Myrcia ferruginosa Mazine

Santos, Matheus F., 2025, Taxonomic monograph of Myrcia sect. Eugeniopsis (Myrciinae, Myrteae, Myrtaceae), an endemic clade of Eastern South America, Phytotaxa 703 (1), pp. 1-100 : 33-36

5. Myrcia ferruginosa Mazine (in Mazine et al. 2014: 98) ( Figures 13E–H , 16–18 ).

≡ Eugenia sylvatica Gardner (1843: 352) , nom. illeg. Eugeniopsis silvatica O. Berg (1855 –1856: 81). Marlierea silvatica (O.Berg) Kiaerskou (1893: 51) . Type:— Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, “Organ mts., 3000 ft., virgin forests”, March 1837 (fl.), Gardner 414 (lectotype BM! [BM000953745] [image] designated by Santos et al. 2019; isolectotypes E! [E00135419] [image], E! [E00135420] [image], F! [680660] [image], G! [G00301894], GH! [00069398] [image], K! [K000330563], K! [K000330564], MICH! [1109626] [image], NY! [00405273] [image], NY! [00405274] [image], P! [P00217960], P! [P00217961], S! [S05-2565], US! [00118185] [image], W! [W0047990]).

Description:— Tree, 3 to 20 m high. Trichome reddish, simple or dibrachiate (usually shorter than the simple one), 0.08–1.12 mm. Twig when young flattened and sometimes distally sulcate, hispid, when mature greyish (when dry), cylindrical, cortex slightly cracked; branching usually sympodial, internode 2.7–12.2 cm, node slender; cataphylls present at the SGU, early deciduous; buds hispid or pubescent. Leaf often discolorous, adaxially green and abaxially ferrugineous (due to trichomes), chartaceous, blade 8.2–22.5 × 4.2–8.7 cm, elliptic to widely elliptic or obovate, apex acuminate to acute or caudate, base cuneate to obtuse, margin plane, secondary veins 4–11 mm apart, held at an angle of 60–70° relative to the midvein, one or two marginal veins, the first 1.0–2.0 mm and the second 0.5 mm from the margin, tertiary veins barely conspicuous to inconspicuous in both surfaces, areoles 0.2–1.0 mm, pellucid dots barely conspicuous to inconspicuous in the abaxial surface, 2–5 per mm 2; adaxial surface subglabrate (puberulent in the midvein), secondary veins plane to slightly raised; abaxial surface hispid, secondary veins raised; petiole 10–15 × 2 mm, canaliculate, hispid. Inflorescence 4.0–11.0 × 2.0–9.0 cm, 10–45 flowers, axillar at subterminal node (usually the one immediately below the terminal node) of the SGU (central bud developing a vegetative branch), or often at the terminal node, one inflorescence per axillary bud, inflorescence pherophyll deciduous, opposite branching, three branching per node, rachis hispid, first internode of central rachis 2 mm wide; bracts deciduous, not seen; bracteoles ca. 1 × 0.5 mm, deciduous, ovate, concave, apex acute, base truncate, externally hispid. Flower bud 2.5–3.0 × 2.0 mm, clavate, corolla hidden or barely apparent before anthesis; hypanthium ca. 1.2 mm extending above the summit of the ovary, not tearing at anthesis or with a small vertical rip (but not tearing the staminal ring), externally hispid with pellucid dots covered by the indument; calyx 4–merous, lobes 0.8–1.4 × 1.0– 1.4 mm, not fused, deciduous parallel to the hypanthium ring, depressed ovate to widely depressed ovate or widely ovate, concave, apex rounded, externally hispid or pubescent, internally puberulent; corolla 4–merous, petals white or purple, 2.0–2.4 × 1.6–1.8 mm, widely depressed ovate, very widely ovate or very widely obovate, plane, apex rounded, externally pubescent to puberulent, internally puberulent; staminal ring ca. 0.3 mm wide, puberulent, stamens ca. 100, filament ca. 3.0 mm long, anther ca. 0.2 × 0.2 mm, gland at the apex; ovary ca. 1.0 × 1.2 mm, obconic, style 4.0–5.0 mm long, glabrous, stigma punctiform. Fruit immature ferruginous green (due to trichomes), mature vinaceous to black, ca. 2.3 × 1.8 cm, globose, base obconic, hispid or puberulent, totally covered by pellucid dots, remnants of hypanthium and calyx present; seeds 1 or 2 per fruit.

