excluding rostra) 1.4–1.6 mm long, yellow, oblong, rostra 0.2–0.3 mm long, the circular pores ca. 0.2 mm wide. Ovary 1.3–1.5 mm long, 1.0–1.2 mm wide, globose, (4–)5-locular. Style 4.0–4.5 mm long, pink. Capsules (at maturity) 2.7–3.1 mm long, 2.9–3.3 mm wide, globose, initially enveloped by the hypanthium, torus constricted at the apex, fruiting calyx tubes 0.4–0.6 mm long, fruiting calyx lobes 3.2–3.7 mm long, not thickened. Seeds 0.7–0.8 mm long, reniform.

Figure 27. 

Microlicia pithyoides A habit B detail of nodes and internodes C leaf abaxial surface D bracteole abaxial surface E floral bud F flower in lateral view G petal adaxial surface H antesepalous stamen I antepetalous stamen J capsule enveloped by the hypanthium K capsule in cross section. Drawn from Pacifico 295 (CAS).

Brazil. Minas Gerais: Catas Altas Municipality, Serra do Caraça, Oliveira 382 (BHCB, RB), Pacifico 295 (CAS, HUEM, SPF); Unknown municipality in Minas Gerais State, Serra do Caraça. Glaziou 14746 (BR, C, K, P, R), Glaziou 19239 (K, P), Sellow 1316 (lectotype: K [K00530665; isolectotypes: F-BN016638-photo, P [P00723396], P [P00723397]), Sellow s.n. (K [K00957781, K [K00957783]), Weddell s.n. (P [P005317975]).

Known only from Minas Gerais State (Fig. 25B), where it is probably endemic to the Serra do Caraça. Microlicia pithyoides grows on quartzitic campo rupestre exposed to full sun at elevations between 1827 and 2072 m. It is the only species in the clade that reaches the highest peak in Cadeia do Espinhaço, the Pico do Sol in Catas Altas Municipality (elev. 2,072 m) (personal observation by R. Pacifico).

Microlicia pithyoides species is the least collected species of the Trembleya s.s. clade and apparently has the narrowest distribution. Less than 10 collections of this species are housed in herbaria. It had not been collected for more than a hundred years until it was re-discovered in 2009 (Oliveira 382). As all coordinates available for M. pithyoides refer to the same population, we were unable to calculate its EOO. The AOO is 4 km². The only population known of this species occurs inside a private protected area, the RPPN Serra do Caraça (Natural Heritage Private Reserve). The type material was probably collected at the Serra de Capanema in Santa Bárbara Municipality. Currently, this locality is also part of a private property. We are not aware of recent collections of M. pithyoides from the Serra de Capanema. Overall, the vegetation of Serra do Caraça is largely intact and affords a good measure of protection for the populations of M. pithyoides. This species is considered Critically Endangered by the Brazilian Government (Brasília 2014). Based on criterion B of the IUCN (2019), we concur with this assessment: (CR): B1ab(iii).

Microlicia pithyoides can be recognised by its narrow leaves that are 0.5–1.4 mm wide, 1-nerved from the base, inflorescences reduced to solitary flowers, magenta petals and stamens with bicoloured anthers. In morphology, it is most like M. rosmarinoides, the only congener with leaves that are 1-nerved from the base. Microlicia rosmarinoides also shares with M. pithyoides the solitary flowers with subulate calyx lobes and the overall shape of its stamens. Microlicia pithyoides differs from M. rosmarinoides by the leaves with the mid-vein thickened (vs. not thickened), magenta petals (vs. yellow) and stamens with anthers vinaceous and yellow (vs. all anthers yellow to orange). Both species occur in central Minas Gerais State, but their distributions do not overlap; M. rosmarinoides has never been collected on the Serra do Caraça.

