Heteroblemma (Blume) Cámara-Leret, Ridd.-Num. & Veldk. 2013

Cámara-Leret, R., Ridder-Numan, J. W. A. & Veldkamp, J. F., 2013, Revision of Heteroblemma gen. nov. (Dissochaeteae - Melastomataceae) from Malesia and Vietnam, Blumea 58 (3), pp. 229-240 : 230

Heteroblemma (Blume) Cámara-Leret, Ridd.-Num. & Veldk. , stat. nov.

Medinilla Gaudich. sect. Heteroblemma Blume, Mus. Bot. 1 (1849) 19. — Type: Medinilla alternifolia Blume [≡ Heteroblemma alternifolium (Blume) Cámara-Leret, Ridd.-Num. & Veldk. ].

Woody, branching monopodially, climbing with numerous adventitious roots. Hairs never coroniform. Branches terete, sometimes grooved, often pubescent when young; the older ones, in transverse section, with a lobed stele and a round marrow channel. Leaves long-petiolate, apparently alternate, rarely some opposite, blades 3– 9-plinerved, with or without a marginal vein, secondary venation scalariform (rarely absent), more or less elevated on the lower surface. Flowers in opposite, cymose bundles, 1–many together depending on the age of the stem, ramiflorous to cauliflorous on tubercles, 4-merous. Hypanthium broadly to narrowly campanulate, calyx inconspicuous or conspicuous, sepals sometimes represented by short teeth. Petals broadly falciform to triangular, somewhat fleshy. Stamens 8, equal in shape and size; plectrum triangular, rarely rectangular, somewhat wrinkled, auriculate, shortly stalked to sessile, passing into the ventral ridge along the middle of the anther. Ovary 4-locular, obconical, extra-ovarian chambers 8, reaching nearly to the base of the hypanthium. Fruits glabrous to hirsute, often filled with a jelly-like substance, calyx remnants persistent or absent in fruit.

Distribution — 14 species in Malesia (Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra s.l., Borneo, Celebes, New Guinea) and Vietnam.