Eugenia pulcherrima Kiaerskou (1893: 159)

Silva, Everton Diego Corrêa Da, Maruyama, Adriano Da Silva De Cicco, Valdemarin, Karinne Sampaio, Denardi, Vinícius Luvizotto, Cinosi, Lina Pastor & Mazine, Fiorella Fernanda, 2024, Eugenia pulcherrima (Myrteae, Myrtaceae) in southeastern Brazil: extended description, lectotypification and geographical notes, Phytotaxa 672 (1), pp. 79-88 : 80-86

Eugenia pulcherrima Kiaerskou (1893: 159) . ( Fig. 1 .).

Type: — BRAZIL. Rio de Janeiro: Petrópolis , 7 September 1886 (fl.), A.F.M. Glaziou 16065 (lectotype: C 10015721!, here designated; isolectotypes: BR 0000005261161!; K 000276703!; LE 00007474!; R 000009133 !; RB 00542116!). Remaining syntypes: Rio de Janeiro: without locality, 1868 (fl.), A.F.M. Glaziou 2874 (BR 0000005261154!; BR 0000005260546!; C 10015722!) .

Tree 5–10 m tall; cylindrical, branches flattened in the youngest portions; stem with brown rhytidome, with white spots when young, falling off in longitudinal plates, dark brown with age; distal internodes 8–25 mm, 1.2–2 mm in diameter, rough, falling off in small irregular patches, gray to brown, sometimes reddish to vinaceous, pubescent, ferruginous to grey, glabrous or glabrescent with age. Cataphylls 20–35 mm in length, initially pubescent, becoming glabrous as they mature, with ciliate margins and a yellowish hue in dried specimens, displaying prominent red spots in fresh material, deciduous after anthesis. Young leaves strongly revolute, pubescent on both sides, indumentum white, becoming ferruginous with age, remaining pubescent only on the abaxial side, glabrescent on the adaxial side. Leaves opposite, symmetrical at the distal and proximal portions of the blade, petioles 4–6 mm and 0.9–1 mm in diameter, adaxially grooved, pubescent; blades 3.2–13.5 × 1.2–5 cm, 2.1 to 2.6 times longer than wide, elliptical, rarely lanceolate, discolorous on fresh, dry material, abaxially brown, pubescent, olive green on adaxial surface, glabrous to glabrescent when adult, with trichomes concentrated mainly on the main vein; margins strongly revolute and wavy; base cuneate, sometimes acute, rarely asymmetrical; apex acute, rare obtuse; midvein grooved on the adaxial portion and prominent on the abaxial, adaxially white and velutine when young and brown when old, adaxially glabrous to glabrescent when adult, brown, sometimes white; secondary veins 11–16 pairs leaving the median vein at 55–65° angles, visible on the adaxial side and inconspicuous on the abaxial side; intramarginal veins two, the innermost 4–6 mm from the margin, the outermost 0.9–1 mm; oil glands less than 0.1 mm in diameter, 5–15/mm², noticeable adaxially and abaxially with the naked eye when backlit, concentrated mainly near the main veins. Inflorescence an auxotelic raceme, axillary, subterminal or terminal, sessile to subsessile, peduncle up to 0.4 mm long, rachis 1.5–6.7 cm in length; ciliate bracts, with 2–4 on each side, dark brown in color, 0.2–1.6 mm in length, glabrous, and deciduous in fruits; pedicels 13–40 mm length, cylindrical, becoming ferruginous with age; colleters in groups of 2–5, unequal euryform filaments, located in the inner side of the bracteole, between the bracteole and the hypanthium, or in the inner side of the bracts, between the bracts and the axis of auxotelic racemes, glabrous, measuring 0.3–2 × 0.03–0.13 mm. Flower buds globose, 3–4.5 mm in diameter. Flowers with pubescent or velutine hypanthium; filiform bracteoles, 0.03–1 mm in length, deciduous at anthesis; calyx lobes 4, rarely 5, oblong, subequal, retroflex, apex rounded, 3–11 × 2–4 mm, pilose, margin sparsely ciliate, persistent, oil glands visible against light; petals white, usually spatulate, apex rounded, 4.1–11 mm long; staminal ring 2–3 mm in diameter, pilose, sometimes glabrous; stamens with 2–5.5 mm filaments, anthers 0.1–0.3 mm, elliptical, sometimes oblong, longitudinally dehiscent; style 4–9 mm, velutine, stigma punctiform and papillose; ovary 2-locular, ovules 6–13 per locule. Fruits 11–16 × 11–14 mm, globose or oblate, cinder green when immature and dark purple when mature ( R: 7, G:4, B:7 / Hex:#070407), with velutinous indumentum; seeds 1–4 per fruit; embryo flat-convex, glands scattered, cotyledons partially fused at their greatest extent.