Microlicia calycina is also morphologically similar. It shares with M. pithyoides the narrow leaves, solitary flowers (sometimes simple dichasia only in M. calycina), magenta petals and stamens with bicoloured anthers. Microlicia pithyoides may be differentiated by its leaf blades (oblong to lanceolate) 0.5–1.4 mm wide (vs. 2–9 mm wide), 1-nerved from the base (vs. 3-nerved) with tertiaries not evident (vs. evident) and shorter calyx lobes 2.5–3.0 mm long (vs. 3.5–4.2 mm long). Both M. calycina and M. pithyoides occur sympatrically on the Serra do Caraça, but only M. pithyoides occurs on the highest peak in that mountain range. In fact, M. pithyoides apparently prefers slightly higher elevations since it has only been collected between 1827 and 2072 m (vs. 1692–1920 m for M. calycina).

Recent collections of M. pithyoides (Oliveira 382, Pacifico 295) have leaves with blades that are 8–12 mm long. These measurements bridge those given in the protologues of varieties pithyoides (8–10 mm long) and major (12–20 mm long). We consider these size differences to represent a continuum and here relegate var. major to synonymy.

Erect, densely branched shrubs 0.3–0.6 m tall. Branchlets quadrangular, glandular-punctate, light green (when fresh). Internodes 0.1–0.4 cm long, angles with narrow wings 0.2–0.3 mm wide. Petioles 0.5–1.2 mm long. Leaf blades 4–10 mm long, 1.0–1.9 mm wide, chartaceous (when dry), narrowly-lanceolate to narrowly-elliptic, both surfaces green (when fresh), adaxial surface blackened and abaxial surface pale green to pale brown (when dry), discoloured (when dry), base cuneate, apex rounded to acute, margin flat, entire and glandular-punctate, 1-nerved from the base, tertiaries little evident on the abaxial surface, adaxial surface glandular-punctate, abaxial surface glandular-punctate. Inflorescences reduced to solitary flowers on apical branches. Bracts absent. Bracteoles (at anthesis) with petioles 0.5–1.0 mm long, blades 2.5–3.3 mm long, 0.5–0.9 mm wide, lanceolate, base cuneate, apex acute to obtuse, margin entire, 1-nerved, indumentum like that of the principal leaves. Flowers 5-merous, pedicels (at anthesis) 0.4–0.6 mm long. Hypanthia (at anthesis) 2.2–3.5 mm long, 1.5–2.0 mm wide at the torus, campanulate to urceolate, light green (when fresh), externally glandular-punctate. Calyx tubes 0.3–0.5 mm long. Calyx lobes (at anthesis) 2.2–2.8 mm long, 0.5–0.8 mm wide at the base, subulate, apex acute, margin entire, (when fresh) light green, externally like the hypanthia. Petals 5.0–5.3 mm long, 2.4–3.0 mm wide, yellow, obovate, apex acute or rounded, margin entire and glabrous, both surfaces glabrous. Stamens 10, strongly dimorphic. Larger (antesepalous) stamens 5, filaments 2.2–3.0 mm long, yellow, pedoconnectives 3.2–3.8 mm long, yellow, appendages 0.8–1.0 mm long, yellow, apex emarginate to bilobate, thecae (excluding rostra) 1.4–1.7 mm long, yellow to orange, oblong, rostra 0.2–0.3 mm long, the circular pores ca. 0.2 mm wide. Smaller (antepetalous) stamens 5, filaments 1.5–2.0 mm long, yellow, pedoconnectives 0.8–1.0 mm long, yellow, inconspicuous appendages ca. 0.1 mm long, yellow, apex emarginate, thecae (excluding rostra) 1.4–1.6 mm long, yellow to orange, oblong, rostra 0.2–0.3 mm long, the circular pores ca. 0.2 mm wide. Ovary 0.9–1.1 mm long, 0.7–0.9 mm wide, ovoid, 5-locular. Style ca. 3 mm long, yellow. Capsules (at maturity) 2.5–3.5 mm long, 2.0–3.0 mm wide, globose, initially enveloped by the hypanthium, torus constricted at the apex, fruiting calyx tubes 0.3–0.6 mm long, fruiting calyx lobes 2.5–3.2 mm long, not thickened. Seeds 0.5–0.9 mm long, reniform.

