taxonID	type	description	language	source
3706C9276D14FFBAFFD4FE45FD93FEB7.taxon	description	Pleroma brevicomosum differs from P. divaricatum (Cogn.) P. J. F. Guim. & Michelang. by its ovate leaves (versus oblong-lanceolate in P. divaricatum), these being chartaceous (versus membranaceous) and strigose on the adaxial surface (versus sericeous); slightly dimorphic stamens (versus pronouncedly dimorphic); elongate style, 13.3 – 14.1 mm long (versus short, c. 3 mm long); and ecostate capsules (versus costate).	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D14FFBAFFD4FE45FD93FEB7.taxon	materials_examined	– Type: Brazil, Minas Gerais, Conselheiro Pena, Serra do Padre Ângelo, Pico do Padre Ângelo, Platô do topo do pico, 19 ° 19 ′ 5.04 ′′ S, 41 ° 34 ′ 42.26 ′′ W, 1480 m, 11 vii 2020, P. M. Gonella, R. S. Ribeiro, G. A. da Silva, A. P. Araújo & J. C. Ribeiro 1425 (holotype UPCB, isotype MBML). Figures 1, 2.	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D14FFBAFFD4FE45FD93FEB7.taxon	description	Erect to decumbent shrubs 0.4 – 0.7 m tall, with sympodial growth, poorly branched. Younger branches terete, not winged, moderately strigose, trichomes 0.5 – 1.5 mm long, unbranched, eglandular, appressed, the base linear, not immersed, not forked; older branches terete, not winged, with indument similar to younger branches, but deciduous, and basally decorticating; nodes slender. Leaves opposite; chartaceous, with petioles very short, 0.9 – 2 mm long; blades 2.2 – 4.3 × 1.9 – 2.9 cm, chartaceous, slightly discolorous, ovate, lacking domatia on the abaxial surface, base cordate, apex acute, margins crenulate, 5 acrodromous nerves, the marginals tenuous, adaxial surface flat, brown in dry specimens, bright green in fresh material, moderately strigose, trichomes 0.5 – 1.5 mm long, unbranched, eglandular, appressed, the base linear, not immersed, not forked, abaxial surface flat, light brown or pale green in dry specimens, pale green in fresh material, moderately strigose to setulose on the primary and secondary veins, trichomes 0.8 – 1.8 mm long, unbranched, eglandular, appressed or curved, the base slightly broadened, not immersed, not forked, but moderately strigose to setulose on the surface, tertiary and quaternary veins, trichomes 0.1 – 0.6 mm long, unbranched, eglandular, appressed, the base linear, not immersed, not forked. Thyrsoids 9 – 26.5 × 5 – 10 cm, terminal, c. 15 – 25 flowers, axis terete, with the same indumentum as the younger branches, reddish; bracts late deciduous, leafy, petioles short, 0.6 – 1.1 mm long, blade 21.4 – 24.9 × 17.2 – 21.9 mm, ovate, indumentum the same as on the leaves; bracteoles early deciduous, 5.5 – 6 × 3.3 – 3.7 mm, elliptic or ovate, apex rounded, not covering the apex of the flower bud, margins entire, ciliate, adaxial surface glabrous, abaxial surface moderately strigose or moderately setulose, with indument uniformly arranged along the entire abaxial surface, trichomes 0.3 – 0.9 mm long, unbranched, eglandular, appressed or curved, the base linear or slightly broadened, not immersed, not forked. Flowers 5 - merous, pedicels 0.7 – 1 mm long; hypanthium 5.4 – 5.8 × 5 – 5.3 mm, obovate, not costate, moderately setulose, trichomes 0.4 – 1.3 mm long, unbranched, eglandular, curved, the base broadened, not immersed, not forked; sepals early deciduous, 4 – 4.3 × 2 – 2.3 mm, triangular, margins ciliate, apex acute, adaxial surface glabrous, abaxial surface with the same trichomes as the hypanthium, but restricted to its central portion; petals purple with a white base (during anthesis) or purple with a red base (in senescent flowers), 22.7 – 25.8 × 19 – 21.2 mm, obovate, apex cuspidate or mucronate, ciliate; stamens 10, slightly dimorphic, antesepalous with the filaments white (during anthesis) or purple to reddish (in senescent flowers), 7.3 – 8.3 mm long, glabrous or sparsely setulose on its central portion, trichomes 0.6 – 0.8 mm long, unbranched, eglandular, curved to erect, the base linear, not immersed, not forked, pedoconnective purple, 0.6 – 0.9 mm prolonged below the thecae, glabrous, ventral appendages bilobed, apex obtuse, c. 0.4 mm long, glabrous, thecae 7.1 – 7.6 × 1 – 1.1 mm, falcate, purple, antepetalous with filaments white (during anthesis) or purple to reddish (in senescent flowers), 6.6 – 7.1 mm long, glabrous, pedoconnective purple, 0.3 – 0.4 mm prolonged below the thecae, glabrous, ventral appendages bilobed, apex obtuse, c. 0.5 mm long, glabrous, thecae 6.4 – 6.7 × 1 mm, falcate, purple; ovary 5.5 – 6.1 × 4.9 – 5.2 mm, 5 - locular, apex densely sericeous, trichomes 0.5 – 1.3 mm long, unbranched, eglandular, appressed, the base linear, not immersed, not forked; style purple in the basal three-quarters and white in its apical portion (both during anthesis and in senescent flowers), 13.3 – 14.1 mm long, apex curved, glabrous, stigma truncate. Capsular fruits 6.3 – 8 × 6 – 8.1 mm, sepals early deciduous, epicarp undivided when mature, ecostate.	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D14FFBAFFD4FE45FD93FEB7.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat. Pleroma brevicomosum was collected around the higher peaks of the João Pinto Formation, east Minas Gerais, Southeast Brazil (Figure 3), in campos rupestres on sandy soil and quartzitic rock outcrops, as both terrestrial and rupicolous. The species was found at Serra do Padre Ângelo (municipality of Conselheiro Pena), in the Pico do Padre Ângelo, around 1480 – 1540 m, and at the Pico do Sossego, around 1275 m. It was also collected at the Pico da Aliança (municipality of Alvarenga), around 1400 m. The species was found syntopic with other endemic taxa of the region, such as Drosera magnifica Rivadavia & Gonella (Droseraceae; Gonella et al., 2015), Eremanthus ovatifolius Loeuille & Pirani (Asteraceae; Loeuille & Pirani, 2016), Lepidaploa campirupestris Antar & Loeuille (Asteraceae; Antar et al., 2021 b) and Paepalanthus oreodoxus Andrino & Gonella (Eriocaulaceae; Andrino & Gonella, 2021). At the three localities, the species is syntopic with Pleroma caetanoi, described below.	