Psidium grazielae Tuler & M. C. Souza, 2017

Psidium grazielae Tuler & M. C. Souza View in CoL , sp. nov.

TYPE: BRAZIL. Espírito Santo: Conceição da Barra, Reserva Biológica de Córrego Grande , Floresta alta sobre tabuleiro, km 3, borda da trilha, elev. 40m, 14 Jan 2014 (fl.fr), Tuler et al. 496 (holotype RB! isotypes VIES! K! ). Figure. 1 View FIGURE 1 .

Psidium grazielae is related to P. cauliflorum Landrum & Sobral (2006) , differing by membranaceous to chartaceous leaves (vs. coriaceous leaves in P. cauliflorum ), with glandular dots visible on both faces (vs. densely glandular beneath in P. cauliflorum ), and secondary veins inconspicuous to slightly visible (vs. visible on both faces in P. cauliflorum ). In addition, leaves, branches, inflorescences, floral buds and fruits are glabrous (vs. rachis of inflorescences and pedicels sparsely to densely pubescent, hairs rusty brown, ferrugineous to gray in P. cauliflorum ).

Tree 3–12 m tall. Branches glabrous, irregularly exfoliating, gray colored, cylindrical, 1–3 mm in diameter. Leaves with petioles 3–7 cm long, 0.5–1 mm wide, adaxially canaliculate, laminae 4.5–11.5 x 2–4.7 cm, elliptical, membranaceous to chartaceous, discolorous when dry, glandular dots visible on both faces, glabrous, rarely glabrescent; apex acuminate or acute, base cuneate; venation brochidodromous, midvein sulcate on the upper surface, prominent abaxially; secondary veins 12–14 per side, inconspicuous to slightly visible on both faces, marginal vein 1–2 mm from the margin; margins revolute. Inflorescences botryoids or racemes, borne in clusters on older branches or trunk, rachis 2.5–7 cm in length, 1- to 8-flowered, basal bracts ovate or deltoid, free, 1–1.5 x 0.5–0.8 mm, persisting after anthesis; pedicels 7–14 x 0.5–1 mm; bracteoles ovate or lineate, free, 0.5–1 x 0.2–0.5 mm, persisting after anthesis. Flower buds pyriform, 4–7 x 3–4.5 mm, glabrous, calyx completely fused in apiculate flower buds, 4- to 5-lobed, broadly rounded or deltoid and up to ca. 3–5 x 2–4 mm; petals 5, rounded, 4–5 x 4–5.5 mm, white, glabrous; stamens 5–7 mm, anthers subglobose 0.3–0.5 x 0.2–0.4 mm, ovary 3–locular, with 7–12 ovules per locule. Fruits globose or slightly pyriform, glabrous, vinaceous when mature, 11–25 x 10–20 mm, with 6–8 seeds seen in fruits, 4–5 mm long, angular.

Paratypes:— BRAZIL. Espírito Santo: Conceição da Barra, Reserva Biológica de Córrego Grande , Floresta alta de tabuleiro, -18.5933, -39.7322, 12.Feb. 2009 (fr.), L.F.T. Menezes et al. 1886 ( SAMES!) GoogleMaps . Conceição da Barra, Reserva Biológica do Córrego Grande , -18.5933, -39. 7322, 2.Dec.2011, M. Ribeiro 698 ( R!, SAMES!, VIES!) GoogleMaps . Reserva Biológica de Córrego Grande , 18 o 15’20,9’’S 39 o 49’15,6’’W, 06.Set.2011 (fl.), M.C. Souza et al. 1021 ( R!) GoogleMaps . Reserva Biológica de Córrego Grande , Mata Alta sobre Tabuleiro, km 4 da estrada interna, 11.Jan. 2012 (fr.), M. Ribeiro et al. 747 ( SAMES!, VIES!) . Reserva Biológica do Córrego Grande , Floresta alta sobre tabuleiro, Km 4, 14.Mar.2012 (fr.), M. Ribeiro 811 ( SAMES!, VIES!) . Conceição da Barra, Floresta de tabuleiro, km 4, interior da Floresta, elev. 31m, 14.Jan.2014 (fl.fr), A.C.Tuler, et al. 497 ( RB!, K!) . Rio Bananal, entre Rio Bananal e Governador Lindemberg, próximo a São Jorge do Tiradentes , mata de porte baixo, 1.Apr.2012 (fl.), J.E.Q. Faria & V.G.Staggemeier 2535 ( UB!, R!, CVRD!) . Sooretama, Reserva Biológica de Sooretama , 18.Jan.2010 (fr.), M.F.Gusson 4 ( SAMES!) . Rio de Janeiro: Cardoso Moreira, Vinhático, Mata do “Benjamim”, Sítio do Sr. João , 4.Feb.2014 (fr.), I.G. Costa 359 ( RB!) .

Commentaries: — In addition to the distinctive characters listed in the diagnosis, Psidium grazielae differs from P. cauliflorum by its (3) 4–7 mm long petioles (vs. 2–3 (4) mm). Individuals of Psidium grazielae in the field have a laminate rithydome, colored brown or gray ( Figure 2 b View FIGURE 2 ), and vinaceous or red inflorescences and pedicels ( Figure 2c View FIGURE 2 , Table 1 View TABLE 1 ). The diagnostic characteristics of P. grazielae are easily visible in dried material. For this reason, we chose to present a photographic image instead of line drawings.

Etymology:—This species is dedicated in memoriam of Dra. Graziela Maciel Barroso, a prominent botanist and expert of the Brazilian flora who authored several studies that have contributed significantly to the knowledge of Myrtaceae in this country.

Distribution, habitat and conservation:—The eight records of Psidium grazielae cited in this paper were found in semi-deciduous seasonal forest. In Espírito Santo it is known from the Reserva Biológica do Córrego Grande, municipality of Conceição da Barra, and the Reserva Biológica de Sooretama, municipality of Sooretama, and Rio Bananal at elevations between 30– 40 m. In Rio de Janeiro it is known from the municipality of Cardoso Moreira at 150 m elev. ( Figure. 3 View FIGURE 3 ). In this area, forest fragments are interspersed among pastures and sugarcane plantations, outside the protect area. New species of Araceae are being described for the locality (pers. comm. Marcos Nadruz Coelho, from RB), evidencing its potential to harbor other rare or endemic taxa. Psidium grazielae has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 3552.3 km 2 and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 16 km ². Consequently, its conservation status should be categorized as EN (endangered) since it fulfills conservation criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii). In the case of Psidium grazielae , the main criterion used is the geographic range with an area of occupancy well below 5000 km ²(= B1); in addition to the species being (a) known to exist at no more than four locations ( Figure 3 View FIGURE 3 ) and (b) the continuing decline inferred from the (i) extent of occurrence, (ii) area of occupancy and (iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat (IUCN 2016).

Phenology:—Specimens collected with floral buds and flowers in October and December and with fruits in February and March.