Figure 28. 

Microlicia rosmarinoides A habit B detail of nodes and internodes C leaf abaxial surface D bracteole abaxial surface E floral bud F flower in lateral view G petal adaxial surface H antesepalous stamen I antepetalous stamen J capsule enveloped by the hypanthium K capsule in cross section L seed in lateral view. Drawn from Occhioni et al. s.n. (US [US001900109]).

Restricted to central Minas Gerais State (Fig. 25B), where it is known only from Serra do Gandarela, Serra de Capanema, Serra de Ouro Preto, Serra de Itabirito, Belo Vale and Barão de Cocais. Microlicia rosmarinoides occurs in campo rupestre and canga, on ferruginous or quartzitic soils, exposed to full sun, at elevations between 1609 and 1807 m.

Microlicia rosmarinoides is a little-collected species, known from about 15 specimens. The EOO is 298.172 km² and the AOO is 28 km². Populations of M. rosmarinoides are protected in the Parque Nacional da Serra do Gandarela and probably in Parque Estadual do Itacolomi. Following IUCN (2019) criteria, we recommend an assessment of Endangered (EN): B1ab(iii) for this species.

Microlicia rosmarinoides can be readily recognised amongst congeners by its narrow leaves (1–1.9 mm wide) and flowers with yellow petals. The narrow leaves of M. rosmarinoides are more similar to those of the closely related M. pithyoides, while the yellow petals are shared only with the distantly related M. flaviflora. For comparisons, see notes under M. flaviflora and M. pithyoides.

Brazil. Minas Gerais: Barão de Cocais, Mina do Baú, Souza et al. 2584 (BHCB); Belo Vale, Occhioni et al. s.n. (RFA, US [US001900109]); Itabirito, Serra de Capanema, Carmo 192 (BHCB), Carmo 377 (BHCB); Ouro Preto municipality, Serra do Itacolomi, Martius 808 (lectotype: M [M0165886]; isolectotype: G [G00310213]), Pedrosa 110 (HUFU, OUPR), Schwacke 9184 (BHCB, RB, US, W); Rio Acima Municipality, Serra do Gandarela, Carmo 2262 (BHCB), Versiane & Castello 677 (HUFU, UEC), Vidal s.n. (BHCB [191426]); Santa Bárbara Municipality, Serra do Gandarela, Vidal s.n. (BHCB [181346]); Unknown municipality in Minas Gerais State, Glaziou 14747 (IAN, K, RB, US), Glaziou 19242 (K), Ule 2528 (US).

Brazil. “Minas Geraes, in campis circa urbem Villa Ricca frequens” [Minas Gerais, Ouro Preto], 1816–1821, [catal. B1, n° 160] A. Saint-Hilaire s.n. (lectotype, first-step designated by Martin and Cremers (2007), second-step designated here: P [P002297746]!; isolectotype: F [F0360366]!; image of lectotype is available at http://coldb.mnhn.fr/catalognumber/mnhn/p/p02297746).