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D14FFBAFFD4FE45FD93FEB7.taxon	biology_ecology	Phenology. Collected with flowers and fruits in May and July.	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D14FFBAFFD4FE45FD93FEB7.taxon	conservation	Proposed IUCN conservation category. Critically Endangered: CR B 1 ab (iii). With estimates of EOO = 43.378 km 2 and AOO = 12 km 2, Pleroma brevicomosum is isolated at the higher areas of the João Pinto Formation, and has a severely fragmented distribution, which hinders pollen and seed dispersal among the areas. The three areas where the species was found are under active invasion by African grasses, most remarkably Melinis minutiflora P. Beauv. (Poaceae), which is found even in pristine areas that are not in direct contact with pastures, including the habitat of this species. The subpopulation at Pico do Padre Ângelo was directly affected by a catastrophic anthropogenic fire in early October 2020, which also affected other endemics (Andrino & Gonella, 2021; Antar et al., 2021 b; Kollmann & Gonella, 2021); post-fire resprout has not been monitored. At all sites, the populations of Pleroma brevicomosum are small and scattered, with fewer than 10 flowering individuals observed at each site during fieldwork. Based on the available data, the species is, therefore, preliminarily assessed as Critically Endangered according to IUCN criteria (IUCN, 2012).	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D14FFBAFFD4FE45FD93FEB7.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The specific epithet, brevicomosum, is related to the indument with short trichomes on the hypanthium and leaves of this species.	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D14FFBAFFD4FE45FD93FEB7.taxon	materials_examined	Additional specimens examined. BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: Alvarenga, Pico da Aliança, no topo do pico, 19 ° 23 ′ 44.91 ′′ S, 41 ° 40 ′ 13.52 ′′ W, 1400 m, 9 v 2021, P. M. Gonella et al. 2866 (MBML, UPCB); Conselheiro Pena, Serra do Padre Ângelo, Serra do Pinhão, subida para o Pico do Sossego, 19 ° 14 ′ 23.33 ′′ S, 41 ° 34 ′ 52.51 ′′ W, 1275 m, 2 v 2021, P. M. Gonella et al. 2524 (MBML).	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D14FFBAFFD4FE45FD93FEB7.taxon	discussion	Pleroma brevicomosum is morphologically closely related to P. divaricatum; both occur in the state of Minas Gerais and are erect shrubs with sessile or almost sessile leaves, thyrsoid inflorescences, and flowers with setulose hypanthia and purple petals. Pleroma brevicomosum differs from P. divaricatum by the characters described in the diagnosis, and also by its larger hypanthia, 5.4 – 5.8 × 5 – 5.3 mm (versus 2 – 2.3 × 2 – 2.4 mm in P. divaricatum). Pleroma brevicomosum also resembles some species of Pleroma formerly recognised in Tibouchina Aubl. sect. Diotanthera Triana (sensu Cogniaux, 1885, 1891), such as P. australe Triana, P. cordifolium (Cogn.) P. J. F. Guim. & Michelang. and P. mosenii (Cogn.) P. J. F. Guim. & Michelang., by its ovate leaves, thyrsoid inflorescences, setulose hypanthia, stamens with glabrous filaments and pedoconnectives, glabrous styles and ecostate fruits. Pleroma brevicomosum differs from P. australe by its terete branches (versus quadrangular in P. australe) and its smaller leaves, 2.2 – 4.3 × 1.9 – 2.9 cm (versus 9.1 – 10.8 × 4.6 – 7.5 cm), with crenulate margins (versus serrated), only 5 nerves (versus 7 – 9), and short petioles, 0.9 – 2 mm long (versus elongate, 4.9 – 13.1 mm long). It also differs from Pleroma australe by its smaller hypanthia, 5.4 – 5.8 × 5 – 5.3 mm (versus 7.5 – 8.6 × 5.3 – 5.5 mm); triangular, caducous (i. e. falling off immediately after anthesis) sepals, 4 – 4.3 mm long (versus oblong, 5.6 – 7.1 mm long sepals persisting on the hypanthium until the fruits are almost mature, then falling off when they are mature); and antesepalous stamens with a short pedoconnective, 0.6 – 0.9 mm (versus 4 – 4.3 mm long). Pleroma brevicomosum differs from P. cordifolium by its terete branches (versus quadrangular in P. cordifolium) and its smaller leaves, 2.2 – 4.3 × 1.9 – 2.9 cm (versus 9 – 11.3 × 7.4 – 9.7 cm), with crenulate margins (versus serrated), only 5 nerves (versus 9), and shorter petioles, 0.9 – 2 mm long (versus 12 – 19.8 mm long). It also differs from Pleroma cordifolium by its smaller hypanthia, 5.4 – 5.8 × 5 – 5.3 mm (versus 7.7 – 7.9 × 4.6 – 5.9 mm); antesepalous stamens with a short pedoconnective, 0.6 – 0.9 mm (versus 5.7 – 6.4 mm long); and ovary apex covered with eglandular trichomes (versus glandular). Pleroma brevicomosum differs from P. mosenii by its terete branches (versus quadrangular in P. mosenii) and its smaller leaves, 2.2 – 4.3 × 1.9 – 2.9 cm (versus 7.5 – 11.6 × 4.6 – 8.7 cm), with only 5 nerves (versus 9 – 11), and shorter petioles, 0.9 – 2 mm long (versus 10.8 – 35.3 mm long); antesepalous stamens with a short pedoconnective, 0.6 – 0.9 mm (versus 4 – 4.5 mm long); and smaller fruits, 6.3 – 8 × 6 – 8.1 mm (versus 7.3 – 9.5 × 5 – 5.9 mm), with caducous sepals (versus sepals persisting on the hypanthium until the fruits are almost mature, then falling off when they are mature). Pleroma brevicomosum is related to P. ackermannii (Cogn.) P. J. F. Guim. & Michelang. by its strigose branches; its leaves with a short petiole (1.6 – 2.4 mm long in P. ackermannii), with a brown (in dried specimens) and moderately strigose adaxial surface, and with 5 nerves; and also by its elliptic or ovate bracteoles, and its glabrous style. It differs from Pleroma ackermannii by its ovate leaves (versus elliptic), with a cordate base (versus obtuse), these being smaller, 2.2 – 4.3 × 1.9 – 2.9 cm (versus 3.8 – 5 × 1.8 – 2.7 cm); its bracteoles with the indument arranged along the entire abaxial surface (versus on only the central portion); its setulose hypanthia (versus sericeous); and its stamens with glabrous or sparsely setulose filaments (versus moderately villose).	