A new species, Medinillatheresae Fernando, from ultramafic soils on Dinagat and Mindanao Islands, Philippines is described and illustrated. The species is characterized by its terrestrial erect habit, non-setose nodes, 3-plinerved, lanceolate and coriaceous leaves arranged in whorls, cauline or axillary and pendulous inflorescences, rounded flower buds, 4-merous flowers, and straight anthers. It is compared with other similar species in the Medinillapendula Merr. complex.
Abstract—Medinilla (Melastomataceae) is a large paleotropical genus with the Philippines as one of its greatest centers of diversity. However, exceptionally few species are recorded from Palawan. Notes on the Medinilla species of Palawan and an identification
key are provided. Ten species are recorded, double the previous number. Two species are newly described: Medinilla simplicymosa and Medinilla ultramaficola. The Medinilla of Palawan remain poorly understood.
A new species of Medinilla, M. malabrigoi, from forests over limestone in Samar Island, Philippines is described and illustrated. It differs from the species of the M. polillensis alliance, herein defined, which includes M. polillensis s.l. and M. peltata, in its erect shrubby habit; sessile, narrowly lanceolate, 3-plinerved leaf with cordate to subcordate base; umbellate inflorescence; and flared, reflexed calyx at anthesis. Morphological and distributional comparisons with the most similar congeners are provided, as well as information on habitat and conservation status. Likewise, a taxonomic key to the Medinilla of Samar Island is herein devised.
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