Erect shrubs 0.5–1.0 m tall. Branchlets quadrangular, glandular-punctate and sparsely covered with eglandular trichomes 0.1–0.5, light green (when fresh). Internodes 0.2–1.1 cm long, angles with narrow wings ca. 0.2 mm wide. Petioles 0.3–1.4 mm long. Leaf blades 4–25 mm long, 1.5–12 mm wide, papyraceous (when dry), ovate or elliptic, both surfaces green (when fresh), adaxial surface blackened and abaxial surface pale green to pale brown (when dry), discoloured (when dry), base rounded or attenuate, apex acute or obtuse, margin flat, slighly serrulate and ciliate with eglandular trichomes 0.1–0.4 mm long, 5-nerved from the base, one pair of acrodromous veins and one pair of tenuous veins close to the margin, tertiaries evident on the abaxial surface, nearly perpendicular to the mid-vein, little reticulate and branching apically, adaxial surface glandular-punctate, abaxial surface densely glandular-punctate and sparsely covered with eglandular trichomes 0.1–0.5 mm long around the veins. Inflorescences reduced to solitary flowers on the aplical region of the branches. Bracts absent. Bracteoles (at anthesis) with petioles 0.3–0.5 mm long, blades 2.4–6.1 mm long, 1.0–3.2 mm wide, ovate or elliptic, base cuneate, apex acute to obtuse, margin slightly serrulate and ciliate with eglandular trichomes 0.1–0.4 mm long, 3-nerved, indumentum like that of the principal leaves. Flowers 5-merous, pedicels (at anthesis) 0.7–1.9 mm long. Hypanthia (at anthesis) 2.2–2.6 mm long, 1.8–2.2 mm wide at the torus, campanulate to urceolate, light green (when fresh), externally glandular-punctate and sparsely covered with eglandular trichomes 0.1–0.5. Calyx tubes 0.2–0.4 mm long. Calyx lobes (at anthesis) 1.5–2.1 mm long, 0.5–0.7 mm wide at the base, narrowly triangular, apex acute, margin entire, (when fresh) light green, externally like the hypanthia. Petals 6.1–7.9 mm long, 3.0–3.5 mm wide, magenta, obovate, apex acute, margin entire and glabrous, both surfaces glabrous. Stamens 10, strongly dimorphic. Larger (antesepalous) stamens 5, filaments 1.5–3.0 mm long, pink, pedoconnectives 1.9–2.9 mm long, pink, appendages 1.0–1.5 mm long, yellow, apex bilobate, thecae (excluding rostra) 1.0–1.5 mm long, purple, oblong, rostra 0.2–0.3 mm long, the circular pores ca. 0.2 mm wide. Smaller (antepetalous) stamens 5, filaments 1.5–2.0 mm long, pink, pedoconnectives 0.8–1.2 mm long, yellow, inconspicuous appendages ca. 0.1 mm long, yellow, apex emarginate, thecae (excluding rostra) 0.7–1.1 mm long, yellow, oblong, rostra 0.2–0.3 mm long, the circular pores ca. 0.2 mm wide. Ovary 1.8–2.0 mm long, 1.9–2.1 mm wide, globose, 3–5-locular. Style 3.7–4.2 mm long, pink. Capsules (at maturity) 2.5–3.4 mm long, 2.4–3.0 mm wide, globose, initially enveloped by the hypanthium, torus constricted at the apex, fruiting calyx tubes 0.3–0.4 mm long, fruiting calyx lobes 2.4–2.9 mm long, not thickened. Seeds not seen.

Figure 29. 

Microlicia trembleyiformis A habit B detail of nodes and internodes C leaf abaxial surface D leaf adaxial surface E bracteole abaxial surface F floral bud G flower in lateral view H petal adaxial surface I antesepalous stamen J antepetalous stamen K gynoecium L capsule enveloped by the hypanthium. Drawn from Duarte 2767 (US).

Microlicia trembleyiformis is known from quartzitic campo rupestre, Cerrado and veredas (palm swamps) at Ouro Preto, Serra da Canastra, Uberlândia and Patrocínio (in Minas Gerais State) and campos de altitude in Serra Negra (Itatiaia), Rio de Janeiro State (Fig. 19B). On Serra da Canastra, it was collected on sandy soils near streams, exposed to full sun, at elevations between 786 and 1300 m. Collections from Ouro Preto and Serra Negra lack additional habitat information.

This species is known from about 10 specimens. It is a little-collected species that, however, has a comparatively wide distributional range. The EOO is 92,214.048 km², a value that would indicate a Least Concern conservation status if criterion B of IUCN (2019) was applied. However, the AOO of 24 km² matches a status of Endangered in accordance with the same criterion. Both EOO and AOO requirements have to be fulfilled for the correct use of criterion B. Thus, we recommend a status of Least Concern (LC) for M. trembleyiformis. We suspect that this species occurs in low population densities. Some populations of M. trembleyiformis are protected in the Parque Nacional da Serra da Canastra.

