Eugenia xilitlensis McVaugh, Fieldiana, Bot.

Uc Gala, Victor C., Valdemarin, Karinne Sampaio, Lucas, Eve, Negrão, Raquel & Mazine, Fiorella F., 2023, Eugenia (Myrtaceae) from Mexico: checklist, distribution, and conservation assessments, Phytotaxa 583 (2), pp. 99-140 : 130

85. * Eugenia xilitlensis McVaugh, Fieldiana, Bot. 29: 462 (1963)

EOO: 100.364 km ². AOO: 12 km ². Evaluation of IUCN: Endangered.

Eugenia xilitlensis occurs only in Querétaro and San Luis Potosi, from 1,200 to 1,300 m elev. The estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) falls between the thresholds of Critically Endangered and Endangered categories under the criterion B, as well as the area of occupancy (AOO). There are three known locations based on three collections recorded, two in Querétaro and one in San Luis Potosi.This species occurs in Humid Montane Forest biome. The habitat is important for biodiversity as it is estimated that about 774 species, that represent 25% of Mexico’s floristic wealth, are within the “Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra Gorda” (Rzedowski 1991, INE-SEMARNAP 1999d). However, data on the conservation status of this reserve indicate that the mountain rainforests in this region are under pressure due to the impact of changes in soil use into coffee production and other agricultural production from the local communities. Recently, however, a sustainable production proposal has been carried out to preserve the natural resources offered from the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve ( Ruiz-Corzo & Pedraza 2007). Taking a precautionary approach, considering that there is no specific conservation in place for this species yet, Eugenia xilitlensis is here classified as Endangered (EN) due to its restricted distribution, related to only three locations and continuing decline of habitat, meeting the criteria B1ab(iii)+B2ab(iii).

Specimens examined:— MEXICO. Querétaro: Rubio 319 ( MEXU!); San Luis Potosí: Rzedowski 12368 ( MEXU!).