Revision of the pseudo-stipular species of Medinilla (Melastomataceae)

A revision is presented here of a group of mainly Papua New Guinea species of Medinilla Gaudich. ex DC. (Melastomataceae) peculiar for possessing a fe ature nearly unique for the family: leaf blades with a pair of lateral lobe s at the base ('pseudo-stipules'). This character was previously recorded f or Astronidium miraculum-dei J. F. Maxwell & Veldk. (Astronioideae) from th e nearby Solomon Islands. Various explanations, none satisfactory, for this phenomenon are explored. The group consists of 15 taxa, 2 previously descr ibed, 13 proposed here. The correct authorship of Medinilla is 'Gaudich. ex DC., the correct name for the type species is Medinilla medinilliana (Gaud ich.) Fosberg & Sachet, and not M. rosea Gaudich. ex DC., nom. superfl. Med inilla rubicunda (Jack) Blume var. hasseltii (Blume) Bakh. f. is validated. The descriptions of M. arfakensis Baker f. and M. brassii Markgr. are emen ded. A study of the palynology confirmed the homogeneity within Medinilla a nd among related genera.