Memecylon pseudomegacarpum M.Hughes (Melastomataceae), a new species of tree from Peninsular Malaysia

• Main Author: Mark Hughes
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Consortium of European Natural History Museums 2013-09-01
• Series: European Journal of Taxonomy
• Subjects: Memecylon; new species; Malaysia; Singapore; Thailand
• Online Access: http://www.europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/view/177

A new species, <em>Memecylon pseudomegacarpum</em> (Melastomataceae), is described from southern Peninsular Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. This taxon was previously known under the misapplied name <em>M. megacarpum</em>, which is now considered endemic to Borneo. <em>Memecylon pseudomegacarpum</em> sp. nov. differs from <em>M. megacarpu</em>m in having smaller leaves (8–)10.5–17(–22.5) cm rather than (10–)17–28(–35) cm long, with an elliptic lamina (not lanceolate) with a raised mid-rib (not sunken) and a marginal vein which is 2–4 mm from the margin (not 5–12 mm). Both species have similar flowers and share large (c. 15 mm diameter) globose fruits.<br />