Myrcia teuscheriana (O.Berg) M.F.Santos

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 : 73-75

15. Myrcia teuscheriana (O.Berg) M.F.Santos (in Santos et al. 2019: 8) ( Figures 23 , 38C–E , 41 ).

≡ Eugeniopsis teuscheriana O. Berg (1862: 249) . Marlierea teuscheriana (O.Berg) D. Legrand (1962a: 30) . Type:— Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, “Cantagallo”, no date (fl.), Teuscher 516 (but Peckolt is also cited in the type label) (holotype BR! [845810]).

Description:— Shrub to tree, 2 to 13 m high, branches elongated and flexible. Trichome reddish, simple or dibrachiate, 0.05–0.08 mm. Twig when young flattened and sometimes distally sulcate, pubescent to puberulent, when mature greyish (when dry), cylindrical, cortex slightly cracked; branching monopodial, internode 2.7–9.8 cm, node slender; cataphylls absent or present, deciduous; buds pubescent. Leaf concolorous, chartaceous or coriaceous, blade (13.7)16.2–58.0 × 4.4–14.7 cm, narrow elliptic to elliptic, oblong, ovate or obovate, apex acuminate to acute or caudate, base cuneate to rounded, attenuate or truncate, margin plane, secondary veins 0.8–11 mm apart, held at an angle of 70–80° relative to the midvein, marginal vein 1.0–3.0 mm from the margin, tertiary veins usually inconspicuous in the adaxial surface, conspicuous to barely conspicuous in the abaxial surface, areoles ca. 3 mm, pellucid dots conspicuous in the abaxial surface, 3–8 per mm 2; adaxial surface glabrous, secondary veins usually slightly raised; abaxial surface puberulent, secondary veins raised; petiole 5–19 × 2–4 mm, semicylindrical to canaliculate, puberulent. Inflorescence 6.0–22.5 × 4.0–15.0 cm, 30–170(+300) flowers, axillar at the terminal or subterminal nodes of the SGU (central bud developing a vegetative branch), usually only one pair per SGU, one inflorescence per axillary bud, inflorescence pherophyll usually deciduous, opposite branching, three branching per node, rachis puberulent, first internode of central rachis 2– 5 mm wide; bracts ca. 1.2 × 0.6 mm, deciduous, ovate, keeled, apex acuminate, base truncate, both surfaces puberulent; bracteoles ca. 0.8 × 0.5 mm, deciduous, ovate, plane to concave, apex acuminate to acute, base truncate, both surfaces puberulent. Flower bud 1.6–2.0 × 0.8–1.0 mm, clavate, corolla hidden or barely apparent before anthesis; hypanthium 1.0– 1.3 mm extending above the summit of the ovary, not tearing at anthesis or often with a small vertical rip (but not tearing the staminal ring), externally pubescent to puberulent, pellucid dots covering the whole surface; calyx 4–merous, lobes 0.5–1.2 mm × 0.8–1.2 mm, not fused, deciduous parallel to the hypanthium ring, depressed ovate to widely depressed ovate or widely ovate, concave, apex rounded, both surfaces puberulent; corolla 4–merous, petals cream to white, 0.5–1.4 mm × 0.7–1.0 mm, widely depressed ovate, very widely ovate or very widely obovate, plane (often slightly concave), apex rounded, both surfaces puberulent to glabrous; bisexual and staminate flowers with staminal ring ca. 0.2 mm wide, puberulent to subglabrate, stamens 25–50, filament 3.0–6.0 mm long, anther 0.6 × 0.6–0.8 mm, gland at the apex; bisexual flower with ovary 0.5–2.0 mm × 0.6–1.5 mm, obconic, style ca. 6.0 mm long, glabrous, stigma slightly swollen, staminate flower with vestigial pistiloid or absent. Fruit mature purple to black, 1.0–1.5 × 1.0– 1.7 cm globose or often cylindrical, base rounded or obconic, subglabrate to glabrous, totally covered by pellucid dots, remnants of hypanthium and calyx present; seeds 1 or 2 per fruit.

Distribution and Habitat: —This species occurs in the Atlantic Forest domain within Espírito Santo, Eastern Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro states ( Figure 23 ). It is found in rainforest and semideciduous forests, typically in the undercanopy and often in riparian areas, at elevations ranging from 190 to 900 meters. The species is reported to form relatively dense population in certain localities.

Phenology: —Flowering is recorded from October to February, peaking in November. Fruiting occurs year-round, with mature fruits observed in October, December, February and August.

Conservation Status: — Myrcia teuscheriana presents Extent of Occurrence of approximately 65,189 km 2 (threshold of Least Concern) but limited Area of Occupancy (112 km 2, threshold of Endangered) (sensu IUCN 2022). The species has been recorded in more than 10 localities (47 records) across its range, yet it is documented in only two Conservation Units. A significant portion of its distribution lies in Minas Gerais state, a region with one of the highest deforestation rates within Atlantic Forest (Fundação SOS Mata Atlântica & INPE 2022). The available data does not currently support classification in a threatened category; thus, due to this conflicting factors, the species is assigned as Data Deficient (VU; IUCN 2022), though it deserves attention for conservation.

Taxonomy: — Myrcia teuscheriana is well defined by its androdioecious reproductive system, monopodial branching with slender, elongated and flexible branches (except in a few specimens), large leaves, many-flowered inflorescence that emerge from subterminal or terminal nodes of the SGU, and small flower buds ( Figure 38C–E ). Vernacular names include “aperta-cu” and “lambo” in Minas Gerais state, and “batinga” in Espírito Santo state. The collection data for specimen Andrade 205 records that the monkey “barbado” ( Alouatta sp. ) was observed feeding on the fruits .

