A revision of the "basal-axile placentation clade" of Miconieae, the newly erected Miconia sect. Liogieria (Melastomataceae: Miconieae) from the Greater Antilles

Phylogenetic analyses show that a group of species of Miconia (Melastomataceae: Miconieae) from the Greater Antilles all form a clade. They share the presence of backward-deflexed filaments with the entire androecium turning pink to red after anthesis and placentation reduced axile to basal. Additionally, many of these species are deciduous, and have fruits with few and relatively large seeds. These species have until recently been recognized in Calycogonium, Miconia, Ossaea and Pachyanthus. The group is composed of 14 species, two from Puerto Rico and 12 from Cuba, including the newly described M. matosiana. We formally describe this clade as M. sect. Liogieria and provide a revision of its species, including an identification key, descriptions, maps and photographs or illustrations for all of them. Twelve names are typified: Calycogonium clidemioides Griseb., C. rosmarinifolium Griseb., Charianthus obliquus Griseb., Graffenrieda obtusa Griseb., Miconia baracoensis Urb., M. cerasiflora Urb., M. cerasiflora var. setulifera Urb., M. confusa Cogn., M. obtusa f. glabrior Urb., M. pachyphylla Cogn., M. thomasiana DC. and M. vernicosa Naudin.