Myrcia nitida Cambessèdes (1832

Santos, Matheus F., Lucas, Eve & Sano, Paulo T., 2018, A taxonomic monograph of Myrcia sect. Sympodiomyrcia (Myrteae, Myrtaceae), Phytotaxa 380 (1), pp. 448-450 : 448-450

13. Myrcia nitida Cambessèdes (1832 –1833: 309) ( Figures 2G , 4B , 6C , 19 and 36 to 39)

Type:— BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: “In montibus prope vicum Itabira in provincia Minas Geraes”, no date (fl.), Saint-Hilaire 33a (lectotype MPU [barcode MPU010949] [image!] designated by Santos et al. (2016b), isolectotype P [barcode P00161396]!). Remaining syntypes:— BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: Saint-Hilaire 130 (P [barcode P00161396]!; Saint-Hilaire s.n. (F [herbarium number 935841] [image!])

= Eugenia paniculata Cambessèdes (1832 – 1833: 338) nom. illeg. Eugeniopsis paniculata O. Berg (1855 –1856: 82). Marlierea paniculata (O.Berg) D. Legrand (1962: 31) . Type:— BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: “In collibus prope Tapanhuacanga”, no date (fl.), Saint-Hilaire B1 – 903 (lectotype MPU [barcode MPU011103] [image!] designated by Santos et al. (2016b), isolectotypes F [herbarium number 935836] [image!], P [barcode P00217974]!, P [barcode P00217975]!)

= Eugenia rubiginosa Cambessèdes (1832 –1833: 338). Eugeniopsis rubiginosa (Cambess.) O. Berg (1855 –1856: 82). Myrciaria? rubiginosa (Cambess.) O. Berg (1857 –1859: 359). Marlierea rubiginosa (Cambess.) D. Legrand (1962: 32) . Type:— BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: “In collibus prope Cachoeira”, no date (fl.), Saint-Hilaire B1–1101 (lectotype MPU [barcode MPU011092] [image!] designated by Santos et al. (2016b), isolectotypes F [herbarium number 935808] [image!], P [barcode P05228940]!, P [barcode P05228941]!, P [barcode P05228942]!)