Specimens examined: — BRAZIL. Rio de Janeiro: Petrópolis, Morro Sertão , 11 August 1943, fl., Góes & Constantino 423 (F, image!; NY, image!; RB!) ; ibidem, Secretário, Condomínio Fazenda Mata Nova , lote 02, 20 September 1997, fl., B.C. Kurtz 278 (RB!, SORO!, RBR, image!) ; ibidem, 11 July 1999, fl., B.C. Kurtz 282 (RB, image!, SORO!); Minas Gerais: Juiz de Fora , 15 May 1944, fr., Krieger s.n. ( CESJ 1054 , image!) ; ibidem, Parque da Lajinha, Interior da mata, 25 October 2004, fr., O.J. Bastos Neto, I.L. Rodrigues & G.T. Barino s.n. (HUFSJ 3639, image!). São Paulo: Cunha , Alto do Cruzeiro , Condomínio Alpes de Cunha , Estrada Cunha-Paraty , km 48.5, em borda de cerradão conservado, com indivíduos maiores que 15 metros, 23°5'30.00"S, 44°57'52.85"W, 5 May 2020, fr., A. Maruyama & L. Cicco 3546 (SORO!) ; ibidem, lado direito, em borda de cerradão conservado, August 2020, fl. and fr., A. Maruyama & L. Cicco 3742 (SORO!); ibidem, Estrada para o Bairro do Capivari, 4 km depois da Rodovia Cunha-Paraty , lado direito, em cerradão parcialmente degradado, com sinais de pisoteio e fezes de gado, ao lado de pastagem de criação extensiva de corte e leite, 23°4'18.61"S, 45°0'32.79"W, September 2020, fr., A. Maruyama & L. Cicco 3981 (SORO!) ; ibidem, 3.5 km depois da Rodovia Cunha-Paraty , lado direito, em cerradão parcialmente degradado, 23°4'15.97"S, 45°0'28.85"W, September 2021, fl., A. Maruyama 6958 (SORO!) ; ibidem, 4 km depois da Rodovia Cunha-Paraty , lado direito, em cerradão parcialmente degradado, com sinais de pisoteio e fezes de gado, ao lado de pastagem de criação extensiva de corte e leite, 23°4'18.61"S, 45°0'32.79"W, September 2021, fl., A. Maruyama 6959 (SORO!) ; ibidem, October 2021, fl., A. Maruyama 7571 (SORO!); ibidem, fl., A. Maruyama 7576 (SORO!); ibidem, 4 km depois da Rodovia Cunha-Paraty , lado direito, em cerradão parcialmente degradado, com sinais de pisoteio e fezes de gado, ao lado de pastagem de criação extensiva de corte e leite, November 2021, fl., A. Maruyama 7728 (SORO!) ; ibidem, Estrada para o Bairro do Capivari, 3.5 km depois da rodovia Cunha-Paraty , lado direito, em cerradão parcialmente degradado, 23°4'15.97"S, 45°0'28.85"W, November 2021, fr., A. Maruyama 7876 (SORO!) ; ibidem, 4 km depois da rodovia Cunha-Paraty , lado direito, em cerradão parcialmente degradado, com sinais de pisoteio e fezes de gado, ao lado de pastagem de criação extensiva de corte e leite, 23°4'18.61"S, 45°0'32.79"W, November 2021, fr., A. Maruyama 7878 (SORO!) ; ibidem, A. Maruyama 7880 (SORO!); ibidem, 20 October 2023, fr., A. Maruyama et al. 8919 (SORO!).