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D1EFFBCFFD4FE90FC70FC62.taxon	description	Pleroma caetanoi differs from P. decemcostatum (Cogn.) P. J. F. Guim. & Michelang. by its shorter petioles, 1.2 – 3.6 mm long (versus 4.2 – 13.8 mm long in P. decemcostatum) and its concolorous leaves (versus discolorous), these being scabrose on the adaxial surface (versus sericeous) and pilose on the abaxial surface (versus villose).	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D1EFFBCFFD4FE90FC70FC62.taxon	materials_examined	– Type: Brazil, Minas Gerais, Conselheiro Pena, Serra do Padre Ângelo, Serra da Palha Branca, afloramento quartZítico atravessado por estrada que sai do mirante da Bela, 19 ° 20 ′ 13.4 ′′ S, 41 ° 33 ′ 27.6 ′′ W, 1030 m, 30 i 2021, P. M. Gonella, D. P. Cordeiro, G. A. da Silva, P. R. Bartholomay & J. C. Ribeiro 1920 (holotype UPCB, isotype MBML). Figures 4, 5, 6.	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D1EFFBCFFD4FE90FC70FC62.taxon	description	Erect shrubs 0.7 – 2 m tall, with sympodial growth, poorly (in younger plants) to moderately (in older plants) branched. Younger branches terete to quadrangular, not winged, moderately to densely setulose, trichomes 0.3 – 1.4 mm long, unbranched, eglandular, curved, the base slightly broadened, not immersed, not forked; older branches quadrangular, angulose, with indument similar to younger branches, but deciduous, and basally decorticant; nodes slender. Leaves opposite; chartaceous, with petioles very short, 1.2 – 3.6 mm long; blades 2 – 8.2 × 1.7 – 4.8 cm, chartaceous, concolorous, ovate to orbiculate, lacking domatia on the abaxial surface, base cordate, apex acute to obtuse, margins crenulate, 5 – 7 acrodromous nerves, the marginals tenuous, adaxial surface flat, dark green or brown in dry specimens, dark green in fresh material, moderately to densely scabrous, trichomes 0.7 – 2.7 mm long, unbranched, eglandular, curved, the base strongly broadened, not immersed, not forked, abaxial surface flat, light brown in dry specimens, light green to whitish green in fresh material, moderately setose to strigose on the primary and secondary veins, trichomes 0.4 – 2.6 mm long, unbranched, eglandular, appressed or curved, the base slightly broadened, not immersed, not forked, densely pilose on the surface, tertiary and quaternary veins, trichomes 0.2 – 0.7 mm long, unbranched, eglandular, erect, the base linear, not immersed, not forked. Thyrsoids 6.5 – 21 × 7 – 15 cm, terminal, c. 59 – 140 flowers, axis quadrangular, moderately setulose to setose, trichomes 0.3 – 1.4 mm long, unbranched, both eglandular and glandular, curved to erect, the base slightly broadened, not immersed, not forked, reddish; bracts late deciduous, leafy, petioles short, 1 – 2.4 mm long, blade 15.6 – 62.3 × 11.8 – 39.4 mm, ovate to orbiculate, indumentum the same as on the leaves; bracteoles early deciduous, 4.2 – 7.5 × 1.9 – 3.7 mm, ovate, apex acute, not covering the apex of the flower bud, margins entire, ciliate, adaxial surface glabrous, abaxial surface moderately setose or setulose, with indument uniformly arranged along the entire abaxial surface, trichomes 0.3 – 2.1 mm long, unbranched, both eglandular and glandular, curved, the base linear or slightly broadened, not immersed, not forked. Flowers 5 - merous, pedicels 0.7 – 1.4 mm long; hypanthium 3.2 – 4.3 × 2.7 – 3.7 mm, obovate, not costate, moderately to densely sericeous, trichomes 0.7 – 2.1 mm long, unbranched, both eglandular and glandular, appressed, the base linear to slightly broadened, not immersed, not forked; sepals late deciduous, 3.7 – 4.2 × 2 – 2.5 mm, triangular, margins ciliate, apex acute, adaxial surface glabrous, abaxial surface with the same trichomes as the hypanthium, distributed over the entire surface; petals purple with a white base (during anthesis) or purple with a red base (in senescent flowers), 17 – 21.2 × 17.5 – 19.6 mm, obovate, apex obtuse or truncate, ciliate; stamens 10, strongly dimorphic, antesepalous with the filaments white or rosy on its apex (during anthesis) to reddish (in senescent flowers), 4.8 – 5.8 mm long, moderately setulose on the basal two-thirds, trichomes 0.2 – 0.5 mm long, unbranched, glandular, curved, the base linear, not immersed, not forked, pedoconnective white, 0.9 – 1 mm prolonged below the thecae, moderately setulose, seldom glabrous, trichomes 0.1 – 0.3 mm long, unbranched, glandular, erect, the base linear, not immersed, not forked, ventral appendages bilobed, apex obtuse, c. 0.1 mm long, glabrous or moderately setulose, trichomes c. 0.1 mm long, unbranched, glandular, erect, the base linear, not immersed, not forked, thecae 4.9 – 5.4 × 0.3 – 0.4 mm, falcate, purple, antepetalous with the filaments white (during anthesis) or rosy to reddish (in senescent flowers), 3.8 – 4.1 mm long, moderately setulose on its basal portion, trichomes 0.2 – 0.5 mm long, unbranched, glandular, curved, the base linear, not immersed, not forked, pedoconnective white, 0.3 – 0.5 mm prolonged below the thecae, glabrous, ventral appendages bilobed, apex obtuse, c. 0.2 mm long, glabrous, thecae 4.6 – 4.9 × 0.7 – 0.9 mm, falcate, white; ovary 4.8 – 5.1 × 3.6 – 3.8 mm, 5 - locular, apex densely sericeous, trichomes 0.5 – 1.3 mm long, unbranched, eglandular, appressed, the base linear, not immersed, not forked; style white (during anthesis and in senescent flowers), 5.4 – 6 mm long, apex curved, sparsely to moderately pilose on the basal two-thirds, trichomes 0.3 – 1 mm long, unbranched, eglandular, curved, the base linear, not immersed, not forked, stigma truncate. Capsular fruits 5.9 – 8.3 × 4.3 – 5.1 mm, sepals late deciduous, epicarp undivided when mature, costate.	