Syzygium cuneifolium (Baker) Byng, N. Snow & Phillipson

Byng, James W., Phillipson, Peter B. & Snow, Neil, 2015, Nomenclatural notes on Malagasy Syzygium Gaertn. (Myrtaceae), Candollea 70 (1), pp. 151-155 : 152-153

Syzygium cuneifolium (Baker) Byng, N. Snow & Phillipson , comb. nova.

≡ Eugenia cuneifolia Baker in J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 20: 144. 1883.

≡ Eugenia emirnensis f. cuneifolia (Baker) H. Perrier in Mém. Inst. Sci. Madagascar, Sér. B, Biol. Vég. 4: 187. 1952.

Typus: M ADAGASCAR: Central, sine loc., Baron 1254 (lecto-: K [ K000312827 ]!; isolecto-: P [ P00118100 ]!) (Lectotype designated by PERRIER DE LA BÂTHIE, 1952) .

= Eugenia emirnensis var. submaritima H. Perrier in Mém. Inst. Sci. Madagascar, Sér. B, Biol. Vég. 4: 187. 1952 [nom. nud.].

Notes. ‒ Authorship for Eugenia cuneifolia has been cited incorrectly as “Bojer ex Baker”. On publishing E. cuneifolia in Eugenia section Syzygium Triana & Planch., BAKER (1883) referred to Bojer’s unpublished manuscript name Syzygium cuneifolium , but following ICN Art. 46.4 ( MCNEILL et al., 2012) the correct authorship of the name should be attributed to Baker alone.

Syzygium cuneifolium is one of the most widespread Syzygium species in Madagascar. It occurs in humid, coastal and montane forests of eastern Madagascar at elevations up to 1000(-1500) m.

The littoral specimens of S. cuneifolium , which correspond to Perrier de la Bâthie’s invalid name Eugenia emirnensis var. submaritima H. Perrier (lacking latin diagnosis, see MCNEILL et al., 2012: Art. 39.1), differ somewhat from specimens at higher altitudes in having less prominent venation and an apiculate rather than cuspidate leaf apex. However, overall variation suggests the species is widespread and expresses variation depending on altitude, habitat and soil type (e.g. coastal sands and wet humid soils). Subspecific ranks are not designated here but further study may warrant their recognition. The relationships of Syzygium cuneifolium and S. condensatum are discussed further below under our note on the latter.