Species New to Science's Journal

[Botany • 2025] Microlicia cangae (Melastomataceae) • A Critically Endangered Species from Canga of the Iron Quadrangle, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Microlicia cangae A.J.Fern. & R.Romero,

in Fernandes, Versiane et Romero. 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12225-025-10269-w

facebook.com/KewBulletin

Summary

Here, we describe Microlicia cangae A.J.Fern. & R.Romero, a new species found in the Iron Quadrangle in the southern portion of the Espinhaço Range, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The new species has nodes with glandular trichomes and glabrous internodes, petiolate leaves with glabrous adaxial surfaces and abaxial surfaces covered with glandular trichomes. The calyx and sepals also have glandular trichomes. We compare M. cangae with M. ciliatoglandulosa R.Romero, M. graveolens DC., M. hirticalyx R.Romero & Woodgyer, M. maximowicziana Cogn. and M. regeliana Cogn., as they are morphologically similar. We also provide illustrations, field images and a distribution map. Microlicia cangae is provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered [CR] due to its restricted area of occupancy and the threat from iron mining in the vicinity of its occurrence.

Key Words: Campo rupestre, endemism, Espinhaço Range, Mariana, Santa Bárbara, taxonomy.

Microlicia cangae. A flowers with light pink petals, front view; B flowers with white petals, front view; C immature fruit; D flowering branches.

photos: Cristiano Vinícius Vidal.

Microlicia cangae A.J.Fern. & R.Romero, sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the vegetation on ironstone outcrops (canga) of Iron Quadrangle, where the species was found.

Ana Júnia Fernandes, Ana Flávia Alves Versiane and Rosana Romero. 2025. Microlicia cangae (Melastomataceae), A Critically Endangered Species from Canga of the Iron Quadrangle, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Kew Bulletin. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12225-025-10269-w [17 July 2025]

facebook.com/KewBulletin/posts/1034438488676743