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D1EFFBCFFD4FE90FC70FC62.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat. Pleroma caetanoi is endemic to the campos rupestres of the João Pinto Formation, being recorded from several fragments in this region (see Figure 3). It has been found in the Serra do Padre Ângelo, including Pico do Padre Ângelo, Serra do Pinhão and Serra da Palha Branca; Pico da Aliança; Serra da Onça, within Sete Salões State Park; and also at smaller fragments in the south of the municipality of Conselheiro Pena. The species grows on sandy soils on quartzitic outcrops, both as terrestrial and rupicolous, at elevations from 750 m to 1550 m.	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D1EFFBCFFD4FE90FC70FC62.taxon	biology_ecology	Phenology. The species was collected or recorded with flowers and fruits year-round, except in March.	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D1EFFBCFFD4FE90FC70FC62.taxon	conservation	Proposed IUCN conservation category. Endangered: EN B 1 ab (iii) + B 2 ab (iii). Both the estimates for EOO = 310.907 km 2 and AOO = 48 km 2 meet the criteria for Endangered, which is also supported by the fragmented distribution. Despite being the most widespread of the species here described, Pleroma caetanoi was observed under the greater variety of threats, including invasive species (Melinis minutiflora; Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn, Dennstaedtiaceae; Urochloa sp., Poaceae), anthropic fires, human interference (motocross, trampling), clearance for smallholder grazing and silviculture, and presence of cattle in the habitat. The species was collected in a protected area, the Sete Salões State Park (Brotto & VÖltz 4410). Given the restricted occurrence and the threats listed, the species is assessed as Endangered based on the criteria of the IUCN (IUCN, 2012).	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D1EFFBCFFD4FE90FC70FC62.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name of this species honours Ednilson Caetano, who resides at the Serra do Padre Ângelo, where the species was first discovered. Ednilson and his family have kindly received in their home and guided in the Serra many botanists over the past decade, sharing their invaluable knowledge about the region and its plants, and participating in the discovery of many novelties from the area (see acknowledgements in Gonella et al., 2015; Mello-Silva, 2018; Kollmann, 2020; Andrino & Gonella, 2021; Antar et al., 2021 a, 2021 b; Kollmann & Gonella, 2021).	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D1EFFBCFFD4FE90FC70FC62.taxon	materials_examined	Additional specimens examined. BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: Alvarenga, Pico da Aliança, no topo do pico, 19 ° 23 ′ 43.87 ′′ S, 41 ° 40 ′ 8.54 ′′ W, 1435 m, 9 v 2021, P. M. Gonella et al. 2895 (MBML, UPCB); Conselheiro Pena, Pico do Padre Ângelo, subida ao pico, 19 ° 18 ′ 40.5 ′′ S, 41 ° 34 ′ 31.5 ′′ W, 1200 m, 16 xii 2016, J. C. Lopes et al. 449 (SPF 00227284 – image!); Serra do Padre Ângelo, Pico do Padre Ângelo, no platô do topo do Pico, 19 ° 19 ′ 14.2 ′′ S, 41 ° 34 ′ 43.7 ′′ W, 1530 m, 11 vi 2017, P. M. Gonella et al. 796 (SPF); Chapada do João Pinto, mirante da Bela Adormecida, 19 ° 20 ′ 5 ′′ S, 41 ° 33 ′ 50.3 ′′ W, 18 iv 2018, L. J. C. Kollmann & R. Cipriano 13495 (MBML 52967); Serra do Padre Ângelo, Córrego da Regina, aos pés da Serra do Pinhão, 19 ° 16 ′ 30.1 ′′ S, 41 ° 33 ′ 29.7 ′′ W, 755 m, 3 xii 2018, P. M. Gonella et al. 953 (MBML); Serra do Padre Ângelo, Pico do Padre Ângelo, trilha para o topo, 19 ° 18 ′ 25.4 ′′ S 41 ° 34 ′ 41.7 ′′ W, 1000 m, 4 xii 2018, P. M. Gonella et al. 970 (MBML); Serra do Padre Ângelo, Pico do Padre Ângelo, no platô do topo do Pico, 19 ° 19 ′ 6.9 ′′ S, 41 ° 34 ′ 43.8 ′′ W, 1400 – 1500 m, 4 xii 2018, P. M. Gonella et al. 1081 (MBML); Serra do Padre Ângelo, Pico do Padre Ângelo, no primeiro platô, com presença de velóZias gigantes, 19 ° 18 ′ 41.24 ′′ S, 41 ° 34 ′ 30.83 ′′ W, 1220 m, 8 vi 2020, P. M. Gonella et al. 1206 (MBML, UPCB); Serra do Padre Ângelo, Serra da Palha Branca, acessível a partir do Mirante da Bela Adormecida, 19 ° 20 ′ 19.51 ′′ S, 41 ° 33 ′ 26.26 ′′ W, 1080 m, 9 vi 2020, P. M. Gonella et al. 1288 (MBML, UPCB); Serra do Padre Ângelo, Boa Vista, crista sul do Pico do Padre Ângelo, 19 ° 19 ′ 55.42 ′′ S, 41 ° 34 ′ 24.82 ′′ W, 950 m, 9 vi 2020, P. M. Gonella et al. 1346 (MBML, UPCB); Serra do Padre Ângelo, Serra da Palha Branca, Pedra da Antena, aflormanto rochoso com antena no topo, 19 ° 20 ′ 41.2 ′′ S, 41 ° 32 ′ 48.3 ′′ W, 1200 m, 19 viii 2020, P. M. Gonella et al. 1497 (MBML); afloramento quartZítico próximo a Vista Alegre (distrito de Alvarenga), 19 ° 23 ′ 49.6 ′′ S, 41 ° 33 ′ 26.4 ′′ W, 920 m, 4 x 2020, P. M. Gonella et al. 1799 (MBML, UPCB); Serra do Padre Ângelo, Pico do Padre Ângelo, primeiro platô, 19 ° 18 ′ 45.84 ′′ S, 41 ° 34 ′ 38.13 ′′ W, 1260 m, 14 xi 2020, P. M. Gonella et al. 1719 (MBML); Serra do Padre Ângelo, Pico do Padre Ângelo, platô do topo do pico, afloramento da face sul, 19 ° 19 ′ 12.78 ′′ S, 41 ° 34 ′ 42.02 ′′ W, 1515 m, 30 xi 2020, P. M. Gonella & D. P. Cordeiro 1832 (MBML); Serra do Padre Ângelo, Serra do Pinhão, acima da cachoeira do Diabo, 19 ° 16 ′ 22.5 ′′ S, 41 ° 34 ′ 42.27 ′′ W, 990 m, 31 i 2021, P. M. Gonella et al. 1991 (MBML, UPCB); afloramento quartZítico próximo a Vista Alegre (distrito de Alvarenga), 19 ° 23 ′ 43.98 ′′ S, 41 ° 33 ′ 33.64 ′′ W, 920 m, 1 ii 2021, P. M. Gonella et al. 2023 (MBML, UPCB); Serra do Padre Ângelo, Serra do Pinhão, subida para o Pico do Sossego, 19 ° 13 ′ 42.77 ′′ S, 41 ° 34 ′ 22.33 ′′ W, 1070 m, 1 v 2021, P. M. Gonella et al. 2402 (MBML, UPCB); Parque Estadual de Sete Salões, 19 ° 16 ′ 50 ′′ S, 41 ° 22 ′ 22 ′′ W, 833 m, 7 viii 2021, M. L Brotto & R. R. VÖltz 4410 (MBM).	