Syzygium neoeugenioides N. Snow, Byng & J.W. Dawson, 2017

Snow, Neil, Byng, James W., Munzinger, Jérôme, Callmander, Martin W. & Dawson, John W., 2017, New Caledonian Piliocalyx transferred to Syzygium (Myrtaceae) with an updated conspectus of the species, Candollea 72 (2), pp. 239-248 : 245

Syzygium neoeugenioides N. Snow, Byng & J.W. Dawson , nom. nov. ( Fig. 1E ).

Ξ Piliocalyx eugenioides Guillaumin in Bull. Soc. Bot. France 85: 651. 1938 [non Syzygium eugenioides (Merr. & L.M. Perry) Biffin & Craven ].

Lectotypus (designated here): NEW CALEDONIA. Prov. Sud: Bosquet situé à l’E du Pont-des-Français, IV.1870, Balansa 2871 ( P [ P 00543888 ]!) . Syntypi: 1868-1872, sine loc., Balansa 94 ( A [ A00071213 ] image seen, P [ P00543886 , P00543887 , P06603434 , P06603438 ]!); sine loc., Balansa 2103 ( P [ P00543887 , P06603427 , P06603435 ]!) ; sine loc., Balansa 2871 ( A [ A-00071210 ] image seen, L [ L.2518677 ] image seen, P [ P00543889 ]!); bosquets situés près de l’embouchure de la Dumbéa , V.1870, Balansa 2871a ( A [ A-00071211 ] image seen, P [ P00522322 , P06603428 ]!); Pancher 27 ( A [ A-00071212 ] image seen, BM [ BM001119179 ]!, K [ K000771867 ]!, L [L.2518678 ]!, P [ P06603429 , P06603430 ]!) .

Trees 5-18 m, sometimes with dense branching and foliage. Bark somewhat rough or irregular (but not furrowed), sometimes flaking in chocolate brown patches. Branchlets sometimes quadrangular, emerging light yellowish-green. Petioles 1-2 mm (leaves sometimes appearing subsessile). Leaves sometimes emerging maroon but maturing to bright green. Leaf blades 3.7-5.5 × 1.5-3.0 cm, elliptic, bases rounded to slightly cordate, margins irregularly and (sometimes broadly) sinuous, apex rounded. Inflorescences terminal and often numerous, 4-7 × 2.5-4 cm, of many-flowered compound cymes. Hypanthium 1.8-2.5 mm, infundibuliform, yellowish-green and often pinkish beneath the calyptra, umbo prominent and narrow. Fruits 0.8-1.5 × 0.9-1.5 cm, globose, light green turning whitish at maturity.

Notes. ‒ The leaves are thinly coriaceous and slightly discolorous. The secondary (and often tertiary) veins are faint but visible above and below and are more prominent in dried material. The secondaries arise c. 60-70° from the midvein. The stamens are light purple.

The new name is needed because the epithet of the basionym is already occupied by Syzygium eugenioides (Merr. & L.M. Perry) Biffin & Craven ( BIFFIN et al., 2005) , a species from Fiji. The specimen chosen as the lectotype has abundant flowering material, is in excellent condition, and has “type” hand-written at a later time on one of the labels.

We have not yet located Mackee 32958, which Veillon indicated he thought was the same species as Veillon 7094. A specimen at P ( P00522321 ) may be a remaining syntype given the words “type de fruit” on one of the labels, and that Guillaumin included information in the protologue about the fruit; however, additional information on the other labels (e.g., “Vallées boisées”) does not correspond to any of the specimens cited in the protologue.

The species occurs in dry forests and is locally common at Pointe Maa. A bumble bee was noted visiting a specimen at Pointe Maa; this and several other images can be seen at the “Endemia” website [http://endemia.nc/flore/fiche4247.html].

Additional specimens examined. ‒ NEW CALEDONIA. Prov. Sud: Pointe Maa, propriété Schmidt, 4.IV.2007, Hequet et al. 3666 ( NOU [ NOU017093 ], P [ P06669058 ]) ; ibid. loc., 15.V.2007, Hequet et al. 3679 ( CANB, NOU, P [ P06669057 ], WELTU) ; ibid. loc., 24.XI.2007, Munzinger et al. 4915 ( NOU [ NOU030781 ], P [ P04776466 ]) ; La Foa, Karopin, Munzinger 6645 ( CANB, KSP [ KSP012215 ], MPU, MO-6642467 , P [ P P00819240 , P00871531 ]) ; Nakutakoin , versant SW du Pic Jacob, 1.VIII.1989, Veillon 7094 ( NOU [ NOU081734 ]) ; Pic Jacob, versant W , 5.IV.1992, Veillon 7476 ( NOU [ NOU031479 ], P [ P05265223 ]) ; Sine loc.: “ Vallées boisées ”, Anon. s.n. ( P [ P00522321 ]) .

Figures

Fig. 1. – Living Syzygium P. Browne ex Gaertn. A-B. Syzygium baudounii (Brongn. & Gris) N. Snow,Byng & J.W. Dawson; C. Syzygium francii (Guillaumin) N. Snow, Byng & Munzinger; D. Syzygium ignambiense (Baker f.) N. Snow & Byng; E. Syzygium neoeugenioides N. Snow & Byng; F. Syzygium neolaurifolium N. Snow & Byng.