Psidium guineense Swartz (1788: 77)

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 : 56

37. Psidium guineense Swartz (1788: 77) .

Type:—“ Culta in Hispaniola,” “ ex Africa ”. Presumably Swartz s.n. (holotype: S-r-5302) . ( Fig. 5P )

Shrubs 2 m. Twigs sparsely pubescent or pubescent, indumentum brownish-red. Leaves with petioles 0.5–0.7 mm long, densely or sparsely pubescent, channeled; blades elliptic, elliptic-oblong, oblong or oval, 4–13.5 × 1.8–6.8 cm, densely pubescent, the indumentum reddish-brown, chartaceous, discolorous; glands not seen; base cuneate or rounded; apex acute, mucronate or obtuse; midvein adaxially impressed; lateral veins visible, arched, 7 to 10 pairs; intra-marginal vein absent, margin flat. Inflorescence axillary, a solitary flower or dichasium, 1–3 flowers, the axis 0.9–1.2 mm long, pubescent; bracts not seen, caducous before anthesis; pedicels 0.5–0.7 mm long or absent; bracteoles linear, 1 × 1 mm, pubescent, caducous after anthesis; flower buds pyriform, 4–5 × 7–9 mm, constricted above ovary; calyx-lobes completely fused, four to five, opening by irregular tearing, pubescent, ovate, 5 × 3–5 mm, not reflexed, persisting in the fruit; ovary 3–5-locular. Immature fruit globose, ca. 1.1 × 1.4 cm, glabrous, surface marked with glands.

Note:— Psidium guineense may be recognized by its densely or sparsely pubescent, elliptic, oblong or oval leaves; the acute, mucronate or obtuse leaf apex; the inflorescence, which is a solitary flower or dichasium; and the completely fused calyx lobes, opening by irregular tearing.

Distribution and habitat:— Known from Tropical America, and widely distributed in Brazil (POWO 2020, Flora do Brasil 2020). In Amazonian Maranhão, P. guineense was found growing in flooded forests and along roads.

Phenology:— Flowering in January, February and December.

Specimens examined:— BRAZIL. Maranhão: Anajatuba, São Bento , 3°15’52” S, 44°37’11” W, 09 February 2008 (fl.), A. Araujo 10 ( IAN!) . Pameirândia , 2°38’43” S, 44°53’42” W, 28 January 2007 (fl.), C.M. Vieira 87 ( IAN!) . Turiaçu, Km 6 da BR 106 Maracaçumé-Sta. Helena, fazenda Maracaçumé Agro Industrial Grupo Mesbla , 1°39’48” S, 45°22’18” W, 01 December 1978 (fl.), N. A. Rosa 2819 & H. Vila ( NY!) .

Additional specimens examined:— BRAZIL. Pará : Vigia , 17km southeat of Vigia along road (PA-140) to Belém, 50 m, 0°57’ S, 48°04’59” W, 30 March 1980 (fr.), G. Davidse, N.A. Rosa, C.S. Rosario & M.G. Silva 17655 ( US, 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.