Microlicia trembleyiformis can be recognised by its elliptic to ovate leaves that are 5-nerved from the base and solitary flowers with narrowly-triangular calyx lobes 1.5–2.1 mm long. In morphology, it is closest to M. parviflora and more distantly to M. altoparaisensis (see notes under these species for comparisons). Microlicia pentagona is the only congener that shares with M. trembleyiformis both the leaves 5-nerved from the base and solitary flowers. Microlicia trembleyiformis differs in having leaves that are papyraceous when dry (vs. chartaceous to coriaceous in M. pentagona), the margin is ciliate with eglandular trichomes 0.1–0.4 mm long (vs. glabrous to minutely granulose) and the shorter calyx lobes are 1.5–2.1 mm long (vs. 6.2–8.5 mm long) and tenuous in fruit (vs. thickened). Amongst the compared species, only M. parviflora occurs in Ouro Preto, Serra da Canastra and Serra Negra, where sympatry with M. trembleyiformis is possible.

According to Naudin (1845), this species was frequent in Ouro Preto Municipality, although we are not aware of any recent collections from that region. Naudin (1845) justified the placement of M. trembleyiformis in Microlicia because the type had 3-locular ovaries. Recent collections of M. trembleyiformis have 3–5-locular ovaries (e.g. Porto 2834). In the Parque Nacional da Serra da Canastra, M. trembleyiformis is known from only a few individuals that consistently have 3-locular ovaries (Romero 2000).

Brazil. Minas Gerais: Capitólio Municipality, estrada para Cachoeira Fecho da Serra, Romero et al. 7550 (HUFU, US); Ouro Preto Municipality, [catal. B1, n° 160] Saint-Hilaire s.n. (lectotype: P [P002297746]!; isolectotype: F [F0360366]); São Roque de Minas Municipality, Serra da Canastra, Nakajima et al. 1476 (HUFU, US), Romero & Nakajima 3593 (HUFU, K, UEC), Romero 4157 (BHCB, F, HUFU), Santos 411 (HUFU, K); Serra do Salitre Municipality, Serra de Catiara, Duarte 2767 (BHCB, US); Uberlândia Municipality, Clube Caça e Pesca Itororó, Romero et al. 8689 (HUFU), Romero et. al. 8694 (HUFU); unknown municipality in Minas Gerais State, Glaziou 19221 (K, P). Rio de Janeiro: Itatiaia Municipality, Serra Negra, Porto 2834 (NY, RB, US).