Illustrations and images in previous works: — Fernandes et al. (2020).

Additional specimens examined: — BRAZIL. Espírito Santo: Mun. Cachoeiro do Itapemirim , 15 February 2009 (fl.), J. M. L . Gomes 3217 ( VIES). Mun. Cariacica , 21 October 2008 (fl.), P . Labiak 5021 ( MBML, RB). Mun. Conceição do Castelo , 8 September 2012 (fr.), G. S . Siqueira 782 ( RB). Mun. Ibatiba , 4 August 1983 (fr.), G . Hatschbach 46685 ( RB). Mun. Santa Leopoldina , 16 March 2007 (fr.), A. P . Fontana 3058 ( MBML, RB); ibidem, 30 November 2007 (fl.), V . Demuner 4652 ( MBML, SPF). Mun. Santa Teresa , 19 March 2014 (fr.), B. S . Amorim 1946 ( UFP); ibidem 28 October 2012 (fl.), V. G . Staggemeier 896 ( K). Mun. São Mateus , 17 October 1946 (st.), G . Bondar s.n. ( RB408943 ) . Minas Gerais: unknown municipality, no date (fr.), L . Krieger 3568 ( RB); Parque Estadual do Rio Doce , 29 August 1973 (fr.), D.Sucre 10122 ( RB); ibidem, 30 August 1973 (st.), D.Sucre 10176 ( RB); ibidem, 31 August 1973 (fr.), G . Martinelli 48 ( RB). Mun. Bom Jesus do Galho , 21 December 2008 (fr.), L. L . Giacomin 422 ( BHCB). Mun. Carangola , 15 October 1991 (fl.), L. S . Leoni 1667 ( RB); ibidem, 6 October 1996 (fr.), L. S . Leoni 3479 ( RB). Mun. Caratinga , 18 September 1929 (st.), I . Kuhlmann 24 ( RB); ibidem, 28 August 1991 (fr.), J. R . Stehmann s.n. ( SP333540 ); ibidem, 8 October 1991 (fr.), F . Tolêdo s.n. ( SP329850 ); ibidem, 6 February 1995 (fr.), J . Gomes 215 ( BHCB); ibidem, 24 August 1983 (fr.), K. B . Strier 1139 ( NY); ibidem, 23 May 1991 (fr.), L. V . Costa s.n. ( BHCB19979 ); ibidem, 19 March 1984 (fr.), P. M . Andrade 71 ( RB); ibidem, 23 February 1984 (fr.), P. M . Andrade 205 ( BHCB); ibidem, 26 September 1984 (fr.), P. M . Andrade 414 ( BHCB, RB); ibidem, 18 January 1985 (fr.), P. M . Andrade 595 ( RB). Mun. Divino , 12 August 2008 (fr.), L. S . Leoni 7207 ( RB); ibidem, 2 June 2004 (fr.), L. S . Leoni 5775 ( RB); ibidem, 24 November 2006 (fl.), L. S . Leoni 6684 ( RB). Mun. Faria Lemos , 23 November 2006 (fl.), E. J . Lucas 633 ( BHCB, ESA, SPF); ibidem, 24 November 2006 (fl.), E. J . Lucas 673 ( BHCB, ESA, K); ibidem, 20 April 2007 (fr.), L. S . Leoni 6870 ( RB). Mun. Ipaba , 9 November 2004 (fl.), G. S . França 648 ( BHCB). Mun. Marliéria , 18 July 1996 (fr.), J. A . Lombardi 1339 ( MBM, SP); ibidem, 24 March 2002 (fr.), J. R . Stehmann 3034 ( BHCB); ibidem, 27 November 1993 (fl.), L. V . Costa s.n. ( SP308336 ); ibidem, December 1993 (fl.), L. V . Costa s.n. ( BHCB30698 ); ibidem, 20 September 1997 (fr.), W. P . Lopes 381 ( BHCB); ibidem, 20 November 1997 (fl.), W. P . Lopes 474 ( BHCB). Mun. Miraí , 16 May 2005 (fr.), C. V . Vidal 6 ( BHCB). Mun. Periquito , 14 April 2005 (fr.), E . Tameirão-Neto 3857 ( BHCB, ESA). Mun. Rio Doce , 20 June 2003 (fr.), E . Tameirão-Neto 3490 ( BHCB). Mun. São Pedro dos Ferros , 10 December 2000 (fl.), A . Quinet 38/56 ( RB). Mun. Tombos , 15 June 2007 (fr.), L. S . Leoni 6912 ( RB). Mun. Viçosa , 1935 (st.), J. Y. K . s.n. ( RB102980 ); ibidem, 6 November 1979 (fl.), R. S . Ramalho 1653 ( RB). Rio de Janeiro: Mun. São José Vale do Rio Preto , 8 November 2000 (fl.), F. M. B . Pereira 63/49 ( RB) .

Figures

FIGURE 23. Distribution of Myrcia hatschbachii (triangles) and Myrcia teuscheriana (circles). Solid lines represent the boundaries of South American countries and Brazilian states. The grayscale reflects elevation.

FIGURE 38. A–B. Myrcia tenuivenosa. A. Habit. B. Trunk and external bark. C–E. Myrcia teuscheriana. C. Habitat in Montane Atlantic Forest (Santa Teresa, Espírito Santo state, Brazil). D. Trunk and external bark. E. Flowering branch. F. Flowers and a visiting pollinator. Image credits:A) Eduardo H. P. Barretto; D–F) Vanessa G. Staggemeier.

FIGURE 41. Representative specimens of Myrcia sect. Eugeniopsis: Myrcia teuscheriana (Demuner 4652 [SPF]).