A New Species of Miconia (Melastomataceae) from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil

During the preparation of a monographic treatment for a group of Miconia from the Atlantic Forest, Brazil, a new species was detected and is presented here. Miconia ruschiana can be recognized among other species of Miconia sect. Glossocentrum by the terete branches, shortly plinerved leaves abaxially covered by non-lepidote stellate trichomes, panicles with glomerulate ending branches, large flowers with the calyx bearing long, caducous, external lobes, and ovaries that are densely covered by trichomes at the apex. The new species is known from the mountains of the state of Espirito Santo in eastearn Brazil.