Eugenia polystachya Richard (1792: 110)

Amorim, Gabriela Dos Santos, Barbosa, Maria Regina De Vasconcellos, Jr, Eduardo Bezerra De Almeida & Thomas, William Wayt, 2022, Taxonomic study of Myrtaceae in forest fragments in Amazonian Maranhão, Brazil, Phytotaxa 568 (1), pp. 27-60 : 40

13. Eugenia polystachya Richard (1792: 110) .

Type:— FRENCH GUIANA. Cayenne , Leblond s.n. (P) ( Fig 2J , 4 A-D)

Trees 3–5.4 m. Twigs densely pubescent, the indumentum whitish. Leaves with petioles 4–6 mm long, pubescent, channeled; blades elliptic to broadly so, 4.9–7.5 × 1.5–5 cm, densely pubescent, the indumentum whitish, chartaceous, discolorous; glands not seen; base cuneate or rounded; apex acute or acuminate, rarely cuspidate; midvein adaxially impressed; lateral veins visible, not arched, 31 to 35 pairs; intra-marginal vein 1–2 mm from the margin, margin flat. Inflorescence terminal, raceme simple, the axis 10–16 cm long, pubescent, the indumentum whitish; bracts lanceolate, 1–2 × 2 mm, densely pubescent, persistent in the fruit; pedicels 6–13 mm long, pubescent; bracteoles deltate or orbicular, 2–3 × 1 mm, pubescent, persistent in the fruit; flower buds globose, 2–3 × 2 mm, not constricted above ovary; calyx-lobes free, four, orbicular or oblong, 2 × 3 mm, pubescent, not reflexed, persistent in the fruit; ovary 2–locular. Immature fruits globose, 4–7 × 3–5 cm, pubescent, surface smooth.

Note:— Eugenia polystachya may be recognized by its densely pubescent, elliptic to broadly elliptic leaves; its globose buds; and its globose fruit, which are pubescent and have a smooth surface. This species is morphologically similar to E. patens from which it is distinguished by its fruit with a smooth surface (vs. muricate surface) and its densely pubescent leaves (vs. glabrescent or sparsely pubescent).

Distribution and habitat:— Known from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru and northeastern and northwestern Brazil (Acre, Amazonas, Amapá, Maranhão Pará and Roraima states) (POWO 2020, Flora do Brasil). In Amazonian Maranhão, E. polystachya was found growing in “terra firme” forest and flooded forest.

Phenology:— Flowering from October to December and fruiting in January, May, October and November.

Specimens examined:— BRAZIL. Maranhão: Maracassumé River Region , 06 May 1932 (fr.), R.L. Fróes 1737 ( NY!) . Anajatuba , 3°15’52” S, 44°37’11” W, 24 January 1976 (fr.), B.G.S. Ribeiro & G.S. Pinheiro 1198 ( IAN!) ; 26 January 1976 (fr.), B.G.S. Ribeiro & G.S. Pinheiro 1215 ( IAN!) ; Estrada de Anajatuba , 21 November 1978 (fl.), L.R. Marinho & G.S. Pinheiro 611 ( IAN!) . Santa Inês, Margem direita do Rio Pindaré , 3°40’01” S, 45°22’48” W, 13 December 1978 (fl.), N. A. Rosa 2953 ( NY!) . São Luís, Estrada do Sacavem , February-March-1939 (fl.), R.L. Fróes 11565 ( NY!) . São Vicente Ferrer, Banderante N to Pinheiro , 3°00’00” S, 45°10’12” W, 17 October 1980 (fl.), D. C. Daly D671 ( NY!) . Vitória do Mearim, Rio Mearim , 3°27’44” S, 44°52’14” W, 16 January 1976 (fr.), N.T. Silva 4201 ( IAN!) . Turiaçu, km 6 da BR 106 Maracaçumá-Sta. Helena , 1°39’48” S, 45°22’18” W, 01 December 1978 (fl.), N. A. Rosa 2803 ( NY!) .

Figures

FIGURE 2. A–B. Flower buds and flowers in Calycolpus goetheanus. C–D. Flowers in Eugenia biflora. E–F. Flower buds and immature fruits in E. caducibracteata. G. Immature fruit in E. densiracemosa. H. Immature fruits in E. flavescens. I. Immature fruits in E. patens. J. Immature fruits in E. polystachya. K. Flowers in E. protenta. L–M. Flower buds and flowers in E. punicifolia. N–P. Flower buds, flowers and immature fruits in E. stictopetala.

FIGURE 4.A–D. Eugenia polystachya.A.Habit.B. Inflorescence in a simple raceme. C. Flower bud. D.Fruit.E–G. E. wullschlaegeliana. E. Habit. F. Inflorescence in fascicle. G. Fruit. H–K. Myrcia cuprea. H. Habit. I. Inflorescence in panicle. J. Flower bud. K. Fruit. L–N. M. grandis. L. Habit. M. Inflorescence in panicle. N. Flower bud.