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D1EFFBCFFD4FE90FC70FC62.taxon	discussion	Pleroma caetanoi is related to the species classically assigned to Tibouchina sect. Pleroma (D. Don) Cogn. (sensu Cogniaux, 1885, 1891), especially to the group of species with the appendages and pedoconnectives of the antesepalous stamens covered by glandular trichomes, and recognised by Meyer et al. (2016, 2018) as the “ Pleroma heteromallum (D. Don) D. Don complex ”. Within this group, Pleroma caetanoi is more closely related to species that have branches that lack wings, leaves that are sessile or with short petioles and have a cordate base, a hypanthium that is covered with glandular trichomes, and a style that is pilose in its lower portion (according to the identification key by Cogniaux, 1885, 1891). Because of the costate fruits, we believe that Pleroma caetanoi is closer to P. decemcostatum, which also occurs in the state of Minas Gerais. Both species are erect shrubs with ovate leaves, thyrsoid inflorescences with the axis covered with glandular and eglandular trichomes, ovate bracteoles, and the petals purple with a white base. They also have stamens with setulose filaments, the antesepalous ones with the pedoconnectives and appendages covered with glandular trichomes (rarely glabrous in Pleroma caetanoi), and pilose style. Pleroma caetanoi differs from P. decemcostatum by the characters described in the diagnosis, and by the leaves that are pilose on the abaxial surface (versus villose in P. decemcostatum). Pleroma caetanoi also resembles P. costatocalyx F. S. Mey., L. Kollmann & R. Goldenb. (Meyer et al., 2016) by its ovate leaves, thyrsoid inflorescences, ovate bracteoles, petals purple with a white base, stamens with setulose filaments, the antesepalous ones with pedoconnectives and appendages covered with glandular trichomes, pilose style, and costate fruits. Pleroma caetanoi differs from P. costatocalyx by its shorter petioles, 1.2 – 3.6 mm long (versus 3.6 – 11.8 mm long in P. costatocalyx), and by its leaves scabrous on the abaxial surface (versus sericeous), with trichomes not forked at the base (versus trichomes several-forked at the base). Pleroma caetanoi is related to P. petrophylax F. S. Mey. & R. Goldenb. This relationship is discussed in the diagnosis and notes for Pleroma petrophylax, given below. Most of the studied specimens of Pleroma caetanoi presented flowers with purple petals, but the petals may be white in few specimens (P. M. Gonella et al. 970; see Figure 6). This same variation in petal colour can also be found in other species of the genus, such as Pleroma echinatum Gardner [which includes the synonyms Tibouchina gardneriana (Triana) Cogn., with pink or purple petals, and Tibouchina alba Cogn., with white petals; according to Guimarães et al., 2019] and P. boraceiense (Brade) P. J. F. Guim. & Justino, with purple petals in the state of São Paulo, and white petals in Minas Gerais (Justino et al., 2018). A photograph of Pleroma caetanoi was published by Mello-Silva (2018) while the species had yet to be described. The beautiful image of the Serra do Padre Ângelo in figure 1 includes in the foreground some flowering individuals of Pleroma caetanoi.	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D18FFA0FFD4FC4AFC2BF9AB.taxon	description	Pleroma miconiifolium differs from P. leopoldinense L. Kollmann & R. Goldenb. by its leaves with shorter petioles, 4.6 – 9.1 mm long (versus 15 – 45 mm long in P. leopoldinense), pustulate on the adaxial surface (versus pustulate-strigose on the adaxial surface); and stamens in both cycles with the appendages covered with sparse glandular trichomes (versus appendages glabrous in both cycles).	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D18FFA0FFD4FC4AFC2BF9AB.taxon	materials_examined	– Type: Brazil, Minas Gerais, Santa Rita do Itueto, A. P. A. Municipal Pedra do Paredão, Pedra de Santa Rita, na encosta do topo da pedra, 19 ° 22 ′ 22.72 ′′ S, 41 ° 21 ′ 28.70 ′′ W, 1060 m, 6 v 2021, P. M. Gonella, D. P. Cordeiro, G. A. da Silva, P. R. Bartholomay & L. Medeiros 2722 (holotype UPCB, isotype MBML). Figures 7, 8.	