Myrcia grandis McVaugh (1969: 114)

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 : 47-48

23. Myrcia grandis McVaugh (1969: 114) .

Type:— VENEZUELA. Amazonas: Rio Siapa, Casiquiare , Maguire et al. 37617 (holotype: MICH [1109512]). ( Fig. 4 L-N)

Trees to shrub 3- 7 m. Twigs glabrous. Leaves with petioles 4–6 mm long, glabrous, channeled; blades elliptic or lanceolate, 4–6 × 1.9–2.4 cm, glabrous, chartaceous or coriaceous, discolorous, more lustrous adaxially; glands not seen; base subacute or cuneate; apex acute or acuminate, often long acuminate; midvein adaxially impressed; lateral veins numerous and slightly visible, not arched, 15 to 20 pairs; intra-marginal vein 1 mm or less from the margin, margin flat. Inflorescence terminal or subterminal, panicle, pyramidal, flowers lax, the axis 4.2–6.6 cm long, pubescent, the indumentum whitish, the first branching 2.4–5.8 cm long; bracts lanceolate, 2–4 × 2 mm, pubescent, caducous before anthesis; pedicels 1 mm long, glabrous; bracteoles lanceolate, 1–2 × 1 mm, pubescent, caducous before anthesis; flower buds campanulate, 2–2.3 × 1.5 mm, not constricted above ovary; calyx-lobes free, four, orbicular, 0.5–1 mm, glabrous, not reflexed; ovary not seen. Immature fruits globose, 0.4–0.6 × 0.6–0.8 cm, glabrous, surface smooth.

Note:— Myrcia grandis may be recognized by its elliptic or lanceolate leaves, which are more lustrous adaxially; the pubescent panicle; and the campanulate and glabrous calyx-lobes. This species is morphologically related to M. sylvatica from which it is distinguished by its glabrous leaves (vs. abaxially pubescent) with an adaxially impressed midvein (vs. adaxially sulcate).

Distribution and habitat:— Known from Bolivia, Colombia, Guyana, Panamá, Venezuela and northeastern and northwestern Brazil (Amazonas, Maranhão, Pará, Rondônia and Roraima states) (POWO 2020, Flora do Brasil 2020). In Amazonian Maranhão, M. grandis was found growing on riversides.

Phenology:— Flowering in December.

Specimens examined:— BRAZIL. Maranhão: Pinheiro: Rio Alto Turiaçu, Nova Esperança , 100 m, 2°55’12” S, 45°45’ W, 01 December 1978 (fl.), J. Jangoux & R.P . Bahia 128 ( NY!) .

Additional -sSpecimens examined:— BRAZIL. Amazonas : Igarapé Lobisomen, Rio Cuieras, 2°31’12” S, 60°15’ W, 22 July 1991 (fl.), S.A. Mori 21827 ( NY!) .

Figures

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.