Subshrub, shrub to tree 0.5–5.0 m high. Epidermal peeling absent in immature parts; trichomes ferruginous, brown to light brown, 0.2–0.7 mm long. Twig when immature brownish or straw-like (when dry), flattened, not keeled, tomentose, pubescent or puberulent; mature twig greyish (when dry), cylindrical, cortex slightly cracked, flaking in small pieces, glabrescent to glabrous; branching mainly monopodial (rarely sympodial), 2–3 branches per node (sometimes more than three), epidermal protrusions absent at the nodes (present only when branching is sympodial), internodes (0.5) 1.2–7.7 cm long; cataphylls scale-like to foliaceous, 2–5 × 1–2 mm, usually present only at the basal internode of a new branch, early deciduous, free, widely ovate, externally tomentose, internally puberulent; terminal node with central bud developed and lateral ones undeveloped or only one developed, tomentose or pubescent. Leaf discolorous, chartaceous or coriaceous, blades 1.1–8.8 × 0.7–3.4 cm, narrowly elliptic to circular, oblong, lanceolate to widely ovate, widely obovate or very widely obovate, apex acuminate to rounded, base cuneate to rounded, truncate, retuse or cordate, margin plane, secondary veins 2–5 mm apart, held at an angle of 55–85° relative to the midvein, marginal vein 0.5–1.5 mm from the margin (rarely two), tertiary veins conspicuous to inconspicuous; adaxial surface pubescent, puberulent or with scattered trichomes to glabrous when immature, glabrescent to glabrous at maturity, midvein sulcate (rarely flat) in the first half and flat in the second half, secondary veins inconspicuous (rarely slightly raised), pellucid dots conspicuous to inconspicuous, more than 15 per mm 2; abaxial surface tomentose, pubescent or puberulent when immature, glabrescent to glabrous at maturity, midvein raised, secondary veins raised, pellucid dots conspicuous to inconspicuous, more than 15 per mm 2; petiole 0–8 × 1–3 mm, canaliculate to semicylindrical, tomentose, pubescent, puberulent or with scattered trichomes when immature, glabrescent to glabrous at maturity. Inflorescence 2.0–9.5 × 0.5–7.0 cm, corymbiform (sometimes pyramidal), axillar at the terminal or subterminal nodes, terminal dichasia usually with three flowers, 3–138 flowers, rachis tomentose, pubescent, puberulent or with scattered trichomes, 1–5 branching at the base (sometimes with vegetative branches), first internode of central rachis 1–2 mm wide, cylindrical to flattened, distal internodes flattened, opposite branching (rarely subopposite), 2–5 (rarely 6–7) branching per node, epidermal protrusion present at the nodes (usually absent in the apical branches). Bract 1.2–4.8 × 0.4–3.2 mm, deciduous, lanceolate or ovate, concave, apex acuminate or acute, base truncate, adaxial and abaxial surfaces puberulent or with scattered trichomes. Pedicel 0–4.0 mm long, cylindrical, tomentose, pubescent or puberulent. Bracteole 0.8–1.6 × 0.2–0.8 mm, deciduous, lanceolate, elliptic or ovate, concave, apex acuminate to rounded, base truncate, adaxial surface puberulent or with scattered trichomes, abaxial surface tomentose, puberulent or with scattered trichomes. Floral bud 2–4 × 1–2 mm, turbinate. Hypanthium 0.8–1.4 mm extending above the summit of the ovary, not tearing at anthesis (rarely with a short vertical rupture), externally tomentose, pubescent or puberulent, usually glabrescent towards the apex, pellucid dots conspicuous, internally glabrous; calyx 4–5-merous, lobes 0.4–1.4 × 0.6–2.2 mm, distinct from the hypanthium, deciduous, depressed ovate, widely depressed ovate, ovate or widely ovate, concave, apex rounded, base truncate, externally puberulent or with scattered trichomes to glabrous, internally pubescent or puberulent; corolla 4–6-merous, petals white, light brown or slightly pink, 0.8–2.4 × 1.2–2.4 mm, depressed ovate to widely ovate or widely obovate, concave, apex rounded, base truncate, externally and internally puberulent or with scattered trichomes to glabrous; staminal ring 0.4 mm wide, glabrous, stamens 43–110, filament 1.6–5.2 mm long, white, glabrous, anther 0.16–0.32 × 0.24–0.40 mm, square, oblong or transversely oblong; ovary 0.8–1.0 × 0.6–1.2 mm, 2-locular, each locule with two ovules, style 3.6–6.0 mm long, glabrous, stigma punctiform, papillose. Fruit green when immature, vinaceous at maturity, 4–7 × 4–8 mm, depressed globose or globose, base rounded, glabrescent to glabrous, remnants of calyx lobes present or not; seeds 1–3.

Distribution and Habitat:— Myrcia nitida occurs mainly in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero and the Espinhaço Range (from the southernmost point to the South of Chapada Diamantina ), between 650 to 1500 m (in the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado domains). Occasional records are known from the municipalities of Arinos and Formoso (northwestern Minas Gerais) ( Figure 19 ). It inhabits many vegetation types, including campo rupestre on sandy soil, canga vegetation, carrasco, quartzitic rocky outcrops, riparian forest and semideciduous forest.

Phenology:— Myrcia nitida flowers from July to October and from December to May, with flowering concentrated from February to May. Fruits were found almost the whole year, except in January, February and November (mature fruits in September, October and December).

Conservation Status:— Myrcia nitida has a wide distribution in campo rupestre (Extent of Occurrence ca. 146,000 km 2) and is found in protected areas, sometimes in numerous populations. The Area of Occupancy (84 km 2) is small but is probably due to low collection density in parts of its distribution. Myrcia nitida is here classified as Least Concern (LC; IUCN 2001).

Discussion:— Myrcia nitida is similar to Myrcia subcordata , differing in mainly vegetative monopodial branching, cataphyll scars present only at the basal internode of a new branch ( Figure 4B ) and venation barely conspicuous (especially on the adaxial surface). These species are sympatric in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, but no evidence of hybridization was found. Another distinctive feature of Myrcia nitida is the indumentum on the abaxial surface of leaves that becomes darkened and unevenly deciduous with the age; however, it is not found in all specimens.