Distribution and Habitat —Initially, the species was described from its typical locality in the dense ombrophilous forest of Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro. The protologue mentions Minas Gerais, in addition to Rio de Janeiro, as typical localities. However, no type materials (Glaziou 2874 and Glaziou 16065) were found for Minas Gerais. Nonetheless, subsequent collections were made in Juiz de Fora (Minas Gerais state). In this study, we extend the known range of Eugenia pulcherrima to the state of São Paulo, where it has been recorded in the transition zones between Cerradão and dense ombrophilous forest in the municipality of Cunha ( Maruyama et al. 2022), specifically in Alto do Cruzeiro and along the road to Bairro do Capivari ( Fig. 2 ). The new occurrences were made in areas showing signs of cattle grazing and residential speculation ( Fig. 3 ).

Phenology — Eugenia pulcherrima flowers in May and August, and fruits in August, November, and May.

Conservation Status —A survey of the species in the field and in virtual herbaria has led to an extension of its known occurrence, prompting a new conservation assessment. Eugenia pulcherrima was previously classified as “Vulnerable” under criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii)+2ab(i,ii,iii) by Moraes et al. (2020). There may have been misidentifications, as the previously known extent of occurrence (EOO) was 7,271 km ² and the area of occupancy (AOO) was 40 km ². With the newly confirmed occurrences, we obtained an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 11,634.045, being the species evaluated as “Vulnerable”, and its estimated area of occupation (AOO) as 24 km ², which evaluates the species as “Endangered”, criteria B2ab(i, ii,iii) according to the IUCN criteria (IUCN 2019). The locations where Eugenia pulcherrima has been recorded in São Paulo state are subject to intense anthropic activity. These areas are frequently targeted for development, including the construction of residential condominiums, and are also affected by agricultural practices such as livestock farming and cattle grazing, which contribute to the conversion of natural areas into pastures. Consequently, there is an observed decline in these locations, impacting the extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, and quality of habitat ( Fig. 3 ).

Field observations and seed propagation: —In the months preceding the flowering of Eugenia pulcherrima , particularly in June and July, changes were observed in the size and color of the lateral and apical cataphylls, along with partial leaf loss. The cataphylls are located on the subterminal and terminal branches of the inflorescence and are shed before the complete maturation of the fruits. The fruits themselves are showy, measuring 10–35 mm in length, and are glabrous to glabrescent ( Fig. 1 ).

With the arrival of spring and the beginning of the rainy season, E. pulcherrima exhibits vigorous leaf regrowth. The new leaves have a notably membranous texture and are reddish or vinaceous in color, with strongly revolute margins that become slightly revolute with age. The tomentose indumentum covers both sides of the leaf blade, which transit from whitish to ferruginous over time. The rhytidome ( Fig. 1A ) develops into longitudinal plates, reddish when new and turning brownish with age. The canopy is dense and irregularly shaped. New leaves are entirely revolute, reddish, and have whitish, pubescent or velutine indumentum.

Regarding the flowers, some specimens were observed with five sepals (e.g., A. Maruyama 3742, 7576), which is unusual for Eugenia sect. Eugenia , where four sepals are typical ( Coutinho et al. 2017). Notably, the sepals are green in the flowers ( Fig. 1E ) and turn vinaceous as the fruits ripen. Additionally, the flowers are ephemeral, lasting one to two weeks.

Mature fruits are dark purple ( Fig. 1F ), with a substantial amount of sweet pulp that has a pleasant flavor, similar to E. brasiliensis fruits—popularly known as grumixama—which are consumed fresh or used in jams, juices, and ice cream. Eugenia pulcherrima produces a large number of fruits per season, making it a valuable source of native Brazilian fruits that are still largely unexplored.