Distribution and Habitat: — Myrcia ferruginosa occurs in the lowland to montane Atlantic Forest domain, from Rio de Janeiro to Santa Catarina states ( Figure 18 ). It inhabits the undercanopy or canopy of rainforests, or occasionally riparian forests. The species is found at elevations ranging from 35 to 1,119 meters, but is most commonly found above 800 meters.

Phenology: —Flowering occurs from November to February and in July, peaking in December and January. Fruits are present throughout the year, with mature fruits recorded only in July (Santa Catarina state).

Conservation Status: — Myrcia ferruginosa has a wide distribution area (Extent of Occurrence is 168,137 km 2, threshold of Least Concern; sensu IUCN 2022) and is recorded in protected areas. The small Area of Occupancy (204 km 2, threshold of Endangered) is probably due to low collection effort. It is preliminarily classified as Least Concern (LC; IUCN 2022), but it warrants attention due to its endemism in the Atlantic Forest, which now covers only 24% of its original area (Fundação SOS Mata Atlântica & INPE 2022).

Taxonomy:— Myrcia ferruginosa is characterized by a hispid indument on the twigs, abaxial surface of leaf blade, inflorescence rachis and floral buds. It also exhibits sympodial branching, elliptic or obovate leaf blade with conspicuous secondary vein on the adaxial surface (due to trichomes), and inflorescence that typically arises from the subterminal node (just below the terminal one) of the SGU ( Figure 13E–H ). The species can be confused with Myrcia vellozoi , especially in populations from Espírito Santo state where sympodial branching is common in this species. However, M. ferruginosa can be distinguished by the indument hispid, the conspicuous secondary veins and the inflorescence structure. Vernacular names recorded for the species include “guamirim-chorão” or “guamirimvermelho” (Santa Catarina state) and “guarupunga” (São Paulo state).

Illustrations and images in previous works: — Legrand & Klein (1971, as Marlierea sylvatica ), Fernandes et al. (2020), Lannoy et al. (2021).