Specimens from Arinos and Formoso municipalities (North of Minas Gerais state) are distinct in their almost sessile leaves, short internodes and many leaves in each branch. However, these characteristics are found in specimens from other regions, although not so conspicuously. For instance, specimens from the Quadrilátero Ferrífero have almost sessile leaves with cordate bases; materials from the Diamantina Plateau (e.g. Shepherd 3947 [UEC]) have short internodes and petioles. The gradual change in these characteristics prevents the suggestion that these forms might be new taxa.

Available illustrations and images: — Kawasaki (2004; as Marlierea rubiginosa ).

Additional specimens examined: — BRAZIL. Bahia: Mun. Abaíra , 1620 m, 13 ° 15’0”S, 41 ° 55’0”W, 4 February 1992 (fl), B.Stannard H51166 (K!, SPF!, UB!) ; ibidem, 1620 m, 13 ° 15’0”S, 41 ° 55’0”W, 4 February 1992 (fl), B. Stannard H51167 (K!, SPF!) ; ibidem, 1300–1400 m, 13 ° 19’0”S, 41 ° 51’0”W, 21 March 1992 (fl), B. Stannard H52767 (CEPEC!, F!, HUEFS!, K!, RB!, SPF!, UB!) ; ibidem, 1500–1600 m, 13 ° 14’0”S, 41 ° 54’0”W, 21 March 1992 (fl), E.M. Nic Lughadha H52594 (K!, SPF!) ; ibidem, 1500–1550 m, 13 ° 14’0”S, 41 ° 54’0”W, 25 March 1992 (fl), E.M. Nic Lughadha H53342 (CEPEC!, HUEFS!, MBM!, RB!, SPF!, UB!) ; ibidem, 1000–1120 m, 17 April 1994 (fl), F. França 1041 (BHCB!, ESA!, HUEFS!, SP!, UB!) ; ibidem, 986 m, 13 ° 16’48,7”S, 41 ° 44’38,7”W, 13 February 2012 (fl), M.F. Santos 831 (BHCB!, K!, NY!, RB!, SPF!) ; ibidem, 1600 m, 13 ° 17’0”S, 41 ° 54’0”W, 17 February 1992 (fl), R.M. Harley 52100 (BHCB!, CEPEC!, F!, HUEFS!, K!, RB!, SP!, SPF!, UB!) ; ibidem, 1300 m, 13 ° 19’0”S, 41 ° 51’0”W, 22 May 1992 (fr), W. Ganev 349 (CEPEC!, HUEFS!, K!, SPF!, UB!) ; ibidem, 1300 m, 13 ° 19’0”S, 41 ° 51’0”W, 25 July 1992 (fr), W. Ganev 736 (CEPEC!, HUEFS!, K!, SPF!, UB!) ; ibidem, 1100–1200 m, 13 ° 18’0”S, 41 ° 52’0”W, 5 April 1994 (fl), W. Ganev 3054 (HUEFS!, K!, SPF!, UB!) ; 1250 m, 13 ° 17’0”S, 41 ° 53’0”W, 24 May 1994 (fl), W. Ganev 3112 (K!, RB!, SPF!, UB!) . Mun. Catolés , 1200 m, 16 June 1992 (fr), W.Ganev 510 (CEPEC!, K!, SPF!, UB!) . Mun. Rio de Contas , 16 May 1983 (fl), G.Hatschbach 46471 (C!, CEPEC!, ICN!, MBM!, MO!, SPF!) ; ibidem, 13 ° 49’0”S, 42 ° 24’0”W, 7 May 2004 (fl), R.M. Castro 968 (BHCB!, HUEFS!) ; ibidem, 1120 m, 13 ° 29’0”S, 41 ° 51’0”W, 27 October 1988 (fr), R.M. Harley 25678 (CEPEC!, K!, NY!, RB!, SP!, SPF!, UB!, UEC!) ; ibidem, 1250 m, 23 August 1993 (fr), W. Ganev 2087 (HUEFS!, K!, SPF!, UB!) . Minas Gerais: Mun. Alvorada de Minas , 883 m, 18 ° 47’0”S, 43 ° 25’0”W, 20 March 2007 (fr), P.L.Viana 2835 ( BHCB!) . Mun. Arinos, RPPN Arara Vermelha , 790 m, 15 ° 26’25,6”S, 45 ° 49’59”W, 27 May 2004 (fl), M.L.Fonseca 5495 ( IBGE!) . Mun. Barão de Cocais , 9 February 1999 (fl), M.R.S.M.Marques-Leitão s.n. (BHCB!, SP 337723!) ; ibidem, 1120 m, 19 ° 51’12”S, 43 ° 22’6,1”W, 9 August 2002 (fl), A.M. Oliveira 124 ( BHCB!) . Mun. Conceição do Mato Dentro , 962 m, 18 ° 56’0”S, 43 ° 25’0”W, 20 March 2007 (fl, fr), P.L.Viana 2832 ( BHCB!) ; Serra do Sapo , 810 m, 18 ° 55’20,9”S, 43 ° 25’3,5”W, 4 July 2008 (fl), L.H.Y.Kamino 1087 ( BHCB!) . Mun. Diamantina , 1 December 1976 (fl), G.J.Shepherd 3947 (NY!, UEC!) ; ibidem, 25 September 2004 (fl, fr), I.R.Costa 527 ( UEC!) . Mun. Felício dos Santos, 1463 m, 18 ° 6’13,6”S, 43 ° 8’31,6”W, 20 November 2010 (st), M.F.Santos 600 (BHCB!, K!, SPF!) ; APA Felício , 1350 m, 8 August 2004 (fr), P.L.Viana 1844 ( BHCB!) ; ibidem, 1000–1400 m, 18 ° 10’0”S, 43 ° 17’0”W, 8 October 2004 (fr), P.L. Viana 1899 ( BHCB!) . Mun. Formoso, Parque Nacional Grande Sertão Veredas , 865 m, 15 ° 25’30”S, 45 ° 53’47”W, 2 December 1997 (fr), M.A. Silva 3681 (IBGE!, RB!) . Mun. Grão-Mogol , 1100 m, 22 March 1980 (fl), G.Hatschbach 42876 (BHCB!, C!, G!, MBM!, SP!) ; ibidem, 16 ° 25’0”S, 42 ° 55’0”W, 11 March 1999 (fl), M.L. Kawasaki 1083 ( SP!) . Mun. Itacambira , 950 m, 7 March 2000 (fl), M.F.Vasconcelos s.n. (BHCB!, SP 343797!) ; ibidem, 1200 m, 16 ° 59’17,2”S, 43 ° 20’39,9”W, 23 February 2002 (fl), V.C. Souza 28257 (BHCB!, ESA!) . Mun. Itambé do Mato Dentro , 907 m, 19 ° 22’36,8”S, 43 ° 19’38,8”W, 20 October 2011 (fr), M.F.Santos 719 (BHCB!, K!, SPF!) ; ibidem, 907 m, 19 ° 22’36,8”S, 43 ° 19’38,8”W, 20 October 2011 (fl, fr), M.F. Santos 720 (BHCB!, K!, NY!, RB!, SPF!) . Mun. Morro do Pilar , 10 December 2006 (fl), M.F.Santos 102 (BHCB!, SPF!) . Mun. Rio Vermelho , 15 July 1987 (fr), R.M.Harley CFCR4530 (K!, NY!, SP!, SPF!) ; ibidem, 31 July 1985 (fr), R. Mello-Silva CFCR7814 (F!, NY!, RB!, SPF!) ; ibidem, 31 March 1985 (fr), A.M.Giulietti CFCR7776 (NY!, SPF!) . Mun. São Gonçalo do Rio Abaixo , 9 March 1988 (fl), J.R.Stehmann s.n. (RB 326743!) ; Parque Estadual do Rio Preto , 31 October 2005 (fr), E.B.Foresto 123 ( SPF!) ; ibidem, 1 April 2005 (fl), F.N. Costa 830 (BHCB!, DIAM!, HUFU!) ; ibidem, 16 July 2005 (fr), F.N. Costa 872 (BHCB!, DIAM!, HUFU!) ; ibidem, 760 m, 18 ° 6’6,42”S, 43 ° 20’24,6”W, 17 September 2005 (fr), F.N. Costa 903 (DIAM!, SPF!) ; ibidem, 760 m, 18 ° 6’64,2”S, 43 ° 20’24,6”W, 15 January 2006 (fl), F.N. Costa 1009 (DIAM!, HUFU!) ; ibidem, 18 ° 7’0”S, 43 ° 20’36”W, 19 February 2002 (fl), J.A. Lombardi 4532 (BHCB!, CESJ!, SPF!) ; ibidem, 18 ° 0’0”S, 43 ° 20’0”W, 5 April 2003 (fr), J.A. Lombardi 5231 (BHCB!, CESJ!, ESA!, HUEFS!, MBM!, SPF!) . Mun. Serro , 1 February 2003 (fl), R.C. Mota 3143 ( BHCB!) . Mun. Turmalina, Caçaratiba , 14 March 1999 (fl), M.L.Kawasaki 1125 ( SP!) . Total : 49 specimens .

