Miconia asplundii

Definition
Miconia asplundii is a species of flowering plant belonging to the family Melastomataceae. It is classified within the genus Miconia, which comprises a large number of neotropical shrub and tree species.

Overview

• Taxonomy:

  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Clade: Angiosperms
  • Clade: Eudicots
  • Order: Myrtales
  • Family: Melastomataceae
  • Genus: Miconia
  • Species: Miconia asplundii

• Distribution and Habitat: Reported occurrences of M. asplundii are limited to the Andean region of Ecuador, where it inhabits subtropical and tropical moist montane forests. The species is typically found at mid‑elevation ranges (approximately 1,500–2,500 m above sea level).

• Conservation Status: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has evaluated M. asplundii as Vulnerable due to its restricted distribution and ongoing habitat loss from agricultural expansion and deforestation. However, the precise status may vary with new assessments.

Etymology/Origin
The specific epithet asplundii is a patronym honoring a botanist or plant collector with the surname Asplund. This naming convention is common in botanical nomenclature, though the exact individual commemorated by the epithet is not definitively recorded in readily accessible sources.

Characteristics
While detailed morphological descriptions for M. asplundii are scarce in widely distributed literature, general traits of Miconia species allow an approximate characterization:

• Growth Form: Shrub or small tree, often attaining heights of 2–6 m.
• Leaves: Opposite, simple, with a pronounced venation pattern typical of Melastomataceae (usually 3–5 primary veins). Leaves are often leathery and may have a glossy upper surface.
• Inflorescence: Usually a terminal or axillary cyme or panicle bearing numerous small flowers.
• Flowers: Bisexual, with 4–5 petals, and stamens often longer than the petals, exhibiting characteristic melastome anther morphology.
• Fruits: Sessile, fleshy berries that are typically blue to black when ripe, containing several small seeds.

Specific diagnostic features that separate M. asplundii from closely related Miconia taxa (e.g., leaf shape, indumentum, venation details) are not fully documented in easily accessible references; therefore, accurate identification generally requires examination of herbarium specimens and consultation of the original species description.

Related Topics

• Melastomataceae – the plant family containing Miconia and related genera.
• Genus Miconia – a diverse genus of over 1,000 species distributed throughout the Neotropics.
• Ecuadorian Montane Forests – the ecosystem that provides habitat for many endemic Miconia species.
• Conservation of Andean Flora – broader efforts addressing the preservation of plant diversity in the Andean region.

Note: Where precise data are unavailable, the entry reflects the best current understanding based on accessible botanical references. Accurate information is not confirmed for certain morphological details and the exact identity of the eponymous “Asplund.”