A revision of Rhynchanthera (Melastomataceae)

The neotropical genus Rhynchanthera (Melastomataceae, Microlicieae) is revised, and 15 of the 84 proposed taxa are recognized; two species are excluded from the genus. The group consists of subshrubs and shrubs with usually purple flowers in thyrsoid inflorescences of uniparous or biparous cymes. It is characterized by androecia with five antepetalous staminodia in addition to the five fertile stamens, and - in most species - dimorphism of the stamens, with one strikingly longer than the other four. The plants always are covered by at least some simple glandular hairs. The majority of the species of Rhynchanthera occur in south-central Brazil, however, the range of the genus extends from southern Mexico to Bolivia and Paraguay. All species grow in wet places in open scrub or savanna vegetation. Micromorphological features of the seeds have been investigated and support the traditional placement of Rhynchanthera in the Microlicieae where it is closest to Microlicia, Lavoisiera , and Trembleya. Two taxa are illustrated with drawings, and the distribution of all is mapped.