Figures

FIGURE 2. Habits of Myrcia sect. Sympodiomyrcia. A. Shrub, Myrcia mutabilis (Santos 591 [SPF]). B. Shrub, Myrcia densa (Santos 820 [SPF]). C. Tree, Myrcia subcordata (Faria 3105 [UB]). D. Shrub, Myrcia rupestris (Santos 654 [SPF]). E. Shrub, Myrcia mucugensis (Santos 823 [SPF]). F. Treelet, Myrcia densa (Santos 813 [SPF]). G. Subshrub, Myrcia nitida (Santos 831 [SPF]). H. Shrub, Myrcia ascendens (Santos 829 [SPF]). Image credit: C. Jair E.Q.Faria.

FIGURE 4. A. Myrcia plusiantha, with cataphylls (arrow indicating the scar) present at all internodes; note sympodial branching (Santos 705 [SPF]). B. Myrcia nitida, with cataphylls (arrow indicating the scar) present only at the basal internode of a new branch; note monopodial branching (Harley CFCR 4530 [SPF]) C. Myrcia ascendens, without cataphyll—they are rarely formed in this species; note monopodial branching (Santos 829 [SPF]). D. Sympodial branching of Myrcia mutabilis (Santos 716 [SPF]). E. Monopodial branching of Myrcia rupestris (Santos 640 [SPF]). F. Monopodial branching of Myrcia ascendens (Santos 829 [SPF]). G. Bifid vegetative bud in Myrcia insigniflora (Santos 682 [SPF]). H. Leaf of Myrcia subcordata against light showing the venation (Santos 681 [SPF]). Scales: A, D and F=2 cm; C and H=1 cm.

FIGURE 6. A. Myrcia lenheirensis, three terminal dichasia with only the central flower (Forzza 3692 [SPF]). B. Myrcia bicarinata, terminal dichasia with aborted lateral flowers (indicated) (Heringer 623 [IBGE]). C. Flowers of Myrcia nitida, one flower (right) with bracteole in the regular position (indicated), and the other (left) with one “migrant” bracteole at the hypanthium (indicated) (Lombardi 4532 [SPF]). D. Turbinate flower bud of Myrcia subcordata (Messias 5 [RB]). E. Clavate flower bud of Myrcia bicolor (Carvalho 6829 [SPF]). F. Obovate flower bud of Myrcia insigniflora (Assis 83 [BHCB]). G. Cross section of flower of Myrcia subcordata after anthesis, showing the hypanthium (indicated) not torn and internally glabrous, and the narrow staminal ring above (Santos 842 [SPF]). H. Flower of Myrcia insigniflora after anthesis, with the hypanthium tearing vertically, adnate petals (indicated) and persistent (but dry) stamens (Santos 682 [SPF]). Scales: A, C, D, G and H=2 mm; B and E=1mm; F=3 mm.

FIGURE 19. Distribution of Myrcia cataphyllata (triangles), Myrcia nitida (squares) and Myrcia plusiantha (circles). Continuous lines represent South American country and Brazilian state boundaries. The grey gradient represents elevation.

FIGURE 36. Images of representative specimens of Myrcia sect. Sympodiomyrcia species: Myrcia nitida (Santos 719 [SPF]).