Myrcia cuprea (O. Berg) Kiaerskou (1893: 95)

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 : 46

20. Myrcia cuprea (O. Berg) Kiaerskou (1893: 95) .

Basionym:— Aulomyrcia cuprea O. Berg (1857–1859: 77).

Type:— BRAZIL. “Flor. Amazon. Insula Colares. In littore”, E.F. Poeppig 2937 (lectotype designated by McVaugh [1969, p. 290]: W [0033248] image) . ( Figs. 4 H-K, 5C-D)

Trees or shrubs 3– 7 m. Twigs pubescent, the indumentum brownish-red. Leaves with petioles 5–7 mm long, pubescent, channeled; blades elliptic to broadly so, or oval, 3.8–6.7 × 3–5 cm, pubescent adaxially and densely pubescent abaxially, the indumentum brownish-red, chartaceous or coriaceous, concolorous; glands conspicuous; base rounded or cuneate; apex acute, rounded or obtuse; midvein adaxially impressed or flat; lateral veins visible, not arched, 8 to 12 pairs; intramarginal vein ca. 1 mm or less from the margin, margin flat. Inflorescence terminal or subterminal, panicle, pyramidal, flowers lax, the axis 3.6–6 cm long, pubescent, the indumentum brownish-red, the first branching 1.9–4 cm; bracts lanceolate, 4 × 2 mm, pubescent, caducous before anthesis; pedicels 0.5–1 mm long, pubescent; bracteoles lanceolate, 0.5 × 2 mm, pubescent, caducous before anthesis; flower buds campanulate, 2–3 × 2 mm, not constricted above ovary; calyx-lobes free, five, orbicular, 0.5 × 1 mm, pubescent, not reflexed, persistent in the fruit; ovary 2-locular. Immature fruit globose, 0.6–0.8 × 0.4–0.6 cm, pubescent, surface smooth.

Note:— Myrcia cuprea may be recognized by its leaves, which are elliptic to broadly elliptic, or oval, with brownish-red indumentum; campanulate flower buds; and globose fruits, which are pubescent and have a smooth surface. This species is morphologically related to M. guianensis from which it is distinguished by its pubescent branches and leaves (vs. glabrous), campanulate flower buds (vs. globose or obovate) and 2-locular ovary (vs. 3- locular).

Distribution and habitat:— Known from French Guiana, Suriname and northeastern and northwestern Brazil (Amazonas, Amapá, Maranhão and Pará states) (POWO 2020, Flora do Brasil 2020). In Amazonian Maranhão, M. cuprea was found growing in secondary and “terra firme” forests.

Phenology:— Flowering in May, July, August and November and fruiting in January.

Specimens examined:— BRAZIL. Maranhão: Ao longo do rio. Rio Gurupi , 15 August 1958 (fl.), R.L. Fróes 34555 ( IAN!) . Anajatuba , 3°15’52” S, 44°37’11” W, 26 January 1976 (fr.), B.G.S. Ribeiro & G.S. Pinheiro 1228 ( IAN!) . Cândido Mendes , 1°26’49” S, 45°43’00” W, 02 November 2017 (fl.), G.S. Amorim 525 ( MAR!) ; Maracassumé River region, Ilha do Trauira , 1°12’52” S, 45°33’33” W, 31 August 1932 (fl.), R.L. Fróes 1842 ( NY!) . Cururupu, Faz. Sto Antonio , 1°49’42” S, 44°52’05” W, August 1914 (fl.), A. Lisboa 56 ( NY!) ; Perto do Palacete , 1°46’18” S, 44°53’23” W, 21 August 2014 (fl.), M.A. Machado 14 ( MAR!) . Maracassumé, Santa Helena. Próximo do Lugarejo Queimadas , 2°13’52” S, 45°17’59” W, 09 July 1978 (fl.), N.A. Rosa & O. Cardoso 2547 ( IAN!) . São Luís, Alumar , 2°41’30” S, 44°19’44” W, 13 November 1995 (fl.), K.B. Ferreira & E.C. Girnos s.c ( MAR!) ; Anil, Arredores da estiva. Sitio Andiroba , 06 August 1980 (fl.), M.G. Silva 5676 ( MG!) ; Granja Barreto , 03 September 1952 (fl.), R.L. Fróes 28549 ( IAN!) ; Granja Federal , 2°31’47” S, 44°18’10” W, 12 May 1949 (fl.), R.L. Fróes 24247 ( IAN!) ; Sítio Santa Eulália , 2°30’30” S, 44°16’39” W, 16 September 2017 (fr.), G.S. Amorim 399 ( MAR!) , G.S. Amorim 400 (MAR), G.S. Amorim 451 ( MAR!) ; 2°33’57” S, 44°18’51” W, 29 January 2018 (fr.), G.S. Amorim 428 ( MAR!) , G.S. Amorim 429 ( MAR!) ; Parque Ambiental Alumar , 2°41’31” S, 44°19’42” W, 07 September 1999 (fl.), G. Richardson s.n ( MAR!) . Reserva Florestal do Sacavém , 2°53’37” S, 44°30’28” W, 17 July 1992 (fl.), F.H. Muniz 141 (INPA, image) ; 2°34’04” S, 44°15’44” W, 30 August 1995 (fl.), J. Ferreira & E. Barroso 92 ( MAR!) .

Figures

FIGURE 4.A–D. Eugenia polystachya.A.Habit.B. Inflorescence in a simple raceme. C. Flower bud. D.Fruit.E–G. E. wullschlaegeliana. E. Habit. F. Inflorescence in fascicle. G. Fruit. H–K. Myrcia cuprea. H. Habit. I. Inflorescence in panicle. J. Flower bud. K. Fruit. L–N. M. grandis. L. Habit. M. Inflorescence in panicle. N. Flower bud.