Reinstatement of Memecylon elegantulum (Melastomataceae) and recircumscription of Memecylon rostratum, two species endemic to Sri Lanka

2025/06/19 by Amila Perera, Himesh Jayasinghe, Bhathiya Gopallawa +3 · 1 voice
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Banana Cultivation and Research #Plant Diversity and Evolution #Plant Taxonomy and Phylogenetics

paper · pdf · doi:10.3897/phytokeys.259.146534

openalex publication_date 2025/06/19 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/02

Abstract

Memecylon elegantulum Thwaites, a heterotypic synonym of M. rostratum Thwaites, is re-instated based on recent collections and field observations. The two species differ mainly in their habit, inflorescence structure, floral morphology and lamina morphology. A lectotype and an epitype are designated for Memecylon elegantulum , and a lectotype designated for M. rostratum . Both species are confined to the mixed dipterocarp rainforests of Sri Lanka’s perhumid south-western ‘wet zone’. Memecylon elegantulum appears to be restricted to a relatively small range in Ratnapura district, while M. rostratum has a wider distribution in wet zone.

Discussions

• ‬‬Recent fieldwork in Sri Lanka’s wet zone confirms Memecylon elegantulum as a distinct species from M. rostratum, prompting its taxonomic reinstatement and updated morphological characterisation. 🔗 [bsky, 2 points, 0 comments]

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