Myrcia sylvatica (G. Mey.) De Candolle (1828: 244)

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 : 53-54

32. Myrcia sylvatica (G. Mey.) De Candolle (1828: 244) .

Basionym:— Myrtus sylvatica G. Meyer (1818: 191) .

Type:— GUYANA. “ In silvis continentis, inprimis circa rivum Arowabischkreek ”, E.K. Rodschied 296 (holotype: GOET [ GOET008254 ]) .

Shrubs 2 m. Twigs glabrous or sparsely pubescent, the indumentum yellowish. Leaves with petioles 2–3 mm long, sparsely pubescent, unchanneled; blades elliptic or lanceolate, 1–5.1 × 1–1.6 cm, glabrous adaxially and pubescent abaxially, the indumentum yellowish, chartaceous, slightly discolorous, lustrous adaxially; glands conspicuous and marked; base cuneate or attenuate; apex attenuate or long-acuminate; midvein adaxially sulcate; lateral veins slightly visible, not arched, 17 to 22 pairs; intra-marginal vein 1 mm or less from the margin, margin flat. Inflorescence terminal or subterminal, pyramidal panicle, flowers lax, the axis 2.2–5.3 cm long, pubescent, the indumentum yellowish, the first branching 1.4–2.5 cm long; bracts not seen, caducous before anthesis; pedicels 1–2 mm long, pubescent; bracteoles not seen, caducous before anthesis; flower buds globose, 1.5 × 2 mm, not constricted above ovary; calyx-lobes free, five, deltate, 0.5–1 × 0.3–1 mm, pubescent adaxially and glabrous abaxially, not reflexed, persistent in the fruit; ovary 2-locular. Immature fruit oblong or ellipsoid, 0.8–1 × 0.3–0.6 cm, pubescent, surface with glands marked.

Note:— Myrcia sylvatica may be recognized by its adaxially sulcate midvein and slightly visible lateral veins, and the oblong or ellipsoid fruits which are pubescent and have the surface marked with glands. This species is morphologically related to M. splendens , from which it is distinguished by its adaxially sulcate midvein (vs. adaxially flat) and the unchanneled petiole (vs. channeled).

Distribution and habitat:— Known from Tropical America, widely distributed in central, northeastern and northwestern Brazil (POWO 2020, Flora do Brasil 2020). In Amazonian Maranhão, M. sylvatica was found growing in secondary forest.

Phenology:— Flowering in January, November and December and fruiting in January and December.

Specimens examined:— BRAZIL. Maranhão: Carutapera, Gurupiuna, Ka’apor Indian Reserve , 2°43’12” S, 46°25’48” W, 04 November 1986 (fl.), W.L. Balée 2839 ( NY!) . São Luís, Alumar , 2º41’30” S, 44°19’44” W, 18 January 1995 (fl.), N. Figueiredo s.n. ( MAR!) ; 2°41’30” S, 44°19’44” W, 20 December 1994 (fl.), N. Figueiredo 89 ( MAR!) ; Reserva Florestal do Sacavém , 2°34’04” S, 44°15’44” W, 03 April 1991, (fr.), J. Ferreira & E. Barroso 56 ( MAR!) ; 2°34’04” S, 44°15’44” W, 03 December 1973 (fl., fr), L.F. Gomes 56 ( MAR!) . Alto Turiaçu, Carutapera, Gurupiuna , Ka’apor Indian Reserve , affluent of Rio Gurupi , 04 November 1986 (fl.), 2°43’12” S, 46°25’48” W, W.L. Balée 2839 with B. Ribeiro ( NY!) .

Additional specimens examined:— BRAZIL. Maranhão: Carolina, Parque Nacional Chapada das Mesas, 7°04’25” 47° S, 05’45” W, 20 October 2015 (fl.), A.C. Sevilha 5504 (CEN, image). Pará: Tucuruí , 25 km S of Tucuruí, just off old BR-422 at junction with old railroad bed, 3°58’00” S, 49°37’59” W, 30 October 1981 (fl.), D.C. Daly 1071 ( NY!) .