TAXONOMIC STUDIES IN THE MICONIEAE (MELASTOMATACEAE) .7. MICONIA HOWARDIANA, A NEW SPECIES FROM HISPANIOLA

Miconia howardiana, which is known only from a diverse moist montane f orest in the vicinity of Loma Trocha de Pey (or ''Monteada Nueva''), t he easternmost peak of the Sierra de Baoruco, is described and illustr ated. It is compared to phenetically similar (and probably phylogeneti cally related) species of the Miconia favosa complex, i.e., M. favosa, M. xenotricha, M. campanensis, M. sintenisii, M. foveolata, and M. py cnoneura. The species of this complex are characterized by bullate lea ves with frequently cordate bases and often six secondary veins. Most species also have large berries and flowers, 5-locular ovaries, large inflorescence bracts and bracteoles, and more or less dendritic multic ellular hairs.