Myrcia eximia De Candolle (1828: 248)

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 : 46-47

21. Myrcia eximia De Candolle (1828: 248) .

Type:— BRAZIL. Minas Gerais, “in Brasiliae deserto ad Minas Geraes ” C.F.P. Martius s.n. (holotype: M [0136862]) . ( Figs. 5 E-F)

Trees 5 m. Twigs glabrescent or sparsely pubescent, the indumentum yellowish. Leaves with petioles 4–7 mm long, pubescent, channeled; blades elliptic, oblong or oval, 7–11.1 × 2.8–5.2 cm, pubescent, the indumentum whitish, chartaceous, concolorous; glands conspicuous; base cuneate or rounded; apex acuminate or long acuminate; midvein adaxially sulcate; lateral veins visible and strongly marked, not arched, 12 to 16 pairs; intra-marginal vein 1–2 mm from the margin,margin revolute. Inflorescence terminal or subterminal, panicle, pyramidal, sometimes two per axis, flowers lax, the axis 7–11.1 cm long, pubescent, the indumentum whitish, the first branching 1–6.5 cm; bracts not seen, caducous before anthesis; pedicels ca. 0.5 mm long or absent, glabrous; bracteoles lanceolate, 1.5 × 0.5 mm, glabrous, caducous after anthesis; flower buds globose, 2 × 3 mm, not constricted above ovary; calyx-lobes free, five, orbicular 0.5–1 × 0.5–1.5 mm, glabrous, not reflexed, persistent in the fruit; ovary 2-locular. Immature fruit globose or ellipsoid, 0.8–1 × 0.6–1.2 cm, glabrous, surface smooth.

Note:— Myrcia eximia may be recognized by its elliptic, oblong or oval leaves, which are pubescent with whitish indumentum; the visible lateral veins, which are strongly marked; and the pubescent panicle. This species is morphologically related to M. splendens from which it is distinguished by its sulcate adaxially midvein (vs. impressed), and the lateral veins that are strongly marked adaxially and abaxially (vs. not marked).

Distribution and habitat:— Known from central and northeastern Brazil (Bahia, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais and Piauí states) (POWO 2020, Flora do Brasil 2020). In Amazonian Maranhão, M. eximia was found growing in “terra firme” forest.

Phenology:— Flowering in February.

Specimens examined:— BRAZIL. Maranhão: Cândido Mendes, Fazenda 7 irmãos, 2°26’31” S, 46°18’07” W, 16 February 2020 (fl.), G.S. Amorim 619 ( JPB!) .

Additional specimens examined:— BRAZIL. Pará. Altamira: Sete Palmeiras, 3°12’12” S, 52°12’23” W, 12 December 1986 (fr.), S. M. Athie de Souza , O. Nascimento, M. Santos & J.C. Santos 673 (US, image) ; Salvaterra, Condeixas, 0°45’12” S, 48°31’00” W, 10 January 1982 (fl.), C.S. Rosáro & E. Taylor 124 (MBM, image). Piaui. Uruçuí, estrada Waldemar Bertozzolo, 7°13’46” S, 44°33’22” W, 19 November 2005 (fl.), A.M. Miranda 5222 (HUEFS, image).

Figures

FIGURE 5. A. Fruits in Myrcia amazonica. B. Flowers in Myrcia bracteata. C–D. Flowers and fruits in Myrcia cuprea. E–F. Flowers and immature fruits in M. eximia. G–H. Flowers in Myrcia guianensis. I–J. Flowers bud and immature fruits in Myrcia multiflora. K–L. Flowers bud and immature fruits in Myrcia selloi. M–N. Flowers and fruits in Myrcia splendens. O. Flowers in Myrciaria tenella. P. Fruit in Psidium guineense.