Medinilla maidenii F.Muell., Bot. Centralbl.

Abstract, Kartonegoro A. & Medinilla, Malesian, 2022, Annotated checklist of the Medinilla (Melastomataceae) of Malesia, Rheedea 32 (4), pp. 221-279 : 240

116. Medinilla maidenii F.Muell., Bot. Centralbl. 26: 20. 1886. Type: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, New Guinea , [Western province], Fly River, Strickland River, W. Bäuerlen 169 (holo MEL [ MEL2468046 ]) .

Medinilla coccinea Baker f., Trans. Linn. Soc. London, Bot. 9(1): 56. 1916, syn. nov. Type:

INDONESIA, New Guinea, [Papua province], Utakwa River to Mt. Cartensz., Canoe Camp , 150 ft., November 1912, C. B . Kloss s.n. (holo BM [ BM000543862 ]) .

Medinilla rubrifolia Mansf., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 60: 122. 1925, syn. nov. Type: INDONESIA, New Guinea, [Papua province], Lorentz River , 16.05.1909, G.M. Versteeg 1109 (lecto BO [BO-1769485], designated here; isolecto BO [BO-1769486]).

Medinilla nidularis Markgr., J. Arnold Arbor. 21: 198. 1940, syn. nov. Type: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, New Guinea , [Western province], Palmer River, 2 miles below junction Black River, 100 m, July 1936, L.J. Brass 7057 (holo A [ A00064177 ]) .

Distribution: Maluku, New Guinea ( Cogniaux, 1891; Baker, 1916; Bakhuizen van den Brink, 1943).

Notes: Clausing (2000) suggested that M. maidenii is conspecific with M. versteegii Mansf. However , M. maidenii is known to have sessile leaves, while M. vesteegii has petiolate leaves and therefore both are considered different species here. M. coccinea , M. rubrifolia and M. nidularis are synonymized since those three species have morphological similarity with M. maidenii . A charming cultivated Medinilla “Gregori Hambali”, common in many nurseries, was confirmed as M. maidenii (pers. comm.)