A new species of Miconia (Melastomataceae) with domatia from the Andean Cordilleras of Colombia

Abstract Miconia andinodomatia is proposed as a new species in the M . sect. Cremanium , from the mountains of Colombia, where it is widely distributed in the sub-Andean and Andean forests of the Western, Central, and Eastern Cordilleras of Colombia. Miconia andinodomatia is similar to several species, such as M. cremophylla , M. lehmannii , M . theaezans , M. tovarensis and M. turgida . However, it can be distinguished from all these by a combination of characters, including occurrence of leaf domatia, presence of a prominent interpetiolar line, and anthers with four terminal pores. The new species is herein formally described and illustrated, and its relationships to morphologically closely related taxa are discussed. An identification key to the species with leaf domatia placed in the Miconia III clade from Colombia is also provided. Additionally, comments about its distribution, ecology, habitat, floral biology, phenology, uses and conservation status are presented. Finally, the possible novel role played by domatia in the species is discussed.