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D18FFA0FFD4FC4AFC2BF9AB.taxon	description	Erect shrubs 1 – 1.5 m tall, with sympodial growth, moderately branched. Younger branches terete, not winged, glabrous; older branches terete to quadrangular, not winged, glabrous, and basally decorticant; nodes slender. Leaves opposite; chartaceous, with distinct petioles, 4.6 – 9.1 mm long; blades 5.2 – 8.5 × 1.5 – 3.5 cm, chartaceous, slightly discolorous, elliptic, base obtuse, apex acute, margins smooth or slightly crenulated, 5 acrodromous nerves, the midrib and the first lateral pair slightly suprabasal, basally joined on the abaxial surface by a minute membrane and resulting in a pair of pocket domatia, adaxial surface flat, dark green in dry specimens and in fresh material, sparsely pustulate, the minute trichome-like projections less than 0.1 mm long, unbranched, erect, the base linear, not immersed, not forked, and nested within a tuft of minute, glandular, sessile projections, abaxial surface flat, yellowish green or light brown in dry specimens, light green in fresh material, sparsely strigose on the primary veins, trichomes 0.3 – 1.3 mm long, unbranched, eglandular, appressed, the base linear, not immersed, not forked, sparsely strigose on the surface, tertiary and quaternary veins, the minute trichome-like projections 0.1 – 0.3 mm long, unbranched, eglandular, appressed, the base linear, not immersed, not forked, and nested within a tuft of minute, glandular, sessile projections. Thyrsoids 5 – 12.5 × 5 – 8.5 cm, terminal, c. 29 – 51 flowers, axis terete, glabrous, yellowish green to burgundy green; bracts late deciduous, leafy, with conspicuous petioles, 2.4 – 9.5 mm long, blade 39.1 – 81.3 × 10.8 – 28.8 mm, elliptic, indumentum the same as on the leaves; bracteoles early deciduous, 3.4 – 8.9 × 1.9 – 4.2 mm, ovate, apex acute or obtuse, not covering the apex of the flower bud, margins entire, ciliate, both surfaces glabrous. Flowers 5 - merous, pedicels 1.1 – 2.2 mm long; hypanthium 4.4 – 6 × 4.3 – 5 mm, obovate, not costate, sparsely pustulate, trichomes less than 0.1 mm long, unbranched, glandular, erect, the base linear, not immersed, not forked; sepals late deciduous, 3 – 4.1 × 2.2 – 3 mm, triangular, margins ciliate, apex acute, both surfaces glabrous; petals purple with a white base (during anthesis) or purple with a red base (in senescent flowers), 17 – 18.8 × 9.9 – 10.9 mm, obovate, apex obtuse or truncate, ciliate; stamens 10, slightly dimorphic, antesepalous with the filaments white on its lower half, and purple on its upper half (during anthesis) to totally purple or reddish (in senescent flowers), 7.6 – 8.4 mm long, glabrous, pedoconnective purple, 0.9 – 1.3 mm prolonged below the thecae, glabrous, ventral appendages bilobed, apex acute or cuspidate, c. 0.4 mm long, sparsely setulose, trichomes c. 0.3 mm long, unbranched, glandular, erect, the base linear, not immersed, not forked, thecae 8 – 8.2 × 0.9 – 1.1 mm, falcate, purple, antepetalous with the filaments white on its lower half, and purple on its upper half (during anthesis) to totally purple or reddish (in senescent flowers), 7 – 7.3 mm long, glabrous or sparsely setulose on its upper half, trichomes c. 0.2 mm long, unbranched, glandular, curved to erect, the base linear, not immersed, not forked, pedoconnective purple, 0.5 – 0.8 mm prolonged below the thecae, glabrous, ventral appendages bilobed, apex acute or cuspidate, c. 0.3 mm long, sparsely setulose, trichomes c. 0.3 mm long, unbranched, glandular, erect, the base linear, not immersed, not forked, thecae 7.6 – 7.8 × 0.7 – 0.8 mm, falcate, purple; ovary 4.5 – 4.9 × 3.2 – 3.7 mm, 5 - locular, apex sparsely setulose, trichomes 0.1 – 0.4 mm long, unbranched, eglandular, erect to curved, the base linear, not immersed, not forked; style purple, white only in the upper apical portion (during anthesis) and totally purple or reddish (in senescent flowers), 15.3 – 17 mm long, apex curved, glabrous, stigma truncate. Capsular fruits 7.7 – 9.1 × 5.6 – 6.7 mm, sepals early deciduous, epicarp undivided when mature, ecostate.	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D18FFA0FFD4FC4AFC2BF9AB.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat. Pleroma miconiifolium was collected at the Environmental Protection Area Pedra do Paredão, a granitic inselberg with rupicolous vegetation surrounded by dense forests in the municipality of Santa Rita do Itueto (see Figure 3). Individuals matching the morphology of the new species were also photographed at another inselberg named Palestina (Lucian Medeiros, Santa Rita do Itueto [Minas Gerais], personal communication), in the municipality of Pocrane (around 19 ° 29 ′ 44.73 ′′ S, 41 ° 38 ′ 6.18 ′′ W; a distance of 32 km to the west); because these individuals were not collected, we did not include them in the distribution map or conservation assessment. At both sites, the species was found in small populations with scattered individuals. Pleroma miconiifolium is rupicolous, growing on shallow pockets of soil over exposed rock at elevations around 1000 m. At the type locality, the species is syntopic with another endemic and recently described species, the bromeliad Orthophytum santaritense Leme, S. Heller & Zizka (Bromeliaceae; Leme et al., 2017).	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D18FFA0FFD4FC4AFC2BF9AB.taxon	biology_ecology	Phenology. Collected and photographed with flowers in April and May. Proposed IUCN conservation category. Critically Endangered: CR B 2 ab (iii). Although this species has been collected only once, we avoided considering it Data Deficient (DD), because one of the authors (P. M. G.) had collected the single specimen at Pedra do Paredão. The author’s in loco assessment found the species to be under severe threat by the same factors listed for the Pleroma brevicomosum and P. caetanoi, that is, several anthropic activities (fires, motocross, trampling) and co-occurrence with invasive species, all of which occur in a landscape that is already greatly fragmented.	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D18FFA0FFD4FC4AFC2BF9AB.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The specific epithet, miconiifolium, refers to the similarity of the leaves of this species to those of the genus Miconia Ruiz & Pav. (Melastomataceae), which often have pocket domatia on their abaxial surface (see Bacci et al., 2016).	