Myrcia bracteata (Rich.) De Candolle (1828: 245)

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 : 45

19. Myrcia bracteata (Rich.) De Candolle (1828: 245) .

Basionym:— Eugenia bracteata Richard (1792: 110) .

Type:— FRENCH GUIANA. Cayenne, Leblond s.n. ( P [00297614] image) ( Fig. 5B .)

Shrubs 1– 3 m. Twigs pubescent, the indumentum yellowish. Leaves with petioles 2–5 mm long, pubescent, channeled; blades elliptic or lanceolate, 4–7.3 × 1.8–2.6 cm, glabrous or sparsely pubescent adaxially and pubescent abaxially, the indumentum yellowish, chartaceous, concolorous; glands conspicuous; base cuneate or rounded; apex acuminate; midvein adaxially impressed; lateral veins visible, not arched, 12 to 15 pairs; intra-marginal vein 1–2 mm from the margin, margin slightly revolute. Inflorescence axillary, thyrsoid, flowers congested, the axis 2.5–2.7 cm long, pubescent, the indumentum yellowish; the first branching ca. 1.5 cm; bracts lanceolate, 0.8–1.2 × 4–5 mm, pubescent abaxially and glabrous adaxially, persistent in the fruit; pedicels 3–5 mm long, pubescent; bracteoles lanceolate, 7–8 × 3 mm, pubescent abaxially and glabrous adaxially, persistent in the fruit; flower buds campanulate, 4 × 4–7 mm, not constricted above ovary; calyx-lobes free, five, lanceolate, 2–4 × 1.5–2 mm, pubescent abaxially and glabrous adaxially, not reflexed, persistent in the fruit; ovary 2-locular. Immature fruit ellipsoid, 0.6–0.8 × 0.8–1 cm, densely pubescent, surface smooth.

Note:— Myrcia bracteata may be recognized by its elliptic or lanceolate leaves, which are glabrous or sparsely pubescent adaxially and pubescent abaxially, the thyrsoid inflorescence, with yellowish indumentum, and long bracteoles (7–8 × 3 mm) with long yellowish indumentum, which are persistent, and the densely pubescent, ellipsoid fruit.

Distribution and habitat:— Known from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela and central, northeastern and northwestern Brazil (Acre, Amazonas, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Pará and Rondônia states) (POWO 2020, Flora do Brasil 2020). In Amazonian Maranhão, M. bracteata was found growing in “terra firme” forests.

Phenology:— Flowering in February.

Specimens examined:— BRAZIL. Maranhão: Cândido Mendes, Fazenda 7 irmãos, 2°26’31” S, 46°18’07” W, 16 February 2020 (fl.), G.S. Amorim 618 ( JPB!) .

Additional specimens examined:— BRAZIL. Amazonas: Manaus, Reserva Florestal Ducke , 2°52’59” S, 59°58’00” W, 24 January 1996 (fr.), M.A.D. Souza, J.R. Pirani, M.A. Costa & C.F. Silva 208 (SP, image). Pará: Santarém Novo, Bacuriteua, capoeira sul de Bacuriteua, 0°57’54” S, 47°23’37” W, 2010 (fl.), M.P.M. Menezes 567 (HBRA, image). Rondônia: Porto Velho, Estrada de acesso ao alojamento provisório, 9°18’19” S, 64°36’24” W, 07 January 2009 (fr.), G. Pereira-Silva 14019 (RON, image) .

Figures

FIGURE 5. A. Fruits in Myrcia amazonica. B. Flowers in Myrcia bracteata. C–D. Flowers and fruits in Myrcia cuprea. E–F. Flowers and immature fruits in M. eximia. G–H. Flowers in Myrcia guianensis. I–J. Flowers bud and immature fruits in Myrcia multiflora. K–L. Flowers bud and immature fruits in Myrcia selloi. M–N. Flowers and fruits in Myrcia splendens. O. Flowers in Myrciaria tenella. P. Fruit in Psidium guineense.