Erect shrubs or treelets 1.0–1.8 m tall. Branchlets quadrangular, appearing glabrous, vernicose and minutely granulose, light green (when fresh). Internodes 0.3–1.5 cm long, angles with narrow wings 0.2–0.4 mm wide. Petioles 1.0–4.9 mm long. Leaf blades 20–49 mm long, 12–24 mm wide, coriaceous (when dry), elliptic, ovate, or rarely narrowly elliptic, both surfaces green (when fresh), adaxial surface blackened and abaxial surface pale green to pale brown (when dry), discoloured (when dry), base cuneate or attenuate, apex rounded to emarginate, margin flat, entire along the basal half, serrulate on the upper half and glandular-punctate, 5-nerved from the base, one pair of acrodromous veins and one pair of tenuous veins close to the margin, tertiaries evident on the abaxial surface, nearly perpendicular to the mid-vein, reticulate, randomly branching and surrounding stout depressions on the abaxial leaf surface, adaxial surface glandular-punctate, abaxial surface glandular-punctate. Inflorescences simple dichasia or reduced to solitary flowers, not congested. Bracts (including petioles) 1.0–1.6 cm long, 0.4–0.8 cm wide, 3- to inconspicuously 5-nerved, elliptic, indumentum like that of the principal leaves. Bracteoles (at anthesis) with petioles 2.5–5.0 mm long, blades 8.1–11.0 mm long, 4.0–5.5 mm wide, elliptic, base attenuate, apex rounded to obtuse, margin sparsely serrulate, 3-nerved, indumentum like that of the principal leaves. Flowers 5-merous, pedicels (at anthesis) 1.3–1.6 mm long. Hypanthia (at anthesis) 3.5–3.9 mm long, 2.3–2.7 mm wide at the torus, campanulate to urceolate, light green (when fresh), externally appearing glabrous, vernicose and minutely granulose. Calyx tubes 0.3–0.4 mm long. Calyx lobes (at anthesis) 4.1–4.9 mm long, 0.8–1.1 mm wide at the base, subulate, apex acute, margin entire, (when fresh) light green or reddish, externally like the hypanthia. Petals 11.5–13.0 mm long, 6.0–7.0 mm wide, magenta or rarely white, obovate, apex acute or rounded, margin entire and glabrous, both surfaces glabrous. Stamens 10, strongly dimorphic. Larger (antesepalous) stamens 5, filaments 4.9–5.6 mm long, pink or rarely white, pedoconnectives 6.0–6.5 mm long, pink or rarely white with the apical region flushed with pink, appendages 1.7–1.9 mm long, yellow, apex emarginate or truncate, thecae (excluding rostra) 1.7–1.9 mm long, purple, oblong, rostra 0.3–0.5 mm long, the circular pores ca. 0.2 mm wide. Smaller (antepetalous) stamens 5, filaments 4.0–4.4 mm long, pink or rarely white, pedoconnectives 1.5–1.9 mm long, pink or rarely white with the apical region flushed with pink, inconspicuous appendages ca. 0.2 mm long, yellow, apex emarginate or truncate, thecae (excluding rostra) 1.4–1.7 mm long, yellow, oblong, rostra 0.3–0.5 mm long, the circular pores ca. 0.2 mm wide. Ovary 2.2–2.4 mm long, 2.1–2.3 mm wide, globose, 5-locular. Style 6.1–6.5 mm long, pink or rarely white. Capsules (at maturity) 3.0–4.0 mm long, 2.7–3.6 mm wide, globose, initially enveloped by the hypanthium, torus constricted at the apex, fruiting calyx tubes 0.4–0.5 mm long, fruiting calyx lobes 4.5–5.4 mm long, not thickened. Seeds not seen.

Figure 30. 

Microlicia tridentata A habit B leaf abaxial surface C bracteole abaxial surface D floral bud E flower in lateral view F flowering hypanthium G petal adaxial surface H antesepalous (behind) and antepetalous (in front) stamens I gynoecium J capsule enveloped by the hypanthium. Drawn from Hensold et al. CFCR2880 (UEC) and Souza et al. 8015 (UEC).

Microlicia tridentata is endemic to Minas Gerais State (Fig. 25A) at Serra de Ouro Branco, Serra de Ouro Preto, Serra de São José, Serra do Gandarela, Serra do Cipó, Serra do Lenheiro, Serra do Caraça and Barão de Cocais. It grows on quartzitic or ferruginous campo rupestre, exposed to full sun, at elevations between 1110 and 1614 m.

Microlicia tridentata is known from about 40 collections. The EOO is 4,613.081 km² and the AOO is 24 km². Following IUCN (2019) recommendations, we recommend Endangered (EN): B1ab(iii) status for this species. Populations of M. tridentata are protected in Parque Estadual do Itacolomi, Parque Estadual Serra do Ouro Branco and RPPN Serra do Caraça (Natural Heritage Private Reserve).