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D18FFA0FFD4FC4AFC2BF9AB.taxon	discussion	Pleroma miconiifolium is morphologically closely related to P. leopoldinense; both have leaves with 5 nerves, and with domatia on the abaxial surface at the junction between the main nerves; additionally, the flowers in both have glabrous hypanthia, filaments and styles, and the petals are purple with a white base. Pleroma miconiifolium differs from P. leopoldinense by the characters described in the diagnosis, and also by its elliptic leaves (versus ovate to ovate-lanceolate leaves in P. leopoldinense); weakly dimorphic stamens, the antesepalous with shorter thecae, 8 – 8.2 mm long (versus strongly dimorphic stamens, the antesepalous with thecae 11.5 – 12 mm long); and shorter style, 15.3 – 17 mm long (versus 20 – 22 mm long). Pleroma miconiifolium is also related to P. vimineum (D. Don) D. Don, both having elliptic, 5 - nerved leaves, weakly dimorphic stamens with glabrous pedoconnectives, and glabrous style. Pleroma miconiifolium differs from P. vimineum by its leaves sparsely pustulate on the adaxial surface (versus moderately strigose in P. vimineum), with a pair of domatia on the abaxial surface (versus lacking domatia), sparsely pustulate hypanthia (versus moderately strigose), and glabrous filaments (versus basally moderately setulose).	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D04FFA5FFD4F983FF58F97B.taxon	description	Pleroma petrophylax differs from P. caetanoi F. S. Mey. & R. Goldenb. by its leaves with longer petioles, 6.8 – 12.6 mm long (versus petioles 1.2 – 3.6 mm long in P. caetanoi), and blade with branched trichomes on the adaxial surface (versus blade with unbranched trichomes on the adaxial surface).	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D04FFA5FFD4F983FF58F97B.taxon	materials_examined	– Type: Brazil, Minas Gerais, Conselheiro Pena, afloramento quartZítico próximo a Vista Alegre (distrito de Alvarenga), 19 ° 23 ′ 42.30 ′′ S, 41 ° 33 ′ 26.7 ′′ W, 980 m, 1 ii 2021, P. M. Gonella, D. P. Cordeiro, G. A. da Silva & P. R. Bartholomay 2083 (holotype UPCB, isotype MBML). Figures 9, 10.	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D04FFA5FFD4F983FF58F97B.taxon	description	Erect shrubs 1.2 – 1.5 m tall, with sympodial growth, moderately branched. Younger branches quadrangular, angulose, moderately to densely setulose, trichomes 0.3 – 1.6 mm long, unbranched or branched, exclusively eglandular or both glandular and eglandular, curved, the base slightly broadened, not immersed, not forked; older branches quadrangular, angulose, with indument similar to younger branches but deciduous, and basally decorticant; nodes slender. Leaves opposite; chartaceous, with distinct petioles, 6.8 – 12.6 mm long; blades 3.8 – 6.3 × 2.6 – 3.8 cm, chartaceous, discolorous, ovate, lacking domatia on the abaxial surface, base cordate, apex acute, margins crenulate, 7 acrodromous nerves, the marginals tenuous, adaxial surface flat, dark green in dry specimens and fresh material, moderately to densely scabrous, trichomes 1 – 3 mm long, branched, eglandular, curved, the base strongly broadened, not immersed, not forked, abaxial surface flat, light brown in dry specimens and in fresh material, moderately setose on the primary and secondary veins, trichomes 1 – 2.5 mm long, unbranched or branched, eglandular, curved, the base slightly broadened, not immersed, not forked, densely pilose or densely setulose on the surface, tertiary and quaternary veins, trichomes 0.7 – 3 mm long, unbranched or branched, eglandular, curved, the base slightly broadened, not immersed, not forked. Thyrsoids 5 – 10 × 5 – 9 cm, terminal, c. 55 – 120 flowers, axis quadrangular, sparsely to moderately setulose or hirsute, trichomes 0.4 – 2.2 mm long, unbranched or branched, eglandular or eglandular and glandular mixed, curved to erect, the base linear to slightly broadened, not immersed, not forked, purple to reddish; bracts late deciduous, leafy, with conspicuous petioles, 4.9 – 6.8 mm long, blade 27.5 – 32.3 × 17.1 – 23.8 mm, ovate, indumentum the same as on the leaves; bracteoles early deciduous, 3.7 – 5 × 1.7 – 3.1 mm, ovate, apex acute, not covering the apex of the flower bud, margins entire, ciliate, adaxial surface glabrous, abaxial surface sparsely to moderately setose or setulose, with the indument uniformly arranged along the entire abaxial surface, trichomes 0.2 – 1.2 mm long, unbranched, both eglandular and glandular, curved, the base linear or slightly broadened, not immersed, not forked. Flowers 5 - merous, pedicels 1.5 – 2.7 mm long; hypanthium 3.7 – 4.9 × 2.2 – 3.7 mm, obovate, not costate, moderately setose, trichomes 0.5 – 2.2 mm long, unbranched, eglandular or both eglandular and glandular, curved, the base linear to slightly broadened, not immersed, not forked; sepals late deciduous, 2 – 2.5 × 1.6 – 2.3 mm, triangular, margins ciliate, apex acute, adaxial surface glabrous, abaxial surface with the same trichomes as the hypanthium, but restricted to its central portion; petals purple with a white base (during anthesis) or purple with a red base (in senescent flowers), 18.2 – 26.1 × 16.8 – 21.8 mm, obovate, apex obtuse or truncate, ciliate; stamens 10, strongly dimorphic, antesepalous with the filaments white (during anthesis) to reddish (in senescent flowers), 5.1 – 5.7 mm long, sparsely setulose on the basal two-thirds, trichomes 0.1 – 0.3 mm long, unbranched, glandular, curved to erect, the base linear, not immersed, not forked, pedoconnective purple, 0.7 – 1.1 mm prolonged below the thecae, moderately to densely setulose, trichomes 0.1 – 0.3 mm long, unbranched, glandular, erect, the base linear, not immersed, not forked, ventral appendages