Additional specimens examined: — UNKNOWN COUNTRY (PROBABLY BRAZIL), 1880 (fr.), Binot 27 ( P). BRAZIL. Paraná: unknown municipality, 1912 (fl.), P . Dusén s.n. ( NY615534 ). Mun. Antonina , 2 June 1989 (fr.), G . Hatschbach 53116 ( MBM, US); ibidem, 23 June 1972 (st.), G . Hatschbach 29732 ( MBM). Mun. Guaraqueçaba, 1 June 1967 (fr.), G . Hatschbach 16494 ( MBM, NY, UEC, US); ibidem, 10 April 1995 (fr.), S. R . Ziller 789 ( ESA, MBM, RB, SPSF); ibidem, 8 December 1972 (fl.), G . Hatschbach 30953 ( MBM). Mun. Guaratuba, 12 April 1989 (fr.), G . Hatschbach 52746 ( MBM, US); ibidem, 13 December 1962 (fl.), G . Hatschbach 9679 ( MBM); ibidem, 13 June 2017 (fr.), R. R . Voltz 1627 ( RB); ibidem, 15 November 1960 (fl.), G . Hatschbach 7537 ( MBM); ibidem, 19 December 1968 (fl.), G . Hatschbach 20636 ( MBM, NY, UEC, US); ibidem, 9 April 1987 (fr.), G . Hatschbach 51207 ( MBM, US). Mun. Morretes, 11 November 1977 (fl.), G . Hatschbach 40497 ( MBM, NY, UEC); ibidem, 15 January 1986 (fl.), J. M . Silva 67 ( MBM, US); ibidem, 19 January 1971 (fl.), G . Hatschbach 25995 ( HUEFS, MBM, NY, UEC); ibidem, 25 April 1979 (fr.), G . Hatschbach 42222 ( MBM, NY, SPF, UEC); ibidem, 30 May 1968 (fr.), G . Hatschbach 19278 ( MBM, NY); ibidem, 6 October 1993 (st.), M . Guapiassú 175 ( MBM). Mun. São José dos Pinhais , 8 January 1966 (st.), J. C . Lindeman 222 ( MBM); ibidem, 25 July 1997 (fr.), O. S . Ribas 1906 ( BHCB, MBM, SPF). Rio de Janeiro: unknown municipality, no date (fl.), L . Riedel s.n. ( K000330565 ); January 1824 (fl.), L . Riedel s.n. ( P05209032 ); no date (fl.), C. L. F . Ichaso s.n. ( RB110859 ); no date (fl.), J . Miers s.n. ( P05209033 ); January 1824 (fl.), L . Riedel s.n. ( P05209031 ); Serra dos Órgãos , July 1878 (fl.), J . Miers 4438 ( K). Mun. Cachoeiras de Macacu , 22 May 1992 (fr.), B. C . Kurtz 225 ( RB, UEC); ibidem, 12 June 1992 (fr.), B. C . Kurtz s.n. ( RB, UEC130662 ). Mun. Duque de Caxias , 20 September 2001 (fr.), S. J . Silva-Neto 1492 ( RB). Mun. Guapimirim , 17 March 1992 (fr.), M. P. M . Lima 224 ( MBML, RB); ibidem, 19 February 1992 (fr.), M . Peron 929 ( CEPEC, K, NY, RB, SPF); ibidem, no date (fr.), R . Finotti s.n. ( RB570804 ); ibidem, 9 February 2015 (fr.), A . Giaretta 1497 ( SPF). Mun. Magé, 10 February 2001 (fr.), A . Quinet 10/71 ( RB); ibidem, 6 December 1984 (fl.), G . Martinelli 10577 ( RB, UEC); ibidem, 15 November 1984 (st.), H. C . Lima 2421 ( RB). Mun. Nova Friburgo , 19 February 1888 (fl.), A. F. M . Glaziou 17002 ( K, P). Mun. Nova Iguaçu, 11 December 2001 (fl.), S. J . Silva-Neto 1546 ( CEPEC, ESA, K, RB, SP); ibidem, 4 August 1996 (fr.), S. J . Silva-Neto 775 ( RB). Mun. Teresópolis, 25 April 2015 (fr.), L. F . Gonçalves 118 ( RB); ibidem, 13 December 2015 (fl.), L. F . Gonçalves 208 ( RB); ibidem, 3 June 2017 (fr.), L. F . Gonçalves 434 ( RB); ibidem, 23 September 2011 (fr.), M. F . Santos 689 ( K, NY, SPF); ibidem, 12 April 2001 (fr.), P . Fiaschi 753 ( SPF); ibidem, 20 October 1977 (fr.), P. J. M . Maas 3347 ( NY); ibidem, 8 April 2017 (fr.), T . Fernandes 122 ( RB). Santa Catarina: unknown municipality, 