A new species of Votomita (Melastomataceae) from Venezuela, with thoughts on ovule and seed number and seed size

A new species of Votomita from southern Venezuela is described, illustrated , and distinguished from its relatives on the basis of fruiting material; c ertain useful floral characters can also be determined from the specimen. T he new species illustrates a general condition in subfamily Memecyleae, i.e ., a relatively large number of ovules is produced yet only one or a few la rge seeds are formed. Ovule and seed numbers are discussed, seed volumes ar e calculated for Mouriri and Votomita, and possible explanations for the di fferences are explored.