bilobed, apex obtuse, c. 0.1 mm long, glabrous or moderately setulose, trichomes c. 0.1 mm long, unbranched, glandular, erect, the base linear, not immersed, not forked, thecae 5.1 – 6.2 × 0.4 – 0.5 mm, falcate, purple, antepetalous with the filaments white (during anthesis) or rosy to reddish (in senescent flowers), 3.7 – 4.5 mm long, sparsely to moderately setulose on the basal two-thirds, trichomes 0.1 – 0.3 mm long, unbranched, glandular, curved to erect, the base linear, not immersed, not forked, pedoconnective white, 0.5 – 0.8 mm prolonged below the thecae, glabrous, ventral appendages bilobed, apex obtuse, c. 0.2 mm long, glabrous, thecae 3.9 – 4.7 × 0.7 – 0.9 mm, falcate, white; ovary 3.4 – 4.5 × 2.4 – 3.2 mm, 5 - locular, apex densely sericeous, trichomes 0.2 – 1 mm long, unbranched, eglandular, appressed, the base linear, not immersed, not forked; style white (during anthesis) or purple (in senescent flowers), 5.6 – 6.3 mm long, apex curved, moderately pilose to setulose on the basal two-thirds, trichomes 0.2 – 0.4 mm long, unbranched, eglandular, curved, the base linear, not immersed, not forked, stigma truncate. Capsular fruits 8 – 8.5 × 5.3 – 6.4 mm, sepals late deciduous, epicarp undivided when mature, costate.	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D04FFA5FFD4F983FF58F97B.taxon	biology_ecology	Phenology. Collected with flowers and fruits in February and May.	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D04FFA5FFD4F983FF58F97B.taxon	conservation	Proposed IUCN conservation category. Critically Endangered: CR B 2 ab (iii). Pleroma petrophylax has an AOO of 8 km 2, a severely fragmented distribution, and small subpopulations, and is under the same threats listed above for P. brevicomosum and P. caetanoi. Although the species was recorded at the Environmental Protection Area at Santa Rita do Itueto (category V of Dudley, 2008), the area where it was found hosted invasive grasses and is close to areas grazed by cattle. The species is, therefore, assessed as Critically Endangered, based on IUCN criteria (IUCN, 2012).	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D04FFA5FFD4F983FF58F97B.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The specific epithet derives from the Greek pétra for ‘ rock’, and phylax, phylakos for ‘ guardian’, ‘ protector’. It refers to the singular habitat of this new species, the rocky outcrops of the Atlantic Rain Forest, where it remained even after the intense destruction of the vegetation at this biodiversity hotspot.	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D04FFA5FFD4F983FF58F97B.taxon	materials_examined	Additional specimen examined. BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: Santa Rita de Itueto, A. P. A. Municipal Pedra do Paredão, Pedra de Santa Rita, início da trilha para o topo da pedra, 19 ° 22 ′ 35.9 ′′ S, 41 ° 22 ′ 51.5 ′′ W, 705 m, 6 v 2021, P. M. Gonella et al. 2681 (MBML, UPCB).	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D04FFA5FFD4F983FF58F97B.taxon	discussion	Pleroma petrophylax is morphologically related to the species classically assigned to Tibouchina sect. Pleroma (D. Don) Cogn. (sensu Cogniaux, 1885, 1891), especially to the group of species with the antesepalous stamens with appendages and pedoconnectives covered with glandular trichomes [the P. heteromallum (D. Don) D. Don complex; see Meyer et al., 2016, 2018]. Within this group, Pleroma petrophylax is closer to the species with branches lacking wings, and also with leaves sessile or with short petioles, with a cordate base, the hypanthium covered with glandular trichomes, and the style pilose on its lower portion. Because of the scabrose adaxial surface of the leaves, the costate fruits, and the distribution in the same campos rupestres along the lower Rio Doce, we believe that the closest morphological relative of Pleroma petrophylax must be P. caetanoi. Both species are erect shrubs with ovate leaves, thyrsoid inflorescences with the axis covered with glandular and eglandular trichomes, ovate bracteoles, petals purple with a white base, and stamens with setulose filaments. Pleroma petrophylax differs from P. caetanoi by the characters described in the diagnosis, and also by its moderately setose hypanthium (versus moderately to densely sericeous in P. caetanoi). Pleroma petrophylax also resembles P. decemcostatum by its ovate leaves, thyrsoid inflorescences, ovate bracteoles, petals purple with a white base, stamens with setulose filaments, the antesepalous with pedoconnectives and appendages covered with glandular trichomes, pilose style, and costate fruits. Pleroma petrophylax differs from P. decemcostatum by its leaves scabrous on the abaxial surface (versus sericeous in P. decemcostatum), with branched trichomes (versus unbranched trichomes).	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
3706C9276D04FFA5FFD4F983FF58F97B.taxon	description	Pleroma petrophylax is also related to P. costatocalyx by its ovate leaves, thyrsoid inflorescences, ovate bracteoles, petals purple with a white base, stamens with setulose filaments, the antesepalous with pedoconnectives and appendages covered with glandular trichomes, pilose style, and costate fruits. Pleroma petrophylax differs from P. costatocalyx by its leaves scabrous on the abaxial surface (versus sericeous in P. costatocalyx), with branched trichomes, not forked at the base (versus unbranched trichomes, several-forked at the base).	en	Goldenberg, R., Gonella, P. M., Meyer, F. S. (2022): Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (624): 1-30, DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.624, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2022.624