25 May 2004 (fr.), Ademir 19 ( BHCB). Mun. Brusque, 11 August 1949 (st.), H. P . Velloso 16 ( RB); ibidem, 21 March 1950 (fr.), R. M . Klein 61 ( MBM); ibidem, 29 January 1952 (fr.), H. P . Velloso 20 ( RB); ibidem, 29 January 1952 (fr.), R. M . Klein s.n. ( US 2120020); ibidem, 7 September 1948 (fr.), R . Reitz 2186 ( US). Mun. Corupá , 25 January 2010 (fl.), S . Dreveck 673 ( FURB). Mun. Florianópolis, 12 January 1973 (fl.), A . Bresolin 673 ( MBM); ibidem, 19 December 1979 (fl.), A . Bresolin 1369 ( HUEFS); ibidem, 16 January 1967 (fl.), R. M . Klein 7061 ( MBM); ibidem, 16 May 1967 (fr.), R. M . Klein 7408 ( MBM). Mun. Ibirama, 1902 (fl.), H . Luederwaldt s.n. ( SP27029 ); ibidem, 6 March 1956 (fr.), R. M . Klein 1881 ( US). Mun. Imaruí , 27 March 1973 (fr.), R. M . Klein 10944 ( MBM). Mun. Itajaí, 19 July 1954 (fr.), R . Reitz 1994 ( US); ibidem, 20 December 1955 (fl.), R . Reitz 2301 ( NY, US); ibidem, 7 January 1956 (fl.), R . Reitz 2356 ( US). Mun. Jaraguá do Sul , 26 November 1989 (fr.), F . Bonato 161 ( MBM); ibidem, 13 January 1958 (fl.), R . Reitz 6214 ( NY, US). Mun. Joinville , 15 July 2017 (fr.), R. R . Voltz 1645 ( RB). Mun. Lauro Müller , 15 January 1959 (fl.), R . Reitz 8244 ( K). Mun. Paulo Lopes, 26 March 1973 (fr.), R. M . Klein 10928 ( MBM). São Paulo: Mun. Biritiba-Mirim, 30 August 1983 (fr.), A . Custodio-Filho 1458 ( SP, UEC). Mun. Eldorado, 12 February 1997 (fr.), F. A. R .D. P. Arzolla 14 ( SPSF); ibidem, 23 March 2005 (fr.), M . Carboni 92 ( ESA, SPSF, UEC). Mun. Itanhaém, 17 April 2001 (fr.), F. T . Farah 2307 ( ESA, UEC); ibidem, 14 March 2005 (fr.), R . Cielo-Filho 393 ( SPSF). Mun. Miracatu, 3 January 2012 (st.), V. C . Souza 36128 ( ESA). Mun. Santo André, 27 August 1942 (fr.), M . Kuhlmann s.n. ( SP, SPF67309 ). Mun. São Luiz do Paraitinga , 2008 (st.), M. C. G . Padgurschi 1139 ( UEC); ibidem, 24 January 2004 (fl.), N. M . Ivanauskas 5049 ( ESA, SPSF). Mun. São Paulo, 25 October 1943 (fr.), D. B. J . Pickel s.n. ( SPSF1887 , US); ibidem, 16 July 1983 (fr.), O. T . Aguiar s.n. ( RB, SPF, SPSF07162 ) .

Figures

FIGURE 13. A–D. Myrcia eugeniopsoides. A. Restinga, a typical habitat for this species (Ilha do Cardoso, São Paulo state, Brazil). B. Abaxial leaf surface with numerous, thin secondary veins. C. Inflorescence with few flowers. D. Flower bud with fused calyx lobes. E–H. Myrcia ferruginosa. E. Twig and leaves with reddish, hispid indument. F. Immature inflorescence, showing two fused pherophylls before detaching. G. fruiting branch showing sympodial branching. H. longitudinal section of the fruit, showing the reddish embryo. Image credits: B–D) Paulo Henrique Gaem; F) Thiago Fernandes.

FIGURE 16. Representative specimens of Myrcia sect. Eugeniopsis: Myrcia ferruginosa (Dreveck 1496 [FURB]).

FIGURE 17. Representative specimens of Myrcia sect. Eugeniopsis: Myrcia ferruginosa (Giaretta 1497 [SPF]).

FIGURE 18. Distribution of Myrcia ferruginosa (triangles) and Myrcia polygama (circles). Solid lines represent the boundaries of South American countries and Brazilian states. The grayscale reflects elevation.