The species also presents colleters, structures that resemble hair-like filaments and protect the primordia of leaf and/or reproductive parts of the plants. Colleters ( Fig. 4 ) were observed in field materials, recently found in Myrtaceae and in the genus Eugenia ( Silva 2010) . They can be associated with petioles, stipules, sepals, cataphylls, bracts, and bracteoles. In Eugenia sect. Eugenia , these structures were found only in the reproductive parts of the plant, such as flowers and fruits, and also in the bracts of the auxotelic racemes (Denardi et al. in prep.).

We also conducted preliminary propagation studies, which showed that Eugenia pulcherrima seeds had excellent germination results ( Fig. 5 ). Out of 23 seeds planted, 21 (91.3%) emerged within two weeks of sowing. The seedlings survived and were subsequently transplanted into tubes for further observation in the nursery. Therefore, we strongly recommend cultivating Eugenia pulcherrima for forest restoration projects and as an ornamental shrub or tree in home gardens, to promote its ex situ conservation and attract local fauna.

Taxonomic and nomenclatural notes:— Eugenia pulcherrima is most similar to E. brasiliensis , by its leaf size and shape, and E. neosilvestris , by its indument. However, it is distinguished from the first by the discolorous leaves, showy cataphylls and the presence of induments on young leaves, abaxial surface of mature leaves and floral parts (vs. glabrous in E. brasiliensis ), and fruits with indumentum (vs. glabrous in E. brasiliensis ). Eugenia pulcherrima differs from E. neosilvestris mainly in the mature leaf blades size (5.8–9 × 2.2–3.4 cm vs. 2–6 × 1–3.5 mm in E. neosilvestris ) with attenuate base (vs. acute or obtuse E. neosilvestris ), strongly revolute (vs. slightly revolute in E. neosilvestris ) and two marginal veins (vs. one in E. neosilvestris ).

Regarding the nomenclature, when describing E. pulcherrima, Kiaerskou cited two specimens, Glaziou 2874 and 16065, in the protologue. In this case, both gatherings are syntypes and the designation of a lectotype is necessary, then the specimen C 10015721 from the collection A.F.M. Glaziou 16065 is here selected as so.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Morphology of Eugenia pulcherrima. A. Detail of trunk bark morphology. B. Adaxial (on the top) and abaxial faces of leaves (on the bottom) with pubescent indumentum. C. Young leaf, with reddish surface. D. Cataphylls and strongly revolute young leaves. E. Inflorescence in auxotelic racemes at the end of anthesis; in detail: flower at the end of anthesis. F. Immature fruits; in detail: mature fruit. (Scale Bars: B= 1.0 cm; D= 5 mm). (A–B from Maruyama 3546; C from A. Maruyama 7576; D from A. Maruyama 6959; E from A. Maruyama 3981; F from A. Maruyama 7878)

FIGURE 2. Occurrence of Eugenia pulcherrima in southeastern Brazil.

FIGURE 3. Municipality of Cunha, São Paulo. A. Cunha-Paraty road, locality of Eugenia pulcherrima, which connects to Alto do Cruzeiro and Road to Bairro do Capivari. B. Top view of the region, with formation of “seas of hills”. C. Land use and occupation in the type locality and surroundings; pasture used for cattle breeding. D. Physiognomy of "cerradão" and campo cerrado reported from Alto do Cruzeiro in the municipality of Cunha. (All photos by A. Maruyama).

FIGURE 4. Morphology of colleters in Eugenia pulcherrima. A. Colleters on the flower's bracteole axil, where the bracteole has fallen but the colleters remain. B. Several colleters (as unequal filaments) in the auxotelic raceme. C. Colleters on the inner side of the bracts of the inflorescence. (All photos by V. Denardi).

FIGURE 5. Sowing and germination of Eugenia pulcherrima. A. Seeds collected in Cunha, SP. B. Young seedlings, just after germination of the seeds. C. Seedlings after 1 month of sowing. (All photos L. Cinosi)