Three new species of Microlicia (Melastomataceae) with yellow corollas from Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil

Background and aims – The genus Microlicia consists of 286 taxa, 82 of which are found in Bahia, Brazil. This genus features pentamerous flowers, occasionally hexamerous to decamerous; a hypanthium with or without bristles, isomorphic to dimorphic androecium; tetrasporangiate or polysporangiate anthers; and pedoconnective prolonged below the theca with a ventral appendage. The ovary has a glabrous apex, and the fruit is capsular with either basipetal or acropetal dehiscence and a columella that can be persistent or deciduous.

In this study, we describe three new species of Microlicia found in Bahia, Brazil, and provide a checklist of Microlicia species with yellow corollas. Material and methods – The morphological descriptions are based on examinations of the Microlicia collections housed in six herbaria. Along with the descriptions, we provide comparisons with morphologically similar species, a distribution map, conservation status assessments, and illustrations.

Key results – We describe Microlicia aequalis, Microlicia eimeariana from Catolés, and Microlicia xanthopetala from Mucugê, Bahia, Brazil. We have preliminarily assigned these three species as Data Deficient (DD) according to IUCN Red List criteria.