Microlicia tridentata can be recognised by its leaves that are serrulate along the upper half, 5-nerved from the base, abaxially conspicuously glandular-punctate, with tertiary veins reticulate and randomly branching and flowers with subulate calyx lobes 4.1–4.9 mm long. It shares with M. pentagona the shrubby to treelet habit and the serrulate leaves along the upper half that are 5-nerved from the base. Microlicia tridentata is readily differentiated by the abaxial surfaces of the leaves that are more conspicuously glandular-punctate, with tertiares reticulate and randomly branching (vs. parallel or little reticulate and branching apically) and shorter calyx lobes 4.1–4.9 mm long (vs. 6.2–8.5 mm long) that are tenuous in fruit (vs. thickened). Another close relative is M. parviflora, from which M. tridentata differs by the leaves that are not pruinose (vs. usually pruinose), inflorescences composed of simple dichasia or reduced to solitary flowers (vs. compound or simple dichasia), bracteoles longer 8.1–11.0 mm long (vs. 2.2–3.8 mm long) and longer calyx lobes 4.1–4.9 mm long [vs. 0.7–2.5(–3.0)] that are subulate (vs. triangular). The distributions of M. parviflora and M. pentagona overlap with M. tridentata on several mountain ranges in Minas Gerais (e.g. Serra de Ouro Branco, Serra de Ouro Preto, Serra do Cipó).

Major variation in M. tridentata involves inflorescence development (simple dichasia or solitary flowers) and the petals typically magenta (Fig. 8H), rarely white (Fig. 9H), which may be rounded or acute at the apex.

Brazil. Minas Gerais: Barão de Cocais Municipality, Irwin et al. 29029 (IAN, NY, US), Irwin et al. 29079 (K, MO, NY, P, RB); Catas Altas Municipality, Serra do Caraça, Castro et al. 281 (HUFU); Ouro Branco Municipality, Serra de Ouro Branco, Pacifico & Bressan 290 (CAS, HUEM), Souza et al. 8015 (ESA, SPF, UEC); Ouro Preto Municipality, Serra do Itacolomi, Badini & Ferreira 9774 (HUFU), Ferreira & Helena 7844 (ESA, HUFU), Giulietti et al. CFCR13780 (K, MO, SPF), Longhi-Wagner et al. CFCR9184 (SPF, UEC, US), Magalhães 1160 (IAN, US), Michelangeli et al. 1586 (NY, RB, UPCB), Michelangeli et al. 1595 (NY, UPCB), Pedrosa 120 (OUPR), Rolim et al. 326 (HUFU, VIC), Rolim et al. 327 (UPCB, VIC), Rolim et al. 328 (HUFU, VIC), Rolim et al. 394 (HUFU, NY, RB, VIC), Roschel et al. s.n. (OUPR [1506], RB [RB01301048]), Souza et al. 8047 (ESA, SORO, SPF), Souza et al. 8061 (ESA, RB, SPF, UPCB); Rio Acima Municipality, Serra do Gandarela, Pacifico & Bressan 303 (CAS, HUEM), Versiane & Devides 682 (UEC); Santa Bárbara Municipality, Serra do Caraça, Ordones et al. 84 (BHZB, HUFU), Pereira & Pabst 2619 (RB, US); Santana do Riacho Municipality, Serra do Cipó, Duarte 8157 (G, LE, RB, US); São João del-Rei Municipality, Schwacke 10135 (BHCB, RB, W), Glaziou 17513 (P, R, US), Serra do Lenheiro, Glaziou 16781 (K, NY, P, US); Tiradentes Municipality, Serra de São José, Alves 595 (US), Alves 7359 (R), Rutter 128 (R), Rutter 150 (R), Rutter 161 (R), Rutter 186 (R), Rutter 191 (R); Unknown municipality in Minas Gerais State, Claussen 1631 (P), Glaziou 14743 (K, P, US), Glaziou 17573 (K), Mendonça 557 (US), Riedel s.n. (K [K009597799, W-18800001419, W-18890019740]), Saint-Hilaire s.n. [catal. B2, n° 2397] (lectotype: P [P00723392]; isolectotypes: P [P00723391], P [P00723506]), Sellow s.n. (US [US00292635]); Serra da Conceição (Serra B. Vista), Hensold et al. CFCR2880 (SPF, US).