<strong><em>Medinilla malabrigoi</em> (Melastomataceae), a new species from forests over limestone in Samar Island, Philippines</strong>

Abstract

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.

A new diminutive species of Schismatoglottis (Araceae) from Samar Island, Philippines

“…The forests of Samar Island are highly diverse but have been poorly studied, as reflected by the many species of flowering plants described from there in recent years (e.g., Adorador et al 2021;delos Angeles et al 2022;Tandang et al 2022). These high levels of endemism are mainly concentrated in forests over limestone, as discussed in Tolentino et al (2020).…”